Why I will stand up for my President

YOUTHOPIA
By Marylaine Louise Viernes
Why I will stand up for my President

 
NOWADAYS, people seem to do nothing but plan futile protests and demonstrations that don't achieve anything politically substantial. Or, they'd talk endlessly about the iniquities of our distinguished President, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, and lambaste her allies and family. It sickens me to the bone when those who had been partly responsible for her rise and residence in power bash her and try to wash their hands clean.

We should commend our dear President for not only teaching but also living out the virtues we Filipinos must live by. Here are just some of Her Excellency's most noble traits; let us aspire to emulate them:

True friendship. PGMA is the epitome of a true friend. Even if she holds the reins to this country, she never ceases to check on her friends once in a while. She even asks favors from them once in a while. And she's willing to reciprocate their favors, too! Talk about generous! So what if she said "Hello" to Garci? What are friends for?

Environmental awareness. She got into a lot of trouble for prioritizing the environment here, specifically with her focus on the fertilizers that will make our soils fertile and rich! It was no simple Joc, putting our lands into consideration! She even entrusted the Bolantes, a special kind of earthworms or bulates in carrying out this task! Now, a lot of people can benefit from our lands! Bolantes and fertilizers . . . talk about growing pockets . . . pockets of land, I mean!

Leadership and task delegation. They say that a great leader is someone who is able to make her people move. The fact that most of our armed authorities would literally kill for her means that she is an exceptional leader, loved by many! Now it is only proper to change the expression, "the Filipino is worth dying for;" because in this administration, "PGMA is worth dying for!"

Studiousness and creativity. The mark of a brilliant student is not only her academic proficiency, but also her creativity! She has defied the usual basics of learning that alphabet starting with ABC… for we are now learning our lessons with ZTE.

Mercifulness. Learning that she pardoned our former president, who was also very distinguished, brought tears to my eyes! She abides by the act of mercy! Not only did she free him; she also realized his value! I'm not saying that she can use him for her interests, though! Now, whoever said that, "ang magnanakaw ay galit sa kapwa magnanakaw?"

Charity. So what if she is related to a pedicab driver named Jose Pedal? Let's not be discriminating here! Jose Pedal may be very poor, but he is related to her and so she has an obligation to help him end his plight! Besides, we should learn to practice charity at home and start with our family. I am so happy that Mr. Pedal now has his own bank account.

Generosity. So what if she didn't invest enough in economic services? At least, Filipinos are forced to work abroad to keep our economy afloat. She has also ended the classroom shortage. Instead of having 50 kids in one classroom, now there are over a 100 starving kids per classroom. Talk about dedication to education! I hope she could run again. Run away!

Knowledge of the law. So what if she made an executive order to block government and military officials in congressional hearings that investigate her anomalies? Just because you are ignorant of the law does not mean you can complain whenever someone becomes smart enough to find a way through it. And she knows the laws so very well, that they call her a liar, I mean a lawyer!

Discipline. They keep on talking about how she uses her Violent Calibrated Preemptive Response for demonstrations. Whatever that means! Sometimes, we just have to employ an iron fist for the greater good. No one defines discipline the way she does!

Pride and self-esteem. So what if she's short? I mean, come on; a lot of you are getting too personal, hitting her below the belt. No one can take this much criticism and still stand tall!

She makes me so proud to be a Pinoy! Now, whoever said that power corrupts a person?

Seven green and pro-people tips for GMA's removal

Kalikasan Peoples Network for the Environment
26 Matulungin St. Central District, Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines

15 February 2008

Seven green and pro-people tips for GMA's removal

In light of the current NBN ZTE scandal, environmental activists from Kalikasan PNE offer seven handy tips for the Filipino people to keep in mind.

1.SEGREGATE the truth from lies, especially in the cases of the NBN ZTE, 'Hello Garci' tapes, Jose Pidal, and North Rail scandals, electoral fraud in the 2004 and 2007 polls, the extrajudicial killings of activists, and Presidential Proclamation 1017.

2.THROW THE TRASH WHEN IT STINKS. We can no longer ignore the truth that is coming out of the NBN ZTE and Hello Garci scandals. Now that the stink is finally out, it's high time to throw Pres. Gloria Arroyo along with all her denials, cover-ups, and deception in the trash bin of history.

3.REDUCE corruption in Philippine government, starting with the immediate removal of the largest, filthiest, and dirtiest one in Malacanang.

4.REUSE, RECYCLE and reinvigorate the calls for land reform, just wages and jobs, justice and human rights which the Arroyo administration mindlessly threw into the trash bin. Don't let the people's legitimate demands of the past six years go to waste.

5.PLANT THE SEEDS of social change by doing your civic duty to stop corruption, plunder of our national patrimony and government coffers, political repression, and human rights violations.

6.TAP THE BEST SOURCE OF RECHARGEABLE ENERGY in the form of people power and collective action!

7.CONSERVE ENERGY for the longer walks and rallies to come. Start walking hand in hand with family, colleagues, and friends and join the street protests calling for GMA's resignation now!

Kalikasan People's Network for the Environment (Kalikasan PNE) is a network of non-government organizations (NGOs), grassroots organizations, and environmental advocates.