There's No Freedom Of Information

At least for this term of the Philippine Congress.

On it's last day the House of Represented was expected to pass the Freedom of Information Bill - a landmark piece of legislation that would have lifted the shroud of secrecy over government transactions and data.

Alas, nothing happened because unfortunately, or fortunately, the house was seven members short of a quorum - the minimum number needed to pass a bill.

Because of that the FOI bill died and congress closed its session.

If you read above I did say fortunately only because rumors have it that Malacañang was against it because it would expose them, especially soon-to-be-congresswoman Arroyo.

Not surprisingly Malacañang denies the allegations and said that they also supported this bill.

The question is, knowing that an very important bill was about to be put to a vote how come members of the House of Representatives were not there?

I guess they were "told" not to attend. Hmmm . . . I wonder by whom?

And if there was a house rule allowing for the bringing in of truant representatives in why didn't Speaker Nograles act upon it.

I have no problem with what representative Romualdo did. Even if it was a landmark bill, if the house rules require a quorum then there should be a quorum.

Just because it is an important bill doesn't mean it can be passed without the mandatory required minimum number of representatives present.

As Romualdo said, "We want all transactions in the government to be very transparent . . . it should be based on a law that was properly, legitimately, legally enacted."

Like it or not, that is how it should be.

If you want to put blame put it on the proponents of the bill who did not make sure that they had the proper numbers to deal with the bill.

Blame speaker Nograles for not doing enough to make sure there was a quorum present.

In a statement he issued through his media officer after the adjournment, Nograles said: “I did my best. But I guess my best wasn’t good enough. I did not expect this to happen, especially because many of the authors were not present. The authors and coauthors would have been enough to sustain the quorum and we were not remiss in requesting their presence.”

Yes Mr. Speaker, your best wasn't good enough because it seems you really did not do your best for this bill.

As Malou Mangahas of the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism said: “What we buried today is not the FOI act. It can still live because it can be refiled; it is a part of the democracy that we cherish. What we buried today is Speaker Nograles and the 14th Congress because they reneged on their duty.”

Yes they did . . .

Yes they did . . .

So What If It's A Snub?

As long as there is no constitutional provision or law requiring a president-elect to take the oath of office in front of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court then he or she should be allowed to pick the officer to administer the oath.

That's the plan of president-elect Benigno Aquino III when he takes his oath of office and officially takes the reign of the government.

A political statement concerning the appointment of Associate Justice Renato Corona as the new Chief Justice?

Probably.

Is it unconstitutional?

Probably not.

Is it bad form?

Probably.

At least it's starting his presidency off with a bang.

Malacañang has been vocal about Aquino taking his oath of office in front of Corona. Spokesperson Charito Planas even went as far as saying that "he will be 10-feet taller if he would [take his oath from Corona], instead of taking his oath before a judge, or a notary public, or other justices.''

I don't know about you but if Aquino was not 10 feet tall now I doubt being sworn in by the Chief Justice will make him any taller.

Planas further stated that in swearing in front of Corona, Aquino would be "recognizing and respecting the principle of the separation of powers' of the executive, legislative and judicial branches."

You mean recognizing the midnight appointment of Corona and the abuse of power of Arroyo?

I don't think so.

She also added that "You can criticize whatever you want but still you have to follow and respect the decision of the Supreme Court."

But what if, for argument's sake the Supreme Court is wrong?

What if for argument's sake the Court was wrong?

Who would protect us, the good citizens of this country from that kind of mistake?

And if Arroyo was of good she would have just allowed Aquino to choose the new Chief Justice as one of his first acts as president.

But then again if she did that then she would not be safe from potential litigation should Aquino choose to investigate her for the wrong doings she did when she was president.

I mean come on any moron can see that.

So it becomes a constitutional crisis. With everything else this country has faced and survived what's one more.

Besides, who knows there might be another people power to put *gasp* Erap in power.

Now wouldn't that be something.

I hope not . . .

Too Late! It's Already Tainted.

In the Inquirer today (where I get my news - well that and the Manila Bulletin) Malacañang called on the public Wednesday to guard against attempts by some desperate groups to undermine the credibility of country’s automated elections next month.

Executive Secretary Leandro Mendoza said "We appeal to the media in general and of course the citizenry to continue to exercise the highest level of vigilance to protect the integrity of the electoral process from any or all threats that would come from every direction, and also for the Comelec for a successful, honest, orderly and peaceful elections."

Well that's a good thought and all but it's a little too late in my book. The Comelec is already tainted.

The manner by which that institution has taken care of many things in the run-up to the elections has been, to say the least, questionable.

There's the multi-million peso deal concerning the security envelopes. For some reason that got the silent treatment.

Then there's the Ang Ladlad controversy wherein the Comelec did not give that party-list accreditation because it was against the morals of the nation.

Bullshit! Corruption is also against the morals of the nation but I don't see them banning politicians?

As a government entity it is not their position to question the morality of the group only it's legality within the boundaries set by it's mandate.

And as far as I remember, deciding using religion is not one of its mandate and is clearly a violation of the separation of church and state.

Thank god that was overturned by the Supreme Court! Unfortunately the Supreme Court did not overturn the denial of accreditation for the Disabled Pinoy Party or DPP, which was rejected by the Comelec because they weren't sure the DPP could do a national campaign.

Why?

Because they are all disabled? Well isn't that just being biased against disabled people?

And then there's the fact that it allows people with criminal record . . . nay that are encarcerated for rebellion against the country to run for office is a mockery of what the office stands for - as a representative for the people.

I don't think creating chaos and rebellion is a sign you are for the people. For all I know they did it because they weren't "IN" anymore.

These are but some of the examples as to why I think it's too late for Malacañang to call on people not to taint the Comelec.

There's no need. They're pretty good in doing it themselves so why bother.

Maybe they will redeem themselves this coming May 10 elections.

Only the results or lack thereof will tell. (Can you say failed elections?)

It's Saturday And It's Hot As Hell

So screw it I'm not putting anything substantial up tonight.

Besides what will be the point at the moment.

I mean the campaigns will still be there.

Villar will still keep on claiming he did not break any law concerning his sale of Vista Land shares.

Arroyo will still keep on doing those midnight appointments which seems to be contagious because now the Department of Defense Secretary Norberto Gonzalez has just confirmed that he's engaged in last minute groundwork to acquire new weapons for the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

He claims that it is imperative to modernize the AFP and besides which "Aren’t we, Filipinos, known to be good in the last two minutes?”

Erm no Mr. Secretary sir we're not known to be good in the last two minutes or any minutes of anything for that matter.

Those of us who have succeeded did not do it in the last two minutes. They worked hard to get where they are and it certainly did not take them only the last two minutes.

That just demeans hard and sincere work and give credence to those who only won because of the work of others.

Wait why am I reacting - I said I wasn't going to say anything tonight so I won't.

And to be the most sought after man like Pastor Apollo Quiboloy. Unfortunately he is being sought only because of the number of potential votes he can bring as head of the sect The Kingdom Of Jesus Christ.

I wonder what Jesus Christ would say if he found out his name was being used to select the next president of the Philippines.

And Agra is still sticking to his guns BUT will potentially convene a fact finding panel to investigate himself.

Of course it makes sense. Because self convened panels to investigate one's self is unbiased and will "always" uncover the truth.

Yes because we believe in Agra's integrity and honesty and unbiased character that we will believe his panel, that he convened to investigate his decision, will "actually" find him of any wrong doing.

And I'm sure we will believe that Malacañang will not have a say in this panel.

The same way we believe that Arroyo is only doing all this for the good of the Filipino people.

. . . No wonder I did not feel like saying anything tonight

There's Hope For All The Manicuristas And Gardeners . . .

But what about the drivers, the maids, the cooks or even the washers?

Shouldn't they get juicy government positions as well?

Oh wait, I guess they can if only they work for President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

No offense to all of the above mentioned jobs but what in the world . . . and I leave it at that.

OK OK I actually have no problem with the appointment of Armando Macapagal (apparently no relation to the President) as an appointee with the Luneta Park Administration.

After all he is a gardener in Malacañang so he knows what it takes to take care of park like vistas and all that. Whether or not he knows anything of administration is another thing altogether.

As for manicurist Anita Capron that should not be the case. Granted I know not the academic background or experience of Ms. Capron but a manicurista to be a trustee of the Home Development Mutual Fund (Pag-ibig)?

Give us a break. Loyalty is one thing and yes ordinary citizens should be given a chance whenever possible but seriously.

I hope they prove me wrong. I hope that they are able to rise to the occasion and do something worthier than the person who appointed them or the other appointees who got there by political clout.

Hmmmm maybe they know juicy tidbits that Arroyo doesn't want found so this is a way to assure their silence - other than making them disappear permanently of course.

But then again this action is par for the course for Arroyo. She's already done midnight appointments to such government entity as the Supreme Court so who cares about this now.

Well maybe the drivers, the maids, the cooks or the washers . . .

Silence Does Not Constitute Acceptance

And it never should. Just because someone is silent does not mean he or she accepts a wrong decision.

You should know that Justice Secretary Alberto Agra.

How big headed of you to claim that just because Malacañang hasn't said anything means that they accept your decision.

That's just hubris, Mr. Secretary.

And for former Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez to defend Agra just goes to show you that people who make stupid decisions do tend to stick together.

OK admittedly he did say that only the release of suspended Governor Zaldy Ampatuan was the correct and that the elder Andal Ampatuan Sr. should still be prosecuted.

In the case of Zaldy, Gonzalez said that there was lack of proof of a conspiracy because he saw the governor in Malacañang on the day of the massacre.

Erm . . . just because Zaldy was in Malacañang on the day of the event does not excuse him from being a conspirator. You can still be a conspirator even if you did not actually partake in the event, especially if you did it to have an alibi.

And yes I do agree that just because you belong to the same family or group or were present at a meeting, you cannot be automatically considered a conspirator (to a crime).

That being said isn't it up to the court to decide whether the evidence presented is enough to show guilt or not. Isn't that what the court is for. Let the court decide based on the totality of the evidence whether or not Zaldy was a conspirator or not.

To just summarily dismiss charges smells of bias despite strong arguments to the contrary.

Mr. Gonzalez stick to your losing campaign in Iloilo. You're already out of it. You've had your share of making stupid decisions, let Agra have his own.

At least Agra is making himself the scapegoat - taking all the blame for the decision, in his words, "(It’s) my name, my decision, my responsibility."

It certainly is Mr. Justice Secretary.

That you are offended by what the media has been saying against you does show you have feelings when it comes to you but apparently not when it comes to the victim's families.

You couldn't care less about them.

Proof?

When told that the victims’ families as well as the prosecutors feared for their lives once Zaldy Ampatuan is be released, Agra replied: “Then they have to face that.”

Wow how humane of you. The epitome of Justice indeed.

At least Malacañang has now ordered Agra to review his decision with the prosecutors handling the case - something he did not do before he handed his earlier decision.

Ah another had washing by the Arroyo regime. By saying review they are pretending to be on the side of the families so if Agra does not change his mind they can say they tried and move on.

What a tactic.

Will Agra change his mind. Depends. To do so would make him a fool, not after he bragged that he did the right thing and no political pressure was put to bear against him for him to make that decision.

We'll see but at least you're right about one thing Mr. Agra sir - you are indeed the scapegoat.

Malacañang To Forgo Money From Malampaya - Yeah Right!

We have probably one of the highest power rates in the world. And the service that we get for the amount that we pay is not really commensurate with the costs.

Meralco has again increased power rates amid rolling brown outs. They cite increase fuel costs as well as maintenance and repair costs as well.

Deputy Presidential Spokesman Gary Olivar has defended the increase saying that "power shortage is usually accompanied by higher prices due to unplanned capital expenses when power plants break down."

That may be but in any business especially power generation shouldn't they have plans for such scenarios and the funding to take care of it without ramming the costs down our throats.

It's bad enough that now they transfer all the risks of electricity being stolen to the consumers but they also transfer their loss as well.

Olivar further added that "The power sector has to hold more repair and maintenance services of their power plants to accommodate high power demand during the summer months, he said. This meant additional expenses for power generating and distributing companies and more charges on electricity consumers. That’s the law of supply and demand."

Yes sir that may be the law of supply and demand but that is also the law of unpreparedness and Mr. Olivar sir, these companies are not prepared.

All of a sudden Malacañang is open to the suggestion of Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile to forego royalty taxes from indigenous energy sources, such as the Malampaya natural gas plant, to ease the burden of power consumers.

Wait! How come when Enrile proposed it it is taken as constructive but when activists and pro-people suggest it it is nothing more than un-supported ideals and is discarded?

When the people blame and call for the removal of royalties and the EVAT Malacañang balks but when it's known politicians it's acceptable.

Because if I remember before such a proposal was made but I believe was rebuffed as nonesense by Malacañang.

Ah politics indeed. Will something come out of this so called constructive proposal. I doubt it.

After all the government relies on Malampaya royalties and the EVAT to boost government revenues need to reduce its bloating budget deficit. I think the government gets over P9 billion from the Malampaya natural gas project on average.

That's a lot of money that they will lose (from their pockets) should they follow Enrile's recommendation and use the money to boost power distribution and maintenance instead.

There will be a lot of empty political pockets should that occur. And in our government loss of revenue (for their pockets) is a no no.

Why do you think we have a bloated budget deficit?