In light of the mishandling of the fallout of the Mamasapano incident last January which resulted in 44 Special Action Force (SAF) members dead, calls have been mounting for current Philippine president Benigno Simeon “BS” Aquino to resign.
One can say it is a mishandling – actually, that is a very mild word to describe it – because from the onset BS Aquino had been doing things considered suspicious. First off, he waited several days before initially addressing the country. Then, instead of taking command responsibility like any decent leader should, he pinned the blame on former SAF chief Getulio Napeñas and on the SAF commandoes themselves. Next, instead of being present at the arrival of the bodies in Villamor, he opted to be at the inauguration of a car plant, never mind that he could always cancel his plans for the more important one (important to his role as “father of the nation”, that is). At the funeral rites, his eulogy focused more on his own loss, his father Ninoy Aquino, than on the bereaved, which people found off-putting. In his second national address, where he was expected to say something different, he didn’t. When he recently visited the families of the dead SAF members, it was reported that he got testy, with lines like “Ano gusto ninyo, kunan naming ng fingerprints lahat ng MILF?” In his most recent of moves that have come under scrutiny, BS Aquino claims that he was fed lies by resigned Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Alan Purisima (easy to pin the blame on someone, especially when they’re out of the picture and unable to defend themselves, no?)
BS Aquino should resign, but Filipinos don’t want to do anything differently.
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Why do Filipinos continue to trust a man who continues to evade his responsibilities as a leader, and as someone who upholds the truth?
Opinions will vary on whether BS Aquino should resign based on this FUBAR alone. If only Filipinos’ memories weren’t so short, however, they would realize that this is only the latest addition on what is already a considerable list of bungled-up responses to crisis situations.
The main argument BS Aquino apologists use to defend the status quo, i.e., he should not resign, is that Vice President Jejomar Binay will take his place. They insist, to no end, that Binay is corrupt, so letting him take the reins will not make us any better off. In fact, it will supposedly make us worse than with BS Aquino at the helm.
Unfortunately, if BS Aquino stays at the helm, he is STILL capable of doing more damage to Philippine institutions and Philippine society more than he already has. But Filipinos would rather do nothing and “make tiis-tiis” simply because they are afraid of the alternative.
Well, who put the undesirables in their place through the popular vote, anyway?
It’s supposed to be simple, really; a government official who no longer has the trust of his people is also no longer deserving to be in his/her position. Aquino apologists, however like to complicate things by bringing up the undesirable characteristics of the replacement. This to me, betrays a lack of inclination by Filipinos to take charge and hold their leaders accountable. They still exhibit excessive and unnecessary deference to their government officials as if “karma will get them, eventually”.
No, karma will not make them accountable for their misdeeds; only affirmative action by those who are willing to take that step can.
On to my point.
BS Aquino’s government has been trying – although they were eventually exposed – to do its shady deals away from the public eye. If you think about it, it’s like getting it doggy style – you know you’re being screwed, you just can’t see who’s doing it.
In the event, however, that BS Aquino steps down before 2016, and Binay takes over, what are Filipinos going to do differently?
Simple. They are going to assume the missionary position. Because getting screwed that way is more acceptable to their Catholic upbringing than with doggy style.
Either way, they will continue receiving and taking shit passively, and they will still get screwed.
In case you missed the implications of the metaphor above, let me put it in the vernacular for Filipinos to understand:
”Alam niyo na ngang hinihindot kayo ng pamahalaan niyo, patalikod man o harap-harapan, ngunit ayaw niyo pa rin pigilin.”
Filipinos already know that they are being screwed by their government, and yet they still don’t want to do anything about it.
And that’s why the Philippines remains a basketcase. It is not a poverty of resources that cripples Filipino society, it is a poverty of imagination and resolve to improve on past mistakes that keeps it at the bottom of the heap.
А вы, друзья, как ни садитесь, все в музыканты не годитесь. – But you, my friends, however you sit, not all as musicians fit.
The Philippines does not owe anything to Aquino’s parents. Ninoy Aquino, Jr. is a political opportunist. His death, did not make him a Hero…It is the Aquino’s Propaganda machine that made him a Hero.
Aquino is acting Weird, in times of Crisis. He is a mentally unbalanced individual. His behaviour during the Chinese Luneta Hostage murder, is the same as of now. He wants to Evade responsibility. He has found a Escape Goat, in the form of SAF Chief Napenas.
We can have a Snap Election to Elect a President and a Vice President. After Aquino is FORCED OUT from office. The longer he stays in office, the more destruction, he can make in our country…Aquino must be tried for Treason, like his grandfather, Benigno Aquino, Sr.
Please elaborate your claim in the first paragraph about the senator being a political opportunist. After all, it’s not that hard to offer a better administration when the dictator controlled all media and freedom of speech. One word can make a man disappear. So standing for freedom is not heroic? Not even up to death?
I am very curious for your reasons and would like to read your explanation to see a different angle to the story of that Aquino.
No qualms with the second paragraph, he is practically irresponsible.
As for the third: a snap election? It would take widespread accountability of the government for true change. Next, the sins of the grandfather is on the grandson? And what treasonous act has the ‘Third done, yet (that BBL though). Incompetence is one thing, treason is another thing that is to be proven.
You know, I’ve been thinking of treason for a long while already because anything that the govt. is doing that is not promulgated in the Constitution or against it, is considered treasonous, and that has been blatantly done many times, even to the point of flaunting it around. I think snap election is the best option as Binay is second in the line of succession should BSA vacate his position, and he is as bad as the latter, or maybe even worse, we can no longer afford having another one of the same character in the presidency. As for heroes, well, “matagal na tayo nalansi ng angkan nila” it’s time we take a good grip of reality and the truth, as we always have ourselves get carried away by their rhetorics and histrionic antics. I remember also reading somewhere here what he said to one sibling of one of the fallen 44, “like you, nawalan din ako ng tatay, pinatay din, patas na tayo.” Ouchhhhh!!! ang sakit naman!!! Naghahanap pala ng patas!
Treasonous offences are punishable, in many countries, by death or life imprisonment. Not so in the FAIL-ippines. E-CRAP, who was up on capital charges at one time(yes?), is the Mayor of Manila for Crissakes !!! if this is not the height of stoo-oo-oo-pidity, what is?
Oh…. bcuz justice is spelled jazz-Ts, as in jazz the treasoners. Ah well, what can i say.
and stooo oo oo pidity is bob oo oo bity in local dialect
The problem with calling for PNoy’s resignation is just that, call. No president in recent memory have resigned simply because the people called for it. Resignation involves volition on the part of the person resigning. It might be voluntary or involuntary depending on the case. However, if we’re gong to force PNoy to resign that would be another thing, which I think the article insinuates.
It talks about Filipinos not wanting to do “anything differently.” And differently means what? Aside from the call to resign, what else do we have to do? Taking the streets and mounting rallies and demonstrations everyday to express our disgust and disatisfaction like we did in the past? Persuade and cajole unsatisfied men and women in the military and police so they will join civilians in protests and rallies? Those are not new or different for we have been there and done those. We can do again it why not, but for clarity and curiosity sake, exactly, what really is ‘anything differently’? Do we do things within the bounds of the law or we do illegal acts in order to force the resignation of PNoy?
Either way, who will initiate and pursue the doing of ‘anything differently’? Not all are shakers and movers; a greater part of the population are composed of followers. Followers need someone to follow if we’re going to do ‘anything differently’.
So, very clearly before we act we have to have actors first that will not only help enhance and promote the objective of the cause but also ensure its success.
With regard to trust, I’m not sure if the result of the 2014 4th quarter survey done by the Social Weather Station, showing a ‘good’ satisfaction rating of +39 on PNoy’s performance, still reflects the same result today. If it is, the article’s assumption that the Filipinos continue to trust PNoy would be valid. However, since a lot of things have happened after that survey it is possible that PNoy’s satisfaction rating might have gone down from that +39.
I think it is necessary know the present satisfaction ratings of the president because it will aid those who are calling for his resignation to determine if there is enough number in their ranks to pursue the cause. It PNoy’s performance ratings has gone down to the negative, of course, that is a welcomed sign for the opposition. And even if it’s still on the positive but has gone down, it would still be precarious and dangerous for PNoy to be contented and satisfied and not think of doing the necessary things to calm down the situation.
In other words, those who are calling for the president’s resignation has to find out if Filipinos continues to trust this president to be able to gauge what to do in the coming days as to whether to continue doing what it’s doing or resort to other means necessary to proceed to accomplish the objective.
My view on that is, PNoy still have that cushion in terms of positive support on his performance. I’m sure the 2014 4th quarter survey has drastically changed but not completely reversed on the negative. However, as days goes by, there is no telling if his ratings will remain in the positive. It all depends on what PNoy will do, especially on the Mamasapano case. It is still open-ended. The country is still looking for closure on that and I don’t know if the president realize that. Right now, I’m looking for some solid factors that the Aquino administration can hold on to or holding now to placate the growing discontent and control the downslide, if there is any. I said that because the situation developing to the level of fluidity is not impossible given that there are rumblings in all corners of the archipelago about things not going in their proper direction.
As we guessers always say: “Abangan ang susunod na kabanata”.
“The problem with calling for PNoy’s resignation is just that, call. No president in recent memory have resigned simply because the people called for it. Resignation involves volition on the part of the person resigning.”
The call for PNoy to resign is founded in (false) hope that he’ll find it in himself to do the right thing, hoping he still have it in him the character if not of a true leader, at least that of an honest person given that his apologists would defend that he is not a bad person/is an honest man. Okay, let’s hear it. What makes him the worthy President they thought him to be? Concerning his governance, if we subtract his incompetency from his “own” accomplishments, what would be the difference?
especially on situations where a President is faced with problems to solve, called to act humbly, courageously and responsibly.
Again, the call to resign based on a shallow reason is the problem. Hoping to find it in his heart to do the right thing is like saying ‘PNoy you decide for your self if you want to resign or not’. Not gonna happen.
You want to know what makes him worthy as a president? Don’t listen, tell those who are willing to listen why you think he’s not worthy.
Yes, for that reason alone it’s not. going. to. happen. Knowing PNoy, right? The focus beforehand was in ousting or impeaching him based on the charges filed against him previously and could be filed against him presently which was always being dismissed. Can PNoy be fired or dismissed? Who can do that? On what grounds can that be done? The citizens are always deprived of the due process of the law where he is concerned.
I’m returning your own advice to you bdw. You want to know what makes him unworthy as a president? Don’t listen, tell those who are willing to listen why you think he’s worthy. Surely the apologists readied numerous sources – yellow propaganda.
Its sad, but the Philippines at this rate will only keep getting worse and no longer improve. A friend of mine who returned to the country after 40 years remarked that it has remained the same since he left.
I hate to say this, but it seems the common Filipino has a memory span of a Goldfish.
It is just that their priorities lie in being baduy. No room for analysis or reflection or improvement.
BOCHICA = Bend Over Coz Here It Comes Again !!!
The title of this essay could not be more accurate. Time after time, election fraud cycle after election fraud cycle…THE SAME SHIT HAPPENS ! Nothing changes !!! NOTHING !
It’s difficult to understand why Filipino’s refer to a thieving politician, who may win a fraudulent election and is only going to serve for one 6 year term, as the ‘FATHER of the Country’,WHAT? This makes zero sense to anyone looking into the society. ZIPPO ZILCH NADA !
What needs to be said need not always be done.
What needs to be done need not always be said.
What are you all waiting for?
“……as the ‘FATHER of the Country’,WHAT? ” >>>bcuz he’s not the mother, brother, sis, uncle, aunt, or cousin. And don’t try to understand it, or you get the stockholm syndrome, or worse, get fucked too — he’s the father, or the farter that does the f*ckin.
“What are you all waiting for?” >>> c’mon, man, allow ’em some rest before they bend over again. Why the hurry…they got all the time to get fucked again.
@ add, UH, that was not the point.The point being,if you are tired of BOHICA…what are you waiting for as in…
Do I really have to state it?
..The hanging question is whether there is now a need for surgery to cure a disease called PNoyorrhea, more commonly called as Noynoying in lay parlance, or whether the disease can still be cured by gentle massage by expert therapists like Sleepy Lacierda and Oblivious Coloma.in the next few months. Taking 3 capsules per day could also relieve whatever pain there is. (Just don’t overdose as side effects could include vomiting and dizziness leading to convergent strabismus, or pagka-duleng.) We are told this capsule is readily available from Drillon and Trillanes Fucknership Limited with addresses at Senatic Bldg., Roxas Blvd., PHL — just ask the guard where Lunatic is. No ID, No Entry is a policy strictly implemented in the place, so bring your Voter’s ID to avail of their Near2016 Promo and the discounts on Hee-Po-Kreet tablets imported from the fiery islands of Mang Taning.
Sleepy and Oblivious say that surgery is life-threatening as PNoyorrhea could metastasize into Bee-Nay-V, or BNV syndrome if we even conduct an endoscopic probe — it should be left untouched. BNV is an Ebola-like virus that gnaws on pockets; it is more virulent than Gloria-nitis.
Research staffs in the medical and laboratory facilities of Twitter and FB disagree. Surgery is needed now. PNoyorrhea attacks first the brain and weakens the body; it leaves the patient dis-oriented in critical times. It induces dreams and fantasies; hallucination when least expected. Already, this dream has killed 8 tourists in Luneta and 44 SAF in Mamasapano. Because of the dream, nobody knows how to count the dead in Tacloban when Yolanda came to town for a visit. It is also because of this dream that PNP Chief in Tacloban and the SAF Chief were fired. So the convergent strasbismus has already set in, it sees the PNP both as a hero and as a villain in the same breath. It hallucinates about an economic miracle where there are no miracles, just remittances from Doc OFW. PNoyorrhea does not need to mestatasize into BNV to show that it is already life-threatening in and of itself; the symptom is there: apology-phobic, an aversion to own up to any mistake.
It is a difficult question: a choice between one that attacks the brain and one that atacks the pocket. Everybody is waiting for the research that will cure both, so that the attacks on the brain and the pocket could simultaneously be treated, or averted. We wonder, though, if some brain cells have already been damaged beyond repair with the waiting.
American-style democracy doesn’t work in many countries but most especially in the Philippines. Filipinos are like children who need to be told what to do. They have no concept of patriotism, national pride and unity. Such basic concepts as personal responsibility and accountability, striving for excellence, and genuine desire to do what is right escapes their understanding. What is prevalent is apathy, resignation and a every-man-for-himself attitude. We are a country of talkers and not doers. We talk a good game but when push comes to shove we slink back into our comfortable shells not to be heard from again. Filipinos always prefer the easy way out. Are Filipinos really as stupid as they look and act? Sadly, I am coming to the conclusion that they are. I agree with the writer that Filipinos deserve whatever they get because they won’t get off their asses and do something for the betterment of their families, communities and country.
Geez, I could have sworn that event just happened THIS January, not last January or was there a similar event in January 2014 which was LAST January?
I mean, okay, let’s say we’re all going to get better. Let’s just pretend we will. Fine. Where are we going to go after we get better? What are we going to do with all of our newfound healthy behaviors? Back out into the stupid dumbass country called Failippines that screwed us up and screwed us over. This does not sound promising.