Estrada Plunder Money Turned Over to Government

Well, well, well. What do we have here. PHP215M turned over from a plunderer to the Philippine government. Many Filipinos today question the difference between the former and the latter. I say the latter has a mole and an Economics degree. The President has been dogged by a variety of scandals, ranging from nepotism in the handling of government contracts (such as the ZTE Broadband scandal), to mysterious cash gifts being given out to local government officials during shady meetings at the Malacanang Palace. All these incidents involve money, all of these speak of corruption. In this case, the small portion of Estrada’s ill-gotten wealth was confiscated. Wealth from a supposed defender of the masses, wealth garnered from exploiting the masses by a gambling system, wealth that bought mansions and large estates, wealth that supported the lavish lifestyle of his mistresses and their numerous children. He is the epitome of corruption.

 

Despite all the scandals to the Arroyo administration, she has amazingly dodged impeachment complaint after impeachment complaint, dealt with multiple and successive mutinies within the military, and weakened the already paltry hold of the opposition on branches of government. Her master stroke seems to have been giving of her foremost (at least the most famous) enemy, Joseph Estrada, a pardon for his plunder conviction. That strategic move speaks of her maturity in the Philippine political scene.

 

Because of how the media and small but loud opposition groups portray the Philippine government, what people tend to forget is her amazing achievement in turning around the economy. Previously volatile and highly susceptible to capital flight during tense, scandalous times, the economy seems to be doing very well. While this may not be felt by the general masses (based on contested survey results), it must be conceded that progress is being made, however slow its effects seem to trickle down to the grassroots.

 The former top senator of the Philippines, and ex-Vice-President should start shoring up her image as she ends her term 2010. She should be able to convince her citizens of the reforms necessary for growth. And, she should simply apply rank discipline when it comes to corruption. National reconciliation? Bah.

Philippine Parliament Bombed

Congressman Wahab Akbar (Basilan) died along with 2 others from blast injuries incurred when a remotely detonated bomb exploded at the entrance of the Philippine Congressional Hall (Batasan). He was a member of the Moro National Liberation Front, a secessionist group that dropped its rebellion in favor of a measure of autonomy in the southern Philippines.

This bombing apparently was malicious, and had a specific target. This contrasts with a recent Glorietta mall bombing that killed 11 and injured more than a hundred others. The latter was assessed by the Philippine National Police as an accident, one denied by the mall’s owners (in the accident scenario, they deny having faulty equipment, in the bombing scenario, they deny a security breach happened). Predictably, the prominent Filipino business family Ayala, wish to posit something akin to the Big Bang: massive spontaneous combustion with no Creator. Yes, they are avowed Catholics.

Glorietta Bombing

Representative Akbar was not without enemies. His rise to legitimate power was marked by the abandonment of secessionism in favor of the rule of law. This occured, despite having the Abu Sayyaf  insurgency based primarily in his province. Political enemies abound too. Wherever there are sweet election victories won, there are a dozen more bitter enemies made. Akbar was twice elected the governor of his province, and 2 of his wives hold office (one is the new governor of Basilan, the other is mayor of the provincial capital). The Akbars’ expansive and tight grip on power may have also have fueled an attack on the family figurehead.

 While an investigation might help the situation, we can expect political grandstanding to ensue. Opposition may once again try to pre-empt a declaration of emergency rule, or martial law (these accusations come frequent enough to lose impact). Government would focus on the maintaining the rule of law. So-called progressive movements would cry conspiracy. Civil society would shrug it off as just another attack. In all this hullabaloo, certain important things would be forgotten:

1. The economy must move on and investors should keep on investing. Only with better and progressive lives would the incentive for violence stop.

2. Government, while not sacrificing on other priorities, should whip its law enforcement agencies into action. The breach of security of an important government building is unforgivable.

3. This too is a political killing. Leftists cannot monopolize the claim to oppression.

4. Nothing good can come out of violence. This message should be consistently and thoroughly be hammered into the minds of destabilizing forces in the Philippines.