Davide's new job: A gargantuan task!

It's obvious that Pres. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo (GMA) doesn't want former Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr. to retire as an ordinary farmer in Argao, (which he would have wanted to do)… that is why he was recently appointed as Presidential Adviser on Electoral Reforms. Davide's task is a gargantuan one, and that is to come up with recommendations on how to improve the country's antiquated, corrupt-prone electoral system.

This early, I suggest that Davide shouldn't listen to our present or former politicians, as they are the ones who virtually corrupted our electoral system. We have a ton of suggestions for to him… but having run for Assemblyman himself, I'm sure he knows what plagues the Commission on Elections (Comelec). For starters, let me give him a suggestion. The Comelec should only be akin to an "adhoc" body like Namfrel, which doesn't hold office all year round. It should disband three months after elections. If Namfrel can disband, why can't the Comelec? So let's help Davide roll up his sleeves and get to work, while we wish the former Chief Justice lots of luck.

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As we've said many times already, stories about impending coups always get louder and louder as the anniversary of the EDSA People's Power Revolt nears. For this year, we will be celebrating the 20th anniversary of EDSA. Surely, 20 years later, we've learned our bitter lessons… that for instance the opposition who shout the loudest demanding justice, equality and good government cannot find it in their hearts to deliver these demands when they are in power. This is a truism in Filipino politics; it was true then as it is just as true to us today.

Twenty years ago, we already heard about the unrest in the military, because then Pres. Ferdinand E. Marcos continue to retain his loyal dog, Gen. Fabian Ver as his Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). I recall that one famous military celebrity who landed in Time and Newsweek Magazine is our very own, M/Gen. Adelberto "Bert" Yap who refused a direct order by then Air Force Chief, Gen. Piccio to ferry a C-130 full of ice cream for the wedding of Irene Marcos in Paoay, Ilocos Norte. For that defiant act Col. Yap was placed in a freezer... without ice cream I suppose.

But few officers are like Gen. Yap who rose from the ranks from the heels of EDSA to become top ranking officers in their own right. Most of the RAM Boys who got juicy positions in the government, became the most corrupt and I don't even have to name names because we'd run out of space for this column if we mention all of them!

Today, we have the lags of Capt. Nicanor Faeldon and the Magdalo group of escapees who cry out injustice, corruption and good and honest government. But if those soldiers are pardoned and given juicy positions, you can bet your last centavo that they'd just be as corrupt as the system!

This is why we've been batting for changes in our system of government and the best solution in sight is for a Parliamentary system, balanced by a Federal system of government. But alas, Federalism is being pushed into the back burner in favor of Parliamentary-only scenario. This is why many of us are now rethinking our position and we just might not support charter changes (cha-cha) anymore.

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Here's an emailed letter from Richard Mendoza on our article about Manny Pacquiao, which is self-explanatory.

"Dear Mr. Avila… we Filipinos celebrate the victory of Manny P. on his well publicized win in Las Vegas as we share the same collective aspirations of an average Juan who attains national recognition through talent and hard work. That is why his victory is in a sense, a national aspiration of our country. However, when I read in an article on how Manny P spends his hard earned money, I noticed he veers towards the consumptive side. Three houses, expensive SUVs and rumors of big time gambling plus hangers-on and alalays in barangay numbers. I remember during Marcos time, people had to bail out Flash Elorde including the government and of course, Navarette and other previously-known boxers are leading wretched lives. Since these are usually undereducated people, perhaps some agency should somehow educate them on how to manage their finances. It would indeed be a pity somehow if the collective idol of our country falls on hard times... Richard"

Thanks for the email Richard, we can only hope that Pacquiao can retain his earnings and put it to some good use and not squander it.

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