Aparri, Cagayan
August 30, 2009
Dear Friends, Relatives, and Countrymen:
I am REGINALD BALISI TAMAYO, 45, married, a public servant and a humble Christian.
I am writing to inform you that I am running for the Senate in the 2010 elections under the ANG KAPATIRAN Party. I expect a certain amount of skepticism on your part. In fact many asked me these questions- “Isn’t that a little unrealistic? Isn’t that a wishful thinking?” I also asked the same questions a few times. I was clueless. By default, I dismissed my nomination to be a Senatorial candidate as a joke. I thought that I was not prepared to re-shape my life and that of my family by running into a national office.
However, as many put it, there’s a reason for everything. It is in this spirit that I am inviting you to read my story why I am taking this long shot for a Senate seat.
Looking back
After completing AB Philosophy in 1985 at the University of the Philippines, it was my plan to pursue my law studies. My parents were tongue-tied when I told them about this. Knowing that they didn’t have the financial resources to support me, I did not insist my plan. My father was a clerk-typist and my mother worked as a gasoline girl. With the measly amount of salaries they were receiving, I understood their silence. I thought that poverty would hamper my dream of becoming a lawyer.
I went home to Aparri to find a job and to be with my parents. It was timely that the Lyceum of Aparri opened a major seminary. I applied for a teaching job there and was hired as a lecturer. I was at the young age of 21 when I was appointed Dean of Liberal Arts and Dean of Student Affairs of the Lyceum of Aparri. During that period, I was invited by politicians to join local politics in my hometown Aparri purposely to represent the youth sector. Truth to be told, teaching the seminarians with Philosophy subjects and supervising a college became an all-consuming drive for me such that I courteously declined the invitation. I thought politics was farthest from my mind at that time.
I will never forget the day when my school superiors told me to try it. They were able to convince me though to run for a municipal councilor. However, I lost and I was very happy about it. I went back to my school work with zeal to teach and to oversee a college.
The Transition
A few months after the elections, one of the elected municipal councilors passed away. There was no other choice but for me to take his place because, after him, I was next in rank and we belong to the same political party. I was sworn in as an appointed municipal councilor to serve the unexpired term of the said local official.
The effect this had on my work as a teacher and as a dean is obvious. I was spreading myself too thin to attend to my work as a municipal councilor and as a teacher and a school administrator while completing my masteral studies too. In order not become inefficient I was asked to give up one post- I decided to try my new life as a public servant because I was overwhelmed by the many concerns of my townspeople that need to be addressed squarely thru legislation. However, I never gave up completely my teaching job, I still teach at the Lyceum of Aparri as a part-time college instructor.
Period of Achievements
During my stint as a municipal councilor of Aparri, I was awarded as Outstanding Municipal Councilor of Cagayan by the Philippine Councilors League. I pioneered thru legislation many innovative legislative measures ranging from giving awards to outstanding public school teachers, scholarship program for the poor but deserving students, instituting a local newspaper, to many and varied ordinances that benefit the Aparrianos.
I wrote two books for the barangay officials (Barangay First) and the sangguniang kabataan (Empowering the Sangguniang Kabataan). The latter was reviewed by DILG Region 2 and was approved for distribution to all sangguniang kabataan throughout the country.
I shared, and I am still sharing, my views on local and national issues and many of them were published in Philippine Daily Inquirer, Philippine Star, Philippine Free Press, and other major dailies. I am a regular columnist of the Northern Forum of Tuguegarao City, Guru Press of Tabuk City, and several others. You can read all my articles in my site at http://reginaldtamayo.blogspot.com.
After I finished my 3-term as a municipal councilor, I ran for the vice-mayoral post but lost. But a year after the elections, I was asked by the then Vice Governor Oscar T. Pagulayan to work with him as his chief of staff. I accepted the job and was exposed to politics on a higher level for almost two years.
In 2004 elections, I ran again as a municipal councilor of Aparri and I won a seat, a position which I still hold up to this time. Truth is I already spend 20 years more or less of my life as a municipal councilor of Aparri.
Time to have a breather
Early this year I decided not to run anymore in the forthcoming local elections. My wife Lalaine Jarabe-Tamayo, and my children Regine (UST Philosophy 4th yr. student), Reiner (3rd yr. high school), Ria (2nd yr. high school), and Ricci (grade 4) were happy about my decision. They egged on me to continue my law studies which I did. “I needed some breathing space,” I said, especially when I was not given any committee to chair in the municipal council and almost my proposed resolutions and ordinances are not given due course. It is indeed a lonely fight when you are an opposition. I am up to my neck. That is why I was resolved to hide myself from politics next year.
God’s providential hand
But God works in mysterious ways. I recall that I hesitated to enter local politics when I was immensely enjoying my role as a teacher and as a dean of a college but God made a way for me to become a municipal councilor. Also, when I lost in my bid to my vice-mayoral post, God led me to experience politics in the province. I recently decided to take a time out from politics by not joining the local elections next year but God knocked at my heart to try national politics this time. I have been praying to God that he will pluck me out from the noisy politics and put my life in a more quiet place. God answered my prayer but He alone knows the reason why he answered my prayer differently.
I was like Jonah, the fugitive figure in the Bible. I was running away from politics but only to discover that there is no hiding place from God- He still found me and invited me to try national politics.
To be honest, I never asked to become a Senatorial candidate. Somebody nominated me as Senatorial candidate under ANG KAPATIRAN Party. The party informed me that I was nominated and asked if I am wiling to accept it. My wife and I took the nomination lightly knowing that we don’t have the resources to back me up. When I attended recently an international convention in Manila, I thought of contacting the secretary of the party and told him that I was ready to be subjected for a panel interview. I never thought that I would be severely grilled in that interview with many raised questions about national issues, political and moral concerns. I passed with flying colors the interview and without much ado I was named the 7th Senatorial candidate of the party. The party tendered a lunch for me after that.
My dear friends, relatives and countrymen, I am presenting myself and my partymates of the Ang Kapatiran Party as alternative candidates. Having been asked to run for the Senate is a grand and a grave challenge. I say grand because I see God’s providential hand into it; and I say grave because it is no joke to run for a national office.
I don’t have any personal resources to sustain my candidacy but I sincerely believe I have you on my side, and with the guidance and provision from God I will not be another Jonah but to willingly accept the call and the challenge to run as a Senator in 2010 elections because there is no hiding place and hideout from God
Thank you.
Very truly yours,
REGINALD B. TAMAYO
Member, Sangguniang Bayan
Secretary-General, SAVE Cagayan
Aparri, Cagayan
0916-2513562/0928-2886878
reginaldtamayo@yahoo.com
http://reginaldtamayo.blogspot.com.
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Kapatiran launches 2010 bets
National Back to Home Page
August 21, 2009 06:35 PM Friday Article read 262 time(s)
Kapatiran launches 2010 bets
THE Ang Kapatiran Party (AKP), a national political party accredited by the Comelec, formally launched its candidates for the 2010 elections at a fund-raising dinner held at the Social Hall of the Christ the King Parish in Greenmeadows, Q.C. on Aug. 19, 2009.
Dubbed “Dine for Psalm 20:10,” the sit-down dinner was attended by some 400 AKP supporters to help raise funds for the party’s national and local candidates. The dinner event featured a significant dish, porridge or “lugaw” that symbolizes the worsening poverty of Filipinos.
The national candidates included presidential candidate John Carlos “JC” delos Reyes and senatorial candidates Atty. Adrian “Dado” Sison, Dr. Martin Bautista, Atty. Zosimo Jesus “Jess” Paredes, Atty. Dominador “Jun” Chipeco, Jr., and Aparri Councilor Reginald “Reggie” Tamayo. Two other senatorial candidates would be named later.
Other candidates for local positions were also introduced, namely, Atty. Leo Ferrer of Quezon City, Conrado Tejada of Ibaan in Batangas, Dr. Luisito Lacatan of Oriental Mindoro, Victor del Rosario of Naval in Biliran, Engr. Dhara Mamacol of Lanao del Norte, and Jose Policarpio Jr. of Zamboanga Sibugay among others.
For more information on AKP and its candidates, visit www.angkapatiranparty.org.
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People's Tonight
August 21, 2009 06:35 PM Friday Article read 262 time(s)
Kapatiran launches 2010 bets
THE Ang Kapatiran Party (AKP), a national political party accredited by the Comelec, formally launched its candidates for the 2010 elections at a fund-raising dinner held at the Social Hall of the Christ the King Parish in Greenmeadows, Q.C. on Aug. 19, 2009.
Dubbed “Dine for Psalm 20:10,” the sit-down dinner was attended by some 400 AKP supporters to help raise funds for the party’s national and local candidates. The dinner event featured a significant dish, porridge or “lugaw” that symbolizes the worsening poverty of Filipinos.
The national candidates included presidential candidate John Carlos “JC” delos Reyes and senatorial candidates Atty. Adrian “Dado” Sison, Dr. Martin Bautista, Atty. Zosimo Jesus “Jess” Paredes, Atty. Dominador “Jun” Chipeco, Jr., and Aparri Councilor Reginald “Reggie” Tamayo. Two other senatorial candidates would be named later.
Other candidates for local positions were also introduced, namely, Atty. Leo Ferrer of Quezon City, Conrado Tejada of Ibaan in Batangas, Dr. Luisito Lacatan of Oriental Mindoro, Victor del Rosario of Naval in Biliran, Engr. Dhara Mamacol of Lanao del Norte, and Jose Policarpio Jr. of Zamboanga Sibugay among others.
For more information on AKP and its candidates, visit www.angkapatiranparty.org.
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People's Tonight
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Unfair pre-political ads
Unfair pre-political ads
I watched with interest the recent Senate hearing led by Senator Miriam Santiago on the issue of premature campaigning through commercial advertisements. The use of television, radio, billboard, and newspaper advertisements by some cabinet secretaries and other high-ranking government officials are effective ways to toss them to national posts in the 2010 elections. Regardless of the reasons offered by these government officials why they advertise their programs and activities of their departments, theirs are clearly pre-political gimmicks purposely to make inroads into the consciousness of our people that they are running in the 2010 elections. They imprudently squandered the people’s money for such advertisements when such can be more judiciously used in other productive endeavors that would alleviate poverty condition or ease the social and economic plights of our people.
It is becoming apparent that most of our politicians suffer from what I call attention-crisis syndrome. All unscrupulous politicians fight for attention and there seems to be no cure for this. They starve to be seen and be heard of- kulang sila sa pansin. Media exposure is what they thought to be their medication. Obviously, because of their media exposures, they have a better advantage to win in the 2010 elections than those of us who cannot afford to pay this kind of expensive media spectacle of premature campaigning. Worse, these image-building advertisements relegate the more important issues of the day into oblivion. Elections should be based on platforms and what candidates say their stand on issues besetting our country rather than on how many times we have seen their faces or heard their voices in these commercial advertisements. If elections were held today, would we vote for the candidates who had spent millions of people’s money for the advertisements or would we go for those candidates whose advertisements are eye-catching or dramatic? Only the uncaring citizens of this country would probably vote for them.
I simply cannot afford to pay for such commercial advertisements in order to win a Senate seat. I am virtually unknown as a Senate aspirant but I trust that our people would elect Senatorial candidates not on the basis of media exposures but on the platforms of the candidates, their integrity, zeal to serve with a sense of responsibility, and honesty to bring the gospel-values into the world of politics.
I watched with interest the recent Senate hearing led by Senator Miriam Santiago on the issue of premature campaigning through commercial advertisements. The use of television, radio, billboard, and newspaper advertisements by some cabinet secretaries and other high-ranking government officials are effective ways to toss them to national posts in the 2010 elections. Regardless of the reasons offered by these government officials why they advertise their programs and activities of their departments, theirs are clearly pre-political gimmicks purposely to make inroads into the consciousness of our people that they are running in the 2010 elections. They imprudently squandered the people’s money for such advertisements when such can be more judiciously used in other productive endeavors that would alleviate poverty condition or ease the social and economic plights of our people.
It is becoming apparent that most of our politicians suffer from what I call attention-crisis syndrome. All unscrupulous politicians fight for attention and there seems to be no cure for this. They starve to be seen and be heard of- kulang sila sa pansin. Media exposure is what they thought to be their medication. Obviously, because of their media exposures, they have a better advantage to win in the 2010 elections than those of us who cannot afford to pay this kind of expensive media spectacle of premature campaigning. Worse, these image-building advertisements relegate the more important issues of the day into oblivion. Elections should be based on platforms and what candidates say their stand on issues besetting our country rather than on how many times we have seen their faces or heard their voices in these commercial advertisements. If elections were held today, would we vote for the candidates who had spent millions of people’s money for the advertisements or would we go for those candidates whose advertisements are eye-catching or dramatic? Only the uncaring citizens of this country would probably vote for them.
I simply cannot afford to pay for such commercial advertisements in order to win a Senate seat. I am virtually unknown as a Senate aspirant but I trust that our people would elect Senatorial candidates not on the basis of media exposures but on the platforms of the candidates, their integrity, zeal to serve with a sense of responsibility, and honesty to bring the gospel-values into the world of politics.
Monday, July 20, 2009
Issues I raised during Senate Committee Hearing
Issues I raised during Senate Committee Hearing
I recently attended the Senate Committee Hearing of Senator Panfilo Lacson. The hearing was focused on the proposed bill “An Act Instituting Reforms In Real Property Valuation And Assessment In The Philippines” which is authored by Senators Lacson, Lapid, Angara, and Biazon.
During the deliberation, I raised some concerns regarding Section 16 of the proposed bill which deals with the preparation of scheduled of market values. It says, inter alia, that assessors “shall prepare a Scheduled of Market Values (SMV) for the different classes of real property and special purpose property situated within their respective local government units, in consultation with the concerned Sanggunian, pursuant to the valuation standards and specifications set” by the National Valuation Authority. In the same sections it says in part that that National Valuation Authority “shall review and approved the SMV within ninety (90) days upon receipt of the same, otherwise, the said schedule shall be deemed approved.” It adds, “the approved Schedule of Market Values shall be sent back to the concerned Sanggunian for enactment of ordinance for the general revision of real property assessments within ninety (90) days from receipt thereof. After the lapse of the said period, the ordinance shall be deemed enacted and thereafter, a general revision of real property assessments shall be made in said local government units using as basis the approved SMV.”
I questioned the rationality of this section by asking the committee to consider the role of the Sanggunian concerned. I said that if the phrase “in consultation with the concerned sanggunian” would be tantamount to getting the comments only of local legislators without public consultation, then I strongly oppose it. On matters like this, it is the interest of good governance that the concerned sanggunian cannot decide unilaterally without a rigorous public consultation on the proposed SMV. It is the responses of the people to this public consultation that the concerned sanggunian can base its impartial and judicious decision whether or not to enact the corresponding ordinance for the general revision of real property assessments in its respective jurisdiction.
I emphasized that the power to review and give approval of the SMV should not be lodged exclusively to the National Valuation Authority. Otherwise, this would bring frustration to the sanggunian and worse embarrassment because it would make a mockery out of what the sanggunian is responsible of doing. It must be noted that in this case the sanggunian has the legislative authority to enact the required ordinance and this is not within the ambit of authority of the National Valuation Authority.
Senator Lacson though assured me that the concerned sanggunian will not be chained. However, I still believe that the Section in question should be better phrased for clarity’s sake and to give proper respect to the sanggunian on matters of legislation that are within its authority.
I recently attended the Senate Committee Hearing of Senator Panfilo Lacson. The hearing was focused on the proposed bill “An Act Instituting Reforms In Real Property Valuation And Assessment In The Philippines” which is authored by Senators Lacson, Lapid, Angara, and Biazon.
During the deliberation, I raised some concerns regarding Section 16 of the proposed bill which deals with the preparation of scheduled of market values. It says, inter alia, that assessors “shall prepare a Scheduled of Market Values (SMV) for the different classes of real property and special purpose property situated within their respective local government units, in consultation with the concerned Sanggunian, pursuant to the valuation standards and specifications set” by the National Valuation Authority. In the same sections it says in part that that National Valuation Authority “shall review and approved the SMV within ninety (90) days upon receipt of the same, otherwise, the said schedule shall be deemed approved.” It adds, “the approved Schedule of Market Values shall be sent back to the concerned Sanggunian for enactment of ordinance for the general revision of real property assessments within ninety (90) days from receipt thereof. After the lapse of the said period, the ordinance shall be deemed enacted and thereafter, a general revision of real property assessments shall be made in said local government units using as basis the approved SMV.”
I questioned the rationality of this section by asking the committee to consider the role of the Sanggunian concerned. I said that if the phrase “in consultation with the concerned sanggunian” would be tantamount to getting the comments only of local legislators without public consultation, then I strongly oppose it. On matters like this, it is the interest of good governance that the concerned sanggunian cannot decide unilaterally without a rigorous public consultation on the proposed SMV. It is the responses of the people to this public consultation that the concerned sanggunian can base its impartial and judicious decision whether or not to enact the corresponding ordinance for the general revision of real property assessments in its respective jurisdiction.
I emphasized that the power to review and give approval of the SMV should not be lodged exclusively to the National Valuation Authority. Otherwise, this would bring frustration to the sanggunian and worse embarrassment because it would make a mockery out of what the sanggunian is responsible of doing. It must be noted that in this case the sanggunian has the legislative authority to enact the required ordinance and this is not within the ambit of authority of the National Valuation Authority.
Senator Lacson though assured me that the concerned sanggunian will not be chained. However, I still believe that the Section in question should be better phrased for clarity’s sake and to give proper respect to the sanggunian on matters of legislation that are within its authority.
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Insensitive president
Insensitive president
This refers to the article “Arroyo to CIA Chief: Blasts are nothing” (PDI 7/12). I am deeply troubled by these offensive remarks of the president. For a president to say to a visiting CIA chief Leon Panetta that waves of bombings in Mindanao is not a cause of worry is not a joke. It is symptomatic of an insensitive president. The intent of the president may not be one of malice but she can never take back what she said. It is pretty juvenile to make such imprudent remarks amidst the mourning and anguish of victims of these Mindanao bombings.
Was the remark made in jest? That would be unpresidential. We, Filipinos, claim that we are humorous but I don’t see and any humor in these insulting and derogatory remarks of a president. I opine that such uncalled for remarks have profound negative consequences for the people from Mindanao. I consider it too as an affront to our Muslim brothers and sisters.
The president is so fixated with a tunnel view that everything going on in the country is rose-colored and promising. I hope that the CIA chief have also asked people other than the president about what is really happening in the country especially in Mindanao. I am not saying that Panetta cannot get a true picture of what is happening in Mindanao from the president but there is always the tendency for a pro-government people to draw a romanticized picture of Mindanao.
Panetta should realize that telling lies and making deceits are favorite pastime of many of our politicians. Panetta should then be cautious in this country of lies. He should resolve not to be easily swayed by the wagging tongues of liars who deserve some blasts of wet baby diapers.
This refers to the article “Arroyo to CIA Chief: Blasts are nothing” (PDI 7/12). I am deeply troubled by these offensive remarks of the president. For a president to say to a visiting CIA chief Leon Panetta that waves of bombings in Mindanao is not a cause of worry is not a joke. It is symptomatic of an insensitive president. The intent of the president may not be one of malice but she can never take back what she said. It is pretty juvenile to make such imprudent remarks amidst the mourning and anguish of victims of these Mindanao bombings.
Was the remark made in jest? That would be unpresidential. We, Filipinos, claim that we are humorous but I don’t see and any humor in these insulting and derogatory remarks of a president. I opine that such uncalled for remarks have profound negative consequences for the people from Mindanao. I consider it too as an affront to our Muslim brothers and sisters.
The president is so fixated with a tunnel view that everything going on in the country is rose-colored and promising. I hope that the CIA chief have also asked people other than the president about what is really happening in the country especially in Mindanao. I am not saying that Panetta cannot get a true picture of what is happening in Mindanao from the president but there is always the tendency for a pro-government people to draw a romanticized picture of Mindanao.
Panetta should realize that telling lies and making deceits are favorite pastime of many of our politicians. Panetta should then be cautious in this country of lies. He should resolve not to be easily swayed by the wagging tongues of liars who deserve some blasts of wet baby diapers.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
I was nominated as a Senator
I was nominated as a Senator
I recently received a letter from Dr. Martin Martinez, chairman of the National Electoral Committee of Ang Kapatiran Party and Eric Manalang, president of the party, informing me, among others, that my humble self was nominated as a Senator by a concerned citizen. Frankly, I was on cloud nine and could only thank in prayer the citizen who nominated me.
I read carefully the founding principles and platform of AKP and its Code of Conduct. The party calls for the building of a nation of character. It urges the integral development of the Filipinos through values formation. The language used is without embellishment with quotes like “Abolish all forms of gambling,” and “Abolish the death penalty.” The party works towards an ideal society where the citizens are sovereign and that there is no room for the ambitious, greedy, and tyrannical politicians.
I opine that the target “constituencies” of AKP are those Filipinos who believe in ethical and servant leadership. Many are disgruntled about the present crop of leadership in this country and they want a nationwide moral change. Personally, AKP provides an additional and an alternative spectrum in our political field challenging our voters to exercise their judgment within the bounds of reason and morality as to what political parties can best respond to the needs of our times.
After consulting with my wife, relatives and friends, I made the decision: I accepted the nomination.
I recently received a letter from Dr. Martin Martinez, chairman of the National Electoral Committee of Ang Kapatiran Party and Eric Manalang, president of the party, informing me, among others, that my humble self was nominated as a Senator by a concerned citizen. Frankly, I was on cloud nine and could only thank in prayer the citizen who nominated me.
I read carefully the founding principles and platform of AKP and its Code of Conduct. The party calls for the building of a nation of character. It urges the integral development of the Filipinos through values formation. The language used is without embellishment with quotes like “Abolish all forms of gambling,” and “Abolish the death penalty.” The party works towards an ideal society where the citizens are sovereign and that there is no room for the ambitious, greedy, and tyrannical politicians.
I opine that the target “constituencies” of AKP are those Filipinos who believe in ethical and servant leadership. Many are disgruntled about the present crop of leadership in this country and they want a nationwide moral change. Personally, AKP provides an additional and an alternative spectrum in our political field challenging our voters to exercise their judgment within the bounds of reason and morality as to what political parties can best respond to the needs of our times.
After consulting with my wife, relatives and friends, I made the decision: I accepted the nomination.
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Presidency for life?
Presidency for life?
Has the president resolved to become a lifetime chief executive of this country? Sensing that she has an opportunity to hold on to her power beyond 2010 by running as congresswoman in her district, this impresses us that power indeed intoxicates. How true are the words of James Byrnes when he said, "Power intoxicates men. When a man is intoxicated by alcohol he can recover, but when intoxicated by power he seldom recovers."
Any elected president must realize that he or she is a president of a country and not a president of a family-owned corporation. He or she as president must govern the people with respect and not make the country as his or her personal toy. Does the president not want to live as a former president with weakened immunity liable to prosecution by whoever will be her successor?
The time has come for us Filipinos to stand up and protest against this cheap political ploy. Let us vehemently oppose this re-entry and life presidency plan of the president through the backdoor. Let us oppose any political scheme to make her chief executive for life. Let us not remain sheepish and docile. Instead, let us be assertive with our rights to choose the next president of this country come 2010 elections and at bayonet point tell the president she already had her time and that she cannot flout the constitution.
I suggest that she should start looking to history and reflect on how people in the future will judge her and her presidency. I suggest too that she should rather plan on how to have a dignified exit before her term ends on 2010 and not to think on ways to perpetuate her hold on power. She and her political entourage’s campaign of self-perpetuation will be a mistake. God forbids, they will be embarrassed and a great deal of their dignity will be robbed off.
The president should now start unifying our fragmented country. She should now mend fences with her political opponents. She has still an ample time to prove herself that she is the president of the people by initiating actions that will redeem her esteem and her office and who knows, our people will have kind thoughts of her after she leaves her office.
Madam President, your time is running out- prepare now for a dignified exit. It is time for you to go home. For the remaining months of your office as our president, leave a lasting legacy for us to remember you by. Godspeed Madam President and have a peaceful life.
Has the president resolved to become a lifetime chief executive of this country? Sensing that she has an opportunity to hold on to her power beyond 2010 by running as congresswoman in her district, this impresses us that power indeed intoxicates. How true are the words of James Byrnes when he said, "Power intoxicates men. When a man is intoxicated by alcohol he can recover, but when intoxicated by power he seldom recovers."
Any elected president must realize that he or she is a president of a country and not a president of a family-owned corporation. He or she as president must govern the people with respect and not make the country as his or her personal toy. Does the president not want to live as a former president with weakened immunity liable to prosecution by whoever will be her successor?
The time has come for us Filipinos to stand up and protest against this cheap political ploy. Let us vehemently oppose this re-entry and life presidency plan of the president through the backdoor. Let us oppose any political scheme to make her chief executive for life. Let us not remain sheepish and docile. Instead, let us be assertive with our rights to choose the next president of this country come 2010 elections and at bayonet point tell the president she already had her time and that she cannot flout the constitution.
I suggest that she should start looking to history and reflect on how people in the future will judge her and her presidency. I suggest too that she should rather plan on how to have a dignified exit before her term ends on 2010 and not to think on ways to perpetuate her hold on power. She and her political entourage’s campaign of self-perpetuation will be a mistake. God forbids, they will be embarrassed and a great deal of their dignity will be robbed off.
The president should now start unifying our fragmented country. She should now mend fences with her political opponents. She has still an ample time to prove herself that she is the president of the people by initiating actions that will redeem her esteem and her office and who knows, our people will have kind thoughts of her after she leaves her office.
Madam President, your time is running out- prepare now for a dignified exit. It is time for you to go home. For the remaining months of your office as our president, leave a lasting legacy for us to remember you by. Godspeed Madam President and have a peaceful life.
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