The individualistic approach of changing the system and demonizing collective and militant action is, I’m sorry to say, the same things pro-Arroyo propaganda are harping. It’s like calling on people to mind their own businesses and shun any thought of collective action. It only serves to keep people’s minds off the kind of corruption the administration is doing. It only serves the purpose of preserving the status quo. Individual efforts must be translated into collective action.

Waiting for 2010 is probably something that is very easy for you, and me, living in relative comfort, to say, but for millions of Filipinos who continue to suffer under this administration, the urgency is burning strong. Telling people to wait it out borders on being insensitive.

Based on your statement, when we kick out GMA there will be no more “rep” of a corrupt government? How so? Will kicking out GMA kick out each corrupt government official? Would it not install just another corrupt official in her place? Would kicking out GMA ensure that there will be no more corruption in Customs? in BIR? in DPWH? in PNP? (and so on)

When we kicked out Erap and sent him to jail and successfully prosecuted him, should we not have shown the world that we have learned our lessons on corruption? Should we not have shown the world that we can legitimately prosecute a corrupt official? Shouldn’t we have already shown the world that we know what due process is?

Why not instead rally the Department of Justice for more justices and judges to prosecute such corrupt practices?

Why not instead rally the Sandiganbayan and the PCGG to do their job more effectively?

Why not rally your congressmen and representatives to pass laws that heavily (and effectively) penalize corruption?

Why not rally congress and the lower house to prosecute GMA for the crimes that she has committed?

Is this not how we should fight against corruption? Is this not how we can oust a corrupt president?

Why not instead vote for a president that fits your best criteria in 2010? In 2010, why not ask the LFS to go out in numbers and vote and to volunteer to protect our country’s vote? Is this not how we fight for a genuinely free, prosperous and peaceful country?

Changing the president, fighting corruption, all this starts with each Filipino. If each Filipino voted for the president that represents our stand on corruption then we have achieved our goal of genuine change. If each Filipino had the characteristics that embody the fight for corruption, then we can go about each day and be sure that there will be no corruption in Customs, in BIR, in DPWH, in PNP …in our country.

In my opinion, this is how we solve a bulok government and this is how we change a president. It starts with me, with you, with each one of us.

This isn’t about Gloria as a person. This is about changing what Gloria as a president represents: a bulok government standing for the interests not of the many but of a few oppressors and foreign monopolies.

When we say Oust GMA, we say kick out the rep of a corrupt government. We say no to a puppet republic. We say no to betrayal of the people’s interests. When we say Oust GMA, we say fight for a society which is genuinely free, prosperous and peaceful.

Leading questions I know, but as the rally shows a positive turnout, I can’t help but keep in mind why I’ve never supported an only rightist movement (propaganda galore) or ultra leftist movements (proof for example that reading through your blog I have not yet seen mention of any positive thing to come from her, would this mean that she has not done anything positive or would this mean you refuse to accept that such is possible?).

OK, to try to understand what the rally is fighting for, I’d like to go to the thesis presented by the rally - If we remove Gloria, then the economy will improve. If we remove Gloria, then UP will get a bigger budget. If we remove Gloria, then poverty will be reduced. If we remove Gloria, UP will not be commercialized. (and so on)

Already for me it seems that removing Gloria does not resolve any of these problems, in fact it will just install a far more incompet… less than desirable president. In my opinion, these problems are functions of far reaching and far complex problems: The economy’s performance depends on a multitude of factors (balancing her Fiscal policy and the BSP’s monetary policy seems to be so sound); The UP budget passes through the hands of lower house and congress and it is there where such cuts are most likely to occur. (and so on)

Therefore if replacing Gloria is a short term solution what should we do? People power? But would not another people power just show that Filipinos lack the foresight or intelligence to vote (and consequently protect their vote) for a president they actually want. (law question: if we collectively vote that none of the candidates for president are viable, what does the constitution provide?)

Anyway, if at this point you’re asking if I am pro-Gloria or anti-Gloria, then you probably missed the point. I am neither because I am pro-Filipino, I support Gloria for projects that cause long term sustainable growth (Infrastructure investment, Fiscal Policy, Transparency, Deficit management) and I am against her for projects that are ludicrously short term (Electricity subsidies, Food subsidies, focusing on short term capital investments like Call Centers). I support things that make long term sense for the Filipino people and I am highly critical and more inquiring on things that do not contribute to the future of this country.

My point is this, if we want this country to better, if I want to pin my hopes that the country will improve by 2010, we need to start changing ourselves. Mogley did get it right in his (her?) comment above: collectively, we can bring change, genuine change. And everyday I will make sure it starts with me.

kabataan, paglingkuran ang sambayan, kumilos, makibaka sumama sa tunay na SONA ng bayan–July 28, 2008

Nanatiling kasama ninyo ang mga estudyante sa DLSU-D sa mga layuning makapaglingkod sa bayan.

This is very true! The Filipino people is in dire need of the youth who will stand up against the anti-people policies and misdeeds of this corrupt regime!

Collectively, we can bring change, genuine change!
Join the SONA ng Bayan on July 28.