At the annual conference of the American Studies Association of the Philippines last Saturday, I started off with a borrowed idea (from Henry Jenkins of the Center for Future Civic Media, whom I read about through Ethan Zuckerman’s indispensable blog). I started with a question: What does democracy look like? And then offered the following photograph, by the celebrated Romy Gacad of AFP, as an answer.
I explained why, in the following terms:
“This Agence France Presse photograph was taken on August 12, 2006, when President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo paid a quick visit to Legazpi City to survey preparations at a danger zone under the shadow of a restless Mayon. The next day, I wrote in my Newsstand blog:
This photo, taken yesterday by the peerless Romy Gacad of AFP in the vicinity of Mayon volcano, spoke to me on so many levels I knew I just had to use it … The composition is so exact it seems almost posed, until you consider the subjects involved: President Arroyo, of course, under the umbrella, facing (or receiving tribute from) Albay Gov. Gonzalez, Reps. Salceda and Lagman, and volcanology institute chief Solidum. (Note the triangle that the officials form.) Other photos, taken by Gacad and by other photographers too, remind us that this particular tableau was very much a product of the moment; in fact, most of the pictures taken at this volcano-gazing event yesterday show either the President by herself or in a huddle with officials. But the veteran lensman saw something different, perhaps a shift in movement, perhaps a blurring and then a coming-into-focus of color. Was it perhaps the presidential umbrella that drew his attention?
“In the 15 months since I wrote that, I have become more and more convinced that this candid portrait of the hierarchy of political power, caught on the wing, tells us something true about democracy, Philippine-style.
“But if this is democracy, where are the demos? Three possibilities. The people are implied; the leaders from the executive and the legislative branches are discussing their fate. The people have been warned off; note the sign that can be glimpsed in the space between the President and her umbrella-toting guard. If we fill in the blanks, we can read: Warning Don’t Go Beyond The Line. Not least, the people (and the press) are outside the frame, watching the scene.
“You may have other images in mind that illustrate democracy, Philippine-style. Any of the iconic photographs from the four heady days of Edsa Uno, for instance, would be similarly evocative. Familiar images of Philippine elections—yellow ballot box, blue-stained index fingers, seminarians in white—remain resonant. A photograph taken by Inquirer photographer Rem Zamora during special elections last May casts the eternal triangle of ballot box, armed guard, and election volunteer in a new light, literally through a different grid.
“But back to Bicol. I hope you will agree with me when I say that the Gacad photo does two things wonderfully well: It captures the elite nature of our representative democracy today, and at the very same time it recalls the datu-and-tribute origins of our history.”
The rest of my remarks can be found here, in Newsstand. But I would be interested to find out: For you, what does democracy look like? If you can’t post a photo, maybe you can post a link!
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52 Feedbacks on "What does democracy look like?"
salina
Democracy, what democracy are you talking about. There is no such thing in the Philippines!
ruth ann
democracy is when we have this blog, and can freely exchange views and opinions w/o fear….
democracy is when we have a free-wheeling media….
when we have a senate and house of representatives who can subpoena anyone lest you be cited for contempt.
when we have elections, and the masa elects people like erap, jinggoy, loi, lito lapid, jamby, et.al.
democracy is not doing us good. i think a system like that of singapore, a police state will work for us. easier to instill discipline bec. punishment is very harsh.
look at our asian neighbors, china, hk, singapore, vietnam….their system is not patterned after the western democracy..but they have developed economies.
lee kuan yew said once it is our kind of democracy w/c makes our country poor.
Bert
Oh, certainly we are living under a democratic kind of government, as far as the picture would show, if democracy it is that we called it starting from the time of the American occupation to the present. Or even farther back to the Spanish time. The Philippine datus, or, the Egyptian pharaohs for that matter, have the fan-on-a-pole for fresh air held by their minions. But they were slaves. In the Philippine-Spanish time they called them ‘muchachos’, but now, in our Philippine democracy, servants. These servants are different from the ‘public servant’ that government officials mirthfully want to call themselves, even if they act as masters and lords. All these, however, are beside the points of what I want to say actually.
My point really is that John is ascribing politics to what otherwise a beautiful picture of a setting in a place from where I came from. I agree the president, in that picture, projects the image of someone of the upperclass type who can afford all the servant they want, which is very normal in the Philippine democracy we have. But I believe that the servant and the umbrella was there for a different purpose. The president probably had just taken a bath using likas-banana, or, block-and-not-so-white soap, for skin whitening, so, like all typical Filipina girl of any and all class, so very afraid of the sunlight.
MC_90
Salina,
If you think theres no such thing as democracy in the Philippines..then you dont know anything about democracy at all…. Try WIKIPEDIA…its a good resource for things we dont know.
One thing abut democracy…it provides a leeway to all our politicians to rob the people…and let them suffer…AND STILL BE VOTED FOR BY SAME PEOPLE THAT THEY ROBBED!!!!!!!
Another thing about democracy….THE CONVICTS CAN STILL BE A HERO…A CRIMINAL CAN STILL BE A SENATOR…A DRUGLORD CAN BE A CONGRESSMAN…
AND WHO VOTED FOR THESE FREAKS?????
THE FILIPINO PEOPLE…and that my friend is because we have the right to choose…
INQUIRER.net Blogs » Doing good while doing well, democracy and toy stores
[…] “What does democracy look like?” John Nery asks in Current. […]
clipmaster
TANGANG TANGA ang magsasabing walang democracy sa pilipinas………..
Bert
If on the other hand tribute was indeed the subject being talked about and given in the picture, I beg to disagree with John about this. In the old days, tributes were indeed given by the subjects to the ruler, mostly in kinds due to the scarcity of money then, examples; chickens, fruits, animals, etc. In our present kind of democracy, the subjects are invited to the palace of the ruler, and the ruler’s minions distribute tributes to the subjects in the form of glossy, glossy paper bags, a stark contrast to what were being done during the old days. As to the picture here, if John is correct in implying that indeed tribute was being given, I would suppose it was not the subjects giving the tribute but the ruler, that being the norm in our present kind of democracy. And the kind of tribute being given are not the usual kinds of fruits or chickens but only pork, yum yum and beefy pork. And that’s because the economy is doing very well.
Tanga Pinoy
Democracy is: The freedom to do everything bad or evil. Most of the time, “evil”
It materialized :
- when millions of people can stage bloodless people-power to depose a corrupt president only to replace him with a more corrupt president.
- when “the law” is violated by the “law enforcers” themselves
- when evil and caloused gov’t officials robbed public funds and still get away unpunished.
- When people like GMA, Erap, FG, Bolante, Abalos and people like them got $$$millions kickbacks from anoumalous deal got exposed and still claimed innoncence.
- when our justice system fell in the hands of another evil man in his “second childhood” state of insanity.
- when poor people pay more taxes and gov’t officials pockets them.
- when rich becomes richer, and poor takes their own lives because of poverty.
- when congressmen, mayors and governors can sold their honor and dignity for a “bag of cash-gifts”
And when church leaders treated it with “words of dismay”, when people look at it as just a “normal way of filipino life”.. that my friend is “Democracy”
salina
ruth ann
democracy is when we have this blog, and can freely exchange views and opinions w/o fear….
democracy is when we have a free-wheeling media….
when we have a senate and house of representatives who can subpoena anyone lest you be cited for contempt.
when we have elections, and the masa elects people like erap, jinggoy, loi, lito lapid, jamby, et.al.
democracy is not doing us good. i think a system like that of singapore, a police state will work for us. easier to instill discipline bec. punishment is very harsh.
look at our asian neighbors, china, hk, singapore, vietnam….their system is not patterned after the western democracy..but they have developed economies.
lee kuan yew said once it is our kind of democracy w/c makes our country poor.
************************
I pity you! Just because the filipino people are free to elect their choice for President,…..That’s don’t mean the Philippines is a democracy country. It is true that the filipino people can still have choice whoever they want to vote, But for what I can see the evil society’s well not let the President of their choice to set in Malacanyang Palace. And its been proven already when the poor people voted Erap for President in the Philippines as soon as he win the elite didn’t waste anytime to kick him out in the office because they don’t like him. They were saying that Erap, Is a womanizer, Gambler, drunker, And a college drop out. And so the elite’s succeeded on installing Gloria Arroyo, Into her stolen power because they were saying that she can run the country better because she had a doctorate degree in economic. HA, HA, HA…..She turn out to be the biggest LEMON. Salina
salina
ruth ann
democracy is when we have this blog, and can freely exchange views and opinions w/o fear….
democracy is when we have a free-wheeling media….
when we have a senate and house of representatives who can subpoena anyone lest you be cited for contempt
**********************
Yes, Its true! that there is a senate who can supoena anybody. But the bugos President of cebu won’t let them attend the senate hearing because they’re guilty of a crime. If they don’t have anything to hide why stop them to attend the hearing. Sabihim mo they’re all guilty of plunder.
salina
MC_90
Salina,
If you think theres no such thing as democracy in the Philippines..then you dont know anything about democracy at all…. Try WIKIPEDIA…its a good resource for things we dont know.
One thing abut democracy…it provides a leeway to all our politicians to rob the people…and let them suffer…AND STILL BE VOTED FOR BY SAME PEOPLE THAT THEY ROBBED!!!!!!!
Another thing about democracy….THE CONVICTS CAN STILL BE A HERO…A CRIMINAL CAN STILL BE A SENATOR…A DRUGLORD CAN BE A CONGRESSMAN…
AND WHO VOTED FOR THESE FREAKS?????
THE FILIPINO PEOPLE…and that my friend is because we have the right to choose…
***********************
HE, HE, HE,….You forgot to mention the biggest FREAKS! GLORIA ARROYO, ET. AL. TSUP! (*.*) Wag kang pikon. I’m just telling it like it is….Salina
salina
Bert
Oh, certainly we are living under a democratic kind of government, as far as the picture would show, if democracy it is that we called it starting from the time of the American occupation to the present. Or even farther back to the Spanish time. The Philippine datus, or, the Egyptian pharaohs for that matter, have the fan-on-a-pole for fresh air held by their minions. But they were slaves. In the Philippine-Spanish time they called them ‘muchachos’, but now, in our Philippine democracy, servants. These servants are different from the ‘public servant’ that government officials mirthfully want to call themselves, even if they act as masters and lords. All these, however, are beside the points of what I want to say actually.
My point really is that John is ascribing politics to what otherwise a beautiful picture of a setting in a place from where I came from. I agree the president, in that picture, projects the image of someone of the upperclass type who can afford all the servant they want, which is very normal in the Philippine democracy we have. But I believe that the servant and the umbrella was there for a different purpose. The president probably had just taken a bath using likas-banana, or, block-and-not-so-white soap, for skin whitening, so, like all typical Filipina girl of any and all class, so very afraid of the sunlight.
************************
Bert. My friend, Your logic is okay, Except when you mention Gloria Arroyo, As being President. As we all knew it. Gloria Arroyo, Become President because she stole her title from the duly elected President Joseph Estrada, And she stole it again in May 10, 2004. President election from Fernando Poe, Jr. In my book she’s nothing but liar, a thief, And power grabber, She don’t deserve to be a leader. Don’t feel hurt on what I said you know I’m telling the truth. Amen: Salina
Eterio
Democracy is the rights to be wrong and the rights of distinguishing the wrong to be right. simply saying having correct opinion that is morally accepted by everyone from the Presidency,Senate,congress and the judiciary. so Honestly saying President GMA is a very democratic symbol of the philippines that represents the hidden true meaning of Jueteng Power not the original Edsa revolution of the true hero of the philippines Benigno Aquino.
ernie
What does (real) democracy look like ? Certainly not the mangled rendition we see and experience daily in our hapless country !
salina
Tanga Pinoy
Democracy is: The freedom to do everything bad or evil. Most of the time, “evil”
It materialized :
- when millions of people can stage bloodless people-power to depose a corrupt president only to replace him with a more corrupt president.
- when “the law” is violated by the “law enforcers” themselves
- when evil and caloused gov’t officials robbed public funds and still get away unpunished.
- When people like GMA, Erap, FG, Bolante, Abalos and people like them got $$$millions kickbacks from anoumalous deal got exposed and still claimed innoncence.
- when our justice system fell in the hands of another evil man in his “second childhood” state of insanity.
- when poor people pay more taxes and gov’t officials pockets them.
- when rich becomes richer, and poor takes their own lives because of poverty.
- when congressmen, mayors and governors can sold their honor and dignity for a “bag of cash-gifts”
And when church leaders treated it with “words of dismay”, when people look at it as just a “normal way of filipino life”.. that my friend is “Democracy”
************************
Hello, Tanga Pinoy: After reading what you wrote I don’t think you’re TANGA you know exactly what’s going on. And what you’re saying is true! But, That’s don’t mean there is DEMOCRACY in the Philippines. If there is why is it Gloria Arroyo, Won’t let Gov’t. Employee’s to attend the hearing in the senate? They always used the EO#464…..To protect their ass’s….The reason Gloria Arroyo, Doing that because she’s guilty of plumder and these idiots are protecting her ass, As well as their asse’s….
The only reason they kick the duly elected President Joseph Estrada, So that they’re the one can rob the country coffer. And that’s the filipino people fault for letting them get away with it.
salina
ernie
What does (real) democracy look like ? Certainly not the mangled rendition we see and experience daily in our hapless country !
**********************
Bingo! You’re absulotely right.
juan
democracy as we see it now is only for the elite. this is true not only in the phil but also in the whole world. humanity is so blinded by this system and forced them to live as modern slaves.
salina
clipmaster
TANGANG TANGA ang magsasabing walang democracy sa pilipinas………..
*********************
Yep! And you’re the one.
natros
For me the kind of democracy that we have is an “abused “democracy. This is so because even ordinary people have no respect to the highest official of the land, the President by calling her illegitimate, liar, cheater, corrupt etc. even though she has not yet been tried and found guilty beyond reasonable doubt. In a real democracy one should be presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Bert
In a real democracy, the government is of the people, by the people, and for the people. When government officials are for their own interests only, it’s not for the people. Respect is earned, but never by demand, intimidation, or alienation, or by giving largesse, otherwise it cannot be called respect but subjugation. Human nature is kind and understanding, these basic instincts separate the human from other living species. When these basic traits are not present, always it has its reasons. To say that a person is innocent until proven guilty is correct, but respect needs a reason.
salina
juan
democracy as we see it now is only for the elite. this is true not only in the phil but also in the whole world. humanity is so blinded by this system and forced them to live as modern slaves.
*************
Yep! Not so long ago there is a pinoy doctor who got catch slaving a pinay maid for 19 yrs! here in the states, Guess what they went to jail then got deported back in the Philippines even though they’ve living here in the states for over thirty yrs. Aside from that they loss everything they have. Ha, Ha! the joke is on them. They think that they can get away with it because they’re doctor’s. I guess they’re think they’re still in the Philippines. Back there the elites can yell, Kick their maid around and get away with it. KARMA.
MC_90
Salina,
WHO IS NOT A LIAR AND WHO IS NOT A CHEATER IN PHILIPPINE POLITICS?????
Even the first president Emilio Aguinaldo, He cheated just so he will get the highest position of the land…he and his cohorts sabotaged andres bonifacio (who was the favorite of all)..and aguinaldo’s oathtaking was held in secret?????
hehehehehehe
Bert
That a person is presumed innocent is just a presumption. When proven guilty the person is proven not innocent. When the person is not proven guilty, the person is not proven innocent. Presumption of something cannot be equated with its truthfullness.
salina
natros
For me the kind of democracy that we have is an “abused “democracy. This is so because even ordinary people have no respect to the highest official of the land, the President by calling her illegitimate, liar, cheater, corrupt etc. even though she has not yet been tried and found guilty beyond reasonable doubt. In a real democracy one should be presumed innocent until proven guilty.
**********************
Hi, There! You were saying the real democracy one should be presumed innocent until proven guilty?. I agree with you on this. But, The question is, Is the democracy in the Philippines apply’s to all or just for a few. If what you’re saying is true why is it when these stupid idiots evil society impeach Erap, They didn’t let the impeachment trial to be finish so that the truth well come out,. In fact they kick him out without any due process of the law; Now, You’re crying wolf just because I call Gloria Arroyo, A liar, Cheat, Power grabber and murderer…..If you can’t accept the truth there is nothing I can do about it. LET ME SAY THIS AGAIN, GLORIA ARROYO, NOTHING BUT A LIAR, CHEAT, POWER GRABBER AND MURDERER.
salina
natros
For me the kind of democracy that we have is an “abused “democracy. This is so because even ordinary people have no respect to the highest official of the land, the President by calling her illegitimate, liar, cheater, corrupt etc. even though she has not yet been tried and found guilty beyond reasonable doubt. In a real democracy one should be presumed innocent until proven guilty
*********************
Everytime somebody try bring out the truth Gloria Arroyo, Cronies KILL IT because they don’t want the truth to come out, But there is solid evidence against her this is one of the reason why instead of bringing it to the proper forum they all get together and kill whatever throw at her. This is one of the reason why most of filipino people are starving because the taxepayer’s money suppose to be for social service it went to the pocket of Gloria Arroyo, Corrupt cronies to buy them off to make sure her stay into her stolen power. If they don’t have anything to hide, Whey cover it up! Sabihim mo they’re all guilty and they’re parther in crime. Amen:
salina
Saturday, November 24, 2007
Arroyo rues human rights violations in Myanmar
By Carlo P. Mallo
*************************
Here we go again. Gloria Arroyo, were talking about democracy in other country, She can’t even take care the problem in the Philippines let alone other country. She must be really out of her mind. If you really believe there is democracy in the Philippines, Them tell Gloria Arroyo, To stop the killing on the people who speak against her. I know for the fact that anybody say something against her, These people got throw in jail, If not they all got kill. And we all knew it. Salina
*************************
PRESIDENT Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo deplored the treatment of the authoritarian government on detained Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi. The President also called for the immediate release of the political prisoner.
Post your comments here on the Batasan blast
Fresh from her shortened visit to Singapore to attend the 13th Asean Leaders Summit, the President directly flew to Davao City to oversee the relief operations conducted in the provinces of Surigao and the city of Iligan, which has been directly affected by tropical storm ‘Lando.’
Myanmar was called Burma prior to the takeover of the military junta in the country.
The President said while she is pleased that the regional alliance has incorporated language in the Charter that advances human rights and democracy, she expressed concern over the forces of authoritarianism in Myanmar.
“They still move rather slowly towards democracy in Myanmar,” the President said.
The President said she embraces the advances of the Asean but remains concerned over the pace of progress in Myanmar.
Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte backed the President and called for more stringent action on the part of the regional alliance to compel Myanmar to restore democracy and respect human rights.
For more Philippine news, visit Sun.S
Salina
natros
For me the kind of democracy that we have is an “abused “democracy. This is so because even ordinary people have no respect to the highest official of the land, the President by calling her illegitimate, liar, cheater, corrupt etc. even though she has not yet been tried and found guilty beyond reasonable doubt. In a real democracy one should be presumed innocent until proven guilty.
******************
What the heck are you upset about when somebody calling your bugos President of cebu, A liar, a cheat, And a power grabber. Thats all she’s!!! A LIAR, CHEAT, AND A POWER GRABBER. HELLOOOOOOOOO, GARCI. YON DAG, DAG, YON DAG,…MAKE SURE TO PAD THE VOTES OVER A MILLION VOTES TO ENSURE MY WINNING AGAINST FERNANDO POE, JR.
The entire world heard that tapes over and over again. Aside from the Hello Garci, Tapes there is solid evidence against her, But she well never be throw in jail because she control the entire corrupt justice system.
Salina
“What does democracy look like?” John Nery asks in Current. […]
**********************
Actually the picture I saw in this blog won’t tell us about democracy but about between rich/poor. Poor servant holding umbrella to her master. The bugos President of cebu. This is nothing new in the philippines anybody who has the money that can afford to pay poor filipino to be their slave. I don’t call that is democracy. But, Slavery’s…..
clipmaster
hoy salina:
palagay ko ay hindi paramihan ng post dito……….
pare pareho ang post mo maski iba naman ang topic……
walang kakwenta kwenta naman ang mga post mo…….
well, anyway thats democracy na ang sabi mo ay wala………
tanga lang ang magsasabing walang democracy sa pilipinas……..
cvj
Nine months ago, i described what i how i saw our political system in a State Chart diagram:
http://cvjugo.blogspot.com/2007/03/state-chart-of-philippine-democracy.html
There i saw our post-Marcos democracy as you (and many others do), i.e. an elite-based democracy. After Hello Garci, however, i believe we are now in the cusp of an elite-dictatorship with our democratic institutions becoming ceremonial shells.
Joselito Basilio
Philippine Democracy is one where GMA buys the 51% of the people and take away the rights of the 49%.
ruth ann
clipmaster….i second the motion. if we are not living in a democratic environment palagay ko arestado na yang tinutukoy mo, hahaha!
and i cannot understand the bugos, what does she mean by that? :-)) ang gulo!
i think she needs an editor to check her grammar, spelling, syntax :-)) i hope she doesn’t get ballistic..
ruth ann
salina….i don’t know to you! what you say, we no understand
clipmaster
salina
Democracy, what democracy are you talking about. There is no such thing in the Philippines!
clipmaster
TANGANG TANGA ang magsasabing walang democracy sa pilipinas………..
salina
Yep! i’m the one.
**********************
ho…ho…ho……Merry Christmas everyone……..
pikon talo…….
**********************
Salina
salina….i don’t know to you! what you say, we no understand
**********************
I’m sure you don’t know me personaly but I’ve posting here for a while now,. For as long as the owner of this blog let me post I will contenue to post. I spend my time in the computer whenever I have the time. Its cheaper them going out. Don’t you think?
What do you mean you don’t understand? You meant you don’t understand anything I write? If so, Don’t worry about it. Sometimes I don’t understand what I post either, He he he he he (*.*)
Salina
Joselito Basilio
Philippine Democracy is one where GMA buys the 51% of the people and take away the rights of the 49%.
*******************
Hay, Naku! 51% lang? Akala ko masmarami pa!
Salina
cvj
Nine months ago, i described what i how i saw our political system in a State Chart diagram:
http://cvjugo.blogspot.com/2007/03/state-chart-of-philippine-democracy.html
There i saw our post-Marcos democracy as you (and many others do), i.e. an elite-based democracy. After Hello Garci, however, i believe we are now in the cusp of an elite-dictatorship with our democratic institutions becoming ceremonial shells.
*********************
As far as I know Philippines is not democratic country anymore because the way the Philippines government run.
Salina
clipmaster
hoy salina:
palagay ko ay hindi paramihan ng post dito……….
pare pareho ang post mo maski iba naman ang topic……
walang kakwenta kwenta naman ang mga post mo…….
well, anyway thats democracy na ang sabi mo ay wala………
tanga lang ang magsasabing walang democracy sa pilipinas……..
***********************
Hay, Naku! ako na naman ang nakikita mo. Gago na kong gago! Is not my fault if you’re too slow posting. If you still believe that there is DEMOCRACY in the Philippines, So be it. Mg coffee ka muna w/hot pandesal to go with it.
Salina
ernie
What does (real) democracy look like ? Certainly not the mangled rendition we see and experience daily in our hapless country !
*********************
Exactly!!! I’ve saying it all alone but nobody believe me.
MC_90
nagwawala si salina hahahahaha
ang nasa picture po ay isang presidente at isang myembro ng Presidential Security Group…kahit saan ka magpunta meron talagang ganito…kasa yan sa trabaho ng PSG ang pangalagaan ang presidente..kahit sino pa ang presidente gagawin nila yan..hindi yan isang amo at isang katulong…hehehehehe
eto na ang probable presidentiables para sa 2010:
Villar — elitista, billionaryo, hindi daw nagnanakaw pero simula nung naging senador lalong lumago ang negosyo whoaaaa….bakit kaya…
Roxas - Elitista din, bilyonaryo din…simula nung nagkaroon ng ambition na tumakbo ng presidente biglang kinalaban ang administration at kumampi sa opposition..pero kadalasan tahimik lang..kung saan maraming pilipino kumakampi..dun din sya kumakampi…hhhmmmm balimbing? walang paninindigan???
Erap Estrada - Elitista din, bilyonaryo din..lalo na nung nakakuha ng gambling money…maka masa daw…makamasa??????? ewan ko lang…dating presidente…natangal sa pwesto dahil sa pera..mayaman na nga gusto pa yumaman pa ng husto..huhuhuhu
Legarda - ewan ko kung ano to sya..d ko na alam hahahahaha
Lacson - lagot kayo..kung noong chief PNP pa sya..dami ng naexecute…pano na lang kung maging presidente na..babalik na si michael ray aquino…at iba pa nyang mga alipores para sila naman hahawak ng jueteng, robbery at iba pang pagkakaperahan..hahahahaha
GOrdon .- sabi nya at mga suporters nya..magaling daw sya..dami daw natulungan kasi chairman daw ng RedCross…eh kahit naman sino pa chairman ng RedCross madami pa din matutulungan tlaga sila…gamitin daw ba ang RedCross hahahahahaha at ang tawak sa kanya DICK!!! whoaaaaa
ayan na po!!!! mamili na kayo…choose the best mandaraya, the best magnanakaw, the best kurakot at the best killer…
ay meron pa pala…
Jinggot Estrada — hhmmmm wala ako masabi sa taong to…hindi dahil sa wala akong alam tungkol sa kanya..KUNDI AY WALA SYANG ALAM..AT MAGIGING PRESIDENTE NATIN SYA???? hahahahaha
well…salamat sa mga taga cebu ug majority sa mga taga visayas…kasi di sila uubra sa mga botante doon…buti na lang..
dapat siguro maghiwalay na lang ang Luzon at magsama ang Visayas at Mindanao..karamihan ng mga kurakot kasi puro taga Luzon hahahaha peace sa mga taga luzon!!!
stuartsantiago
nice photo nga. but democracy? please! looks to me like a gender divide, pure and simple. the women wanted protection from the elements, perhaps it was drizzling? or threatening to? the men just didn’t care as much. and the distance they kept, well, mahirap namang lumapit sa nakapayong, diba, masusundot ka sa mata.
Salina
stuartsantiago
nice photo nga. but democracy? please! looks to me like a gender divide, pure and simple. the women wanted protection from the elements, perhaps it was drizzling? or threatening to? the men just didn’t care as much. and the distance they kept, well, mahirap namang lumapit sa nakapayong, diba, masusundot ka sa mata.
((((((((((((((((((((((((((((
HA HA HA HA,….What so nice about it, The picture don’t tell us anything except, Its look like between the master and their slave.
Kabayan
Democracy must come hand in hand with honest and competent governance along with love and care for our fellowmen and environment. Most of all, a democracy based on love of God and following his principle based on goodness, shunning love of ill gotten wealth and power.
No one can claim that they are “corrupt and gain money to give later to the poor”. Such a thing is unacceptable and inadmissible in good and moral governance as it condones the bad in order to supposedly do good.
Immoral and bereft example in governance is worsening and shows no sign of letting up. Cover-ups continue to grow and evil acts condoned and even supported. As such what has to happen will happen. Three typhoons capped by an earthquake, coincidence or sign of the times? People worship money and imitate cover-ups and hypocrisy being done by this government.
For the administration, change your ways, or better yet, those who commit or protect corruption must resign. For those who destroy our environment, time to stop and make amends by planting trees and maintain biodiversity. Stop destroying our water resources whether those in fresh water or salt water. The rich should aid the poor. A system for a more equitable economic system and support institutions must be put into place. Feed the hungry or better yet, create a system so as the hungry can feed themselves. Most important of all, seek the principles of our Supreme Creator and take action in doing good. Never condone leaders and rulers who do evil and drive the whole country into the ground.
Do your duty, do your responsibility. Let yourself be forgiven by doing good rather than making the confessional box your personal “washing machine” to cleanse your souls.
The sign of the times speak for themselves.
MC_90
Kabayan,
Brader…umeksena na naman ang idol mong si trillanes hahahahahahaha wala talagang kupas ang kumag mong idol…ayun nanggulo na naman…at ano ang resulta???? bumagsak ang market…natakot na naman mga negosyante….so ano na naman mangyayari nyan??? tataas na naman ang dollar…TATAAS NA NAMAN ANG BILIHIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! NG DAHIL LANG SA PERSONAL NA AMBISYON NG LINTEK MONG IDOL!!!!!
Dapata patayin na sila jan….sugurin na ng mga police at sundalo at pagbabarilin na…ng sa gayon eh mabawasan man lang kahit papano ang mga taong nagiging dahilan ng paghihirap ng pilipino!!!!
Kabayan
MC_90, Mali ka brader, TUMAAS ang stock market ng 41 points kahapon dahil tumayo si Gen. Lim at Sen. Trillianes laban sa mga corrupt. Nung Batasan blast TUMAAS din ang stock market. Nung tinira ni Trillanes at Lim ang mga kalokohan ng LINTEK MONG IDOL NA SI GLORIA at kanyang mga alipores, lumalabas na nagpapabuti ng ekonomiya. Di ako magtataka na tataas ng plus 200 points ang stock market kung bumaba na sa pwesto ang lintek mong idol, heheheh
realitylapse
ayako sana manghimasok sa bangayan nyo Kabayan at MC_90 pero.
@Kabayan
Hindi pa natin agarang makikita ang epekto ng ginawa ni trillanes sa ekonomiya. baket kamo, kasi sarado ang market kahapon, at mag dadagsaan na naman ang remitances ng ating mga bayaing OFWs ngaung disyembre.
At syempre ang pinaka maaapektohan ay ang mga banyagang namumuhunan, kasi magiging ilag sila dahil hindi matatag ang ating pamahalaan.
@MC_90
Parehas tayo ng iniisip, “Dapata patayin na sila jan….sugurin na ng mga police at sundalo at pagbabarilin na…ng sa gayon eh mabawasan man lang kahit papano ang mga taong nagiging dahilan ng paghihirap ng pilipino!!!!” kaso, isa nga tayong demokrasya d ba? Labag man sa kalooban ko gaya ng panantili ni arroyo dapat dumaan tayo sa tamang prosesso. Kasi kung hindi, ano na pinagkaiba natin sakanila?
Jossher
Real democracy is about upholding the people’s will in an honest election untainted by “dagdag-bawas” and a “Hello Garci.” Democracy means justice for people who are victims of extrajudicial killings and the prosecution and subsequent jailing of the perpetrators. Democracy means accountability in government and the prosecution of not only common criminals but corrupt persons from the President’s Husband down to the barangay kagawad. Real democracy means that the people’s taxes are seen being used to benefit them through flood control programs, good roads, adequate classrooms in schools and well supplied hospitals. Democracy means that if you steal from the people you will go to jail.
Kabayan
realitylapse,
Hindi na ako naniniwala sa “trickle down effect”. Ilang taon nang sinasabi yan eh ang nangyari, yung “trickle down” walang “effect”. Sa aking pagaaral dati, walang epekto ang krisis sa pulitika sa ating ekonomiya; ngayon binabago ko ang aking tayo dito, sa pagtaas ng stockmarket nung nagkaroon ng Batasan bombing blast at nung kalagitnaan ng pangyayari sa Manila Peninsula lumalabas na ngayon ay ayaw na ng ating mangangalakal o businessmen ang tiwaling gubyeronong ito. Ang napakasakim na kurapson ng kasulukuyang administrayson ang nakakapigil di lamang ng patas na pagtaas ng ekonomiya (i.e. dapat nakikinabang lahat, mayaman, middle class at mahirap) kundi nakakasira rin sa mapayapang pag-unlad ng bansa.
Tingnan mo, kung tatapusin ang kakurakutan, pagtatakip ng mga kasalanan, at simulan ang pagtatanggal ng tiwali sa ehekutibo, kongreso, pulis at hukbong sandatahan ng Pilipinas; uunlad ang bawat mamamayan at aangat ang isang ekonomiya na di lamang sa para sa iilan; at bukod dito ay tatahimik na rin ang karamihan ng kaguluhan sa ating bayan.
Dahil ang kasalukuyang administrasyon ay sangkot mismo sa mga katiwaliang at kurapsyon, makikita mo na di matitigil ang kaguluhan sa bansa. Itigil ang kurapsyon at katiwalian, iyan ang susi sa katahimikan ng bansa at patas na pag-unlad ng bawat Pilipino. Kung ayaw nilang itigil ito, maige na sila ay bumaba ora mismo sa kani-kanilang mga pwesto at MAG-RESIGN!
Primer C. Pagunuran
Rebellion?
Suppose Group X is a small number of military officers and enlisted personnel whose cases in a civilian court have to be heard by the cognizant regional trial court on a scheduled day. In the middle of the hearing, the respondents, walk out of the court room and proceeded to a nearby hotel. Before such walk out, the third-party who took custody of them did not shoot at the judge, the fiscal or any enforcement authority there present much less issued what may constitute as grave threats. In other words, the court has not done any action whatsoever that could have reasonably pre-empted their act that made it easy for them to proceed from the court to a nearby Makati hotel. Let us grant that this was exactly what happened at Manila Peninsula Hotel when news broke that there was a lightning ‘coup d etat’.
Soon after the incident, Malacanang sent troops in V-150s, armored personnel carriers (APCs), and more special forces than necessary from the AFP and PNP to conduct assault operations if after the deadline set by government, the personages who holed themselves up will not voluntarily surrender to the authorities. As it did in fact happened, the government troops cordoned the whole hotel complex and the V-150 has to break in the hotel’s lobby and troops have to give a volley of fire to clear the lobby area. Then, troops have to lob a lot of ‘tear gas explosions’ to compel the suspected group to come out. To cut a long story short, those holed up in the hotel offered no resistance and were forced to surrender themselves to the apprehending police or military. Thus, they were taken out, handcuffed, or tied and ferried to a bus for tactical interrogation at Camp Crame, whatever. As this is happening, PGMA has to appear on nationwide TV threatening to punish them to the fullest extent of the law.
And thus, the inquest proceedings have all been built under the trumped-up charges of rebellion and inciting to rebellion against those who are alleged to have participated even merely present in the premises when the event occurred. Ironically, not few media people were arrested likewise. The reason officially given is that of intelligence reports saying that the Magdalo soldiers pass themselves off as media people so as to elude arrest. Thus, the AFP and PNP have to arrest everybody to even get at that person or persons who may have no participation, in any way, to what they conveniently automatically label as a coup d etat, or in this case, rebellion. Thus, a bishop, a political scientist in the person of Dr. Francisco Nemenzo, other civil-rights lawyers were not spared the whip. It should be the first time for Dean Nemenzo to get himself arrested although whenever a coup is hoisted, he is always at the scene of the crime, matter-of-factly.
The State Prosecutor from the Department of Justice presided over the inquest proceedings. The lawyers of the accused, some of them lawyers themselves, and their collaborating counsels who made their appearances as respondents were called one by one. A lot of things can be said of how the proceedings came about. It was baroque, grotesque, bizarre, absurd – even a total shame – on the part of that DOJ panel headed by Atty. Velasco who does not seem to know where his left hand is from his right. In fact, had every word, voice or sound in the entire proceedings been captured in the later transcript or journal, it should make for an interesting reading. I would have wanted to have a copy of the minutes of the proceedings or a copy of its VCD. Certainly, every student of law knows that the inquest or mock trial has miserably failed to show any sign of proof of probable cause largely because the charge cited in the complaint is totally bereft of any degree of truth in it or so because the private counsels of the respondents were the top-caliber lawyers that they are who would know everything about law. And sadly, Atty. Velasco pales in comparison. The result was clear – it weakened the government position against those they arrested and charged for such offense.
Since the whole inquest proceedings have everything complete – the accused and their accusers – and considering further the fact that it is televised nationwide, it simply behooves upon the DOJ Panel to have successfully brought the matter to a close except that it failed. Thus, the last thing a viewing universe understands is that – it was suspended at about past midnight and that their (DOJ) resolution will be forthcoming – “as soon as possible” – and not even before seven (7) a.m. the day after, which runs counter to Atty. Velasco’s earlier pronouncement. I have great reservations on the manner the whole affair has been conducted. Here we find a State Prosecutor unable to communicate in the official language which in this case, is the English language. Here we find a State Prosecutor, caught with his pants down, on what should have been basic and elementary knowledge of law but he was clearly ignorant about. This was on the matter of having to detain the persons accused beyond the 36-hour reglamentary period. Here we find a State Prosecutor who keeps on uttering the phrase – “thank you very much, panero” – countless times in the process and who always begs for the understanding of the defense counsels of the accused, individually and collectively. In short, in a scale of 1 to 10, the government and taxpayers paid for the services of a State Prosecutor who may be better off shooting mock-up targets in a shooting range. He probably best qualifies as a range officer in a shooting range. All told, it was a faux pas, a comedy of errors.
PRIMER C. PAGUNURAN
UP Diliman, Quezon City Email: nielsky_2003@yahoo.com Telephone: 6610539
Kabayan
To be more accurate, our government is largely an Oligarchic Syndicracy. Oligarchy meaning the rulership by the rich and Syndicracy meaning rulership by criminal syndicates. So in effect, at least for the most part, Philippine governance is an Oligarchic Syndicracy, rulership by the rich and criminal syndicates in power.
kilabot
Salina,
Panis pa la ang utak mo eh, anong walang democracy? e di mo pala alam ang sinasabi mo, ang ibig mong sabihin eh, signs ng slavery ang paghawak ng payong sa isang amo. Wang bu ka rin no! eh sweldohan po yung babae, ginagawa lang nya yung trabaho nya..masyadong marami kasi tayong iniisip na masama sa kapwa natin kaya kung ano-anung imagination ang lumalabas..kahit di alam ang totoong sitwasyon.. mga paranoid na ba, lahat ng galaw ng isang kilalang tao laging may ibig sabihin para sa mga miron..
Kung meron mang ibang interpretasyon e, opinyon lang naman yun, pero kung masama ang intensyon, maaring maiba nga ang pananaw mo.
Di ba demokrasya itong ginagawa natin..
maaring di perfect but there no such thing (perfect democracy). Kung perfect democracy ang hanap mo dun sa langit siguro meron..well sana sabihin mo kay lord na kunin ka na para me-experience mo agad.
Taga Sampaloc
Our democracy is the same since 1976 when Marcos expanded the military size by 6 times.
Since then affairs in the government are influenced by the military…no transparency, no accountability, mismanagement of people’s money, killing of dissenters with impunity and so ooon…
Our present “democracy” is more brilliant than any of the supposed democracy in other regions.
If you are a corrupt military you will go unpunished and even retire you on golden parachute.Your choice is unlimited: ambassadorship, cabinet membership, board of directorship or tons of “tongpats” as “pabaon”.
They will even beg you to run for office for more power and perks.
If you are a corrupt civilian without access to the “big guys”, you go to jail to throw off the scent of the stinking corruption being perpetrated by the powerful.
You are the sacrificial lamb because it is like throwing your rotten body to the media so the media will take attention off their stinking bodies.
The beauty of our “democracy” is that the military pulls the string and yet it is not held accountable.The civilian heads are, hence the election.
The military can replace any president by “people power”. Isn’t this the nicest part of our “democracy”.
It lets you think that you have that power.
…But don’t try that power if you can’t gather one million protesters at EDSA.Kayo naman, masyadong garapal kung kaunti lang ang hakot ninyo. Ang ibig sabihin ang lider ninyo small time.
The military supports bigtime people because there is power waiting.
I will not be surprised if other countries will follow our ingenuity.
It is simple and diabolical.It’s “democracy”at work.
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