Underclass Hero - Sum 41

I, along with millions of other people around the world, joined in the jubilation at the inauguration of America's 44th President, Barack Obama. I could not contain the amazement at watching history unfold before me, as I sat wide awake watching the ceremonies at midnight here in Manila.

I am rather speechless at this historic moment, and I was tearful at the playing of the American national anthem even though I wasn't American. Simply that this is the time when we begin to see the change in the face of modern politics is already enough to amaze me that I am here to witness it on the other side of the world.

But I come back to my reality, the Filipino reality, and the horror that comes after it when old goats open their mouths.

The headline can already make my stomach hurl. I realize I should not take breakfast before reading the news.

Obama can learn from Arroyo

Let's all use this moment to say a silent prayer for our country the Philippines.

Obama can learn from Arroyo, says Palace official

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines may be just a Third World country, but US President Barack Obama could learn a lesson or two about governance from President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, her top aide said Wednesday.

Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said while he did not want to think Filipinos were better than anybody else, especially since the political system and environment among countries are different from one another, he thinks Arroyo's assumption of the presidency ahead of Obama gave her enough experience on dealing with challenges that lay ahead.

"First of all, our President is ahead of Obama and probably, I would think that if there's anything to be learned, it should be President Obama learning from President Arroyo. And wouldn't we be proud to say that the Philippines continues to be an 'island of calm' because of the present crunches?" he said, when asked by media what lesson Arroyo could learn from Obama.

Read more here

Being first to arrive in the fray does not make one an expert about the fray. So while Arroyo was first, has she learned enough to make the Philippines a better country than it was before?

I am reminded by what my parents taught me, that while I, being the eldest, should know best as I have been around far longer than my siblings, I am not necessarily the wisest among them, as there are moments when I can learn from them as they can learn from me. It is true that they should learn from me, so I must be able to set the example.

The question begs an answer: has Arroyo been exemplary? (We just hope that this moment of silence means that we are in a prayerful, not blank, state.)

The Philippines remains not an island of calm, but an archipelago in distress. The calm in the countrysides is disrupted by battles for justice and equal rights, battles against poverty and corruption. I cannot help but think that the only calm in this country are the bodies that lie underneath the soil (but their spirits shout for justice), the victims of poverty and injustice and blatant disregard for freedom.

This presidency has not been an exemplary one. The president sits in Malacanang, the people kneel in prayer, and the government lies on just about anything, all while the world stands in to witness it.

Ermita must not have been watching Obama's inauguration address, or his hearing might not have been in check, when Obama said, "To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history; but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist."

Corruption and deceit, two mighty words that GMA, even with all her education, still does not comprehend. The people do not need to name this very long list of corrupt practices, as it can go on from A to ZTE.

The silencing of dissent and the UN report that says how this government turns a blind eye to the killings of activists, journalists, and the people who fight for truth and freedom. It is in our hope that the silence of their mouths would not silent their truths.

Cling to power. Hello, Garci?

Something is fishy with how PNP Director General Jesus Versoza explained the 105,000 euros (6.9 million in pesos) "cash advance" held by Retired Comptroller Eliseo de la Paz.

He said, "The funds are intended for possible purchase of intelligence equipment and similar products."

Oh, now, isn't this an illegal way of procuring government intelligence equipment?

What is fishy with this set up is that the money is in liquidated cash. Not simply in pesos, but in Euros. Why bring money in large amounts of cash, if it is to be used for the procurement of intelligence equipment? Procurement of such equipment isn't like shopping in a mall where you bring cash and look around stores. Spy gear boutiques? I think not, especially for the national fucking police.

Cash is virtually untraceable when brought out into the market, when it exchanges hands it cannot be found that easily. So it brings us to question why the PNP has to liquidate such amount. What is the purpose of cashing 105,000 euros?

What I think is supposed to be the plan here is to liquidate the money, also from a fishy source, and use or distribute such amount in cash as it will be rendered untraceable. To deposit that amount, the money will leave a paper trail, and the PNP or the sources of the funds don't want that.

I'd like to know where this money came from, and why that money is in Moscow and St. Petersburg, of all places. The PNP is doing business abroad, and with whom?

Earlier it was reported by Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno that it was to be used as a "contingency fund," but why a contingency fund thrice larger than the budget itself? In my own experience, contingency funds are usually simply half the budget. If this is the case anyway, I thought our government is trying to be frugal and penny-pinching funds?

It's even fishier that de la Paz skipped the Senate hearings into the case even with the subpoena. People who don't have anything to hide don't have to hide.

With the current Senate hearings, I'd like to know: why is de la Paz holding such an amount, why is that amount in cash, what intelligence equipment and where are they planning to buy such, why the money is in the hands of a retired police comptroller, why a contingency fund larger than the budget itself, among others. Each day that this issue is unraveling tells us how dirty this administration is.