tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14974164.post114583929336744162..comments2023-10-20T21:46:49.945+08:00Comments on Philippine Commentary: King Solomon Just Cut The Baby In HalfDeany Bocobohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01443168826029321831noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14974164.post-1145964027639198742006-04-25T19:20:00.000+08:002006-04-25T19:20:00.000+08:00Dean,It's not only the girl I'm worried about (I h...Dean,<BR/><BR/>It's not only the girl I'm worried about (I hope her parents have got enough dough which she'll need to hire good lawyers) but I am furious that this siRaulo should even think of doing that as a tool against future young dissenters.<BR/><BR/>Not just a meany Dean, Gonzales is a hooligan in legal disuise.HILLBLOGGERhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05977843513566589811noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14974164.post-1145963400531432502006-04-25T19:10:00.000+08:002006-04-25T19:10:00.000+08:00They're real meanies aren't they? But HB, I've a g...They're real meanies aren't they? But HB, I've a got a feeling this girl can give tit for tat and we need not worry too much about her. From the looks of it, they're just cruisin for a bruisin with that gal!Deany Bocobohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01443168826029321831noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14974164.post-1145962922413169612006-04-25T19:02:00.000+08:002006-04-25T19:02:00.000+08:00Dean, I've just read that DoJ chief wants student ...Dean, <BR/><BR/>I've just read that DoJ chief wants student heckler probed (http://news.inq7.net/breaking/index.php?index=1&story_id=73705)<BR/><BR/>The Inquirer reported that Maria Theresa Pangilian, the student who stood up and called for the ouster of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo during graduation rites at the Cavite State University will be investigated upon orders of Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez.<BR/><BR/>The news report said that insane DOJ chief Gonzalez said a crime was committed Maria Theresa Pangilinan stood up and shouted “Oust Arroyo” and carried a banner to express her opposition to Charter change.<BR/><BR/>What the friggin inanity is DOJ Chief mouthing here? Has he really gone starking, barking mad? Or is he merely executing some spurious, illegal Gloria policy to stop freedom of expression and legitimate dissent? Is DOJ siRAULo Gonzales hellbent on intimidating future young dissenters? <BR/><BR/>I say, send this turd of a Gloria mouthpiece to the South and order him to hunt JI terrorists there and probe them instead of intimidating young, upright, courageous people! He's nothing but a useless piece of horse dung!HILLBLOGGERhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05977843513566589811noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14974164.post-1145961140188694452006-04-25T18:32:00.000+08:002006-04-25T18:32:00.000+08:00By the way Dean, I am very heavy on MORAL courage ...By the way Dean, I am very heavy on MORAL courage because to me it dictates a person's entire behaviour.<BR/><BR/>It is the same at home - my son has opted for a military career and when he is 18 will join a military college. (I was against it, purely for motherly reasons but he couldn't be persuaded to do something else, so I've decided to support him.) <BR/><BR/>Eversince my "baby" boy decided it would be the military for him, we, his parents (Dad comes from a family with a long line of military tradition dating back to even before great, great, great, great grandfather was commanding general of the all British cavalry under General Wellington that defeated Napoleon's cavalry under Marshall Ney in Waterloo; my father in law was the last British military commandant in Malaysia; it was he who set up the Royal Malaysia Military Academy) have been inculcating in him that the military is not only about physical courage - moral courage is as important if not the most important core virtue of a military leader.HILLBLOGGERhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05977843513566589811noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14974164.post-1145960251624872782006-04-25T18:17:00.000+08:002006-04-25T18:17:00.000+08:00Dean,Yeah, I heard that.By the way, do you realize...Dean,<BR/><BR/>Yeah, I heard that.<BR/><BR/>By the way, do you realize that a military officer's leadership tenet is based not only on physical courage which is a given but on the more encompssing military leadership tenet of MORAL COURAGE?<BR/><BR/>This is what is an officer's ledership training is all about! A military officer is trained to have courage in all aspects of military life but more distinctly a military officer can only be deemed an officer and worthy to lead when he can prove to his superiors that he has MORAL COURAGE!<BR/><BR/>Moral courage is what shapes great leaders trained at Sandhurst Royal Military Academy, Dartmouth Royal Naval College, West Point, Annapolis, Ecole de Saint Cyr, Ecole Navale Nationale, etc.<BR/><BR/>I have dealt with hundreds of physiclaly courageous men in the Philippine military top brass but sad to say, there were only a few who impressed me as possessing the brand of moral courage that shaped military leaders or their military counterpart from abroad. <BR/><BR/>Perhaps, because our military officers like to believe that they are trained to fight (in spite of their PMA code)... they are forgetting that an officer's officer training is all about how to be a leader of men.HILLBLOGGERhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05977843513566589811noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14974164.post-1145958574854855892006-04-25T17:49:00.000+08:002006-04-25T17:49:00.000+08:00HB,hope your right! you've heard about the CPR dec...HB,<BR/>hope your right! you've heard about the CPR decision I hope. Just gone done skimming through it. It's a lot less detailed and careful than the one on EO464 but it does look like another setback for the Palace, at least in part.<BR/>PS I think Moral Courage is a scarce quantity right now. But maybe the Supreme Court decisions will create a new mood...Deany Bocobohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01443168826029321831noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14974164.post-1145957163042888942006-04-25T17:26:00.000+08:002006-04-25T17:26:00.000+08:00In other words, Dean, let's see that MILITARY MEMO...In other words, Dean, let's see that MILITARY MEMO. We've got ex military top guns in the Senate - they can tear up a vague memo into pieces anytime!HILLBLOGGERhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05977843513566589811noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14974164.post-1145956983765448672006-04-25T17:23:00.000+08:002006-04-25T17:23:00.000+08:00Re: "what's your take on the claim of the AFP gene...Re: "what's your take on the claim of the AFP generals that they are covered by the Chain of Command and not executive privilege or eo 464. They courtmartialled Gudani. Also, it's gonna be quite a battle asserting that investigating the generals has nothing to do with national security. The decision doesn't seem to have settled very much so far!"<BR/><BR/>Dean,<BR/><BR/>My thoughts right off the bat:<BR/><BR/>AFP generals are right that they are covered by the chain of command - don't have to be a general to know that the military must follow the chain of command down to the lowest of the lowest in the military totem pole.<BR/><BR/>With regards to the executive privilege or EO 464, I think we are now definite on that one - SC ruled that military officers can indeed be summoned by the Senate and be interrogated - about what is another matter.<BR/><BR/>However, AFP generals, all 97 or 98 of them (1 star to 4 star ranks) as well as senior officers (LtColonel and Colonels), all 2,950 of them or so are mandated by military law to appear and answer congressional inquiries pertaining to public order, military expenditures and a few others that specifically touch on areas, issues of public knowledge in spite of or despite a clear order emanating from higher authority covering such areas. (Have got to consult my military law books to ascertain these specific areas.) This military obligation is covered by the Constitution - anywhere in the democratic world - that the civilian authority and its representatives must rule supreme over the military particularly IN TIME OF PEACE.<BR/><BR/>Moreover, and this is where these generals can be put in a spot: <BR/><BR/>1) They must show that a presidential memo contains explicit orders forbidding them to appear before a congressional inquiry specifying THAT THEY ARE FORBIDDEN TO DO SO because inquiries may force them to reveal information that will ultimately lead to threats to national security. This specific memo must then be transmitted and affirmed by the Chief of Staff AFP down the line of the chain of command invoking the said provisions of military law to make it legal.<BR/><BR/>2) However, the chief of staff cannot blanketly issue or affirm such a memo without transgressing the public right to know so in order not to transgress this provision in the Constitution that the civilian authority is supreme, he must qualify in his CSAFP memo what potentially damning questions by Congress should not be answered (part and parcel of military rules): intel reports on subversion, military operations involving tactical deployment of troops related to counter-subversion, military espionage and others which may be deemed high risks to national security. If he does this, NO FORCE ON EARTH can coerce the military to answer questions by Congress related to those areas.<BR/><BR/>3) Furthermore, a presidential memo to the armed forces (coursed through the chief of staff) cannot be militarily enforced down the chain of command unless the said chief of staff does not affirm or confirm in writing the same presidential memo or we have a problem here: the Mayuga report is a fact finding report centering on what is predominantly public knowledge - the alleged involvement of generals in the rigging of elections in Mindanao and as such, the basis of the Congressional inquiry is a public domain and is beyond debate - the allegations involving these generals ARE NOT a threat to national security.<BR/><BR/>4) Unless the CSAFP does things the military way, e.g., issues specific military memo, detailing areas that officers must not tread on, etc., officers who are summoned by Congress can INTERPRET the order. Obviously, the whole thing will now boild down to MORAL COURAGE. It is really up to these military officers who, say, refuse TO INTERPRET or not a blanket or vague order, to summon their moral courage and appear before Congress. They will not be breaking the chain of command even if they do so. It is Senga who will be in a spot and not the chain of command.<BR/><BR/>In sum, because the SC ruling on EO 464 has " freed "our military officers from their legal obligation vis a vis the commander in chief, they are bound to follow the constitutional tenet of civilian supremacy over the military inasmuch as the MAYUGA fact finding body's report covers a domain which is not only NOT a threat to national security but also because to my knowledge, there is NO existing presidential memo issued to the CSAFP ordering him in the most explicit terms NOT TO ABIDE by Congress requirement for them to appear. <BR/><BR/>I am infinitely sure that Gloria cannot issue a military memo ordering the military NOT to appear before Congress on matters related to the Mayuga report without transgressing military rules. If she does this, she will be putting a noose around her neck (that is if our military adheres to their own military law) because it will tantamount to an admission that something was really afoot. <BR/><BR/>Dean, chain of command is a system, it's not a law unto itself. To break it is illegal but to show that it was illegally broken, the military chain of command must show that there had been a clear, established chain in the command.HILLBLOGGERhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05977843513566589811noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14974164.post-1145956648381179872006-04-25T17:17:00.000+08:002006-04-25T17:17:00.000+08:00atty at work,am fretting because Section 22 is act...atty at work,<BR/><BR/>am fretting because Section 22 is actually ambiguous where it says "...upon their own initiative, with the consent of the President, OR upon the invitation of the House or Senate..."<BR/><BR/>The ligature OR seems to grammatically indicate that any of the three conditions are occasions when executive dept heads can transmit information to the Congress.<BR/><BR/>But with the decision that ambiguity goes away. Now, the dept heads MUST secure the presidents permission without question, for "question hour" appearances anyway. <BR/><BR/>Don't know if its a big deal, but am also uncomfortable with the "divided" power of inquiry that is now proclaimed, "in aid of legislation" and "in aid of oversight". I guess I don't see the difference.Deany Bocobohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01443168826029321831noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14974164.post-1145951894536918872006-04-25T15:58:00.000+08:002006-04-25T15:58:00.000+08:00Juan Makabayan,Haha, but Ignacio Bunye...I've very...Juan Makabayan,<BR/><BR/>Haha, but Ignacio Bunye...I've very lil respect for him. He should have resigned right after that 2-cd fiasco. kapal talaga niya!<BR/><BR/>Regarding the CPR decision...hey, the Supreme Court has an opportunity to make believers of the people with EVERY single decision, which we must never forget, can reverse any past decision too!Deany Bocobohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01443168826029321831noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14974164.post-1145951712370795322006-04-25T15:55:00.000+08:002006-04-25T15:55:00.000+08:00LD,No! that would be a cheap shot. It was just a T...LD,<BR/>No! that would be a cheap shot. It was just a TYPO. I don't know Justice Conchita Carpio Morales and have no reason to disrespect her.Deany Bocobohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01443168826029321831noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14974164.post-1145937892922000962006-04-25T12:04:00.000+08:002006-04-25T12:04:00.000+08:00LD--"Stonewalling" what a beautiful word that got ...LD--"Stonewalling" what a beautiful word that got going in my memory during the Watergate years. BTW, I think Nixon vs. United States 1974 should have been quoted a heck of a lot more by Carpio Moralies!Deany Bocobohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01443168826029321831noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14974164.post-1145935556941065692006-04-25T11:25:00.000+08:002006-04-25T11:25:00.000+08:00hb,what's your take on the claim of the AFP genera...hb,<BR/>what's your take on the claim of the AFP generals that they are covered by the Chain of Command and not executive privilege or eo 464. They courtmartialled Gudani. Also, it's gonna be quite a battle asserting that investigating the generals has nothing to do with national security. The decision doesn't seem to have settled very much so far!Deany Bocobohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01443168826029321831noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14974164.post-1145934736955859532006-04-25T11:12:00.000+08:002006-04-25T11:12:00.000+08:00Fred, MB,The proof of the pudding will be in the e...Fred, MB,<BR/><BR/>The proof of the pudding will be in the eating. The attack on the Legislature, in particular the Senate continues. It must test the efficacy of the Decision in actual process. And yes, the Legislature needs to wield the weapons at its disposal a lil more aggressively. <BR/><BR/>On the theoretical front, I am still mulling the effect of the Decision on WHISTLEBLOWERS. <BR/><BR/>As I read the decision, it almost seems like the SC has just outlawed that honorable practice by requiring all Cabinet officers to get presidential permission for any communication with the Senate or House.Deany Bocobohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01443168826029321831noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14974164.post-1145871433879939362006-04-24T17:37:00.000+08:002006-04-24T17:37:00.000+08:00Dean,Re: "Executive privilege covers all confident...Dean,<BR/><BR/>Re: "Executive privilege covers all confidential or classified information between the President and the public officers covered by this executive order, including:"<BR/><BR/>Executive privilege, I believe, is a given in matters related to national security or what we call "raison d'état". This privilege however must not be interpreted as a presidential shield in toto to thwart legitimate Congress inquiries over matters that concern government contracts and other various government activities which involve public funds.<BR/><BR/>What is happening is Gloria and Mike Defensor are using executive privilege as a blatant tactical political tool to put one over Congress.<BR/><BR/>In the case of the Mayuga report, I DO NOT BELIEVE that revealing the contents of the report poses a threat to national security - it is true that if the truth is revealed, it might pose a threat to GLORIA's political security. It is intellectual dishonest in the extreme of Mike Defensor, et al to say that the Mayuga report should be covered by executive privilege on account of raison d'état. Gloria IS NOT THE STATE. She is merely its public servant.<BR/><BR/>The Mayuga report is not an intel report concerning a potential war with a neighboring country or JI penetration of the Philippines.<BR/><BR/>Senator Biazon should press on. If Mayuga, who's been given the command responsibility of releasing it, refuses to abide by a Senate order, the Senate MUST cut down NAVY intel funding to ZERO. <BR/><BR/>Biazon, could perhaps take a different tack and examine the records of Naval expenses which include the upgrading of PN vessels, some of which, I believe were overpriced by at least 35% (contract was signed during the tenure of Angie Reyes as defence chief but which are currently ongoing...)<BR/><BR/>Biazon, of all people, having been a chief of staff AFP himself should know how the military organization functions. It was during his term when the AFP Code of Ethics was drafted and formally adopted. About time he showed his mettle!HILLBLOGGERhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05977843513566589811noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14974164.post-1145848058866117792006-04-24T11:07:00.000+08:002006-04-24T11:07:00.000+08:00Thanks for your posting Rummel Pinera. And welcome...Thanks for your posting Rummel Pinera. And welcome to Philippine Commentary. I've also put a copy of this in our recent coverage of events in Nepal two posts down. Please keep us updated. <BR/>DJBDeany Bocobohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01443168826029321831noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14974164.post-1145847785723404322006-04-24T11:03:00.000+08:002006-04-24T11:03:00.000+08:00I believe Nepal is a member-country of the British...I believe Nepal is a member-country of the British Commonwealth of Nations. The stable democracies of the British Commonwealth of Nations, particularly Britain and Israel, should call upon King Gyrendera of Nepal to give way to democracy. That means King Gyrendera should bring back democratic representation in Nepal. But it would be much, much better if King Gyrendera would be called upon by the stable democracies of the world to just simply abolish the monarchial system in Nepal, so that Nepal would become a stable republic. It would be better if the “neo-cons” in the U.S. can add their voices to the international call for King Gyrenera to give way to democracy in Nepal. Let Nepal become a democracy! Let there be a peaceful and lawful process of democratization in Nepal! <BR/><BR/>The Filipino progressives should call upon every Nepalese or Indian embassy throughout the world to inform the current king of Nepal that it’s time for him to give way to democracy in Nepal. The king of Nepal would become truly heroic if he will just abdicate from his throne and allow Nepal to become a real democratic republic. The wise citizens of this planet should give full support, whether financial or moral support, to the Nepalese people’s peaceful and legal struggle to democratize Nepal. <BR/><BR/>The liberals of the world must think now if monarchism, even the limited one, is still suitable to our current world. My stand on this issue is that all monarchies in the world should be peacefully and legally abolished. That’s political abrogationism. Political abrogationism is simply the advocacy of<BR/>peaceful and legal abolition of all dictatorships, monarchial reigns<BR/>and despotic regimes all over the world. Such advocacy also preaches<BR/>that every country, every social organization and every culture in<BR/>our world should embrace real and moral democracy through peaceful<BR/>and legal means. I have established a “study circle” for the purpose<BR/>of promoting this cause here in our country. The study circle is called<BR/>the League of Political Abrogationes. We have a web page wherein<BR/>you can study the basic ideals of political abrogationism. Just type the word “political abrogationism” inside any available internet search box that is in front of you. Or you can simply type this and click: http://www.geocities.com/esabon/POLITICAL_ABROGATIONERS.html .<BR/>I really hope that you can find time to read the basic ideals of<BR/>political abrogationism. I know that you are a nice intellectual<BR/>who can help us in how to gain adherents for our cause. The cause of<BR/>political abrogationism should become an international one. Please help<BR/>us in gaining international support for our cause. This<BR/>socio-political cause is open to both conservatives and liberals.<BR/>Namaste! I wish all of you here at this forum the real happiness in<BR/>this world.<BR/><BR/>Sincerely,<BR/><BR/>Rummel PineraRUMMEL PINERAhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08731295652658134007noreply@blogger.com