Updated: Arroyo’s “Partial Martial” harkens back to Marcos’ days
Back in the 1980s, all you had to say was “Anti-Marcos rally” and hundreds of freedom loving people—Filipinos, Americans, American Filipinos—would instantly gather to express outrage with the Philippine dictatorship.
To be an American Filipinos had a real purpose then. The U.S. was in bed with a dictator.
Now the U.S. is only in bed with Philippine President Gloria “Marcos Lite” Arroyo. And everything else is muted.
We just don’t get upset much about anything anymore, including killing 31 journalists. Maybe we should.
I thought of that as I stood before a small group assembled in San Francisco after a mass was heard at St.Patrick’s Church for the journalists killed in Maguindanao just before Thanksgiving.
Including civilians, 58 people were discovered mutilated, massacred and buried in a Philippines killing field allegedly at the order of the leaders of the Amputuans, a powerful family amongst the country’s oligarchs with ties to the current president.
When I heard of the massacre, I admit to being unmoved at first. In America, journalists may lose their jobs. In the Philippines, they lose their lives.
With more than 130 journalists murdered there in recent times, you can understand why I reacted like a San Francisco native shaking off a 3.0 earthquake.
But then the all details came. For a single event, this one breaks the Richter, and exposes the state of the democracy created in America’s image.
Is it really all that better since Marcos?
From afar, the mass, organized by the Philippine American Press Club of San Francisco, was a good first response.
Phil Bronstein, the editor-at-large of the San Francisco Chronicle, the Bay Area’s premier newspaper was among the speakers. Phil’s work made him a finalist for the Pulitizer. He said Maguindanao reminded him of the danger while covering Marcos.
“I had a few people threaten me so I felt briefly that discomforting sometimes scary sense of mortality and vulnerability,” Bronstein told the audience. “ But I could also leave anytime I want and come home.”
It was his way of describing the difference between the American on assignment and the native journalist,whose daily work is an act of courage and freedom.
“This many journalists killed is an estimable losss,” Bronstein said. “The work of these slain journalist is a vital part of the frabirc of any democracy.”
Bronstein suggested that we “do anything to press Philippine authorities to justice in this case.”
I just don’t think Phil was suggesting the authorities do something out of the Marcos playbook: Martial Law.
PARTIAL MARTIAL
Seeing Bronstein and others was like a reunion of the Marcos years. But without the hundreds and hundreds of protesters.
Still I didn’t expect Arroyo to make the analogy more relevant with her declaration of martial law in Maguindanao last week.
Sure, it’s not full martial law, pare. Oo. Just in Maguindanao.
Call it “Partial Martial.”
But there’s no such thing as being a little bit pregnant either.
The power move shows the lame-duck Arroyo certainly isn’t going gently into her good night. I thought PM was supposed to stand for “prime minister,” reportedly the next coveted position Madame Arroyo was concocting for future occupancy. That, of course, would require some changes in the Philippine democracy itself. It seems that with partial martial, Arroyo’s already applying some of her own self-serving constitutional interpretation.
She’s even using the same rule that Marcos used to invoke full-on martial law.
Pacifico Agabin, a former dean of the University of the Philippines College of Law, told Philippine Daily Inquirer reporters, Arroyo’s declaration is unwarranted and unnecessary.
The government has shown enough control of the situation in Maguindanao with the arrests of members of the Ampatuan family, and arms seizures.
“The only grounds for the declaration of martial law are invasion and rebellion. I don’t think the Ampatuans are capable of launching a rebellion against the government,” Agabin told the Inquirer.
He added that the constitution requires “actual rebellion,” not merely a threat. Changes to the constitution were made in 1987 to make sure another president couldn’t do as Marcos and declare martial law with a flimsy excuse.
Certainly a president can issue a “state of emergency” if need be. But to go right to martial law? Only a megalomaniac.
In this case, Arroyo has taken off her soiled velvet gloves and revealed her set of iron fists.
Did she really think it would be as becoming with the red dress?
There’s no reason for partial martial, period.
Arroyo likely feels the only way to distance her administration from her former allies the Ampatuans is to come down hard on all of Maguindanao. With partial martial, she creates the illusion of zero tolerance, whereas all along she has actually empowered the Ampatuans to do as they wish.
Partial martial also tests her power. It lets her feel the wheel of absolute control in a portion of the archipelago, and let’s her consider an option. Could she go all the way in her transgression of the constitution to perhaps to something far more self-serving—like extending her presidency for “the good of the country”? If that happens then the politician/villain can disguise herself as hero and humanitarian.
But the massacre of 58 and the extension of an unwarranted “Partial Martial” shows just how weak the Philippine democracy is. No need to be nostalgic for Marcos. Sadly, Arroyo fits the bill.
With “Partial Martial,” Philippines President Arroyo secures her legacy as “Marcos Lite”
Posted by Amok in blog, journalism, news on December 7th, 2009
President Arroyo has finally secured her legacy as “Marcos Lite.”
That’s my name for the president who has managed to keep the corruption levels and human rights violations during her administration under a level to cause absolute world-wide indignation.
She’s President Obama’s buddy, right.
But now Arroyo has unequivocally earned her sobriquet by using the already horrific Maguindanao mass murders to justify martial law, a straight steal from the Marcos playbook.
For one second, perhaps we can let cooler heads prevail. Is it really all that bad? It’s not full martial law. Just in Maguindanao.
Call it “Partial Martial.”
Of course, there’s no such thing as being a little bit pregnant either.
But let’s give the president the benefit of the doubt.
The power move shows Arroyo certainly isn’t going gently into her good night. I thought P.M. was supposed to stand for “prime minister,” reportedly the next coveted position Madame Arroyo was concocting for future occupancy. That would require some changes in the Philippine democracy itself, but it seems that with this “p.m.” Arroyo’s already applying some aggressive constitutional interpretation.
She’s even using the same rule that Marcos used to invoke full-on martial law.
But as Pacifico Agabin, a former dean of the University of the Philippines College of Law, told Inquirer reporters, Arroyo’s declaration is unwarranted and unnecessary as the government has shown control of the situation in Maguindanao with the arrests of the Ampatuans.
“The only grounds for the declaration of martial law are invasion and rebellion. I don’t think the Ampatuans are capable of launching a rebellion against the government,” he told the Inquirer.
He added that the constitution requires “actual rebellion,” not merely a threat.
There was already a change in the law in 1987, so that a repeat of Marcos could not be possible without a real threat to the government.
The U.S. Constitution, from which the Philippine Constitution has a “martial law” clause. But who in his right mind would declare it in a democracy without a real threat to the government.
Certainly a president can issue a “state of emergency” if need be. But to go right to martial law?
In this case, Arroyo has taken off her soiled velvet gloves and revealed her iron fist.
Did she really think it would be as becoming with her red dress?
There’s no reason for partial martial, period. A massacre, as bad as it is, isn’t a rebellion.
So what’s the purpose, of p.m.?
Well, p.r.
Arroyo likely feels the only way to distance her administration from her former allies the Ampatuans is to come down hard on on all of Maguindanao. With partial martial, she creates the illusion of zero tolerance, whereas all along she has actually empowered the Ampatuans to do as they wish.
She also tests her power. Partial martial let’s her feel the wheel of absolute control in a portion of the archipelago, and let’s her consider an option. Could she go all the way in a transgression of the constitution to extend her presidency for “the good of the country”?
Legislators and the people must speak out now. Marcos Lite? “Partial Martial” is a clear sign of a second coming.
San Francisco’s Philippine American Press Club start “Justice Fund” to aid journalists killed in Maguindanao Massacre
In San Francisco, in a show of sympathy, solidarity and support for the 30 journalists killed in the Maguindanao Massacre, the Philippine American Press Club will hold a program at St.Patrick’s Church (Mission and 4th St., San Francisco) at 6pm on Wednesday, Dec.2.
After a memorial mass, the press group’s program will feature journalists who have extensively covered Philippine issues. Among the speakers are Filipinas Magazine publisher Greg Macabenta and San Francisco Chronicle Executive Editor Phil Bronstein. The program is free and open to the public.
Donations will be gladly accepted to seed a “Justice Fund” to assist families of the victims, witnesses and groups speaking out for the rights of journalists.
In Manila, an estimated 3,000 Filipino media workers and supporters staged what was called an “indignation rally” on Monday near Manila’s Malacanang Palace (The Philippine “White House”) . So far 57 bodies have been recovered connected to last week’s massacre in Maguindanao.
Manny Pacquiao:Pound-for-pound champ? Try best ever
The esteemed Larry Merchant on HBO echoed what must have been in the minds of others who just witness MannyPacquiao win his seventh world championship in seven weight classes: ”We thought he was great, but he was better than we thought.”
That statement at the end of the fight offically ends the period we shall call “The Under-estimation of Manny Pacquiao.” No matter what, Pacquiao keeps proving the doubters wrong with his lethal combination of spirit, charm, and boxing brilliance.
It’s easy to see how dismissive people can be of Manny. When I first met him, I was frankly stunned by his size. I was taller than he was. But who would put a dollar on me going 30 seconds with Manny?
He’s the guy who walks down the street you don’t figure him to be much more than the parking valet. But given the chance to prove himself, he wows you with a determination and skill far greater than his size.
Last night was a real milestone. For all of boxing’s cruelty, the weight class divisions are intended to make things fair so that a big guy can’t bully a little guy. It levels the playing field. So what does it say, when a guy keeps rising in rank, seven weight classes, and not just performs but excels at the highest level?
We’ve really got something special here. Far greater than anyone would have imagined. Pacquiao proved it in the ring last night.
Going up in class? No problem. Here’s a guy whose fists are affirmative action.
Pacquiao took Miguel Cotto’s savage punches like he was a “Rock’em-Sock’em robot.” When Manny’s head would snap back, I gasped. Cotto was bigger and more powerful than any of Manny’s previous opponents. So I admit I was concerned, especially by Cotto’s size. But then, Manny would come back and counter, as he did in the 4th round. Throughout the fight, Manny revealed his version of Ali’s “rope-a-dope.” Call it the “ropeless-rope-a dope,” out in the middle, fist-up, elbows together fortress style. It was there to let Cotto punch himself out. Then Manny would uncover and find a crevice in Cotto’s defense. A right hand then a left hook caught Cotto in the 4th for the second knockdown of the fight. It was the beginning of the end.
Cotto, as he was inthe Clottey fight, was badly cut and bleeding. So much vaseline and swabbing of blood. I said it would go TKO in the 10th. The fight should have been stopped after 9. Only the macho pride of Cotto would keep it until the 12th.
Now the talk is of the next fight. Everyone says Mayweather. Who is to doubt Pacquiao? The “Understimaton of Manny” has officially ended.
The Pacquiao-Cotto fight is a reminder of America’s colonial past
Pacquiao and Cotto?
Not since the Spanish American War have we had the pitting of Philippine and Puerto Rican interests (I dare not count the time I shared a common sink in my Harvard co-op with two beautiful Puerto Rican sisters).
The history books tell the tale of how the Republic of the Philippines and Puerto Rico were intertwined in America’s colonial past. But this time the colonizer is promoter Bob Arum, who straddles both fighters, and stands to make millions as he watches his two stars try to rip the other’s head off.
It’s going to be a war, said Arum on one of the promotion films on the fight. He even admitted feeling somewhat conflicted.
But not when he begins to count up the money.
Perhaps it’s not his fault that he finds himself the promoter of both sides of an incredible spectacle the world is willing to pay millions for: Two average-sized tattooed men in their underwear pummeling each other in three minute intervals.
In the fight game, small is beautiful now. Good for both Pacman and Cotto. Better for Arum.
My prediction? As an American Filipino, I have my biases. Pacquiao’s part of the metaphor means so much for the Philippines and to those of Filipino descent world-wide.
To Filipinos, Pacquiao is like a one- man Yankees.
He’s the feel-good symbol for all Filipino endeavors. He is the “Si se puede” guy for Filipinos. It’s a chance for history. World championship titles in 7 divisions? That’s an unprecedented walk up the evolutionary chart of boxing.
If he loses, the psychic damage will require more than a visit to the faith healer.
If he wins….then Manny Pacquiao for president is not a joke.
But Cotto is no pushover opponent. He is a true man of 140 pounds or more, the biggest Pacquiao has faced. If you saw the Cotto-Clottey fight, then you know Cotto, bloodied, battered, can hang. He’s a slow, plodder, who doesn’t go down.
The contrast should be evident. Pacquiao is a ducker and a dancer. He’s fast. Cotto may have power, but it won’t matter if he doesn’t catch Pacquiao. If Pacquiao can keep dancing, while dishing out his own barrage of punches, then I call it Manny’s in 10 by TKO.
But, of course, Bob Arum wins no matter what.
Amokwatch: Serena, Kanye, Joe Dub—outbursts galore, and race is the subtext; And guess who’s missing? The Asian American victim; Also, a quickie review of Leno
They all went amok in a bad way: Serena, Kanye and Joe Dub.
And we’ve heard from all the perps and their victims and supporters on all sides, except one.
Who’s speaking about the Asian American woman, the linesperson who dared to speak out and correct the foot fault of Serena Williams at the U.S. Open?
No one. Because no one cares about her.
Poor Kim Clijsters who just had to sit back and let victory drop into her lap, they care about her. But the line judge? We’ve heard nothing. A name of “Shinno” has come up on the web. But there’s no sympathy for her.
She’s the invisible victim.
If anything, there’s been a little back pedalling on the outrage toward Serena. Now people are saying it’s just Serena’s passion for winning.
I heard one blowhard talk host talking about how in such a championship situation that it was a ”chickenshit” call by the line judge.
Hey, what is sports without rules? You don’t give out mulligans when its for real. When the Giants strike out do you say strike three was b.s., give us strike four?
No, the line judge was right. But this isn’t about rules. It’s about race.
Let’s play substitution. If a line judge looked like Serena or Kim Clijsters and made the call, do you think Serena would have felt she could get away with that b.s. outrage?
She was being a bully, plain and simple. She felt she could get away with it, because the line judge was looked to be Ms.Meek Asian Book Worm. She stereotyped us, had it in her head that it was OK, and let out her venomous wrath without any respect.
Do you think Serena would have done that to a black judge? A white judge? One who didn’t appear to be meek and readily dominated?
If you don’t think race had something to play in the dynamic, your head’s in the sand. Asian Americans just don’t get the respect they deserve in general. And in little things like this, it’s out there for all the world to see.
Just ask yourself where is the line judge, and why isn’t there an outpouring of sympathy for her after she made a fair and correct call and engendered the wrath of Serena?
Why isn’t she on Jay Leno’s show?There was an Asian stand in on a joke. But no one said let’s get the Asian victim. Why?
KANYE NOT TOO SWIFT
As for Kanye? His move the other night was reverse Joe Wilson. Wilson is the segregationist who can’t accept that a black man is president in the modern day and calls Obama a “liar.” Kanye can’t accept that a white chick like Taylor Swift is up there winning the hip-pop and hip-hop culture’s VMA? What irony for those who remember the day when MTV refused to play black artists. But now Taylor Swift, the 19-year old cross-over country act who draws them in with chick pop gets out of the white country ghetto and under Kanye’s skin.
But he’ll bounce back. He nearly cried on Leno last night.
LENO OUTSMARTS THEM ALL
When Leno was just a sub on The Tonight Show, I used to freelance jokes to him. I never was paid better per vowel.
So I’m a bit partial to Leno, though I am a former Poonie like Conan. But what struck me was how Leno has outmaneuvered, outpoliticked everyone in the big game of showbiz “Survivor.” When he left the 11:30 slot, he got the 10 pm slot. For those of us who have watched “Letterman” earlier in some markets, the format can work. A lot of people don’t want to stay up late anymore.
Leno drew 18 million at 10 p.m. last night. And now you can bet all the expensive 10 p.m. dramas will be worried. Dollar for dollar, Leno’s show will prove to be cheaper per rating point, and more profitable.
OK, now for the show. Was it funny? It makes you smile. That’s it. Leno’s brand of corn sells. And it works. If he has good guests and good gets (Kanye West’s silence about his mother was as good a get as possible last night), then Leno will soar.
And then everybody will go to bed at 11 p.m.
Too bad for local news. Too bad for Conan.
Van Jones: Latest victim of the Right’s Nouveau McCarthyism
Posted by Amok in blog, diversity, journalism, news on September 6th, 2009
The new partisan parlor game in Washington is a devilish one, all about sucking the life out of the Obama administration one aide at a time. Unfortunately by targeting Van Jones, a man with an unfailing belief and passion for the environment and the creation of a green agenda for America, the right has only succeeded in forcing out a bright, competent person of color who could have done a lot of good for this country.
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/44/2009/09/06/van_jones_resigns.html
When I first met Jones in the late ‘90s, I was naturally impressed. On New California Media, a television program I hosted and produced on PBS and cable outlets in the state, Jones was a frequent guest. He was a Yale law grad and the founder of the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights in Oakland, and when I needed someone to comment on community issues, Jones knew his stuff and his rhetoric. His was passionate,intelligent and smooth. I figured politics would be a natural progression. But when his focus turned to green and the environment, while I was surprised, I saw it as a good move for him politically. And more his style.
Green is everybody. Green is the world. Green is the future.
For any person of color, race is always an issue. In environmental issues, race is often a key dividing line between who gets to go green and who stays toxic. People of color are all too often shut out and dumped on when the talk turns to green. So Van going green made a lot of sense. But I also felt that going green gave him a sense of liberation from tired old race politics. Van was no child of ’60s. He was now. Going green gave him some real stuff to chew on in the coming years.
So isn’t it ironic that what comes back to haunt him are statements and positions from his activist past. None of it is relevant. Anti-war stuff?Crude references to Republicans? But all of it can be made to be a distraction as Jones pointed out in his resignation statement. And once the right finds a small hole to exploit, it bores in and makes it seem like the Grand Canyon. What would have come next? Van Jones with Paris Hilton? Breaking pita bread with Muslims? In the absurd political world of the right, it’s all fair game in the effort to find things that will destroy an administration one person at a time.
If good people like Van Jones can’t fight these kind of tactics, then public life in the age of the politics of personal destruction is simply not worth it.
Van Jones’ resignation is a loss because he represented the hope that a lot of young people saw in the Obama campaign. Maybe that’s the right’s grand plan. Kill the hope.
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