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March
9, 2006 Philippines

eBalita Editorial:
The pessimism of spectators By
Randy David

The more we regard events as having a life of their own, rather than as
things we can shape, the more paralyzed we feel. The less we act, the
more our society appears distant from us. The more we demand guarantees
before we can act or believe, the more we feel like outsiders to our own
society.

All over the country, in various forums, middle class people are asking
the same questions. Who will replace Gloria? What assurance do we have
that a new set of leaders will be different from the rotten ones we have
had in the past? By resorting to people power all the time, are we not
further destroying the very institutions we seek to rebuild?

Sometimes these questions are asked in all sincerity. At other times,
they are asked only as a cover for a deeply-rooted apathy. I want to offer
some answers here in the hope of provoking discussion.

Who will replace Gloria? I am amazed that this question is being asked
at all at this time when we are not even facing an election. On its face,
it seems so unnecessary. The more we ask it, the more we encourage Gloria's
narcissistic boast that she is the "best" person to lead this
country. A gifted people like us should be able to easily produce at least
a million individuals far superior to Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in brains,
love of country, experience, and integrity.

But, perhaps, the question is really being asked to call attention to
the quality of politicians who seem to be already preparing to assume
the presidency as soon as Gloria is ousted. I do understand the alarm
that the presence of some familiar faces in today's protest marches tends
to trigger. But I do not understand why we think alternative leaders must
automatically be recruited from their ranks. Certainly, if we fail to
nurture and offer new leaders, the familiar and the shameless will always
be the first to step up to the plate.

Leaders emerge when they are able to express, by their words and by their
actions, the collective yearnings of a whole community. They often capture
the imagination of a whole generation. That was how Ramon Magsaysay in
the 1950s became a leader. That was how the young Ferdinand Marcos emerged
as standard bearer of the Nacionalistas in the 1960s. That was how Ninoy
Aquino and Pepe Diokno in the 1970s became the icons of the generation
that fought martial law. And that was how Ninoy's widow, Cory Aquino,
came to the presidency in the 1980s, and Joseph Estrada in the 1990s.
The moment the message became clear and was accepted by the people, the
new leader emerged.

Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo did not come to the presidency by this route.
The presidency fell on her lap like an unripe fruit-even as people power
was just beginning to shake the system-by virtue of the abrupt withdrawal
of allegiance made by the commanders of the Armed Forces in January 2001.
She was by no means the leader or the face of Edsa II. Unable to secure
popular support for the mandate she claimed, she has since exploited the
weaknesses of our political and legal system to keep her grip on power.
As we now have seen, we are paying dearly for the excesses of this failed
presidency.

What guarantee do we have that the leader who replaces her will be better?
There is no guarantee. The best way we, as citizens, can keep our leaders
from being corrupt and abusive is by watching them, by demanding answers
to our questions, by telling them what's wrong when they seem to fall
out of line, and by applauding and affirming our trust in them when they
govern well. That's how democracy works.

Are we not weakening our institutions when we speak up, march and protest
on issues that have already been referred for resolution to political
and judicial bodies? No. These are rights enshrined in our Constitution.
Their exercise constitutes the kind of vigilance that makes democracy
stable and strong. When institutional processes-like elections and impeachment
proceedings-are not conducted fairly and with full transparency, we owe
it to our country and to the values we hold to raise our voices in protest.

But is people power the right way to change governments? Definitely not.
Democratic elections have always been our preferred mode. People power
in our country did not explicitly happen as a means for changing governments.
It arose mainly as a tool of non-violent protest. It acquired the reputation
that it can topple governments as a result of the military defections
it has been known to trigger.

Soldiers are also citizens. When they feel they are being asked to execute
illegal and anti-people orders, or when they feel that their own professional
organization is being manipulated by politicians, they will find a way
of manifesting their own grievances. And this, as we saw in 1986 and 2001,
may include withdrawal of allegiance from the existing government.

In some societies, the military may come to a point where it begins to
think that the people, unable to trust their political leaders, demand
that the soldiers themselves take over government. This has happened many
times and is still happening in many parts of Latin America. I am very
wary of the prospect of something like this happening in our country.
I do not believe in governments run by soldiers.

But the best way to prevent this is precisely by exercising our rights
to defend our institutions, by pressuring them to work as they should,
and by demonstrating the viability of civilian leadership at all times.
If the question of legitimacy persistently hounds a government, the only
recourse for a democracy is to quickly resolve the matter through elections.
Failing that, we open ourselves to all kinds of risks.
React to this participate in the discussion. Click here.

Solon
held for leading rally

AKBAYAN Rep. Risa Hontiveros Baraquel was arrested yesterday during a
rally near the Welcome Rotunda in Quezon City.

Baraquel and Joshua Mata, secretary general of the Alliance of Progressive
Labor who was also arrested, were with some 1,000 members of Akbayan and
APL in a march for International Women’s Day.

Police said it was an illegal assembly.

Arresting officers from the anti-riot police team of the Quezon City
Police District brought them to Camp Karingal.

Senior Supt. Nicasio Radovan, QCPD chief, said Baraquel was only invited
for questioning and she would not be charged.

But Baraquel said: "I was dragged and forcibly taken to the police
car. Halos buhatin nila ako. That is not an invitation. That is clearly
an arrest."

Baraquel was released 2 p.m., or two hours after her arrest.

Mata was still in detention. Police said charges of illegal assembly
would be filed against him.

Baraquel said they were conducting a peaceful march to Sto. Domingo church
when they were blocked by policemen.

She said she was negotiating with officers for them to be allowed to
continue the march when she was hauled by policemen in civilian clothes
to a police car.

Baraquel said her arrest showed President Arroyo "is bent on violating
civil liberties to silence those who simply wish to have the truth exposed,"
even after she lifted Proclamation 19017 which put the country under a
state of national emergency,

"It is not enough to say that women are ashamed of Gloria Macapagal
Arroyo. Her underhanded draconian tactics betray her capacity to be the
next Marcos. Does this arrest mean that protesting against her anti-women
policies is tantamount to rebellion?" she asked.

Hontiveros said she would file charges against the policemen who arrested
her.

"Under the Revised Penal Code, this arrest is already in violation
of parliamentary immunity. They are overstepping their boundaries already,
and this is precisely why we are saying that the unconstitutional and
illegal draconian measures from Malacañang are giving the police
a sense of impunity," she said.

Baraquel urged the House leadership to speak against "this blatant
disregard for the independence of Congress."

"That a member of this institution has been arrested despite parliamentary
immunity shows the disregard of GMA with the independence of Congress.
The government now feels that it may pluck out members of the opposition
from Congress, prevent them from performing their duties and silence whatever
democratic opposition there is in the country," she said.

Majority leader Prospero Nograles supported Baraquel’s move to file charges
against the police, saying the arrest was "illegal and unconstitutional."

He said if the penalty for the alleged offense is not more than six years,
"she ought to be released as soon as possible, because Congress is
in session."

"That’s the law. Section 8 of House rules pursuant to Article 6
Section 11 states that congressmen are immune and privileged from arrest
for any and all offenses. Arrest will be illegal and unconstitutional,"
he said.

In a privileged speech, Rep. Loretta Rosales also of Akbayan denounced
the arrest "in the strongest terms possible." It was ironic,
she said, that it happened during the celebration of international women’s
month.

"If the police authorities can do this to legislators, imagine what
they can do to ordinary citizens," she said. "We are being subjected
to al sorts of violation of civil liberties."

Citing the case of six fellow party-list congressmen charged with rebellion,
Rosales said despite the lifting of PP 1017, the people continue to contend
with "government’s fascistic rule operating under a climate of paranoia."

Rep. Edcel Lagman (Ind., Albay), a deputy majority leader and one of
the congressmen who went to Camp Karingal to check on Baraquel, said that
"blunder was compounded by the PNP."

"Obviously, the arrest was unconstitutional and illegal. If she‘ll
(Baraquel) be charged with illegal assembly, it’s not punishable by more
than six years imprisonment," he said.

Rep. Roilo Golez (Ind., Parañaque), who also went to Camp Karingal,
said it was "apparent the PNP is ignorant of the rules of engagement
on peaceful assemblies and the constitutional provision of immunity from
arrest of a member of Congress."

"It is shocking that while women in practically all of the civilized
are freely marching to celebrate Women’s Day, here in the Philippines,
reputed to be the show window of democracy in Asia, women marchers celebrating
their big day are violently dispersed and arrested. The PNP is running
wild on their 1017 hangover. Have we become a Stalinist state, PNP chief
Lomibao?" he said.

Sen. Ralph Recto said "civilized governments" do not mark Women’s
Day by curtailing the freedom of speech of women.

"On a day when the contributions of those who hold half of the sky
are celebrated, it is the height of irony ­ and calumny ­ for
the state to mark it by practicing in the open its version of domestic
violence," he said.

"Allowing our women to march on the streets is not a question of
chivalry on the part of the police, but rather a birthright of those who
may wish to exercise it regardless of their gender. It is sad that a government
which is supposed to guarantee that right turned what should be a celebration
of freedom into a Mardi Gras of force and intolerance," he added.

Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago said: "A representative is immune
from arrest while Congress is in session, if the offense is punishable
by six years of imprisonment."

She said violation of the Pubic Assembly Act carries a maximum penalty
of six years.

"Hence, the representative(s) should have not been arrested on this
ground," the lady senator said.

Santiago said even if the mayor denies the application for rally permit,
"the recourse of the applicants was to contest the denial in court."

"But even if the assembly was held without a permit, the police
may disperse it only by peaceful means," she said.

In Makati, cause-oriented groups marched on Ayala avenue in a show of
"women power."

The groups condemned Baraquel’s arrest, saying it only showed the continuing
repression of those who are only airing legitimate grievances.

They denounced the Arroyo administration for what it said was its failure
to fulfill its promises to uplift the rights of the Filipino women and
for its continued suppression of the truth despite massive evidence of
electoral fraud in the 2004 election.

Among the groups that joined the rally were Gabriela, Akbayan, Laban
ng Masa, Anakpawis, Bayan Muna, Black and White Movement, Health Alliance
for Democracy, Courage, Abanse Pinay, Pambansang Pederasyon ng mga Kababaihang
Magbubukid sa Pilipinas, Migrante, Kadamay, Samasa- PUP, Youth Dare, League
of Filipino Students, Anakbayan, Karapatan, La Salle Ateneo at Lahat na
Po and Cairos Philippines.

Rally organizers said the protest was participated in by 15, 000 members
who gathered near the Makati Fire Station at about 1 p.m. then proceeded
to the Ninoy Aquino Monument at the corner of Paseo de Roxas and Ayala
avenues.

They sang protest songs and chanted "Pekeng Pangulo Patalsikin,"
and "Gloria Arroyo Resign."

Their placards called for respecting the rights of women and an end to
political suppression, media intimidation and graft and corruption in
government.

Dr. Carol Araullo, chairwoman of Bayan, said: "Women know better
than to swallow Arroyo’s remarks hook, line and sinker. Call it women’s
intuition but we know the administration is up to no good. Arroyo continues
to avoid important issues such as the electoral fraud, massive corruption,
human rights violations and her legitimacy."

Former social welfare secretary and Hyatt 10 member Corazon ‘Dinky"
Soliman said: "She (Arroyo) is only sugar-coating the issues, especially
her legitimacy and the condition of the Filipinos, to hide the bitter
truth that despite her promises the standard of living and the condition
of the Filipino women are very much wanting and this is taking place in
a women presidency."

Former Vice President Teofisto Guingona reminded Arroyo to show more
concern for women.

Meanwhile, the solicitor general admitted yesterday that the arrest without
warrant of professor Randy David and the police raid on the Daily Tribune
were not justified under Presidential Proclamation 1017, which put the
country under a state of national emergency.

In oral arguments before the Supreme Court, Solicitor General Alfredo
Benipayo acknowledged that the implementation of Proclamation 1017 might
have been flawed.
By Reinir Padua, Wendell Vigilia, Dennis Gadil, Ashzel Hachero and Raymond
Africa
"Inviting" must be another word for harrassment. Hindi pala
arestado, eh bakit "iniimbitahan" sa presinto? -m

Bishop
says psycho ward full of God-sent

President Arroyo’s claim that she was God sent to govern the country drew
a rebuke yesterday from Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Oscar Cruz, a former
president of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines, who said
her statement was "very imprudent, to say the least."

"With all due respect, and I say this with emphasis, a good number
of mentally deranged people also claim that they are also God-sent. To
verify this you can go to any mental hospital or psychiatric ward,"
Cruz said.

"She is entitled to her opinion but if these were true then God
might prove to be very cruel because how come we are suffering from poverty,
big divisions? The Philippines is now said to be the first in corruption,
second in exploitation of women and lately the Philippines is said to
be the paradise of illegal drugs," the prelate said.

In a radio interview on Monday, Arroyo said she was not the root cause
of the divisions in the country and that believed her being President
was part of God’s plan for her and for the country.

Cruz said if it was indeed God’s plan that Arroyo should lead the Filipinos,
then God is "rather merciless and cruel to a people who are very
religious and close to Him."



Cruz said he respects Arroyo’s perception that she is God-sent and that
in she is the best person to occupy the presidential office "but
just the same, the reality seems to argue otherwise."

Cruz said he understands why Arroyo was quick to claim Divine will, recalling
that she has made similar claims in the past.

"I understand her claim because there was a time that she said that
she would run for the presidential office because that’s what God told
her and also before that God also told her not to run," Cruz said.
By Marilou Jumilla
Di ba siya kinikilabutan sabihin na she is "God-sent?" Nevermind,
di ba KAYO? kinilabuta?? This is not the first time she has said this,by
the way. Pero ano, di pa din tayo nagigising? Wala pa ding reaction???
Tsk. tsk. tsk. -m

NBI:
Charge Revillame, 16 others over Pasig stampede

The National Bureau of Investigation yesterday recommended the prosecution
of 17 persons, including top executives of ABS-CBN TV network and "Wowowee"
host Willie Revillame, in connection with the February 4 stampede at the
Philsports Arena (formerly Ultra) in Pasig City that resulted in the death
of 71 people.

NBI acting director Nestor Mantaring also recommended the filing of administrative
charges against Pasig Mayor Vicente Eusebio with the Department of Interior
and Local Government for issuing a permit for the event.

Mantaring said Eusebio should have required ABS-CBN to submit a contingency
plan before issuing a permit for the show.

Aside from Revillame, also charged with reckless imprudence resulting
in multiple homicide and multiple physical injuries were Charo Santos-Concio,
executive vice president of ABS-CBN and head of the network’s Entertainment
Group; Maria Socorro Vidanes, senior vice president for television production;
Marilou Almaden, executive producer; Cipriano Luspo, assistant vice president
and head of security of ABS-CBN;

Moly Stewart, Wowowee executive producer and manager; Harold James Nueva,
associate producers for sets and technical; Norberto Vidanes, Wowowee
director; Rey Cayabyab, assistant location manager and security coordinator;
Francisco Rivera, ABS-CBN’s location manager; Mel Feliciano, the show’s
assistant director; and Jean Owen Garcia, floor director;

Jess Velardo, building administrator of Philsports; Erlinda Reis, Philsports
booking and events coordinator; Rosenbar Viloria, staff director for operations
of Goldlink Security and Allied Services, and; Wilfron Onanad and Chito
Payumo, both security-in-charge of Goldlink.

NBI-NCR Director Ruel Lasala said their findings against the 17 persons
are the bureau’s month-long investigation prompted by the complaint of
close to a thousand victims and their families.

Lasala said there was lack of foresight on the part of the respondents
that resulted in the tragic incident, noting that as early as Jan. 30
and 31 and Feb. 1, 2 and 3, thousands of people had flocked to Philsports.

"ABS-CBN should have come out with comprehensive security plan,
including the contingency plan and crowd management plan in anticipation
of the thousands of audience trooping to Ultra for Wowowee’s first anniversary,"
Lasala said.

He said an emergency meeting on Feb. 3 was attended only by ABS-CBN staff
members. No representative from the PNP and the Metro Manila Development
Authority were invited.

An earlier report of a panel of prosecutors of the justice department
included policemen and MMDA chairman Bayani Fernando among those criminally
and administratively liable for the stampede for failure to handle the
peace and order.

In the NBI probe, the police and the MMDA were dropped because they were
not invited in the crowd control planning on Feb. 3.

In a statement sent to the NBI, Revillame maintained his innocence, saying
he was a mere talent of ABS-CBN and that he was "not involved in
the various logistics and preparations" for his game show.

While he said he did visit the stadium several times before Feb. 4, he
said he was unaware of the state of the crowd because the areas he visited
were and limited.

But the NBI said Revillame could not escape liability because he enticed
the public to attend the first anniversary special of the show by saying
millions of prizes would be given out.

Concio said she was "not involved in the details of the planning
of the 1st anniversary show of the program Wowowee."

"In view of my functions and duties as executive vice president
and head of the entertainment group, I cannot be involved in any aspect
of the day-to-day operations of the many entertainment programs produced
or being prepared by the television production department," she said.