MS FIx Part 2

Here is a continuation of the MS Fix of the Day, two articles by Emil Jurado.

Uniting this Fragmented Nation

To the Point

Emil Jurado

April 22, 2010

Andal Ampatuan Jr.’s endorsement of Liberal Party standard bearer Senator Benigno Aquino III can be seen in two ways: Either the family believes that Aquino, if he becomes president, will exonerate them from the charges related to the massacre of 57 in Maguindanao, or that the Ampatuans hate Noynoy so much that they know people will stop supporting him if he is endorsed by them.

Either way, I believe that Noynoy —and everybody else supporting him, including the Makati Business Club, the Black and White Movement, the Hyatt 10 and their propagandists and publicists passing themselves off as opinion writers—and the Ampatuans deserve each other.

***

When Aquino says that he will devote his first 100 days, if elected, forming a so-called “Truth Commission” to review all the scandals that hounded the Arroyo administration during its nine years in power, I remember his late mother who hated the Marcoses so much that she did nothing but go after them. As a result, the Cory administration accomplished nothing and in fact committed numerous sins of its own, like the Hacienda Luisita massacre, the Kamaganak Inc. and others.

It’s a hate campaign Noynoy is waging, obviously because he is surrounded by people who hate President Arroyo.

The poor boy Noynoy, in seeking the presidency under the shadow of famous parents, does not realize that what this country needs after the elections is unity and reconciliation.

The campaign has shown us how low politicians can go in slinging mud at their opponents. And unless the next president makes the effort to unify a severely fragmented nation, we can never move forward.

Why, Aquino not only vowed to review all contracts entered into by the Arroyo administration. He also vowed not to recognize an Arroyo-appointed chief justice. He said he would even seek the impeachment of this new head of the judiciary if he or she would be named by the incumbent President.

Clearly, the boy does not know that there are three branches of government —the Executive, the Legislative and the Judiciary—and that these branches are independent of each other.

And that whatever the Supreme Court rules on with finality is the law, right or wrong, and whether he likes it or not.

It’s bad enough to have a presidential candidate out to divide an already fragmented nation. Worse, he thinks like a dictator and until now has not yet given us reason not to doubt his mental stability.

If Noynoy thinks I’m biased against him, I am.

Why I am Biased Against Noynoy

To the Point
Emil Jurado
April 13, 2010

It’s now definite. Liberal Party standard bearer Senator Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III will never appear at the Manila Overseas Press Club’s presidential series as guest speaker.

After repeated invitations to attend the series where former President Joseph Estrada, Senator Richard Gordon, Senator Manuel Villar and administration candidate Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro had spoken, Aquino said he would “never appear at MOPC with (Emil) Jurado there— he’s biased.”

If Noynoy won’t speak before our group to present his platform of government to us, as well as to businessmen and professionals who comprise our members, that’s his problem.

Recall that Noynoy also accused MOPC Chairman Tony Lopez as biased during a forum before the business community. It seems the guy can’t take criticisms.

I can say that Noynoy is truly his mother’s (the late President Cory Aquino) son. He does not take after his father, the late Senator Ninoy, who thrived on criticism and saw it as an opportunity to refute charges against him.

I recall the time when Cory had breakfast with us columnists after nine, I repeat, nine coup attempts. I asked her why she was so sensitive to media criticisms to the extent of suing the late Louie Beltran and the late Max Soliven with that “hiding-under-the-bed” column of Louie. I pointed out to her that her husband welcomed criticism.

You know what Cory said? “Well, Ninoy is dead, and I’m President!”

* * *

Presidential candidate Noynoy told reporters that his rivals should spare his mother from criticism. Meaning, they should not bring up issues like the Hacienda Luisita massacres and allegations of corruption by the “Kamaganak Inc.”

But why should we forget them? They make up the dark pages of our history.

My gulay, did the publicists and propagandists of Noynoy spare the brother of Villar in their attempt to destroy Villar’s claims to poor beginnings?

If it’s a choice between Noynoy and Villar, I’d rather stick out my neck with the latter for many reasons. First and foremost, Villar doesn’t go around claiming to be incorruptible and honest. In contrast, Noynoy vows he will never steal when records show that at the age of 26, he had a security agency with his initials (run by his uncle-in-law, Len Oreta) and which cornered deals with government-sequestered agencies and companies.

The Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act bans relatives of people in public office from doing business directly or indirectly with government. Santa Banana, Noynoy even had the temerity to list the agency’s address as the official presidential residence on Arlegui!

This is the candidate that vows not to steal.

* * *

Yes I’m biased – biased against politicians who claim they are incorruptible but act otherwise.

I’m also biased against people who flip-flop on their positions if only to win “pogi points” with the masses. Look at what Noynoy did with regard to the reproductive health bill, and with the imposition of new taxes. Indeed this candidate is clueless about governance.

I’m biased against candidates who vow to review all the projects of the incumbent administration and devote their first 100 days in office running after scams and scandals. My gulay, that’s preaching the politics of vindictiveness and hate. Why, Aquino even vows not to recognize a chief justice appointed by President Arroyo!

And last, but not least, I’m biased against somebody who allegedly suffers from mental disorders. True or not, this charge is serious and must not be dismissed.

Yes, I admit I’m biased against Noynoy – unless he proves me wrong.