Posts Tagged philippine politics
Cory Aquino, the Mother of Philippine Democracy, is Free
Posted by roanne in Corazon Aquino, Philippines, Politics on August 1, 2009
Update: A funeral will be held in La Salle Greenhills for two-day public viewing.
…from pain at least. The first female president of the Philippines died today at exactly 3:18 am. This was confirmed by her son Noynoy Aquino who issued a poignant statement regarding her passing about a couple of hours after her death.
She was diagnosed with colon cancer a year ago, and was recently admitted to Makati Medical Center for over a month ’til her demise.
By her bedside were all her children, close relatives and friends. She was 76.
Her remains will be brought in Heritage Memorial Park in Makati for funeral preparations, a TV news broke in earlier this morning. A possible though not yet confirmed state funeral will be set, allowing everyone for public viewing.
Remembering Corazon Aquino
Cory Aquino’s life was very proactive, particularly on the political scene. A grieving wife to the late Senator Ninoy Aquino, she fought for democracy by means of People Power to depose Marcos’ 20 years of dictatorship. She admitted not having any knowledge regarding Presidency when she first stepped into the office in 1986. She was a nominal head to her vice president for a year, until she assumed her position on March 1986.
She was a Nobel Peace Prize Nominee, and was Time Magazine’s Woman of the Year.
I had no fond, fervid memories of Cory Aquino, I must admit. I only see her in the news, especially when there’s a rally abound akin to People Power, also trying to depose a corrupt figure head of state. I’m not a great fan of Politics. But, if a certain issue affects me so much, I can be politically motivated to fight for a cause (such as saying No to ConAss).
I guess, one thing we have in common is our love for democracy, thanks to the Athenians. She reminded me of Pericles, the greatest democratic leader of Ancient Greece, and considered a figure of political history.
Corazon Aquino: On a Personal Note
This is a first hand account story told my aunt during the Aquino administration.
She was looking for a job after graduating from college. Amidst the job-hunting, she flashed an idea of writing to the president, asking for help. She thought it was just a silly spur of whim, and never realized that to materialize. Surprisingly, Cory Aquino, who was the Philippine president back then, returned to her letter. She helped her[aunt] getting a job in a government institution–National Electrification Administration (NEA).
Some leaders may ignore a commoner’s plea, but she listened. Truly, her compassion for people is outstanding. That’s something we will sorely miss. 
No to ConArse!
Posted by roanne in Conass, HR 1109, Personal Moods, Philippines, Politics on June 5, 2009
I won’t be throwing lengthy litanies regarding this matter. But, for those of you who are not residing in the Philippines, and do not have a clue about this ConAss or ConArse thing, let me just enlighten you:
On the night of June 2, 2009, some shameful members of the Philippine Congress desperately pushed for this House Resolution No. 1109, setting up a Constituent Assembly (hence, ConAss) for charter change, which gravely threatens our democracy and its tenets we have embraced and nurtured since 1987.
These contemptible degenerates-slash-assholes belonging mostly to the majority block has no regard or respect to the country, its sovereignty and its citizens. I feel so ashamed that our representative of 4th District in Quezon City, Cong. Matthias Defensor, is one of these democratic traitors who supported such vile House bill. Oh well, what can you expect from him? He is the father of Mike Defensor, who is undoubtedly a staunch ally of the corrupt Arroyo administration. Truly, birds of the same feather flock together.
Jeopardizing the fate of our constitution by this resolution in the evil hopes of proliferating the Arroyos’ and its cronies’ power is just flat out abominable, unacceptable and sickening to the stomach. Thus, we are not idiots who cannot read between the lines that Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo wants to extend her presidential term into years and years to come, in the guise of this rubbish, purportedly innocuous bill.
My Say to HR 1109:
More Posts regarding HR 1109:
Oppose Constituent Assembly – About my Recovery
Bloggers on Conass – Caffeine Sparks
Manuel L. Quezon III’s Inquirer Column – The Phoney War
Showdown? – Manuel L. Quezon III
Filipino Voices Contributor Cocoy’s take on HR 1109 – Filipino Voices
Primer Pagunuran’s Postscript to HB 1109 – Filipino Voices
Purposedly Untitled
Posted by roanne in Book Blockade, Personal Moods, Twitter on May 21, 2009
Here I am, curled up in my seat, due to the vast coldness of artificial breeze circulating inside this room. Hence, this is why the air conditioning system is made for, at least in the tropical country like the Philippines. It curbs you from painstakingly bearing the scorching heat outside. Not all of my folks are lucky though, since those donning the blue collar have no choice but to withstand the heat, whilst drudging all day long outside. And, this is for some damn work that challenges their physical strength to the limits, yet helping them pay their bills and fend their families.
Fine. Enough of the literary gab, let’s go to the main issue. It’s not about the air conditioning system for that matter, nor another workforce issue.
It’s about the Great Book Blockade. Yes, I know you’ve been hearing stories like these on blogs, and curiously seeing hashtags of it on Twitter.
I must admit that I am not a bookworm myself. I rarely read books, but it’s really sick to know that I am fond of buying them. For what? I really don’t get to read them asap anyway. But, every book bought, and prominently displayed on my bedside, is like an apparition that reminds me to leaf a page or two, and make myself a pundit for that particular read. I have shared my love in literature by writing prose and poetry since high school. I believe, I even have some poems published online before.
This just showed me my marginal concern about the book blockade issue. I was like, “what the heck?” Then, I shrugged off and go back to work. But, as everything becomes clear to me regarding this ridiculous taxation of books (that overtly breaches the Florence Agreement), I felt deeply concerned about fighting against it. Why the fuck does the government (Philippine customs in particular) pushes through such moronic and no less than anomalous way of enriching themselves through such legalized embezzlement? The term sounds pretty much oxymoronic, but that’s how I could simply put it.
Another political assholery in the making, that I truly know of. Now, shelling out a decent price of Php 300 for a worthy read will soon be far-fetched, as book prices are expected to surge up more than your income raise. It’s like your dream book has yet to become more evasive, simply because you can hardly afford it.
Clearly, you guys sitting there, enjoying your pork barrel and under-the-table cuts, DO NOT KNOW YOUR JOB. Your job is not to huddle over and join the hodgepodge of attention-seeking whores who are insanely adamant to make a BIG fuss over those scandalous videos that are quite making a huge public noise these days. I mean, I feel sorry for those involved in such lewd scandals. I myself had quite a few moments sympathizing to those who were abused and whom their privacies were harshly invaded. But, I hope those who are in the legislature will keep their mouths shut from prattling clamorously nonsense, and leave this issue to the proper authorities.
I just hope people will continuously push this movement against the book blockade, and I hope those in the top spots would lend their ears and eventually have the brains as well as the heart to listen to us.
Also, check MLQ III’s post regarding the Book Blockade.
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