Last Saturday, 2 days before the now historic session at the House of RepresentaTHIEVES, or what the Explainer Manolo Quezon prefers to call the BASTUSANG PAMBANSA, I got a text message about pro-CHA-CHA/pro-GMA members of Congress being offered 20M pesos to sell their souls and the Constitution of this country.
If indeed 20M pesos per Chacha Tongressman was distributed (not just as additional pork barrel), there should be a trail somewhere... can a little bird please chirp and tell us something... where to look at least? Seriously, please chirp and help save this nation more wasted monies. Text me for leads... 0905-328-8939.
Now, even if the 20M is just a figment of imagination (or is a "mere" pork barrel and not a "cash gift" like what Gov. Among Panlilio exposed before), why have these supposedly sentient creatures in the HOUSE OF REPRESENTATHIEVES done overtime work just to pass a resolution for virtually nothing but to taunt a Supreme Court laden with GMA-appointees? What a show of collective power! What show of collective wisdom. What arrogance. What attendance. When normally these power-trippers can't complete a quorum for important matters of real legislation, now they're all up and awake! Coffee is a poor substitute to 20M.
Let's show these members of Congress thet they should be representing us, the people, and not Malaki-ang-kanyang (ego!). Let us express our disgust in various forms -- Join the various anti-CONASS initiatives.
Erap has just declared that he is willing to personally lead rallies against this CONASS thing. Binay has convened a broad opposition front. Mar has donned Garlic leis against what he calls CONASSWANG. Noli has said no to CONASS. Chizwiz is speaking in overdesigned tagalog again to hit CONASS. Villar, like the rest of the Senate, is wincing at the Joke that is the HOR.
As for Te-ODOR-o, well, 1% lang naman ang hakot niya sa latest surveys. Lahat yata yun nasa gobyerno, kaya di na counted sa rally roster yun.
Let's all go out then. JUNE 10! Let's dance the Anti-CHACHA! Be in your most fashionable attire! See you all on the dance floor -- the PARLIAMENT OF THE STREETS!
San na ba 'yun sandals ko... Wait, phone message, might be about the 20M... wooo....
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Talk about repressing democracy O.o
ReplyDeleteIt should be the people who are to decide if the constitution should be changed(It should, but each issue should be known and voted on by the people). This is dictatorship! I for one would say that we need capital punishment... but only for those in power. Thus, if found guilty of corruption, immediate death sentence. I think we'd all be in favor of that :). Court hearings of officials should be shown to the public, that is another thing we need. But the problem is, they aren't telling us what they want to change O.o This is withholding information and why would they do that? They must have some ill-intent in mind. Wouldn't surprise me if a coup de etat started. They could easily have the support of the people, to rid ourselves of a dictator.
I just cant believe how much politicians can endure for their selfishness. I mean I'm pretty sure that they became politicians because they wanted to help the country in some way and it just doesnt seem right that they would go as far as bribing each other to stay in power and not let the country improve more. what's worse is that they are using our money for their own good. does the world really have to revolve around money? - Reginald Andrei Tan
ReplyDeleteActually, with the way things are now, they only join to further their own interests(or their family's interest). There are dynasties in the political arena. Arroyo is just one of these. It has infiltrated almost every possible level of government. This type of dynasty is part of the reason they can wield so much power. They typically control the entire government.
ReplyDelete- Angelo Villadolid CBE, MMG
It feels like there is no end to government officials being so egoistic. I truly wonder how they live their lives that way. After doing something so bad, do they not feel guilt or misery? If they don’t feel any of that, do they not have a conscience? Or maybe deep inside, they trick themselves that what they do for their own good is for the good of all. All this nonsense should seriously come to a stop.
ReplyDeleteJin Hwa Choi [DLSU CBE POLISCI C33]
Politicians nowadays have become so addicted to power that they lose sense of why they became politicians in the first place. Selfishness is now revolving around our government officials that they even allow other people to get involve in their schemes. Is this really how our government works now?
ReplyDeleteJacqueline Ong [DLSU CBE POLISCI C33]
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI made an attempt to study for the quiz on Monda and the first part I read in Chapter 2 is about the government looking after the common good. If there is a goal, there are means to accomplish it. With the issue of Con-ass, we ask is the government after the welfare of the people or for their own? 2 things are proposed in the change of the constitution, which clearly shows that there are 2 chases by the government:
ReplyDelete1.) Full legal possession of lands by foreigners.
A chase for money: To collect impose higher taxes from which they will secretly take a share from. How corrupt are we?
2.) Provisions that will allow Arroyo to run for congress.
A chase for power: Simply because she does not want to be taken out of the picture. How humble is she to push this?
Government officials are not blind. They know that we are fully aware of their tactics yet they still believe that while they are in position, they are in control. Democracy it is. Our voices are ignored.
Monica Pasion
POLISCI C37
First of all, I would like to question on how the congressmen voted for CON ASS. They decided the future of our country by way of shouting just like they always do during sessions. I think that this is not the proper way of how our elected congressmen decide on important issues. Walk the talk. Also, why are they (congressmen) so in a hurry to make such change, even going over time for this matter which they usually DO NOT do. With this move, one would question such move. I am open for change but please follow the proper procedures on changing our constitution. Personally, i dont think we need to change our constitution. What we need is implementation of the law.
ReplyDeleteThe administration is now doing everything in its power to push CHACHA because they know that once GMA steps down from her office and returns to a private life, she'll have hell set loose upon her by her enemies. With CHACHA, GMA will run for congresswoman then with backing of her allies, she'll go for prime minister. Once in that position, she'll have cemented her hold to power and no number of votes from the masses can remove her from it.
ReplyDeleteCongress doesn't care for the people's welfare. All they care about is sucking up to GMA so that they can get their share of money.
Powell Lu (CBE POLISCI C33)
Can she state to us a set of benefits that the mass could gain with CHACHA? Why would we dance with her CHACHAing? Its only gonna be her on the dance floor alone? what does she want? spotlight? I would give her a flashlight and tell her to go home if i could. She was already in position for several years, if she only has the power to improve the economy of Philippines well she can have the whole government. But what have she been doing? Going to the hospital? Telling everybody how stress she was? c'mon its your (GMA) responsibility. 20M? from the money of the Philippines? Why don't she use these 20Ms to make homes for the homeless. Or give it to DepEd for the education of the poor. She will just lives of people misery! During her term, does she know why are there less complaints? because people are tired of complaining because there is nothing happening! pro-GMA and pro-CHACHA?? open your eyes! nothing good is happening to us
ReplyDeleteWilhelm Ong (CBE POLISCI C33)
The congress cannot just ignore the senate being the UPPERHOUSE. And for sure, the senate won't give way for the congress to approve bills without their participation. Dont they think that there's no enough time to change the constitution? Is it highly possible for the government to change the constitution in less than a year, before the 2010 election?
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, the remaining months is not enought to completely change everything. I think it would be better if we'll just wait for the soon to be elected officials on what they would do regarding this matter.
Pamela Gayle Tan,MMG C37 POLISCI
I was neither aware nor interested by this matter of CONASS since I was never really interested on how our government works (I still don’t trust our government. hmph.. lol) Thanks to Mr. Montemar for explaining what does this particular issue means. The media showed more air time tackling about other issues like the sex videos of Hayden Kho rather than the more important and more vital issue of CONASS that involves the changing of our constitution that can eventually change the way how our government can be in command of our society.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, the public should have more knowledge on what is the latest on what is happening to our government. This is not “their” government; it is “our” government. We should be involved. We should be heard. The public voted for these politicians, but we didn’t vote for them to outwit the public and get the money that they worked hard for.
Frances Bonna Crisostomo, MMG POLISCI C37
Just a heads up, apparently Gonzales has said that GMA is running for PARLIAMENT if the bill is to be passed.
ReplyDeleteThat just clears things up, the agenda is obvious. This rumor of 20M is almost confirmed by that. Gloria is interested in retaining power.
-Ryvi/Angelo Villadolid
I think GMA wants to make her term longer, obviously. At this point she has a strong hold with the military that’s why, I think, even if the countrymen beg for her to back down, she has the courage and confidence to stay in her position. If we take a look at our population, we are 91,077,287!! ilan ang sundalo? Ilan si GMA at ang taong gustong sumoporta sa kanya? Maybe if we, people of this country, can just cooperate and unite, we’ll beat them for real! We should keep in mind that the president should lead the country, to make it a better place. If she’s a great leader pwede pa eh, pero hanggang ngayon, developing country pa din tayo! There’s no sense in extending her term. People, we have the power! Boo CHACHA!
ReplyDelete-Darlene Co (CBE POLISCI C33)
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ReplyDeleteIt is so obvious that they only like to stay in power. I wonder if they know what their doing is wrong. Or maybe they know it, but they just ignore it just to survive in that "government" thing. It is like the government is a battlefield where each one another fight for power yet if they have to unite together as to become more powerful, they would as if they were good friends ever since. I feel so dumbfounded to see how people can become so hypocritical.
ReplyDeleteDa Eun K. Lee (CBE)
C33 POLISCI(DLSU)
Wow! A Dictatorship in a Democratic Country.
ReplyDeleteWho do they think they are! We placed them there because we trusted them. And this is what they repay us! Changing the Constitution! Are they really that mad for power?
They are selfish and they don't deserve that power. We should strip them off with their power. We brought them up, and we can bring them down. We should FIGHT! We should not let them get away with this. This is an OUTRAGE! This is a Dictatorship and we should stop it!
PGMA just wants to retain her position as head of this country. She does not want to hand over her "political power" to anyone. She's a greedy, self-centered, egotistical pig. This country is already corrupted as it is. We do not need more of her lies. Indeed, the people must stand together to protect the rights of this nation for which it stands. If the CON-ASS will be implemented, then the country will continue to suffer. It's time to open our eyes...the GMA administration is failing and yet it still wants to grasp hold of power for more years to come. And one more thing, I think PGMA is just plain scared that when she loses her power as president, she could be facing a lot of charges and one of these I'm pretty sure of is graft and corruption. It's time for a change...And hopefully, PGMA's time will run out.
ReplyDelete-Ed Xavier Siy (CBE POLISCI C33)
I think that politicians in the administration want to implement this cha-cha or con-ass just to prolong their power. Prolonging their power means getting more money. Meaning, it's still all about gold and glory. I wonder how a person can be so greedy to the point that they will do anything in order to get what they want.
ReplyDeleteOur country is overpopulated, even if we have many resources, we are earning just a little. Imagine. Millions of Filipinos are suffering from hunger and living on the streets yet most politicians are thinking how to get richer with the people's money. (this ff statement may sound cheesy but makes sense) If we can just unite to our common goal and think of each others welfare then wouldn't be our country be a better place to live in?
I personally don't know much about con-ass. Think of the many more Filipinos who are not well-informed about this and suddenly these politicians are going to implement it. Wouldn't it be correct if they consult the people or take from the people's view? Thinking that we are a free country, the government should first know how the people react with this movement. They should represent the people. If the people say okay then they should pursue with it but if the people say no then they should follow the people for it will be the people who will benefit or suffer from it.
Maria Theresa M. Nogoy
C33 POLISCI
ID #: 10935746
When I heard this issue about the CON ASS in the news, i was like wth??! Politicians are so obsessed in having power and money. They should think about the filipinos and improving the economy of the country and not themselves. For the past years of GMA being the president, nothing changed much. Except for the decrease of value in peso-dollar, what else? GMA just wants to prolong her term in being the president so she cauld corrupt more money and do not go to prison because of what she did before. (i'm sorry for being mean but i think that's the truth) I don't think we need to change the constitution. It will only bring a lot of problems in our country.
ReplyDelete-Rey Anne Gatmaitan
C36 MFI, CBE
Philippine Politics had always been regarded as not one of the best in the world, to put it mildly. As bad as it may sound, corruption is now a way of life in politics. Simply put, it can never be eliminated, but hopefully controlled. The part that bothers me is that despite the fact these politicians have been stuffing their pockets, there is no definitive step forward in our country’s future. They’ve made it so obvious about their intentions. The most important thing which must be realized is what the people want the country to become, positive intentions naturally. Isn’t that democracy? Or has the thought of an ideal democratic society been corrupted by those in charge? I feel the future will be the judge. I choose to remain hopeful for the country’s future. :)
ReplyDeleteI share the same sentiments with most of what is written above. I find it rather insulting that we are being treated as if we are of lower value. Before our eyes, we are being trampled and stepped upon. Our leaders are supposed to represent the people's needs..not their personal wants. It's a sad reality we face everyday because most of us are scared to step up and speak our minds.. well, in my opinion, that ought to stop. Our leaders have brought to much pain and misery to our country. OH. and btw, i have my doubts about Erap, Binay and the like. It's not fair to judge but it's always safe to sense some mischief. They might have ulterior motives behind their actions. Hopefully, their intentions are clean because i clearly am against CONASS.
ReplyDeleteEDUARDO GASPAR (CBE C36)
Well it is not hard to believe that there really is a 20M bribe per congressman. It is something that could keep a person going without sleep. It is the best motivation that the president could use. If only this huge sum of money is used in a more beneficial project. Hay naku! When will these people have their share of “ Karma”? These Congressmen need some whipping to realize their mistakes.
ReplyDeleteHow could they not have the conscience to watch people suffer due to poverty? The efforts of the youth are getting wasted because of these kind of politicians so venomous and inhuman. These people should have been there to serve and protect the interests of the public and not the interest of the dictator behind all this! Every cent they waste come from the poor people’s hardwork. Common people work hard ,drenched in sweat, and exposed to the sun’s heat and dirt of the environment while they who are just sitting and sipping coffee in the congress benefit the most, just for saying “aye”for CON ASS!
Jo, Hyun Min, Lee(AnYeong)
POLISCI_C33
ID:10192756
Philippine Government has never been trustworthy since I was born. When I was younger, I would always blame the government for the underdevelopment of the country. And to think, I almost equated politics to selfishness and dishonesty. But as I got older, I realized that progression of one’s country does not only rely on the government’s hand (Whoever is in the position.). We, the citizens, must also have enough concern on what is happening in the country. There must be a give and take relationship between the government and its people. Being just aware is not adequate for the nation’s growth. To respond to the nation’s call, is every Filipino’s duty. We must not only sit back and relax and wait for the solutions to come. Citizens and the government must work hand in hand in digging and searching for the remedy. I truly believe in the power of Unity! I can make a difference, you can make a difference, and we can make a difference.
ReplyDeleteSanchez, Krizzia Marie
(POLISCI C36-- MFI)
In this blog I only felt two things, first of all many people are fighting corruption many people go to protest and this may be the sign of unity towards a good society and I'm happy for this.
ReplyDeleteI'm also sad because people are protesting on a certain thing they don't "KNOW".
"Araw-araw akong nanonood ng balita isang balitang pumakaw sa akin actually interview".
Reporter: Bat ho kau nandito sa antiConass rally?
Nagrarally(1): Kasi sinama lang ako ng kasama ko.
Nagrarally(2): Masama ang ginagawa nila.
At napakarami pang ibang sagot.
I hope that this answers would be more meaningful it seems like they are shouting protesting and all that to WHAT???? They simply know the word but they don't know the meaning.
It's education people. Mga tao dyan sa rally ginamit ang oppurtunity para makapagkompanya nako mga oppurtunista... Bato-bato sa langit tamaan wag magalit.. :D
aren't we already used to these kind of things? why do people wonder about this? CORRUPTION is our nation's never ending problem. leaders should be epitomes of truth and justice but i guess, by the looks of our fellow filipino’s condition, our government officials are nothing but vile people who thinks only of themselves. it will be a miracle if there would be a year (or even a month!) without scandals involving our ever famous president and her minions (including her loving husband). this 20M bribe is not the first time for GMA to do desperate measures just to stay in power. for her, our country's present condition is not enough to satiate her greed in power and riches. CHACHA is her way of protecting her position and money.
ReplyDeletepeople say that money can't buy everything but in our congressmen's eyes, money can BE everything even if it will cost the nation's progress and stability. if only this huge amount is used for developmental progress, then people will be more than grateful to them. they won't hear any harsh words coming from the people. what do they expect? praises from us? for doing an injustice act and flaunt it in our faces? this 20M bribery won't be the last, and i'm very sure of it.
we, citizens, should also take actions so that we won't be treated like ignorant people. instead of pointing fingers at people, we should unite and fight against these injustices. :)
BARRON, Hazel
POLISCI C33
We normally have a negative perception regarding our politicians' motives every time they do something, be it supporting a bill or going against it, especially when they appear on TV. A lot of politicians and other famous political figures have expressed their views regarding the CONASS matter. Why did the majority of Congress decide in favor of having CONASS? Did they honestly think that there's a need to amend the constitution? Did they do it for the country or for themselves? Was there really money involved? The problem of this country is not the constitution but the people who constitute the government that's supposed to implement the rules of the nation. Changing the constitution is not the answer to the worsening condition of this country. It is changing the kind of people who run the country.
ReplyDeleteKim Do Hyun
C36
I can't understand why do they do politics only for their benefits. Politicians should have responsibility on their works. They are the representatives of people and they became politicians for helping people & working for the country. But, I think they are working for only themselves. It's not good for the country nor people neither. They should be honesty. If they continue to do works like this, other people who really needs helps, will have worst situation. And, also the government should be honesty too and strengthen the regulations for politicians. They must work for the people, not for themselves. Other people works really hard even they are tired to do and their income is really low. But, how come the congressmen earn money so easily even they don't work hard for people? They should change their attitude.
ReplyDeleteKim, Jae-yoon
C39 POLISCI
Instead of using that kind of amount for useful purposes, they just give it to those in Congress so that they'll support Gloria. It seems that our president really doesn't want to give up her position. This deeds that GMA does makes me realize more that GMA must replaced as soon as possible. If she still continues to sit in her throne, what more could she do to make our country a miserable one? She'll just drain all of our country's funds because of her actions such as this one which she gives 20M to those in Congress. Our president is like a leech,sucking all of our country's funds making her a big parasite in our society. We must take action to this by supporting the ANTI CONASS. I don't want GMA to stay there longer so let's support this ANTI CONASS campaign for the betterment of our country.
ReplyDeleteJan Bernard F. Lejano CBE MMG POLISCI C37
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDelete20M. Is that all it takes? To me, it seems somewhat desperate. Bribery is not going to resolve the problem. Bribery will just create more buzz and keep people talking longer. If the government wants to look good in the eyes of the people, it should work in a clean and honest manner. In my opinion, a government who accepts bribes just to put on an act is not worth trusting. A government should be honest to the people. That's why they were elected in the first place. To serve the people, not to just LOOK like they're serving the people.
ReplyDeleteBeatrice Regina S. Lagdameo
(CBE POLISCI C33)
No wonder everyone wants to be in politics! It's good business! 20M just like that! A regular citizen who just earns minimum wage can earn the same amount in just around 55,250 days anyways.
ReplyDeletePersonally, i don't trust anyone in the government. i don't trust pro-GMAs, nor do i trust the opposition. i believe that once they are seated in the place of power, the only thing that comes to their mind is money. no matter what they say, everyone is lured into the temptation of material pleasure. this perspective might sound like an anarchist's point of view, but i just don't believe anyone is honest enough to be put in the seat of power anymore.
Andrew Chua
ECM-LMG
POLISCI C33
"RepresentaTHIEVES" Haha
ReplyDeleteLet's hope and pray we don't go through another dekada 70. At this point in time, knowing what those 'CON-men/women' have in mind, I won't be surprised if one day I see tanks and soldiers decorating our lovely edsa.
CBE MMG N. Garcia C37
MMG CBE N. Garcia C37
Charter change then prolonged the term of Marcos and also led to Martial Law.
ReplyDeleteArooyo's going gaga!! I thinks she wants to have a longer term than Marcos!
I strongly agree that we should be joining various anti-conass initiatives.
"POOR PHILIPPINES" that's if Arroyo continues to be our ruler..
Aine Therese Ong Tambalque
MMG
C37
[Sorry for my language. :]
ReplyDeleteAhh... one of the reasons why I absolute disdain watching the news. Nothing but crap about our country wherein nothing ever good happens anymore that doesn't include sports or other forms of winning from other countries...
I really cannot understand why some people fall for the news like "organ stealers" or whatever the hell is on the news when bigger issues like these are being covered up, little by little... We should keep an eye on everyone. No one can be trusted these days... *looks left and right*
-Rach C. from Damage/d Contol
This sounds to me like dictatorship in a democratic country. The Congress didn't hear us out and proceeded with the approval of charter change. Arroyo obviously wants to prolong her term, maybe she wants to stay in her position until she dies. What happens to Philippines then? I can't see any progress in our country if she remains our ruler.
ReplyDeleteSherry Lynn Yu
MFI C36
The longer time there is that had come to pass, the more I see the Philippines sinking slowly like a blown up boat. Everything's too messed up that it seems there's no more solution to it. We seem to be half way til we seriously drown to the bottom, that the only way to continue life is to swim away before we drown, so we leave the place where we spend most of our lives in without even looking back to it. It's really sad :( but this is reality we have to face...
ReplyDeleteKaryll Puray (POLISCI C39)
The recent brouhaha in congress proves how volatile and corruptible our government servant can be. With the meager or maybe staggering amount of 20 million pesos, a congressman is willing to sell his soul. For one’s selfish interest and preservation holds on to his dear position and to hell with the sentiment of the public so long as he is property entomb to his present status. Gone are the DELICASAS AND MAKABAYAN. What is important is to always see to it that one’s power is preserve at all cost.
ReplyDeleteHaving transformed politics in the Philippines to be one of business rather than service, a lot of politicians find Philippine politics as a source of great wealth and power. By investing in a great deal of money a politician can proliferate in power and enjoy the good blessing of Malakanyang, by just bowing to the caprice of the one in power. What a cheap way to earned back what one has spent in campaigning.
Karen Ann Yang (CBE-MMG) block 18
POLISCI C37
There had been numerous attempts to change the constitution, but none pushed through. So, I think the power of the people is still greater than the politicians’. But wait… what is this CHACHA really all about? Do people understand what are they fighting for? The law is a very complex matter. Thus, making changes on it should carefully be studied before it is applied because the order of the country depends on it. The government is already chaotic. Changing the constitution this time will only make things worse. But if, indeed there is a need to change the constitution, when is the right time to do it? When a leader is making an exit, or at the beginning of his/her presidency?.
ReplyDeleteI remember my sister suggesting to join a group in
ReplyDeleteFacebook that doesn't support Con-ASS(!) I joined it
and then suggested it to all my contacts. I felt good
about doing that since I remember being told that
Con-Ass is another way for the people on top to
stay there and enjoy their "business" as leaders
of the country.
Well the next day she asked me if I wanted to go with
her to the rally. I told her no thanks because I am
not the rallying type of person and that I stopped in Edsa dos.
She stopped me right there.
You see, I am an example of a lot of Filipinos,
politicians also have this syndrome.
I'm all talk but no action (in these types of things)
I admit. This is why we don't go anywhere.
All we do is talk about CHANGING FOR THE BETTER.
But do we actually CHANGE for the better?
Yes we are JUAN TAMAD when it comes to making
our government better. The bad thing is, we elected
Juan Tamad into our system.
This blog reminded me of what the definition of a true politician is here in the Philippines. For now, they only use their positions to make their power and influence be bigger and bigger thus making their interests be possible. But as you know, it is not the purpose of their job and work. Their job is to serve and protect the people in the society that’s why the people elected them. But I guess they even don’t mind that their shameful acts make the quality of the society here in the Philippines lower. The disgraceful politicians should change for the benefit of the Filipinos.
ReplyDeleteSon, Jung Youn
CBE-MMG C37