Then what?

Perfect delivery Gerry...
This is an example of good and responsible citizen thinking outside of the box. In contrast to others who PRETENDS to think outside of the box...Another economic gauge Gerry is the housing boom, my gosh arent Filipinos becoming so rich these days that even at skyrocketing fuel prices car sales are on the rise, and the traffic jams.. where do these Filipinos get the money to pay for all of these.. and look at how many malls where built almost every year thats always filled to shoulder to shoulder capacity every weekend. Change is a slow process, even bad people change for the good, so as thieves... Shits happens when you do shortcuts...Im not a fan of Gloria either, but I want her to stay in there until these scambags who put her in there and now wants her out "ay mamatay sa inis"
BTW, Gerry, we cant tell the media to think, theyre always after the big R (ratings) so "thinking" is a economic suicide for them. For the "moralists" to think...shit..I dont know they have brains...cheers

No, Mr. Ditching. You think. :

Our GDP is growing, our peso is also doing better against the dollar, because it is a worldwide phenomena. The United States is the one suffering from it, because this Imperialist is so nice to let their trade deficit grow by the thrillion of dollars, so that other unstable country will not go hungry and have political instability. Americans are having credit problems, housing foreclosure and no savings. Inspite of that the American economy is still stable and American way is stil very competitive.

China has benefited from all of this, they emulate the american way of Capitalism inspite of communist control. China is stable because what American want to see. Buying cheap goods and moving american factories for cheap labor in china and other developing countries.

Our Leaders and our Politician should not get credit for an improving economy. In fact they took advantage of it, they don't know how to run a country neither a province or a city. Becoming an elected official its all about having a name, sikat and celebrity but no BRAINER.

WE THE PEOPLE, WHO ELECTED THEM ARE TO BLAME, WE THE FILIPINOS ARE TO BLAME FOR LETTING CORRUPTION TO HAPPEN WHEN WE CONDUCT BUSINESS TO PROCESS SOME PAPER WORKS...AND ONLY WE THE FILIPINOS CAN REMOVE THEM AND SOLVE THE PROBLEM.

OUR ECONOMY IS GOOD BECAUSE GLOBAL TRADE IS DOING WELL.... WHAT IF THERE IS A GLOBAL ECONOMIC DEPRESSION.

Hoy Gerry Aching, hindi rin ako fan ni GMA pero hindi ako t*nga. Ano ba yang GDP na sinasabi mo, eh hindi naman nararamdaman ng mga ordinaryong mamamayan. Mga numero lang yan, tumingin ka sa iyong paligid at sabihin mo na ang Pilipinas ay umasenso.
Pasensya ka na dahil para sa akin hindi yan ang sukatan ng magaling na presidente o pinuno. Kung gusto mong mabura ang "corruption" sa gobyerno, ito ay dapat magmula mismo sa presidente. Kung sa tingin ng ordinaryong mamamayan o kawani ng gobyerno na "OK" lang magnakaw kasi mataas na man ang GDP, mataas ang piso eh di magnakaw na rin sila dahil ang pagnanakaw pala sa gobyerno ay walang kaparusahan.
Ako hindi ko ipagpapalit sa ano mang numero ang aking dangal, si GMA ba sa tingin mo meron pa nito? Sana naman ay mamulat tayo...masakit kaya ang mauntog.
Ang sa akin lang, hindi umiikot ang mundo kay GMA lamang bagkus sa ating lahat na mamamayan. Tingnan mo na lang ang ginawa nyang ehemplo - si Erap. Naganakaw ng ilang bilyon pero anong nangyari...pinakawalan.
Ito ba ang karapatdapat na mamuno sa atin? Ito ba ang gusto nating tularan at purihin? Ito ba?

Then what? What then?

Ripple effect. As if the filipinos are electrocuted by lighting and thunder are breaking one's eardrum with the nonstop noise created by this NBN scandal that a supertyphoon is on the horizon.

People won't stop, particularly the opposition. Now that nothing came out definite in the investigation, everybody is now on the interfaith rally as if we are really a country of saints and no sinners.

First thing first, this fear monger, this scandal monger is creating division among us filipinos. We, filipinos are being polarized. Unnecessary commentaries and opinions are espousing hate and anger towards GMA. As if we are getting crazy, as if we suffer dementia praecox and monomania for a moment. Let us be lucid and not being run by emotions but by reasons and logic.

Let us be sober and calm, count one to ten and everything will be alright.

Then what's next,we'll be back to normal after being abnormal.

In some point I may agree with Gerry that sustained economic growth may be one of the essential ingredients in attaining and stabilizing a principled political system... in some point also a stabled principled political system may also be an essential ingredients in attaining a sustained economic growth.. both must go hand in hand....

However, my personal analysis of the current situation tells that Philippine political, economic and even religious system is being controlled by the elites (only few rich families) who can afford to buy the best brains of the world or fund the most expensive political activities (one is election) and can dictates politicians what to do for their personal benefits... unless and until this elite centered system is changed then we can say that we can attain a principled political system and sustained economic growth...

Connecting all of this to what is happening right now, both the administration and the opposition quarrel for position while the group of elites is just behind watching and observing whom to support on the last minute... Gloria may not be removed from post as of now considering that opposition may not have a credible bet to replace Gloria in case she will be ousted. The Constitution dictates that in case the president is removed from power the vice president shall succeed... the opposition is having doubts on the capability of Vice Pres. Noli De Castro and Gloria is taking advantage of this situation that's why she is confident that she might not remove from power because the opposition has no solid stand whom to support and endorse as Gloria's replacement.

On the other hand, the poor and the underprivilege are once again use by both groups but in the end the elites are winner.

Marami ang magpapanggap ng propeta at ililigaw nila ang marami

-Mateo 24:11

I certainly agree with you that killing a monstrous virus called corruption cannot be solved overnight.

But i find it hard to agree with you that the best way to begin is to ALLOW pgma to still hold leadership. Yes it is absolutely true that we posted economic growth while there is still corruption. And certainly without a corrupt president (& allies) we could have gained much more economic growth. Why settle for a consolation?

I am open to an enlightened view on this but as of this time I am not convinced that letting pgma NOT proactively answer allegations is the best way. It's like saying that you hate rats in your house but timidly you let them be because somehow they help kiil the roaches. That's ambiguous. If you hate something bad you hate it totally, you can't hate it partially.

I think the best way to fight corruption is NOT to tolerate it now. Not later. Step one is show resistance NOW. It's a genuine stance not a compromised one. Real natoin-building is founded on uncompromised principles. And still allowing a 'corrupt' president to govern us is clearly contradictory.

A good start is cutting clean from the bad past. Boasting from ecomomic gains now, which are tainted with a corrupt system will eventually end in downfall.

No lasting thing can come out from compromised values.

"Then what?"
The question Gerry put in here is asking for a solution not another argument of who is moral or not or who is corrupt or not. It has to be something doable and not something picked up from a fairy tale book. Arguments will only be divisive and the more this country will sink to chaos. Now since everybody feels the know everything and soo good in maligning persons they dont even met, so lets hear it.. ..solutions?

so you jump right away to chase the damn rats, never mind if it's a torch you're holding and might burn the house down?

I often wonder, if GMA is so evil and corrupt, why is GDP growth the highest in 31 years? Why is inflation in the low 2 percent? Why is the peso at P40.50 [to the dollar]? The problem with many is they think corruption can go away overnight. Why don’t we try to place ourselves in Malacañang and imagine funding a P6-billion presidential campaign, a P200-million-per-senator campaign, P20 million per congressional bet, local, etc., etc. from our own pockets.
-----------------------
Rosy economy? strong peso? You must be really out of your mind believe what Gloria Arroyo, Rosy economy!

Her so call booming economy she's bragging about nothing but PAD just like she PAD her votes to ensure her winning against Fernando Poe, Jr. SHE'S A THIEF.

Strong peso, Its true the Peso is strong not because of Gloria Arroyo, hard work. Its because the money remittance of OFW'S sending back home. If is not for the OFW'S money remittance the Philippines economy already went down the gutter. Don't believe me? Just wait and see when all the OFW'S stop sending money back home. I'm one of these people!

Allan Says:
February 29th, 2008 at 9:46 am
“Then what?”
The question Gerry put in here is asking for a solution not another argument of who is moral or not or who is corrupt or not. It has to be something doable and not something picked up from a fairy tale book. Arguments will only be divisive and the more this country will sink to chaos. Now since everybody feels the know everything and soo good in maligning persons they dont even met, so lets hear it.. ..solutions?
-------------------
Huh?! Yes, There is solution on all this mess. We the taxespayer's must get rid all the corrupt official's in all government office if we want to success. Start from Malacanyang Palace because she is the problem. Thats the SOLUTION!

Solutions. That's right we need it.

Taking a stand is a first step. Calling for pgma, et al to tell all and the truth is an essential pre-requisite.

One solution is at their hands now. We are just waiting for them to act on it. That's a big part of the solution when they answer the call for truth and accountability.

As for the rest of it, more solutions come out from good governance.

I agree with Gerry Ditching that GMA alone is not the problem, but the Filipinos rotten moral, social and political systems..and as a devout catholic, I can admit the church's corrupt role in shaping our culture from the time the Filipino race started and until now their constant intervention in governance is partly to be blame on it.
We dont have to go far to prove this, just look at our own backyard how our once dormant neighbors had outpaced us in terms of economic development and political stability.
We are so proud to be the"only christian nation in Asia" and yet we had the most numbers of wicked officials, and our behaviours contradicted Christ's teachings of loving our homeland and our fellowmen.
We had bishops and priests who think they are better politicians, our armed forces who thinks as saviours of the country, our lazy people who thinks the government should feed them...So where do we go from here? I want to ask this to this rallyists, Is unseating GMA will solve our country's problems from top to bottom? how did unseating Marcos and Estrada had given better life to poor Filipinos? how you will solve corruption in the local governments? how about crooked congresmen and senators, police and military officials? are we just going to do unending protests at the lifetime of our nation?
Are we not tired of this game?

Amen Barok! I agree with what you said, hindi nga naman meaningful na sukatan ang GDP dahil kahit nagkaroon man ng growth dito e wala rin itong halaga dahil hindi naman ito nararamdaman ng maraming Pilipino, lalo na yung mga nasa mas mababang antas ng lipunan. Kahit magkaroon pa ng economic growth e hindi naman ito magiging significant kung iilan lang ang makikinabang. The growth has to trickle down and be felt by all levels of society, hindi yung ang nag-rereap lang ng benefits e yung the elite and powerful few. Sa situation ngayon e GDP is nothing more than a number on paper that does not translate into concrete gains.

And as Pedro pointed out, the government can't take all credit for the supposed economic upswing. Humihina talaga ngayon ang dollar, dito pati na rin sa ibang bansa. May problema kasi sa US economy kaya bumababa ang halaga ng dollar. Pero kahit naman bumababa ang halaga ng dollar ngayon e hindi naman din ito mapapakinabangan ng karamihan. Hindi naman bumababa ang halaga ng mga bilihin; bagkus e tumataas pa nga. Mas maraming taong naghihirap ngayon, mas maraming nagugutom. Kahit mga taga-middle class e nararamdaman din ang struggle, pero mas lalo na ang mga mahihirap. Ito ang mas angkop na sukatan ng economic situation ng ating bansa--yung reality ng araw-araw na pamumuhay.

Gerry Ditching is missing the point. People do not think that corruption will go away overnight. Hindi naman bobo ang mga tao e. We know that it will take time and a lot of effort and perseverance, and that is exactly why we are acting NOW and why we are STILL on it. We don't want to stop fighting corruption and the evils of the government, and we don't want to wait till later to act, because we know that we are in an ongoing, long-haul, uphill battle for every Filipino's right to a peaceful, prosperous and ethical country. We don't want to waste precious time and effort just sitting idly by while the country's officials rob us and future generations blind. Hindi dapat ipinapasabukas ito, kasi kung hindi kikilos ngayon e baka magising na lang tayong lahat sa isang Pilipinas na lugmok na lugmok na at hindi na kayang maisalba.

pedro Says:
February 29th, 2008 at 3:15 am
Our GDP is growing, our peso is also doing better against the dollar, because it is a worldwide phenomena. The United States is the one suffering from it, because this Imperialist is so nice to let their trade deficit grow by the thrillion of dollars, so that other unstable country will not go hungry and have political instability. Americans are having credit problems, housing foreclosure and no savings. Inspite of that the American economy is still stable and American way is stil very competitive.

China has benefited from all of this, they emulate the american way of Capitalism inspite of communist control. China is stable because what American want to see. Buying cheap goods and moving american factories for cheap labor in china and other developing countries.

Our Leaders and our Politician should not get credit for an improving economy. In fact they took advantage of it, they don’t know how to run a country neither a province or a city. Becoming an elected official its all about having a name, sikat and celebrity but no BRAINER.

WE THE PEOPLE, WHO ELECTED THEM ARE TO BLAME, WE THE FILIPINOS ARE TO BLAME FOR LETTING CORRUPTION TO HAPPEN WHEN WE CONDUCT BUSINESS TO PROCESS SOME PAPER WORKS…AND ONLY WE THE FILIPINOS CAN REMOVE THEM AND SOLVE THE PROBLEM.

OUR ECONOMY IS GOOD BECAUSE GLOBAL TRADE IS DOING WELL…. WHAT IF THERE IS A GLOBAL ECONOMIC DEPRESSION.

==============
Totoo yon sinasabi mo. But according to Gloria Arroyo, kaya lumakas daw ang Peso ng dahil sa hard work daw niya! Jesus ginoo!

Huh?! Yes, There is solution on all this mess. We the taxespayer’s must get rid all the corrupt official’s in all government office if we want to success. Start from Malacanyang Palace because she is the problem. Thats the SOLUTION!

----------------------------------

And who should we replace her with? Again, the question is "Then what?" A concrete solution does not stop with "get rid of her", because there is still a question of "who should replace her?"

You can get rid of GMA, but who will replace her? The reason why we the Philippines lagged behind it's neighbors is because we kept changing leaders since the successful revolution against Marcos. This constant change of regime polarized the country where no real progress was made possible.

Looking at our neighbors, their governments aren't as free as ours. Most of them are very autocratic and maybe run by so-called dictators. But look at the progress that they've made.

The Philippines need a strong leader... Maybe the Philippines needs another dictator to set our priorities straight. But will Filipinos accept a dictator for the good of the country? I doubt...

People are talking of corruption, corruption and corruption.
But wait, where is the proof.

I have not seen any boracay mansion, I have not seen any palatial mansion,I have not seen baguio mansion, I have not seen multi million dollars rest houses but what I am seeing is only the Malacanang palace where our president temporarily resides.

I have not heard any billion peso account, nor billion dollar account or even euro account of the president. What I know of is GMA is only receiving her own president salary.

Where is the proof, where is the evidence?
what I learned of the proof is, He said, she said, back off, that's what i heard, and so on and so forth. Are these the proof of corruption.

If what is being fed to our mind is corruption, corruption and magnified corruption, then we think there is really corruption.

We have dirty mind. We don't trust others We are paranoid and suspicious of others.

If we are paranoid then, we should suspect what these people are doing, rally, interfaith rally, investigation?
If we don't get what is the motive of these people trying to oust the president, then we are not only paranoid but crazy,utouto people.

Nakakaloko.

Ang mga pari ay para sa simbahan lang, at di dapat nakikialam sa pulitika. ang mga sinador ay para bumalangkas ng batas, at hindi dapat nagiibistiga. may tamang korte para sa mga imbistigasion na ginagawa ngayon ng mga mambabatas KUNO. di ba nila alam na nasasayang lang ang oras at pera ng mga tao sa ginagawa nilang pag-iimbistiga KUNO.

Cops blocking protesters from provinces
---------------------
I'm calling, Calling anybody who believe for truth and justice to unite and kick Gloria Arroyo, From her stolen power.
Don't wait for a million people in the rally for you do something about it as we already can see it. Gloria Arroyo/cronies are stopping people from join the rally. Its time to kick her out. Now! Its over due.
--------------------
Thousands of activists from Southern Tagalog on Friday cried harassment after they were prevented from passing through police checkpoints in Laguna province.

Radio dzMM reports said the group of former Laguna Rep. Benjamin Agarao were being barrred by policemen manning a checkpoint in Barangay Mayapa, Calamba town.

Agarao said he called up Director Geary Barias, National Capital Region Police Office chief, to ask the police commander for a pass. He said Barias turned down his request.

The former congressman's group numbers to about 1,000. The protesters were on board jeepneys and were expected to join other groups in Makati City for the interfaith rally.

In an earlier interview with ABS-CBN's morning show, "Umagang Kay Ganda," Barias said the checkpoints set up around Luzon were given orders to provide security for the protesters. He denied accusations that the checkpoints were put up to block the protesters from the provinces.

Meanwhile, Armand Albarillo of the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan-Southern Tagalog, told radio dzMM that his group was also being blocked by policemen in Calamba town.

Albarillo said his group's number is also about 1,000. He said policemen from Cabuyao town and Calamba have converged in Calamba to block their group.

Agarao and Albarillo aired their complaints after Director General Avelino Razon Jr., Philippine National Police chief, ordered police regional directors to allow activists to pass through checkpoints.

Razon denied that the checkpoints were put up around Luzon to prevent protesters from joining the interfaith rally. He said the checkpoints are actually placed for the security of the protesters.

He said the police wanted to make sure that some groups planning to disrupt the protest actions in Metro Manila will not be able to slip arms or explosives into the National Capital Region.

Police checkpoints along the North Luzon and South Luzon expressways were placed Thursday as hundreds of militant groups from the provinces were expected to travel to Makati City to join the interfaith rally.

Earlier reports said some 20 armed policemen were seen manning a checkpoint in Balagtas town in Bulacan province. There were also reports that checkpoints have been placed in La Union and Pampanga provinces.

Barias earlier said at least 5,000 policemen have been dispatched around the metropolis to secure protesters.

Police and military personnel have also started to arrive to secure Don Chino Roces Bridge (formerly Mendiola), which is just a few meters away from Malacañg.

Reports said the Malacañang gate near Don Chino Roces have been blocked with container vans.

Barias said policemen will also be dispatched to the EDSA Shrine in Mandaluyong City and around Makati City.

Groups joining the interfaith rally will assemble in different areas in Makati City starting 2 p.m. The program was scheduled to start 5 p.m. and end at 8 p.m.

Matanggal man sa pwesto si pgma or hindi, she still should face the charges.

BUT WHAT if it the allegations were proven? She'd be impeached right?

So both ways, if you're on the side of truth & justice, pgma will still be eradicated.

If you want her to stay but believe that she's corrupt, then you can't expect her to stay in power 'coz she'll be mpeached anyway. Not unless you don't want justice & truth to work.

One thing pgma can do is to allow legal proceedings to address all allegations - in this way she participates in the call for truth and accountability.

14
Efren Says:
February 29th, 2008 at 10:53 am
I agree with Gerry Ditching that GMA alone is not the problem, but the Filipinos rotten moral, social and political systems..and as a devout catholic, I can admit the church’s corrupt role in shaping our culture from the time the Filipino race started and until now their constant intervention in governance is partly to be blame on it.
We dont have to go far to prove this, just look at our own backyard how our once dormant neighbors had outpaced us in terms of economic development and political stability.
We are so proud to be the”only christian nation in Asia” and yet we had the most numbers of wicked officials, and our behaviours contradicted Christ’s teachings of loving our homeland and our fellowmen.
We had bishops and priests who think they are better politicians, our armed forces who thinks as saviours of the country, our lazy people who thinks the government should feed them…So where do we go from here? I want to ask this to this rallyists, Is unseating GMA will solve our country’s problems from top to bottom? how did unseating Marcos and Estrada had given better life to poor Filipinos? how you will solve corruption in the local governments? how about crooked congresmen and senators, police and military officials? are we just going to do unending protests at the lifetime of our nation?
Are we not tired of this game?
-----------
The biggest problem is most of government official's are corrupt. These idiots suppose to serve the filipino people but they're only incriching themselves. Its time to get rid of these corrupt official's in government office if we want to success in this world. Is not going to be easy but we must.

Yup...tired of freakin people power for the benefit of hungry to be in power politician. But who will replace our banana republic? Who from the rotten opposition,or the rotten leftist from netherlands or the power hungry wanna be chief of staff military...then what?

Give us a long term solution not the band aid one.

mindanaoan Says:
February 29th, 2008 at 10:18 am
so you jump right away to chase the damn rats, never mind if it’s a torch you’re holding and might burn the house down?
-----------------
If we need to burn the house down just to get rid of these crook squatting in Malacanyang Palace. Why not! If you don't get rid of them you will have more problem. They're stealing the taxespayer's money to inrich themselves. Not atleast you don't know that. While most of filipino people go to sleep with empty stomach these idiots are laughing all the way to the bank.

24
Bonifacio's Magdiwang Says:
February 29th, 2008 at 1:29 pm
Yup…tired of freakin people power for the benefit of hungry to be in power politician. But who will replace our banana republic? Who from the rotten opposition,or the rotten leftist from netherlands or the power hungry wanna be chief of staff military…then what?

Give us a long term solution not the band aid one.
------------------------------
What are you trying to say, That the Philippines well collapse if Gloria Arroyo, Going to get kick out?. She is the problem. The Philippines well sink in the pacific ocean if she stay in power. Either you believe it or not.

Nice post Gerry.

At dun sa mga hindi makaintindi ng post ni Gerry, they are the ones with "BAHALA NA" attitude. They don't have any plan to lay out. But I presume that some have their plans ready, but they don't want to reveal that because they know it is not acceptable.

Just imagine these oppositions, they want to convince the people to take their side, even without SOLID PROOFS. At kung magtatagumpay ang LAWAY, that will be the precedence. You don't have to produce evidence anymore as long as you can convince people to echo your testimonies. The hearings for CORRUPT and GRAFT cases, as well as other cases will fill up the court rooms, the senate, and even the barangay halls.

What most people believe is the UNCERTAINTY that it will bring.

SOLUTION and NOT EMOTION is the key to this problem.

Let's give credit where it is due. We all know that economy of the Philippines per se is not that bad at all and I can even say it is very encouraging. Whether it is due to massive remittances from OFW's, investors, etc., it doesn't matter as this positive development had taken place during GMA's watch. Strong peso means less of it when buying foreign currencies for import of basic items as inputs to the economy that produce goods and better services. We all knew that the price of crude oil surpassed $100 and it will have massive negative impact to net oil consumers like us. We are lucky that our economy was not severely affected by the price of crude oil as this had chain reaction in all our daily lives. Look what happened to Zimbabwe where inflation runs thousand of percents that basic necessities are almost no longer available to its citizens due to ill management as well as corruption in all government levels. GMA is hounded by controversies and allegations but until now no evidence/s had been presented to the people that will make them to participate in removing GMA as what the opposition is clamoring. Removing her by force will do more harm than good to the country in general. We have enough laws to protect the interest of the nation so let's act in accordance with what the law requires.

The main problem is that we have a very illegitimate democratic system. Our voters elect only those people who are popular and not if they are capable. The big dilemma if GMA is ousted, the VP will take over who was elected PURELY because he’s popular with the masses, and not because he’s capable to lead the nation. Our economy has never grown this much, I don’t want to take the chance by entrusting it to someone solely popular with the masses.
To prevent this transfer, no matter how believable Lozada initially is, his credibility is now being questioned. He admitted that a certain level of corruption is acceptable to him. Questions have arisen whether he was kidnapped, because his celphone was not confiscated, he dined in Outback restaurant, and he was able to go to the place he wanted to go all along, that is, La Salle Greenhills. I even read he committed a sin of omission regarding his consultation with the wife of Sen. Joker Arroyo. He didn’t correct the impression in which it appeared the wife invited him to her house to urge him not to testify, when the fact of the matter is (based on what I read) Lozada was the one who contacted the wife around September before Joey de Venecia testified, and he was crying and that he doesn’t want to testify. So the wife invited him to her house, and told him she couldn’t lawyer for him due to conflict of interest since her husband is a Senator, while he was then president of Philforest. She advised him then, since he was so distressed, that he doesn’t have to testify if he didn’t want to. Since this was one of those ordinary free consultations, she didn’t bother to tell Joker about it. So Joker was surprised when his wife was mentioned.

I am no fan of gloria either. My problem with this whole economy improving is this: I can't feel it. Nor can my family. I belong to what we may call the "middle class," the supposed main beneficiaries of this supposed improvement in the economy. I however, still struggle to make both ends meet. Why? Because even if I already earn a substantial amount, the cost of living is even higher! And you say that the economy has improved?

While it is true that corruption cannot be weeded out overnight, it does not mean that we should just accept what is happening because "supposedly" the economy has "improved."

Please do not tell the ordinary people to accept something wrong just because of claims that there is also something right that is being done. A wrong is a wrong.

What is happening to us right now is not ONLY a question of economics BUT also a question of MORALITY.

Just because we cannot weed out corruption overnight, because our economy has improved, or because our electoral system is rotten, doesn't mean that we should accept something wrong. What are we teaching our children if we follow this logic?

Again, a wrong is a wrong. President is otherwise.

I many not like GMA, but I sure as hell dislike the members of the opposition even more. It would be more prudent to wait for her term to end, and deal with her after she's no longer a president.

I don't see how destabilizing the nation is part of solving the problem.

@Gloria Lavandera

Please. Do you really think many of us have sympathy for the rallies today?

Understand that a lot of us would very much like to get an honest day's work - your rallies do nothing but disrupt traffic and force offices to close down earlier.

You may have a right to say your piece, but we have as much right to our livelihoods.

I had been an OFW more than half of my life as an engineer working from world's biggest construction firms in countries that produces oils. In all those years, I send my remittances thru banking system and not by black market like the so called fly by night door to door. How many OFW's are sending their remittances by way of black market, may be indeterminate. If all OFW's will send their remittances by legal way, we simply avoid being an instrument of corruption. Why patronage black market in sending your remittances. Let's practice what we say.

Alfie R. Quiming Says:
February 29th, 2008 at 2:09 pm
I am no fan of gloria either. My problem with this whole economy improving is this: I can’t feel it. Nor can my family. I belong to what we may call the “middle class,” the supposed main beneficiaries of this supposed improvement in the economy. I however, still struggle to make both ends meet. Why? Because even if I already earn a substantial amount, the cost of living is even higher! And you say that the economy has improved?

While it is true that corruption cannot be weeded out overnight, it does not mean that we should just accept what is happening because “supposedly” the economy has “improved.”

Please do not tell the ordinary people to accept something wrong just because of claims that there is also something right that is being done. A wrong is a wrong.

What is happening to us right now is not ONLY a question of economics BUT also a question of MORALITY.

Just because we cannot weed out corruption overnight, because our economy has improved, or because our electoral system is rotten, doesn’t mean that we should accept something wrong. What are we teaching our children if we follow this logic?

Again, a wrong is a wrong. President is otherwise.
---------------------------
Tama! We can just accept what is happening right now, Just because she claim that the economy is rosy! Truth to the matter is, Is not true! And if it is true why is it there is more and more filipino people go to sleep hungry. Aside from that the so call booming economy Gloria Arroyo, About nothing but PAD just like she PAD her votes in order to win in May 10, 2004. Presidential election and we all knew it. How can we just close our eyes to all these corruption, when they're stealing the government coffer. Thats the taxespayer's money they're stealing. How can we as a nation progress with all of this,. Tama ka! WRONG IS WRONG! and it should be corrected no matter what. Thats means its time to get rid of these corrupt government official's. Start from Malacanyang Palace.

Pian Says:
February 29th, 2008 at 1:56 pm
The main problem is that we have a very illegitimate democratic system. Our voters elect only those people who are popular and not if they are capable. The big dilemma if GMA is ousted, the VP will take over who was elected PURELY because he’s popular with the masses, and not because he’s capable to lead the nation. Our economy has never grown this much, I don’t want to take the chance by entrusting it to someone solely popular with the masses.
To prevent this transfer, no matter how believable Lozada initially is, his credibility is now being questioned. He admitted that a certain level of corruption is acceptable to him. Questions have arisen whether he was kidnapped, because his celphone was not confiscated, he dined in Outback restaurant, and he was able to go to the place he wanted to go all along, that is, La Salle Greenhills. I even read he committed a sin of omission regarding his consultation with the wife of Sen. Joker Arroyo. He didn’t correct the impression in which it appeared the wife invited him to her house to urge him not to testify, when the fact of the matter is (based on what I read) Lozada was the one who contacted the wife around September before Joey de Venecia testified, and he was crying and that he doesn’t want to testify. So the wife invited him to her house, and told him she couldn’t lawyer for him due to conflict of interest since her husband is a Senator, while he was then president of Philforest. She advised him then, since he was so distressed, that he doesn’t have to testify if he didn’t want to. Since this was one of those ordinary free consultations, she didn’t bother to tell Joker about it. So Joker was surprised when his wife was mentioned.
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You meant to say, It is okay for Gloria Arroyo/cronies to keep robbing the government coffer because she claim the Philippines economy is rosy! You must be really out of your mind. What rosy economy are you talking about. My family can't feel these rosy economy Gloria Arroyo, Bragging about. If is not for the money I'm sending back home they've dead on starvition.

28
Tolits Says:
February 29th, 2008 at 1:55 pm
Let’s give credit where it is due. We all know that economy of the Philippines per se is not that bad at all and I can even say it is very encouraging. Whether it is due to massive remittances from OFW’s, investors, etc., it doesn’t matter as this positive development had taken place during GMA’s watch. Strong peso means less of it when buying foreign currencies for import of basic items as inputs to the economy that produce goods and better services. We all knew that the price of crude oil surpassed $100 and it will have massive negative impact to net oil consumers like us. We are lucky that our economy was not severely affected by the price of crude oil as this had chain reaction in all our daily lives. Look what happened to Zimbabwe where inflation runs thousand of percents that basic necessities are almost no longer available to its citizens due to ill management as well as corruption in all government levels. GMA is hounded by controversies and allegations but until now no evidence/s had been presented to the people that will make them to participate in removing GMA as what the opposition is clamoring. Removing her by force will do more harm than good to the country in general. We have enough laws to protect the interest of the nation so let’s act in accordance with what the law requires.
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Is there really rule of law; In the Philippines? Ha, Ha! There is no such thing! If there is Gloria Arroyo/cronies should be in jail where she belong. But she's the one running the country because she's protected by these corrupt judiary! Is this the kind of law you're talking about? Ole!

Kailangan ba na araw araw na ang maging balita ng mga newspapers ay may interfate rally doon sa Makati to force GMA resign due alllegations and allegations of corruptions. Halos ayoko ng basahin ang mga balitang ito dahil monotonous na at counter productive na ito. Rallies based on allegations of corruptions only distrupt the peoples' daily life to be productive and earn a living. Rallyists do not produced anything and are only burden to the society. Kung wala kayong makuhang ebidensiya ay tapusin na ang ganitong counter productive actions. Kayo ang dahilan kaya ayaw umasenso ang Pilipinas. Let's move on. TAMA NA, SOBRA NA ITONG DISRRUPTIONS SA BANSA NATIN.

i found this at http://pusangkalye.com/2008/02/29/go-on-girl-by-neyo-for-gma/

She was the bad girl, I’m thinking one girl, She thinking herself, FG and Mikey, Yep

she had plenty of money, but love for my country, she doesn’t have any…

-by a friend who’s anti-gma and pro-neyo

What the Opposition need is actions to gather evidences on their allegations of GMA's corruptions and not words of hatred. Somewhere under the heat of the sun if GMA's is corrupt, a corresponding piece of evidence can be matched. Not all person in the government is GMA's man, one of them might be yours where the evidence may be available. Allegations are not the solutions to all our problems, you've got to prove it. If you have it, then let's go for it.

"most if not some of the greatest crimes in the history do not have evidence. why? because thieves plan their deception. Only circumstancial facts, logic and prudent reasoning can bring it to light."

Conivance for one does not leave trails of evidence. So all we are left with are witnesses and whistleblowers. So to bring justice, both sides must answer allegations. If one side hides and evades, that's one sign of guilt.

Gloria Kawatan Says:
——————-
Huh?! Yes, There is solution on all this mess. We the taxespayer’s must get rid all the corrupt official’s in all government office if we want to success. Start from Malacanyang Palace because she is the problem. Thats the SOLUTION!
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Huh!! Theres no solution in what you said.. Its all opinion, and theres a lot of it in this thread. If you cant digest the message Gerry is trying to say in this forum , how much more offer a doable solution.

And dont generalise that all OFWs have the same sentiment as you have. $14B was sent home last year, is that all your money? If you think its your money that keeps this economy afloat, then stop sending !, let see if it will change the economic figures Gerry mentioned.

Alfie, you are somehow right. Wrong is wrong, if it's proven to be wrong.

And it is wrong to just simply accuse. It is also wrong to just simply believe.

I prefer to wait for more information, just enough before making conclusion.

What we think is wrong sometimes happens to be right.

PROVE IT. PROVE IT IS WRONG.

Alfie R. says
"Just because we cannot weed out corruption overnight, because our economy has improved, or because our electoral system is rotten, doesn’t mean that we should accept something wrong. What are we teaching our children if we follow this logic?"
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Nobody is saying, accept what is wrong. We all deplore it. But you cannot correct a mistake by another mistake, especially if the solution offered is hounded by similarly corrupt and rotten identities.

"Its only the personal interests of the few that will benifit from the action of the many". Allan

eh sino nga ang ipapalit??????????????????????????????????????

itong tanong na to...kahit media, pari obispo ay hindi kayang sagutin...

lalo na kung ang tanong ay...ANG IPAPALIT NYO BA AY HINDI KURAKOT????? HINDI MAGNANAKAW?????

MERON PA BANG POLITIKO NA HINDI KURAKOT AT HINDI MAGNANAKAW???? KAHIT NGA SECURITY GUARD SA OFC NG GOBYERNO NANGUNGURAKOT DIN!!!!!

A poster mentioned that we cannot get rid of "corruption" overnight.

True.

Then, we also need to accept that there is no one-shot solution to these problems. But immediate logical ones should be done. And dear Friends, we know by heart that GLORIA's saya is so wet, that she needs to go.

Then what?

Then what should be done, be done. Sigurado namang may "next steps" after that, imposible namang tatanga lang lahat kakaisip ng "what then".

We are a country of thinkers and visionaries (may panday pa nga e)......ang kaiwasan lang natin sa "next steps" is to be taken for a ride by those manipulative businessmen and domineering filthy rich families (hint: they are always present in demonstrations against the filipino government, ever since). And I am voicing this out not only to my typical kababayans, but to those who are in the government themselves (Cabinet, Congress, Justice, Police, Army, LGUs etc).

The best gauge of a "good" government is the masses (majority). If they feel "good", then its "good". "Good" in-quotes because it may not be good for the intellectuals or good in Economics/Business/Law or Sciences. Lets not forget the grass-roots of this requirement for a "government"....that is....to serve the people.

I'm going beyond the topic...so enough of that.

In conclusion to "Then what?"....

Then Gloria should step-down first....that's a RIGHT thing to do. If GERRY believes in GLORIA making those "good numbers"....

THEN

even if she steps-down, she can still provide guidance to the replacement isn't it? Will she deprive that help to her replacement? Isn't it a fact that all who works in the "government" should have a mentality of "civil service"? Service to the Filipino people? If she is the KEY, then she should help. But that does not abswelto her for her mistakes, mistakes that warrants her stepping-down.

2 Wrongs Don't make a Right!

POLITICS! PINOY STYLE

ANOTHER PEOPLE POWER IN THE OFFING
MAJORITY IS TIRED OF JOINING
EDSA 1, EDSA 2, NOTHING HAPPENED
CROOKS ARE STILL FREE AND FORGIVEN

CORRUPT ADMINISTRATION UNDER INVESTIGATION
BY SENATORS WHOSE NAMES STILL IN QUESTION
KURATONG BALELENG, JUETING, A FEW TO MENTION
BLOODY HANDS CAN NOT CAST A WHITE STONE

WITNESSES CAME OUT IN TIMES OF DROUGHT
RECEIVING RAIN FROM OPPOSING SCOUTS
BECAME HEROES WHEN THEY SHOUT
DARK FAT FUNDS INTO THEIR BANK ACOUNT

CONVICTED CORRUPT OUSTED PRESIDENT
CALLING FOR TRUTH HE HIMSELF NEVER ACCEPTED
FOOLIPINOS IN MANILA CLAPPED AND CHANTED
WHILE BISDAKS LAUGHED IN FRONT OF TV SETS

CONVICTED CORRUPT OUSTED PRESIDENT
FREED BY A CORRUPT SITTING PRESIDENT
JUAN DELA CRUZ STOLE ONCE CENT
LANGUISHED IN JAIL UNTIL THIS MOMENT

POOR PEOPLE MARCHED IN THE STREETS
DOUSED WITH WATER BY POOR FIREMAN'S FIST
LASHED WITH STICKS BY POOR POLICEMAN'S BEAST
BUT RICH PEOPLE GOT THE TREASURE CHEST

MEDIA GIANTS ARE MAKING INSTEAD OF REPORTING
LIKE THEIR TELENOVELA THEY ARE PRESENTING
LIKE HUNGRY VULTURES THEY BATTLE FOR RATINGS
AESTHETICS AND INTELLIGENCE GONE TO THE DRAIN

CHURCH PEOPLE ENTERED INTO POLITICS
WITHOUT PAYING TAXES WITH THEIR RELIGIOUS ANTICS
CALLING FOR REMOVAL OF AN IMMORAL HEAD OF A REPUBLIC
WHILE IMMORAL TITHES FILLED THEIR PIOUS ATTICS

POOR TRAFFICMAN FELLED BY HITMEN'S BULLET
FOR STEALING 100 FROM A DRIVER'S WALLET
RICH CROOKS STOLE BILLIONS FROM NATION'S POCKET
GOT SPARED FROM A KANGAROO'S TEETH

CAUGHT IN THE CROSSFIRE OF OLIGARC'S WAR
JUAN DELA CRUZ WISHED FOR A SHOOTING STAR
TIRED OF BEING USED BY OPPOSING CZARS
LIT A FIRE AND TOSSED THEM AFAR

BISDAK

Nothing improved? Di ba kayo sumasakay ng MRT? Di pa ba kayo napadaan ng NLEX? Uy, kulang pa ng mall ang pinas... they are mushrooming everywhere... if the economy did not improve, surely there would be no expansion by the mall developers.

You don't feel the economy improving? Teka, you want the government to dole out money to you so you can "feel" the economy improving? Magsumikap kayo hoy... kahit sa US, may mga 'bums' dahil tamad magtrabaho kahit may trabahong pwede nilang gawin.

The government should only set the proper environment for business and economy to grow and I think the current administration is doing that -- roads, nautical highway, better revenue collection and so on. The people will take advantage of the infrastructure to improve their own lives. The government is not responsible for the people's own finances. Everybody is expected to handle that responsibility.

Corruption? Who among our elected officials, have not done anything corrupt? If GMA is corrupting this government at such fantastic levels as alleged by anti-GMA people, I don't think we'll get such improvements in the economic figures.

Here's my theory on this whole mess: Because the current administration has tightened measures to deal with smugglers, tax evaders and corruption, those affected would of course want GMA to step down so that these measures can be controlled by them again. So they fund the current political noise in the hope that enough momentum is gained to effect GMA's ouster.

Oust GMA? Sino ilalagay nyo? Si Noli? After ilang months, Oust Noli na naman?

I propose that groups that want GMA out of the seat of the presidency should groom a very strong presidential candidate who is qualified and has the confidence of the people. We are sure we can oust her in 2010 anyway, why do it the hard way? What do we gain by removing an allegedly corrupt president? Probably another allegedly corrupt president, more political instability as affected officials try to "gain" from the disarray and probably invitation for the reds to gain some control again.

I'd settle for a 2010 'ouster' of GMA. The opposition should groom their presidential candidate who can at least match the country's economic performance under GMA's term without the alleged corruption charges. I think this will be the most stable way of changing presidents and is the best process that the Philippines can follow constitutionally.

Hi Gerry,
your questions are easy to answer. Growth very easy looks high if just the same goods and services are counted at much higher prices. The Peso is pushed high only for exchange, look at its deteriorated purchase power at home. And 2% inflation? That is nothing more than a very bad joke. Do you know anything which is common and basic need to common people which has only 2% increased? But I know a lot of goods and services that have increasd 50, 100, 200 and more percent. I only have to compare our family purchases, what has cost about 4000 a week is now about 7000 a week, just within less than two years, some foods increased 200% just over the year end. In my mathematic, that has nothing common with 2, 3, 4% inflation. And for OFWs, their families enjoy a Peso with 30% less purchase power since the Peso was pushed up and they get now about 20% less "strong Pesos" for their Dollar remittances. That is probably the "pro poor" policyof the government. Politicians who so easy get hundredtkousands for free, of course they do not much feel such problems.
Maybe you look from a too high plane so that you cannot see the problems anymore.

Pulitika lang yan.Laro ng mga may pera (e.g. Jamby Madrigal, Cory Aquino and tada! Erap) at mga totong may hawak ng 90% ng yaman ng bansa habang ang natitirang 10% na yaman hawak ng lahat na ng Pilipino. Akala ko talaga pag mayaman wala ng pangangailangan: mukhang di pa kuntento sa mga mansyon nila ang mga ire. Gusto pang mang-uto ng ilang libong handang mag-rally.Weather-weather lang yan, in 2010 wala na si Gloria: ibang mayaman naman. Sa bandang huli, wag na sobra umasa sa kaninong pulitiko. Wala na silang maibibigay pa sa akin na hindi na nila nakuha....

If PGMA along with the government officials do want to FIX THE PROBLEM, as you said "WE must first work long and hard to attain an economy that will support a principled political system".

Fine. I agree. The OFWs do their share if they are indeed one of the REsources, a variable of the GDP that make the economy float.

However, working on attaining such economy on the one hand, while perpetuating corruption on the other hand takes us NOWHERE...

Whatever economic gains achieved are lost within a corrupt and false economy. As such, the "sustained economic growth" you are saying as we hope to see will never happen.

Moreover, I say that it is "false" economic gains, because such claims of growth and low inflation and whatever have you, have never been translated and felt in the lower strata of the Philippine society.

Corruption may not be eradicated overnight. I, too, agree. But somehow, sometime soonest, it has to be stopped. Not in 10 years, but it has to stop now.

I am not saying that PGMA must step down. But if PGMA, in her powers, cannot stop it, then she might just ponder on giving up so that someone else could. But I know her as a fighter and assertive and based on a not so distant past and despite the election cheating scandal, she will never give in; she will never give up. She has a lot of credits on her name, and she has a lot of cards under her sleeves too.

Ok, so she stays in power... by all means, she stays. She is so far the best person who could do the right thing TODAY - but, ONLY IF SHE WOULD.

Then what??

Perhaps, she should start from her own backyard, from her own household... then she deals next with the bureaucracy. If she cannot deal with her own household, then she could not handle the bureaucracy.

If she cannot, then someone else, if and only if that someone would.
Since the time of Marcos, we, as a people have the tendency to look up at someone who can lead us. Perhaps, this time, we may not look for someone to lead us, but look at a TEAM of the RIGHT PEOPLE who can collectively bring forth a viable and realistic solution to this cancer within the Philippine society.

If one asks "Who can replace her?". A logical answer is in the form of a question: "What if she's incapacitated, or she resigns or, God forbid - she dies, will the Philippines be lost in oblivion?"

Your answer is as good as mine. But no one is indispensable regardless whether or not he or she occupies the highest position in the land. Maybe a "lesser evil" (as a figure of speech) will, but let's hope the one who next occupies the seat is no evil.

~~

On your call, I think it was misdirected. Let's not shoot the messengers of hope - especially the media.

Instead, that call should be directed to PGMA, her cabinet and to all the government officials who, in their official capacities, have the power mandated by the people to do the right thing: Stop, prevent, avoid corruption by all means...

And let them be the first to set the example.