SIDE COMMENTS

Mayor Constantino Jaraula of Cagayan de oro City

“Primarily, there was really no proper and official consultations with the LGUs that would be affected by the agreement. Wala sila’y paki kung unsay socio, economic and political consequences sa ilang mga negotiations.”

Mayor Celso Lobregat of Zamboanga City

“Do not build a Berlin Wall among the people of Mindanao,”

North Cotabato Vice Governor Emmanuel Piñol,

“We won the battle. But because this is just a TRO, therefore, our victory is just temporary.”

Rea Marie Jubelag, an officer of the University of Southern Mindanao Student Government,

“The inclusion of North Cotabato in the expanded Armm (Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao) is not the answer to the conflict here. In fact, it will only worsen the problem.”

Pigcawayan councilor Rolando Dillera, president of the Councilors League in North Cotabato

“This is not a fight between the Muslims and the Christians. But we, Christians, are just trying to defend what is right and due us. We can’t allow the government to ink an agreement, which will later cause animosities between the Muslims and the Christians,”

Representative Abdullah Dimaporo (2nd District, Lanao del Norte)

“We trust the Philippine negotiators and the President who will not do harm to us. In case we do not like the agreement, we can oppose it in congress. Definitely we can win in the plebiscite, whether we want ‘No’ or ‘Yes.’ There is therefore no reason for any worry on the MOA.”

Now is not the time for war. Our economy is suffering from the oil crisis, “We all saw what happened during the all-out-war of President Joseph Estrada against the MILF. The MILF were no match to our AFP, but the great damage were suffered by evacuating the poor families, and large sum of public funds used by the AFP which could have been utilized for schools and other much needed projects.”

“Let us give peace a chance. Let us see the outcome of the peace agreement,”

 

“DONE DEAL” NA PALA; SELLOUT COMPLETE

“Our official position is that the agreement on ancestral domain has been signed, so it’s a done deal.”

Ghadzali Jaafar, MILF vice chair for political affairs, had said that the MOA became binding when it was initialed by the two sides on July 27 and Tuesday’s aborted ceremony in Malaysia was merely a formality.

Now lets listen to our government through Eduardo Ermita.

“Not until then can anything be implemented. Sa katunayan, kahit mapirmahan iyong comprehensive compact agreement ay kinakailangan ang mag-usap [In fact, even if the comprehensive compact agreement is signed, there is still a need to talk],” 

“Hindi nangangahulugan na kung sakali nagkapirmahan ng MOA on ancestral domain ay iyan na ang kasunduan [It doesn’t mean that if the MOA on ancestral domain is signed, that is the agreement].”

Exactly Mr. Ermita. If its a done deal then nothing can be done about it. While the agreement may be going to the motions of a plebiscite, the fact remains that the government’s negotiating position is restricted to what has been agreed on the point of ancestral domain. The government’s hand is already tied, so to speak.  Plus, expect that the plebiscite will be rigged in favor of the Bangsamoro homeland. The administration’s ability to make it into a reality is proven in “Hello Garci” in 2004 and the Migs Zubiri-Koko Pimentel case in 2007.  The outcome is settled with Mindanao slowly going to the MILF and their ilks.

So the betrayal is complete. Mindanao is being chopped chopped and fed to the Muslim rebels. Meanwhile, Gloria’s favorite dog, Hermogenes Esperon Jr. manifested that betrayal in that in- your-face declaration to North Cotabato Vice Governor Manny Pinol.

‘Pare kapag na-TRO kami diyan at inatake kayo ng MILF bahala kayo sa sarili niyo… Hindi namin isasakrapisyo ang buhay ng sundalo namin para sa inyo.’”

 

WAR IS COMING

Ernesto Maceda

Finally, the public read the terms of the MILF-GRP agreement on ancestral domain to be signed in Malaysia Monday morning when the Philippine Daily Inquirer published the agreement in full. Fortunately, the Supreme Court issued a TRO to stop the signing.

It became quite clear that GMA and her officials kept the negotiations secret and refused to give copies of the draft agreement to interested leaders and stakeholders of Mindanao because it was patently unconstitutional, extremely generous to the MILF and highly objectionable to any rational thinking Filipino.

As analyzed by many experts, it means the creation of a separate Bangsamoro state with the Philippine central government ceding territory and territorial waters, surrendering control of natural resources with the Bangsamoro Juridical Entity (BJE) getting 75 percent of all proceeds from oil, mines, forest, fisheries and other rich natural resources, including air rights. That�s in stark contrast to her obstinate refusal to give up P70 billion in VAT revenues on oil to benefit the whole country.

It means gerrymandering six towns and 700 barangays including those in traditional Christian areas like Zamboanga City and Iligan, not to mention Cotabato City. Fast track the situation to five years after the agreement comes into force. You will have a Bangsamoro state with a well equipped armed force of at least 30,000 funded by the 75 percent share of income from natural resources and from assistance from the United States and oil rich Middle East states that have given it recognition.

Will the Bangsamoro civilian and military leaders be satisfied with their present territory? Consider the fact that under the Tripoli agreement, they claim the whole of Mindanao as their ancestral lands. Definitely, they will move aggressively toward expanding their territory. To begin with, pity the Christians of Basilan, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Sulu and especially Cotabato City which they insist on keeping as their capital even if it is not part of ARMM. Simply put, they will run them out of town. Kidnapping of businessmen, teachers and priests will escalate.

And the 700 barangays now included in ARMM which certainly would have a Bangsamoro armed detachment, would it be improbable if they will start to encroach and control neighboring barangays? No, it will most likely happen. Even now when a peace agreement is agreed upon, MILF rebels are raiding and killing Christians in Midsayap, Aleosan and Libungan in North Cotabato, and in Basilan.

The MILF-GRP agreement will mean the 90 percent of the Christian population will go to war to protect their hard earned land, houses and businesses. The MILF-GRP agreement will not result in peace. On the contrary, it will mean war all over Mindanao with the unhappy circumstance that you will have Prime Minister Gloria Arroyo backing the Bangsamoro forces against her friends and relatives in Iligan, Davao and Cotabato.

You will have the 90 percent of Christian population in Mindanao planning to declare themselves as a separate Republic too, under President Rodrigo Duterte and Vice President Vicente “Donkoy” Emano. You will have the people of the Central government� suffering more food shortages and food prices going up because you have to import food from rich Mindanao. Local industries will close because everything will be smuggled into the Bangsamoro territory worse than Subic or Port Irene.

GMA has committed not only treason but certainly a gross violation of her oath to do justice to every man. By doing justice to 5 million Muslims she is committing an injustice to 85 million Filipinos.

Sad, but that is the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. Let�s hope and pray that the Supreme Court will side with the people over that of its patron, GMA. And make the TRO permanent.

Sacrificial lambs in name of peace

Bishops Gutierrez and Afable said the MoA had divided the people.

“The Philippines is a participatory democracy … All stakeholders should have been consulted. I understand five provinces are against this,” Gutierrez said.

Bishop Deogracias Iñiguez, chair of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines’ public affairs committee, said the government negotiators should have released the draft of the MoA before agreeing to sign it because its contents affected Christians and Muslims.

In Kidapawan City, about 5,000 residents of North Cotabato gathered at the provincial capitol grounds in Barangay Amas Tuesday to protest the lack of public consultations on the proposed agreement.

Wearing red T-shirts and red bands, they aired their opposition to the inclusion of several North Cotabato villages in the proposed Bangsamoro homeland.

“This is a democratic way of expressing our grievances against our national officials who make us sacrificial lambs in the name of peace,” North Cotabato Vice Gov. Emmanuel Piñol said.

 

PROUD OF SABIO BUT…

Its natural. Kababayans will feel for their kababayans especially so if they are assigned to high positions in government and embroiled in a controversy. It will speak something of the place he comes from and it will be a dent of their pride if they see one of their own ousted for impropriety.

Cebuanos rallied in support of then Justice Davide when an impeachment case is filed against him, never mind there was really basis for his removal. Now it is Cagayan de Oro’s turn. A native son, Justice Jose Sabio Jr, is involved in the middle of a bribery scandal in the Court of Appeals. Given our strong regionalistic culture, it is not a surprise that Cagayanons rushed in aid of Justice Sabio, extolling him of his good reputation while he was still in Cagayan de Oro. But it would be preferable that before concluding, people should wait for the investigation conducted by the Supreme Court on the bribery issue.

Reading an article written by Mike Baños in the Mindanao Gold Star Daily entitled “How Sabio got involved in Meralco switcheroo,” raised some questions on the propriety of Sabio in his continued handling of the GSIS-Meralco case. According to former Ombudsman and now Meralco legal counsel, Simeon Marcelo said internal rules of the Court of Appeals provides that wherein once a ponente for a case has been determined after a raffle, that justice should retain the case even if he is transferred to another division. The ponente in this case is Justice Roxas. And Justice Roxas was transferred from the 9th Division to the 8th Division and so the case should have been deliberated in the 8th Division where the Roxas belongs. Sabio on the other hand, belong to the 9th Division in temporary capacity to fill in Justice Reyes who is on leave at the time GSIS-Meralco row exploded and was brought to the CA.

Atty. Marcelo said,

“They cannot change their own rules. That’s an old rule in the CA. Regardless if the ponente is transferred to another division or not, the case will always be with him unless he inhibits himself. Since Roxas was transferred to the 8th division, ultimately those that belong to the said division would be deliberating the case. So Justice Sabio was really out of the picture.”

Accordingly Sabio has no right to cling to the case since the TRO which was rendered by the 9th Division where Sabio fill in Justice Reyes who was on leave is not among those situations where the temporarily assigned justice could retain a case. The only time a temporarily assigned justice could retain a case is when there is a granting of a preliminary injunction, granting of a new trial and granting of execution pending appeal and a TRO, according to Marcelo, does not qualify as a preliminary injunction.

Other instances which could raise eyebrows is that even if Justice Reyes has returned Justice Sabio did not give in to him. Sabio’s reason is that both parties never questioned it on June 23, 2008 when oral arguments are presented. However this was countered by Marcelo who said that it was Justice Sabio’s job to inform the parties that Justice Reyes has already arrived but sadly they were not informed and allowed Sabio to preside the case on the impression that Justice Reyes was still on leave.

So those are some angles that people should look into devoid of any partisan and biased considerations. Justice Sabio is an upright man. His reputation as a good citizen of Cagayan de Oro speaks for himself. Good. But let us not be carried away by that. To be sure, lets be open minded about the issue and reserve conclusions until the investigating body comes up with the finding.

For more analysis, read uniffors’ ” Is anybody telling the whole truth here?”

 

ONE STEP CLOSER INTO CREATING A SEPARATE STATE

Reading on the draft of the proposed GRP-MILF pact on ancestral domain, I cant help but be convinced that the opening statement already looks like a preamble of another state. It reads:

“The Bangsamoro homeland and historic territory refer to the land mass as well as the maritime, terrestrial, fluvial and alluvial domains and the aerial domain, the atmospheric space above it, embracing the Mindanao-Sulu-Palawan geographic region.”

Can you imagine that?

Now I wont be surprised if people from North Cotabato, Zamboanga regions and Iligan City, places at the frontlines of the proposed homeland expressed alarm and anxiety over the said proposal. And it doesn’t help for the government to assure the people of Mindanao that Mindanao is still a part of RP considering the all encompassing language of the draft which refers to Minsupala region. Not only that they are giving the land, the minerals underneath the land, but the sea and the air. Ships coming from the north cannot pass through the waters off that area without asking permission from the authorities. Commercial and military aircraft cannot pass through the airspace of the Bangsamoro homeland without asking permission from them else it will give them the power to shoot down the aircraft given they have the necessary weapons to do it. In effect, we see a fully established state complete with territorial limits and whose governance is given to whoever will be chosen leader of the said new state.

The illegitimate President Gloria Arroyo not only cheats, lie and stole everything, mandate or taxpayers money, but giving away our territory left and right as if she owned it and without regard to the rights of people concerned. First she gave our waters and islands to China and now, she will further disintegrate our country and shrink our territory by giving away lands to a rebel group, without consulting Congress, the representative of the people. Hermogenes Esperon even has the guts to declare that this is what the country needs. Really? Or it is what his boss needs for political survival.

I see a sinister plot in this scheme. It will be her vehicle to extend her term beyond 2010. With the dwindling support she got from Christian voters, she is now turning her attention to the Muslims in an old fashioned divide and rule tactic. This way, she can counter balance her unpopularity with the majority by courting the support of a formidable minority. By insisting on the sellout of our territories, she will open a window of opportunity for term extension through Charter Change using as a pretext the implementation of the peace process.

People, Christians and Muslims, should be vigilant. The ploy may work and we can only wake up one day living our nightmare of division, bloodshed, mayhem and wars which was made into a reality by an irresponsible occupant in Malacanang.

 

WHY BOO CONG. RUFUS RODRIGUEZ RESOLUTION?

First,

RODRIGUEZ FILES RESO FOR MISOR SPECIAL POLLS

Susan Palmes

Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez (2nd District) pushed for a resolution that seeks a special election in Misamis Oriental’s 1st District before 2010. A special election will alow easter Misamis Oriental to choose a replacement for Rep. Danilo Lagbas who died of cancer a month ago.

Rodriguez filed his resolution the same day Congress opened its session on Monday. It was filed around 11:30 am at the Lower House, a few hours before President Arroyo certifies the existence of a vacancy in the House of Representatives. It then calls a delivered her eight State of the Nation address at the Batasan. The Rodriguez resolution special election in the 1st District of Misamis Oriental.

Rodriguez said he filed the resolution in order “to uphold the system of democratic representation in the government and to ensure that the people of Misamis Oriental are not denied proper representation in Congress.” He said there was an urgent need to fill the vacancy in Misamis Oriental and in the Lower House.

Then…

WHY BOO CONG. RUFUS RODRIGUEZ RESOLUTION

The July 31, 2008 headline entitled “Misor officials boo Rufus’ resolution” of the Mindanao Gold Star Daily is a big letdown. Governor Oscar Moreno and Vice Governor were quoted to voice out dislike on the said resolution calling for a special elections in the 1st District left by the deceased Danilo Lagbas. Moreno said the move was a tactic to divide Misamis Oriental politicians and revitalizing a dormant opposition in the province.

“I can’t blame him, it’s a legitimate political strategy.”

Vice Governor Babiera echoed Moreno’s observation.

“Its an opposition strategy to open crack our unity.

“The people of Misamis Oriental would not like disunity in the province. We have yet to receive a resolution asking for a special election from any of the town councils. In my own opinion, its better to wait for 2010.”

Rodriguez defended his move saying he only did it “for the best interest of Misamis Oriental.”

“An elected congressman can get more projects for the district. I have nothing to do with Misamis Oriental politics and I am not endorsing any candidate.”

From the legal point of view, I see nothing wrong of Cong. Rufus’ move. The Constitution provides it, our election law also provides for it. To look at it objectively, Congressman Rodriguez was only following the law with regard to vacancy of congressional posts. In contrast, the contention of Moreno and Babiera saying that Rep. Bambi Emano of the 2nd District and Speaker Prospero Nograles act as caretaker of the 1st District has no basis in law. Rep. Emano and Speaker Nograles are elected in their respective district and are not elected to represent the constituents of the 1st District of Misamis Oriental, from the town of Balingasag to Magsaysay in the east.

What is clear is that the administration is insecure because the special election for sure will divide their fragile unity. For sure, at least 3 of its Provincial Board members are set to go on separate ways, namely Board Members Jimmy Caiña, Peter “Señor Pedro” Unabia and Benedict Lagbas, not to mention town mayors who are interested for the post. While the fear on the administration side is legitimate, it is not enough to prevent the holding of special elections so that the people of the 1st District will have a new representative again.

Can anyone imagine for the people of Misamis Oriental to be without representation for two years until 2010? How cruel is that?

 

ILIGANONS VOICED CONCERN OVER THE INCLUSION OF ILIGAN CITY IN PROPOSED BJE

“This is our land.

Nobody has the power to give this to anyone! - muragdoctor“

Nora Sorino

City officials here are panicking over the information that 8 city barangays here are allegedly included in the envisioned Bangsamoro Juridical Entity (BJE). City Councilor Ariel Anghay said Thursday the barangays included are Rogongon, Digkilaan, Dulag, Hindang, Kalilangan, Lanipao, Mainit and Panuroganan.

In view of this, the Sangguniang Panglungsod will hold a Special Session on the matter as its main agenda because they are concerned and worried.

Congressman Varf Belmonte echoed his worry and concern even as he said that a Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain between the GRP-MILF will be signed on August 5 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Belmonte said that last Wednesday, there was a meeting in Manila among congressmen and one of the matters taken up was the issue of ancestral domain which is being claimed by the MILF. Belmonte then asked whether the City of Iligan was included and he was supposedly told that Iligan is not included.

“There is an element of deceit here. These 8 barangays constitute 80 percent of the city land area, what will remain of Iligan?

He said he is going to join the city council in its special session.

Earlier, Mayor Lawrence Cruz also voiced his worry and concerns over the matter. Over the weekend irate city residents kept calling local radio stations voicing their concerns over the said development. One caller called it “creeping invasion” of these forces and that there was a clear and present danger in this part of Mindanao.

muragdoctor, an Iliganon I believe joins the loud protests over what is seen as a sold out of Christian lands in Mindanao in favor of the rebels.

SOLD!
August 2, 2008

We have been sold to rebels!

Secretly, the President brokered a deal with Muslim rebels and has granted them land. The deals were so secret that I’ve just heard that 3 barangays in my city, and about 3 municipalities in my province have been included in the deal. Yet those are only small cuts of the cake that she has stuffed into the mouths of murderers and kidnappers. I heard even Palawan is included in the deal. Citing grand words such as these lands were ancestral Muslim domains, she has in effect surrendered the government’s sovereignty on them. Heck! If she truly believes those words she must give up even Manila to the rebels, considering Manila was ruled by Muslim rajahs during the Spanish colonization.

Our President is desperate. She wants to stay in power, and in order to do so she is courting Muslim favor since the Christian population have been giving her negative approval ratings. Now I wonder how could anyone from her loyalist camp have the guts to stay with her. She is accused of allowing Chinese military ships to spy on Philippine waters. And to add to her sins to the country, she has bowed down to rebel demands.

On another note, I think it’s fishy that Malaysia seems to be too helpful with brokering peace between the Philippine government and the rebels. It is also interesting to note that the only gains that Malaysia-brokered deals have made is the sustenance of the insurgence. Perhaps Malaysia is afraid that really peace would bring a unified Philippine government that would lay claim to the disputed Sabah territory, a region that Malaysia claims as its own.

In the meantime, my city would not act like sheep sold to the slaughter. There would be a rally come Monday as we voice out our protest against this betrayal. Let all those who still have a little love left for this country ring their voices. This is our land. Nobody has the power to give this to anyone!

 

CAUSE FOR ALARM

CAUSE FOR ALARM

Ben Contreras

The peace negotiations between our government and the MILF was reported to have collapsed. Whether that should be a reason for joy or not, lets go back a few weeks earlier.

I got a surprise package said to be from a group of people wary of the peace negotiations that were going on. They became alarmed when they learned of the signing of the agreement outside the country because accordingly, practically almost the whole of Mindanao would be under the control of the Muslim brothers except Misamis Oriental, Misamis Occidental and Camiguin Island.

Initially, I didn’t take it seriously and did not read the other documents given me, thinking that it was an unlikely scenario under a territory dominated by Christians but not until July 23.

The Philippine Daily Inquirer carried a report that day that Governor Piñol of Cotabato (actually Vice Governor) officially asked the government to make the agreement between the government and the MILF public. Piñol seemed to be suspicious of the contents of the agreement and hinted that the people of Mindanao have not been properly consulted. Its short of saying its going to be a sellout.

Why would Piñol sound the alarm? What does he know of the agreement? What do the people of Mindanao know and do not know?

Based on the information provided to me, Mindanao has a Christian population of more or less 25 million. Our Muslim brothers are about five million. The indigenous people are about 3.5 million. They are asking this question now. Why would a people whose number is less than 20% of the total population take control of around 90% of a territory like Mindanao? This group feels that it is not acceptable. While they do not suggest open hostility as a consequence, this road (the agreement) if take without proper consultation would lead to that.

In the meantime, before I write more based on the documents sent to me, I saw wisdom in the official request of Piñol for the government to make public the complete text of the supposed agreement.

People of Mindanao should demand no less. The collapse of the negotiations should not be a reason for the people of Mindanao to loosen their guard.

 

SONA: “AN ANNUAL LYING RITUAL”-SEN. PIMENTEL, “STATE OF NO ACHIEVEMENT” - REP. GUINGONA III

“SONA, AN ANNUAL LYING RITUAL”

Nene snubs Sona, calls it an annual lying ritual
Lizanilla Amarga and Nora Soriño

Sen. Aquilino Pimentel Jr. snubbed the 8th SONA of President Arroyo yesterday.It is not worth going to Congress or watching on television or listen to over the radio,” he told The Gold Star Daily in a text message.

Senators Jinggoy Estrada, Antonio Trillanes, Panfilo Lacson, benign Aquino III and Alan Peter Cayetanoalso do not attend the SONA. Opposition councilors Teodulfo Lao and Roger Abaday said they agreed with Pimentel that Sona is an annual lying ritual. Lao said Arroyo failed to fulfill her 10 point agenda which she laid down d

During a previous Sona. He said the administration is good only after “kotong” (small time extortionists) but failed to put behind bars the big time corrupt officials in the government. They said the promise of two million jobs have remained unfulfilled. What is she saying is only to make her look good or at least save face,” Abaday said

TEOFISTO GUINGONA III: ARROYO SONA SPELLS NO ACHIEVEMENT ADDRESS

Gemma Tenorio

Valencia City-Through a long distance conversation aired over one of the local radio stations here, 2nd District Rep. Teofisto Guingona III ironically said that the Sona of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is not a State of the Nation but a State of No Achievement address.

 

A REHASH OF DREAMS AND UNFULFILLED PROMISES

Gloria Arroyo delivered her very long and insignificant 8th State of the Nation Address or SONA. As expected, she justified the collection of VAT and blame the hardships of the country to outside forces. She also justified her giving of doleouts as her concrete ways to ease the sufferings of the people. The rest of the highlights of SONA are inconsequential, such as the number of times she was applauded and her elegant dress.

I remember Gloria Arroyo’s first ever SONA in 2001 where she delivered a crap of speech entitled “Bangkang Papel” (Paper Boat) complete with props using those 3 little boys from Pasig. That speech was ominous for 8 years later her political and economic agenda remain good only on paper.

She promised million jobs, food on the table and economic prosperity. She gave us hardships, corruption scandals, civil rights violations and abuse of economic and political powers using her vast and almost unlimited power. It looks she made her promise into a reality for her, her family, her cronies and her political allies who helped her survive politically after being involved in various political scandals that should made her lose the presidency she doubtfully acquired.

Luckily, “Harapan” a Public Affairs Program in ABS CBN ran a clip of GMA’s first ever SONA in 2001.

“Jason, Jomar at Erwin, pakinggan nyo ako.Paparamihin natin ang ating mga kababayang, may trabaho. Paparamihin natin ang mga batang makapag aaral sa Kolehiyo. Paparamihin natin an gating mga kababayang may sariling tahanan. Paparamihin natin ang ating mga kababayang may pagkain sa mesa. Ang pangarap ninyo ay pangarap ko rin. Gagawin ko ang lahat upang matupad ang pangarap natin,

But after 8 years of hardships and sufferings, many believed that this is what she was saying:

Paparamihin natin ang ating mga kababayang WALANG TRABAHO.

Paparamihin natin ang mga batang HINDI MAKAPAGTAPOS ng Kolehiyo.

Paparamihin natin ang ating mga kababayang WALANG SARILING TAHANAN.

Paparamihin natin ang ating mga kababayang WALANG PAGKAIN SA MESA.

Ang pangarap ninyo ay pangarap ko rin.

Gagawin ko ang lahat upang MANATILING PANGARAP ANG MGA PANGARAP NATIN.

Kaya mangarap na lang ng mangarap mga kababayan at mag ti-is. Masasanay din kayo, noh?

Fortunately, majority of the Filipinos were enlightened that the SONA is nothing but a rehash of the past promises of GMA and thus does not deserved to be listened to anymore. A Pulse Asia survey showed most Filipinos do not believe SONA to be truthful. An IBON survey showed that 9 out of 10 Filipino don’t believe SONA to be truthful. A public affairs program “Sayri” (Be Informed) in a Cebu cable TV Station made a poll on whether or not people will still listen to the SONA, 61 responded they will not listen while only 42 said they will listen to the SONA. Of the 42 who said they will listen to the SONA, a good number reasoned out that they will listen because they want to hear “new lies and new promises” of GMA. These surveys indicated that Gloria Arroyo’s SONA is a futile exercise and only becomes an opportunity to praise herself contrary to the real state of the nation were people are gripped with poverty and hopelessness.

Well, those 42 who wanted to listen to the SONA get what they expected.