AFTER our experience with the Marcoses, I thought we (Filipinos) should’ve grown up, a lot.
But here we are once more. We just had an ex-president convicted of plunder in a court of law and talks of pardon are quickly laid out and most embarassing of all, a good number of us think that it is the right thing to do.
Stupid. The only thing that comes to mind for lack of a stronger word to put sense in this.
Why are we like that? Is it because we have been raised like that? To have the right amount of stupidity to put compassion above justice and to be less caring about that person’s self-serving actions in the past? Simply because he was perceived as helper of a handful of poor folks who simply don’t understand that the reason they are in that situation is because of people like him.
So are we really a forgiving nation? No. We are in fact the opposite because we continue to do it over and over again.
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September 29th, 2007 at 1:13 am
This blog shows an imminent manner of unforgiving. And too, an imminent lack of knowing the real matter.
There is the blaming of Erap to be a plunderer. Now, the verdict showed that, even if it is true, no public money has been involved, therefore it is not plunder.
The one who really plundered public funds and admitted it, is Chavit Singson. Even if he would have paid to Erap, he and not Erap is the plunderer. But it has been well proved that it was not even possible to deliver the 130 million tax money to Estrada, so it must still be with Singson. Is he charged? And since it is clear that the money was not delivered as he and Ang claimed, are they now charged with false witnessing, lying to the court etc. etc.? Or that lady messenger who testifyed she has delivered perdonally to Estrada at his offce some millions, at a date and time where Estrada, due ti official records, has not even been at his office? Is she charged for lying to the court and to explain where then the money went?
If is premature just to think about pardon, then it is lso premature tobang on Estrada,because the case is not yet finally finished and therefore Estrada is still only accused.
Besides, just remember other cases. How about Robin Padilla, sentenced to more than 20 years jail, he was allowed to transform the jail into a movie stage and then a special law set the maximum sentence for his crime to five years so that soon later he has been free. Or that congressman sentenced for rape but was allowed to get his slary for years without to do anything for. And has been changing his jail into a luxury pension with kitchen, extra rooms, office, shop, play court etc. etc.
Is that now forgiveness or what else? If talking about justice, then it should be valid also in favor of Estrada and not only against him, at least as long as justice also means fairness. Not only to Erap, but generally.
September 28th, 2007 at 1:50 pm
Iba ang usapan kung nagkasala ka bilang pinuno ng bayan. Ang kasalanan sa taong bayan ay dapat di pinapatawad. Hell, if we keep on putting pardons to those who aggravate and steal from the people’s own sweat and blood, then we’re really bound to be food for the dogs. Let us not forgive and forget, please. This should serve as a reminder that we mean business and that those who screw the Filipinos get screwed in return.
September 27th, 2007 at 12:00 pm
We are too forgiving for own good it’s no wonder we are still stuck in the rut that we’re in.
To err is human but to forgive is stupid.
September 25th, 2007 at 11:02 am
What about the Marcoses? Si Estrada lang ba? The Iron Butterfly is still flying high and the rest of corrupt government officials. What about those police batuta na walang ginawa kundi mangotong at magkamot ng tiyan? They are a big pieces of crap in the Phil. government. Dapat ikulong din ni Gloria ang sarili niya sa daang aktibistang pinapatay ng administrasyon niya.
September 25th, 2007 at 6:21 am
I am so embarrased to be a “Pinoy” at this time of my life. I thought I can never utter the words; but this is the pinnacle of all katangahan ng mga leaders sa pilipinas.
The very reason why I like being a naturalized american is that, in this country “pantay pantay ang lahat”. we all eat the same food, but we all respect the same law and the law has no respect for anybody.
sayang, masarap pa naman ang mabuhay sa sariling bansa, pero the justice system of the philippine is forcing me to just love the food and hate the government system.
change your hearts politicians and govenrment officials. may awa ang diyos sa inyo.
well, lambing lang iyon galing sa akin, pero serious ang situation talaga.
2 things in the philippines makes me throw up. 1) government officials and the justice system, 2) too much balut and beer.
GUSTO KO NANG UMUWI SA PILIPINAS FOR GOOD, KAYA DALIAN NINYO DIYAN. GISING NA FROM YOUR KATARANTADUHAN. Just GO FOR THE TRUTH AND LET ESTRADA FACE HIS DESTINY. ANYWAY, GUMAGANDA LANG ANG SCRIPT NG BUHAY NIYA KUNG MAKUKUKLONG SIYA. “ASIONG SALONGA MOVIE COMES TO LIFE”. Staying in Munti will help him realize his Movie Script, thus might really change him too.
September 24th, 2007 at 12:43 pm
at long last nakahuli din tayo ng malaking isda, kaya lang anong gagawin ng gobyerno pakakawalan? di naman extinct ang nahuli natin ang dami nga nyan sa gobyerno dapat nga pritohin na kaagad yan para di pamarisan. Madam president stupid na nga ba ang mga Pinoy sa mga mata mo?
No pardon to ERAP, HE DESERVES TO ROT IN JAIL AND IN HELL…Isunod nyo na si Imelda Marcos.
mga kabayan this is the right time na marinig ng Malacanang ang boses nyo, send your comment to the office of the president:
http://www.op.gov.ph/contact.asp
No to ERAP Pardon/Amnesty…
September 24th, 2007 at 9:36 am
2007-gloria to give pardon to erap
2016-gloria pardoned by sitting president.
para namang hindi kayo pinoy, give and take lang yan…… eheste, take and give pala.
wla namang pagababagong mangyayari sa pinas hangga’t nagpapauto tayo sa mga politiko.
enemy noon, friend ngayon… tingnan nyo, tahimik na si cayetano dahil nauto na kayo.
September 24th, 2007 at 8:11 am
Villar, Apostol, Vidal, and others, who are conditioning the minds of the general public about granting an absolute pardon to the plunderer before its finality, are making a Mockery of Justice. Erap, on the other hand, had the audacity to say that he has to consider the conditions of his pardon or else. Nakakasuka. Ito ba ang ating ipamamana sa ating mga anak na mamumuno sa panghinaharap. Huwag kang magalala na magnakaw ng malaking halaga sa bayan, madaling magpatawad ang ating bayan. Gumising ka Pilipinas! Subject na naman tayo ng katatawan sa buong mundo. Ano ba-Yan???
September 24th, 2007 at 3:37 am
yeah its mockery of justice system in our country.
how will you forgive a person who is not admitting the cases charges against him and found GIULT BEYOND REASONABLE DOUBT??? or maybe our politician are cleaning their name in the eyes of the MASA people for the next election?
it is not us who are forgiving but he has responsiblity in the eyes of the eyes of law and the society.
we just wasted everything if this will happen.
but what about the cost it will pay to the next next next generation?
what about the people in the government who was in this case also? so it will be okay to be corrupt official since pardon will be given anytime.
this is just show how weak is our government poorly excercised the law we made.
September 23rd, 2007 at 11:41 pm
I see no hope for the Philippines to progress. I love this country, this is my home, but we are corrupt from the smallest barangays to Malacanang. We will always be living like we are now. Sorry to say that, but I think it’s true, at least partly. Can we just sell our beautiful country? If there is a country interested. Haha!
September 23rd, 2007 at 11:18 pm
So rare indeed are these leaders that they won’t be put before us to elect.
When one steals and get pardoned and allowed to keep all or part of his loot, I cannot be optimistic even if I tried.
September 23rd, 2007 at 10:13 pm
How can we be labelled as stupid when the authority treats us like one? It’s very hard to tell.
September 23rd, 2007 at 9:21 pm
[...] Vox Populi : Unforgiving Pinoys [...]
September 23rd, 2007 at 8:53 pm
Pardon for Erap? Are we Filipinos going crazy or what? To hell with those people who are asking to pardon this thief. F##k you all!!!!
September 23rd, 2007 at 6:42 pm
Tim, i think the writer just derived the title of his blog from the last sentence written.
Its short, but a very brief. Yes, we are really unforgiving coz we keep on doing the same thing over and over again.
September 23rd, 2007 at 6:07 pm
i think what filipinos really need is the very basic,sense of origin, and the love for country.we dwell so much on having at least 1%spanish blood for we are under spain for 300 or more years,being their muchachas and muchachos,sakada etc.. dont forget how many bastardos ,bastardas did they left behind.we forgot our indo malay origin dated back to lapu lapu wich we are supposed to be very proud,not even our names are spared,we all have spanish names literally speaking.we dont have a sense of originality,the only catholic majority in SEA,yet the most corrupt,love of country???lets go back to time immemorial and ask who we really are..
September 23rd, 2007 at 5:26 pm
It’s not a question of being unforgiving or having a short memory. Filipinos just don’t have the proper sense of right and wrong. And this is not exclusive to the poor or the less informed.
Recent events in the country would show that even those perceived to be have the right mix of brains are just as guilty as the poor who wants to forgive a sinner even without contrition. In short, we are a nation that don’t deserve respect.
I am more than sure that the Philippines will never go beyond the third world category simply because of the third world mentality of its own people. At least, not within my lifetime. So this perennial sick man of Asia will remain chronically sick. It’s not the country, stupid. It is the people (to paraphrase Bill Clinton’s battle cry in 1992).
September 23rd, 2007 at 1:08 pm
Walang ibang paraan para umasenso ang Pilipinas kundi palitan ang lahat ng namumuno ng isang taong Maka-Diyos siyempre may takot, makatao at makabayan at may sinseridad na tulungan ang ating bansa at mga mamamayan. Paano? Yan ay sa pamamagitan ng isang Military Junta para alisin lahat sila sa poder (kaso ang mga Militar abusado rin) sana magkaroon sila ng magandang kaisipan para sa Bayan at mangyayari ito sa tulong ng mga media at mamamayan. Di ako pabor sa Military take over pero ito lang ang paraan para mapalitan ang lahat ng namumuno na mga buwaya sa kapangyarihan at patuloy na sumisira sa karangalan at dignidad ng mga Pilipino. In short let’s remove the Tonggress and Sin-ate for the good of our country and find a new leaders who are dedicated and willing to sacrifice for the country and for the people (I know there are many of them but we dont give them chance because of our system na dynasty at perahan at takutan).
September 23rd, 2007 at 12:47 pm
A naive rant !
more astute and down-to-earth is,
we are what we are, the sum weight of padre damaso on top of juan tamad.
yes, raising a cop-out, to any challenge, from any event , to transpire for 300 years to come.
the good news is, today is a good day to start, counting down 259 years to go.
September 23rd, 2007 at 12:24 pm
Kahit saang philippine blogs ako nagpupunta ang laging sinisisi ng karamihan ay ang mga leaders ng ating bansa. Bakit hindi natin tingnan ang ating mga sarili? Just forget for a while our leaders, just look at yourselves and your neighbors at makikita mong kahit sinong leaders ang uupo sa poder ay hindi magbabago ang takbo ng ating bansa. Karamihan sa atin ay nangangamba sa pangungurakot ng ating mga leaders, yan ay normal lang dahil wala tayo sa poder. Ngunit kung tayo naman ang makaupo, bigla tayong tatahimik dahil “it’s our turn”. Para doon sa maiingay dahil sa pangungurakot daw ng mga nasa poder, mga pare at mare, inggit lang yan. Dito nga lang sa abroad, kapwa kababayan natin ang nagsisiraan lalo na pagdating sa trabaho. Yong crab mentality ay laging daladala ng karamihan sa ating mga kababayan. Walang pagbabagong mangyayari sa ating bansa kung ang bawat isa sa atin ay manatiling bulag sa katotohanan.
September 23rd, 2007 at 8:22 am
its very stupid indeed for people to be talking of pardon for someone who has plundered our nation’s treasury and has caused much damage to our economy. Erap has not even acknowledge of the guilt even if he has been found guilty by the courts, so why are they entertaining pardon already? He should first seek forgiveness for his crime and return all the money he has taken before anybody should be talking about forgiveness. And another thing, why is the offer of pardon so selective? is it because he is rich and powerful that he deserves to be pardoned? what about those other people who committed other lesser degree of crimes? shouldnt also they be given pardon? why is it being applied selectively? if Erap will be pardoned so quickly just as he was being convicted, then it will just appear that the law againgst the crime of plunder would just be totally useless. Why, I can also do plunder myself or encourage others to do so then ask pardon later? They can give it to Estrada, why wont they give it to other people like me?
September 23rd, 2007 at 7:29 am
In a way, I agree with your point of view that Pinoys are unforgiving in the sense that we keep punishing ourselves to the point of self-flagellation. We impose upon ourselves leaders whom we perceive to be unworthy of their positions, chastise ourselves by condoning a political system that promote a culture of corruption, we have endured a society characterized by a constantly expanding chasm between the rich and the poor.
It is ourselves we do not forgive.
September 23rd, 2007 at 6:57 am
Hi nalie. the reason we don’t have the nationalistic leader in position today is because the filipinos are too selfish, self-serving and too lazy to really decide on and vote for a good leader.
There are good leaders in the Philippines. Sometimes, we just have to stop being blinded by our immediate and selfish wants, and think of the future of our children to recognize the good leaders.
September 23rd, 2007 at 5:50 am
After all those years of trials and mistrials of the case against Erap. All the taxpayers’ money spent to finance this… current President is ready to forgive? Duh. Will the next plunderer, whoever he or she is, also expect to be forgiven? Perhaps Estrada is right afterall… it was a Kangaroo Court.
Bakit naman Pinoy, kadali mong makalimot? Knock. knock. Hello??!
September 23rd, 2007 at 12:02 am
I don’t really understand what you’re saying.
Are you talking about forgiveness, or of unforgiveness.
Seems to me like you’re talking more about how short the memories of Pinoys are when it comes to their folk heroes and politicos.
Your title should be more like “The Short Memory of Juan de la Cruz”.
September 22nd, 2007 at 11:53 pm
We never learn our lesson. So, i guess we will never move forward. I wonder who will get all the money once they are retrieved from erap? We surely hope back to the government. though not much, it will surely help a lot.
In one of the subjects I enrolled in MBA back there in the Phils, one of my classmates asked our professor “how will our country ever solve its problems?”. Qur professor repiled “only when we elect leaders that are nationalistic”. A simple answer but as years passed by and i ponder over it, its the only answer indeed. Only when our leaders loved their country so much that they think of its welfare first before their personal aspirations. But i guess these kind of leaders are rare.