A Man Named "PO"

I was there yesterday at USC gymnasium to have an encounter with the truth icon, Mr. Jun Lozada. I, for one, believed that his visit here in Cebu is called for in order for those truth-loving Cebuanos to not only meet him in flesh, but more importantly, to hear his stories and lessons beyond what he shared in the Senate inquiry. The Senate investigation only confines itself to factual matters. As a political body, its primordial concern is to fulfill its constitutional mandate of conducting inquiry in aid of legislation. It does not delve into what is in the heart of a witness testifying before it. It cannot be concern about matters of the spirit; personal discernment and insights; and personal conversion and renewal. These, I believe, is the higher pursuit of Jun Lozada’s journey, both in the physical and spiritual sense. Despite his being not welcome here in Cebu, he braved the spurn knowing that the TRUTH will shield him against any forms of rebuke and rejections. Jun was simply not rejected, he was harassed and slurred. I, and many others, who attended the forum yesterday, had witnessed how Jun Lozada was humiliated & insulted by a man named Po, who claimed to be there in order to be “enlightened” on the issue. If he was there in good faith, he could have shown deference to the basic rules laid down during the open forum—that is, to limit the questioning for only 2 minutes in order to give fair opportunity to others who want to propound their questions. BUT, instead of advancing sensible question within the permissible time, he beat around the bush, retorted insulting phrases like “Oh really?,” and never allowed Jun Lozada to further explain his answer. He was flagrantly arrogant! And how could it be a biased forum? He was given his time but he only messed around with his God forsaken arrogance. And arrogance has no place in a free marketplace of ideas. While democracy encourages free debates and differences of opinions and perceptions, it cannot be a license to commit insolence and disrespect against people who share opposing views. Apparently, Mr. PO is not in search for the truth; he was there neither to be enlightened nor to be enlightened; HE WAS THERE FOR SOME REASONS ONLY “EVIL” KNOWS.

MY C R E D O

I am a truth-loving Cebuano, dedicated to the unwavering pursuits of truth, justice and fairness; I denounce all forms of machinations calculated to pervert and subvert the truth; I believe that any one who risks and dedicate his/her life to stand up for the truth is worthy of emulation; I am cognizant of my solemn duty to the people, to the community and to my country; I am making my fervent commitment, that, on this very day and onwards, I will consecrate myself to live up to the ideals and precepts of honesty, integrity and uprightness; I pledge to become a witness and an advocate to my own truth and to the truth of others; This is my pledge…my oath…my faith.

One morning, you just wake up realizing that you are no longer alone. Beside you, is someone destiny has chosen for you to spend your life with; wrestle on constricted bed space, tussle over pillows and blankets like kids, sharing conjugal secrets, and engaging on those wonderful conversations. I called this LOVE..and it found me.. Love is one of life’s countless mysteries. It is a beautiful gift. It is worth every drop of tears, every ounce of prayer, every effort, every pain..and faith. It is worth holding on when you are almost ready to give up and just let go. It is worth fighting for when you are so battle-scarred but choose to fight for it still. Now, after taking him into my life, after deciding to become his lifetime witness, I just find myself in a constant adjustment to a different level of existence—a world with no more boundaries, no more comfort zones, no more exclusivities, but one that is shared selflessly (or selfishly..hehe J). I would still gladly choose to be in this world despite of its being obscure, tear-inducing and exasperating. And even if sometimes you quarrel over the choice of channel, movie preference, music to listen (and the volume..hahay) and anyone making a mess with the remote control, the whereabouts of his eyeglasses, contact lense, my hair clip, earrings, comb, etc.,-- still, without a grain of doubt, I would choose to grow old with him and die loving this existence. The good thing really is, it’s actually possible to coexist (both in times of peace and war J) with this exciting creature from Mars. Your love will teach you to tackle life as a team. You grow to become confident that he will love you for all you are, for what you are becoming and always inspire you to become better. He keeps on watching you and has enough wisdom to tell you which battles are worth fighting, and which are better left alone. And I do the same for him. Each day of being together, you just learn to embrace each other’s imperfections. You learn to love openly without reservations. And I believe, that there is no point of holding some for yourself, because love is an act of faith, and it is only in emptying yourself that you are filled. Now, we are two halves of a whole...celebrating what was, looking forward to tomorrow, celebrating what is..

BALANCING OF INTERESTS: Executive Privilege vs Public Interest

Legislature’s power of inquiry in aid of legislation is a clear and positive mandate of the 1987 Constitution. The declaration of principles and state policies provides the very foundation of this mandate particularly on the right of the people to information on matters of public concern. Thus, the impairment of this right, as a consequence of E.O. 464, is as direct as its violation of the legislature’s power of inquiry. In the same vein, the invocation of executive privilege by the President and his/her alter egos is also well provided by the very same Constitution. But the assertion of this privilege is not without qualification, thus, the term PRIVILEGE. It can only be evoked under certain conditions. It operates as a mere license that may be revoked when it fails to meet certain standards and parameters. It is not as inalienable and immutable as the rights enumerated under the Bill of Rights. This must be hammered into the heads of those who cavalierly invoke this sacrosanct proviso in our Constitution. The landmark case of Senate vs. Ermita had thoroughly elucidated on the requirements to the claim of executive privilege. In this case, the Supreme Court had clearly set the parameters for its proper invocation i.e. the information sought must pertain to the following classes of information: state secrets regarding military, diplomatic, and national security matters. Evaluated against the aforecited parameters, the claim of executive privilege must fail. Undoubtedly, the type of information being sought do not fall within state secrets regarding military, diplomatic, and national security matters. At most, what is being withheld is a state secret involving massive corruption and bribery, which to any criminal mind, should really be left in the dark to evade public prosecution & persecution. They are hell bent in their assertion that the disclosure of the information might impair the country’s diplomatic as well as economic relations with the People’s Republic of China, and that they deal with delicate and sensitive security and diplomatic matters. Well, they could always circumvent the law or subject it to interpretations that would save their ass. But what is so apparent right now is that their continued evasions and muddling up is a flagrant contempt of the Congressional power and a brazen obstruction of its processes—a blatant transgression of the higher right of the people to information on matters of public concern. There are two conflicting & overriding interests involved at hand: the interest of the people versus the claim of executive privilege. We don’t even need to argue which is more supreme and deserves to be upheld. All government authority emanates from the people, including the claim of executive privilege. Thus, it cannot be equal nor arrogate itself to be more superior than its very source. The end of every government’s exercise of its powers and mandates is to serve the interest of the people. And the reverberating voice right now is the people’s search for truth on a matter conclusively of public interest as it involves national indebtedness, disbursement of public funds, adherence to laws, and public accountability and trust, and NOT merely the legality or illegality of a contract. Finally, the claim of executive privilege is not meant to serve as a cloak to cover up wrongdoings in the executive branch of our government. It was placed in the Constitution to serve a higher and lofty purpose and not to encourage impunity of our public officials. In Neri’s case, the privilege is invoked in the context of strong direct documentary and testimonial evidence of large-scale corruption and bribery. Taken altogether, there is no doubt that the privilege is being used to shield the perpetration of a crime rather than serve legitimate public purpose

TRUTHs WE CAN (or CAN'T) BELIEVE IN..

Why Jun Lozada has been embraced by the majority of the Filipinos despite his confessions of his share of corruptions, indiscretions in his married life, etc.? The truth is, Jun Lozada personifies what the majority of us have long been wanting but too afraid to articulate—CHANGE (for the better).. Lozada articulates NEW IDEAS in a country that has so gotten used of recycled and old routines and habits—“old” dirty politics and traditional politicians. We have gotten used of what is familiar and routinary, and continues to find comfort in a system that fails to bring out the best in us. We have gotten used of what little we have and what little our leaders are giving us in return after giving them the mandate to govern us when we know that we deserve more and only the best from them. The truth is, many Filipinos have imprisoned themselves into thinking that they cannot hold their leaders accountable because they are powerless and it is wrong to question those who are in authority and those who wield it. The truth is, it is the culture of silence and indifference that perpetuate the abuses of our public leaders. The truth is, it is your silence and indifference that make crook leaders thrive; leaders who have no qualms nor conscience in amassing so much at the expense of those who have so less or nothing at all. The truth is, Jun Lozada hit the majority of the Filipinos at their very core; that is why he is being embraced; he is marvelled anywhere he goes; AND that is what this government has been angry about; this government has been both shakened and threatened by the bravery of an ordinary probinsyanong instik. What made the ZTE-NBN controversy so distinct from the Hello Garci, Fertilizer scam, Jose Pidal, etc.? The truth is, there is NONE. All of them belong to the same category of corruption and deceit. And all of them cried for one thing--the TRUTH. And all of them were meted with the same fate and verdict—SUPPRESSION and DEMISE of the TRUTH. The truth is, the ZTE-NBN has shakened us at our core, because we have witnessed from the hello garci, fertilizer scam, jose pidal, etc. how this government has trampled over legal processes and the rule of law. We have given them their day in court and the benefit of due process, but we all have witnessed that there is more supreme than the rule of law. The truth is, our experience had taught us that neither the senate nor the courts are the best forum to ferret out the truth. And it is very clever for Malacañang and the pro-GMA supporters to argue that the proper resolution of the ZTE-NBN controversy rests exclusively with our courts of law. The truth is, our experience had taught us that reducing every issues and controversies hurled against this administration, as purely legal matter is a way of suppressing the many other faces of truth. The truth is, the ZTE-NBN scandal does not simply confine itself on the legality or illegality of a contract. Far more than this, what is at stake here is the power of ordinary citizens like us to hold our leaders fully accountable for decisions they have made in this country’s name. Have our elected leaders been transparent and faithful to their mandate & oath of office? Or have they, misused & abused the powers and prerogatives we entrusted to them? Such crucial questions are decided not by the institutions of our government nor within the exclusive domain of our courts nor in the consecrated walls of the church; definitely not by the priests, bishops nor by the judges--but by every citizen of this country--by YOU and ME. The truth is, we are all called upon to positive actions cos our quest for a better world has long been overdue. No more excuses, no more escapist attitude. Let us put an end NOW to the days of apathy and indifference. OUR CALL NOW, as Jun Lozada has impressed, SHOULD NOT BE DEFINED BY HATRED, RAGE NOR VENGEANCE FOR THESE ARE SHORT-LIVED EMOTIONS; BECAUSE IF THE PEOPLE WE HATED ARE ALREADY REMOVED FROM OFFICE, THEN, WE WILL BE COMPLACENT AGAIN. BUT IF OUR ADVOCACY IS FOUNDED ON LOVE FOR COUNTRY, WE WOULD ALWAYS ENDEAVOR TO DO GOOD NOT ONLY IN OUR PUBLIC LIVES & IN TIMES OF NATIONAL CRISIS, BUT ALSO IN THE PRIVATE SPHERE OF OUR EXISTENCE. OUR BATTLE NOW IS TO NOT ONLY DESPISE EVIL NOR OVERCOME IT, BECAUSE IF WE HAVE ALREADY CONQUERED EVIL, WE WOULD BECOME COMPLACENT AGAIN, BUT IF WE HAVE ENDEAVOED TO BRING BACK GOODNESS TO OURSELVES, EVIL WOULD NOT EVEN HAVE A PLACE IN OUR HEARTS. AND THE ULTIMATE TRUTH IS, THE POWER TO MAKE A CHANGE IS NOT DICTATED BY THOSE WHO ARE IN POWER COS THE REAL POWER IS NOT THEM NOR IN THEM OR WITH THEM-- BUT it is US, WITH US and IN US.

The CITIZEN'S DEBT AUDIT COMMISSION

National crisis is not all about unrest & chaos; it also presents opportunities & alternatives. In a situation in which government institutions are collapsing and failing to be accountable to public interest, it is high time for ordinary citizens to reclaim their power and become active players in the realm of governance. The Citizen’s Debt Audit Commission was an offshoot of a nation in crisis. Its birth was impelled by the tale of greed and corruption told by the ZTE-NBN star witness Jun Lozada, and as a concrete response to a petition initiated by the People Against Illegitimate Debt (PAID!) movement. The Commission has for its members thirty (30) individuals of proven probity, credibility and expertise, and coming from different sectors of society. This include former Vice President Teofisto Guingona, former Senator Wigberto Tanada, Bishop Efraim Tendero, Dr. Sixto K. Roxas, Fr. Ben Moraleda (CSsR), Sr. Cres Lucero (SFIC), former Representative Mayong Aguja, UP Prof. Randy David, Former FDC president Ana Maria R. Nemenzo, FDC vice president Lidy Nacpil, Dr. Sylvia Estrada-Claudio, Atty. Antonio Oposa, Dr. Grace Jamon, Atty. Golda Benjamin, Dr. Aurora Parong, Dr. Emmanuel Luna, Economics Prof. Joseph Lim, Atty. Ibarra Gutierrez, Atty. Mari Paz Luna-Severino, Prof. Eduardo Tadem, Atty. Teddy Pascua, Mr. Eribert Padilla, Ms. Vaupet Pena representing the youth sector, Mr. Vic Fabe representing the farmers and fisherfolk, Teacher Benjo Basas, and representatives from the labor and urban poor sectors. This is a very significant development amid the ballooning debt our government is continuously incurring. To date, the National Government has amassed a debt of P3.78 trillion or $81.6 billion. Each Filipino soul from the newly born baby to a dying mortal is indebted by as much as P43,487, paying P7,012 annually to service the debt. Every minute, our government, using our hard-earned money is paying a mind-boggling P1.1 million just to service the (illegitimate) debt—debts that only went to corruption. The NBN-ZTE scandal is only tip of the iceberg. Lozada had cited some infra projects that to his knowledge were also clothed with anomalies--ZTE-type debts that have been contracted by the government that evades public scrutiny and were paid with dwindling public funds at the expense for more essential and much-needed social services like health, education, employment, etc. The creation of CDAC is not meant to duplicate what other government institutions are doing particularly Congress. PAID! members said, “ the citizen commission would complement the highly awaited Congressional auditing of public debt by raising questions beyond the limits of the parliamentary initiatives, and by putting forward recommendations sourced from the people’s standpoint on the problem.” Anomalous loan transactions were said to be concrete manifestations that government audit is infirmed and deficient, hence, the imperative necessity to create an independent citizen’s audit. In essence, CDAC serves as people's watchdog in a crucial situation where government no longer enjoys the utmost trust and confidence of its people; where government instruments are degenerating, and continuously fall short of its mandate to remain responsive and accountable to public interest. Most importantly, CDAC is not about disenabling the government nor rendering it inutile, but about what ordinary citizens could do in a situation where the very government that is supposed to fulfill its constitutional mandate of transparency and accountability no longer enjoys popular trust.

Lessons in Driving

It has always been my earnest desire to learn driving and be very good at it. It inspires me seeing women who are really good in driving because for me, it sends a strong message the she is able to empower herself (well, at least, in this respect). Becoming a good defensive driver here in the Philippines is something that one could be truly proud of amid the congestion and the traffic situation in our roads, and worst, the lack of discipline of most of our drivers. Our roads are not for the spineless and the cowards. It has become a dangerous thoroughfare given the constant threat of reckless drivers and its substandard condition. Notwithstanding these perils and the dehumanizing experience i had in my driving lesson last year (i happened to be coached by a heartless and asshole driving tutor who did not only insult me in the course of the tutorial, but worst, instilled so much phobia in me that i almost ended up giving up my craving to learn), i never succumb to fear but instead defied it. I never allowed that idiot tutor and my dreadful experience triumphed over my fervor not only to learn driving, but to liberate myself from fear, and not to limit myself of what I can do if I only set my mind and heart into it. Now, i drive cautiously and confidently (may be not as professional as the likes of Judy Ann Santos who could slide, turn and twist a car or Gabby dela Merced's racing prowess). And I just feel empowered and gratified every time i reach my destination and come back home safe and sound. I take so much delight in knowing that the very thing i could not imagine doing before because of its inherently precarious and dangerous nature (i was even terrified to simply start a car despite my kuya's assurance that it will not run if you dont set it to the first gear, step the clutch and the accelerator) is now giving me a sense of fulfillment & self-awareness. Driving taught me priceless and practical lessons in life. Foremost, your mind could limit your potential and your mind itself could unleash that potential. We are what we think of ourselves. If at the onset, we only limit ourselves and take comforts of what has become the routine of our existence and the security in doing things which we are already familiar, then we forego so much of what is out there--places to see, people to meet, hobbies to enjoy, skills to learn and develop, finding our spiritual self--discovering what inspires us, raises our consciousness, motivates us, and satisfies our soul. Secondly, they say that what cannot kill you (or scare you) will only make you stronger.Driving has taught me this; that s/he who fears something only gives it power over him.But when we begin to conquer our fear, we would realize that fear is only a false evidence appearing real. Fear does exist only in our mind. And finally, driving taught me the virtue of reciprocity. This virtue becomes more meaningful every time i hit the road and encounters gestures of road courtesy (of course, also discourtesies and i learned lessons from both) and mutual respect between and among drivers and pedestrians. Give and take at intersections, in limited parking spaces and narrow roads (i just hope that i am not getting some of the special treatments because i am a lady driver..he.he) I guess the same thing goes in real life. Reciprocity (or the lack of it) could make or break a family, a friendship, a relationship, a team. In the roads, its observance or non-observance could mean loss of life or limbs, or destruction of property. I know i have so much to go and learn in my driving. When i become exceptionally good, alvin and i will have adventure rides outside the city..will visit beaches & interesting places, dine in our favorite seafoods carinderia in Liloan, or by the weekend, go home to our farm: till the fruits of our labor, breathe fresh air, appreciate nature, experience real peace and serenity, and never missed a single day witnessing our children grow. What a life. Indeed, driving taught me valuable insights in life and made me appreciate things that ultimately matters, and leading me to the real journey I am now trekking.