Monday, January 30, 2006

Renewing our public life through moral values*


(*full text of the Pastoral statement of the Catholic Bishops? Conference of the Philippines)

Beloved People of God:

1. We, your bishops, have collectively discerned in the light of the Gospel what our mass media, our political leaders and, above all, you parishioners in our various dioceses have been telling us. What clearly emerges is the continued and urgent need for renewal in the public life of our country.

I. Our Pastoral Situation: What Our People Are Saying

2. We have all observed the failure of political processes to make public servants accountable for wrongdoing. What we have seen instead are acts of evasion and obstruction of the truth, as in the case of the wiretapping and Garcillano tapes controversy. While we acknowledge that patriotic and sincere Filipinos have heeded our call in July 2005 for accountability in public office and sought means for the truth to emerge, we also witness those who seem to use "the search for truth" as a means of furthering their political ambitions. Pressure is thus brought on the ordinary citizen to take sides on the basis of speculation, whether this be with regard to destabilizing alliances, armed insurgency, or a brewing coup d?état. Have we become a nation of rumors and untruths?

3. As a result of all this, there seems to be a paralyzing gridlock in the political sphere, as partisan interests prevail over the demands of the common good. Enough of this destructive politics, we hear our people declare. In this situation of widespread confusion, it is not surprising that apathy and cynicism with regard to politics have taken hold of the minds and hearts of many Filipino. Tragically, many Filipinos have lost trust in political leaders from left, right, and center, and worse still, in the political institutions themselves which are perceived by many to be corrupted. Among an increasing number of our people, there is a sense of hopelessness about our country and the possibility of genuine reform.

4. While the economy at the macro-level seems to be moving along, the benefits are not sufficiently shared by the poor. What the people in our dioceses are experiencing and saying informs us that their most immediate and urgent priority is their daily struggle to earn a livelihood. Poverty remains the heaviest burden our people bear. They wonder if the political priorities that preoccupy our leaders are merely "Manila-magnified" problems foisted upon those in the provinces. They are seriously concerned that in 2006 we shall be repeating the same kind of chaotic politics that we all suffered in 2005.

II. The Root of the Crisis: Erosion of Moral Values

5. As bishops, we believe that at the bottom of our political chaos is a crisis of moral values, a crisis of truth and justice, of unity and solidarity for the sake of the common good and genuine peace. Truth has become a victim of political partisanship as well as of transactional politics. Moral accountability and justice for crimes, such as the killings of journalist and labor leaders, are yet to be realized.

6. Because of this crisis of values in our public life, the common good and the plight of the poor are being ignored. We witness the anguish of poor farmers affected by rising prices of farm inputs and decreasing prices for their products. Indigenous people, farmers and fishermen in our diocese are filled with anxiety about the negative effects of mining, commercial logging, illegal quarrying and fishing, and the continual threat of displacement from one?s ancestral lands. More regrettable is the common knowledge that many of our politicians are behind such ventures that disregard the common good.

7. As Bishops, we realize that the root cause of our debilitating situation is the erosion of moral values. Its external manifestations are deceit and dishonesty, corruption, manipulation and a deadening preoccupation with narrow political interests, perceived in practically all branches and at all levels of government. Pope Benedict XVI cites St. Augustine?s observation that "a State which is not governed according to justice would be just a bunch of thieves." (Deus Caritas Est, 28)

8. But we also recognize that our situation is not one of utter darkness. We are encouraged and inspired to see so many good and decent Filipinos, of different faith traditions, working selflessly and sincerely to build up our nation. We see public servants struggling for integrity and the authentic reform of the corrupted institutions they are part of. We acknowledge groups of dedicated laity, religious and clergy, NGOs and various associations, including police and military personnel, giving of themselves to improve the governance, education, health, housing, livelihood and environmental conditions of our people. These people, united by a vision of heroic citizenship, are reasons for hope, even in the midst of the political crisis we find ourselves in.

III. What We Need to Do

9. The mission of the Church includes the renewal of the social order and public life through the teaching and inculcation of the values of the Gospel. Because of the moral dimensions of our political and economic life, "The Church has something to say about specific human situations, individual and communal, national and international." (Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, No. 521) "Any authentic search for peace", the Holy Father stresses, "must begin with the realization that the problem of truth and untruth is the concern of every man and woman." (In Truth, Peace, No. 5) Let us all therefore address the urgent issues facing our country from this moral standpoint:

* We recommend that the search for truth be relentlessly pursued through structures and processes mandated by law and our Constitution, such as the Ombudsman, the Commission on Audit, the Commission on Human Rights, the Sandiganbayan, and Congress itself as well as other citizens? groups. This requires that such bodies be led and run by credible people, persons of integrity and probity.

* Confidence and trust in our political processes have to be restored. As a first step we strongly urge our political leaders to undertake electoral reforms posthaste. The Commission on Elections has to be transformed into a competent and reliable body beyond reproach. The call for resignation or even prosecution of a number of the Commissioners should not be lightly brushed aside. The electoral process, including counting of votes, needs to be reformed and modernized before the next elections.

* Elections in 2007 should not be cancelled. The Church recognizes that in a democracy power emanates from the people - i.e., that "the subject of political authority is the people considered in its entirety?This people transfers the exercise of sovereignty to those whom it freely elects?but it preserves the prerogative?(of) evaluating those charged with governing, and in replacing them when they do not fulfill their functions satisfactorily." (Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, No. 395).

* While we agree that certain aspects of our Constitution may need amendments and revisions, we do not support hasty efforts to change this fundamental law of the land without the widespread discussion and participation that such changes require. We continue to believe, as we did in our Statement on Charter Change in 2003, that changing the Constitution involving major shifts in the form of government requires widespread participation, total transparency, and relative serenity that allows for rational discussion and debate. This is best done through a Constitutional Convention. The reasons for constitutional change must be based on the common good rather than on self-serving interests or the interests of political dynasties.

* We reiterate our stand in our July 2005 statement that we do not condone resort to violence or counter-constitutional means in resolving our present crisis. These measures would only bring about new forms of injustice, more hardships, and greater harm in the future.

10. We are aware that the renewal of Philippine public life will require the transformation of cultural values and structures, and will require more intensive efforts on the part of the Church. We therefore commit ourselves to the following:

* To adopt a more systematic program of promoting the moral values that are indicated in seven (of the nine) pastoral priorities drawn up at the 2001 National Pastoral Consultation on Church Renewal. These are: integral faith formation; empowerment of the laity towards social transformation; the active presence and participation of the poor in the Church and in society; the family as the focal point of evangelization; the building and strengthening of participatory communities that make up the parish; integral renewal of the clergy and religious; and our journeying with the youth.

* To continue the formation of Basic Ecclesial Communities and other faith-communities at the grassroots, towards a deeper spirituality of heroic Christian citizenship, and towards encouraging the laudable efforts of these communities at nation-building, such as the monitoring of the IRA, bidding of public works projects, etc.

* To promote a spirituality of public service, integrity and stewardship among public servants and citizens? groups alike. These forms of social spirituality should counteract the persistent evils of gambling, drug pushing, usury, destruction of our environment, and corruption in public office.

* To bring together various concerned citizens? groups that are working for good governance in order to encourage better collaboration among them in the mobilization of the governed to check graft and corruption and to work for better public services.

* To declare this year 2006 as a "Social Concerns Year" under the auspices of the Immaculate Heart of Mary and the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The Social Teachings of the Church, as summarized in the recently printed Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, may be discussed, internalized, and acted upon in all our dioceses, parishes and Catholic schools.

* To accompany our efforts with prayer and penance and a deep trust in the transformative power of God?s grace in the lives of individuals as well as of societies. "Restore us to Thee, O Lord, that we may be restored" (Lam 5:21).
Conclusion

11. In all we have been saying here, we, your Bishops, are seeking to be faithful to the Lord?s command of love, and his call to his followers to care for all peoples, especially those whom he sees as the "least of my brothers and sisters" (Mt. 25, 40). It is this Gospel mandate we wish to see making a qualitative difference in our efforts at healing and renewing our flawed political culture and corrupted public life. In doing this, we show our solidarity with the poor who suffer most from the present state of public life and politics.

12. May the love of God in Christ, poured out upon all of us in the Holy Spirit, give us the courage and hope to renew our public life and to build up a truly moral society. And may Mary become our guide and model in this renewed pilgrimage towards Truth, Justice, Freedom and Love - the pillars of genuine peace in our land.

For the Catholic Bishops? Conference of the Philippines

Angel N. Lagdameo, D.D.
President
Archbishop of Jaro
29 January 2006


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Saturday, January 28, 2006

The brewing of the Storm

Thirty-seven years ago today, 'a most vehement expression of dissent', in the words of writer Pete Lacaba, happened in front of the gates of the Lyceum of the Philippines.

Lacaba described January 28 as 'the Clash of '69'. Activists of the Lyceum of the Philippines had been holding a student strike for a week. They were protesting the arbitrary dismissal of four Lyceum students, all at one time or another staffers of The Lyceum, the official monthly publication.

The campus atmosphere was understandably emotionally-charged. Though the school administration denied the alleged expulsion, the four students were nonetheless unable to enroll for the next semester. They were kicked out on grounds of their activist clinging, which was evident in the exposès and critical articles they published in The Lyceum.

The following is an excerpt from Lacaba's account of the Clash of '69 (and the most accurate reportage, according to FQS veterans, of the FQS and related events to date, as published in his book 'Days of Disquiet, Nights of Rage'):

January 28 had begun quietly enough.

Though the student strike had been going on for almost a week, the Lyceum held classes as usual; not everybody was joining the picket line. As usual, the demonstrators stationed themselves outside the two front gates of the schoolbuilding, distributing manifestos, bearing placards, and, bullhorn in hand, haranguing the crowd, airing their demands. So far, so good.

Sometime before five in the afternoon, according to the demonstrators, a piece of paper fluttered down from a third-floor window. It was a copy of the mimeographed manifesto they were giving away. At the back of it was written, printed in capital letters and without punctuation, this message:

Tulungan Ninyo Kami
Ayaw Kaming Pababain
Harangin Niyo Na
Ang Iba Riyan

The note, passed from hand to hand until it grew ragged at the edges inflamed the demonstrators. They began shouting, calling on the students up in the classrooms to come down, commanding the security guards who stood behind locked gates to let their schoolfellows out. What happened next, who started the provocation, is unclear. One guard claims he was hit in the forehead by a pebble from the crowd. The student rebs say one of the guards, faced by the clamorous horde, raised his shotgun and fired -- up in the air or down at the ground, the accounts vary.

What followed, Lacaba relates, was a sequence of stone-throwing, rocks smashing glass windows and a bloody riot which left numerous students injured.

At about 9pm, after more than two hours of intermittent turbulence, a fire truck arrived and promptly trained its hoses on the students. Once again, the rebs scattered, but the water did not douse their fury. They turned on the firemen, they stoned the fire truck, which was forced to retreat when it ran out of water.

By this time, however, and without the help of the Manila Fire Department, the fires were banked: the turbulence had run its course...One by one, by twos or threes, in small groups, the rebs went away, went home,; a few proceeded to Precinct 3 to inquire about the fate of four demonstrators who had been arrested at the height of the insurrection...None but a handful of students and onlookers, and a gaggle of cops remained on the scene; the mood that had been fierce and jubilant, the raging tempest, had subsided now. Rocks and shattered glass littered the streets, bits of glass glittered from the leaves of trees, ragged black holes gaped from the building that was the Lyceum of the Philippines. On the wall outside one of the front gates shone a quotation in bronze from Rizal: "The school is the book in which is written the future of the nation".

What makes the Clash of '69 so monumental is that it was the beginning of the convulsion of youth and student discontent, even before the First Quarter Storm of 1970. Months before, except for the protest during Marcos' State of the Nation Address in the old Congress earlier, Lacaba relates that most of the student protests were passive and generally uneventful. They contented themselves with placards, banners and were more than once easily clobbered by the Metrocom.

What followed two days and 36 years ago from today led to what is remembered in history as the First Quarter Storm. But observers and participants in the Storm attest that the Clash of '69 was responsible in spreading nationwide student revolts. Every campus became a battleground against fascism and social injustice. Numerous other student strikes and protests were staged successfully after the incident, this time with not just a mere pocketful of students joining in.

Today, we commemorate and try to emulate the FQS. Mong, in one of our activities this week at Bantayog ng mga Bayani with the FQS Movement where our 'idols' shared their first-hand experiences with us, said, "Kung mayroong natatanging achievement ang mga aktibista noong FQS, nabigyan nila ng guide at pamantayan ang pakikibaka ng kilusang kabataan ngayon". What he meant was that youth activists of today are fortunate to have the FQS to extract lessons from. The FQS activists did not have that liberty, their elders either discouraged or reprimanded them. But they nevertheless succeeded in being at the forefront of unseating a fascist monster like Marcos. They achieved so from meticulous class analysis and an admirable show of collective discipline brought about by social necessity and dedication to the nationalist cause.

Another FQS may yet be unleashed. Ka Albert, an FQS veteran, after all said that present political and economic conditions make the nation very fertile for another uprising and resurgence of the youth and student movement. The people, he said, are hungry and restless. He said unlike during the Marcos era, notwithstanding the regime's extreme fascism, today's national situation leaves very little debate on the need for genuine social change and reform.

But another FQS will not brew by itself. If there is one important lesson in history that we should cherish and thrive on, it is that revolutions are borne from pockets of rebellion that will progressively rise to a fever that will stoke a nation's massive discontent.

Eventually and inevitably, we will get there. We are very honored to still have our FQS 'parents' with us, reliving the storm, continuing the struggle. ###


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Thursday, January 26, 2006

References on the Current Economic and Political Situation

For those with homeworks or are interested in in-depth study of the current economic and political situation, or are assigned with "propaganda tasks," YR is doing you a favor by putting together some recommended references on the current Philippine economic and political sitation.


On Arroyo's Cha-cha

Easy Guide to ConCom Report pcij blog
The Concom Proposal prepared by CODAL
Position Paper on the Arroyo Administration's Proposed Constitutional Amendments BAYAN
Powerpoint on Cha-cha BAYAN
Arroyo's Cha-cha: A Recipe for Dictatorship Committee in Defense of Lawyers (CODAL)
Attacking the World's Constitutions Sonny Africa, IBON
Update: Cha-cha and Arroyo's Political Survival Antonio Tujan, IBON
Update: Proposed amendment to Bill of Rights: A menace to Philippine democracy NUJP
Update (House Version): Legal Memo on the House Version of the Proposed Revisions Committee for the Defense of Liberties (CODAL)
Update: House Version of the Proposed Revisions
Easy Guide by pcij.org/blog

Update: Breeding Apathy: Cha-cha and its Implications on Young Filipinos YCHAT

Subic Rape Case and the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA)

Accomplice, Denial of Justice and Raping Filipinos YR posts
Pagyurak sa Dangal at Pambansang Soberanaya League of Filipino Students (LFS)
Legal Opinion on the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) Public Interest Law Center (PILC)
Full text: VFA


On Ousting Arroyo and the Political Crisis

What to expect in 2006 YR post
Sa Basurahan ng Kasaysayan LFS
Oust Arroyo Primer LFS
Q&A on the Gloriagate LFS
Update: Gumuguhong Gloria Institute of Political Economy
(to be updated)


Human Rights

KARAPATAN Human Rights Report 2005


On the Socio-Economic Crisis

Pahirap sa Masa Anakbayan
Update (Feb 15, 06): Situation of the Filipino Working Masses Under the Arroyo Government eilerinc.org



Youth Concerns and Issues

Update: Breeding Apathy: Cha-cha and its Implications on Young Filipinos YCHAT

(to be updated)



Please feel free to add your own recommended links.


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Sunday, January 22, 2006

Y-CHAT online signature campaign

make your mark. sign the petition against Cha-Cha of trapos


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Statement of the Magdalo Four

In fulfillment of our sworn duty
January 19, 2006

We have bolted from the repression of a bogus regime.We will no longer go along with the repression that this regime has to impose in order to continue its illegitimate rule. It is a repression that continues to prevent the members of the armed forces from, and even punishes them for, carrying out their sworn duty: to defend the Filipino people.

Our oath is clear: Our place is with our people; the people's will is sovereign. All our actions in the performance of our duties must demonstrate this bias in all instances.

Those who insist on the neutrality of the military, and who now occupy the positions of power, are those who would rather that we stay silent, betray our oath, and in effect even help them perpetuate their own selfish interests. They are the enemies of the people. We refuse to be their pawns.

The people's mandate is clear: Corruption, illegitimacy and neglect must end. Therefore, we do not merely seek a change in personalities. We seek the change of a system that installs the people's enemies in power and perpetuates the exclusion of the majority.

We seek the change of a system that reduces the peopleto being mere spectators, and a change in the kind of politics that lulls the masses into inaction and acquiescence with noise - petty quarrels, distracting issues and cosmetic reforms.

We are not alone in this struggle. Most of the armed forces are still Loyal to their oath and are one with us in our vision. We make up the New AFP. And we join our fellow Filipinos who now refuse to be cowed. We are a Force that grows stronger by the day, working in solidarity to usher a new nation where the people's interests are truly supreme.

The imperative is on all of us. The time to act is now.

Capt. Nathaniel Rabonza
1st Lt. Lawrence San Juan
1st Lt. Patricio Bumidang
1st Lt. Sonny Sarmiento


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Monday, January 16, 2006

Y-CHAT* and why at all?


Y-CHAT stands for Youth against Charter Change of Trapos, a recently launched youth and student network. The name speaks for itself.

Some things we ought to know about Cha-Cha (or 'let's start the great Cha-Cha debate'):

C - onniving trapos like FVR and JDV are pushing for it because they have been vying for the prime minister post since time immemorial (so quit overrating them and hailing them as well-meaning statesmen, for heaven's sake!)

H - armful to the country's political and economic system in that it will concentrate power among a few political cliques (see above) and HARMONIZE unconstitutional and HARSH fiscal policies in the existing Charter

A - rroyo is hell-bent on extending her term amid an irreconcilable political crisis (read: No-El)

C - reates an illusion that it is the be-all and end-all of the current crisis in an effort to suppress the growing public unrest against this regime (hence the results of the latest SWS survey)

H - ands-on and unabashed foreign control over local industries, services and enterprises (DANGER in the national patrimony zone)

A - ny Cha-Cha under the Arroyo administration is ANOMALOUS, ABHORRENT and ANTI-PEOPLE

In a gist.

*Y-CHAT is a broad network of youth and student organizations under Youth Demanding Arroyo's Removal (Youth DARE). It was launched last Saturday at a press conference in QC. Its banner project is a nationwide signature campaign to be circulated in different schools, colleges, universities and communities.

Keep posted for Y-CHAT's online petition and information campaign.


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Wednesday, January 11, 2006

Denial of Justice

LFS holds picket at DoJ, slams gov't 'Denial of Justice'.

The case of arrested US sailor in Japan further stirs outrage over the government's acting "like colonials."

We cannot compare the case to Japan, you say? Why of course! No, no, no. Not only because we have an unconsitutional and flawed VFA. But primarily because they do not have a justice secretary 'of the same caliber' as ours!

Showing further the government's inutility and the sell-out of our national dignity, another RP-US war game starts on Jan 17.

Meanwhile, Magdalo's Faeldon is busy making rounds in the AFP's camps, mocking the Generals and leading civil disobedience activities.

The youth calls for the first major ("teach-in") protest action against Cha-cha on Jan. 12.

In other news around the world: Unhappiness has risen in the past decade, University of Chicago's National Opinion Research Center reports.

"Most of the problems were related to increased incidents of illness and the inability to afford medical care; mounting bills; unemployment; and troubled romantic relationships."


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Saturday, January 07, 2006

Three kings

"Ramos attempted a 'three kings', but will they turn out to be wise men too?"

Anakbayan explains that:

"The 'three kings' cannot hope to be 'king makers' on their own. The 'wise man' thing to do is to support and have full faith in the growing anti-Arroyo mass movement, the true-blue good shepherds of genuine reform. Attempts at unity cannot be achieved through back-door conspiratorial talks alone."

Arroyo is planning a cabinet revamp, it seems the Spice Boy is going to get a chief-of-staff appointment as a present for being oh-so-nice to the president.

A council of state meeting with Aquino, Ramos and maybe Estrada, is set by the palace while SWS reports number of hungry Filipinos hit new high.

The Catholic church joins 'televangelism' with TV Maria.

Carol P. Araullo explains why the strengthening/weakening of the peso is a "damned if you and damned if you don?t" scenario. We lose whatever is the case.

A US sailor admits to killing local woman outside Tokyo. US job growth slows, and here's a look at the Large Imbalances the US economy will face in 2006.


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Thursday, January 05, 2006

'Eraptions' a la Gloria

Malaya newspaper features these hilarious Arroyo "mis-translations" in 'Eraptions' a la Gloria:


  • "Inutusan ko na si (Pagcor official) at si (MWSS official) upang magkaroon ng tubig ang inyong mga pipa."

  • "Nakakalbong dagat" (intended meaning: "Depleted marine resources." )

  • "Trangkasong ibon" Intended meaning: "Bird flu."

  • Imprastrakturang mang-aaliw ng mamumuhunan - Infrastructure that would attract investors

  • Lumipad na presyo - Soaring prices

  • Sana ay magkatotoo ang inyong mga panaginip - May your dreams come true

  • Kailangan natin ng malawak na pangharap para sa seguridad ng rehiyon - We need a broader front for the security of the region

  • Matipunong palatuntunang pambansa na sumisikat sa Silangan - Ano daw?

These may seem as innocent jokes, but we must remember that the 'Eraptions' have been a significant factor in the isolation of Estrada.

A friend once said that: "ang mga diyos, bago bumagsak, pinagtatawanan muna."


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Monday, January 02, 2006

Survivor of the Year

Among the 2005 yearend reports we have read, Bulatlat.com gives the most comprehensive round-up.

Carol P. Araullo, explains to us why we should look forward to 2006. She says:

Like a dam that seems to be holding, able to withstand the crush of tons of water, it is really a question of how much more of the onrushing flood of critical issues and scandals the GMA regime can take in 2006 given its severely damaged credibility, shrinking political capital and precarious financial situation.

PCIJ names Arroyo "Survivor of the Year."

On the subic rape case: Inquirer editorial discusses Different tunes as an example of our "talk-first-think-later nature of our country's nonexistent foreign policy."

CODAL condemns the killing of Judge Hendrick Guingoyon. They said the judge was once counsel for BAYAN and KMU.

As we have expected, tensions within the divided military manifest further with the PAF corruption expose.

The CPP anniversary statement claims the NPA has launched more than 200 tactical offensives nationwide since September 13.


Arroyo: from bully to geek; a change in image?

We're not really sure if Arroyo's "bad-geek-hair-day-cum-you-kinda-look-lika-my-grandma-when-she's-in-a-Dinky-Soliman-mood" projection in her new year's message in TV is an attempt to change her image or it was just that her make-up artists were in vacation.

Courtesy of our beloved president and her government, a post christmas present and a happy new year gift to the Filipino people.


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Sunday, January 01, 2006

What to expect in 2006

2006 is year of the fire dog. For the feng shui expert I caught being interviewed on ANC, it is an "aggressive" and "red hot" year.

Here's what to expect in 2006:

Worsening of economic hardships

After the Christmas gastos spree will come the first quarter gutom crisis for Filipino families.

EVAT will take its effect and will surely be felt as the government increases it to 12 % by February. Oil prices and power rates are expected to increase dramatically. No wage increase in sight for private and public employees, while what the Malacanang brags as "economic upsurge" is yet to be felt in the grassroots level.

This intensifying economic suffering will contribute greatly to the tense political atmosphere and will be major factor why the Arroyo regime will fail to recover.

All-out political turmoil

Contrary to what was expected, this holiday vacation season was not exempt from political disturbances. The military was in a stir and coup rumors bugged the administration. Although the Abat episode came as a nuisance to many, it nevertheless, together with Faeldon's escape filled the gap during the holiday season that would have been otherwise left free for Arroyo's propagandists to exploit.

Apparently, the anti-Arroyo forces are all gearing toward the 1st quarter of 2006. We must remember that the 1st quarter of the year has historical significance for mass movements. The two EDSAs both happened in the first quarter, and the first quarter storm (FQS) in the 1970's still draws much recall.

The Citizen's Congress for Truth and Accountability (CCTA) plans to release its report in January which it promises to propagate around the archipelago. If done successfully, this may serve as a point of unity and consolidation of the anti-Arroyo movement and lay the ground for stronger mass actions and protests.

The talk of Cha-cha and 'No-el,' if pursued, will spell more trouble for the regime and will isolate it further. The obvious sell-out of the government on the US marines rape case will also add fuel to public outrage. The coming budget deliberations will also deliver further disappointment as the government plans huge cuts on spending for education and social services.

Intensified mass protests and mobilizations for Arroyo's removal

Red and yellow (hint: red-flags-with-yellow-emblems-a-waving, wink-wink!) is the color for the year.

The organizations among the youth and students are now gearing towards heightened political involvement (as this is the time of year where they are most drawn to be involved: classes are coming to an end = less academic worries, tuition increase consultations start and education budget deliberations in congress ensue).

Strong youth and student involvement will not only give the movement a fresh appeal, it will also give it the credibility it badly needs; aside from the tens of thousands it could deliver in the protest actions.

The December military activists' "propaganda actions" (we have reason believe it is designed as such and not as actual operations to seize power), set the tone for further actions in the coming year. Many are now being drawn to the anti-Arroyo factions in the police and military as many are also being tired and demoralized, especially now that the CPP-NPA, in its recent anniversary statement, is calling to step up attacks in the countryside in support of the oust movement, with the objective of drawing the military away from the cities, and thus limiting the capacity of the regime to protect itself and attack the legal mass protests.

Plenty to look forward to in 2006. ###


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