Maguindanao Massacre News: Philippine mayor ordered massacre

MANILA (AFP) - – A Philippine politician was on Friday charged with murder after authorities accused him of ordering soldiers, police and other gunmen to kill at least 57 defenceless people in an organised slaughter.

Andal Ampatuan Jnr, a mayor in the lawless southern Philippines who until this week was an ally of President Gloria Arroyo and a member of her ruling coalition, was charged with seven counts of murder, the government said.

"He was the one who gave the instructions. He was among those... who killed the victims," Justice Secretary Agnes Devanadera told reporters as she outlined the case against Ampatuan Jnr.

She indicated more charges would likely be laid against him and others, saying the process of filing cases had only just begun.

Devanadera also revealed the suspect's father, the leader of the Ampatuan clan and governor of Maguindanao province, was among eight other members of the powerful family under investigation and not allowed to leave the country.

An emotional Devanadera earlier on Friday gave the most detailed official account yet of Monday's election-linked massacre, saying the female victims may have also been raped.

"It was horrible. I cannot begin to describe it," Devanadera told the GMA television network, recounting what she had seen of the bodies as well as the testimony of many of those who had taken part in the killings.

Devanadera said the witnesses told prosecutors that Ampatuan Jnr ordered his private militia of more than 100 gunmen to open fire on the group of people on a remote farming area in Maguindanao province.

The gunmen had a short time earlier abducted a convoy of aides and relatives of a rival Muslim politician, Esmael Mangudadatu, plus a batch of local journalists.

The group had been travelling to an election office so Mangudadatu's wife could nominate him to run against Ampatuan Jnr for the post of provincial governor in next year's elections.

Fifty-seven bodies have since been recovered from shallow graves in the killing fields close to a town bearing the Ampatuan name.

At least 22 of the victims were women, police said earlier.

Twenty-seven victims were journalists and 15 were motorists who were driving past the area at the wrong time, all of whom were apparently killed to elimEinate witnesses.

Ampatuan Jnr, who surrendered to authorities on Thursday, has denied any involvement and blamed Muslim rebels for the killings. Aged in his 40s, he faces life in jail as the Philippines does not have the death penalty.

Devanadera said many of those who took part in the massacre were clear that Ampatuan Jnr was at the scene of the murders, ordered them to open fire and even shot people himself.

Devanadera said some of those who took part in the killings had come forward because of the guilt they felt.

"They were bothered by their conscience," she said, while emphasising many had given testimony against their former boss and not just one.

She said the group of more than 100 gunmen included soldiers and policemen.

Devanadera painted a gruesome picture of the fate of the women at the hands of the marauding militia.

"Even the private parts of the women were shot at. It was horrible. It was not done to just one. It was done practically to all the women," she said.

"All the women had their zippers undone. The pants of some were pulled down... We have yet to determine whether they were raped. But it is certain that something bad was done to them."

Maguindanao is part of Mindanao island, where Muslim clans rule vast areas backed by their own private armies, often out of the national government's control.

Ampatuan Snr had been grooming his son to take over as governor of Maguindanao. The victims' relatives alleged the Ampatuans organised the murders so that Mangudadatu would not run for that post.

Mangudadatu, whose wife and pregnant sister were murdered in the massacre, on Friday lodged his nomination for governor, ironically for Arroyo's ruling coalition just two days after the Ampatuans had been expelled by the coalition.

"Only death can stop me from running," Mangudadatu told reporters

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Edu Manzano is Gibo's Vice President

Just recently, former OMB chairman Edu Manzano accepted the challenge to be Gibo Teodoro's Vice President for the 2010 Presidential elections. Edu said that the macinery of Gibo's party is a big factor aside from his belief that Gibo will do good as a president. To be fare, Edu maybe an actor, a showbiz personality, a political nobody. But in the field of politics we can never be sure on the outcome or performance of an elected politician. Look at former Senator Flavier, he is a medical doctor, first time politician when he ran as senator, but in the end, he did well. On the contrary, those who are into politics for decades have a questionable motive in running. The point is, we can never tell the performance of each politician after they get the votes needed. However, at this early stage, we have the power to chose the better candidates. Edu is being belittled because he is considered as "only" an actor. But if he wins, we can never tell his performance. This is true with the other vice presidential candidates. We can never tell how they will perform. So consider this, if you will vote for a certain candidate, what benefits will he get from it? If you think the position will benefit the candidate more than the expected public service, then drop that candidate out of your list.
Here are some comments on Edu as a vice presidential bet:

"Pilipinas! game ka na ba? ha? ha? ha? ha?" - nanie

"haaaa????? I'm veeeeery surprised!!!!!" - maridon

"Lights!!!! Camera!!! Action..... Take.. 1 lols" - clarrence

"Edu Manzano's record in as optical media board chief speaks for itself. wala syang karapatan na tumakbo bilang pangalawang pangulo. he should stick to what he does best... do movies and host game shows." - jonathan

"Oh c'mon. Kinda big joke huh. "- connie

"It's funny, I think he's desperate to find someone who would help him build up his name. They're not even known by old folks in the cordillerans." - lydia

"why n0t!give him a chance(edu manzan0)dats ol." - melow

"not much is know of Edu's leadership I guess...and so is Gibo's except for his DND sec stint" - chris

"This coming election is lacking in well-rounded leaders to vote for. I don't mind a leader that get's rich, just as long as he/she gets the Job done right." - ben

"sabi ni gibo magaling at matalino xa then why Edu...desperate move by the admin or a dangerous move to place in puppets?" - edmarie

"definitely NO..we can't just let them play the game coz the future of our country is at stake..it's too much to take the risk..we've been through a lot and we all know the consequences..we, the people, have the power to make things right so i say we should use it wisely and responsibly.." - emanon

"The trouble about actors is they don't live in the real world, they live in the fantasy world of coocoo land. So..... how do we know for sure! they are capable of running a country?! This is not a game! This is not a movie! This is real! This are people's live we're talking about.! OUR CHILDREN'S FUTURE!!!!" - flora

"This is a losing alternative that would pull Gibo lower... Sayang si Gibo kung ang vice niya is somebody like Edu only. Come on admin, is this all you can get/offer for the Filipinos at a time we need really judicious leaders, come onnnnnnn!! "- benny

"its not about competency (in choosing edu). its more on choosing someone who can increase the popularity of gibo who is languishing at the bottom ratings. just like in choosing de castro as gma's running mate in 2004." - percival

"Wow. Everybody has a point here and i do agree! I dont reside in Phils anymore but its still my homeland and care about wellbeing of its citizen. Sad to think that these politicians use all kinds of strategy to gain people's votes.For Edu, No, he doesnt have a business running for VP period! What does he know?" - daisy

"sayang naman si Gibo! id go for him sana, but i dont like edu for vp "- crystal

"This is some sort of insurance against impeachment, similar to Gloria picking Nol. Some people are hesitant to impeach Gloria as they don't want Noli to take over" - noehl

"no kidding... to balance the tandem, gibo's vice should be a woman or at least come from the visiyas or mindanao." - ruth

Even in other forums and social networking sites, Edu is belittled as a person. I pity the guy but he said he's up for the challenge. This will be a very interesting election.

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A Story About Political Volunteerism During Elections ( Part 1 of 3 )

This is a true story.

More than a decade ago, my late dad Greg was very active with an organization called RAM. Their principles focused on changing the system of government, creating a new model for better governance, being the role models of society etc. They even had a t-shirt that had all their names printed on it. This was also the beginning of the massive recruitment for the Guardians. I was a college student back then, proud and energized because my dad was with prominent political and military personalities. Almost every week our small eatery became the place for organizational meetings. Most of the time, the snacks were free or were given big discounts. All these in the name of creating a principled organization.

Back then, recruitment  of Guardians and members of RAM-PART was in the upswing. In 1995 Gringo Honasan ran for Senator for the first time. It was then that I understood the creation of big and massive organizations for political purposes. My dad took a very active participation during this election period particularly in endorsing and campaigning for Sen. Honasan and the principles and projects to be implemented. He called relatives and friends all over and most of all, he spearheaded the campaign in the province of Benguet and some other provinces in the Cordillera Administrative Region.


All of us were supportive of dad's moves even to the extent of sacrificing our family's own money just for the campaign, all of which were under the principle of volunteerism. Dad, me, together with some Guardians and volunteers went to all the municipalities of Benguet to campaign for the Senator using our car and two jeepneys hired by dad. At the end of the campaign period, Cordillera gave one of the highest votes for Senator Honasan. And for our family, at the end of the campaign period were broke and lost almost close to a million pesos in volunteer money.
As years passed, I noticed that fewer people were visiting dad. The people he worked with before, during and after the 1995 elections were not visible and the organization RAM-PART began to fade. As of today,I believe, RAM-PART no longer exist.
Dad was a good volunteer for a cause, for a principle I cannot understand during my younger years. Eventually, I decided to shift course and took up political science. It was then that I realized how dad was used. In 1999, my dad felt the scary effect of his illness. He suffered for 8months in bed and in May of 2000, my dad passed away due to diabetes. The very sad fact is that during the months that he was in bed, wake and burial, not even one of those military and political figures visited. This was the time I realized that despite all the things he did,  my dad was a nobody but a mere volunteer.
Today, the 2010 election is coming fast. Political figures are again recruiting for volunteers. Organizations left and right are being established. Principles are formed etc. But I tell you this, at the end of the day, the volunteers are just volunteers and the real winners are the politicians and political parties. Although there is a big difference in volunteerism before and now. Before, as a volunteer, you will use your own money to campaign for a politician. Today, you get paid to campaign for a politician. Today, you get something to campaign for a politician. Today, you are bought by a politician.
Regardless of the the political blah blahs, or supposed principles of organizations that mushroomed everywhere, at the end of the day, the hard working volunteers are just volunteers. No politician or strategist can say that his or her electoral organization will last longer than the term given because it has yet to be proven in Philippine political history. Philippine politics has proven this as a fact.
Remember the famous saying "IN POLITICS, ENEMIES ARE ENEMIES, BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY, SHARE THE SAME PERMANENT INTEREST". In the field, politicians seem to battle with each other. But is this a fact?

end of part 1.
Copyright 2009, Quezon City,
www.PoliticalAdobo.com
All rights reserved

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Philippine 2010 Presidential Elections

Funny campaign antics from traditional politicians are airing over television networks. Here are some of them according to viewers and critics:

1. Villar - "Akala mo petiks yun pala hinde! akala mo conyo yun pala laking tondo..." this is a good advertisement worth hundreds of millions. Senator Villar started campaigning two years ago. He helped stranded OFWs come home and documented those helping events. Now he has a touchy and proactive commercial showing how he was helping the ofws. Nice strategy of give and take. Philippine 2010 presidential election aspirant. Overcooked adobo.

2. Roxas - very famous for his "padyak padyak padyak" commercial although many has doubts if he rode a padyak before. Very vocal and speaks the PI language. Although he tried projecting himself a masa based, many hardly believes. 2010 Philippine election vice president aspirant. Hilaw na adobo.

3. Puno - "kung maganda ang puno, maganda ang bunga" Wahaha! ok. Commercial ads linked with his DILG department. Philippine 2010 elections Presidentialble ,Senatoriable.

4. De Castro - "bakit di natin subukan ang PAG-IBIG ni kabayang Noli". VP Noli has kept his silence and nobody knows at the time of this writing what are his political plans. He said before "it's the presidency or nothing". So it remains to be seen. Commercial ads linked to his Housing department. Half-cooked adobo.

5. Teodoro - NDCC chairman and Secretary of Defense. Tough looking and straight forward. However, he seems to have issues walking in the mud during the typhoon ondoy. He had full media exposure during typhoon Ondoy and Pepeng. 2010 Philippine elections presidential candidate. Adobo with lesser soy.


6. Binay - "ganito kami sa Makati, sana ganito rin sa buong Pilipinas". OO nga ganun sila sa makati, ganun nga, oo ngaaaa... However, makati is only a small city. It cannot be compared to the diverse regions of the country. Philippine elections 2010 presidential candidate. Adobo without bawang.

7. Fernando - "Political Will" He has the image of a tough MMDA chairman. many middle to upper class individuals living in Metro manila loves him because of his beautification ( pinkish ) campaign. However, it seems majority of the masa doesn't. Philippine elections 2010 presidential candidate. Adobo without sibuyas.

8. Estrada - "tatakbo ka pa ba (then side view look)". Well, of all the presidentiables, he has the biggest legal problem. I believe he can help more on the background. Philippine elections 2010 presidential candidate. Half eaten adobo.

9. Legarda - A powerful woman handling the climate change issues. Has strong character. However, it seems that Filipinos are tired of having a woman president. Women have the  tendency to change their minds easily. Philippine elections 2010 presidential candidate. Adobo in the refrigerator.

10. Escudero - The choice of the youth. However, since he became a senator, he slowly drifted to silence. He came to power as a young and dynamic politician but seems to be drifting slowly into traditional politics. 2010 Philippine Elections presidential candidate. Uncooked adobo.

11. Aquino - "the yellow ribbon man". He maybe the son of political icons, but he is not them. He still has to prove himself. He maybe the most popular candidate now but popularity is not the basis to win.  I agree with  video blogger Word of the Lourd, e kung si Kris na lang kaya? Ingredients for adobo still in the market.

As to who will be the best presidential candidate, that will depend on their programs, plans and active political campaign. Remember, the new generation of voters are now thinking.

Senatoriables will soon follow.

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My Tribute To The Military Heroes During Disasters

To the Philippine Military, Navy and Special Departments... Thank You 

You deserve it, a perfect adobo for you heroes. When disaster strikes, the AFP, especially those in the lower ranks are deployed to help in rescue and relief of victims. Despite being short equipped with emergency gadgets, they make ways to serve those who are in need. My tribute goes to those who are in the field, the foot soldiers.  Those who face danger when others run, those who keep the peace when others take advantage and those who sacrifice their life just to save another, Thank you.
We have seen how the Philippine military and navy help in disasters during the onslaught of typhoon Ondoy. In Laguna, two soldiers died but they were able to save 600 lives. According to their squad mates, they are just doing their job and will not hesitate to save those who are in danger even if they die. Such a patriotic statement. 


Below is a news article on the two soldiers that sacrificed their lives for others.

Two members of the Philippine Army had perished in separate occasions over the weekend while participating in rescue operations for the victims of tropical storm “Ondoy" in Laguna province.
A statement from the Philippine Army said Pfc. Venancio Ancheta died Saturday in Barangay Tunhac in Famy, Laguna, after saving 20 citizens from possible drowning in raging floodwaters caused by the storm.
“His heroism [serves] as an inspiration for the whole Philippine Army and, in particular, his teammates who continued the mission and rescued another 600 civilians in Famy, Laguna," the statement said.
Ancheta perished after he was severely struck by a log while bringing a drowning man to safety. His body was found by the Disaster Relief and Rescue Unit of the 16th Infantry Battalion the next day.
Ancheta would be given departure honors on Wednesday, September 30, at the Libingan ng mga Bayani at Fort Bonifacio, according to the statement.
Another Army fatality, Cpl. Adriano Regua, was leading rescue efforts in Barangay Nanguma in Mabitac, Laguna, when he was killed while trying to save a militiaman who was also part of the rescue mission from drowning.
The militiaman he was trying to save also did not make it, the statement said. Their remains were found on Sunday along the Manila East Road.
"[Regua] led his team well, as they were able to save 200 residents in the area alone even at the cost of their own lives," the statement read.
The statement noted how Regua performed his duty as a soldier in Laguna while his own family was in danger in Tanay, Rizal.
Military rescue teams took Regua’s family to safety.
Five members of the Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit (Cafgu) Active Auxiliary also passed away while conducting rescue operations in Laguna. They were identified as
Joel Hernalin, Erineo Olaguer, Pedro Falcon, Florencio Dequino, and Artenio Descotido. 
MELISSA DE LOS SANTOS- GMANews.TV

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Hungry Crowd mobs distributors of 'Ondoy' relief goods

Typhoon Ondoy: Aftermath 


More bodies found as Pasig flood caused by 'Ondoy' subsides
For the latest Philippine news stories and videos, visit GMANews.TV

Crowd mobs distributors of 'Ondoy' relief goods

For the latest Philippine news stories and videos, visit GMANews.TV

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Power Of Wang Wang Sirens

Philippine symbol of importance... "the wang wang"

Grabe! To those residing in manila, have you noticed the show of power being displayed by some individuals particularly those with luxurious cars? Yeah, I bet you noticed. I was in a public bus from MOA going to SM North EDSA, it was 4pm and traffic was building up so fast. And true to guess, the monstrous traffic came. 30mins passed, 1 hour passed, almost 2 hours  passed I was near SM megamall. Suddenly, a group of powerful men with loud wang wangs and motorcycle escorts were pushing other vehicles aside so they could pass. The VIP vehicle was a black Pajero with non goverment plates. I could see the other passengers inside the buss utter foul language towards the passing Pajero. We were patiently and slowly moving our way through the traffic just like the other public and private vehicles and here comes a private vehicle with motorcycle escorts pass us by. We were furious. Ang kakapal ng mukha! 100x to the max! Who are they to be given special privileges? So I decided to find a news clip or some materials on this matter. Instead, I saw the video below from Youtube. It explains it all.
P.S.: It was 6pm, may opisina pa ba ang government ng 6pm?

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Early Election Ads and Political Gimmicks

What does it take to be voted?

Name recall? Popularity? Looks? All these are just part of a large arsenal of political gimmicks that politicians practice. Some gimmiks that you can see almost every corner of this country are congratulatory gestures from aspiring and current politicians. Examples are as follows:
1. Happy Fiesta! FROM COUNCILOR PAPOGI (VOTE 2010!)
2. Happy Festival! FROM VOTE MAYOR PAPOGI
3. Congratulations to the Graduates! VOTE FOR ME! VOTE FOR ME! COUNCILOR PAPOGI
4. Happy Anniversary! FROM GOVERNOR PAPOGI
5. Congatulations for Passing the Board/Bar Exams! FROM VICE MAYOR PAPOGI
6. Condolence FROM COUNCILOR PAPOGI
7. Congratulations for your 5th death anniversary (?), hehehe VOTE FOR ME 2010

Kidding aside, these gimmicks are actually ( il )legal as far as early electioneering is concerned. Furthermore, there are Senatorial and Presidential candidates who started their campaigns as early as three years ago. Evidently, you can see and hear their commercials on tv and radio stations. Now, if senators and department secretaries can do their expensive early political TRI Media campaigns, what hinders the local politicians to do the same? Besides, should their be prosecution, the law applies to everyone, right? That would mean filing cases against the entire government structure from the powerful barangay captain up to the vice president. So, cutting the story short, every aspiring politician can actually do their political ads and campaigns as early as right after an election because the law against such practices is practically useless. And if the law can be implemented, who will implement and prosecute the government? Only POLITICAL WILL can answer this dead end question. Sad but True.

Let me ask you this, if your ulam every morning, lunch and dinner is adobo everyday, will you get angry and curse the one preparing your food for wanting you to die early or praise that person for preparing adobo everytime of the day? On the other side of the story, if you will see election ads from a politician everytime you go out of the house and back home from work 366days in a year, will you get angry? Praise the politician for his face everyday? Or masusuya ka rin? Just a question.

I call the younger ones as "THE NEW AGE GENERATION OF VOTERS", a generation of intelligent, non-traditional, more aware and informed voters. And this is good news... very good news. Regardless of political ads, posters, tarpaulines and gimmicks of aspiring politicians, still, the voice of my new age voters will prevail. They can see beyond the paid media ads and campaigns. They can be "hired" but they can't be bought! ( gemays! mayat mayat ayus ayus! )

- Adobo

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The Power Of Facebook

When Emotions Come In...

While reading some random posts by some  friends at Facebook, I came across the article posted below and it was steaming hot with comments. I can't help but see what the fuzz was all about. After reading the main article and hundreds of comments/replies, I can say that Sen. Gordon was prosecuted and judged as guilty without defense. The main argument in the article may be true since most politicians need exposure and to malign and judge one's person caused by emotional outburst is understandably a part of it. Sometimes circumstances change the flow originally planed. As in this case, The Senator did not reach the said barangay because he was in another barangay distributing, sad to say.
The problem came because of the political word called "protocol", even if not sanctioned by the political person subject of the issue (assuming). Following protocol is a sign of respect to authority. It is a way to please one person rather than follow the immediate clamor. I think part of the blame is on the Staff of Senator Gordon and the Barangay Officials, they like to be patted on the back like a nice cute little doggy. At the end of the day, the political figure they are representing got all the blame. And so it happened.
On another story, there are hundreds of claims that Barangay officials are actually gaining from the reliefs. Using their authority, they are personally setting aside goods more than what they needed. This caused some organizations to make ways to distribute the relief goods directly to the people.

The video clip shown by GMA news gave me an impression that people in the affected areas are really dying of hunger. The video clip was magnificently edited in slow motion to show that even elderly and pregnant women fought their way into the large crowd just to get a kilo of rice and some cans of sardines. We KNOW for a fact that media companies, in order to get much attention should focus on the emotional aspect of the report, and so they did focus on slow motion one elderly woman who fought her way against a thick and hungry crowd just to get her one plastic bag of relief goods. I was emotionally touched. It was like watching a video clip from the hungry countries of Africa.
Now here comes the politicians. They are going to relief areas and  evacuation centers. I appreciate them trying to give help but I do not appreciate them bringing their own media team to document the giving of reliefs. They are a bunch of plastics walking around. The real heroes in this disaster are the common Filipino people, those who volunteer, those who give their share in any manner with all their heart without expecting something in return.
Going back to the article written below, I agree that the Philippine political system remains the same. However, with the help of new technologies like Facebook, Twitter, texting, etc the people can help regulate the old political practices. Modern advances in technology can help the common Filipino to moderate the political system and finally, the new generation of voters are now more exposed, more aware, and are thinking. The new generation of voters are "rebellious". They are clamoring for change in the corrupt system and they can vote candidates at will. We saw this effect during the 2007 National elections. Politicians beware: the new generation of voters are THINKING!
On the other side of the story, it's too bad that this negative issue was focused on Senator Gordon. I'll give the good man a break in this one because as compared to most of the senators, at least he was doing something relevant. He was supervising his National Red Cross, going around helping and giving relief goods. To the other Senators, I assure you, even with your millions, you will have a hard time winning in the next elections.
Anyway, read the story below and with the arguments above, give your own opinion.

-Adobo

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From Martin Cervantes's Notes

BECAUSE OF THE COMMENTS I'M GETTING THAT WHAT TRANSPIRED is a FIGMENT OF MY IMAGINATION, i dare anyone to tell that to my FACE personally and I have A WHOLE GROUP OF PEOPLE THAT CAN VERIFY THE DETAILS OF THIS STORY.

To think the deluge of volunteerism support and the “Bayanihan” spirit of the Filipino has somewhat made me believe that this country is indeed worth figthing for, someone destroys it for me. Here’s my story.... On September 30, 2009, our company decided to volunteer with various efforts around the Metro as a genuine act of helping out those who have been ravaged by Typhoon Ondoy. I was placed under the group to support the mission of the Philippine Red Cross in Quezon City. Call time was at 8 am sharp and we got to the Evacuation center by Novaliches at around 10 am. As we were briefed what to do, we also initiated a system to keep things in order because of the number of people. At around 10:45 we were ready and so was everyone else because they’ve been there since the early part of the morning but we were informed by one of the PRC staff on site, we couldn’t give out the goods yet because “protocol” dictates that the PRC chair....Mr. Dick Gordon was going to visit and deliver some sort of speech or at least hand out the goods. We were infomed by a certain Ms. Torres that this was how it goes...we reasoned out with her that the people were lined up already and OBVIOUSLY hungry waiting for so many hours as it was. We also asked if the goods were from MR. GORDON and we were told it was donations to the Red Cross. So we kinda hinted ….we can give it then! But wait we did, by around noon, no word from the DICK and people were getting rowdy saying “Ibigay nyo na! (Give it already!) The number of people was increasing and we knew the goods provided to us would be gone in an instant. It was only a small container van of Air 21 that housed the goods and I’d approximate there were at least a 1,000 people on site.

At this point, my fellow colleagues were exasperated at what was going on. WE COULD STAY THERE the whole day to help out and make sure the people there would at least be spared from any further hurt (if losing a house wasn’t hurtful enough) by doing something significant, instead we were made to wait doing nothing just because someone wanted to use the program for his political gain. I mean, the bag only contained rice, canned goods and noodles…would it be so DIFFICULT to give this away already??!!! We were wearing our company shirts…so it looked like WE WERE THE ONES DELAYING the damn operation.

The Barangay Captain got a hold of the mic and told the people “Maswerte tayo na tayo ang pinuntahang Barangay, hinihintay lang natin ang mga panauhin natin, kaya’t wag kayong mag tampo” (We’re lucky to be the Barangay that will be visited, we’re just waiting for our guests, so don’t fret).
At almost 2 pm, I don’t know what happened but the Brgy. Captain suddenly asked all Senior citizens and pregnant women to make a new line (from the original lines) and then he started to instruct us to give out the goods…and that’s when all hell broke loose. Obviously the people in the original line weren’t too happy with the situation…even if…the idea was noble.
In the end, the stubs to claim the relief goods were more than the relief goods themselves…and I could see a lot of upset people at what had just happened….oh and the clincher of it all…..DICK MOTHER(*@#$!%^) GORDON DID NOT SHOW UP. He wanted this obviously to be a POLITICAL event for him and then decided that maybe it wasn’t worth showing up for after all.
I can’t believe that a time like this when ORDINARY people are coming together, POLITICIANS REMAIN THE SAME…AND I can only PRAY MR. GORDON that you be granted some sort of WISDOM (OR BALLS) to DECIDE WHAT YOU REALLY WANT TO DO. Don’t go on making PROTOCOLS that are STUPID AND INANE especially in times like this….people have lost their loved ones, their houses, basically everything they have and you still have the GALL to use this to YOUR Advantage.
Believe me, if you ever run for office, I WILL NEVER VOTE FOR YOU and I hope everyone who sees this blog does the same thing. It’s funny a week ago on ANC you told viewers that the reason why we’re in a rut is because our government does not have a CLEAR SYSTEM….so please EXPOUND to me how your PROTOCOL of overseeing the distribution of relief goods was more of SYSTEM rather than a POLITICAL STUNT.
DICK. I honestly believe your name suits you quite well.

Author: Martin Cervantes's  Notes
Source: Facebook, Multiple Posts and thousands of comments.

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"There Are Always Two Sides Of A Coin"

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Filipinos Are Bamboos In The Wind

Every politician has a way to cover his dirt. This fact is obviously seen when a hot issue is starting to get cold because a new issue has suddenly risen and the media is all over it not because of its relevance but because they were "paid" to blow the new issue up. This is a common practice in politics not only in the Philippines but in other countries as well.

Political issues are sometimes created deliberately to sway attention from this issue to another thus saving the political figure subject of the earlier attention. Funny thing is that most Filipinos are easily swayed by what is being presented especially if there is media influence. They will believe the words of those who are being interviewed as true and will start to pour emotional outbursts and soon a big rally will again take place. There are two sides of this situation. First, the politician who will gain from this rally will support the protesters and rallyists financially and the politician affected will counter the sway by paying for their own counter rally or creating another issue to the extreme. At the end of the game, media won and the Filipinos suffer more.



So why did I call SOME of our fellow Filipinos as Bamboos in the wind? Because just like the bamboo plants, they follow where the wind takes them. If the wind blows to the north, the bamboo follows. If the wind blows to the south, east or west, the bamboo follows. In politics, who creates the wind? I believe you know the answer to that.

And so it blows again.... whoosshhh...

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Typhoon Ondoy, When Nature Strikes Back"

Below is a compilation of pictures taken during and after the onslaught of typhoon Ondoy. Look closely at what mother nature can do to us.

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Where Are The Political Heroes During Typhoon Ondoy?

In Fairneeesssss..... 

The most prominent political figure during the typhoon onslaught is no other than presidentiable Gibo Teodoro as the head of the National Disaster Coordinating Council. He had a good moment with the press getting interviews from the media. Other presidentiables made their move by conducting relief operations and medical assistance like the group of Senator Villar, Senator Noynoy and Senator Roxas. Senator Gordon was supervising the Red Cross rescue. So far they were the only prominent political figures that did something for those who were affected by the typhoon.


I have to give it to them... thank you for running as presidentiables, otherwise, they won't be there helping openly. Why you say? Just look at the other members of the Senate. They are magicians in times of disasters, they will voluntarily disappear. How I wish all of the members of the Philippine Senate are running as president, I'm 100% sure all of them will be visible helping people in the affected areas. Some will argue that as legislators, both house and senate, it is not their function to directly help those who are affected because it is the job of the administrative government of PGMA. That maybe correct in books but not in logic. As elected officials, you owe the people service at your utmost capacity and not the other way around.

Rescue and relief operations are now being conducted metro-luzon wide and as of this time there are more than a hundred dead and hundreds more are missing. Estimated total damages is more than a billion pesos.

To those politicians visibly doing their job, I offer you a sweet adobo.

Eat it well...

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Typhoon Ondoy, September 26,2009

This is a re-post. I  feel the need to post this one. Shame on those looters!

Marikina was probably the hardest hit by the storm. According to the security guards in the nearby establishment, they have been calling the authorities for help with the woman's body. I could sense exasperation in their voices. It is understandable I told them, rescue efforts are concentrated on saving the living right now.

A lot of people tried to cross the bridge at the height of the floods yesterday. Could she be among those who dared? Or was she just trying to flee the rising waters? All that I can tell she has a small backpack with her which covered her face.

While I was photographing this a bunch of teenagers were concerned about being on camera so I avoided including them in the frame. Apparently I was inexperienced or just too trusting, as I got in the distance in the muddy highway interchange, the younger kids ran after me and told me that the woman was now being looted of her personnal belongings. I heard the guard blowing his whistle from the nearby elevated walk way. There was nothing I could do as the looters started scampering away.

I felt disturbed by the looing incident, I told the security guard what happened. Manong guard commented that a lot of people are hungry though it may be wrong but maybe from their point of view, the woman won't be needing her stuff anymore........

While I was shooting this I did not feel anything but the thought of documenting this moment. I did not have a wide angle lens ( as it was undergoing repairs ) for my digital SLR, so I took some shots as well with my film camera. Strange when I was changing the roll of film I couldn't get the film into the sprocket....

It's so muddy no one would think this is a highway interchange....

By: REMBCC
http://www.flickr.com/people/rembcc/All Credits is given to the author REMBCC whose link is provided above.

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