Severe storm signals

Typhoon “Henry” (international name: Matmo) left the country yesterday but even before we could say “good riddance,” the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) spotted a new weather disturbance east of the Visayas and Bicol region. Once the potential cyclone enters the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR), it will have for its name a Visayan female term of endearment—“Inday.”

According to Pagasa, the fresh weather disturbance is expected to enter the PAR by Friday or Saturday. We are a typhoon-weary people but as has often been said, strong typhoons are the new normal.

Some people think the bad weather has given President Benigno Aquino III the much needed breathing spell from the battering headlines caused by the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP) earlier thumbed down by the High Tribunal for being partly unconstitutional. Instead of the DAP controversies, these same quarters say, Glenda and Henry are grabbing the headlines.

I’m not sure if that is the common tao’s take on the issue because many friends of mine say three weather disturbances in succession maybe seen as a foreboding of a political storm.

As we recall, the first valid impeachment complaint against the President was filed last Monday, July 21 over the executive department’s creation and use of the DAP. The complaint, signed by 28 anti-pork barrel advocates, is historic because it was endorsed by 3 sitting congressmen affiliated with the left leaning Makabayan bloc.

Hardly had the ink dried on the endorsement attached by Bayan Muna Representatives Neri Colmenares and Carlos Zarate and Anakpawis Congressman Fernando Hicap when another impeachment complaint was filed against the President last Tuesday.

This time, the complainants are students from different universities who earlier formed an alliance to campaign against the presidential and legislative pork barrel funds. Kabataan Party list Rep. Terry Ridon endorsed the youth-led case, making it the second valid impeachment complaint against President Aquino.

Impeachment is a game of numbers and the administration is seen to weather this particular storm on the strength of the dominance of the administration Liberal Party and allies in both houses of Congress.

However, the participation of the youth in the political process could alter the equation.
Veterans of mass demonstrations during the martial law period know that student activism helped fell the Marcos dictatorship. The youth sector was again provoked during time of former president Joseph “Erap” Estrada. Students and yuppies formed Yahoo groups and broadened public awareness against juetenggate and fasttracked the ouster of Erap.

I have yet to see a resurgence of student activism similar to the Marcos era and I think it is because modern technology is a major distraction especially for the young. On the other hand, because they are technology savvy, this sector could tip the equation.

P-Noy should step back and consider his options. Two impeachment complaints, resentment over the DAP and the Priority Development Assistance Fund and the outrage of various sectors are severe public storm signals that cannot be ignored or even taken lightly.

But he could overcome the political storm if he makes amends with various sectors, like the teachers who are up in arms over his reported decision to impound teachers’ bonuses amounting to over P6 billion. Employees in the judiciary are also upset about moves to abolish the Judicial Development Fund, which many believe is his payback to the Supreme Court after it ruled against the DAP. And not to forget, the transport sector is fit to be tied over joint administrative order (JAO) issued by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board and the Land Transportation Office which imposes hefty fines on violations of traffic rules and regulations.

In the end, the battle is not in Congress but in the hearts and minds of the people.

* * *

My friends in the co-operative movement are angry over a cartoon strip published by the Manila Times last July 20. Based on the status posted by Coop Phils in Facebook, “Mango Planet” by Steven Pabalinas accused some coops of mishandling calamity funds. The strip also exposed the indigenous people known as T’bolis to public scorn, according to Coop Phils.

I am reserving my comments after I have seen the newspaper’s cartoon feature in full but the cartoonist should be told that rather than provoke substantial discussion on the issues highlighted by his supposed satire, co-operators feel very insulted.

Co-op primaries and federations are discussing proper actions to take against the paper and Pabalinas.