Wednesday, September 9, 2009
LIBERAL PARTY CANDIDATE: NOYNOY AQUINO FOR PRESIDENT 2010
TODAY, THE 9TH OF SEPTEMBER 2009, AT 8:08 AM, NOYNOY AQUINO DECLARED HE IS ACCEPTING THE CHALLENGE TO BE THE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE OF THE LIBERAL PARTY FOR 2010.
NICKY PERLAS ON NOYNOY AQUINO PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDACY
05 September 2009
Noynoy – Enabler or suppressor
of the New Philippine Politics
By Nicanor Perlas
Noynoy can stifle the growth of new politics. Or he can enable the new politics that is emerging all throughout the country. Allow me to elaborate.
Introductory Remarks
...2010 is not an ordinary election. It will be the venue for an epochal battle between traditional politics and the new politics.
1) Reinforce short-lived, non-strategic unification
We successfully united against and toppled the Marcos dictatorship in 1986. But in a few years, the luster and the euphoria of People Power 1 dissipated. In 2001, we again united against and ousted the corrupt administration of Joseph Estrada. But this time, the unity of People Power II disappeared in only a few months and inaugurated the worst political regime in the past 50 years .
Why? We united against something (an “enemy”) instead of for something. With the “enemy” gone, our unity shattered. And we went our separate ways. Yes, we restored democracy. That is important. But we had no common vision of what we wanted to do with that democracy after Marcos or after Estrada. We just wanted to get Marcos and Estrada out of the way. That was the point of unity. And, by its very nature, unity against something cannot last after the common objective of rejecting something is achieved.
From this perspective, asking all non-traditional and even opposition forces from traditional politics to unite behind Noynoy is repeating the same historical mistake. We are again being asked to unite against the abuses of the Arroyo administration and remove it in 2010. But it is not clear what we will be installing after the Arroyo regime is gone.
We are driven by our hunger to “win” in 2010. But we must have a different notion of winnability. (See below.) For we may “win” the battle but lose the war, as has already happened twice.
3) Strengthen personality- based politics
The old traditional politics is a politics of personality. And the politics of personality is a part of the larger traditional politics of “winnability”. The old politics believes that one of the key ingredients of winnability, is to have a personality with name recall and national exposure...That is why, until recently, traditional politics was littered with show biz and media personalities.
...
Asking people to rush behind Noynoy is asking Filipinos to enshrine the old politics of personality at the expense of the new politics of participation, vision and strategic agenda and a qualified proven leadership willing to advance that common vision. With Noynoy, are we asking the personality cult of traditional politics to rear its ugly head again?
4. Send mixed signals regarding political dynasties
We rail against political dynasties. We celebrate victories of candidates who triumph against political dynasties. What are we doing now with our clamor for Noynoy Aquino? Are we not advancing traditional politics of dynasties?
True, Noynoy does not come from a corrupt political dynasty. Nor is there any technical, legal violation of the anti-dynasty provisions of the Constitution. But are we not close to violating the spirit of that constitutional provision when we get excited about Noynoy simply because he carries the name of ma rtial law hero, Ninoy Aquino, and the late former president of the Philippines, Corazon Aquino? Does Noynoy have the necessary track record, leadership qualities, vision, strategic agenda to renew this nation?
5. Break the Link Between Inner and Societal Change
The new politics requires inner change as the foundation for political and societal change...
Traditional politics does not expect inner change.... The appearance of a political leader who can win enough votes is all that is necessary for success as far as traditional politics is concerned.
The unthinking acceptance of a Noynoy “bandwagon” destroys the important link between inner change and political/societal change. We can all remain who we are. There is no need for us to change to create a new country. Noynoy will do it all for us. We will be spared from all the hard inner and outer work necessary to renew the country. This is an illusion, one destined to break into pieces in the hard rock of political reality.
A Noynoy bandwagon marginalizes the importance of an educated citizenry and a cultural revolution in the mainstreaming of the new politics. A Noynoy bandwagon, in effect, sends the message that Noynoy is good enough because he is the son of two well-known and well-respected parent s. There is no need to examine his background and his qualifications for the Office of the President.
...
The unquestioning wholesale acceptance of Noynoy on the basis on nothing else except his biological relationship with Ninoy and Cory Aquino is tantamount to strengthening traditional politics. It cheapens the notion that new politics can only arise because a new and very different generation of citizens are prepared for it and demand it....
7. Favor winnability over character, track record, and vision
8. Misinterpret the Meaning of the Ninoy/Cory Heritage
Connected with all the above dangers is the deeper question of how we should understand the national events following the death of former President Corazon Aquino.
We are dealing with a spiritual legacy. We are dealing with a longing for a form of governance that is honest and clean. We are dealing with a search for a new politics where politicians are statesmen and women who, when they time for service is finished, are ready to let go of political power. At this point, we will not discuss whether honesty and integrity are sufficient to transform the institutions of government, not to speak of the institutions of society.
A spiritual legacy is not the same as a hereditary legacy. History is full of examples of how successor generations squandered the gains of the previous generations. The outpouring in Cory’s funeral meant the expression of longing for honesty, decency, and democracy. It does not mean that this automatically transfers to a son or a daughter by means of heredity.
...
What it does mean is that the nation is longing for a leader that had the traits of Cory PLUS the capacity to transform institutions and systems...these spiritual/moral and societal capacities cannot be transferred by simply having the same bloodline. These capacities are gained instead by means of hard work and a life-long experience of transforming challenges into initiatives that benefit the country as a whole.
Noynoy Can Enable the New Politics
Noynoy can do one thing that will dramatically reduce the dangers enumerated above. Noynoy can refuse the temptation of accepting his “destiny” of being the presidential candidate of the Liberal Party and, by wishful thinking, the candidate of all opposition to the current administration in an epochal battle of good and evil in 2010.
For one thing, the Liberal Party of Noynoy is NOT the only opposition party. Second, the Liberal Party, with its mixed track record, cannot re-brand itself, even with Noynoy’s blessing, as a non-traditional party. Thus the Liberal Party is a part of the spectrum of traditional parties even if there are individuals within the party who are non-traditional. The party as a whole is not the bearer of new politics. Will Noynoy survive the intramurals within the Liberal Party and present a vision and strategic agenda that transcends the Liberal Party?
And third, will Noynoy be able to unify the dozens of non-traditional movements and parties when, by a wrong decision, Noynoy will destroy the very foundation upon which these movements and parties of new politics are built?
There is one thing, though, that Noynoy can do to help enhance the longing and hunger of the majority of Filipinos for a new kind of politics. He can announce that he will resign from the Liberal Party and participate in a unification process with non-traditional political and social movements for new politics. He can lend his newly minted national stature to advance the cause of the new politics, both in terms of substance and process.
Concretely, this would mean that Noynoy will announce that he is willing to be part of an open process of determining who would be the best new politics candidate for president in the national 2010 elections...
This is the real challenge facing Noynoy Aquino. Will he be an enhancer of the new politics? Or will he be the instrument for marginalizing the new politics?
Noynoy – Enabler or suppressor
of the New Philippine Politics
By Nicanor Perlas
Noynoy can stifle the growth of new politics. Or he can enable the new politics that is emerging all throughout the country. Allow me to elaborate.
Introductory Remarks
...2010 is not an ordinary election. It will be the venue for an epochal battle between traditional politics and the new politics.
1) Reinforce short-lived, non-strategic unification
We successfully united against and toppled the Marcos dictatorship in 1986. But in a few years, the luster and the euphoria of People Power 1 dissipated. In 2001, we again united against and ousted the corrupt administration of Joseph Estrada. But this time, the unity of People Power II disappeared in only a few months and inaugurated the worst political regime in the past 50 years .
Why? We united against something (an “enemy”) instead of for something. With the “enemy” gone, our unity shattered. And we went our separate ways. Yes, we restored democracy. That is important. But we had no common vision of what we wanted to do with that democracy after Marcos or after Estrada. We just wanted to get Marcos and Estrada out of the way. That was the point of unity. And, by its very nature, unity against something cannot last after the common objective of rejecting something is achieved.
From this perspective, asking all non-traditional and even opposition forces from traditional politics to unite behind Noynoy is repeating the same historical mistake. We are again being asked to unite against the abuses of the Arroyo administration and remove it in 2010. But it is not clear what we will be installing after the Arroyo regime is gone.
We are driven by our hunger to “win” in 2010. But we must have a different notion of winnability. (See below.) For we may “win” the battle but lose the war, as has already happened twice.
3) Strengthen personality- based politics
The old traditional politics is a politics of personality. And the politics of personality is a part of the larger traditional politics of “winnability”. The old politics believes that one of the key ingredients of winnability, is to have a personality with name recall and national exposure...That is why, until recently, traditional politics was littered with show biz and media personalities.
...
Asking people to rush behind Noynoy is asking Filipinos to enshrine the old politics of personality at the expense of the new politics of participation, vision and strategic agenda and a qualified proven leadership willing to advance that common vision. With Noynoy, are we asking the personality cult of traditional politics to rear its ugly head again?
4. Send mixed signals regarding political dynasties
We rail against political dynasties. We celebrate victories of candidates who triumph against political dynasties. What are we doing now with our clamor for Noynoy Aquino? Are we not advancing traditional politics of dynasties?
True, Noynoy does not come from a corrupt political dynasty. Nor is there any technical, legal violation of the anti-dynasty provisions of the Constitution. But are we not close to violating the spirit of that constitutional provision when we get excited about Noynoy simply because he carries the name of ma rtial law hero, Ninoy Aquino, and the late former president of the Philippines, Corazon Aquino? Does Noynoy have the necessary track record, leadership qualities, vision, strategic agenda to renew this nation?
5. Break the Link Between Inner and Societal Change
The new politics requires inner change as the foundation for political and societal change...
Traditional politics does not expect inner change.... The appearance of a political leader who can win enough votes is all that is necessary for success as far as traditional politics is concerned.
The unthinking acceptance of a Noynoy “bandwagon” destroys the important link between inner change and political/societal change. We can all remain who we are. There is no need for us to change to create a new country. Noynoy will do it all for us. We will be spared from all the hard inner and outer work necessary to renew the country. This is an illusion, one destined to break into pieces in the hard rock of political reality.
A Noynoy bandwagon marginalizes the importance of an educated citizenry and a cultural revolution in the mainstreaming of the new politics. A Noynoy bandwagon, in effect, sends the message that Noynoy is good enough because he is the son of two well-known and well-respected parent s. There is no need to examine his background and his qualifications for the Office of the President.
...
The unquestioning wholesale acceptance of Noynoy on the basis on nothing else except his biological relationship with Ninoy and Cory Aquino is tantamount to strengthening traditional politics. It cheapens the notion that new politics can only arise because a new and very different generation of citizens are prepared for it and demand it....
7. Favor winnability over character, track record, and vision
8. Misinterpret the Meaning of the Ninoy/Cory Heritage
Connected with all the above dangers is the deeper question of how we should understand the national events following the death of former President Corazon Aquino.
We are dealing with a spiritual legacy. We are dealing with a longing for a form of governance that is honest and clean. We are dealing with a search for a new politics where politicians are statesmen and women who, when they time for service is finished, are ready to let go of political power. At this point, we will not discuss whether honesty and integrity are sufficient to transform the institutions of government, not to speak of the institutions of society.
A spiritual legacy is not the same as a hereditary legacy. History is full of examples of how successor generations squandered the gains of the previous generations. The outpouring in Cory’s funeral meant the expression of longing for honesty, decency, and democracy. It does not mean that this automatically transfers to a son or a daughter by means of heredity.
...
What it does mean is that the nation is longing for a leader that had the traits of Cory PLUS the capacity to transform institutions and systems...these spiritual/moral and societal capacities cannot be transferred by simply having the same bloodline. These capacities are gained instead by means of hard work and a life-long experience of transforming challenges into initiatives that benefit the country as a whole.
Noynoy Can Enable the New Politics
Noynoy can do one thing that will dramatically reduce the dangers enumerated above. Noynoy can refuse the temptation of accepting his “destiny” of being the presidential candidate of the Liberal Party and, by wishful thinking, the candidate of all opposition to the current administration in an epochal battle of good and evil in 2010.
For one thing, the Liberal Party of Noynoy is NOT the only opposition party. Second, the Liberal Party, with its mixed track record, cannot re-brand itself, even with Noynoy’s blessing, as a non-traditional party. Thus the Liberal Party is a part of the spectrum of traditional parties even if there are individuals within the party who are non-traditional. The party as a whole is not the bearer of new politics. Will Noynoy survive the intramurals within the Liberal Party and present a vision and strategic agenda that transcends the Liberal Party?
And third, will Noynoy be able to unify the dozens of non-traditional movements and parties when, by a wrong decision, Noynoy will destroy the very foundation upon which these movements and parties of new politics are built?
There is one thing, though, that Noynoy can do to help enhance the longing and hunger of the majority of Filipinos for a new kind of politics. He can announce that he will resign from the Liberal Party and participate in a unification process with non-traditional political and social movements for new politics. He can lend his newly minted national stature to advance the cause of the new politics, both in terms of substance and process.
Concretely, this would mean that Noynoy will announce that he is willing to be part of an open process of determining who would be the best new politics candidate for president in the national 2010 elections...
This is the real challenge facing Noynoy Aquino. Will he be an enhancer of the new politics? Or will he be the instrument for marginalizing the new politics?
LIBERAL PARTY CANDIDATE: NOYNOY AQUINO FOR PRESIDENT 2010
TODAY, THE 9TH OF SEPTEMBER 2009, AT 8:08 AM, NOYNOY AQUINO DECLARED HE IS ACCEPTING THE CHALLENGE TO BE THE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE OF THE LIBERAL PARTY FOR 2010.
Monday, September 7, 2009
TWIN VIEWS ON THE CHURCH AND PROS AND CONS OF EP CANDIDACY
FROM JAIME GARCHITORENA, 25 JULY 2009
While the catholic church is indeed a large network, it is not a political network.
Priests owe their fealty to the church hierarchy but this only extends to
church matters.
And while the church can dictate the standards they feel are appropriate for
choosing a candidate the church cannot insist that all of its members
support much more vote for Panlilio. In the arena of politics and especially
in the activity of voting, a priest is imbued with the same protective
rights as any citizen and freedom to vote for whoever he chooses. If the
author is to imply that he would prefer that there would be a command vote
on the basis of a priest being part of the Church then the church is now
impinging on the FIlipino priests right to vote freely.
The church cannot use itself as the campaign network of Ed Panilio. Imagine
that EP is a product. Lets say toothpaste. While the church may be concerned
that rotten teeth and bad breath may be detrimental to the audience and to
attendance I dont think it would be right for a priest to promote Colgate or
Close up or even isist that all parishoners brush their teeth. Perhaps in
his personal capacity he might take a parishoner who may be offensive and
promote the virtues of oral hygiene but to ask the church to endorse a
temporal product would be wrong. The Church speaks for god only in church
matters and matters of scripture. To speak of a temporal product in his
capacity as a priest, he unintentionally imbues the temporal product (
whether toothpaste or a candidate) with the same authority from god and his
church. Not good and if ever I got to mass (minsan naman napipilitan ako)
and I hear a priest endorse a candidate from the pulpit I promise that I
will walk out of the Church.
With regards to Centro Catolico, I would argue that this is not necessarilly
true. Id wager that There are more priestS accused of sexual molestation than
there are Baranggay Chairmen so I would never assume that the Church, by
virtue of being the Church, is imbued with higher than average moral
standards. Nor is the Church untouched by corruption. A high church official
told my father (dec) that if the Catholic church were to stop accepting
contributions from corrupt politicians the Catholic Church as we know it
would collapse.
While the church, to forward its own agenda, must create the scenarios and
mood to get a candidate ( who is friendly with church policies) elected it
is wrong to assume the members of the hiearchy has no right to think
differently and vote otherwise.
Rather than being sad, I am actually gratefull that certain priests and
bishops do not feel that Ed Panlilios bid for the presidency is flawed because
this means that there may be a fundamental flaw in EPs bid that is specific
to his peers.
My personal motto? Whats good for the Church is not necessarilly good for
the citizenry and the state.
Jaime Garchitorena
ON AMONG ED PANLILIO FOR PRESIDENT
by Dean Vergara 25 JULY 2009
I live here in the USA for 15 years now. But I follow closely the political
developmentin the motherland. May I add, too, that I am a former seminarian from .Nueva Caceres.
I decided to write you this piece in reaction to Fr. Shay's article on Among
Ed, "Penniless Priest for President".
Fr. Shay expressed it well and effectively.
I will add that his lack of political baggage or in the absence of political
patronage in his campaign is a fundamental factor that is unique to him to
effectively get rid the country of graft and corruption.
It is sad to note, however, that some Catholic bishops are chiding Among Ed
as a mere dreamer and asking him to get real as he has no war chest to wage
a nationwide presidential campaign. But the reality is this:
Among Ed can command the support of more than 60% of the Catholic clergy to
breakaway as a winner. He only needs the support of at least 60% of the
clergy to wage a campaign as effectively as any moneyed presidentiable to
end up ultimately a winner. The Catholic clergy is found in every town or
parish and in every barangay there is a Centro Catolico who is more
credible than any barangay chairman.
The reality is that the access of Catholic Church is more extensive than any
political party in the Philippines. The Catholic hierachy, however it
deflects the issue of being apolitical, has no alternative but carry out its
moral authority to speak for, guide and mobilize the faithful to vote for
the right candidate. The right candidate points to the direction of Among Ed
campaign.
In my job as a Supervisor, I am gaining ground from pinoys here to convince
their remittance beneficiaries in the Philippines to vote for Governor Ed
PANLILIO.
While the catholic church is indeed a large network, it is not a political network.
Priests owe their fealty to the church hierarchy but this only extends to
church matters.
And while the church can dictate the standards they feel are appropriate for
choosing a candidate the church cannot insist that all of its members
support much more vote for Panlilio. In the arena of politics and especially
in the activity of voting, a priest is imbued with the same protective
rights as any citizen and freedom to vote for whoever he chooses. If the
author is to imply that he would prefer that there would be a command vote
on the basis of a priest being part of the Church then the church is now
impinging on the FIlipino priests right to vote freely.
The church cannot use itself as the campaign network of Ed Panilio. Imagine
that EP is a product. Lets say toothpaste. While the church may be concerned
that rotten teeth and bad breath may be detrimental to the audience and to
attendance I dont think it would be right for a priest to promote Colgate or
Close up or even isist that all parishoners brush their teeth. Perhaps in
his personal capacity he might take a parishoner who may be offensive and
promote the virtues of oral hygiene but to ask the church to endorse a
temporal product would be wrong. The Church speaks for god only in church
matters and matters of scripture. To speak of a temporal product in his
capacity as a priest, he unintentionally imbues the temporal product (
whether toothpaste or a candidate) with the same authority from god and his
church. Not good and if ever I got to mass (minsan naman napipilitan ako)
and I hear a priest endorse a candidate from the pulpit I promise that I
will walk out of the Church.
With regards to Centro Catolico, I would argue that this is not necessarilly
true. Id wager that There are more priestS accused of sexual molestation than
there are Baranggay Chairmen so I would never assume that the Church, by
virtue of being the Church, is imbued with higher than average moral
standards. Nor is the Church untouched by corruption. A high church official
told my father (dec) that if the Catholic church were to stop accepting
contributions from corrupt politicians the Catholic Church as we know it
would collapse.
While the church, to forward its own agenda, must create the scenarios and
mood to get a candidate ( who is friendly with church policies) elected it
is wrong to assume the members of the hiearchy has no right to think
differently and vote otherwise.
Rather than being sad, I am actually gratefull that certain priests and
bishops do not feel that Ed Panlilios bid for the presidency is flawed because
this means that there may be a fundamental flaw in EPs bid that is specific
to his peers.
My personal motto? Whats good for the Church is not necessarilly good for
the citizenry and the state.
Jaime Garchitorena
ON AMONG ED PANLILIO FOR PRESIDENT
by Dean Vergara 25 JULY 2009
I live here in the USA for 15 years now. But I follow closely the political
developmentin the motherland. May I add, too, that I am a former seminarian from .Nueva Caceres.
I decided to write you this piece in reaction to Fr. Shay's article on Among
Ed, "Penniless Priest for President".
Fr. Shay expressed it well and effectively.
I will add that his lack of political baggage or in the absence of political
patronage in his campaign is a fundamental factor that is unique to him to
effectively get rid the country of graft and corruption.
It is sad to note, however, that some Catholic bishops are chiding Among Ed
as a mere dreamer and asking him to get real as he has no war chest to wage
a nationwide presidential campaign. But the reality is this:
Among Ed can command the support of more than 60% of the Catholic clergy to
breakaway as a winner. He only needs the support of at least 60% of the
clergy to wage a campaign as effectively as any moneyed presidentiable to
end up ultimately a winner. The Catholic clergy is found in every town or
parish and in every barangay there is a Centro Catolico who is more
credible than any barangay chairman.
The reality is that the access of Catholic Church is more extensive than any
political party in the Philippines. The Catholic hierachy, however it
deflects the issue of being apolitical, has no alternative but carry out its
moral authority to speak for, guide and mobilize the faithful to vote for
the right candidate. The right candidate points to the direction of Among Ed
campaign.
In my job as a Supervisor, I am gaining ground from pinoys here to convince
their remittance beneficiaries in the Philippines to vote for Governor Ed
PANLILIO.
LOOKING FOR THAT LEADER OF THE PEOPLE
It is the duty of every Filipino citizen, of all sexes and voting age to seek that person who will become president of the country. It is not enough that we stand on the sidelines and view the way every candidate puts up his or her face, say and promise on tv or radio that he/she will do this and that. More than all that bravado, we need to know the track record of every candidate from the time of birth through education and then through employment and service to the government. Some phases may not be rosy, but the last ten or twenty years of his/her life would be a good gauge of whether they have the mettle, the courage, the much-needed qualities of the highest leader.
Number 2 quality after incorruptibility, is courage to face all odds -- not shying away from any debate, dialogue, or even confrontation of enemies. Whenever I am drawn to political issues, I always see the painting of Delacroix in my mind, with a woman holding the flag and urging her compatriots to continue the fight. Then I also recall the images of the Filipino women during the American period, fighting the soldiers, holding the flags and then retrieving the bodies of their comrades who fallen in battle. Another is that of the Lakambini women during the Philippine-Spanish revolution, singing and dancing inside homes, as if revelling over something trivial but actually covering up the secret meetings of the Katipunan.
Are we anywhere near a revolutionary period? Under a democratic regime, we cannot claim revolution but reform for the laws have been set already on how changes in government have to be done -- according to laws and peacefully. Rather, we are entering a crucial stage in Philippine history where we are righting a wrong or wrongs that have taken place: one, we are doing away with that practice of old political parties determining for themselves who will become candidates; two, we are going to insure that the octopus hands of corrupt leaders shall not be on the peoples' coffers to use for the campaigns in 2010 elections; three, that the candidates to be chosen shall come from all sectors -- not necessarily political, but rather those whose intentions, motives and interests transcend classes; those who are sincere, honest, brave God-loving, peaceful and capable of orchestrating various tasks at hand in providing public service to the people.
Let us not complicate matters. (I wish I had written this in Pilipino, Folks.) But sometimes, the use of English makes the tasks at hand seem enormous when actually, our search for a true leader in the highest post of the land could be very easy, if we only know how to listen to that person next to us -- Because, after all that leader has to be accessible to everyone.
No longer shall we have a leader who has a coterie of guards around her or him, who is inaccessible because they are abroad hobnobbing all the time with the rich and all other officials, yet remain detached from the daily struggles for food, clothing, shelter and education of the people.
Yes, our search continues, and we know that we will soon have that leader-candidate.
WILHELMINA S. OROZCO
YELLOW TORCH MOVEMENT
We have to RESET the Yellow Torch Forum scheduled for September 16, 2009.
The Fires of Change are raging wildly and have gutted expected campaign blueprints and infrastructures.
The Liberal Party has changed its Starting Team.
The Lakas-Kampi-CMD Party will soon hold its convention to choose its 2010 Primary Antagonist.
The Nationalista Party is reviewing its strategic plan.
Elements of the Opposition are redrawing their pathways.
Reform Advocates are consolidating behind a common 2010 aspirant.
A Public Forum on the Changing Political Landscape could be more insightful and productive after the flames of change have settled into simmering embers.
Global Filipino Nation (GFN) will make a future announcement on the refined thematic focus of the Public Forum.
CONNIE GOMEZ VALDES
Deputy Executive Director
GLOBAL FILIPINO NATION
GFN 0632 9866343
Off. Add 2240 Chino Roces Bgy Bangkal
Makati City Metro Manila
The Fires of Change are raging wildly and have gutted expected campaign blueprints and infrastructures.
The Liberal Party has changed its Starting Team.
The Lakas-Kampi-CMD Party will soon hold its convention to choose its 2010 Primary Antagonist.
The Nationalista Party is reviewing its strategic plan.
Elements of the Opposition are redrawing their pathways.
Reform Advocates are consolidating behind a common 2010 aspirant.
A Public Forum on the Changing Political Landscape could be more insightful and productive after the flames of change have settled into simmering embers.
Global Filipino Nation (GFN) will make a future announcement on the refined thematic focus of the Public Forum.
CONNIE GOMEZ VALDES
Deputy Executive Director
GLOBAL FILIPINO NATION
GFN 0632 9866343
Off. Add 2240 Chino Roces Bgy Bangkal
Makati City Metro Manila
ON NOYNOY AGAIN
FROM MARCELO TECSON, OFC, 6 Sept 2009
...
In the case of Noynoy Aquino, the question then is, does he appear as the one who can be expected as genuinely honest, caring for the people, and least likely to become corrupt because of his upbringing and lessons ingrained by his parents, especially President Cory, as well as from the influence of his sisters who can be expected to help him maintain his integrity so that he will not dishonor the family name? Does he appear as an ambitious and aggressive politician intent on accumulating power, wealth, and fame for himself, whose acts since the very beginning of his political career seems geared towards the realization of his grandiose ambition? Does he appear as the least "dangerous" (likely to become power drunk and corrupt) among the present crop of presidentiables?
In the 2010 presidential election, we have to ensure that the PRESIDENCY does not fall into the hands of a DISHONEST and ruthless presidentiable, who may continue to rule after his term by himself as Prime Minister under the proposed parliamentary system, or through his surrogate under the present presidential system. Does Noynoy appear as the most promising means of avoiding this dangerous probability?
...
In the case of Noynoy Aquino, the question then is, does he appear as the one who can be expected as genuinely honest, caring for the people, and least likely to become corrupt because of his upbringing and lessons ingrained by his parents, especially President Cory, as well as from the influence of his sisters who can be expected to help him maintain his integrity so that he will not dishonor the family name? Does he appear as an ambitious and aggressive politician intent on accumulating power, wealth, and fame for himself, whose acts since the very beginning of his political career seems geared towards the realization of his grandiose ambition? Does he appear as the least "dangerous" (likely to become power drunk and corrupt) among the present crop of presidentiables?
In the 2010 presidential election, we have to ensure that the PRESIDENCY does not fall into the hands of a DISHONEST and ruthless presidentiable, who may continue to rule after his term by himself as Prime Minister under the proposed parliamentary system, or through his surrogate under the present presidential system. Does Noynoy appear as the most promising means of avoiding this dangerous probability?
HOW NOYNOY CAN ENABLE NEW POLITICS
Excerpt from Issuance of Presidential Candidate Nicanor Perlas, 5 September 2009
Noynoy Can Enable the New Politics
Noynoy can do one thing that will dramatically reduce the dangers enumerated above. Noynoy can refuse the temptation of accepting his “destiny” of being the presidential candidate of the Liberal Party and, by wishful thinking, the candidate of all opposition to the current administration in an epochal battle of good and evil in 2010.
For one thing, the Liberal Party of Noynoy is NOT the only opposition party.. Second, the Liberal Party, with its mixed track record, cannot re-brand itself, even with Noynoy’s blessing, as a non-traditional party. Thus the Liberal Party is a part of the spectrum of traditional parties even if there are individuals within the party who are non-traditional. The party as a whole is not the bearer of new politics. Will Noynoy survive the intramurals within the Liberal Party and present a vision and strategic agenda that transcends the Liberal Party?
And third, will Noynoy be able to unify the dozens of non-traditional movements and parties when, by a wrong decision, Noynoy will destroy the very foundation upon which these movements and parties of new politics are built?
Prominent members of the Liberal Party share some of these thoughts. Senator Francis Pangilinan recently begged to differ that the Liberal Party is the opposition party. He said that the opposition is more than the Liberal Party, more than other traditional parties opposed to Arroyo, and includes non-traditional parties and movements.
In addition, Senator Franklin Drilon, said that Noynoy “is not prepared for it” (the presidency). And Noynoy himself is not clear whether he himself is qualified or not. He is also not clear on how he would go about systemically changing the landscape of traditional politics and transforming Philippine society. Can his lack of clarity be the beacon for the new Philippines around which all kinds of forces arrayed against the Arroyo regime will unite?
There is one thing, though, that Noynoy can do to help enhance the longing and hunger of the majority of Filipinos for a new kind of politics. He can announce that he will resign from the Liberal Party and participate in a unification process with non-traditional political and social movements for new politics. He can lend his newly minted national stature to advance the cause of the new politics, both in terms of substance and process.
Concretely, this would mean that Noynoy will announce that he is willing to be part of an open process of determining who would be the best new politics candidate for president in the national 2010 elections. It is open in the sense that, at the end of the day, Noynoy himself may or may not be that presidential candidate. Yet he would still be able to bring energy to the pursuit of the new politics by supporting whoever will emerge as the presidential candidate of a unified movement for a new politics.
This is the real challenge facing Noynoy Aquino. Will he be an enhancer of the new politics? Or will he be the instrument for marginalizing the new politics?
Overcoming the Deadly Virus of Traditional Notions of Winnability,
...we should all reflect on the ultimate meaning on the current events surrounding Noynoy. It is difficult to discern what wants to come from the future. And it would even be more difficult to discern if we are infected with the virus of traditional notions of winnability.
The Noynoy event provides us with one of the most potent challenge to discern what real new politics really means in theory and practice. We can only hope that Noynoy becomes an enabler of the new politics. And I hope that all those truly seeking a better country are able to truly discern the profound conceptual and behavioral requirements of the new politics, one that we are all hoping to begin today and realize in 2010 and beyond. Our future as a nation will depend on it.
Noynoy Can Enable the New Politics
Noynoy can do one thing that will dramatically reduce the dangers enumerated above. Noynoy can refuse the temptation of accepting his “destiny” of being the presidential candidate of the Liberal Party and, by wishful thinking, the candidate of all opposition to the current administration in an epochal battle of good and evil in 2010.
For one thing, the Liberal Party of Noynoy is NOT the only opposition party.. Second, the Liberal Party, with its mixed track record, cannot re-brand itself, even with Noynoy’s blessing, as a non-traditional party. Thus the Liberal Party is a part of the spectrum of traditional parties even if there are individuals within the party who are non-traditional. The party as a whole is not the bearer of new politics. Will Noynoy survive the intramurals within the Liberal Party and present a vision and strategic agenda that transcends the Liberal Party?
And third, will Noynoy be able to unify the dozens of non-traditional movements and parties when, by a wrong decision, Noynoy will destroy the very foundation upon which these movements and parties of new politics are built?
Prominent members of the Liberal Party share some of these thoughts. Senator Francis Pangilinan recently begged to differ that the Liberal Party is the opposition party. He said that the opposition is more than the Liberal Party, more than other traditional parties opposed to Arroyo, and includes non-traditional parties and movements.
In addition, Senator Franklin Drilon, said that Noynoy “is not prepared for it” (the presidency). And Noynoy himself is not clear whether he himself is qualified or not. He is also not clear on how he would go about systemically changing the landscape of traditional politics and transforming Philippine society. Can his lack of clarity be the beacon for the new Philippines around which all kinds of forces arrayed against the Arroyo regime will unite?
There is one thing, though, that Noynoy can do to help enhance the longing and hunger of the majority of Filipinos for a new kind of politics. He can announce that he will resign from the Liberal Party and participate in a unification process with non-traditional political and social movements for new politics. He can lend his newly minted national stature to advance the cause of the new politics, both in terms of substance and process.
Concretely, this would mean that Noynoy will announce that he is willing to be part of an open process of determining who would be the best new politics candidate for president in the national 2010 elections. It is open in the sense that, at the end of the day, Noynoy himself may or may not be that presidential candidate. Yet he would still be able to bring energy to the pursuit of the new politics by supporting whoever will emerge as the presidential candidate of a unified movement for a new politics.
This is the real challenge facing Noynoy Aquino. Will he be an enhancer of the new politics? Or will he be the instrument for marginalizing the new politics?
Overcoming the Deadly Virus of Traditional Notions of Winnability,
...we should all reflect on the ultimate meaning on the current events surrounding Noynoy. It is difficult to discern what wants to come from the future. And it would even be more difficult to discern if we are infected with the virus of traditional notions of winnability.
The Noynoy event provides us with one of the most potent challenge to discern what real new politics really means in theory and practice. We can only hope that Noynoy becomes an enabler of the new politics. And I hope that all those truly seeking a better country are able to truly discern the profound conceptual and behavioral requirements of the new politics, one that we are all hoping to begin today and realize in 2010 and beyond. Our future as a nation will depend on it.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
TOO MANY CHOICES FOR PRESIDENT
The imagination of our people is getting broad and soaring to the skies. So many people want to be president; and so many are being pushed to become president. We are amid a period of discontent and frustration over the way politics has turned out after the 1986 People Power Revolution; this is why we are in a very agitated way seeking the best person to fill the highest slot of the land.
The latest news is that Noynoy Aquino is in Zamboanga on a retreat to find out if he is really destined to be a candidate or not, somewhat like what his mother did in 1985. Mar Roxas has also retreated as a presidential candidate in deference to Noynoy. Meanwhile, other candidates, Erap, Manny Villar, Jamby Madrigal and now even Noli de Castro are also preparing to join in the political contest.
What will come out of this "labu-labo" scenario? How will the current administration consider the choice/s to be come president? Will the candidates live to see their dream come true or will they lie on the wayside, assassinated again?
Yes, 2010 will be a bloody election period unless we keep it in our mind that we have every right to choose our candidates and our president down to all the positions in the government that need to be elected. We must be part of the process -- so that any untoward events that will put the country in the worst list as the most dangerous place in the world shall not, never occur.
Meanwhile, let us continue the search for the best government program that we would like to happen after the elections, and then ask those who are running or who want to be in the list of candidates, if they are willing to embrace our agenda. We are beyond personalities now. And candidates have to put up a higher quality - that of discerning what the people really want in physical and moral terms.
LET US JOIN THE PEOPLES' PRIMARIES. CALL UP -- 09164755004
-- EMMA S. OROZCO
PAINTING: La Grande Famillie, 1963 by RENE MAGRITTE
DON QUIXOTE VS THE MAN WHO WOULD BE KING
FROM JAIME GARCHITORENA
Some people refer to certain points in the future as make or break.
Many say that 2010 is make or break.
I believe every day is make or break.
I believe that the future is only a product of the way we have taken our past to influence our present.
1986 was make or break. Every impeachment was make or break. Every scandal we don’t deal with properly is make or break. Every day a petty theft happens with impunity is make or break.
Every day is make or break and in our recent history we have break-ed more than we have make-ed.
In relation to 2010, many people have called this a make or break election and the same people have created a vision of the future with Noynoy at the leading edge. This, in my opinion, is placing at the forefront, someone who, to my personal knowledge, has exhibited no significant presence in the past , no accomplishments of great leadership that may indicate a better future, and at present reflects a personality that indicates timid-ness and reluctance rather than what many people characterize humility and thoughtfulness. It reminds me of Peter attempting to step off the boat, into the turbulent waters, as he followed Jesus walking into the lake, and his lack of faith almost leading to his drowning.
To those who believe, Noynoy’s parents have shown the way and have proven the concept of popular support for unlikely candidates. Noynoy, the rock who some have decided to build the future on, could at least take a step in the waters with more confidence and faith. If Noynoy does not believe, how can we?
I won’t comment on those who have latched on to Noynoy as a potential president of the Philippines because I believe the choice for choosing a president is akin to choosing a religion or belief system to anchor ones hopes for a better life and after life. But I believe that aside from being technically qualified, a president must be bold, daring, and decisive as the odds stacked against our 2010 president will be formidable indeed. No doubt that any leader’s palms will sweat at the Herculean task ahead of him. But he must hide his sweaty palms that under whatever gloves he feels are needed to handle the boiling cauldron that is our country.
Im not looking for the perfect leader. I can go to church for that. But even that leader was nailed to the cross.
Im looking for someone to hand me a resume, look me straight in the eye, tell me that he is the best man for the job, show me a plan, convince me that his experience matches the need, and tell me that he will break his back trying to fix what everyone else says cannot be fixed.
No hemming. No hawing. No asking for one million signatures. No asking for discernment from God. No signs of grace from his departed parents. No validation from his siblings. No parachutes. No guarantees.
I can do this he has to say. Lets get it on.
I dont want a reluctant candidate and I certainly dont want a reluctant president.
For my choice for presidents and 2010, I would rather have a Don Quixote than The Man Who Would be King.
Some people refer to certain points in the future as make or break.
Many say that 2010 is make or break.
I believe every day is make or break.
I believe that the future is only a product of the way we have taken our past to influence our present.
1986 was make or break. Every impeachment was make or break. Every scandal we don’t deal with properly is make or break. Every day a petty theft happens with impunity is make or break.
Every day is make or break and in our recent history we have break-ed more than we have make-ed.
In relation to 2010, many people have called this a make or break election and the same people have created a vision of the future with Noynoy at the leading edge. This, in my opinion, is placing at the forefront, someone who, to my personal knowledge, has exhibited no significant presence in the past , no accomplishments of great leadership that may indicate a better future, and at present reflects a personality that indicates timid-ness and reluctance rather than what many people characterize humility and thoughtfulness. It reminds me of Peter attempting to step off the boat, into the turbulent waters, as he followed Jesus walking into the lake, and his lack of faith almost leading to his drowning.
To those who believe, Noynoy’s parents have shown the way and have proven the concept of popular support for unlikely candidates. Noynoy, the rock who some have decided to build the future on, could at least take a step in the waters with more confidence and faith. If Noynoy does not believe, how can we?
I won’t comment on those who have latched on to Noynoy as a potential president of the Philippines because I believe the choice for choosing a president is akin to choosing a religion or belief system to anchor ones hopes for a better life and after life. But I believe that aside from being technically qualified, a president must be bold, daring, and decisive as the odds stacked against our 2010 president will be formidable indeed. No doubt that any leader’s palms will sweat at the Herculean task ahead of him. But he must hide his sweaty palms that under whatever gloves he feels are needed to handle the boiling cauldron that is our country.
Im not looking for the perfect leader. I can go to church for that. But even that leader was nailed to the cross.
Im looking for someone to hand me a resume, look me straight in the eye, tell me that he is the best man for the job, show me a plan, convince me that his experience matches the need, and tell me that he will break his back trying to fix what everyone else says cannot be fixed.
No hemming. No hawing. No asking for one million signatures. No asking for discernment from God. No signs of grace from his departed parents. No validation from his siblings. No parachutes. No guarantees.
I can do this he has to say. Lets get it on.
I dont want a reluctant candidate and I certainly dont want a reluctant president.
For my choice for presidents and 2010, I would rather have a Don Quixote than The Man Who Would be King.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
