2005 Philippine Politics in Review

2005 Philippine Politics in Review
by Prof. John N. Ponsaran
Development Studies Program
University of the Philippines-Manila


High-profile scandals have shaken the Arroyo administration—one after the other. Charges of illegal gambling pay-off dubbed as the ‘jueteng-gate scandal’ were also leveled against her husband, eldest son and brother-in-law. Ironically, the First Family is also being charged of the same offense which troubled the First Family of former President Estrada towards the end of his incumbency. Mrs. Arroyo, on the other hand, reiterates that the allegations hurled against her family are baseless and politically-motivated.

Another major blow for Mrs. Arroyo was the so-called “Hello, Garci” scandal. The alleged wiretapped phone conversation between Mrs. Arroyo and former Comelec Commissioner Virgilio Garcillano fueled the suspicion that massive and well-orchestrated poll fraud transpired in the 2004 election thereby putting her legal mandate as president in question. The controversial wiretapped recordings contained the details of the following points of conversation which bolstered the public suspicion about her illegitimacy:
• means to guarantee her presidential victory (legal or otherwise)
• means to hold back a potential witness to the election fraud allegations
• means to ensure political loyalty of generals in the military hierarchy

On June 27 this year, or 3 weeks after the tapes were released, Mrs. Arroyo admitted for speaking to a Comelec official at the height of the election canvassing, and apologized for doing so. But she vehemently denied that she was behind any move to manipulate the election results. The Palace likewise dismissed the testimonies of the witnesses as mere fabrications to discredit her administration.

The alleged military connection in the vote-rigging of 2004 election results brings to the fore yet another suspicion that the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is deeply involved in partisan politics. Section 5 Paragraph 3 of Article XVI (General Provisions) of the 1987 Constitution states that “The armed forces shall be insulated from partisan politics. No member of the military shall engage directly or indirectly in any partisan political activity except to vote.”

In her bid to ensure political survival, Mrs. Arroyo used the politics of patronage and accommodation to gain needed support.

A case in point is the alleged fertilizer scam. Local executives and congressmen were said to have benefited from the Php 728 million fertilizer fund in exchange for their support for the presidential bid of Mrs. Arroyo. Former Undersecretary Jocelyn Bolante, the principal figure in the alleged scam, sneaked out of the country when it was at its height. Suspicions were raised that the Palace may have been behind his escape in an attempt to cover up the truth. The same suspicion was elicited when Mr. Garcilliano was nowhere to be found during the height of the congressional inquiry.

Events have placed Mrs. Arroyo’s moral authority to govern in question.

The leadership crisis that has beset the presidency has led to various alternative proposals from sectors representing the entire political spectrum. These include military junta, democratic people’s council, constitutional succession of the Vice-President, transition caretaker government, martial law, power-sharing with the opposition (60-40 option), snap election, and Charter change (Cha-cha). This has only further heightened the level of uncertainty in the public’s mind.

Meanwhile, bureaucratic corruption and inefficiency have taken a heavy toll on the country’s economic performance. In the 2005 Index of Economic Freedom reported by The Heritage and The Wall Street Journal, the Philippines ranked 90 out of the 161 countries in terms of economic freedom. The report attributes the poor performance of the country to political instability, poor governance, economic mismanagement and vulnerability to external shocks. It also underscored that cases of corruption continue to exist up to the highest levels of government.


Impeachment Bid: A Political Battle

Initially the leaders of the political opposition (forerunners of the impeachment bid) were confident that the case against Mrs. Arroyo was very strong so that the possibility of turning it over to the Senate for full trial was very high as only one-third of congressmen were needed.

However, in support of her continued stayed in office, pro-Arroyo solons used legal maneuvers and numerical supremacy to thwart the impeachment complaint. The complaint was deemed insufficient in substance and so was not forwarded to the Senate for investigation. Consequently, a series of street protests occurred which fueled a higher level of discontent but were not widely supported.

Despite not being given the impeachment complaint to review, the Senate continued independent inquiries, which the Palace considered as a ‘serial impeachment’ masquerading as a legitimate senate investigation, to revive the charges against the President. The supporters of Mrs. Arroyo claimed that these Senate probes are mere ‘re-runs’ of the charges in the thwarted impeachment bid and were bit a desperate attempt to grab political power from the Arroyo government.



People’s Initiatives: Hallmark of Democracy

Year 2005 saw greater, albeit loosely consolidated, civil society participation in influencing and redirecting the political affairs of the country.

One of the more active is the Black and White Movement (BWM). BWM, a broad coalition of civil society groups, aims for the non-violent removal of Mrs. Arroyo from office through a nationwide information and signature campaign. In order to ensure an honest and credible election, BWM is also demanding a major overhaul of the Commission on Elections (Comelec). The BWM administrative reform agenda includes election, judicial, economic, pro-poor, bureaucratic, military and constitutional reforms.

Another people’s initiative is the Citizen’s Congress for Truth and Accountability (CCTA). CCTA was formed by various civil society groups headed by former Vice-President Teofisto Guingona to serve as a fact-finding body where evidence about the alleged 2004 election fraud, massive human rights violations, and dubious contracts entered into by the government under the Arroyo administration (i.e., Venable LLP contract, the Northrail project, etc.) can be presented and investigated.

The Palace contends that the investigation by the CCTA has no legal basis and that the people behind it may even be charged for inciting to sedition. It also dismissed CCTA as a mere ‘kangaroo court’ and a mockery of the judicial process.

Street parliamentarians have been active rabid critics of the Arroyo administration and have staged a series of rallies. Many in society, especially the middle class, have little optimism anything positive expected from the present dispensation. On top of that, no opposition leader has arisen to unite their ranks.



The Contentious Timing of Cha-cha

Former President Fidel V. Ramos and Speaker Jose de Venecia, staunch allies of President Arroyo, have been in the forefront of the move to initiate a change in the constitution (Charter change or Cha-cha). For Mr. Ramos, “The only solution to the country’s problem will be an accelerated Cha-cha.” On how to do it, Speaker de Venecia proposed the transformation of the Congress into a Constituent Assembly (ConAss) where both Chambers would sit as one Charter-amending body to facilitate the proposed constitutional changes. Most senators are against it, preferring a Constitutional Convention (ConCon) instead. Here, we see a potential Senate-House of Representatives stand-off.

The Cha-cha proposal surfaced at the height of the impeachment motion against the President leading to the perception by the political opposition that it is a smokescreen to divert the public’s attention from Mrs. Arroyo’s alleged direct hand over the 2004 election fraud. For them, Cha-cha is uncalled for and untimely especially at this point of intense political crisis and divisiveness.



ConCom: Purveyor of Cha-cha?

To jump-start the drafting of the proposal for Cha-cha, a consultative constitutional commission (ConCom) headed by Dr. Jose Abueva was convened by the Palace. According to the Palace, the national delegates are men and women of national standing, experienced in government or with known competence and credibility in their respective fields. The regional delegates, on the other hand, are selected from the sectors of the peasants, fisherfolks, indigenous people, laborers, professionals, military, academic and business, among others. Recently, Mrs. Arroyo increased the number of ConCom delegates from 50 to 55 to allow wider participation and broader representation of constituencies at the national, regional and sectoral levels.

ConCom’s areas of concern include:
• shift from presidential to parliamentary form of government
• shift from unitary to federal government
• political reform
• judicial reform
• electoral reform
• economic reform

The political opposition, on the other hand, perceives ConCom as a mere rubber stamp of the Palace. In the same vein, the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ) views it as a bid by Mrs. Arroyo to popularize Cha-cha so as to gain a wide base of support. Nationalists strongly argue that the proposed amendments in the economic provisions to allow 100% full liberalization of the economy will further trample upon the national sovereignty of the Philippines.



Drumbeaters of Federalism

According to Senator Aquilino Pimentel, a Mindanaoan, the shift from unitary to federal form of government will answer the long-running problem of poverty and secessionism in Muslim Mindanao. Local government leaders who advocate federalism point out that it will facilitate political reform, institutionalize decentralization and strengthen local economies. ConCom reported that federalism enjoys strong support from people in Visayas and Mindanao. This can be attributed to the strong sentiment of Visayans and Mindanaoans against the dominance of so called ‘Imperial Manila,’ where economic growth and development is concentrated.

For her part, Mrs. Arroyo has stated that the shift to a parliamentary-federal government will overhaul the country’s dysfunctional political system and prevent looming anarchy, which emasculates the government and hinders an economy “poised for take-off.” She argues that the presidential system only results in deadlock which hinders the swift passage of much-needed legislative socio-economic reforms. Under a parliamentary system, she emphasized that the Palace-Senate stand-off over cases similar to that of the detention of National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales will be avoided.

She cautions that if the presidential form of government is retained, her predicament will just be replicated with every presidency. As such, it will only perpetuate the cycle of political instability. To replace a president under a presidential system is a complicated and dislocative effort, while to change a prime minister only requires a vote of no confidence in the parliament. But will there be any difference at all in a new system with the same set of faces?

Bottom line: With the present brand of political culture in the Philippines, any form of government will only lead to a vicious cycle of capricious change.



(Un)Popularity of GMA

Mrs. Arroyo placed no. 4 in the U.S.-based Forbes magazine’s list of the world’s 100 most powerful women. The ranking was mainly based on visibility and economic impact. But Forbes magazine cautioned that President Arroyo “could be off” should the impeachment proceeding prosper in proving her guilty of the accusations hurled against her. In the event, they didn’t prosper.

The public, however, has a far less favorable opinion of her with some 52% of the populace disapproving of her performance and a staggering 64% wanting her out of office. In reaction, Mrs. Arroyo had this to say, “The presidency is not a popularity contest because in order to fix things, we have to do things that are unpopular.” She assured the business community that she would remain committed to focusing on her job and fully carrying out her economic recovery reforms. But except for a couple of tax measures it’s not too clear what these are. What the administration claims to be strong points are:

• record high tourist arrivals
• potential for medical/health tourism
• stronger currency against the dollar
• large inflow of remittances from OFWs
• resilient drive against bird flu and international terrorism
• expanding call center industry and other BPOs

She lamented the fact that media has downplayed these accomplishments in favor of the bad news, and castigated media for being a party to the propaganda warfare launched by the political opposition to destabilize her administration.


Table 1: Comparative Performance Ratings of Mrs. Arroyo
(Pulse Asia Survey, March-October 2005)

Response March ‘05* June ‘05 July ‘05 October ‘05
Approve 38 25 19 24
Undecided 27 28 22 24
Disapprove 34 46 58 52
Net 4 -21 -39 -28

*before the Garci controversy erupted



Table 2: Most Beneficial Political Scenario
(Pulse Asia Survey, October 15-27, 2005)

Most Beneficial Political Scenario %
President Arroyo resigns 58
President Arroyo continues 35
A coup takes place 4
A foreign government gets involved 2




Looming Martial Law?

Members of the opposition perceive the possible passage of the anti-terrorism bill as a sign of a looming martial law regime. Senator Jinggoy Estrada and Rep. Roilo Golez who were once sponsors of the anti-terrorism bill have withdrawn their support because of the possibility that the Palace might use it against the ranks of the opposition. Such fear would seem exaggerated, nonetheless. But some of the contentious provisions questioned by the opposition such as the prolonged detention without charges, warrantless arrests and restriction on freedom of association could, indeed, be misused.

Sociologist Randy David has warned that the anti-terror bill could bring with it the danger of easily being used as an instrument to exercise unaccountable power. Senate President Franklin Drilon, on the other hand, disagrees, pointing out that even the most democratic states like U.S. and Great Britain have anti-terror legislation.

Human rights advocates underscore the seeming parallelisms of Mrs. Arroyo’s regime with that of the Marcos dictatorship in the 1970’s with the implementation of a series of pre-emptive policies such as Executive 0rder 464 (which requires that all administration personnel obtain the President’s permission before testifying in Congress), calibrated pre-emptive response (that allows the police to “quell” street demonstrations) and revival of Marcos’ B.P. 880 (which restrains street protests without permit). Rather than quelling demonstrations these preemptive acts may, in fact, heighten them.

Comparisons were also made between the presidencies of Mrs. Arroyo and Mr. Estrada with respect to how their respective administrations handled legitimate dissent. References to the Arroyo administration were made to highlight the manner of dispersing civil disturbances with the use of the state’s security forces. Mr. Estrada was said to have been more tolerant of legitimate dissent like street protests. Media organizations which are critical of her presidency are equally bothered with the pattern of her administration’s anti-democratic leanings.

The Palace, however, justifies these pre-emptive policies as necessary to maintain the chain of command and protect commerce, mobility, livelihood and the over-all peace and order of the nation.

The idea of a martial law does not sit well with the public. In fact, almost 70% of the population is against it. According to the AFP, the current situation does not warrant it yet—which renders the public in suspended terror.




The Politics of Power Dynamics

There was a move in the Upper House to replace Senate President Franklin Drilon is seen as an off-shoot of his withdrawal of support from President Arroyo, but it failed. Sen. Drilon, however, does have a term-sharing arrangement with Sen. Manny Villar with the changeover occurring in July 2006. The preference of some senators for Sen. Villar over Sen. Drilon to head the Senate is bolstered by the former’s perceived capacity to tread its path into becoming a truly independent institution while pursuing a ‘principled cooperation” with the Palace in the area of legislation (especially with pro-poor legislative agenda).

Attempts to form a new majority coalition will remain as a party agenda. Expectedly, this will result to a new re-alignment of forces in the Senate. The configuration in the Upper Chamber, as well as in the other branches of the government, is still as unpredictable given the politics of personality and personal convenience inherent in the Philippine political system.

The Lakas-Christian and Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD), party of the President, is organizing towards strengthening itself in preparation for shift in the form of government from presidential to parliamentary. Cabinet revamps are also underway with a number of positions still being held by Officers-in-Charge, and as the President realigns her political forces.

The recent move to declare all committee chairmanships vacant in the House of Representatives is an off-shoot of the impeachment case, with those who supported impeachment losing their chairmanships. The pro-GMA bloc justified the reorganization as being to maintain the cohesiveness of the majority, not to get back at former GMA supporters who sided with the opposition during the impeachment bid.

The Senate and the House of Representative are entangled in another political stand-off involving the Senate hearings over the fertilizer fund scam which involves several congressmen who are calling on the Senate to exercise inter-parliamentary courtesy. Apparently this is considered more important than finding out if some scandalous activity did occur. Another source of growing political tension between the two Chambers is the House’s call for a unicameral legislature, which for obvious reasons the Senate does not support.

Efforts were made by the President to forge unity in the government earlier this year when she organized a summit to try to establish a government of national unity and reconciliation by convening both pro- and anti-administration political parties. But it didn’t work, only the confrontational politics of Mrs. Arroyo took its toll.

The lack of closure in the alleged vote rigging in the 2004 elections will continue to haunt the President with the appearance of Mr. Garcillano complicating the picture. A second impeachment case will inevitably be attempted in June next year but, like the first, is unlikely to prosper. But, also like the first, will destruct the country’s leaders from focusing on the work they really have to do.

Thorny Issues with U.S.

Thorny Issues in Philippine-U.S. Relations

The Philippine-U.S. relationship is one of the potentially critical issues to watch.
• the withdrawal of Filipino soldiers in Iraq;
• the espionage of Filipino agents involving confidential documents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI);
• the content of the supposed report of the U.S. Embassy in Manila assessing the volatile political situation in the Philippines (Mrs. Arroyo described as weak and overbearing with little popular credibility, Mr. de Castro as inept and unfit, Mr. Ramos’ link to coup plots, etc.);
• the alleged rape charges against 6 American servicemen;
• and the heated debate about the proposed full liberalization of the Philippine economy.

Nonetheless, in the face of mounting controversies surrounding the GMA presidency, the U.S. government remained supportive of Mrs. Arroyo. In public statements, the U.S. government has reiterated that it will not support any extra-constitutional means to unseat the President.

Pagbati

Binabati ko ang klase para sa matagumpay na pagtatanghal ng unang DS 100 ACLE na may temang 'Mapagpalayang Kultura tungo sa Pag-unlad'. Kahanga-hanga ang inyong pagiging malikhain, maparaan, kritikal at malalim.

Kahanga-hanga rin ang balangkas ni Jeremy para sa daloy ng programa at ang pambungad na pananalita ni MK. Lumutang din ang madamdaming pagganap ni Bb. Viterbo sa pantomime, maging ang mga mapanuring tula nina Bb. Esteban at Bb. Macapagal. Siyempre, pati yung pag-awit ni Ms. Escanillas ng 'Rosas ng Digma' na kinagiliwan ng lahat.

Ipinapaabot din ng klase ang pasasalamat sa mga dumalong hurado na sina Bb. Bayhonan (DS), G. Gabuna (DS), Bb. Guballa (DS), Bb. Garrido (Orcom)at G. Geronimo (OrCom). Ganoon din para sa iba pang mga bisitang nakibahagi.

Debt Management Strategies (Econ 101)

Merits and Demerits

• debt cancellation
• debt cap
• debt moratorium
• debt repudiation (total)
• debt repudiation (partial)
• debt forgiveness
• debt swap (debt- for- nature swap)
• debt-for-equity

Quotes from Management by Culture (F. Landa Jocano, 1999)

"Essentially a borrowed concept from Western industrial societies, Philippine industrial relations was increasingly becoming dysfunctional in practice and irrelevant as a field of study with its ethnocentric orientation." (v)

"Too often a business relationship suffers because managers, supervisors and workers do not communicate well enough to work as a team." (p.1)

"Constrained conformity is part of the Filipino cultural orientation. It is deeply ingrained in the value system. Many foreigners view this trait as lack of frankness, concealed dishonesty, and lack of intellectual integrity." (p.4)

"One of the many things that managers and supervisors often overlook is the fact that management is not all business; it is also a social and cultural encounter." (p.7)

"Successful leadership must have a tinge of personal touch." (p.37)

"Strictly, however, dependency in the Filipino culture does not connote 'total reliance on someone else for existence' but an expectation that 'there is someone one can trust in time of need'." (p.39)

"Management by culture gives due recognition to, and respect for, the influence of culture on behavior and tells the manager how to use the people's patterned ways of thinking, believing, feeling and doing things to enhance corporate success." (p.82)

"One has to remember that effective management is the function of the congruence between the principles of modern management and the elements of culture in the environment where the corporation operates." (p.129)

"We need to keep in mind that there is no one universal culture. there is also no single business culture." (p.133)

Highlights of the ACLE (3 December, QC Memorial Circle sponsored by KATRIBU, KAMP, TABAK)

>Economic dislocation of the Atis from Guimaras Island
>Plight of the Atis in the highlands of Montalban, Rizal
>Murder of Nicanor de los Santos (for opposing the construction of the Laiban dam)
>Looming Martial Law (CPR, ATB, etc.)
>Mode of production of the national minorities
>Socio-political structure of the national minorities (council of elders)
>IP's concept of land ownership (vs. the government's)
>Manifestations of ethnocide (plunder of the environment, development aggression, divide and rule tactics, etc.)
>Relevance of advocacy work to advance the struggle of the IPs towards the self-determination
>Manifestations of ethnocentrism
>Impacts of state legislations to the life and livelihood of the IPs (Mining Act of 1995, IFMA, IPRA of 1997, Eco-tourism, NIPAS of 1992, etc.)

where to buy (good) books around UPM

solidaridad (along faura)-pag-aari ni f. sionil jose. specialized na book shop ito para sa agham panlipunan at literatura, may kamahalan pero nandito ang mga bagong lathalang babasahin. namimigay din sila ng lumang kopya (back-issues) ng Solidarity dati (hindi na 'ata ngayon). kalimitan din itong binibisita ng mga academics, statesmen, at foreign dignitaries.

powerbooks (robplace)-mahal pero sulit. bihirang-bihira ako sumadya dito. si jm eneria (ds major) ang mas pamilyar dito.

booksale (pedro gil cor. leon guinto)-mura pero konting tiyagaan nga lamang sa paghahanap. mas malimit ako rito noong estudyante pa lang ako.

booksale (robplace-adriatico wing)-same as the above. kalakhan ng kolekyon ko ay dito ko nabili (mula sa halagang 5 hanggang 95 piso). sulit.

asian social institute (along leon guinto at the back of Iglesia Filipina Independiente)-alternatibong mga babasahin. sa mga kumukuha ng socio 101, maaaring makabili rito ng librong pinamagatang "Socio:Isang Sulyap" na isnulat ni Rosalie Matilac. 50 piso lang, newsprint. alternatibong diskurso ito sa pag-aaral ng sosyolohiya.

manila studies program (cas)-sumadya lamang sa opisina nila sa unang palapag ng AS. hanapin si ms. georg. may mga occasional papers din sila ritong itinitinda na isinulat nina professors r. simbulan, n. simbulan, villegas, segovia, almeda, del prado-lu, atpb. kung hindi ako nagkakamali 10 piso lang yata kada kopya.

ibon foundation (sta. mesa)-mapanuri at progresibong babasahin. karaniwang sinasadya ito ng ds, as, at ps majors para sa kanilang mga pananaliksik. makakatulong din kung sumadya muna sa www.ibon.org. v.p. nito si doc ed. 'staple' reading ito para sa ds 100, ds 121, ds 122, etc.

you have 4 options:
una, 'wag bumili
ikalawa, bumili pero i-display lang ang mga libro para ipaketeng intelektwal ang sarili.
ikatlo, bumili, magbasa at magpakadalubhasa (jeremy)
ika-apat, sumadya at magbasa ng libre

katutubo 101 (basic terms)

indigenous people
priminitve communism (communalism)
communal ownership
ancestral land
ancestral domain
right to self-determination
lumad
national minorities
council of elders
katutubong kalinangan
cultural integrity
culture sensitive
time immemorial
community intellectual right
indigenous political structures
indigenous knowledge system
domain/land rights
national oppression
state terrorism
ethnocide
development aggression
IPRA of 1997
CADT
CALT
bodong
dap-ay
tribal leaders
customary laws

HR Practices: Merits and Demerits

>'Employee of the Month' (EOM) as a form of reinforcement in the workplace
>Ranking (vs. Rating) as an option to undertake performance evaluation
>Campus recruitment to invite and recruit the 'cream of the crop' of the graduating students of competitive universities
>Psychological test for the recruitment of faculty members
>Recruitment through referral system
>The rise of Business Process Outsourcing (BPO)
>Flextime as a work arrangement
>Cross-utilization to maximize the employee's full potential

Quotes from 'Development as freedom' by Amartya Sen

FREEDOM
"Freedoms are not only the primary ends of development, they are also among its principal means." (p.10)


UNFREEDOM
"Development requires major source of unfreedom: poverty as well as tyranny, poor economic opportunities as well as systematic social deprivation, neglect of public facilities as well as intolerance or overactivity of repressive states." (p.3)


GENDER BIAS
"There is plenty of evidence that when women get the opportunities that are typically the preserve of men, they are no less successful in making use of these facilities that men have claimed to be their own over the centuries. The opportunities at the highest political levels happen to have come to women, in many developing countries, only in rather special circumstances-often related to the demise of their more established husband or fathers." (p. 199-200)

HUNGER
"For the elimination of hunger in the modern world, it is crucial to understand the causations of famines in an adequately broad way, and not just in terms of some mechanical balance between food and population." (p. 161)


ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
"In judging economic development, it is not adequate to look only at the growth of GNP or some other indicators of over-all economic expansion. We have to look also at the impact of democracy and political freedoms on the lives and capabilities of the citizens." (p. 150)


ECONOMIC INSECURITY
"Quite often economic insecurity can relate to the lack of democratic rights and liberties." (p.16)


CULTURAL IMPERIALISM
"The contemporary world is dominated by the West, and even though the imperial authority of the erstwhile rulers of the world has declined, the dominance of the West remains as strong as ever-in some ways stronger than before, especially in cultural matters. The sun does not set on the empire of Coca-cola or MTV." (p.240)

Definition of Terms (DS100)

Definition of terms.
Development studies
Development model
Development aggression
Development Anthropology
Development economics
Development indicator/index
Development of underdevelopment
Development theories
Development problems and issues
Development pattern/stages
Technological development
Economic development
Social development
Political development
Industrial development
Human Development Index

Leftist and Communists

Guide questions based on the article by Antonio Abaya entitled Leftist and Communist published by Manila Standard (10-20-05)

>What is the current affiliation of Joel Rocamora?
>Research about the biography of Jose Maria Sison, Luis Jalandoni and Renato Constantino, Sr.
>What is the ideological standpoint of Kabataang Makabayan?
>Do you agree with the pronouncement of Sec. Norberto Gonzales that 83% of the rallyists are communists?
>Quote a passage from the statement of the author which underscores the law of dialectics.
>Define an 'open society' and 'pragmatic realism' in the context of the author's discourse.
>What led to the failure of Eastern Europe and Soviet Union in their experiment with Communism?
>Define glasnost and perestroika.
>What major reforms were introduced by Mikhail Gorbachev and Deng Xiaoping to Soviet Union and China, respectively?
>According to the author, why should the media be blamed for the misrepresentation of the communists?
>Having read his column, do you agree or disagree with his arguments against M-L-M?

Rewarding Change

Quoted passages from 7 Days to rewarding Change by Gary Yardley and Jan Kelly (1996)

>The cult of unquestioned control, power and dogmatic authority only thwart people's potential.

>We live our dreams by taking actions.

>Often, the solutions for today's difficulties can become tomorrow's problem.

>The challenges we face currently may be repititions of past dilemmas that were not adequately resolved, or may be entirely new.

>Nobody can teach us how to be ourselves. Infact, we probably know how to be ourselves too well. We will change with time and circumstances.

>All of us have the ability to add to another person's day.

>Change produces concerns and doubts or, alternatively, excitement and anticipation.

>A problem shared is a problem halved.

>We all like to see ourselves as sophisticated, yet we often respond to superstitions and the notion of luck.

>The greater the change, the greater the risk and, invariably, the greater the resistance.

>Just as water will flow in the path of least resistance, when we acknowledge, shift and adapt to the changes around us rather than remain static and rigid in our thinking, our company can also carve out new territory and cover more ground in its future endeavors.

Philippine Political Outlook

Philippine Political Outlook
by John N. Ponsaran



For the past weeks, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s brand of politics turned out to be very confrontational in character--enough to bring about restiveness in the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and in both Houses of Congress. By any measure, a heavily polarized Philippines will surely have a hard-time to pose for an economic take-off. Is Arroyo herself the divisive element? That is the over-arching question at hand.

The leadership crisis that beset the presidency has brought in various alternative proposals from sectors representing the entire spectrum of political orientations such as military take-over, democratic people’s council, constitutional succession of the Vice-President, transition caretaker government, martial law, and charter change (cha-cha). This has rendered the public and the business sectors on the edge of their seats in apprehension.
.
Presently, the Arroyo administration is strongly pushing for a shift from a presidential-unitary to a parliamentary-federal form of government purportedly to undertake much-needed political and socio-economic reforms. This move is strongly supported by the House of Representatives and the local government units (LGUs). In preparation, a consultative constitutional commission (ConCom) headed by Dr. Jose Abueva of the Citizen’s Movement for Federal Philippines was convened by the Palace to jump-start the drafting of the proposal for cha-cha. Areas of vital concerns include a shift to parliamentary-federal government, political and electoral reforms. But the loosely consolidated opposition believes that a cha-cha is uncalled for and untimely especially at this point of intense political crisis and divisiveness. Clouds of doubt hang over cha-cha as it is seen as a mere smokescreen to divert the public’s attention from Arroyo’s alleged direct hand over the 2004 election fraud or the so-called Garci controversy.

Opposition leaders, on the other hand, perceive the possible passage of the anti-terrorism bill as a sign of a looming martial law regime. Human rights advocates underscore the seeming parallelisms of Arroyo’s regime with that of Marcos’ with the implementation of series of pre-emptive policies such as E.0. 464, calibrated pre-emptive response (CPR) and B.P. 880 (Public Assembly Act of 1985). In a vicious cycle, these will only bring about more Gloria resign movements along the streets. Columnist Condrado De Quiros has this to say:

There are those who admire the President for displaying what they think is strength; and I do not doubt that the Chief Executive considers herself a strong person-both in terms of will and intellect. But the political reality is, she is weak; and her weakness is daily demonstrated by the means she uses to show strength.

The Palace however justifies all these pre-emptive policies to uphold executive prerogative and the chain of command and protect commerce, mobility, livelihood and the over-all peace and order of the nation.

Arroyo is obviously bent on thwarting all stumbling blocks that the political opposition and the mass movement hurl its way—in all possible means. But public opinion should not be neglected altogether. In a nationwide survey for the 3rd quarter conducted by Ibon Foundation, an independent think tank, Filipino’s net satisfaction rating of Arroyo’s performance dropped to its lowest rating of -74.7%--a telling sign of public distrust and disenchantment in a national scale.

The future of Philippine politics is not as bleak as it seemingly appears in media. The Senate has remained an effective fiscalizing agent. The civil society has furthered its advocacy to demand a more accountable, responsive, effective and participatory governance in the national and local levels. Correspondingly, alternative media institutions have also remained vigilant in reporting and analyzing political events as they unfold. The Supreme Court remains as the final arbiter of contentious judicial and even political issues. Open dialogue is still practiced while civil service is working to streamline its operations to improve the business of government.

POVERTY

>>Poverty is multi-dimensional and complex
>>Poverty is lack of options.
>>Poverty is disempowering.
>>Poverty fuels radicalism.
>>Poverty is even more problematic in conflict-afflicted countries.
>>Poverty has political, economic, social, ethical and cultural dimensions

she is weak

"I do not doubt that the Chief Executive considers herself a strong person-both in terms of will and intellect. But the political reality is, she is weak; and her weakness is daily demonstrated by the means she uses to show strength. " (quoted from the column of Manuel Quezon III entitled Scorched-earth governance dated October 17, PDI)

maaaring gawin ngayong bakasyon para hindi masyado mainip

-gumawa ng sariling blogspot.
-mag-ipon para sa darating na pasukan (puwede na ring isama sa plano ang paparating na kapaskuhan).
-bumawi ng tulog.
-bumawi na rin ng kain (kung hindi diabetic at walang sakit sa puso)
-umantabay sa mga napapanahong isyu tulad ng chacha, 2006 budget hearing, maaaring pagsasabatas ng anti-terrorism bill.
-article-clipping.
-bumisita sa mga kamag-anak.
-magsimula na ng data-gathering para sa ds199.2 (sakaling tapos na sa ds122.1 noong nakaraang semestre)
-manood ng mga experimental films.
-magbasa ng libro.
-linisin ang bookshelf.
-isaayos ang mga naipong babasahin (readings)ayon sa pagpapangkat-pangkat (classification) na pinaka-angkop (ayon sa asignatura, paksa, at iba pa)
-bumiyahe.
-bumalangkas ng plano kasama ng iba pang mga kasapi sa organisasyon para sa mga ililinyang proyekto sa hinaharap na semestre.
-linisin ang kwarto.
-kumuha ng crash course ayon sa iyong hilig. (hal. photojournalism, martial arts, creative writing, yoga 101, at iba pa)
-mamiyesta sa probinsya.
-balikan ang mga foster parents noong nakaraang practicum.
-sumulat ng artikulo at ipalathala. mapagkakakitaan din ito kung gugustuhin mo.
-gumawa na ng curriculum vitae para sa iyong pangangailangan sa hinaharap. alalahanin ang mga ginampanan mong tungkulin tulad ng paiging project head, opisyal ng isang samahan at maging ang mga nadaluhan mong conference, fora, seminar, symposium, at iba pa.
-bumisita sa mga dating kamag-aral.
-planuhin ang mga electives at cognates na kukunin sa susunod na semestre.

odd one out (left 101)

odd one out
1.kadamay,kilusang mayo uno,sanlakas,league of the filipino students
2.katribu,tabak,kamp,pamalakaya
3.crescent,hammer,sickle,red
4.tatsulok,rosas ng digma,internationale,one
5.bhb,npa,neps,rhb
6.dm,hm,dialectics,functionalism
7.bp880,cpr,atb,ipra
8.sebyo,dekada '70,my brother my executioner,abnkkbsnplaako
9.migrante,gabriela,kmp,akbayan
10.ed,opod,bmi,maxtol

NSTP CWTS 2 (maralitang tagalungsod)

Mahahalagang impormasyon na dapat alamin:
1. Ano ang depinisyon ng maralitang tagalunsod?
2. Paano ipinapaliwanag ng teoryang rural-push/urban-pull ang pagdami ng maralitang tagalunsod sa NCR?
3. Ano ang ipinaglalaban ng KADAMAY?
4. Sino si Ka Mameng at ano ang kanyang adbokasiya?
5. Ano ang hinaing ng mga maralitang tagalunsod sa programang Buhayin ang Maynila ni Mayor Lito Atienza?
6. Ano ang papel ng HUDCC at NAPC sa pagtiyak ang pangkalahatang kagalingan ng mga maralitang tagalunsod?
7. Bakit lumaganap ang underground economy sa kalakhang Maynila?
8. Bakit itinuturing na napakakontrobersyal ng Lina Law sa usapin ng housing and urban development?
9. Batay sa kaisipang Marxismo, sino ang bumubuo sa mga grupong lumpen?
10.Magbigay ng isang lugar sa kalakhang Maynila na dumaranas ng (a) urban blight (b) economic dualism. Pangatwiranan ang sagot.

Development Studies Program

DEVELOPMENT STUDIES PROGRAM

DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SCIENCES

COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES-MANILA

Prof. Roland Simbulan, M.P.A.

Head, DevStud Program

Prof. Ma. Paula Sioco, Ph.D.

Chair, Department of Social Sciences

Faculty Members

Prof. Edberto Villegas, D.P.A.

Prof. Leothiny Clavel, Ph.D.

Prof. Felipinas Gutierrez, M.A.

Prof. Josefina Cabaguio, B.A.

Prof. Karol Sarah Baguilat, Ll.B.

Prof. Silver Sevilla, B.A.

Prof. Maita Gomez, M.A.

Prof. John Ponsaran, M.P.M.

Ms. Mariel Langcay

President, DEVSOC

Guide Questions (Remembering Poverty)

Guide Questions based on the article of Ma. Ceres P. Doyo entitled Remembering Poverty (13 October 2005, Philippine Daily Inquirer)

PART 1
>Is there relevance in officially designating a day/month/year/decade in commemoration of
a(n) event/cause/advocacy/marginalized sector? Example of which is October as the indigenous people's month? Justify your answer.
>Do you agree with her statement that the IPs are among the poorest and the hungriest in the country?
>With specific reference to the ancestral domain claim as provided by IPRA of 1997, do you see any inconsistency between the state's concept of land ownership vis-a-vis the IP's?
>Do you think that it is necessary for the IPs to go through the long and tedious bureaucratic process of applying for a CADT in order to regain their ancestral land?
>How does bureaucratic capitalism affects the life and livelihood (buhay at ikinabubuhay) of the IPs? Be able to define bureaucratic capitalism and relate it to the following cases: Jewelmer, golf course construction and nickel mining operation

PART 2
>What do you think are the essential elements of a sustainable livelihood project?
>How can a child welfare system turn out disorienting and alienating to its clients?
>What should be done to improve the responsiveness of child welfare institutions to the real needs of their clients?
>Differentiate rootlessness in the context of Doyo's discussion from rootless and ruthless growth.
>Do you agree with her contention that poverty is most cruel to the young?

DIVIDED PHILIPPINES

GMA AS THE DIVISIVE ELEMENT: A CASE OF A DIVIDED PHILIPPINES

•DIVIDED CHURCH (PROGRESSIVES VS. CONSERVATIVES)
•DIVIDED MEDIA (CRITICAL MINDED VS. LAPDOGS)
•DIVIDED MILITARY (DISILLUSIONED VS. BLINDED)
•DIVIDED CIVIL SOCIETY (MASS-BASED ORGS VS. REACTIONARY SECTORS)
•DIVIDED POLITICAL PARTIES (FACTIONS OF LIBERAL PARTY AND THE OPPOSITION)
•DIVIDED SENATE (ADMINISTRATION VS. OPPOSSITION)
•DIVIDED HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES (PRO-IMPEACHMENT VS. ANTI-IMPEACHMENT)
•DIVIDED GOVERNMENT (EXECUTIVE VS. LEGISLATIVE)

TREND

UNDER THE REGIME OF ARROYO, EXPECT MORE...

>FLIP-FLOPS (SHE HAS BACKPEDALED IN COUNTLESS OCCASIONS)
>HRVs (SPECIFICALLY MASS-BASED ORGS AS TARGETS)
>POLITICAL ACCOMMODATIONS(ESPECIALLY IN THE LGUs, LOWER HOUSE AND CABINET)
>VINDICTIVENESS (AGAINST FORMER PRES. AQUINO, BRO. EDDIE, USEC LUZ, DEAN PANGALANGAN, ETC.)
>MASS PROTESTS (BROAD ALLIANCE FROM THE CIVIL SOCIETY)
>OPHs (INVERSELY PROPORTIONAL TO THE PURCHASING POWER OF PESO)
>HOLIDAYS (TO BOOST LOCAL TOURISM KUNO-HOW CAN THE PEOPLE EVEN AFFORD LEISURE ACTIVITIES IF MAJORITY OF THEM LIVE BELOW SUBSISTENCE LEVEL?)
>POPULIST POLICY DIRECTIONS (FOOD COUPON, PHILHEALTH CARDS)
>APPOINTMENTS OF RETIRED MILITARY MEN (MGA UTAK-PULBURA)
>POLITICAL DIVISIVENESS (ESP. IN BOTH HOUSES OF CONGRESS)
>DISILLUSIONED YOUNG OFFICERS (ANOTHER OAKWOOD MUNITY?)
>PAY-OFFS (PORK BARREL, ENVELOPEMENTAL JOURNALISM, ETC.)
>PREEMPTIVE POLICIES (LIKE E0 464, CPR)

POLITICAL ACCOMMODATION

"IF WE ACCOMMODATE OUT-OF-WORK POLITICAL ALLIES, RETIRED MILITARY OFFICERS, AND GIVE THEM FANCY TITLES, EVEN IF WE DON'T WANT THEM IN THE FIRST PLACE, THEN WE ARE UNDULY BLOATING THE BUREAUCRACY AND MAKING IT MORE TOP-HEAVY." (QUOTED FROM THE STATEMENT OF SENATOR RALPH RECTO)

AFP

A TEST TO THE AFP AS AN INSTITUTION

RISK: GUDANI-BALUTAN CASE CAN SERVE AS A RALLYING POINT OF
ANOTHER REBELLION.

OR IT CAN BE ANOTHER ISSUE TO COMPOUND THE PILES OF
OTHER LEGITIMATE COMPLAINTS FROM THE
DISGRUNTLED MEMBERS OF THE AFP.

A POSSIBLE OAKWOOD MUTINY II?

TO CLEAR THE AIR OF SUSPICION AND PARANOIA,
AFP HIERARCHY HAS THIS TO SAY:

“ALLOW US TO BE NEUTRAL, ALLOW US TO BE APOLITICAL BECAUSE IF YOUR MILITARY, OR YOUR MARINES IN PARTICULAR, WILL SIDE WITH THE ADMINISTRATION OR WITH THE OPPOSITION, YOU CAN JUST IMAGINE THE TROUBLE IT CAN CREATE BECAUSE WE ARE ARMED.” (QUOTED FROM MAJ. GEN. RENATO MIRANDA, PHILIPPINE MARINES)

looming martial law

LOOMING (CREEPING) MARTIAL LAW?

THE IDEA OF A MARTIAL LAW DOES NOT SIT WELL WITH THE PUBLIC.
IN FACT, ALMOST 7O% OF THE POPULATION IS AGAINTS IT.

ACCORDING TO THE AFP, THE CURRENT SITUATION
DOES NOT WARRANT IT (YET?)

CRITICS CLAIM THAT AN IMPOSITION OF MARTIAL LAW SEEMS NOT EVEN NECESSARY ANYMORE TO CREATE AN ENVIRONMENT OF THE SAME SET-UP.

TAKE THE CASE OF E.O. 464 AND CPR.
DON’T THEY CAST A SPECTER OF MARTIAL RULE ALREADY?

AS SHE SAID, SHE IS ‘TIRED OF CHASING
THE BULLY AROUND THE SCHOOL YARD.’

FOR THE PALACE, THOSE WHO TELL THE TRUTH ARE DEEMED AS
DESTABILIZERS AND ENEMIES OF THE STATE.

VERY MARCOSIAN INDEED!

confrontational politics

CONFRONTATIONAL POLITICS OF GMA

GMA’S POLITICS FURTHER HEIGHTENS THE RESTIVENESS IN THE AFP AND IN BOTH HOUSES OF CONGRESS—AN ART WHICH SHE IS GOOD AT.

CASE IN POINT: DISMISSAL OF GUDANI AND BALUTAN
JUSTIFICATION: INSUBORDINATION (VIOLATION OF
ARTICLE OF WAR 65)

>SENATE SEES IT AS A FORM OF DEMORALIZATION OF THE AFP.
PALACE AND AFP HIERARCHY HOWEVER ASSERT THAT IT’S TO UPHOLD THE CHAIN OF COMMAND.

THE CULTURE OF MISTRUST LEADS FURTHER TO POLITICAL ANIMOSITY AS THE SENATE REVIVES THE INQUIRY ABOUT THE AFP’S LINK TO ELECTION FRAUD.

>PALACE SEES IT AS A FORM OF ‘SERIAL IMPEACHMENT’ UNDER THE GUISE OF CONGRESSIONAL INQUIRY IN AID OF LEGISLATION—AN OBVIOUS LACK OF INTEREST OF THE PALACE TO BRING OUT THE TRUTH.

GMA AND THE SENATE

GMA AND THE SENATE

DRILON USED TO BE AN ALLY OF GMA BUT HAS NOW TURNED TO BE HER RABID CRITIC.
SO IS PIMENTEL.

BIAZON AND PANGILINAN OF LIBERAL PARTY HAVE ALSO WITHDRAWN THEIR SUPPORT. LATELY, THE LATTER HAS BEEN VERY PROMINENT IN CRITICIZING GMA ADMINISTRATION.

LACSON HAS BEEN CONSISTENT AS ANTI-GMA EVERSINCE.
SO ARE THE EJERCITOS.

CAYETANO AND GORDON (WERE ONCE WITH THE ADMINISTRATION) ARE ALSO TIRED WITH HER BRAND OF POLITICS.

MADRIGAL, LIM AND OSMENA REMAIN WITH THE OPPOSITION BLOC, SO EXPECT THE SAME LINE OF DECISION-MAKING.

QUOTE

"SINCE its inception in 1916, the Senate of the Philippines has always had a confrontational attitude, and history, toward the chief executive. Regardless of whether the chief executive was known as governor-general or president of the Philippines, the inclination of the Senate has always been to challenge Malacañang.

Malacañang has not always taken this sitting down. And there have been times when the Senate was a pliable plaything in the hands of the chief executive. In fact, until recently, the House of Representatives, which is traditionally the bastion of subservience to the chief executive and the bulwark of conservatism, has taken on a more dynamic character. In large part, this can be attributed to the sectoral -- and later, party-list -- representation in the House." (quoted from the Editorial of the Philippine Daily Inquirer, 4 October 2005)

GMA's VINDICTIVENESS

GMA’S VINDICTIVENESS

GMA IS CAPITALIZING ON HER ‘INCUMBENCY’ BY RESORTING TO INFLUENCE-PEDDLING AND ARM-TWISTING TO GET EVEN.

 BRIG. GEN. GUDANI AND LT. COL. BALUTAN (RELIEVED FROM OFFICE, SET TO UNDERGO COURT MARTIAL)
 USEC. JUAN MIGUEL LUZ (SACKED AS DEPED USEC FOR FINANCE)
 FORMER PRES. AQUINO (PROPOSED THE SCRAPPING OF THE STOCK DISTRIBUTION OPTION IN HACIENDA LUISITA)
 MICHAEL RAY AQUINO (CANCELLED HIS PASSPORT THRU THE DFA)
 EFREN GONZALES (ORDERED BY THE PALACE TO HAVE HIS OFFICE {PADLOCKED)
 DEAN RAUL PANGALANGAN (BOOTED OUT AS DEAN OF THE U.P. COLLEGE OF LAW)

THERE ARE MORE TO EXPECT!

FACTS AND FIGURES

The following facts and figures are taken from the 2nd PHILIPPINES PROGRESS REPORT ON THE MDG (June 2005)

>The DOH anchored its program on four major principles: responsible parenthood, respect for life, birth spacing and informed choice.

>Despite the adequate food supply, many Filipinos continue to grapple with food insecurity.

>It is estimated that only 5% of coral reefs are in excellent condition while mangroves have declined by as much as 57% in the last 23 years.

>Enrolment in public and private elementary schools reached 13 million in SY 2003-2004.

>Women's participation in governance improved with a greater number of women being elected in LGUs and appointed to the Cabinet, Career Executive Service positions, embassies and consulates, and the judiciary.

>Epidemiologists and experts estimate that the actual number of HIV cases is around 10,000.

??????????????

malakwadrado ang hugis ko
5.50(?) sa abot ng ala-ala ni Dindo
may variety
may name-recall
nagpapalaganap ng indibidwalismo, di umano.
ano ako? ________


3200
9000 dati--sa aking ala-ala
2010, malamang wala na
ano ako? ________


ako'y ako
simula ng tagumpay
katapusan ng galit
ano ako? _______

Pulitika

PANUTO: Sagutin ang mga sumusunod na katanungan at pangatwiranan ang sagot.

-Ano ang maaaring asahan ng mamamayan mula sa panukalang 1.053 trilyong pisong badget para sa taong 2006?
-Ano ang opinyon mo sa debt-for-equity na nilalakad ni JDV upang maibsan ang matinding pagkakabaon ng Pilipinas sa pagkakautang (debt trap)?
-Sagot ba ang pagbubuo ng Republic of Mindanao na hiwalay sa estado ng Pilipinas sa problema ng rebelyon at kahirapan sa katimugan ng bansa?
-Sagot ba ang pagbabasura sa Oil Deregulation Law sa walang tigil na pagtaas ng presyo ng mga produktong petrolyo sa bansa?
-Sumasang-ayon ka ba sa pananaw ni Akbayan Party-list Rep. Rosales na ang mayroon tayo sa bansa ay ‘politics of trade-off and pay-off’?
-Kung gagawing pamantayan ang kakayahan at katapatan sa panunungkulan, ano ang hatol mo sa kasaluluyang economic team ni PGMA (Teves, Favila, Neri, Santos, etc.)?
-Ano ang naging impluwensya ng mga isinagawa at isinapublikong sarbey ng SWS, Pulse Asia at Ibon sa kinalabasan ng pagdinig sa Mababang Kapulungan ukol sa impeachment?
-Basahin ang artikulo ukol kay Mayor Rodrigo Duterte ng Davao na pinamagatang The Punisher na inilathala ng Time magazine noong ika-1 ng Hulyo 2002. Ano ang imaheng nabuo sa iyong isipan ukol sa kanyang paraan ng pamumuno (style of leadership)? Sang-ayon ka ba dito?
-May maiaambag ba ang RVAT, RATE, RATS at RIPS ng pamahalaan sa pagbibigay solusyon sa budget deficit na matagal nang problema ng bansa.
-Para kay PGMA, ang 158-51 na naging resulta ng botohan sa Kamara de Representante ukol sa Justice Committee Report 1012 ay isang ‘grand display of political maturity’. Sumasang-ayon ka ba rito?
-Ayon kay Prof. Randy S. David, bakit maaaring ituring na ‘beneficial lie’ ang pagkapanalo ni GMA noong eleksyong 2004?
-Ano ang opinyon mo sa kontrobersyal na pagpapalit-palit ng desisyon ng Korte Suprema ukol sa pagiging konstitusyunal ng Mining Act of 1995 at ng Reformed Value Added Tax Law?
-Natutugunan ba ng BEAT THE ODDs (10-point agenda) ng administrasyon ni PGMA ang malawakang kahirapan sa bansa?

x vs y

Politics of Conspiracy
vs.
Politics of Antagonism

(the devil and the deep blue sea?)

"A president, who has a firm hold on the majority in Congress, can commit any crime

without fear of losing his position. Conversely, a president that doesn’t have a majority can be removed for the flimsiest of reasons."
(Inquirer Editorial-8 Sept 2005).

beneficial lie

GMA AS PREXY: A Beneficial Lie?

GMA reiterated in countless occasions that she won the presidential bid ‘fair and square’. Her spindoctors would even confirm it but her critics argue that the Garci tapes (and other set of compelling evidences) would actually prove otherwise.

With that, a crisis of legitimacy is still hanging over her head—(despite the premeditated murder of the impeachment)

"Ms. Arroyo’s victory in 2004 maybe a lie, but to those who believed that an FPJ presidency would have been disastrous, it could only be a beneficial lie."—Prof. Randy David

partisanship

Partisanship over Accountability

Fact: The entire impeachment process is rigged with political partisanship and conspiracy.

What’s new? We witnessed this during the Erap impeachment!

Fr. Joaquin Bernas even pointed out that the impeachment process is 95% politics and 5% law.

Fact: Outside the lower House, it’s as intense!

In fact, The Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ) exposed that there are quite a number of appointments by gma to benefit the families of known anti-impeachment personalities—an obvious this-for-that arrangement.

This is political accommodation at its best—an outright sell-out by any measure!

DS 127 PRIMER (TOPICS OF CHOICE)

TOPICS OF CHOICE:
-WATER RESOURCES, HEALTH AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (SD)
-ECO-TOURISM, GLOBALIZATION AND SD
-TECHNOLOGY, ECOLOGY AND SD
-ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS, SOCIAL JUSTICE AND SD
-ECOFEMINISM, ADVOCACY AND SD
-ECOLOGY, POLITICS AND SD
-ENERGY, ECONOMICS AND SD
-GOVERNANCE, GLOBALIZATION AND SD
-ENVIRONMENTAL ACTIVISM, SOCIAL EQUITY AND SD
-ECOLOGY, CULTURE AND SD

'hands-on' president?

‘HANDS-ON’ PRESIDENT

There’s a suspicion that she’s dangling the road user’s tax to woo congressmen
to put closure to the impeachment case against her once and for all.

This puts to question two very important things:
>the independence of Congress
>the separation of powers of the co-equal branches of the government.

PREMISE: the Opposition suspects that GMA has a direct hand in the impeachment process.

CONCLUSION: She’s really a ‘hands-on’ president.

Politics 101

POLITICS 101
COURSE DESCRIPTION: SUPPRESSION OF THE TRUTH

IN LIGHT OF THE ON-GOING HEARING IN THE
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON JUSTICE…

THE ADMINISTRATION SOLONS DESPERATELY RESORT TO

-DELAYING TACTICS

-PROCEDURAL TECHNICALITIES

-MUDSLINGING (ARGUMENTUM AD HOMINEM)

-POLITICAL GRANDSTANDING AND ‘HEROICS’

-THE TYRANNY OF THE MAJORITY (TYRANNY OF NUMBERS AS
COLUMNIST NEIL H. CRUZ REFERS TO IT)

Opposition’s Game Plan

Opposition’s Game Plan

Initially, the opposition went to the streets to oust GMA.
(but GMA said that she won’t resign)

Then, they fought it out in the legal battleground through congressional hearings.
(and much to the dismay of the public, it turned out to be purely rhetorics, dramtics and heroics)

Now that the 3 impeachment complaints have been put to an end, they are back to the streets. (but will this rattle GMA this time?)

If GMA won’t step down, expect another set of impeachment complaints as early as June 26 next year.

And the cycle goes on…

CONGRESSIONAL INQUIRY AT ITS WORST?

IN BOTH HOUSES, THE PEDDLING OF LIES TO THE HIGHEST BIDDER HAS TURNED OUT TO BE CUSTOMARY NOWADAYS.

AS WITNESSES SURFACE ONE AFTER THE OTHER, DEMOLITION JOB TO DISCREDIT THEIR CREDIBILITY FOLLOWS— ALMOST BY DEFAULT.

THIS CYCLE CONTINUES…

IT’S A WIN-WIN FOR BOTH PARTIES…

THE BAD POLITICIAN SAVES HIS IMAGE
(OR AT LEAST GIVES HIM THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT)
WHILE THE PAID WITNESSES GET RICHER WITH THE FILIPINO PEOPLE AT THE LOSING END

AS SUCH, THE TERM DIRTY POLITICS HAS TURNED OUT TO BE A REDUNDANCY.

doodle301

doodle301

2 tauhan.
isang himod tumbong (kiss ass)
isang mapagpanggap (ang 'puno')
ako (saksi)

eksena:
post-conference ng isang X sa isang Y
kalakaran ito pagkatapos ng peer evaluation.
masinsing hinihimay ang detalye.
akala mong siya ang paragon of teaching excellence
(at least, 'yon yung kanyang self-image pero hindi para sa nakararami)

ma-ere.
napaka-piyudal makipagdiskusyon (kung diskusyon nga bang matatawag ang naganap)
pakiwari ko ay para lamang magarantiyang siya pa rin ang nakapangyayari (self-assurance, kumbaga)

nakakasakal.
nakakawala ng moral.

tanghod na lang ng tanghod ang abang tauhan (tau-tauhan)
ratsada pa rin si madam ratsa...

sa loob-loob ko, sige maglokohan kayong dalawa.
sa kabuuan, pareho naman kayong makikinabang.
win-win kayo sa paternalistikong relasyong kinapapalooban ninyong dalawa!
ego-boost para kay bosing
garantiyang may ikabubuhay naman para kay kaawa-awa sa susunod na tatlong buwan.

imaalingawngaw pa rin si ratsada.
sa sistemang ito, dapat patronizing ka.
hi po!
hello po!

sirkulo ito.
self-perpetuating.
basta't may kapit sa patalim na himod-tumbong at mapagpanggap na 'puno', magpapatuloy ang ganitong set-up.

imaalingawngaw pa rin siya.
parang mega-phone.

NSTP Portfolio# 1

Instructions: This set of activities are to be accomplished in group of 4-5 members. The output should be submitted on Saturday next week.

1. Write a content analysis of the article entitled RETHINKING DEVELOPMENT authored by Prof. Roland G. Simbulan, MPA (Professor, DevStud Program, UP Manila)
2. Write a movie review of SUPER SIZE ME and analyze the film in the context of Prof. George Ritzer's book entitled Mcdonaldization of the Society
3. Write a content analysis of the January 5, 2004 opinion article of Condrado De Quiros published by PDI.
4. Write a book review of SEBYO authored by Carlos Humberto. Analyze it in its proper socio-historical context.
5. Write an article review of the November 2000 issue of Ibon Facts and Figures on the NAtional Budget.
6. Write a content analysis of the song, TATSULOK. Analyze it in the context of the protracted people's war (ppw) in the Philippines.
7. Write a book review of SMALL IS BEAUTIFUL authored by Schumacher. Analyze it in the context of the dichotomy between neoliberal economics vs. alternative/non-mainstream economics.
8. Write a content analysis of the curriculum of the bachelor's degree in Community Development offered by the CSWCD, UP Diliman.
9. Write a content analysis of teridon.blogspot.com. Analyze it in the context of student activism in the contemporary setting.
10. Write an article review of PARENTS AND ACTIVISTS authored by Renato Constantino.
11. Draft a proposal (outline format) to effect meaningful and lasting socio-political and economic change in the Philippine society.
12. Construct a matrix of PGMA's correct and popular. correct but unpopular, wrong but popular and wrong and unpopular moves since her assumption to office in 2004.

The write-up can be in English or Filipino. Limit the write-up per item to just a page of an 8x11 bond paper. (Arial, single spacing, landscape, justified, font size: 12 points)

Evaluation (DS 123 exhibit)

STRONG POINTS

Philippine Political Culture
-GMA effigy
-interactive component (dart board about the most corrupt government agencies)
-give-aways (political quotes, political jokes, CDs with GMA-Garci conversations and anti-GMA jingles)
-well-thought out exbibit entries (web of political dynasties, political butterflies, board game)
-interaction with audience
-use of recycled materials
-extra effort to make a boring topic a very interesting one

Death Culture
-film viewing of Crying Ladies simultaneous with an interactive program on 'KUNG PATAY KA, E 'DI SANA...'
-graveyard ala freedom wall
-diorama of different burial/funeral practices
-early birds (most punctual)
-crying lady personified (hidalgo)
-use of recycled materials

Sex, Gender and Society
-volume of artifacts
-interactive board (photo association)
-freedom wall on PMS
-film viewing of Filipino film clips about sex and society
-portfolio about sex, gender and society (poem&prose)
-attendance sheet for guests
-doll

Sociology of Filipino Movies
-attention-getting scenes about a typical Filipino action film (cruz&guererro)
-display of Filipino films of various genre
-evolution of Filipino film
-hand-outs
-excellent discourse on SINEHAN PANDIWA
-powerpoint presentation on film icons
-interaction with audience

Filipino Supernatural and Superstitious Beliefs
-aesthetic set-up (lighting, design)
-love potions, concoctions
-mascots (wiccan, black cat, fortuneteller)
-books about supernatural practices and belief system
-give-aways
-use of recycled materials

Philippine Pop Culture
-pig-out (street foods)
-entrance arc
-selection of readings about Philippine pop culture
-improvised boob tube
-ukay-ukay booth
-maximization of limited space
-use of recycled materials

odd one out (which does not belong to the cluster)

odd one out.
be able to justify.
your justification should make sense.
1.torch, wolverine, spiderman
2.quirino, macapagal (diosdado), marcos, estrada
3.salonga, sotto, macapagal-arroyo, legarda, pimentel
4.sociology, anthropology, political science, psychology
5.cavite, rizal, romblon, quezon
6.pilar, de guzman, ocampo, miranda
7.monsod, de dios, david, fabella
8.san agustin, de ocampo, osorio, lapidario, inocencio, garucho
9.social darwinism, ethnocentrism, neo-nazism, pluralism
10.1425, rizal course, PI 100, oblation
11.albert, ramos, ople, arroyo
12.sangdungi, bulgogi, kokeshi, doshirak
13.kundun, the last buddha, 7 years in tibet, red corner
14.K in D, S in C, D in I, A in A, L in B
15.balaksila, hipong urong, buteteng laot, bayhan
16.matubag, dap-ay, bayanihan, council of elders
17.sati, FGM, neckring, sex ring
19.a, t, z, i
20.nuestro, our, ikaw, amin

(P)GMA's STAYING POWER?

(P)GMA's STAYING POWER?
by JNPonsaran

As I see it, (P)GMA's staying power (despite the public outcry for her resignation) is reinforced/buttressed by the following reasons/factors:
1. opposition's lack of identified leader to unite their ranks as all of them have conflicting political agenda
2. FVR factor
3. the unwavering support of Lakas-CMD and Kampi parties
4. non-active participation of some of the sectors from the middle force who may dislike GMA's administration but are pre-occupied with something else
5. the statement of U.S. of its support to the constitution and the rule of law (which can be interpreted as an implied support to GMA's continuance to occupy the presidency)
6. strong political base of GMA among LGU officials (city and municipal mayors and provincial governors to be specific)
7. her support group among her appointees (especially cabinet members)
8. lack of consistency and intensity among some of her critics
9. lack of viable alternative from the opposition
10. CBCP's pastoral letter
11. apathy
12. her excellent maneuvering of the government machinery to serve her end (image projection, donations from the fund of OP)

Merits and Demerits of X

List of Topics

1. Federalism as an option for the Philippines
2. Total Log Ban
3. Mining Act of 1995
4. Indigenous People's Rights Act of 1997
5. Separation of PGH from UP Manila
6. Parliamentary form of government as an option for the Philippines
7. Local Government Code 0f 1991
8. Special relationship of the Philippines with the US
9. Globalization
10. Separation of Mindanao as an Islamic state from the Philippine Republic
11. E-governance
12. Privatization of the National Food Authority
13. Party List System
14. Bicameralism of the Philippine legislature
15. Street protests

???

???
1. in terms of academic excellence (U.P. or Ateneo?)
2. in terms of prestige (lawyer or doctor?)
3. in terms of credibility (ABS CBN or GMA news and public affairs?)
4. in terms of consistency (Panfilo Lacson or Bayani Fernando?)
5. in terms of power (Executive or Legislative department?)
6. in terms of credibility (Senate or House of Representatives?)
7. in terms of notoriety (ERAP or First Gentleman Arroyo?)
8. in terms of vanity (Evita Peron or Imelda Marcos?)
9. in terms of charisma (ERAP or FPJ?)
10.in terms of visibility (PNP or MMDA?)

Power, Culture and Society (quiz)

MULTIPLE CHOICE
Directions: Choose the best answer from the given set of choices.


1. The following are cases of development aggression except:
a. dislocation of the Mangyans brought about by the eco-tourism project of the Philippine government
b. displacement of the Ifugaos brought about by the massive extractive operations of the foreign mining corporations
c. recognition of the legitimate rights of the national minorities (indigenous people) to their ancestral land
d. construction of a golf course at the expense of the Aetas

2. The following are manifestations of prejudice except:
a. ageism
b. ethnic cleansing
c. cultural pluralism
d. racism

3. Which of the following is not a function of religion?
a. acts as social control
b. serves as a standard of morality
c. promotes social cohesion
d. results to religious conflict


4. Which of the following is not mechanism to control crime?
a. prevention
b rehabilitation
c. retribution
d. delusion

5. Estafa, tax fraud and plunder are examples of this kind of crime.
a. white-collar crimes
b. blue-collar crimes
c. pink-collar crimes
d. black-collar crimes

6. It refers to the biological or anatomical distinction between men and women.
a. sex
b. gender
c. sexuality
d. eco-feminism

7. Which of the following does not exhibit structured inequality?
a. patriarchy
b. slavery
c. ageism
d. cultural tolerance

8. Which of the following does not characterize a minority group?
a. economically marginalized
b. possesses strong group solidarity
c. subject to discrimination
d. well-represented in the political arena


9. Which of the following attitude is not ethnocentric?
a. colonial mentality
b. attitude of exclusivity
c. racial supremacy of Adolf Hitler
d. Manila-centric development

10. Which of the following is not a dysfunction of religion
a. religious conflict
b. fanaticism and blind faith
c. prejudice and persecution
d. social control

11. Which of the following is not a characteristic of a revolution.
a. leads to major structural change
b. involves threat or use of force
c. results to casualties and fatalities
d. passive means of promoting change


12. Which of the following does not exemplify discrimination?

a. Double standard
b. Apartheid
c. Slavery
d. Ecumenism

13. It refers to the peaceful coexistence of multiple subcultures within a given society.
a. cultural pluralism
b. cultural universal
c. cultural ecology
d. cultural lag

14. The phenomenal rise of Nora Aunor to stardom during the 70s and 80s could be explained by the__________.
a. rags-to-riches plots enjoyed by the viewing public (Cinderella-type stories)
b. escapism which temporarily relieves and insulates the viewers from the harsh realities of life
c. radical shift from the usual mestiza leading ladies dominating the film industry
d. all of the above

15. Which of the following does not usually characterize a superhero as depicted in the Filipino movies?
a. The superhero has physical weakness in his/her mortal form.
b. The power is drawn from nature or given by a hermit/mystic.
c. The superhero obtained his/her power and ability from a radioactive explosion or an irradiated spider
d. The motivation of the hero is usually to help the powerless, not anchored on plain vengeance alone.

16. Which of the following are manifestations of unregulated globalization?
a. Mcdonaldization of the society
b. Hollywood invasion of the Third World culture
c. Eurocentric mentality and consumerism in Asia
d. All of the above

17. Which of the following is not a violation of wu-wei (Taoist principle of non-action)
a. Deforestation, massive quarrying, muro-ami
b. inter-relatedness of all creatures
c. commercialization of endangered animals
d. cloning, genetically modified organism (GMO), test-tube babies

18. Which of the following is not an illustration of structural violence?
a. Food blockade
b. Ethnocide
c. Advocacy towards women empowerment and gender equality
d. Development aggression

19. This perspective presupposes that women and ecology are hapless victims of the male-dominated society (patriarchy).
a. Eco-sexism
b. Eco-feminism
c. Eco-protectionism
d. Ecumenism

20. Commodification of women is an illustration of _____.
a. commercialism
b. gender bias
c. structural violence
d. all of the above

Ang Pulitika ng X

Talaan ng posibleng paksa para sa papel:
Ang Pulitika ng Street names
Ang Pulitika ng Pre-paid card
Ang Pulitika ng Condom
Ang Pulitika ng HIV-AIDS
Ang Pulitika ng Basura
Ang Pulitika ng Mini-skirt
Ang Pulitika ng Resibo
Ang Pulitika ng I.D.
Ang Pulitika ng Coca-cola
Ang Pulitika ng Espasyo
Ang Pulitika ng Texting
Ang Pulitika ng Pagkain
Ang Pulitika ng Pagkababae
Ang Pulitika ng Pagkalalaki
Ang Pulitika ng Komiks
Ang Pulitika ng Lenggwahe
Ang Pulitika ng Relihiyon
Ang Pulitika ng Pasko
Ang Pulitika ng Pakikipagtalik
Ang Pulitika ng Kamatayan
Ang Pulitika ng Pananamit
Ang Pulitika ng Oras

Kung Tuyo Na Ang Luha Mo, Aking Bayan

Kung Tuyo Na Ang Luha Mo, Aking Bayan
ni Amado V. Hernandez

Lumuha ka , Aking Bayan; buong lungkot mong iluha
ang kawawan kapalaran ng lupain mong kawawa;
ang bandilang sagisag mo’y lukob ng dayong bandila,
pati wikang minana mo’y busabos ng ibang wika;
ganito ring araw noon nang agawan ka ng laya,
labintatlo ng Agosto nang saklutin ang Maynila.

Lumuha ka, habang sila ay palalong nagdiriwang,
sa libingan ng maliit, ang malaki’y may libangan;
katulad mo ay si Huli, naaliping bayad –utang,
katulad mo ay si Sisa, binaliw ng kahirapan;
walang lakas na magtanggol, walang tapang na lumaban,
tumataghoy, kung paslangin; tumatangis, kung nakawan!

Iluha mo ang sambuntong kasawiang nagtalakop
na sa iyo’y pampahirap , sa banyaga’y pampalusog:
ang lahat mong kayamana’y kamal-kamal na naubos,
ang lahat mong kalayaa’y sabay-sabay na natapos;
masdan mo ang iyong lupa, dayong hukbo’y nakatanod,
masdan mo ang iyong dagat, dayong bapor, nasa laot!

Lumuha ka kung sa puso ay nagmaliw na ang layon,
kung araw sa langit mo ay lagi nang dapithapon,
kung ang alon sa dagat mo ay ayaw nang magdaluyong,
kung and bulakn sa dibdibmo ay hindi man umuungol,
kung wala nang maglalamay sa gabi ng pagbabangon,
lumuha ka nang lumuha’t ang laya mo’y nakaburol.

May araw ding and luha mo’y masasaid, matutuyo,
may araw ding di na luha sa mata mong namumugto
ang dadaloy, kundi apoy, at apoy na kulay dugo,
samantalang ang dugo mo ay aserong kumukulo;
sisigaw kang buong giting sa liyab ng libong sulo
at ang lumang tanikala’y lalagutin mo ng punglo!

Problems and Issues in the Philippine Educational System

Notes About the Problems and Issues in the
Philippine Educational System: A Critical Discourse
by Prof. John N. Ponsaran

Colonial historiography. Many teachers, book authors, and Social Studies consultants give heavier premium to the history of the colonizers in the Philippines than the history of Filipino people. Mostly, this has been the case in the teaching of History subjects from the elementary to tertiary levels. The history of the Filipino people and the colonial history of the Philippines are two very different topics.

Internationalization of the division of labor. The Philippine educational system conditions its students to be skillful in arithmetic and computer literacy, fluent in foreign languages (specifically English and Nihonggo), and docile in order to serve as workers of the transnational businesses of the advanced, capitalist countries. Take the case of the call center phenomenon in the Philippines, India and other developing states. 


Emasculation and demoralization of teachers. Teachers, more often than not, are victimized by the over-worked and under-paid policy of the system of the past and present dispensations. This leads to the emasculation and demoralization of their ranks. This probably explains why the teaching profession is not attracting the best and the brightest from the crop of students. Expectedly, this will result in the vicious cycle of mediocrity in education.


Fly-by-night educational institutions. The proliferation of fly-by-night educational institutions is counter-productive and anti-development. In the long run, it produces a pool of half-baked, unprepared, and incompetent graduates. Alarmingly, the country is having an over-supply already. This case is true for both undergraduate and graduate studies. 


Culturally and gender insensitive educational system. The women sector, the masses and the indigenous people are historically excluded from the Philippine historiography in favor of the men, heroes from Luzon and the power elite. Women are marginalized and trivialized even in the language of education. 


State abandonment of education. In the name of imperialist globalization, the state is abandoning its role to subsidize public education particularly in the tertiary level. This comes in the form of matriculation, laboratory and miscellaneous fee increases in order to force state colleges and universities (SCUs) to generate their own sources of fund. Ironically, the bulk of the budget (in fact, more than one-third in the case of 2005 National Budget) goes to debt servicing, which is an unproductive enterprise.


Sub-standard textbooks. Some textbooks which are already circulation are both poorly written and edited. Take the case of the Asya: Noon at Ngayon with an identified total number of more than 400 historical errors.  Unfortunately, it is just one of the many other similar atrociously written textbooks which are yet to be identified and exposed. This is a classic case of profit-centeredness without regard to social accountability.


Widespread contractualization. In the name of profit, owners and administrators of several private schools commonly practice contractualization among their faculty members. Contractual employees unlike their regular/tenured counterparts are not entitled to fringe benefits in the bid of capitalist-educators to reduce the over-all cost of their business operation. Job insecurity demeans the ranks of the faculty members.


Copy-pasting culture. Over-dependence to the cyberspace has dramatically reduced the capability of students (even teachers) to undertake serious research. ‘Copy-pasting’ has even turned into a norm among some students.


Mcdonaldized education. The system, methodology, and content of education in the Philippines is Eurocentric, culturally insensitive, and non-reflective of the local milieu. This is based on the xenocentric (foreign-centered) premise that other culture or system is more superior than one’s own.


Poor regard for liberal art/education. Liberal education is intended to form a holistic individual equipped with communication, critical thinking, mathematical, creative, inter-personal and intra-personal skills. This explains why we also have Philosophy, Languages, Humanities, Natural Science, Social Science, and Physical Education in our college curriculum, and not only our major subjects. The curriculum is specifically designed to produce a total person, and not only a technical specialist. Unfortunately, the desired objective is not being met since liberal education is regarded only as a set of minor subjects. With the way these subjects are being handled (taking into account both content and methodology), students view the entire exercise as an unnecessary duplication of what they have already covered in high school. Equally alarming is the lack of enthusiasm and motivation exhibited by some professors to handle the subject especially if they believe that it has nothing to do with the course or area of specialization of their students (say, Art Appreciation for Accounting majors or Algebra for Creative Writing majors). 


Further marginalization of the undersubscribed courses. In the name of profit and as a response to the dictates of the market forces, colleges and universities prefer to offer more courses in line with the health sciences like medical transcription, and care-giving. This is done at the expense of the already undersubscribed yet relevant courses like Area Studies, Pilipinolohiya (Philippine Studies), Development Studies, Philippine Arts, Art Studies, Community Development, Social Work, Islamic Studies, Clothing Technology, and Ceramics Engineering.


Prof. John N. Ponsaran is currently the co-chair of the Development Studies Program in the University of the Philippines Manila where he handles development studies and management courses in the graduate and undergraduate levels.  He both earned his BA in Development Studies and Master in Public Management in UP.  He has co-authored 5 textbooks in Social Studies and authored various articles about sustainable development, medical tourism and globalization.    

Bakit may mga aktibista?

Bakit may aktibista?

ni diwangpalaboy

May mga teorya na nagtangkang ipaliwanag kung bakit aktibo ang ilang kabataan sa mga kilos-protesta. Isa-isahin natin.

Una ay dahil diumano sa adbenturistang katangian ng mga kabataan. Madaling nakakaangkop ang mga kabataan dahil sa kaparehong aktibong katangian ng mga gawain ng kilusan.

Ikalawa ay ang identidad. Ang mga kabataan sa ganitong edad ay nasa yugto ng pagtuklas at pagkilala sa kanilang sarili. Ang matukoy at maituring na aktibista ay isang pagkakakilanlan.

Ikatlo ay bunga ng mga personal na isyu. Maaaring may personal na sama ng loob ang bata sa kanyang magulang at upang ito ay mailabas, kanya itong ibinabaling sa pamahalaan o sa nananaig na kaayusan.

Ikaapat ay ang idealismo. Aktibo sa paglulunsad ng makabuluhang pagbabagong panlipunan ang mga kabataan sapagkat ayaw nilang magmana ng lipunang di-makatarungan at dekadente sa hinaharap. Ganito rin ang binigyang diin ni Renato Constantino sa kanyang artikulong pinamagatang Parents and Activists. Para sa mga kabataang ito, ang kanilang mga pagkilos ay pagpapatuloy lamang ng mga laban na sinimulan ni Gat. Andres Bonifacio.

Ang Pagsalakay ng Manananggal

Ang Pagsalakay ng Manananggal

ni JNPonsaran

Minsan nang napabalita sa pahayagan at telebisyon ang pag-atake diumano ng isang manananggal (self-segmenting viscera sucker) sa kabahayan ng mga skwater sa Kamaynilaan.

Ito ay matagal-tagal ding naging usap-usapan sa mga taga-lungsod at taga-nayon. Tampok itong paksa sa mga umpok-umpukan sa kanto at talapapagan (talakayan sa papag).

Subalit ito ay isang urban legend lamang. Sa katotohanan, ito ay kathang-isip lamang ng mga maralitang tagalunsod (urban poor) na karamihan ay nagmula rin sa kanayunan (countryside). Sa kanilang pagdating sa kalungsuran (city), dala-dala rin nila ang kanilang kinasanayang kaisipan at kultura.

Bahagi ng kanilang kinalakihang pagtingin sa reyalidad ay ang paniniwala sa mga misteryo, kababalaghan at superstisyon. Bunga ito ng mga matatandang paniniwala na ipinasa sa kanila ng kanilang mga ninuno at ng direktang ugnayan nila sa kalikasan na pinaniniwalaang tinitirhan ng mga ispiritu.

MENTAL COLONIZATION

MENTAL COLONIZATION
ni John N. Ponsaran
University of the Philippines-Manila
jnponsaran@yahoo.com

Sa pamamagitan ng pagpapalaganap ng M.T.V., pelikula mula sa Hollywood at mga anunsyo ay sumasailalim ang mga bansang kabilang sa Ikatlong Daigdig (Third World Countries) sa mental colonization.

Kasabay nito ang pagkundisyon sa kamalayan (consciousness) ng mga mamamayan sa Ikatlong Daigdig na ang kulturang Kanluranin ang pamantayan (standard) ng moderno, kosmopolitan at maunlad na lipunan (affluent society). Pansinin ang mga pelikulang may temang Wild Wild West kung saan ang mga puting taga-kanluran (Caucasoid) ang siyang bida at ang mga American Indians naman ang mga kalaban.


Sa Pilipinas, may mangilan-ngilang pelikulang action-comedy din ang ibinatay sa temang ito. Bukod pa rito ang mga pelikulang may gasgas na temang umiikot sa mga espesyal na misyon ni James Bond laban sa mga komunista na sa pamamagitan ng patuloy na pagpapalaganap ay naging epektibo sa paghubog ng kaisipan ng mga susunod na henerasyon. Ang mga ganitong materyales ay napakapopular at kontrobersyal lalo na noong kasagsagan ng Cold War. Matatandaan na naging mainitan ang propaganda warfare na namamagitan sa U.S.S.R. at U.S. nang yugtong ito.

Sa mga paraang ito ay naipapakilala at naipapalaganap ng mga bansang Kanluranin ang kanilang kultura at kaisipan sa iba pang panig ng mundo. Taktika ito upang mapalaganap din ang konsumerismo, karirismo, kredensyalismo at neoliberalismo sa pinakamalawak na sakop.

I refute/I salute

I refute/I salute
(classify the following personalities according to your opinion about them and their undertakings)

1. Wangari Maathai
2. Bayani Fernando
3. Romeo Capulong
4. Juan Flavier
5. Condi Rice
6. Xanana Gusmao
7. Kofi Annan
8. Lito Atienza
9. Ophrah Whinfrey
10. Jose Maria Sison
11. Nelson Mandela
12. Junichiro Koizumi
13. Aung San Suu Kyi
14. Crispin Beltran
15. Ka Mameng
16. Jimmy Carter
17. Kim Dae-jung
18. Yasser Arafat
19. Jose Ramos Horta
20. Mikhail Gorbachev

quotables

Quotables

compiled by diwangpalaboy

"Tulad ng napakarami kong nagawang mga pagkakamali noong nakaraan, kailangan ko ring panindigan ito." (Pol.Sci. professor of a premier state university)

"Isa siyang buhay na bangungot!" (4th year student)

"Wala akong malisya sa katawan. Isa yata akong plant." (Ph.D. student)

"Marxism is just a rhetoric." (A product of School of Economics)

"Research is transformative for both the investigator(s) and the respondent(s)" (Pol.Sci. professor and an advocate of bioethics in research)

" 'Di binoboto pero nananalo!" (Yano)

"Democracy should not only be identified with liberalism. There's democracy in Islam, there's socialist democracy, etc." (former college dean)