Culpability

When a dog bites a man, it is not news. When a man bites a dog that’s news.”

Nagkaroon ng hearing and Incident Investigation and Review Committee {IIRC} noong Monday at dinaluhan ito ng mga kasapi at kinatawan ng RMN DZXL na siya nga raw umanong huling nagkaroon ng interview kay Capt. Rolando Mendoza noong kainitan ng hostage fiasco. Sa sala ni DOJ secretary Leila de Lima, kinilala ang mga taga-media bilang resource persons at hindi suspects bagaman sa mga susunod na pagkakataon ay sinabi ni De Lima na tutukuyin kung accountable nga ba ang media tungkol sa kaso.
Gaya ng nasabi, mula sa DZXL, dumalo sila Micheal Rogas at jake Maderasu. Kasama dapat si Erwin Tulfo pero noong Tuesday siya lumabas kasama nila Susan Enriquez. Naroon rin ang dating senador na si Aquilino Pimentel na tumayong abugado ng RMN at maging ng media sa kalahatan. Ang ng ginawang ito ni Pimentel ang isang bagay na nagpahanga sa akin. Sa isang statement ni Pimentel, binanggit niya…
“Syempre pro bono yun,. Eh kung i-charge ko yun hindi kakayanin eh. Alam mo sa buhay hindi naman pera pera lang ang mahalaga. There are certain values na kung kailngan ng pagkakataon, you have to do for free.“

Naalala ko tuloy yung hearing sa pelikulang “Amistad” ni Steevn Spielberg kung saan ang mga African victims of human trafficking ay ipinagtanggol ng isang ex president [of course si John Quincy Adams]. Ang galing kahit pa ulyani na si Adams at matanda na. Pinatunayan lang ng matandang Pimentel gaya ng ex-president na si Adams, na tunay siyang de kalibreng mamababatas, manananggol, at public servant. Silang dalawa ni De Lima ang pinakakatiwatiwalang tao sa courtroom na yun. Pakiramdam ko si De Lima ang pangulo ng estado sa kasalukuyan. Kasi nga hindi mo naman nmaramdaman ang presensiya ng pangulo. Sabi nga ng isang kaibigan, “huwag kang magtaka kung isang araw dalawa na ang rpesidente at hinatin na ang Malacanang gaya ng DILG.” Ano yun symbolic na lang yung inihalal natin?

Ang pinatkatanong naman talaga ay kung kanino ang “Mea Culpa” at kaninong ulo ang gugulong. Nauna na ang pangulo na umako ng full responsibility pero hinsi naman ito matatanggal sa puwesto. Hindi naman puwedeng papalitpalit ng pangulo dahil ibig sabihin walang stability. At ang media dapat nga bang sisihin?

Nanghihinayang ako sa pagkakataong ito, hindi ko na matatanong ang lahat ng professor ko sa broadcast at Comm Arts tungkol sa kanilang pananaw hinggil dito. Ang alam ko lang, sinabi ni Pimentel na walang nilabag sa KBP Code at sa Penal Code ang mga client niya. He should know, he’s a lawyer. Pero napagalaman ko na mabilisan lang din niya binasa ang KBP Code at sa Boradcast Code ay may nilabag sila sa Article VI. But that is not here to be discussed kasi I am not a lawyer. Sinabi na rin naman ni Senator Gringo Honasan na wala daw nilabag sa prankisa ng senado na inilaan s amedia ang mga mamamahayag.

Actually, nasa mga pulis ang pagpapasya sa regulasyon ng hostage crisis. Dapat sana sinabihan nila ang media kung hanggang saan dapat sila makiaalam dahil baka nga mabuko ang operasyon, remember may TV set sa loob ng bus. Ang problema kasi, kulang sa kaalaman about the bus ang kapulisan. May isa ngang namatay dahil sa bubog. Nasa may likod ang hostage, maya tama sa balikat at di makakilos pero buhay hindi patay. Tinamaan siya ng bubog ng fiber glass. Isipin mo, hindi ordinaryong salamin… talagang patay ka! Isa lang ang alam ko kung bakit nagawa na ring i-cover ng media lahat lahat at wala nang sistematikong pamamaraan noon—dahil noong panahong yun wala tayong pamahalaan. Walang nasususnod, walang plano, walang organisasyon, walang kontrol kaya bara bara ang lahat.

Hindi dapat sisihin ang media. Sa totoo lang mas alam pa ni Maria Ressa ang ginagawa nila kaysa sa Communication team ng Malcanang. May problema sa Communication ng Malacanang pero wala sa broadcast. Ito ang mandate ng broadcasting;
1. To inform and eventually educate the populace about what is happening and all the things they need to know prior to their basic rights for information and freedom of expression.
2. To solicit public opinion and mold cultural, political, national, and sociological psyche of the people while being fed with all necessary details that may affect tehir very lives as part of a community and nation.

Tungkuling ng media na gawin ito, provided hindi sila dinidisarmahan ng mga opisyal ng pamahalaan at ng anumang batas internasyonal or hanggat walang ibang karapatan na nilalabag ang kanilang wastong pamamahayag. Ang mga nagtatrabaho sa media ay rasyonal ring tao. Alam nila na dapat ganito at dapat ganyan pero ang hirap walang sumubaybay sa kanila. Anmg tanong… ano ang ginagawa ng pangulo ng Republika ng Pilipinas? Siya na iniluklok ng taong bayan upang tumayong ama ng bansa na dapat ay pumalo sa anak na nagwawala. Nasaaan ang pangulo noong tumawag ang punong ehekutibo ng Hong Kong? Oh hindi ba’t kapalpakan ito ng opisina ng pangulo at hindi ng himpilan ng media? May problema sa Communication hindi sa broadcast. Dahil nga kasi may paksiyon sa loob mismo ng administrasyon.

At matapos ang mahabang pagbubulay bulay naabot ko rin ang nibel ng pagkakaroon ng isang paglalahat kung sino talaga ang dapat na sisihin; walang iba kung hindi ang sambayanang Pilipino na nagkaroon ng maling desisyon noong ika 10 ng Mayo. Ang mga nabulag sa simpatay sa isang anak na anaulila sa mga magulang. Ang mag taong ayaw pala ng pangulong naninigarilyo pero ibinoto pa rin. Ang mga nabulas sa pangakong aayusin ang gusot ng nakalipas na administrasyon at inakalang ito lamang ang nakaatang sa balikat ng pangulo.

Nalimutan ng sambayanang Pilipino na ang pagiging pangulo ay isang gampaning pinaghahandaan ng buong buhay. Ito ang isang tawag na kinakailangan ng matatag na gulugod. Nagkamali ang maraming Pilipino! Hindi pa handa ang bansang ito na maghalal ng isang pangulo na gaya ni Gordon. Alam nating hindi ito mangyayari kung siya ang pangulo. Simple. Dahil alam niya kung paano maging isa.
Kung hindi ikinober ng media ang hostage taking, hindi natin malalaman ang mga sumusunod;
1. Na santing ng kabulukan at walang sapat na kakayahan ang pulisya ng Pilipinas.
2. Na mayroon pala tayong dalawang gabinete sa ilalim ng iisang pangulo [yun nga ang mga sumuporta sa Noy-Mar at Noy-Bi].
3. Na may labing isang oras palang sinayang si Pang. Aquino na dapat ay nagpatawag siya ng Crisis Committee team at inupuan ito. Naganap naman ito alas dose ng hating gabi noong patay na ang 8 hostages.
4. Na hindi kinontak ni Pang Aquino ang HongKong upang ipaalam aito at isali sila sa usapan, bagkus ang punong ehekutibo pa ng Hong Kong ang naghahanap sa pangulo at hindi mahagilap.
5. Na nawawala ang pangulo noong kailangan siya ng Pilipinas at Hong Kong.
6. Na may pagkakataon siyang manwagan sa hostage taker sa pamamagitan ng telebisyon subalit hindi niya ginawa.
7. Na ang pangyayari ay isolated lamang sa isang pook sa Pilipinas at walang dapat ipangamba ang mag manunuod at maging ang mga nagaalalang kamaganak sa ibang bansa dahil safe sa kanilang kinaroroonan.
8. Na hindi sineryoso ng kapulisan ang ginawa ni Mendoza hanggang sa napagod ito at inatake ng hysteria noong matapos ang deadline niya.
9. Na wala tayong pamahalaang noong Agosto 23 2010 at bumalik lamang noong ika 12 ng umaga, Agosto 24 2010. Wala ring Tourist Police ang Pilipinas na dapat sana’y siyang nagmamatyag sa lahat ng mga dayuhan sa Pilipinas na nagbabakasyon lamang.
10. Na dapat sana’y buhay pa ang mga hostages subalit humantong sa masaklap, madugo at marahas na katapusan. Isang pangyayaring magiging palaisipian sa sangkatauhan sakaling nagpinid ng telon ang media.

Ngayon dapat bang sisihin ang media? Mamayang hapon, haharap sa media mismo ang pangulo para ipaliwanag ang ilan sa mga nabanggit na pagkukulang. Gaya ng nasabi ko na, gusto ko lamang i-share ang isang debate patungkol sa pagkakaiba nila Aquino at Gordon na nabasa ko sa notes ni Owry Aureus noong kasagsagan ng kampanya. Heto ang sinabi…

CONTEXT: Steffi Sales defends the argument of Carlo Demaisip that Noy is the best candidate for president. My stance is for Dick Gordon. Keep reading and decide who makes more sense. Furthermore, join the debate. Don't be shy. We have to keep people talking.

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(1.) “your entire argument revolves around the fact that Noynoy is inexperienced”

Yes. This is my argument. But take note that I never used the word “inexperienced” (referring to my reply to Carlo's work) in my response. There is a difference between “inexperienced and “lack of experience”. I’m leaning towards the latter.

(2.) “Noynoy’s lack of indebtedness to political machinery is a plus over traditional politicians.”

To think that he lacks indebtedness to a political machinery overlooks the fact that he’s being propelled to the top by “other” people rather than his personal merit that is demonstrated by his poor track record. Furthermore, since Noy can’t get to the top by selling to the public his achievements, do consider that it’s media that’s pushing him up, think ABS CBN and Lopez -

“Just think about it; since these media outlets are supporting Noynoy Aquino, Noynoy will owe them a huge favour. This means that these media outlets will continue to feed us the same crap that contributes to the dumbing down of the electorate. It’s time to change the channel!” http://antipinoy.com/a-vote-against-noynoy-aquino-is-not-a-wasted-vote/

I’d like to even argue that Noy is the traditional politician: Someone who has hardly and concrete accomplishments, lacks innovation, etc, but somehow was able to win an elected position as important as a legislator of a country because people remember his last name Aquino. Had he not been the son of heroes, would people bother thinking about him? Probably not.

(3.) Your three responses and my rebuttals:

a. “he is not Cory. He has had years of legislative experience”

First of all, he’s running for an executive position. There’s a difference. Next, yes, he’s not Cory. If you use this argument, please drop your point “What has mere efficiency alone done for us in the past? A myriad of self-interested politicians” I’m supposing you’re talking about Marcos, Gloria, etc. Gordon is not Marcos and neither is he Gloria.

b. “he does not need to have controversies miring his political career, nor does he need to have billboards and posters proclaiming his contribution to a certain city project”

I haven’t heard of any controversies against Perlas. Why not vote for him? Furthermore, these controversies must have some tangible proof. Minus Villar, the other candidates like Gordon, Perlas, etc, last I heard, were not entangled in some scandal or controversy.

About the billboards: It’s just that Noy hardly has anything concrete to advertise. Research how many hospitals or schools he was able to build in Tarlac and you’ll understand why. This is, I suppose, the reason why the media pitches him to be “different” when in fact he just doesn’t have anything to show.

Noy doesn’t need billiards precisely because he can’t put anything on it.

c. Steffi Sales questioned the legitimacy of my claim that “once this euphoria over the Presidency disappears, no concrete results will arise and Noynoy will not be able to hold true to his promises”

I call it a prediction based on the facts that I currently have, credentials of presidentiables, which gives me the capacity, limited it may be, to gauge the risk that comes with a Noy presidency. In short, I review the resume of my candidate. Until the day “The Assembly” ditches the need for candidates running for that organization’s leadership positions to show their work-related experience, until the day that “The Political Science Deparmtent” ditches the need to have candidates for the Departmental Award submit a resume, until the day that Ateneo no longer requires you to submit your high school grades when you apply for the school, I’ll keep using this argument.

The other Presidential candidates have so much more than Noy: http://antipinoy.com/noynoy-aquinos-supporters-are-they-anti-intellectual/

I’d rather risk the lives of 90 million Filipinos, a significant number of them living below the poverty line, on someone who has proven, through concrete achievements, that he can do the job. Noy is not this person.

i. About your comment Noynoy, not Gordon, who is considered to be the main threat of the administration at present, so much so that even Villar’s cronies are at risk of having to leave the country the moment Noynoy wins the presidency… over-all capability over Gordon to at least slowly but potentially wipe away the corruption prevalent in the system

You have to prove that Noy can do a better job. What’s your basis? The indebtedness to the political machinery? This doesn’t fly given the answer I’ve provided above. Check (2.)

What then is Noy’s superiority when it comes to being the threat to the administration? Do expound on your claim that Villar’s cronies are at risk of having to leave the country if Noy wins. Enlighten me.

There is this general, I think, understanding among people that though Noy lacks experience, as admitted by a LOT of his supporters, we’re still going to be okay and this is ideal since it means he has to consult with advisers and we, the public, must continuously be engaged in politics to help him out. I disagree. In a democracy of 90 million people spread across more than 7 thousand islands and having inhabitants speak several dialects, this is like hoping to hit the moon with a spitball.

Furthermore, the administration’s party is falling apart. Where are the Arroyo loyalists moving? They’re not just switching sides to Nacionalista. They’re also moving to the Liberal Party. The people who are allegedly going to help Noy dismantle the Arroyo administration are from the Arroyo administration. I could easily argue that they shifted loyalty not because of a change of heart but simply because they’re going to protect the Arroyo from within the ranks of the party that is supposedly going to chase after our highly disliked president. Given the harsh reality of the world we live in, I’m willing to bet a week’s worth of allowance that it’s the latter and not the former.

(4.) You want to vote for Gordon basically because “he knows what he’s doing” and he has a lot more “political craft” than Noynoy does… You imply two things, the first of which is political experience… (then) efficiency.

About political experience, Gordon has been in government for 33 years. He has been the executive of Olongapo where he served there as the mayor as well as the chairman of the SBMA. He was able to lead the recovery of his people from the devastation due to the eruption of Pinatubo and the flight of the Americans. He led the Department of Tourism, the Philippine National Red Cross, and now he’s a senator of the Philippines.

It’s a risk assessment. I’d rather have someone who has had a similar work-related experience for the job of leading a country of 90 million people. Give me Noy’s credentials that outshine Gordon’s, Gibo’s, Perlas’ accomplishments and I’ll shut up. About the Binay argument you raised, show me that Binay has done more than Gordon and I’ll shut up. Until then, my vote goes for Dick. Giving it to someone who pales in comparison to his competition just doesn’t make sense. Convince the Political Science Department to give Aureus the Departmental Award instead of honoring Tugade and I’ll shut up. Until that day comes, I’ll use this argument because it makes most sense.

(5.) About Gordon’s political experience (means that he is) part of the system (because of) his “ability to work with the present, exacerbated, repulsive system, which allows for his efficiency”

To think Noy is not as enmeshed as the other candidates in this system is downright naïve, irresponsible, and very, very dangerous. See my answer in (2.) to find out why. Furthermore, given his poor track record in comparison to his competition’s credentials, I’d rather have someone who is part of the system but is able to efficiently do his job over someone who is part of the system but hardly gets anything done. Take your pick. I choose Gordon.

(6.) What has mere efficiency alone done for us in the past?

My reply to this is very simple. What has inefficiency and lack of innovation done for us?

(7.) We’re not contextualizing Noynoy as having some sort of Messianic complex.

Tell that to the Ateneans who will vote for him because of his “Moral Ascendancy” and who will vote solely because of that category.

Furthermore, I ask Noy supporters: If Noy is Moral, does that make the other candidates any less Moral? You can still take your pick among the other presidentiables – Gordon, Gibo, Perlas, Bro. Villanueva, etc.

Had Noy not been Cory’s son, would people be considering him as someone who is “Moral” I heavily doubt it. In the end it's all about his last name "Aquino". But don't forget, he's also a "Cojuanco".

(8.) But the problem with a lot of people today is that they cannot seem to fathom a government unlike what we have now, not seeing possibilities beyond efficiency and effectiveness in politics, lacking in the critical analysis of this very system of obsession we are embedded in.

Tell that to a malnourished and hungry kid in war-torn Mindanao. If it takes away his hunger, gives him an education, sends him to a doctor when he’s sick, and provides more opportunities for a better life, I’ll shut up and vote for Noynoy.

(9.) What is so wrong with complete efficiency? There are countless reasons, but one answer to this is the fact that this gives everybody else permission to be negligent towards political action and discourse. The aim should always be to keep the accountability of everyone by maintaining political engagement beyond May 10.

You’re right, the aim should be participation even beyond May 10. If Noy wins, people desperately have to participate to make sure he makes the right decision and we save this country.

But I could easily argue here that Manny Villar should win because, since we know he’ll rob us until we’re more than desperately broke, we’ll be on our guard, we’ll be more vigilant, we’ll be more discerning and critical.

Unlike Noy, since everyone is mesmerized by his theoretical “capacity” to introduce change, when the pack of wolves he unwittingly releases, I’m referring to the people around him, this includes the cojuancos, starts chewing us up and pillaging our cities, we won’t notice it. Why? Because we’re looking at Noynoy who was the Trojan horse.

(10.) To the people who read this, please vote for a presidentable who knows what he’s doing. Fact is, Noy ain’t it. Furthermore, why not join the debate? Go!


Ngayon, na-solve kaya ng ayos ang crisis kung si Gordon ang pangulo?