Hay naku…again! Is this so-called “declaration of war against drugs”, part of the administration’s strategy to justify the sonas (special raiding operations) that the police and the PDEA would undertake in depressed areas in relation to the SONA?
It seems so since Malacanang had found a convenient excuse to rationalize so-called anti-drugs raids in depressed areas in Metro Manila. My sources in the urban poor groups say additional military and police personnel are frequenting their place more often than before. Why? It seems very suspicious since its only a few days before the State of the Nation Address (SONA). Are police and military elements targetting anti-Arroyo urban poor groups preparing for the biggest rally against Arroyo come July 27?
This validates my earlier entry on the planned sona activities of the police in depressed areas. Also, these areas are being militarized, in the name of anti-drugs campaigns. I just hope that Magdalo elements in PDEA will not allow themselves to be used as Mrs. Arroyo’s version of Macoy’s once dreaded police force.
NCRPO chief Director Roberto Rosales is fielding 12,000 cops. PNP plans to repulse the huge rally expected come July 27. PNP Chief Jesus Verzosa already gave the go-signal for police units to implement special clearing operations or sonas in depressed areas, particularly those near the Batasang Pambansa. The PNP is also looking at securing oil depots and the Tondo area—traditional places where rally organizers get those warm bodies we see always in almost all rallies.
Comelec has just released Resolution 8646 detailing the dates and schedules of their activities for the 2010 elections. For those who want to register their organizations as partylist groups, the deadline is on August 17, 2009, or a month from now. Deadline for nominating party representatives for all elective posts is slated on September while filing of candidacies will start on November 20 and end on the 30th, 2009. Meaning, the formal start of political campaign pressure will be next month, August.
As of this point, there still seems to be no definitive tandems as yet, although what is quite clear at this juncture is the candidacy of Mar Roxas for the presidency. Mar Roxas just released the second Padyak installment (check it out in YouTube). There are strong rumours of a Roxas-Pangilinan tandem.
Manny Villar is still suspiciously silent. He is brokering a de Castro deal, although I think it is only feasible if Lakas-Kampi fails to nominate him as their standard bearer. De Castro enjoys lots of support from Lakas despite not being a member of the party. Some are pushing for a De Castro-Puno tandem, but it would take lots of convincing for Teodoro to slide down to a senatorial campaign. There are really very strong supporters of Gibo urging him to run for the top post.
If Lakas-Kampi settles for a De Castro-Puno tandem, that would open the possibility of Teodoro running as an independent, which, would be a kiss of death for him since he does not have a very strong grassroots machinery. He could, however, team up with Chiz Escudero, should NPC decides not to make Loren Legarda as standard bearer. The chances of Legarda being the NPC presidential candidate is very slim, at this point. Yes, Legarda may probably end up as Joseph Estrada’s running mate.
So, for now, the possible tandems are the following:
Mar-Kiko for the Liberal Party
Manny Villar for the Nacionalista (Villar-De Castro or De Castro-Villar are possibilities)
De Castro-Puno or Teodoro-Puno or De Castro-Teodoro for Lakas Kampi
Teodoro-Escudero or Escudero-Teodoro or Escudero-Legarda for NPC
Estrada-Legarda for UNO
For the senatoriables, those who expressed their desires already are the following:
1. Grace Padaca, governor of Isabela
2. Joey de Venecia III
3. General Danny Lim
4. General Ariel Querubin
5. Whistle blower Jun Lozada
6. Adel Tamano, running under the Nacionalista Party
7. Juan Ponce Enrile (re-election)
8. Jamby Madrigal (re-election)
9. Jinggoy Estrada (re-election)
10. Teofisto Guingona III
11. Jesli Lapus (current Education secretary)
12. Edu Manzano
Ritz Carlton bombed
At least nine people died while 50 were injured when two improvised explosive devices (IED) exploded in the busy Mega Kuningan business district of downtown Jakarta, Indonesia today. Reports say both the Ritz-Carlton and the Marriott hotels were damaged. Some of those injured are Westerners. No Filipino was reported to be among the casualties.
Pfizer Gen. Mngr Albert G. Mateo Jr. shown here in the middle
Do you know why medicines, especially hypertensive drugs are priced four times higher than those in India? Because pharma companies, says Senators Juan Ponce-Enrile and Mar Roxas, like Pfizer Philippines, Wyeth, Sanofi, Roche and even Zuellig Pharma are probably colluding with government not to implement the Cheaper Medicine bill? This is what transpired during the Senate probe chaired by no less than Senator Mar Roxas and Senate president Juan Ponce-Enrile today.
Pfizer and Roche Philippines also confirmed the meeting they had with Mrs. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
Reiner Gloor, executive director of the Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Association of the Philippines and chair of its ethics committee, confirmed that Pfizer thru its Country Manager/representative Alberto Mateo allegedly made the Offer to Department of Health secretary Francisco Duque. The offer was made before the publication of the list of the maximum retail price (MRP) for essential medicines last month. The offer, however, was supposedly rejected by Duque.
Gloor once headed Zuellig Pharma in the Philippines and now serve as vice chairman of the Zuellig Foundation, a non-stock, non-profit corporation. While Alberto Mateo serves as General Manager of the pharmaceutical division, a promotion after serving for some years as Finance and Business Development director. He’s also Pfizer Foundation chairman.
Enrile described the offer as tantamount to a “bribe”.
During the questioning, Gloor also confirmed that it was Pfizer Philippines which initiated the meeting with Mrs. Arroyo. Present during that closed door meeting were Duque, Trade secretary Peter Favila, representatives of Pfizer and Roche Philippines.
The meeting, which was held during the inauguration of the Dr. Eva Macaraeg Macapagal Geriatric Hospital last July 8, was requested by Pfizer. The President was accompanied by Secretary Duque, Trade Secretary Peter Favila, Trade Assistant Secretary Ma. Lourdes Baua, Congressman Benny Abante, Congressman Junie Cua and DOH-National Drug Policy Program Manager Dr. Robert Louie So.
The multinational industry, on the other hand, was represented by top management namely Mr. Albert Mateo of Pfizer, Mr. Augusto Villanueva of Roche, Mr. Reiner Gloor of PHAP/Zuellig, Mr. Andrew Santos of Wyeth and Mr. Caloy Realuyo of Sanofi.
Arroyo reportedly remarked that she’ll sign the Cheap Medicines bill into a law if ” they (pharma companies) can’t come up with something commendable and good.” Gloor and Augusto Villanueva, Roche Philippines representative, however, did not say what Arroyo meant by “commendable and good.”
Gloor said that it was Mr. Albert Mateo of Pfizer who made the offer before Mrs. Arroyo.
Mike Arroyo and Gloria Arroyo
A lovely scene or he’s just checking if it’s real?
Gloria Arroyo reviews military detail
A force numbering 12,000 cops and soldiers are being trained to serve as an augmentation and peace-keeping force ahead of the State of the Nation Address (SONA), the last one of Mrs. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on July 27.
National Capital Region Command Major General Jogy Leo Fojas said troops are being prepared to secure Congress for the SONA. While at least 9 to 12,000 policemen are on standby to maintain order, says Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director Jesus Verzosa. To aid in the security preparations, cops are scheduled to conduct special clearing operations in certain places in the metropolis.
The extra security came amidst talks of alleged terrorist threats and destabilization. Yesterday, the entire country was placed on full alert, reportedly to prevent a spillover of terror attacks from Mindanao. Just this week, a string of bomb attacks hit cities in Mindanao, which authorities say are the handiwork of regional terror group, Jemaah Islamiya.
Opposition groups criticized the plan, describing it as “overkill.” Palace press secretary Cerge Remonde said the extra precaution is necessary to prevent violence.
The question really is—who are they afraid of? It seems that this government is anticipating something serious to happen in the SONA. Are they afraid that people might just explode into a rage after Congress convenes itself into a Constituent Assembly?
Philippine Volcanology and Seismology raises the alert status of Mayon Volcano to alert level number 1. What it means is that people will see the visible crater glow and an increase in magmatic activity. Mayon Volcano is one of the Philippines’ most active volcanoes. PHILVOCS says expect more magma flows and earthquakes within the area.
“Nakakabilib naman ang AFP,” says my friend, Mang Tonyo. ” Imagine, in today’s Inquirer headline, they predicted that the next target for the bombings would be Metro Manila. How ingenious. It’s either they’re manghuhulas or they’re friends of the terrorists.”
NCRCommand Chief Fojas and NCRPO Chief Rosales are one in placing the entire Metro Manila under full alert, as a “precautionary measure” against possible spillover bomb attacks. They even pinpointed the Congress and military camps as the next targets. Quite admirable, since, they already knew that terrorists walk the metropolis but they, as yet, found it quite difficult to arrest them. What’s the purpose of the anti-terror or Human Security Act?
Ah, I know. The act will be used against anti charter change rallyists. PNP Chief Director General Jesus Verzosa said that one or two days prior to the SONA, they will be conducting their own “sonas” or special clearing operations in areas near Congress and places where you’ll traditionally find rallyists coming from.
So, these bombings are really being used afterall as a ruse to justify a crackdown on anti charter change rallyists, not on those so-called terrorists roaming the Metro. For the Arroyo regime, the real terrorists are anti-charter change Filipinos who want nothing more than to prevent Congress from convening itself into a Constituent Assembly.
Ah, so then, this regime is using every trick in the martial law rulebook (as described by Makati mayor Jejomar Binay) just so that they can ram charter change down our throats. Ingenious. They’re preparing really for a showdown.
Are they also prepared to fight thousands of INCs who’ll populate the entire Congressional avenue against cha-cha? Are they willing to fight God’s people?
Is Gloria really ready to face thousands upon thousands of people who’ll march against her despotic regime should she continue her evil plan?
This administration is determined to use every trick possible, legal or unconstitutional, just so that charter change pushes thru. They’ll be using the military, once described by Defense secretary Gilbert Teodoro as a professional institution, into a personal fighting machine of this regime. They’ll use their power to force the people to accept something which they already expressed their opposition.
Patay kung patay, as what Jose de Venecia Jr. described the demeanor and thinking of palace hawks in 2007. Arroyo’s minions are determined to fight it out once the people move against the regime. They’re just afraid, says JDV, because their time of reckoning is fast approaching and they fear for the worst. So, predicted JDV and Binay, they’ll use state power to further repress and oppress the people.
Now that we know that these instabilities and peace and order problems are just part of the overall scheme to justify the use of state power, the question is–what are we going to do about it? Will we just sit on idly by and watch as these things unfold?
YES.
Let them do their thing. Let them plunge this country into total chaos. Let them plunder still our coffers. Let them intensify the oppression, the hunger, the repressive things and just push the envelope a little bit further.
I urge the Patriots–let them do their thing. In fact, come the SONA, let no one come near Congress or Malacanang to protest the convening of Congress into a Constituent Assembly.
Why?
God is a god of Justice. He sees all. Let them humiliate themselves before the eyes of the world. Let them alone bear the consequences of their illegal action. By the time that they’re finished, God will unleash His Army upon them and like what happened to the Philistines of old, fire will definitely consume them all. Some will be burned at the stake while others chained and imprisoned in the deepest pits and dungeons.
Leon Panetta
Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Chief Leon Panetta’s hush-hush expected visit this Sunday has stirred a veritable hornet’s nest in Metro Manila.
Panetta, says some sources, will visit the Philippines to monitor developments, both political and terrorist-related. However, some say, Panetta’s mission is to “talk with Mrs. Arroyo” and “convey or reiterate Washington’s displeasure” over reports indicating efforts being made by Arroyo’s group to prolong the stay of their boss.Panetta will only stay in the Philippines for 12 hours.
Panetta is the second highest official of the Barack Obama government to be visiting the Philippines. A few weeks ago, Defense secretary Robert Gates visited the country while Mrs. Arroyo was on a state visit in Japan. Gates met Philippine defense secretary Gilbert Teodoro. During Gates’ visit, the official reiterated the desire of Washington for the Philippines to adhere to the democratic process of succession through elections.
Last week, at the height of bomb scares and attacks in both Metro Manila and Mindanao, US Ambassador Kristie Kenney again conveyed publicly Washington’s desire to see the 2010 elections push thru as scheduled. Kenney even reiterated the official Washington line—that the Obama administration believes in term limits.
Panetta’s would-be visit comes at a time of great uncertainty in both the security and political situation in the Philippines. A string of bomb attacks have hit Mindanao, with the AFP blaming rogue Bangsamoro elements and terror groups. This visit also comes at a time when both the political opposition and the government of Mrs. Arroyo are blaming each other for the bomb attacks. No one has come forward to claim responsibility, an oddity since, in previous terror attacks in Manila, particularly those instigated by lawless terrorists, a statement usually is issued shortly after the attacks.
Shortly after bombs went off successively in the volatile region of Mindanao, the Armed Forces of the Philippines placed the entire Metro Manila under full alert. This, says National Capital Region Command chief Major General Jogy Fojas, is part of efforts to protect the metropolis from terror attacks. Fojas earlier told reporters that some elements of Jemaah Islamiya, a regional terror group and the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) were spotted in Metro Manila a few weeks prior to the spate of bombings in certain cities in Mindanao.
Meanwhile, the AFP said rogue elements used the “bomb signatures” of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) special operations group to mislead probers on who really did those bombings which killed at least 40 people in Mindanao. National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales meanwhile, dismissed the angle blaming elements of the CPP-NPA-NDF and the political opposition as behind the bomb attacks. He, nonetheless, hinted of the possible involvement of at least two groups. He also said the bombing attacks in Metro Manila are unrelated to those in Mindanao. Gonzales said the ones which happened in Metro Manila are politically motivated while possible terror groups are involved in the bombing attacks in Cotabato, Sulu, Lanao and Maguindanao.
Fojas said three to four members of the regional terror group are being monitored. It was not explained though why the AFP failed to arrest the suspects. Probably realizing his mistake, Fojas immediately made a caveat, saying that the information on these alleged terrorist bombers would still be verified.
Opposition groups, however, doubt the real reason behind the change of alert status, from white to full alert. Former Senate President Franklin Drilon thinks that Malacanang is preparing for the declaration of martial rule. He says that there is a plan to replace Defense secretary Gilbert Teodoro with DPWH secretary Hermogenes Ebdane. Ebdane is a close Arroyo associate, credited of having played a very crucial role in installing Arroyo to power.
Some quarters however, believe that Mrs. Arroyo plans to heighten public fears of instability and the breakdown of law and order in Mindanao to justify a selective declaration of martial rule. Political pundits insist that Mrs. Arroyo’s game plan seems to favor putting ARMM and the entire Mindanao region under martial rule ahead of the 2010 elections. This strategy, they say, is part of efforts to control Mindanao, once the main area where electoral cheating occurs.
