Country before self. Good versus evil.

These are not mere catchphrases, nor marketing tools to sway people to vote this way or that. This is the simple truth that cannot be clouded by layers of lies and unfulfilled promises of a government that now is known as the most corrupt that we Filipinos have ever had.

As you know, a few weeks ago I made the most difficult decision of my life. It was certainly heart wrenching and painful to tell family, friends, and supporters in Club Filipino that I was going to give way to Noy... but I believed then, as I do now, that it was the right thing to do. Not just for myself or for those who supported me, but for a country eagerly waiting to be united against a familiar foe. Of course, I speak of graft, corruption, and the many evils that follow in their wake. I know that most of you may see these traditional lines as motherhood statements or the usual words politicians use to gain votes, pacify the crowd, and continue this ruinous cycle. I tell you now, with what conviction that I can muster, that these are not abstract words; that they exist in the highest offices of the land; and that the most opportune time to fight this evil is May 2010.

And this is where Noy comes in. People are beginning to believe again. As recent events have shown, he captured the passion of a country and united it against this overwhelming sense of paralysis. Stepping aside, though a hard decision on my part, is a small role to play in this struggle. 

A movement has been born. I ask you to join it and reclaim a government that is rightfully yours. A few weeks ago I took the first step towards this direction. I intend to take many more steps in the near future. Let this serve as an invitation to you, reader, activist, scholar, and friend, to do the same.

Hindi ko kayo pababayaan. Mahal na mahal ko kayo. Lalaban tayo!

M.

Hi all,

I’ve been to a few commencement exercises over the last few weeks and in each one, there’s always been an inspiring story to tell. Today, there was Eliza Jane Maala.

Though she is the eldest of four, one of her siblings decided to skip school altogether in order to earn for the family. Her mother is a seamstress and her father is a carpenter without a steady income. Eliza who was a working student since high school eventually let go of her job as a hardware clerk in order to become a tuition-free University Scholar in the Batangas State University. Despite the sweat and tears, the disadvantage of dealing with problems beyond her years, she graduated today at the top of her class, B.S. Accountancy, magna cum laude.

There are so many like her… So many who struggle day in and day out who, despite the overwhelming odds against them, are able to crawl from very humble beginnings to rise academically over those more privileged. For this alone they deserve to be congratulated.

The overriding question though is, what happens now? How will they face the world after the solitude of the academe? Will they give in to the demoralizing institution that is our government and flee our shores for better haven? I hope not. There is so much potential in our graduates, so much idealism and creativity that deserves more than a fleeting acknowledgment of their academic achievements from despised trapos (perhaps some would even consider me one of them). They deserve a government that doesn’t cheat them at every turn. They deserve to be led to a future of proud civic involvement and not wistful apathy.

Like Eliza, people deserve to have their faith rewarded. The Filipino deserves better.

M.

As you may have read recently, Russia just resumed supplying Europe with natural gas after cutting supply for a month during the Christmas season. This drove up international prices and may have driven many of our LPG traders to hoard.

I've asked the DTI to go after these hoarders. When I was DTI Secretary, I made sure that I myself would do the inspection and conduct surprise inspections. We knew where the supply was, so we could trace where it'd be at anytime.

'Yan ang problema natin ngayon. Kung ako ang Pangulo, sisiguruhin ko na mababantayan ko ang presyo ng mga bilihin. Mahalaga ang kapakanan ng bawat pamilya, lalo na sa mga panahong ito ng krisis. Kaya lang ay 'di natin nakikita sa eksena ang ating Pangulo. Where is she, where is her presidency?

She's off to Davos, Switzerland, to tell the world that in the Philippines, 'ramdam ang kaunlaran.' If I were President, things would be different. Para sa akin, mahalaga ang tao, hindi ang sarili ko.

M.

Hi all. I've been reading and replying to private messages during the Christmas break and I thought I'd share some of them with everyone.

Here's one regarding Senate President Enrile: Nagtatanong po kayo kung bakit ko binoto si Senator Enrile para maging SP. This isnt the most pressing issue now, but in the spirit of transparency, I'd like to tell you why I voted for him. Back then it had come down to a choice between the then-SP or anyone else. We could've let the days drag on with a leader we couldn't trust anymore... but the Senate simply can't function in that manner. Sen. Enrile was the only one who we could agree on enough to muster the necessary votes to replace the then-SP. 

---

Here's another one regarding my take on the CARP Extension: Let's be honest here: This so-called extension bill does not work. It does not extend the program. It merely extends funding for land acquired before the program expired. There will be no new acquisition and distribution of land with this bill. And even when land is distributed, our farmers still dont have adequate tools and know-how to make use of it. The land merely becomes idle or is sold back to the original landowner.

So, for me, voting yes to this bill would have meant betraying the very spirit of land reform. You may ask, then, why didnt I just say no in the first place?

Because a no symbolizes that I am against land reform per se. Or it might be interpreted as that by some sectors or entities. I didnt want that message to come across.

I do favor the implementation of CARP, but we dont need another version of an incomprehensive agrarian reform program. What we need are reforms that carry weight, not extensions of toothless laws. The CARP should be a genuine vehicle for social justice and economic development.

We still have time to craft a land reform law that could only be implemented by the next administration, which would be more dependable than this Arroyo regime. The new law must include services like low-interest and long-term credit facilities; seeds, fertilizers, and irrigation; and adequate drying and milling capabilities.

Neither a yes or a no would have worked in this particular case. I abstained because I stand for real land reform. And Im hoping we could work together to achieve that. Thanks though for being genuinely interested in the plight of our farmers.

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Just so you all know what's going on,
M.

Hi all,

Mar here.

I know it's been some time since I've written and likewise since I've responded to your messages... pasensyahan niyo na lang ako.

The other night I went to a despedida dinner for 2 old friends, Gene and Weng, whose papers for NZ came through.

They were excited about it and we talked long into the night about old times (you only remember the good) and the new adventure they were undertaking.

Bittersweet.

I'm happy for them; they've escaped their default destiny had they stayed.

I'm sad too - for us. Our country didn't have room for people like them. College-educated, hard workers, relatively successful in their chosen fileds, good income, some built up savings and capital, large network of friends .... and yet... they did everything by the book, they followed the recipe, the instructions , and yet ...

They could see that they could only build a viable future in another country. They applied to both Canada and NZ and took the one whose approval came through first. I dont blame them; they did what they could for themselves and their 4 kids.

This pisses me off - that good, decent, right thinking, rule following people can't make a go of it in our country.

Things have got to change.

Food for thought for you all,

M.