Last updated: March 4, 2010 @ 2100H

First there was Erap Estrada (although he didn't blurt out a name, he dropped very obvious hints). Now there's Senator Dick Gordon. Them and a few more less publicized tidbits of "political bribery" stories fuel today's hot election headlines. And we thought El Niño is hot, no?

Is there any truth to this? Well there's no sure way to tell right now. We are left to choose between taking the accuser's word at face value or dismissing it altogether as another attempted black propaganda.

Sen. Manny Villar is eternally rain-drenched in his elections summer parade.

Sen. Gordon has an untainted reputation and is yet to disappoint us. With that in mind, his claim that an 'emissary' of Sen. Manny Villar attempted to 'buy' him out and talk him into withdrawing from his presidential bid for the coming May 20'10 elections by offering to 'reimburse' him of his previous expenses and projected expenses is not an accusation that Villar should take lightly.

So far, we've only been treated to a bland response via an interview where Villar denies such an 'indecent proposal' to Sen. Gordon, adding that he no longer has money to spend for such things because whatever campaign money he has left is allocated to campaign-related expenses. Is 'buying out opponents to withdraw' part of that 'campaign-related' expenses? Villar doesn't say.

Although not really improbable, it's a no-brainer that such a move would only backfire at Villar. Given all the propaganda and mudslinging going around against him, trying to 'reimburse' opponents and buy out their dreams of becoming president would be like fanning dying embers to a flame. That's plain stupid, I think. But as always, this is the Philippines. This is Philippine politics. No move is so stupid for politicians. However, I'd like to give Villar the benefit of the doubt -- in the same way I'd like to give Sen. Gordon the chance to prove his accusation for all the world to see.

The trouble with sifting truth from a heap of lies is that there's so much 'hybrids' going around. There's black prop, there's counter prop, there's counter-counter prop and there's modified version of all those. So unless someone can come up with irrefutable evidence that could hold water in court, all these can be ruled out as 'modified truths', 'half truths' or 'true lies'. Confused already? You should be.

Besides, anyone can claim to be someone's emissary. So I'd echo Villar's challenge to Gordon: name that emissary. (Update as of March 4, 2010 @ 2100H: Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile wrote in his Facebook fan page note entitled "JPE to Villar: GORDON IS NOT FOR SALE" named the so-called Villar emissary as none other than his friend and colleague Senator Edgardo Angara, Gordon however denied this and said the emissary was a businessman who used to work for the government.)

This is elections period. Everything is meant to shock and deceive the bewildered electorate. So hit us with your best, you guys.

It's bound to get hotter leading up to May. Let's see who can stand the heat that is to come. Let's wait for more scalding accusations and knee-jerk reactions. Sit back. Relax. Enjoy the show.

Popularity: 1% [?]

Last updated: January 5, 2010

The Philippine Daily Inquirer reports in today's Sunday paper of the existence and proliferation of a so-called "Maguindanao (Massacre) 11/23/2009" video footage done in the semblance of a documentary which sells from around 70 to 120 pesos each. The video, it was said, is about four hours (2 days) worth of taped footage of the retrieval operations (at the crime scene where the back hoe was found beside the shallow grave hurriedly dug up by the perpetrators to bury the victims, some of them still alive).

There is no script, no background music, no sound but that of the back hoe as it digs for victims. There were vendors of these dvds claiming the ones they're selling are clear copies since they were taken by
Photo by chefrandenSOCO (scene of the crime operatives) themselves.

I don't know about you but I think it is very insensitive to sell, buy and watch these DVDs.  Considering that the people being unearthed in all their stripped glory and humanity are real victims and not actors -- the red stains on their violated bodies are of real blood -- whoever sold these taped videos to be reproduced and peddled in the very streets and public markets of Maguindanao spits on the memory of these poor souls whose lives were taken mercilessly on that fateful Monday.

If it weren't even considered okay to publish gory still photos online or offline, why would anyone think that it's okay to watch the retrieval operations over and over again at home?

The mourning families of these victims have suffered enough. The memory of that gruesome event is hard enough to erase. Let us be sensitive enough to spare them of the endless grief of reliving the Maguindanao massacre over and over again.

Please do not buy, sell or watch these "Maguindanao 11/23/09" DVDs.

Update:

I've recently read this heartening report that as of Monday, January 4,2010 some 600 "Maguindanao 11/23/09" DVDs have been 'surrendered' by Quiapo vendors to Optical Media Board Chair Ronnie Ricketts. This is a wonderful development. Let's hope more vendors follow suit.

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Much is to be said about the reluctant Judge Cortez who declined the job of handling the now celebrated Ampatuan, Maguindanao massacre that cost the lives of 57 people, mostly journalists and women.

The chilling account of one man's cold-bloodedness was supposed to be relived in this year's most anticipated and most-watched murder case in the sala of another man.

But as it turns out, having too little courage is as dangerous as having too much of it -- for the sin of omission bears about the same weight as the sin of commission.

That means, doing nothing when "you could have done something" is not a lesser offense. Continue reading →

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From now on, it's not just name, fame and "rags to riches" story they have in common. If we are to believe that the essence of party politics is alive and relevant in this country, then boxing living legend Manny Pacquiao's decision to join Senator Manny Villar's Nacionalista Party shows that they now share the same core political beliefs as well -- not that Pacquiao has anything to show for in terms of politics at this time of course. That is another matter. Although this didn't come entirely as a surprise as there were talks circulating regarding Manny Pacquiao's possible endorsement of Senator Manny Villar as his bet for the 2010 presidential elections, it makes you wonder why the pride of GenSan (running as congressman in the lone district of Saranggani provice, his wife's home province) chose to ally himself with the Nacionalista Party instead of his "madam president's" Lakas-Kampi-CMD where he would've been treated to another hero's welcome. Sorry Gibo, Manny prefers "sipag at tiyaga" over "galing at talino" -- at least, as a slogan for the elections -- possibly because he knows by heart and by experience that skill comes from diligence. Continue reading →

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In an obvious act of desperation and lack of choices, Gibo has finally found his running mate for the 2010 elections. Possibly for reasons apparent to all, he has chosen actor and former OMB (Optical Media Board) Chairman Edu Manzano to be his vice-president.

Although there have been reports that Gibo's popularity in surveys has increased (he now enjoys a 2-digit rating), he remains fifth (at best). Previously considered were Senator Loren Legarda who is running with Villar (at least, that's what the Nacionalista Party members hint), Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, Senator Bong Revilla (who is running for reelection, heeding advice of his father -- former Senator Ramon Revilla, Sr.) and Senator Miguel Zubiri (an expected choice, given that he's from Mindanao and there were news floating then that Gibo's running mate would come from Mindanao) and Batangas Governor Vilma Santos-Recto (who already declared she would be running for reelection, with Mark Leviste as her Vice-Governor). Continue reading →

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LAKAS-KAMPI-CMD standard bearer Gibo Teodoro: Problematic as always. (Photo credits: http://gibo.ph)

Well, everyone else is doing it. We've seen the benefits.

Instant "pogi' points. Popularity surge. Emotional pandering. Bolting out of political parties are the "in" thing these days. And anyone who wants to have a piece of this rave must now abandon the conventional for the radical.

The saints are marching

It now appears to be a race for the "holiest of holies".

Newly-wed Senator Mar Roxas was inducted to the "Statesman" hall of fame by giving way to Senator Noynoy Aquino.

Noynoy Aquino has become "morality in the flesh" -- the epitome of righteousness by "going on  a retreat" and well, quite simply, just by being a son of martyred parents.

There are also the "lesser saints" Mayor Jejomar Binay and Ed Panlilio, both withdrawing presidential bids to give way to Noynoy. Kiko Pangilinan -- initially intent on running for Vice President has also given up on his dream in favor of Mar.

Then there's DILG Secretary Ronnie Puno -- expected to run in tandem with administration party LAKAS-KAMPI-CMD -- who also announced his withdrawal from the race a few weeks before the filing of COCs begin.

A Prophetic Villar

Senator Manny Villar was right all along when he said (in a casual group interview) that it's way to early to tell who his opponents would be. He said many would either slide to a lower position, settle for reelection or withdraw from the race altogether. Continue reading →

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