Former President Joseph Estrada today called for justice for Jun Lozada, in response to the call of former President Corazon Aquino to speak out against the impending arrest of the NBN-ZTE whistleblower. “It is not a democracy where those who speak the truth are imprisoned or threatened to be imprisoned while those who abuse the people run free,” Estrada said in a statement. “The democracy that is envisioned by our Constitution is one where truth outweighs power. It would be tragic if Lozada would be punished for tellng the truth.” Estrada called on Jun Lozada to be strong. “You have already shown bravery and been an inspiration to millions of Filipinos. I know how difficult and tiring it can be to be threatened by this administration because I have personally experienced that. I hope that you will continue to stand up and fight for your convictions. Remember that you are not alone in this fight. The Filipino people are behind you.” Estrada likewise urged members of the Opposition to heed President Aquino’s call to support Lozada. “This is not about Jun Lozada; this is not about one man. This is about our democracy and justice for the Filipino people,” Estrada explained. “We cannot allow our democracy and our justice system to be abused by the corrupt individuals responsible for the NBN-ZTE anomaly.” (end)

Gorgeous weather yesterday and today. Just the right amount of chilly. I wish every day in Manila could be like this. I truly believe that if our weather was always like this we would be a more productive country. I’d always held the theory that there is a relation between weather and productivity – the hotter, the less productive people are because you just want to lie down and sleep while the colder, the more productive because you need to move about. Anyway.

Although this is great weather, I cannot help but believe that this is an effect of alterations in world climate caused by damage to the environment – therefore not good. Now is the time to step up the urgency bar and think about what we in this country, no matter how small we are, can do to help save the earth. Of note would be Al Gore’s suggestions:

Al Gore presented four warning signs and ten suggestions at today’s Joint Climate Change Hearings. Here are his four top warning signs (his suggestions are below):

1. New evidence that’s come out shows that this may be worse than described. Arctic ice cap is melting more rapidly than predicted. Could disappear in summertime in 34 years. This problem is burning a hole at the top of the world.
2. Earth is shaking because of Greenland – glacial earthquakes – 1993 there were 7, 1999, 14, last year, 32.
3. Frozen methane in the tundra, billions of tons, 23 times more powerful than C02, need to turn the thermostat down before that melts.
4. Fires in the west, Russia, Australia (1000 year drought) correlates with warming temps and earlier spring.

Here are his ten suggestions:

1. Immediately freeze C02 emissions in US, reach 90% reductions by 2050.
2. Start using the tax code to reduce taxes on employment and make up the difference with pollution taxes. We’re discouraging work and encouraging the destruction of the planet. Carbon pollution not presently priced into the marketplace. Air and water are part of that, must be revenue neutral tax shift.
3. Portion of those revenues must be earmarked for lower income groups who will have a hard time making shift.
4. Strong global treaty. Kyoto has been demonized. Work for defacto compliance. We ought to move forward the starting date of the next treaty from 2012 to 2010 so whoever is sworn in in 2009 can use political mandate to work toward defacto compliance and then ratify a new, tougher treaty. Build more confidence with China, India to bring them to participate.
5. Congress should issue moratorium on any new coal plant not compliant with carbon capture
6. Like the initiative to build the Internet, this congress should develop an Electranet, a smart grid. A law that allows homeowners and businesspeople to put up their own generators, sell electricity into the grid without caps at a rate that is not determined by the utility, but as a tariff.
7. Raise CAFE standards, cars, coal and buildings.
8. Along with tax system and treaty, use regulatory power. Set a date for ban on incandescent light bulbs.
9. Buildings: pass a law – Connie Mae, carbon neutral mortgage association.
10. SEC should require disclosure of carbon emission in corporate reporting.

I can’t believe another year has just swept by.

While on the one hand, the country experienced milestones in terms of individuals making their mark internationally and making the country proud – Charise Pempenco, Ariel Pineda, and of course Manny Pacquiao, on the other hand this year also marked the worst economically for the Arroyo administration – worst scenarios of hunger, worst statistics of individuals ratings themselves as poor, downward trajectory of the GNP, slumping export markets, falling direct investments and job loss.

Is the government to blame? Of course it is – the government’s always to blame, especially one that is scandal-filled. An analysis directl relating corruption to poverty has even made print.

Amazingly, in spite of its horrid reputation, the Arroyo administration still managed to (1) get GMA on the Forbes list of most influential women in the world and (2) escape conviction on many issues, most notable the NBN ZTE scandal and the Fertilizer Scam which remain unresolved to this day, even if Joc Joc Bolante has made it home and to the Senate hearings.

Rallies only made noise – none of the issues really heard. They made the papers but effected no great change.

One thing that did not need a rally but was fortunately stopped was the Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain wherein GMA almost gave a third of our country away to the MILF just to push for charter change and perpetualte herself in power forever. Fortunately, the Supreme Court did not allow this to push through, giving us hope that there may still be a body of government independent of Arroyo’s dictates.

Predictions for 2009? It will be the same old thing – the poor will stay poor or get poorer while the rich will stay rich or get richer. Only there will be more noise, with politicians trying to break into the limelight in anticipation of election season. Life goes on.

Comment of Margaux Salcedo
Spokesperson of former President Joseph Estrada
On Inquirer Editorial 26 December 2008 “Betrayed”

NOT BETRAYAL BUT BRAVERY

The Philippine Daily Inquirer, in its editorial on 26 December, called former President Corazon Aquino’s apology to former President Joseph Estrada for Edsa Dos, “a betrayal of the highest aspirations of the democracy she helped restore in 1986.” The harsh words come from the Inquirer’s belief that Mrs. Aquino “got it completely wrong”: the Inquirer maintains that Edsa Dos was not a mistake because it was “a direct political action triggered by evidence of grave presidential wrongdoing” in order to “(rid) the country’s highest office of the cancer of corruption” and later it was “(justified by) the Sandiganbayan decision finding Estrada guilty of two of four counts of plunder”.

But contrary to the Inquirer’s analysis, Mrs. Aquino does get it right.

It Isn’t About Mrs. Arroyo  – It’s About the Rule of Law

Edsa Dos was not a mistake because it brought us Mrs. Arroyo, on this point the Inquirer is right. Edsa Dos was a mistake because it disregarded the foundation on which our democracy stands: the rule of law. Mrs. Arroyo is merely the consequence that we suffer for having thwarted this pillar of democracy.

Edsa Dos was a mistake because it went beyond being an exercise of democracy; it was an abuse of our liberties and a failure of our commitment to democratic processes. Given that every people would desire a ruler with the utmost of morals, a democracy must nevertheless maintain a modicum of order: as John Adams put it, a democracy connotes a government of laws and not of men.

That is why Edsa Dos was a mistake. As Cecilia Munoz Palma, former Justice of the Supreme Court and Chairman of the 1986 Constitutional Commission so aptly stated re Edsa Dos: “The 1987 Constitution suffered … when the ongoing impeachment trial of President Joseph Estrada was unceremoniously disrupted and discontinued and the issues on hand were brought to the parliament of the streets. The Rule of Law was set aside and the Rule of Force prevailed.”

And democracies the world over observed that Edsa Dos was “an elitist backlash against a president who had overwhelmingly been elected by the poor. This time, it appears, ”people power” was used not to restore democracy but, momentarily, to supplant it.” (New York Times)

It Isn’t About Mr. Estrada – It’s About the Rule of Law

Neither does the Sandiganbayan ruling convicting former President Joseph Estrada of two counts of plunder justify the thwarting of constitutional processes in 2001. Remember that Mr. Estrada, unlike Mrs. Arroyo today, willingly subjected himself to the impeachment proceedings and was willing to step down had he been found guilty. But instead of following due process, due process was set aside. As the New York Times observed, “The popular uprising took place when it became clear that due process — his impeachment trial in the Senate — would not produce the result many people hoped for: his removal by constitutional means.” The Herald Times even warned of anarchy: “This only confirms the fragility of the political institutions in the Philippines and the likelihood that the streets will become a regular location for political action.”

President Aquino Gets It

Mrs. Aquino’s exact words of apology at the book launch of Congressman Jose de Venecia that has stirred all this controversy were: “I am one of those who plead guilty for the 2001 uprising. Lahat naman tayo nagkakamali. Patawarin mo na lang ako.(We all make mistakes. Please forgive me.)”

Her spokeswoman insists she was joking but at the same time concedes that the statement was sincere, confusing everyone in an attempt to alter the depth and gravity of the statement by the country’s living icon of democracy. The spokesman, to the chagrin of anti-Erap forces, could not take Mrs. Aquino’s words back.

Why? Because Mrs. Aquino knew what she was saying and can confidently stand by her statement. Because Mrs. Aquino was right and had the courage and humility to admit the errors of Edsa Dos.

And that is what what makes Mrs. Aquino a true icon of democracy. While in 2001 she joined the Edsa Dos forces, caught in the string of emotions of the day against then-President Estrada, today she has gained the wisdom to think further of the event and the courage and humility to admit that it was a mistake. Mrs. Aquino has been brave enough to admit that Edsa Dos was a failure of our democratic processes and unlike Edsa I, not an event in Philippine history that we can be proud of.

Mrs. Aquino did not betray the highest aspirations of the democracy she helped restore in 1986 when she apologized to Mr. Estrada for her participation in Edsa Dos. On the contrary, Mrs. Aquino is bravely continuing to fight for the highest aspirations of the democracy she helped restore in 1986: a democracy where constitutional processes are observed as the voice of the people is heard.

When I was in college, filled with the idealism – and the naivete – of youth, I believed that the best way to make a difference in the world was to join the government. After earning my degree in economics, I entered law school believing that it was the best way to prepare myself for the job I ultimately desired: that of legislator.

Over a decade later, the harsh realities of politics have taken the naivete of my youth away. Whereas I used to think that the ballot was the end all and be all of suffrage, now I know that the voice of the people can be muted by machinations of the powerful few. Whereas I used to believe that government was the saviour of the people, I have seen that there are times when it is the government that abuses the efforts and tramples on the hopes of the masses. Whereas I once thought that if you worked hard enough, nothing could get between you and your goals, now I know that there are men – and women – who will attempt to ruin your integrity through rumors and false accusations just to prevent you from moving forward and finding your dreams.

I saw these realities in the last election and, now being in the center of political action as spokesperson of former President Joseph Estrada, I am witness and sometimes even victim to these realities today. It would be easy to give up this life and go back to being a mere private citizen, to live oblivious to the mistakes of the current government. Some of us in the middle class can still afford to live that way. But foregoing vigilance would be tantamount to idly watching our country die. To stand silent on issues such as the ZTE-NBN scam, the Mindanao conflict or the rice crisis would be tantamount to witnessing the pillage of the nation and acquiescing to it.

Indeed, it is tiring to fight for the truth. It is frustrating to hear members of the incumbent government pay lip service to the people, with the audacity of resonating your ideals while in actuality stealing from the government coffers and tricking the masses. To see government signs that read “Ramdam ang Kaunlaran” when poverty levels and experiences of severe and involuntary hunger are at their worst. To hear speeches speaking of economic progress for the Philippines when the quality of life of our people has not improved and in fact has even worsened. To be unable to get to the bottom of the truth on the numerous anomalies of the incumbent administration because of the constant abuse of the concept of executive privilege.

But we cannot afford to be frustrated. Because at the end of the day, this is where we live. The Philippines is our country, the Filipinos our people. And we must do everything in our capacity, be it large or small, to protect the nation from those who abuse it. I am not going to fool myself into believing that I can change the world with my current job. I am but a small voice. But I believe there are many of us who see what is really going on with this Administration. And we will speak the truth. And, hopefully, together, we will be heard and somehow make a difference in the history of our nation.

The realities of today have sunk in but the idealisms of my youth remain. Core values, like love of country, have not changed. And so I continue to speak, I continue to write, as my small contribution to ensuring that our leaders remain dedicated not to themselves but to the nation.

I want to thank Mr. Joe Leuterio for giving me the avenue to do this; space to speak of my ideals and to speak of the truth. I hope that this column will serve as a platform to voice not only my dreams for the Filipino people, especially the Mindorenos, but to serve as a means by which the Mindorenos will express their dreams as well. And I hope that in my humble capacity as writer, I will be able to fulfill that dream of mine in my youth of making a difference.

Reply

Forward

• Verzosa named PNP chief
• October 1 will be a holiday to mark end of Ramadan
• BFAD testing our milk. Melamine pala yung cause nung mga poison. Apparently these companies would add melamine to cheat the protein content, make it appear higher. Grabe.
• Froilan Tampinco is new Napocor chief
• FSGO and B&W launched a signature campaign to block efforts of GMA to stay in power beyond 2010. Good move! As usual, Malacanang press office maintains GMA will step down by then.
• Lacson on budget insertion accusation: “Alam kong tama ang pinaglalaban ko at handa akong makipagbasagan ng mukha at makipagputukan ng kilay ano man ang kalabasan nag pinaglalaban kong ito [I know what I am fighting for is right and I am ready to get my face bloodied and my brows spit whatever the outcome of what I am fighting for is],’ he said. TARUSH!
• At least someone wants to work: Senator Juan Ponce Enrile wants to restore the four-day workweek at the Senate. At present, the Senate holds sessions from Monday to Wednesday only. But Enrile wants to hold sessions on Thursdays, saying the present schedule is “much too short to tackle our most important duty, which is to craft legislation.”
• Arroyo attending UN General Assembly. “An earlier Malacanang statement said Arroyo will eliver uring the 63d General Assembly of the UNGA the Philippines’ mid-term report on its progress in achieving the Millenium Development Goals (MDG) … “   Hmmm…trying to picture her speech now … With matching nasal twang and plastic smile: “I am proud to saaay that we are now NUMBER 1 IN CORRUPTION IN EAST ASIAaaaaa! … In terms of education, we have taught the next generation a new word, TONGPATS! … And we have INCREASED levels of severe poverty by 50% (Ay, decrease by yung objective ng MDG?) … And I would like to say hi to Joc-joc who is here in this country somewhere …”
  
  

SPEECH OF FORMER PRESIDENT JOSEPH E. ESTRADA
UP-HDN FORUM ON GRP-MORO CONFLICT
19 September 2008, 2:00 p.m., U.P. School of Economics Auditorium

ESTRADA’S ALL OUT WAR: A QUEST FOR PEACE

When I became President of the Philippines – with the largest margin ever in the history of Philippine elections, I might add – I felt humbled to have been entrusted with the greatest honor of the highest title in the land and eager to perform what I thought was my last major role. I did not imagine then that I would later on play the role of an ex-convict. That I would be a victim of a power grab and convicted by a Special Court that was only special because it was specially created to convict me; where the justices were handpicked and where the presiding justice was promoted to the Supreme Court immediately after my conviction. But anyway I am a forgiving man – I agree with Mahatma Gandhi who said that only the weak cannot forgive because forgiveness is an attribute of the strong. I know that history will vindicate me.

A Vision for Real Progress

So let’s talk policy. I had a vision for the Filipino people: real progress that would trickle down to the masa. To achieve that vision, I put together a team of learned and competent economists and other advisers, including UP Professors Ben Diokno, Liling Briones and Felipe Medalla – men of unquestionable integrity who comprised my Cabinet, none of whom have ever been involved in or accused of any scam, I might add -  and together we came up with our Plan for Progress for the Philippines. Our economic development plan was to be achieved by two major means: First, by restoring peace and order in the nation; and secondly, by achieving an effective agricultural program that would ensure the food security of the nation.

Through the program Agrikulturang Masa, my administration was able to achieve a record farm output growth of 6% in my first year in office, bringing inflation levels down from 11% in January of 1999 to only a little over 3% by the last quarter of that same year, thereby cushioning the Philippines from the harsh effects of the Asian Financial Crisis. But that’s another story.

More relevant to our discussion today was my vision for peace and order in the whole country. I believe that peace and order is a necessary condition for growth and development. Without peace, there can be no long-term development. If you recall, in the 1950s the Philippines was No. 2 only to Japan. We were ahead of Taiwan, Hong Kong, Malaysia, even South Korea. Today, we are No. 2 only in the field of corruption.

I attribute this failure for progress to the peace and order situation. So when I became President, I made peace and order in the country a top priority: in Metro Manila, where there were rampant incidences of carnapping and kidnapping; in the parts of Luzon and the Vizayas where we have seen the longest running insurgency in the world – an insurgency that has been going on for over fifty years; and in Mindanao, which has seen the longest running secessionist movement in the world – secessionism which has been going on for over thirty years.

To jumpstart the restoration of peace and order in the country, I appointed the then-General Ping Lacson to head the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Task Force or PAOCTF, with the objective of minimizing if not totally eradicating the incidences of carnapping and kidnapping in the country. He was very successful at this and so for the first time in history, the Philippine National Police achieved a record high of +53% approval rating. I then promoted Lacson to become PNP Chief.

Peace as a Path to Progress: Negotiating in Good Faith

But while we made great progress in achieving peace and order in Metro Manila, the problem in Mindanao persisted. So I became dead set on achieving peace in Mindanao, in order to sooner achieve our goal of making Mindanao the food basket of the country.

As early as August 1998, I issued a Presidential Memorandum of Instruction (MOI) which instructed the GRP Panel to negotiate with the MILF. But even then I was mindful of working within the bounds of the law; and therefore the negotiations were to be conducted specifically within the following parameters: First, that negotiations would be conducted within the mandates of the Constitution and the laws of the land. Second, that it should seek a principled and peaceful resolution with dignity for all concerned.

With the objective of a lasting peace, the GRP-MILF peace talks formally opened in Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao on October 25, 1999. We were encouraging the MILF then to return to mainstream society through the autonomy program of former President Fidel Ramos.

I want to EMPHASIZE that my administration’s objective was PEACE. And that we went through SEVERAL negotiations and NUMEROUS talks BEFORE we declared an all-out war.

The peace talks and negotiations, in fact, seemed hopeful in the beginning. I sent several members of my cabinet to negotiate with the MILF on different levels, including Robert Aventajado, who was Chief Negotiator, and Agrarian Reform Secretary Horacio ‘Boy’ Morales.

To emphasize that we went through not one, not two, but a SERIES of peace talks, allow me to enumerate some of the major agreements reached:

On February 10, 1999, the panel achieved a Joint GRP-MILF Acknowledgment and Agreement to Reaffirm the Pursuit of Peace;

On February 17, 1999, the parties issued a Joint Statement on the Cessation of Hostilities;

On September 2, 1999, a Statement for Joint Efforts to Pursue Just, Equitable, Lasting Peace signed by both the GRP and the MILF;

On October 6, 1999, a Second Joint GRP-MILF Agreement;

And on October 25, 1999, yet another Opening of Formal Peace Talks.

One would think that with all these peace talks and ceasefires, a lasting peace would have been achieved already. But the MILF, with all due respect, has proven to be an organization that does not remain true to its word; a group that only uses ceasefires to regroup and strengthen their forces. We saw this in November 1999, when the MILF, in spite of a peace agreement, initiated heavy fighting in Central Mindanao and North Cotabato. We saw this again on January 10, 2000, when the MILF, in spite of a peace agreement, took over the Talayaan Municipal Hall in Magindanao. We saw this again on February 25, when the MILF, in spite of a peace agreement, bombed a ferry in Ozamiz City, killing 25 people. We saw this again on March 16, when the MILF, in spite of a peace agreement, occupied the Kauswagan Town Hall. And these are only a few of the hostilities initiated by the MILF in a period of less than six months.  So after all these peace talks and ceasefires, it became clear that this was an organization that would neither respect the Philippine government nor salute the Philippine flag.
But we did not give up. We made one last attempt, on April 27, 2000. The GRP on that day met with the MILF and by midnight had reached an agreement “to get back on the road to peace” and to “normalize the brewing situation in Central Mindanao, Lanao area, and the Narciso Ramos Highway”. (By the way, the Narciso Ramos Highway is a 184-kilometer road that links the cities of Cotabato and Marawi. It had a 17-kilometer stretch where no military vehicles or troops could pass and where commercial vehicles were forced to pay “toll” or what the MILF called ‘zakat’.)

So we achieved another peace agreement with the MILF on that day. But barely six hours after the signing of the document, the MILF initiated hostilities AGAIN on the Narciso Ramos Highway. And then around a week after, they took over the municipal hall of Kauswagan town, killing soldiers and mercilessly burning three children to death.

So many lives have been killed, so many soldiers sacrificed – thousands, maybe even hundreds of thousands because of this conflict with the MILF in Mindanao. Even the government has lost count. Not to mention those who were victims of extortion, kidnappings and even rape.
I had had enough. I knew this violence was never going to end unless I declared an all out war. So bearing in mind our national security and with the conviction that it is the duty of the Commander in Chief to protect the territorial integrity of the country at all costs, I declared an all out war against the MILF.

War as a Means to Peace

I gave the MILF a deadline for the conclusion of the peace talks with the GRP panel: June 30. They would either accept or reject the offer of the Philippines: because the government must negotiate from a position of strength and not of weakness. The MILF refused to recognize the territorial integrity of our nation. So we pursued the war, as a means to finally achieving peace.

There were objections to the war.; and even appeals from a very influential religious leader and a very powerful head of state, asking me to desist from the all-out war. But bearing in mind the future of Mindanao and the country as a whole, I summoned my strength to put my commitment to the Filipino people first and continue my quest for peace. So in spite of the objections, I stood my ground and pursued the all out war because I believed that this war was now the only solution to attaining peace in Mindanao.

We won that war – swiftly and at a modest cost. All in all, the AFP overran 33 minor camps and 13 major camps or a total of 46 camps of the MILF, with breakaway groups of MILF forces withdrawing to different directions and Hashim Salamat fleeing to Malaysia.

On July 10, I personally went to Camp Abubakar to take down the flag of the MILF and hoist the Philippine flag. I believe that was a proud moment in the history of our country; a testament to the fact that we are a nation with one flag, one armed forces and one government. I consider that moment one of the legacies of the Estrada Administration because at that moment our soldiers stood proud, knowing that they had the capacity to end hostilities that had gone on for thirty years, seeing that they could conquer terrorists, and realizing that they had fought for peace for their Mindanao brothers and for the nation.

And that moment was supposed to be the beginning of real progress, of real development in Mindanao. For with the secessionists, extortionists, and terrorists finally out of sight, it signified that investors and tourists would finally come and invest heavily in that part of the Philippines.

Back to Square One – And Worse

Unfortunately, immediately after taking over, the new administration entertained these secessionists again. Soon enough, the kidnappings and extortionist acts returned. The American missionary couple Martin and Gracia Burnham, along with other tourists, were kidnapped in May 2001 and the Abu Sayyaf Group demanded $1 Million in ransom or P20 Million each for the Filipino hostages. The Philippine government has returned to the old pattern of peace talks and ceasefires with kidnap-for-ransom and other hostilities throughout. Just last year, ten marines were beheaded, Father Bossi was abducted, the Davao City airport was bombed; and just this year broadcaster Ces Drilon was kidnapped.
Then just last month, we almost lost a huge portion of Mindanao to the MILF forever, had the media not gotten wind of the slyly processed Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain. Clearly, the MILF have their own endgame: to have their own state. As Commander in Chief, I would never permit that. To allow the dismemberment of the country is nothing short of treason. Because Mindanao does not belong only to the Bangsamoro and certainly not to the MILF. Mindanao belongs to all Filipinos. And therefore I have been vehemently against the signing of the controversial Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain because it is not for a President to authorize the dismemberment of our country. On the contrary, it is the solemn duty of the President and Commander in Chief to protect the territorial integrity of the country at all costs.
People talk about the costs of war. The cost of the three-month all-out war in Mindanao was very small compared to the enormous benefits that would be reaped by achieving peace. I saw that even with the expertise of the best economists in the world, Mindanao would not see progress if the secessionist movement continued. And that is why we fought – and won – that all-out war.
Because sometimes men need to wage war in order to achieve peace.  (End.)

ESTRADA PAYS RESPECTS TO FAMILY OF MOTHER WHO KILLED SELF, CHILDREN DUE TO POVERTY

Former President Joseph Estrada today attended the wake in Magdalena, Laguna of the woman who killed herself and her three children due to extreme poverty.

According to reports, Janeth Ponce forced her three children to drink liquid toilet bowl cleaner after midnight Monday, September 8, and thereafter drank the poison herself. All four were rushed to the hospital but the three children were declared dead on arrival and Janeth herself passed away shortly afterwards.

Estrada was deeply affected by the news, saying “Hindi ito mangyayari kung tama at tapat ang pamamalakad ng pamahalaan. Siguro ito na ang pinaka masaklap na insidenteng nagpapakita at nagbibigay ng mukha sa kagutumang nararanasan ng ating mga kababayan. I have been in public office for over thirty years. Never have I seen such desperation arise out of poverty, where a mother would kill her children and herself. This is a real tragedy.”

Estrada was especially affected because his father hails from Laguna, making this family his kababayans or townmates. Estrada received calls and reports from several of his kababayans, including former Congressman Benjie Agarao.

Estrada spokesperson Margaux Salcedo added, “This is a tragedy not only for this woman’s family but for the entire country because Janeth represents the many Filipino mothers and women who are forced into such desperate acts for no reason other than poverty.”

Salcedo recalled that this is not the first time that suicide was committed in light of poverty, citing the case of a 12-year old girl who killed herself last year, attributing her suicide to poverty. “You cannot consider this an isolated case because there have already been a few other reported instances of suicide due to poverty. It is miserable and unfortunate but this is the real state of the nation today. Our government, probably because it has been so focused on survival, has obviously failed in truly providing for the poor, so those of us who have the capacity should follow former President’s Estrada’s example and just help in any way we can.”

UNITED OPPOSITION: ADMIN POSTERS SHOULD READ ‘RAMDAM ANG KAHIRAPAN’

United Opposition spokesperson Adel Tamano says the administration’s “Ramdam ang Kaunlaran” posters are the height of insensitivity and should be pulled out.

“Take down GMA’s posters that say ‘Ramdam ang Kaunlaran’,” Tamano said. “When you have mothers killing themselves and their children because of extreme poverty, these posters are the epitome of bad taste and lack of empathy. Is it not a tragedy that the money used for those useless posters could have fed this poor family? Their deaths should make this administration realize that its vaunted economic gains are not reaching the masses and that no amount of propaganda will ever be able to address our very real problems of poverty and corruption.”

Makati Congresswoman Abby Binay added, “There is a big discrepancy between what the administration says and what the masa have to say. It appears that the dole outs and subsidies that the government proclaims to be giving to the poor are not really trickling down to those who need it.”

Uno National Capital Region Secretary-General and San Juan Mayor JV Ejercito for his part said the incident shows “that is the real picture of the country’s state today, the opposite of GMA’s pronouncements that the economy is doing well.”

“Billboads with Gloria’s face proclaiming “Ramdam ang Kaunlaran ” should be replaced with Ramdam ang Kahirapan.” Ejercito quipped.

In her last State of the Nation Address (Sona) GMA promised that the continued Value Added Tax program will help the poor. “Patuloy na gagamitin ng pamahalaan ang lumalago nating yaman upang tulungan ang mga pamilyang naghihirap sa taas ng bilihin, habang nagpupundar upang sanggahan ang bayan sa mga krisis sa hinaharap.” Arroyo said at the time. But Ejercito observed, “It seems Arroyo’s idea of investing in pro-poor programs only involves making over-sized banners to convince the poor that they are not growing hungry. But what else can we expect from a habitual liar?” 

Didn’t go with the team today to Davao del Sur but heard from Rez Cortez that the reception was very warm.

They landed yesterday in Davao City where PJEE was met by Mayor Duterte. Then proceeded to Tagum then back to Davao. Today they went to Digos for the 8th Anniversary of the City.

Sent out this press release quoting from PJEE’s speech:

ESTRADA VISITS DAVAO FOR DIGOS ANNIVERSARY

Former President Joseph Estrada was very well received today as guest speaker of the 8th Anniversary of Digos City in Davao del Sur. Estrada was invited by Digos Mayor Arsenio Latasa  for the occasion. It was during Estrada’s term that the Municipality of Digos was converted into a component city by virtue of Republic Act No. 8798.

Estrada began by expressing sorrow for the victims of the bomb explosion at the bus passenger terminal in Digos last week. “(Ako ay) nakikiramay sa mga namatayan at napinsala ng insidente ng pagsabog ng isang bomba…”

He then shared with his audience why Mindanao is special to him: “Ang buong Mindanao ay malapit sa aking puso dahil ang Mindanao ang nagbigay sa akin ng mga pinaka malaking boto noong ako ay tumakbo bilang Senador, Vice President at bilang Pangulo.”

He then explained why he maintains that only an all-out war against secessionists will bring peace to Mindanao. Estrada recalled that he was determined to make Mindanao the food basket of the Philippines when he was President – “Ang pangarap ko ay hindi lamang palakasin ang Digos bilang ‘food bowl’ ng Davao del Sur kundi gawin ang buong Mindanao na tunay na food basket ng buong bansang Pilipinas“. As such, he made peace in Mindanao a priority, negotiating with the MILF early on in his administration. However, within three weeks of achieving an agreement, the MILF began attacks again. Estrada recalled, “We were negotiating in good faith but they were not. Napansin ko noon, ginagamit lang ang negosasyon para magpalakas ng puwersa ng MILF. The negotiations, ceasefires and peace talks were used only as opportunities and occasions for regrouping, repositioning of troops, mobilization of resources, arms and personnel and strategic planning for future attacks.”

Estrada said that these tactics are being employed once again by the MILF against the present government and that the government should know better. “(The government is trying) to appease a rebel group that cannot be appeased by any compromise unless they have full control of the territory they claim to belongs to them,” Estrada said in his speech.

Estrada blamed the present government for the absence of peace and the corresponding lack of progress in Mindanao: “Tapos na sana ang giyerang ito noong ako ang Pangulo, at kontrolado na ng gobyerno natin ang mga kampo at mga teritoryong sinakop ng MILF. Kung natuloy ito, sana hindi na peace process ang pinag-uusapan natin ngayon kundi negosyo, trabaho, livelihood, food production at infrastructure development.“

Estrada stressed his opposition to the Arroyo administration’s entertaining the possibility of the dismemberment of Mindanao. “We are all Filipinos, whatever faith we profess, whatever dialect we speak, or whatever tribe, ethnic or regional grouping we represent…. (Therefore) we must all submit to only one flag, one nation and one government under one President and Commander-in-Chief who has command over one armed forces….Ang nagmamay-ari ng Mindanao ay ang sambayanang Pilipino. Ang Mindanao ay para sa lahat ng Pilipino…. (It is) the ancestral domain of all who live here, of all who make it their home, of all the coming generations of Filipinos who deserve ownership of this land and make it a true land of promise.” He reiterated the duty of the president as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines to protect and defend the territorial integrity of the country at all costs”.

Estrada ended by pointing out that the war against poverty cannot be won if violence continues in the region: “The real enemy of the Filipino people today is poverty; and the real cause of poverty in Mindanao is the peace and order situation…Poverty cannot be defeated if there is violence … We must unite to fight this menace that has condemned our people to inhuman and impoverished lives.”

Estrada was joined in Digos by former Agrarian Reform Secretary Horacio ‘Boy’ Morales, Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay and former Senate President Ernesto Maceda.