Empowered individuals

We have to take surveys with a grain of salt until we know what questions were asked and to whom, as well as who commissioned them. I count myself among many who believe that surveys can be used (abused, is more accurate ) to swing public opinion. Using a perceived ‘credible’ survey and sensational headlines can be lethal if foisted in a generally unthinking, apolitical public.

The cry for impeachment, if properly understood, should favor President GMA. It is she who has asked her critics to observe due process. This does not come out in the interpretation of the ‘results’ of a survey which concludes that 84 per cent Metro Manilans want her impeached. The welter of ‘statistics’ and ‘facts’ adds to the confusion. It becomes a political tool if impeachment is not understood and made to be synonymous to removal. That is the deception, and unfair both to the public and the institution of the Presidency, whether it be GMA or anybody else.

Media are not just businesses but a public service often disregarded. More often it is focused on money-making. To date we do not have a media watchdog that might have a restraining influence on its misuse. It is time to remind the public that as consumer, it has the power to reject this misuse of media. Happily, this misuse may be coming to an end not because of any voluntary restraint but with the growing power of the Internet. Individuals without money or influence can put their message across not just here but beyond. This is not to say that Internet cannot be misused. But it challenges those who have money and the wherewithal to publish newspapers, own television and radio and hire surveys.Tom Friedman, the renowned New York Times columnist was dead on when he said that today we have to reckon not only with a superpower or supermarkets, but what he calls super-empowered individuals. "Some of these super-empowered individuals are quite angry, some of them quite wonderful, but all of them are now able to act much more directly and much more powerfully on the world stage."

Friedman wrote just after the 9/11 incident. He called this the third balance that we must not ignore - the balance between individuals and nation-states.

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Here are excerpts from letters from super-empowered individuals writing from abroad through the Internet. [email protected]: Resign, is the call to make the ultimate sacrifice for the good of the country. Now that is a call that we can endorse. No, not the call for the President to resign, but the call for everyone, not just her, to make sacrifices for the good of the nation. * The 10 Cabinet members who resigned: many of you are known for integrity. Let your record speak for itself. Can you make the sacrifice of just shutting up now and not defending yourselves, for this contributes to further instability? Frank Drilon: your salivating for the Vice Presidency leaves a bad taste in the mouth. You manifested extreme hypocrisy and political opportunism in extolling GMA to high heavens and then stabbing her in the back, within the space of one week…. Buddy Keh of Moneylink Support Services asks if I really believe that amending the Constitution, say into a parliamentary form, would heal the ills of the Philippines? (CNP: Never said that!) If I remember right, this form of government was doing okay before the Marcos era…. Noel Verzosa <noelverzosa@yahoo. com writes that contrary to popular belief, the phrase "separation of church and state" does not appear in the Constitution. The Constitution simply provides that "Congress pass no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof." In the United States, the bastion of constitutional democracy, religious leaders actively lobby Congress in order to influence legislation, especially when it comes to abortion and stem cell research. Religious leaders like the Rev. Jesse Jackson and Pat Robertson have ran for the highest office in the land.... Mita Starr<mitams@sat viz.com:Thanks for expressing the ‘voice’ of the silent majority. I’m sending a copy of your article to all my old friends in Manila and hope they show up in Luneta. Wish I was back home for that…. Reyna Angeles Starr from Los Angeles <hariatreyna@hotmail. com Mrs. Susan Roces-Poe will never stop to demand the President’s resignation because she did not understand when the President said "I will not resign. Pwede ho ba sa susunod, sumagot sa Tagalog?....

Oscar Aujero<Oscar R. [email protected] agrees it is presumptuous for Cory to barge in Malacanang and ask Gloria to resign. "We must follow the constitutional process and that is impeachment if indeed Gloria committed impeachable offenses. That will come out during the impeachment process. And if she is rightfully impeached as borne by the findings so be it, and let Noli succeed. At least give Gloria the due process as Erap was given in his impeachment hearings.... Carl Cid S.M<[email protected] says that FVR’s proposal to form Congress into a Constituent Assembly, is consistent with his statements when he was President. At that time, his proposal was construed as an attempt to prolong his hold on power. Now, there are again aspersions that President Ramos wants to become Prime Minister Ramos…. We hope President Ramos ignores all the carping…. Those who say that charter change is not a priority only have selfish motives because it is very clear that this Constitution has not done the country any good. We hope President Ramos and Speaker De Venecia stick to their guns and do something to pull us out of this miserable situation. We also hope for a Federal System, so we are not hostage to events in Manila.... Ronald Chua <[email protected] asked for "Charter Change for Good Governance: Towards a Federal Republic of the Philippines with a Parliamentary Government". Roberto Dayao <robertod@athenae services.com also asked for Dr. Jose Abueva’s book (CNP: Try KAF tel. (632) 8943427 email:[email protected]).... [email protected] Thank you for your column on the 3-way Test. It cast a ray of hope for GMA and the country. Your perspective is consistent with Mere Marie Eugenie’s firm belief: "Across the darkness, I salute the dawn".… Juan Deiparine <juandeiparine@hotmail. com We now have a golden opportunity for charter change. I hope that Franklin Drilon, Joker Arroyo, the Church and other apologists for the hopelessly flawed Cory Constitution do not scuttle the aspirations of the silent majority who would like to see a charter more attuned to our times and needs. I also hope to see a Constitution that gives more self-determination to Mindanao. As it is, the siren call for Mindanao independence is getting more and more seductive. Christians, as well as Muslims and Lumads, are now advocating independence because they see no hope in the present situation. A Federal system, more responsive to the aspirations of the regions, may offer hope. You have my respect and admiration.... Haydee Carlos <[email protected]: I am one of the millions of Filipinos working abroad. When friends here in Singapore ask me if I want to live here permanently, I always say that Philippines may be poor and chaotic but I will always come back because it is home. Last night, when I saw the DA being invaded by red clothed individuals, for the first time I lost hope that this country of ours will someday be prosperous.

E-mail: [email protected]