Ronnie Puno quits the veep race

Saying he’s fed up with politics, DILG secretary Ronnie Puno formally announced his withdrawal from the vice presidential race. The man whom Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago accused of being an election operator made the announcement before members of the media and some PNP officials in Camp Crame.  Puno says he will just devote his remaining time as DILG secretary and help Mrs. Arroyo in her last remaining months as president.

Puno has not yet shared his decision with members of LAKAS-KAMPI, which drafted him initially some weeks ago as its official vice-presidential bet. Some believe that Puno’s decision was in anticipation to the expected resignation of Defense secretary Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro two weeks from now and the resignation of DPWH secretary Hermogenes Ebdane who is reportedly serious in his presidential bid.

Puno, some say, has been offered the job to be vacated by Teodoro before November 12, the expected national party convention of the administration party.

Some believe that Puno abandoned his bid because the administration party is fast losing local government support. Many pro-Arroyo officials are abandoning the administration party and shifting to either Liberal Party or the Nacionalista Party of Manny Villar.

Likewise, the expected resignation of Teodoro would open the government to a very vulnerable position since there is no one left strong enough to neutralize attacks against it coming from both the opposition and insurgent groups.

a. Tatahimik na lang at hahayaan kong magkagulo sila?

b. Magpapa book ng flight palabas ng bansa?

c. Lalabas ng bahay at magiinuman kami ng mga barkada ko?

d. May gagawin ako. Sasama ako sa magproprotesta!

If you choose a, b or c, then, congratulations! You’re one of many who’ll do nothing.

But, if you choose D, then, sincerely, I don’t know what would really happen to us.

This no-el scenario thing is getting on our nerves! Why are these people total assholes? I mean, come on! Gloria has been in power for the past nine years. Hindi pa ba sapat ang nakaw ninyo?

Angelo Reyes wants to give emergency powers to Gloria under the pretense of an energy crisis.

Defense secretary Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro is resigning as Defense secretary and who’ll take his place? Some say its Ebdane but I sincerely doubt it since Ebdane plans to run for an elective post also for 2010.

You’re guess is as good as mine—its Gloria Arroyo who will appoint herself Defense chief!

He’ll be the one who’ll challenge the Resolution 1109 before the Supreme Court. He’s the trojan horse of Mrs. Arroyo.

He deliberately stayed his hand, reportedly bolted the administration party and is thinking of going to the NPC to austensibly join it. Yet, he’s a main actor in this charade (as what Joe de Venecia referred to this Resolution 1109).

Villafuerte will drag the Supreme Court in this controversy so that the Executive will be the remaining institution left standing. Villafuerte, Puno and all the architects of this travesty called Resolution 1109 are in for the long haul. Their mission is the establishment of another dictatorship, far worse than the victim of EDSA Uno.

The penultimate game plan is simply not a peaceful and democratic shift to parliamentarism. No. Were it so, we should have at least read it in the wording of this Resolution.

The plan is the establishment of martial rule come August of this year. This coincides with the strategy put forward by a Jesuit priest and his chuwawah, National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales, the rasputin of Mrs. Arroyo. The aim is simply force the shift and ram it down our throats.

And in all wars, this comes in pristine timing. The Opposition is weak. The soldiers are lulled to deep sleep. The Patriots are incarcerated. There is no force strong enough to repulse a repeat of authoritarianism in the Philippines.

That’s why, expect not the dawning of a New Morning, but an ushering of the dark ages in Philippine history.

And what is the prize for raping the Constitution? Billions of dollars worth of projects, the Bagong Nayon Filipino resort project of PAGCOR and other jewels and gems included in the 2009 budget.

These people are resolved to kill us just so they can enjoy these gems and exercise power even beyond 2010.

Earth heating up due to corruption

You know why we have typhoons in May? That’s because of global warming, says PAG-ASA. And do you know why global warming is turning from bad to worse? That’s because we don’t have trees anymore. Our virgin forests are fast disappearing. And why is that? We have a reforestation program, yes? What’s the problem?

Well, the problem is corruption. Yes, corruption. And it involves a presidential son, no less.

IMAGINE this, even seedlings are now being toyed by this presidential son. Mrs. Arroyo and her minions are raking billions of monies from illegal and legal activities. They are now cornering every single deal there is. Of course, the First Golfer dips his fat fingers into all operator-related activities there are right now but, for a presidential son to stir the broth further? That’s proof enough that corruption is now a family affair, instead of a Mom and Pop operation.

A seedling that cost 2.50 pesos now fetches 55 pesos each. Wow. Talk about 1,000 percent rate hike, that sure tops the US$ 320 million his father allegedly would get from a telecomms deal gone sour.

Infrastructure projects, which this family of greedy misfits already cornered, are estimated to be worth US$ 42.7 billion. Wow, that is sure to top even the Marcoses for greediness. And the palace of greed already admitted that most of these projects are now being controlled by two presidential sons and their lackeys. How many villas in Portugal do they expect to buy with US$ 42.7 billion? Do they also expect to buy retirement homes for their great-great-great-great-great-great grand children and their paramours?

The palace spokesman Cerge Remonde even justified this business by the Family by saying that it’s okey if the presidential sons and their lackeys corner every infra project for as long as there’s no corruption thru commission. Why, Mr. Remonde, are you deaf and blind? Anyway, I’m not entirely surprised since he’s just a peti functionary and he needs to toe the line otherwise, he’ll suffer a JLO.

So, if you’re feeling hot or you suddenly ask yourself why the hell we have typhoons in May, go ask Mikey and Dado Arroyo. Mikey wants every seedling at 55 pesos while Dado wants every single corner of Camarines Sur paved.

For those who are praying at the WPD right now to protect Jun Lozada—don’t. Prayers are for those who listen, not for those who already chose their eternal Fate to side with Beelshebub. What we have as government officials are demons in barongs. And demons deserve exorcisms not masses.

This is the sign leading to the City of Vigan

Last year, me and my family went to Vigan Ilocos Sur.

It has been my fifth time, yet, my wife, well, it was her first, despite being born in Pangasinan.

It took us seven and a half hours before we reached the bridge that separates La Union from Ilocos Sur.

And when I saw that iconic concrete arch with the words “Welcome to Ilocos Sur”, I knew deep within my heart that we’re in for a different kind of adventure. And we did.

Ilocos Sur has been one of the few places here that I consider to be closest to my heart. I love the weather there. I love the people. Most especially, I love the rustic feel, the tranquility of the seas and the different kind of sunlight they have there. Those delicious food are just extras.

the lovely uninhabited beach cove in Ilocos

Someday I would love to buy a property there and settle close to the South China sea if possible. I would love to even die and be buried there.

Don’t get me wrong. I’m not an Ilokano. My father hailed from Bulakan, while my mother is pure Leytenian. Yet, I sensed an affinity with Ilocos.

We stayed at Santiago Cove resort, owned by one of my dearest friends, Owen Singson. The place is lovely. I can’t even describe to you how beautiful it is. You should try it out for yourself.

Owen was a gracious host. Santiago Cove Resort is one of the top resort destinations in Ilocos Sur. It has complete resort facilities. It’s standard rooms are very modern. We stayed at the presidential suites and it was lovely. I was not surprised that Mrs. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo decided to inaugurate the place owned by her closest associates Ilocos Sur Congressman Eric Singson. The place is truly beautiful.

Me infront of Vigan Plaza Hotel

Vigan is best known for its old houses, churches and a whole lot more. Kudos to the Department of Tourism (DOT) for their magnificent work in Vigan. The place is really tourist-friendly. You can now eat at Max Restaurant and some global brands have landed there. There’s already a mall in Vigan where you could buy global designer brands.  

Vigan’s iconic Plaza hotel is just as old as what I left it some years ago. Yet, the hotel has all the modern tourist facilities inside. Try to stay there for three days. You’ll feel refreshed and alive.

Vigan is spot marked by wonderful vestiges of Spanish colonial architecture. I managed to take some shots and here they are. Relish.

the monument in the middle of the piazza in honor of Gomburza

the church of Vigan

The Church in Vigan is one of the highlights of our Vigan tour. This church has seen so many historical events in Philippine history. It has seen both triumphs and defeats of Ilokanos in their little town’s history.

Ilocos Sur is predominantly peopled with Catholics. The Church exerts a strong influence in the lives of the people here. That’s why, if you look around, Catholic churches are spread far and wide in this region.

Catholic Power in Vigan

The former Arsobispado of Nueva Segovia can be seen in Vigan, attesting to the importance of this place in the scheme of things during the Spanish colonial era.

Here, you’ll still find the seal of the arsobispado de segovia. In the 17th century, Vigan is known as Villa Fernandina, one of the richest cities in the entire Spanish colonial Philippines.

It is likewise one of the eight ayuntamientos, which included Manila, Iloilo, Cebu, Jaro, Batangas, Albay, and Nueva Caceres.

So, Vigan represents the classic display of colonial power in those days and served as a symbol of Iberian influence.

That’s why it’s not entirely surprising that Spanish architectural influence is prevasive in this side of the Philippines. And I congratulate the Department of Tourism for preserving whatever is left of that era here in Vigan.

Symbols of Colonial prosperity

Here are my other photos. Enjoy!

Me in the middle of Crisologo road

Inside Cong. Crisologo's Ancestral House

Talks are rife that government, through the GSIS, is maneuvering to wrest complete control of the firm from the Lopezes. The oligarchic family controls just a fraction more than GSIS, which is 33.4%. Two presidents have attempted, yet failed, to take over the utility firm. One of them is Diosdado Macapagal, Gloria’s father. His failure led to his disastrous defeat at the polls against Ferdinand Marcos.

Marcos turned against the Lopezes eventually. Corporate maneuverings did not work so Marcos employed another tactic–martial law. He arrested the Lopezes and forced them to give him their shares. It was only after EDSA 1 that the Lopezes were able to regain control, thanks to Cory Aquino.

Now, even at the twilight of her term, Gloria is trying to replicate what her father did, albeit, in a different manner. Part of her insidious plan is to temper public opposition of a takeover. So, it looks like the takeover is very sure already. Knowing Gloria, she’ll not do what she’s doing right now– publicly denouncing somebody and trying to court support from other oligarchs–if she and her mafia gang do not have a plan. They have a plan which they meticulously and patiently executed within a span of time.

GSIS president Winston Garcia, Gloria’s golden-haired boy, leads the charge. Should government wins in this battle, what would be the effects in other Lopez companies?

Surely, ABS-CBN channel 2 will be affected. For sometime now, ABS-CBN 2 has been losing millions of revenues due to stiff competition from main rival GMA 7. Though ratings are up, ABS-CBN 2 has past its prime, mainly due to its premium positioning which impacts on its bottomline. Sources say MERALCO has been subsidizing ABS-CBN 2. A government takeover would also mean some control over ABS-CBN 2.

So, expect a titanic battle come May 27 in the MERALCO boardroom.