All after hearing promises, seeing blows, and indignation to those suffering in iron bars

All after hearing promises, seeing blows, 

and indignation to those suffering in iron bars

At first, one should have to congratulate the President for his longest message spoken at Batasang Pambansa last Monday.

With his message full of empty handed promises of the past added with new terms and a hodge podge of facts and figures, it seemed to be made to flatter those who had the privilege to enter the session hall, especially the foreigners who wanted to heed the head of state with his "achievement" that again, most of it rather in paper or half-fulfilled thanks to the corrupt who chose to remain elusive in the eyes of the mass.

That somehow made Rigoberto Tiglao said this:

"How can you respect a President who, in a speech that should discuss where we are as a nation, instead brags about his purported accomplishments by barraging us with claims which turn out to be downright false, deceptive, arguable as to its veracity, or puerile boasts?"

Yes, boasting to gain cheer, brag every achievement yet failed to speak; to think that most are quite contradicting to the realities happened, in a way Mr. Tiglao had said:

“(We) are seeing the effects of the honest, transparent, and clear way we have been going about our PPP Projects . . . Apart from the Laguindingan airport, which is already being utilized, we are upgrading and modernizing the Tacloban Airport, the Bicol International Airport, the New Bohol Airport, and the Mactan Airport, all at the same time. The Daang Hari-NLEX link road is the fastest PPP project that has been awarded in any administration, with no shortcuts in the processes.”

The International Monetary Fund assessment of the PPP project, quoted from is Staff Report on its 2012 Article IV consultations:

“The current government initiated a series of PPP projects, but these have been implemented slowly, with contracts for only two projects (road network and classroom construction) awarded so far to the private sector. While the PPP pipeline includes 22 projects across various sectors, the total cost of all projects is still small (less than 2 percent of GDP)."

However, most of the PPP projects had rather, resorted to privatizations such as the Philippine Orthopedic Hospital that had end acquired by Henry Sy. And just like any other former State controlled institutions like then old Private Development Corporation of the Philippines, and Philippine National Bank, some, if not most, are rather end privatized with Public-Private Partnerships as its first phase as means just to "downsize" government expenses in favor of private institutions running so as investing.

That somehow meant for the masses that the state chose to give up obligation, while others applauding for the state will never do babying for the less privileged as what Bianca Gonzales once said against the illegal settlers in the metro. And since these middle class peeps showing off arrogance by making against so-called freebies like Conditional Cash Transfer program (CCT) against the masses, then how come they had to pass on queues just for a free Lebron James ticket days ago? Seems ironic to see those who afford had to pass and register the way poor people did; or perhaps they can afford to pay but why free?

Anyways, this writer is against CCT and instead advocating real programs like Industrialization and Land reform, basic means to curb unemployment and genuine National and Social development contrary to the neoliberal policies prevailed today.

And as the President continues his speech, so were the growing criticism of the people against his regime. Ranging from hurling eggs against policemen to the burning of effigies, the people had to vent their grievances, even nastier like before all after having a President emphasising his bragging rights yet most of his programs are but a continuation of earlier programs such as those of Arroyo's, no wonder how he once opposed CCT before and yet still continued with funds from IMF-WB, as well as other neoliberal policies and others that aggravates conditions under the present rotten social order.

After all, of what is a righteous path if those behind it had to disregard the heed of the people when it comes to their welfare? Welfare does not mean doleouts in a way Obama did with his food stamps and the Aquino administration with its CCTs and other near empty-handed or incomplete promises.

And since Aquino himself wanted a government that is righteous both in word and in deed, how come the so-called "Freedom of Information" act (not the version sponsored by the administration) haven't been passed? Of having speedy justice for the victims of Maguindanao Genocide (or Massacre rather, but better genocide for there are nameless people who had been killed by the warlord Ampatuan clique)left unrealized especially for the family of victims and friends of the fallen? As well as demolitions in illegal communities in the metro with forced settlements in undeveloped areas outside the metro, worse, near danger zones like in Rodriguez, Rizal.

Anyways, like this video shown above lies the stubbornness of the order that is tolerated by trolls and other keyboard warriors whose comments in facebook failed to undermine those who continue. Yes, these people dare to become like Ríos Montt:

"If you are with us, we’ll feed you, if not, we’ll kill you..."

But come to think of this: why there's a need to provoke a violent action such as pushing them with truncheons, staring badly at the protesters, to the point of raising their swagger sticks and make a scene mediamen love to tackle about? So much for exaggerating violence and glorifying blood made people think badly about protest actions as a mere bloodsport rather than a means to invoke grievances and matters a state should seriously think upon to. Protest can't be just silent alone in a way Mahatma Gandhi speaks of action and not just Satyagraha alone contrary to what western media thinks of about him, that one must think that one should still invoke maximum tolerance after being hurled with eggs, taunted for they are dubbed as "bloodthirsty" in a way some of them had their hands itchy for smashing bodies with their swagger sticks and truncheons carried.

That somehow made this person reminds of the movies such as "Baader-Meinhof Komplex" or "Battle in Seattle" where a peaceful protest action end provoked by those who called for order. As for media, of course will ought to say that the protesters started the mess "simply because they're against the government", or perhaps "noisy" in venting unwanted noises pointing against the system and its order; no wonder if one policeman or plainclothes soldier can kill a protester simply because of their actions, in a way what happened at Escalante, Mendiola, Lupao, or Hacienda Luisita years ago.

Personally, in seeing every scene shows how the state chose to act like that for the sake of insisting order. Free speech and assembly are quite permissible, but one has to make sarcastic suggestions such as "there's a park to vent grievances", "why not use facebook" or even "go home, it's a waste of time", and others to undermine the morale of the masses; but, for chrissakes, why having that said activity in the City Hall, Ninoy Aquino parks and wildlife reserve instead of a part of Commonwealth ave. just for a single day? Did these peeps argue during the time everyone had a protest at the bustling Ayala ave years ago? Traffic seemed to be good as contrary to what had been said so to many simply because of a protest action taken at Commonwealth, also to think that despite its peaceful attitude, there may be one, two, or three policemen has to provoke, incite inappropriate action in just pushing protesters back where they came from, contrary to the reports and popular perceptions that says "protesters started the scuffle," also to think how much taxpayer's money did spent for the Concertina wire other than putting roadblocks and borrowing containers from the terminal as they, those who dare to serve and protect, are hardy enough to face the people, with hands itchy for a scuffle by pushing and eventual raising of their weapon and take pride in their captured "subversive" and stay at Camp Karingal for 2 days with "secret" as its alibi according to a policeman?

Anyways, those scenes are a part of a path that is righteous in the eyes of the few, and it is up for the people to acknowledge a sickening truth behind a distorted description. In a way what the grieving cop, no matter he endured the strong voiced statements of Thomas the Dutch, somehow acknowledged an inconvenient truth how authorities made he and his men endure the heat, hungry as well for that day with the promise of bonuses and like.

Otherwise, people who chose to assail those who protest against those who tend to preserve the rotten social order, aggravated by "modern" ideas applicable to themselves, yet cherishing the products of the protest movement, must heed this message:

“If the Revolution is disorder, the Counter-Revolution is the restoration of Order.”

— Plinio Corrêa de Oliveira (1908-1995)

And that includes giving up the benefits of what "democracy" had given, such as the right to complain against the system.

Hate him...yet most of them can't argue

Hate him...yet most of them can't argue

"I was the foreign protester who was actively denouncing to you the violence used against the activists yesterday at the SONA Protest. I was one of the 41 injured activists in the protest. Many of the injured received head wounds and contusions, two of the injured were senior citizens. They were attacked simply because they exercised their constitutional right to assemble and protest."

These are the opening words made by a Dutch who had been known for his action taken last monday, July 22, 2013.

Clad in red, he, along with others, felt shocked as to see policemen gone pushy in their actions that, ironically speaking, done after having a negotiation. So much blood and anger had happened at Commonwealth ave with policemen gone desperate in pushing, then afterwards beating that resulted to 41 wounded.

But in this writeup, rather showed how mr. Thomas Van Beerzum chose to act different from a typical foreigner-especially in joining the protests and speaking strongly to those whose motto is "to serve and protect" the people.

In this picture, showing that he was talking to a Filipino policeman (known eventually as the 'Crying Cop') during that time, had somehow created mixed reactions especially from those who it's quite nonsensical to see keyboard warriors, especially those who seemingly venting their so-called patriotic sentiment, assailing over and over as they could.

At first, it may described directly by many that he's shouting, yes, he may stress something what people ought to described as shouting; but despite all the heckle and narrow mindedness coming from commentators in his page, would first ask this: is giving a strong point just meant shouting? Even this writer's father often told that he wasn't shouting but stressing something what a son should be. Or in a subjective sense: are you were there during that time he was allegedly shouting to that policeman who defied orders?
Well, so much for butthurt comments made by these keyboard warriors yet in fact, that crying cop was also given a hug and praise from the activists who he ought to give a whack! And may as well yet not even thinking that some of the protesters are foreigners such as Latinos and other caucasians like Thomas; so therefore what's the problem in having foreigners sympathizing with the cause of the people in a way these keyboard warriors, obsessed with a coming war against China had to curry favor with the United States and Japan? To think that the latter, so much for their passion in giving "butthurt" comments rather showed hollowness by these same people who wanted foreign investors, tourists, dignitaries, to come and see the wonders yet blocking to see the awful truth such as poverty and near hopelessness that created sympathizers and protesters against the rotten social order.

Otherwise, in looking back at history, they even should know that there were foreigners who even sympathized with the Filipino people before. Remember Ferdinand Blumentritt who assailed Spanish rule? Sun Yat-Sen who provided guns for the insurrectos? Mark Twain with his commentaries in defense of the First Philippine Republic, or even the well-known General MacArthur had even intervened Philippine affairs in regards to defense as the Armed forces' own "field marshal", and Jane Fonda who joined the protests at Manila at the height of her popularity, as well as other nameless foreigners who tend to "defy" in sympathy to those who are against with.
While people, especially keyboard warriors whom spent day and night heckle and illogical, uberpersonalistic reasoning, may not noticed these examples that they are, at least once, twice, thrice cooperated with the people in their struggles, that they even call it "intervening their affairs" yet not noticing they themselves may had once sympathized with A Briton named Michael Aris who was once deported from Burma for being Aung San Suu Kyi's husband! Anyways, history nowadays is a subject distrusted by these people!

After all, no matter how serious in their actions in facing the computer, that's the only way they do: comment, or rather say heckle with all their narrow-mindedness and passion entwined. Not to mention that in his page heckles are sided with death threats and other sorts of nonsense simply because of the picture, or simply because he's a left winger? Then fine! He may indeed a left winger who's been heckled by those whose love of "democracy" (in its purist greek sense) and freedom (similar to Jefferson's rather than Rousseau's) as quite so "Cold war-esque" than ever.

But despite all these heckles, perhaps one, two, or three may understand why Thomas had to give stress to the Policeman with the picture people may ought to call it a shout that made a policeman cry. Yes, the latter did his job-of defying orders of giving whacks against those who just simply wanting to speak on their behalf the real state of the nation.

That somehow made radicals given him a hug and perhaps, a degree of care no matter the differences had. After all, cops are human, they do cry in a way activists do hurt in feeling the whacks from truncheons and swagger sticks on that time.

THE IRONY (or how a news program creatively did this)

"THE IRONY"

(or how a news program creatively did this)

It was a weekago when this writer had noticed something ironic: that both higher and lower classes have to pass queues and filling up forms for a handout: the former, a ticket from an event organizer, and the latter, a cash handed by the government.

It may look strange in seeing this kind of idea how they're enticed to do and wait till night, one after another reminiscing ration and food stamp lines during the war. Quite orderly to see, but on the other hand, as to see these  scenes between these privileged beings, they merely had to fill the papers trying to have a sum of money or a free ticket, both freebies to satisfy their "needs".

"Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program"
(Government officials handing money to the unfortunate)

"Pantawid Para PangLebron Program"
(Where middle class afford to take long queues for a free Lebron James ticket)

But sadly, using Ayn Rand's dictum, both of these "privileged" may deemed as "Moochers" thinking that both the state had to squander taxpayer's money for those who earned less in their work (instead of the latter working harder to earn more), or Nike seemingly afford to appease Lebron James fanatics by having its producer offer free tickets to those who can really afford  (instead of paying enough wages and fair working conditions for its ill-paid workers); yes, so much for ambition both a corrupt state and a private one has to squander as to appease people: the former for the sake of having a program for the underprivileged; while the latter, just to entertain those who really can afford with a well-known Afro-American basketball player visiting Manila.

No offense, for these people who afford to have those "gifts" given, but come to think of this, it seems that as most people, no matter which backgrounds came from, are quite happy for both having the money for the basic needs and the ticket for the show all reminds of Ancient rome, where these programs can be deemed as "Bread and Circuses"; while in America,  whose "Food Stamps" as to appease people alongside a hodge-podge of empty promises and rhetoric. 

Good for them at first as to create a scene of satisfaction and enjoyment, but come to think of this: will there be a time having a populace that no longer values civic virtues and public life? Certainly it is! Especially in a culture of ego-driven apathy with its lords tend to exploit people silently. Both social welfare and sports inculcate family-hood (sorry for the term for this writer may use Ujamaa if that's the case) in the community, but nowadays, it's all but a tendency for exploiters to coerce people, that one has to make something that is appealing to hid an inconvenient truth such as a government neglecting purpose, or an institution that exploits workers evenly for the sake of having higher profits. 

Otherwise, to sum it short: was ABS-CBN seemingly making things ironically such as being stated in this writeup? 

It's up to the people if that's the case, to think that both the ticket for the middle class and the money given to the unfortunate are both freebies Ayn Rand got by the "moochers" who should been "working" to acquire those "needs".

'When the rich think about the poor, they have poor ideas.'

'When the rich think about the poor, they have poor ideas.'

Today marks the start of a new wave of sugar-coated rhetorics spoken by a head of state.

Facing the barong Tagalog and terno-clad constituents, members of the foreign circle and various sectors sympathetic to the regime, the head of state, like ever before has to speak a hodge-podge of statements, justified by facts and figures, data gathered, as well as series of promises people may tend to described much as a joke.

In a way that President Aquino himself, with his spin doctors had to rewrite and add some additional words to an existing idea, quite desperate though to justify, even further with proofs such as facts and figures; and yet most of it are rather consists of empty of half-realized promises just like what happened in 2010 when he promised to end Arroyo's programs especially the controversial CCT program; and yet most had remained still active-especially the once-abhorred program of handouts, and its unwillingness to give Hacienda Luisita land directly to the struggling masses, impose social justice other than human rights to the marginalized sectors of the society.

Obviously, Aquino et al. chose to remain silent in regards into much serious issues to tackle while proceeding with their promises and other "optimistic" matters being vented at the rostrum of Batasang Pambansa. Otherwise, it tends to hid the reality such as an intensified crisis with the sharp decline of the people’s standard and quality of living as a result of its own policies same as Arroyo's and the earlier regimes; also to think about grave scarcity of jobs and the continued efforts of the present regime to export Philippine labor, as well as the absence of quality jobs due to the unindustrialized state of the economy and the prevalence of flexible labor practices which further pull down the value of labor and subject workers to worse forms of exploitation especially those of lower wages and inhumane working practises; there are other realities the present regime may ought to take less time focusing if not entirely disregard it. Otherwise, Aquino himself and his retinue, no matter their class background is (whether it be a Compradore, a landlord, or even a foolish member of the upper-middle class) cares nothing, about its vast subjects, they just simply rule for the sake of ruling the country and preserve the old order they enjoyed and aggravating it further with policies its subjects had to endure.

That includes demolishing houses of those who struggle for their right to live, even assailing them such as "baby-ing" or whatsoever to the point of making them entirely a pariah of the society. Yes, farmers and workers had been a pariah so are the urban poor that most people had to be equating them with the notorious lumpen class of thieves, prostitutes and the like; coerced through various promises, half-realized programs and lots of rhetoric as if these people can be fooled all the time.

Or perhaps, to sum it all, those programs being made and the implementors themselves invoke this kind of quotation as what the late Eva Peron said so:

'When the rich think about the poor, they have poor ideas.'

And just like what the late Eva Peron said in regards to the oligarchs and its social policies, it makes no sense for a system and its rah-rah peeps to underestimate, to the point of merely heckle these deeply affected people; again, they had less idea to show as compared to those whom they assail such as those who will protest in Commonwealth ave. or in various social media sites like Twitter and Facebook, to think that most of these protesters, those who dare to complain and instead seeing nonsensical comments usually face rising costs of commodities and a low purchasing power of Peso. No matter they worked hard, save and take time doing austerity measures, the purchasing power of their peso remained low and seemed insufficient to face the rising costs especially those of oil and other basic needs everyone tends to struggle for.
After all, did these rah-rah peeps and apathetics speak for the workers in increasing their wages? Farmers for their land and the marginalized for their livelihood and welfare? Nope. What they only know is for them to stop making noises and endure the sickening truth of a semicolonial, semifeudal order.

Yes, like any other State of the Nation, the head of state, along with its constituents may take pride in their so-called achievements, of half-realized programs that require borrowing loans, yet despite all their attempts, they're merely served as an icing to cover the sickening truth in a way high rise buildings and various projects made to create a façade of progress in a society vast tracks of land remained owned by the few and builders of high-rise edifices lived in a house of junk. Again, people from the ruling class had poor ideas despite trying to present themselves "caring" towards the poor and of the unjust.

-That somehow benefits those who took interest such as the United States and China with the latter most people assailed much out of cold war nostalgia.

Anyways, it's up to the people whom to heed:
will it be from the head of state or the leaflets and speakers from the protest action?
will it be the promises left in paper or the concertina wire laid at the concrete barriers?
...or the clapping of barong tagalog-clad constituents or  the banging of the truncheons?

Again, it's up to the people, especially those who are greatly affected by a silent but stunning crisis.

***

Anyways, for an off-topic, as the famous Basketball star Lebron James to visit Manila this coming 23, why not Mr. James speak at the rostrum at the Batasang Pambansa instead of Aquino and had his Araneta event this Monday? After all, this writer had seen ironically that while the assailed poor are queuing in lines for a Conditional Cash Transfer, the middle class afford to take the same queue for a free ticket.