Reveille

By Ramon J. Farolan
Philippine Daily Inquirer
03/16/2009

This morning the long gray line coming out from the Philippine Military Academy will be lengthened by 184 fresh graduates who will be commissioned second lieutenants in the Armed Forces of the Philippines. The young man who is graduating at the top of his class, cadet Karl Winston Cacanindin, comes from the little-known province of Aurora, the son of a public schoolteacher and a municipal official.


Of all the educational institutions of the land, none is probably more democratic than the Philippine Military Academy. Here, no one cares for your birthplace, your religion, your social standing, your family fortune or whether your parents are married. The cadets come from every part of the country and in that sense they represent the youth of the land, from the Batanes Isles to the Sulu Archipelago. The great majority of these young boys and girls are from the middle and lower classes of Philippine society. And for many, entrance to the PMA represented the only opportunity for higher education with the possible realization of dreams for a better life. For a few, the vision of someday being AFP chief of staff was also part of the dream.


The members of PMA class 2009 join the Armed Forces at a critical juncture in the life of our nation. They are being asked to serve our people with courage, loyalty and integrity. The secretary of national defense, Gilbert Teodoro Jr., recently reminded them to strictly follow and observe the military code of honor, admonishing them not to lie, steal or cheat.

These are good reminders but as these young men step out of the cloistered halls of Fort Del Pilar into the real world, how do we explain to them the contradictions they will face in their new life?

We ask them not to cheat. But our politicians cheat like hell in order to win elections and at times, use the Armed Forces for their own purposes and advantage. By the way, when will the secret Mayuga report on alleged AFP participation in the 2004 elections be de-classified and made available to the public?

We ask them not to steal. But politicians and administration stalwarts steal from the national coffers as though it were their personal piggy banks. And they continue to do so, supremely confident that they will be protected by those in power. No one goes to jail. In fact, the only people in jail are the Magdalo junior officers and the marines and scout rangers who were involved in the February 2006 actions—all soldiers who decided this regime was not worth dying for. The civilian allies of the administration like Benjamin Abalos, to give only one example, have not even been charged over cases of plunder magnitude.

We ask them not to lie. But in the current Legacy scandal that has resulted in the forced leave of SEC Commissioner Jesus Martinez, guess who is being reported as his replacement? Deputy Executive Secretary Manuel Gaite. Remember the Good Samaritan who lent half-a-million to Jun Lozada, a complete stranger, on the basis of a phone call at two in the morning? The money was reportedly borrowed for house repairs. All this was revealed in Senate hearings on the aborted ZTE-NBN scandal. In other countries, Gaite would probably be charged as an accessory to a cover-up. Only in the Philippines would such an individual be considered for a position in the Securities and Exchange Commission, an agency tasked with regulating business in the country.

The fertilizer scam involving Joc-joc Bolante has almost been forgotten. Remember how Bolante sought asylum in the United States when the Senate wanted to question him about the disappearance of P728 million in funds for our farmers? He is back in the country after being denied asylum, but it appears he could have saved himself so much discomfort in a US immigration detention center by remaining in the country. After the sound and fury of hearings at the Senate, all remains quiet at the Office of the Ombudsman.

And before I forget, how can this regime invoke the military code of honor when it double-crossed the Magdalo junior officers who were promised military justice after surrender? As Max Soliven put it, “Word of honor binds those who give them, not the accused or imprisoned.”


Now what does all this mean to our cadets and young officers? The message is clear: If you must lie, lie to protect the administration. If you must steal, make certain some of it goes to the administration. If you must cheat, cheat in favor of the administration. You will be assured of protection and you may not see the inside of a courtroom. Like Gaite, you might even be rewarded, perhaps even with the position of AFP chief of staff someday.

* * *

In a recent column, I had some special notes on PMA icons. I reported that in the history of the academy, only one individual graduated No. 1 in the class, and also served as first captain (baron) of the cadet corps. This was cadet Leopoldo Regis, class of 1951, who died in the crash of President Ramon Magsaysay’s plane in 1957.

Two days ago, Navy Capt. Winston Arpon, class 1964, sent me a sheaf of his literary work and corrected me, saying that the No. 1 graduate of his class and also first captain was cadet Manuel Arevalo. Unfortunately, the Academy Scribe that lists the Graduation Day awardees for every PMA class has Manuel Arevalo as the Presidential Sabre awardee (No. 1 graduate) but lists the Chief of Staff sabre awardee, which goes to the first captain of the corps, as Jorge P. Agcaoili. But Winston Arpon should know best. After all, he served as a member of the Regimental Staff when Arevalo was first captain.

Because of this error, I also discovered that there was a third cadet who served as first captain of the corps and graduated No. 1 in the class. Cadet Aristeo Ferraren of the class of 1938 held both positions. That makes three individuals with this rare achievement.

A wonderful writer—I thoroughly enjoyed reading his notes on “Witful Thinking, Wednesday”—Winston Arpon served at the Philippine Embassy in Washington, D.C. as an assistant of Ambassador Kokoy Romualdez. He has his own column for the PMA community posted weekly on the Internet. On graduation from the PMA, Arpon was awarded the following: JUSMAG Military Professional Award, US 13th Air Force Socio-Humanistic Award, DND Press Club Journalistic Award, Chief of Services Award and Philippine Constabulary Award. (This last one is a bit puzzling, as Arpon is a Navy man.)

* * *

We all know by now who are the top graduates of class 2009. Nothing has been said about the “goat.” But whoever he is, let me point out that the goat of class 1937 was Gen. Jonas A. Victoria and the goat of class 1938 was Gen. Augusto L. Jurado. Guess what!? Both became commanding generals of the Philippine Air Force.

By Ellen Tordesillas
March 27, 2009

At the court martial hearing of the 28 officers accused of mutiny for a February 2006 non-event last Feb. 26, it was agreed that the next hearing would be on March 10, 2009.

A day before March 10, the lawyers of the accused were notified that the hearing would be on March 20. No explanation was given why the agreed hearing on March 10 would not push through.

March 20 came and all the lawyers and the accused (except for two officers) were present at the Daza Park hall in Camp Aguinaldo. But there were only three members of the panel who would be hearing the case: Maj. Gen. Jogy Fojas, Commodore Ramon Punzalan and law member Col. Marian Aleido, when there should at least be four of them to constitute a quorum. One member was out of the country. Even the trial judge advocate could not explain the absence of the other members of the panel.

Atty. Vic Verdadero, counsel of Brig.Gen. Danny Lim and several other officers of the Scout Rangers, proposed to the court that they waive the quorum requirement so they can hold a hearing so as not to waste the time and effort of three witnesses who were present.

But the court played safe and decided that without a quorum, the hearing had to be adjourned. It was agreed that the next hearings would on March 24 and 26.

A day before March 24, the lawyers were notified that the hearing was cancelled. No explanation was given. Everybody looked forward to the Thursday hearing.

After that, nothing was heard from the Trial Judge Advocate that serves as the court’s secretariat. One lawyer, however, called the TJA Wednesday afternoon and was told that there would be no hearing the next day. No reason was given.

As of today, no hearing has been scheduled.

The right to speedy trial is a supreme human right that the Constitution mentioned twice in the Bill of Rights.Section 14, paragraph two, states that “In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall be presumed innocent until the contrary is proved and shall enjoy the right…to have a speedy, impartial trial…

Section 16 underscores that right again: “All persons shall have the right to a speedy disposition of their cases before all judicial, quasi-judicial, or administrative bodies.”

The dictionary defines speedy as “ accomplished rapidly and without delay”. The accused have been in detention for three years. They submitted themselves to military justice and they are ready to accept whatever is the decision. But undue delay is something difficult for them to take.

Col. Aleido reasoned out that the defense lawyers were also to blame that the trial of this case had gone this long with their motions during the early stage of the proceedings. The defense lawyers quickly took exception saying that it was the delay in giving the accused the copies of the Pre-Trial Investigation Report and the Pre-Trial Advice that delayed the proceedings.

It took the Trial Judge Advocate five months to give the defense the PTIR and another three months to give the unsigned copy of the PTA which were the basis of the charges against the officers. “Surely, we cannot proceed without our knowing what’s the basis of the charges against our clients,” Verdadero said.

Atty. Rogelio Bagabuyo, counsel for Maj. Gen. Renato Miranda, never tires of reminding the court that every day of delay in trial is a grave injustice to the accused officers.

ANALYSIS

By Alejandro Lichauco
03/26/2009

Political pros looking forward and maneuvering for elections 2010 should take note of certain developments recently which appear to herald the approach of convulsive events that could wipe out the entire political system — and, with that elections and the political pros.

One is the story whose title — “Clergy enter politics because of current system in gov’t — Rosales” — commanded top space in the Bulletin’s issue on Tuesday, March 4. The story reports the head of the nation’s preeminent diocese, Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales, as saying that “members of the clergy are being forced to enter politics because of the current political system that drives people to hopelessness.”

Elaborating, the Cardinal said that “The people are already tired of what has been happening in the country. Whoever we place there, it’s still the same type of people, only with a different face.”

This is the first time, to the knowledge of this writer, that a preeminent leader of the Catholic clergy directly assailed the political system itself and didn’t confine his attack on individual politicians or leaders. They are all the same, the Cardinal maintained. And they are all the same, of course, because of the very political system to whom they owe their elections.

Even as the Bulletin carried the Rosales attack on the system, the PDI, in its issue of the same day, March 24, carried an editorial on what it called “The failure of the trapos.” It was an unmitigated attack on the quality of the nation’s political leaders. In essence, the editorial’s theme was that the country can’t pin its hopes for change on the trapos and had better start looking elsewhere for the kind of leadership it needs.

Actually, the attack on the political system — and elections under the system started with the declaration of military nationalists called the Bagong Katipunan. Several years ago, the underground military group called for the suspension of elections and the reconstruction of the nation’s political system on the ground that the political system and elections conducted under it are rotten to the core and could only worsen the problem of poverty, graft and corruption. They said this in a declaration which appears in their Web site Sundalo.bravehost.com.

So there you are. You have military nationalists and reformers, a preeminent member of the clergy and influential member of media harping on the same theme: The trapos are behind the national sickness and therefore must go along with the political system that produces them.

I don’t know what you would read in these declarations but it seems to this writer that the views expressed — by elements in the military, church and media — on the failure of the political system and elections to provide the nation with the leadership it needs reflect what in fact is widespread popular sentiment and disenchantment with the very political system itself.

So rotten is the system, Cardinal Rosales is saying, that people are beginning to turn to the clergy for political leadership. And that, the good Cardinal should have added, is just as bad. You can run an angel or a saint in these elections and in time he will be acting like a trapo because the political system will make him so.

If then the assault on the political system itself waged by Cardinal Rosales and the Bagong Katipunan and on the trapos by the PDI is representative of popular opinion, then the project known as elections 2010 could be in trouble and what we could possibly be facing is a repeat of Edsa I under which civilian power, combined with military power, to abolish the then existing political system along with the then existing Constitution and the then existing Congress installed a revolutionary government which ruled without a Congress, without a Constitution and without the trapos.

Another Edsa I and a revolutionary or extra-constitutional government but with the lessons of Edsa I behind and in front of it?

To this writer’s mind that is what the preeminent Cardinal from Manila, an eminent member of media and an underground military nationalist organization are actually calling for — whether they intended it or not.

What do you think? Another Edsa I, this time with military idealists on the saddle?

TO ALL NEW KATIPUNEROS, MAGDALOS, PATRIOT SOLDIERS OF THE LAND, fellow Compatriots:

If you don't want any change
Don't do anything, stay where you are
Go about your daily chores
Don't think about the country, the one and only...
Don't think about your children's future, Philippines- the one and only...
Soon they'll grow, soon they'll work,
engineers or domestic helpers, they are all servants and slaves of other countries..
Let a few families of thieves, drug lords. and smugglers ruin our country,
Let them spoil and divide the lands...

If you want change, a real change
You have to act now...

There is nothing to hope in 2010...election will be rigged...agonies prolonged...

YOU HAVE TO ACT NOW!

LET US WAVE THE BANNER OF CHANGE
UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF GENERAL LIM

YOU ASK ME, WHY GENERAL LIM?
I ASK YOU...WHO IS YOUR ALERNATIVE?

YOU WANT ANOTHER POLITICIAN?
WHATEVER AFFILIATION, THEY ARE STILL POLITICIANS..
SNAKES! SNAKES IN THE GRASS!
ESCUDERO WITH COJUANGCO LORDING OVER HIM...
NOLI DE CASTRO.. JUST ONE OF THE THIEVES...
LACSON?...VILLAR?...ESTRADA?...THEY HAVE INDIVIDUAL INTERESTS!
POLITICIANS ARE POLITICIANS...DIFFERENT ACTS, SAME COLOR, SAME SKIN...
Oh! JUSTICE PUNO..DOES HE HAVE THE BALLS? DOES HE REALLY WANT TO ACT?
IS THERE ANYONE AMONG OUR POLITICIANS AND PREVAILING LEADERS,
WHO IS PATRIOTIC ENOUGH, NATIONALIST ENOUGH,
WHO IS WILLING TO DIE FOR OUR COUNTRY?

COME ON FELLOW COUNTRYMEN...
THIS IS THE TIME..

LET US UNITE UNDER GENERAL LIM
TO WHOM TO DIE FOR COUNTRY IS HONOR
TO WHOM NINOY'S ASPIRATIONS WILL NOT BE LAID TO WASTE
TO WHOM COUNTRY AND PEOPLE IS FIRST AND FOREMOST

WE NEED A LEADER WITH INTEGRITY
WE NEED A LEADER WITH LOYALTY
WE NEED A LEADER WITH HONESTY
WE NEED A LEADER WITH LOVE FOR PEOPLE AND COUNTRY

WE NEED LEADERSHIP THAT NEEDS PEOPLE

FOREMOST OF ALL
WE NEED PEOPLE TO ACT
WE NEED PEOPLE WITH COURAGE
WE NEED PEOPLE WITH HONOR
WE NEED PATRIOTS
WE NEED NATIONALISTS
LET US UNITE AND ACT NOW
FOR OUR COUNTRY, FOR THIS BELOVED LAND
FOR OUR CHILDREN, FOR THEIR FUTURE
UNSLAVE THEM FROM THE CURRENT DISPENSATION


FREEDOM

-From a comment posted by Bitnik Kibbutz

AS I WRECK THIS CHAIR
By William M. Esposo
March 03, 2009

The political operators of convicted former president Joseph “Erap” Estrada have been hyperactive lately in trying to promote a power triumvirate featuring Estrada, General Danilo “Danny” Lim and Supreme Court Chief Justice Reynato Puno.

This idea was first broached by Alejandro “Ding” Lichauco in his January 22 column in the Tribune (“Puno-Lim-Erap triumvirate: The political future”).

Then my Ateneo batch mate, Jose Luis “Linggoy” Alcuaz, went to town sending text messages that an important announcement will be posted on Gen. Danny Lim’s website. The much ballyhooed ‘important’ announcement turned out to be the posting of Ding Lichauco’s triumvirate proposal.

More text messages from Linggoy pertaining to Gen. Danny Lim followed — commentaries on the recent full page ad of active and retired military officers hailing Lim as their leader, announcements by the lawyer of Danny Lim and so forth. If you did not know any better, you’d get the impression that Gen. Danny Lim has already entered into a political partnership with Joseph Estrada.

My friend Linggoy has long been what Luigi Pirandello described as a character in search of an author. Linggoy can also be likened to the nowhere man of the Beatles song. He was with Cory Aquino then fought Cory Aquino. He fought Estrada and now works for Estrada.

Save for the salivating Estrada camp supporters, it is easy to see that the convicted former president no longer generates the same level of support that propelled him to the highest office of the land in 1998. Trying hard to be seriously considered as a 2010 presidential candidate, Estrada cannot top the SWS and Pulse Asia surveys the way he topped the 1998 surveys.
It’s doubtful if Supreme Court Chief Justice (CJ) Reynato Puno was ever consulted or formally invited to join the proposed triumvirate. If CJ Puno is eyeing the presidency — which he denies — then Estrada has to be considered a liability and not an asset to a campaign founded on the platform of moral leadership.

This Chair Wrecker would have assumed that Gen. Danny Lim was not also consulted except that his website posted the Lichauco triumvirate article. Now unless that website is operating without the consent or control of Gen. Danny Lim — the logical conclusion to be made is that there is indeed a Lim-Estrada political alliance.

If so, that would spell doom to Danny Lim’s hopes to become an alternative leader. Just look at the following premises which were laid out by that full page ad endorsing Danny Lim as an alternative leader:

1. Vision of a country of peace, progress and prosperity
2. Need to strengthen ranks against a ruthless enemy
3. Desire for a new breed of leaders
4. That Gen. Lim has the moral authority to lead

Is Estrada credible at all being associated with peace, progress and prosperity? He went into an all-out war against the MILF when the economic situation (during the fallout of the Asian Currency Crisis of 1997) dictated that we cannot afford a war. His corrupt leadership made the bad economic situation worse.

How does Estrada strengthen Lim’s ranks when he is an obvious liability? Estrada subtracts not adds to the ranks of Danny Lim’s political forces.

How can Danny Lim lay claim to represent a new breed of leaders and one who wields moral authority if he will have Joseph Estrada prominently pictured with him as a political partner?
Most people are aware of the saying that “Birds of the same feather flock together.” Parents never tire warning their children to avoid bad friends with this saying: “Show me who your friends are and I will tell you who you are.” Danny Lim must seriously weigh just what Estrada erodes from his image.

Frankly, this Chair Wrecker does not buy the claim that the full page ad extolling the leadership of Danny Lim is intended to promote Lim’s Senate candidacy. If it is, then it is money wasted because it is too early for those aspiring to run for the Senate in 2010 to be floating their names and projecting a desired public image.

This Chair Wrecker sees that Danny Lim full page ad as a float for the highest plum to be won — the top executive post. It could also be a signal for something that is about to happen.
Potentially explosive political factors have emerged — the instability resulting from the current global economic crisis, the real risk of an all-out war in Mindanao with the MILF, the foolish drive to railroad Charter change and the clashing US-China interests in the Philippines. It doesn’t require a political genius to see the many possibilities that an out-of-the-box political situation can develop.

Thus, it stands to reason that the Lim full page ad could be an attempt to position for an out-of-the-box situation. It cannot be called though an attempt to promote an out-of-the-box situation. The ad does not call for a political upheaval. It merely floats and endorses Danny Lim as an option.

A Danny Lim partnership with CJ Puno has tremendous possibilities. CJ Puno would represent the vital element of civilian authority over the military. CJ Puno is also associated with moral leadership and strict adherence to legal means for attaining change and reform.
Three is a crowd — especially if Joseph Estrada is that third person.

* * *
Chair Wrecker e-mail and website: macesposo@yahoo.com and www.chairwrecker.com

Reveille

By Ramon J. Farolan
Philippine Daily Inquirer
03/02/2009

Last year in early June, I visited the detained officers and men of the Magdalo group who are being held at the Camp Crame Custodial Center. Just to refresh the minds of our readers, in July 2003 some 300 junior officers and enlisted men took over the Oakwood Hotel in Makati City, denouncing corruption in government and calling for the resignation of the president. A day after, following 20 hours of negotiations, the mutineers surrendered, giving up their arms and returning to barracks.

As I mentioned in several columns on the subject in the past, the terms of surrender unanimously pledged by the government called for military justice under the Articles of War and not being charged in civilian courts. The late Max Soliven, publisher of the Philippine Star, dwelt lengthily on the negotiations in his column of Monday, Aug. 4, 2003. Soliven wrote: “What bothers me is that the mutineers are being double-crossed...”

To this day, no one in government has publicly repudiated the personal witness account of Soliven. And true to his apprehensions, in an unprecedented act of betrayal, the government charged 20 of the junior officers involved in a civilian court. They all pleaded “not guilty.” But after more than five years in detention, nine of the 20 changed their pleas from “not guilty” to “guilty,” and were pardoned by the Arroyo administration. Eleven junior officers including Sen. Antonio Trillanes continue to languish in jail at Camp Crame and it appears that under this government, the act of betrayal continues to be compounded by the slow pace of justice. As of July this year, the officers will be completing six years in jail for an alleged crime which government has not been able to bring to a close one way or another.

Six years in jail and still no end in sight!

When I visited the officers last June, Brig. Gen. Danny Lim, former commander of the Scout Ranger Regiment, was also with the group. Since Danny participated in the Peninsula hotel actions, he was separated from his former comrades who were involved in the aborted February 2006 movement. By coincidence, it was Danny’s 53rd birthday and jokingly, he mentioned that it was his sixth birthday celebration in captivity. Surrounded by family and friends, he appeared to be in high spirits, ready for the worst that could be thrown at him.

Danny Lim has always had a rebel streak in his bones. As a young captain in 1989, he made a brief TV appearance against the government during the Makati standoff. For this he was detained for almost three years and for a while, it looked like the end of a promising military career which began as a plebe at the Philippine Military Academy in 1973. In 1974, after completing plebe year with class 1977, he was sent to the US Military Academy at West Point, graduating with the class of 1978. By tradition, he could have joined PMA class 1977, his original group, but Lim is listed in the PMA alumni register as a member of PMA class 1978.

Like the legendary phoenix, Lim rose from the ashes of the 1989 coup to become a brigadier general. Just a few years ago, the brightest stars of PMA class 1978 were Brig. Gen. Delfin Bangit, the commander of the Presidential Security Group, and Lim. If anyone dared to predict who in the class would become AFP chief of staff, the choice easily narrowed down to these two gentlemen with each deferring to the other whenever the subject was raised.

Today they find themselves in contrasting situations. One is being groomed for AFP chief of staff; the other enters his fourth year in detention, his military career once more in limbo.

Last Monday, a full-page advertisement appeared in the Inquirer, extolling the virtues of Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim. The signatories declared their unity under his leadership, citing “his leadership qualities, his impeccable character, and his consistent display of uncommon valor and patriotism in the face of extremely difficult situations.”

Was it the first salvo fired for a Senate bid while in detention? Or was it a reminder that all was not well in the armed forces notwithstanding declarations to the contrary by government authorities? By the way, a full-page ad usually costs around P180,000.

Filipinos love rebels. Gen. Fidel Ramos was a co-leader of the first Edsa Revolt. He was elected president. Sen. Gregorio Honasan made it on his first try for the Senate. Sen. Antonio Trillanes with limited funds and minimal media coverage, and under detention, easily won also on his first try. If Danny Lim decides to join the political race, he would be welcomed with open arms by the opposition.

To my mind, Danny Lim is no political animal. I suspect that he would rather be back in the saddle commanding troops, than serving as a senator of the land. But this dream can only be realized under a new and completely different dispensation. And there are a few scores to settle. Shortly after his arrest, army authorities unceremoniously evicted his wife and daughter from their quarters in Fort Bonifacio. In a society that has always respected women, they became collateral victims in an age that has forsaken chivalry.

Danny’s father is pure Chinese from Xiamen; his mother, a Boholana. He grew up in Solano, Nueva Vizcaya, finishing as valedictorian in high school then moving on to UP Diliman before entering the PMA. He is married to his high school sweetheart, Aloysia. They have an only child, 18-year-old Aika, a first-year architecture student at the University of Sto. Tomas.

Last Saturday, Danny was given a 12-hour pass to attend Aika’s debut. It was only the third occasion for limited liberty granted by Judge Elmo M. Almeda of the Makati RTC. With all the criticisms being made against our justice system, Judge Almeda must be commended for his willingness to temper the harshness of a basically political system with understanding and compassion.

ANALYSIS
By Alejandro Lichauco

02/26/2009

In its issue of Feb. 23, the Philippine Daily Inquirer (PDI) carried a full page statement of 10 military organizations and 30 individual signatories declaring that they have “formally united under the leadership of Brig. Gen. Danilo ‘Danny’ Lim.” They enumerated their reasons for their decision to unite. One is that they “aspire for the collective vision of a country of peace, progress and prosperity;” second, that they are fully aware that the country is “slowly being engulfed by the fires of poverty, war and corruption;” third, that they “concede the need to strengthen our ranks in the face of a ruthless enemy;” and fourth, “that they recognize our people’s longing for change and their desire for a new breed of leader.”

Then the statement proceeds to enumerate the reasons they chose General Lim. One is that “he has the essential leadership qualities to steer us toward our vision; second, that “he has the impeccable character to lead with moral authority; and third, that “he has consistently displayed uncommon valor and patriotism in the face of extremely difficult situation.”

The organizations behind the statement are the Bagong Katipunan the Nationalist Army of the Philippines; Soldiers of the Filipino People; Magdalo; Yes, Arms: YOU; Samahang Magdalo; Reblusionaryong Alyansang Makabayan and Guardians.

The statement carried a photo-sketch of Lim.

Needless to say, the statement was an open declaration presenting an alternative political leadership to the Filipino people. In and by itself it was open challenge to the regime and an answer to those who seek an alternative to this government.

The organizations behind the declaration are familiar enough names long associated with a movement within the military — which actually started way back in 1986 — for fundamental changes in political governance. And the individual signatories, too many to enumerate here for reasons of space constraint, are as prominent as they are familiar in the military.

Without question, the statement is fraught with explosive political significance. Never, to the knowledge of this writer, has a group of well known military figures and military protest organization banded together behind one military figure and proclaimed him as the alternative political leader of their choice. In this they have certainly outdone the political opposition which to this day hasn’t proclaimed their leader of choice.

To say that the statement was an open challenge to the incumbent regime is an understatement. It is actually a statement withdrawing their support to the chain of command and although the individual signatories are retired, the signatory organizations are known to harbor within their ranks elements still on active duty.

In openly rallying behind General Lim, who technically remains in active status, the sponsors of the statement have simultaneously rallied behind the ideology which Lim represents and which he articulated only some months ago in a statement read for him by, if memory serves, Bishop Tobias at a formal press conference. The statement, dated Nov. 16, 2008, was in Lim’s handwriting and titled “Not only to listen but to march.”

The statement was literally a call to arms against the regime. But more than a call to arms, it was a declaration of nationalist aspiration and a call for nationalist political leadership.

In that, the declaration differed radically from other statements issued by protesting military organizations against the government. It was, to be specific, more than the common place denunciation against corruption. It went far beyond the issue of corruption and called for a government that would actively promote the nation’s genuine independence from “colonial economic masters.” More particularly, it called for the abandonment of “obscene foreign debt payment policies.” It also called for a program of industrialization as well as a program of food independence. Above all, Lim called for a policy declaration and economic strategy anchored on what he said the principle that “this country’s patrimony and all of our abundant resources are solely for the Filipinos to develop and benefit from.”

The Lim statement was nothing less than a call for revolutionary nationalism. That is what makes the choice of Lim immeasurably significant. In rallying behind Lim, the statement sponsors were automatically endorsing Lim’s call for revolutionary nationalism. And that, you must admit, is without precedent in the history of the AFP, long reputed to be nothing more but the slavish annex of the Pentagon.

At the very least, the PDI-published declaration of the military opposition puts to shame, and renders irrelevant and even absurd, the political opposition, or whatever passes for a political opposition.

Are we seeing a military-led nationalist revolution?

By TESSA JAMANDRE
VERA Files

Exactly three years ago today, hundreds of Marines marched in full battle gear outside the Marine headquarters in Fort Bonifacio, defending their commandant who was then accused of mutiny. The soldiers and their officers said theirs was a legitimate cause: They were merely protesting what they said was the fraud-ridden 2004 elections which Gloria Arroyo won.

The lives of those officers and men have changed, and 28 officers of the Marines and the Army Scout Ranger remain detained for what government said was a mutiny. Yet so far, the prosecution has only presented seven witnesses who have yet to pin them to the charge. Today also marks the 36th court-martial hearing of the 28 officers.

It was the afternoon of Feb. 26, 2006, while the country was under a state of emergency, that 600 Marines protested the relief of their commandant, Maj. Gen. Renato Miranda, who was being linked to a destabilization plot. Thousands of civilians, including former President Corazon Aquino, also braved the emergency rule and showed up in Fort Bonifacio armed only with prayers and fighting spirit in support of the Marines.

The people knew there was more to Miranda’s relief as commandant. Armored personnel carriers suddenly rolled in front of the Marines headquarters and the six-foot-tall Lt. Col. Achilles Segumallian led the march of combat-ready Marines, saying, "Ang gusto lang naman namin ay isang malinis na halalan."

After Miranda accepted his relief, everyone returned to barracks except for nine officers, among them the only two living Medal of Valor awardees in the Marines: Col. Ariel Querubin and Lt. Col. Custodio Parcon. The nine officers, including Miranda, were detained along with 19 other officers from the elite Army Scout Rangers led by Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim whom the government also accused of "conspiracy to attempt to create and begin a mutiny."

Forty enlisted men of the Scout Rangers were also jailed, although only for over a year. But life in and out of detention, the enlisted men say, has not been kind to them. They were never given their day in court, and were dismissed for following orders from their superiors. Now out of jail, they say they cannot find jobs because they were dishonorably discharged.

For the 28 Marine and Scout Ranger officers, three years in detention at the Intelligence Service of the AFP and Camp Canpinpin in Tanay, Rizal has been marked by births, illnesses, and deaths in their families, and by livelihood ventures and spiritual enrichment.

At least five babies were born to the officers while behind bars. Army Capt. William Upano had no such luck for many years until he was detained. His second baby is on the way. Maj. Jason Aquino was blessed with another baby just when his daughter was already in high school. Lt. Col. Nestor Flordeliza, a Scout Ranger who is near retirement, can only be thankful for his first boy who celebrated his first birthday last week. And Capt. James Sababan’s only daughter — he has three boys — was christened last Christmas in Camp Capinpin.

When son Amiel was born two years ago, the wife of Capt. Ervin Divinagracia, Marlyn, wished her husband was with her in the hospital. Last November he was with her in the hospital; she died in his arms as she lost the battle to leukemia. Marlyn left him to raise their two children, a tall order for someone in detention at the ISAFP.

Also last year, Aquino lost a sister to breast cancer while in jail. He never got a chance to see her before she died.

Detention has denied the Marine and Scout Ranger officers a chance to see their sick loved ones. Capt. Allan Aurino wasn’t there to care for a wife who underwent surgery to remove a myoma, while Miranda can only wish to be with his wife who is undergoing treatment for breast cancer.

Miranda had issued two statements urging the release of everyone else, offering to face trial alone. After he retired from the service last December, he said the court has lost jurisdiction over him and sought to be released to the custody of a military defense counsel.

But the detained officers have been making the most out of detention, especially to help their wives who now bear the brunt of earning for the family. While the lieutenants make cheese pimiento spreads, the captains tend a vegetable garden and a tilapia pond and raise poultry in their detention facility in Camp Capinpin. The major and colonels held at ISAFP have tried soap-making.

Some of the detained officers in Tanay have also enriched their spiritual lives through the "Purpose- Driven Life" experience.

Three years in detention, however, has apparently not quenched the detained officers’ fervor for truth and justice. Last week, they issued a manifesto declaring that they have formally united under the leadershp of Lim.

Some have interpreted this to mean that they were prodding Lim to run for public office in 2010, just as detained Navy Capt. Antonio Trillanes IV did in 2004. Although a senator, Trillanes remains in detention at Camp Crame.

Lim has responded to the declaration of support through a statement released by his lawyer: "Not one to shirk away from the challenges and responsibilities, I accept the mantle of leadership bestowed upon me by the collective wisdom of the leaders and followers of the various reformist groups. I will do justice to the trust and I commit myself to the attainment of the aspirations for a country of peace, progress and prosperity."

(VERA Files is the work of veteran journalists taking a deeper look at current issues. Vera is Latin for "true.")

(Convenor - Mandirigma laban sa mga Ganid, Mandaraya, at Abusado (MANDIRI GMA)
By: Ambassador Roy V. Señeres


It is deplorable that the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is still unaffected in spite of the serial emergence of (as in “serial killer”) scandals in the country. These scandals have wreaked havoc to almost everything that the Filipinos hold dear namely democracy; good governance; morality; good customs and traditions such as delicadeza and amor propio; national pride; nation-building, and national unity.

The AFP either wittingly or unwittingly, is still clueless about what it means to be “Protector of the People of the Philippines.” It will serve them well to revisit two relevant provisions of the Constitution of the Philippines, to wit:

“Article II, Section 3 – Civilian authority is, at all times, supreme over the military. The Armed Forces of the Philippines is the Protector of the People and the State. Its goal is to secure the sovereignty of the State and the integrity of its National Territory.” And---

“Article VII, Section 18 – The President shall be Commander-in-Chief of all armed forces of the Philippines and whenever it becomes necessary, he may call out such armed forces to prevent or suppress lawless violence, invasion, or rebellion.

The phrase “Protector of the People” is clear and unambiguous. Needless to say, we the Filipino people are the Protectorate of the Protector, not any single individual even if he or she is Commander-in Chief or President of the Philippines, especially so if that President is under the glare of a noon-day sun, sitting on top of a towering mountain of excreta comprised of the Hello Garci Scandal; the Norberto Gonzales Venable Scandal; the Jose Pidal Scandal; the JocJoc Bolante Fertilizer Fund Scam; the Nani Perez Scandal; the Vicky Toh Scandal; the Diosdado Macapagal Boulevard Scandal; the North Rail Scandal; the Mikey and Iggy Arroyo Jueteng Payola Scandal; the extra-judicial killings; the rampant violations of human rights; the unceasing smuggling especially at the SBMA; the Joey De Venecia III expose of the ZTE-NBN bribery and overpricing; the Malacanang bribery scandal and many others that judging from the serialization of these scandals, are just waiting to emerge or be unmasked. And more especially so that a vast number of Filipinos are of the opinion that the incumbent President cheated her way to the presidency in 2004. Moreover, reliable surveys show the trust rating of this incumbent occupant of Malacanang is virtually zero. “Public opinion,” according to Charles Dudley Warner “is stronger than the Legislature and nearly as strong as the Ten Commandments.”

For the Ladies and Gentlemen of the AFP to fully fathom the length and breadth of their role as “Protector of the People,” they must not only revisit the two provisions of the Constitution as above-quoted, they must also absorb into their minds the in-depth analysis of the Armed Forces’ role, by Father Joaquin G. Bernas S.J., on page 59 of his book entitled “The 1987 Constitution of the Philippines, A Commentary,” published by the Rex Book Store, 1999 Edition, relevant portions of which are quoted as follows:

“2. Role of the armed forces.

“The second and third sentences of Section 3 originally discussed by the 1986 Constitutional Commission under the General Provision, are meant to express the philosophy that underlies the existence of armed forces.” (Underscoring mine.)

“The two sentences, however, also yield a meaning which was not articulated during the Commission debates. When one reads them in the light of the unsuccessful military coups of 1987 and the reasons given for them, and especially in the light of the successful and civilian-approved coup of February 1986 which became known as the February Revolution, one cannot escape the conclusion that the armed forces can be a legitimate instrument for the overthrow of a civilian government that has ceased to be a servant of the people.” (Underscoring mine)

“Civilian supremacy, in other words is, in the final analysis, not a guaranteed supremacy of civilian officers who are in power but of supremacy of the sovereign people. The Armed Forces, in this sense, is the Protector of the people and the State.” (Underscoring mine.)

It is clear from the foregoing that where there is a conflict between the Protector of the people clause and the Commander-in-Chief clause of the Constitution, the former must prevail.

Notwithstanding Father Bernas’ counsel that the armed forces can be “A legitimate instrument for the overthrow of a civilian government”, I am not asking the AFP to stage a rebellion or sedition or coup d’ etat. After all, there is a completely legitimate, peaceful and bloodless way of terminating the reign of a government that “has ceased to be a servant of the people”, and that is by way of withdrawal of support.

Article 134 of the Revised Penal Code (RPC) defines rebellion as “rising publicly and taking up arms against the government xxx.” To withdraw support, the AFP does not have to rise publicly or take up arms against the government.

Article 134-A says, inter alia, that a coup d’ etat is a “swift attack accompanied by violence, intimidation and threat, etc.” To withdraw support, the AFP does not have to swiftly attack anyone.

Article 139 says the crime of sedition is committed by persons who “rise publicly and tumultuously in order to attain by force, intimidation, etc.” To withdraw support, the AFP does not have to rise publicly and tumultuously.

Withdrawal of support is not a crime. Otherwise the Supreme Court would have said so. In the two landmark cases, the Supreme Court narrated the withdrawal of support from President Joseph E. Estrada of General Angelo Reyes, AFP Chief-of-Staff, and Director General Panfilo Lacson of the PNP. The high court repeated the phrase “withdrawal of support” 16 times but it did not say a word on whether or not it was improper, illegal, unconstitutional, or unacceptable. (Page 8, 28, 30, 31, 32, 33, and 34, “Joseph E. Estrada vs. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo G.R. No. 146738; and Joseph E. Estrada vs. Aniano Desierto et al., G.R. No. 146710-15)

It is noteworthy that Justice Jose C. Vitug even wrote a concurring opinion where, despite the withdrawal of support of Generals Reyes and Lacson, he declared: “The basic structures, the principles, the directions, the interests, and the spirit of the 1987 Constitution have been saved and preserved.” (Page 14, concurring opinion)

Sure of my thesis about the legality of withdrawal of support, I came out with a public statement in March 2006, that I was among those who personally advised General Danilo Lim to withdraw support from Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. After my public statement in support of General Lim, some of his comrades asked me to convince the others especially those who persistently goaded General Lim to withdraw support, to also come out with a public statement similar to mine as there was a great likelihood according to them, that thousands of soldiers might just come out of their barracks to come to the side of the detained General. I tried to convince some of them but to no avail. “Nag bahag buntot silang lahat,” according to General Lim’s comrades. The poor General Lim. He now suffers quietly in detention, abandoned by the men who inveigled him to do what he did that fateful morning of February 24, 2006. Indeed, there is truth to Kennedy’s woe: “Victory has so may fathers, defeat an orphan.”

General Danilo Lim did not commit any crime. He tried through the legitimate avenue of withdrawal of support, to unshackle the Filipinos from the grip of what he believed was and still is an illegitimate regime.

It is relevant to quote at this juncture Thomas Jefferson, circa 1787, thus :”I hold it that a little rebellion now and then, is a good thing and therefore, necessary in a political world as storms in the physical… it is a medicine for the sound health of government.”

The internationally respected Washington Sycip, appear to have agreed with Jefferson, when in a speech (published by the PDI on March 19, 2007) he said: “While western nations and financial institutions were critical about the last coup in Thailand, I, together with my Asian friends were glad that it took place. We saw that a coup, with the pre-approval of the King, would be bloodless and would enable the Thai government to correct the many abuses of the Thaksin government.” (Underscoring mine.)

I am sure Sycip and his friends also saw that Thaksin’s sins were not as numerous and humongous as those of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. Thaksin was, comparatively, a juvenile delinquent.

But unlike Jefferson and Sycip, I am not asking the AFP to rebel or to stage a coup d’ etat. I reiterate, am only asking it to withdraw support.

Even before the emergence of this regime’s series of scandals starting mostly in 2006 with the Hello Garci revelations, F. Sionil Jose, national artist for literature, in 2004 already called for revolution. In an article he wrote for the Far Eastern Economic Review (December 2004 issue) entitled “A call for revolution in the Philippines,” he said:

“By what right do I have to urge revolution upon our people who will suffer from it? I have no such right, nor will I call it such. I call it duty, duty, duty, duty for all rooted in our soil who believe that freedom is our destiny xxx” “xxx look around us, at the thousands of Filipinos who are debased and hungry, who are denied justice. Be ashamed if you do not act.” (Underscoring mine.)
Protector of the People to the Philippines, be ashamed if you do not, at least, withdraw support.

By Alejandro Lichauco
The Daily Tribune
01/22/2009

Is there a Puno-Lim-Erap triumvirate programmed as transition government?

And programmed by whom? By the inner logic of events, of course. For events have an inner logic of their own and that logic dictates what is to be the future. And if events today have one commanding feature, it is the overwhelming desire for change — even revolutionary change in the political and economic situation. That explains the ongoing clamor for Chief Justice Reynato Puno to run for president.

The public is tired of politicians. It is tired of civil society. It is tired of businessmen. It is tired of the Church. All these have run, managed and determined the nature and course of the national situation and that situation has spelled only two things: Corruption and poverty, with both worsening rather than diminishing with time. Hence, the search for a new “establishment” has grown desperately with time and that desperate search is what explains the mounting clamor for Chief Justice Puno. An unprecedented event in our political history.

The Chief Justice, of course, isn’t all pure and all white. His critics, and enemies, murmur much against his morals and even competence but just the same, whatever they might murmur against him are far outweighed by the positives which surround him and which constitute his public aura.

And that explains the sudden emergence of a clamor for him to run for the presidency in 2010.

Truth, however, is the moral crusade for a Puno presidency doesn’t really have elections in mind. The Chief Justice doesn’t stand a single strand of a chance of winning any presidential election. He doesn’t even have the makings of a successful candidate for town mayor.

Those behind the clamor for Puno have only one thing in mind. And that’s to persuade the AFP to mount a revolutionary government and install Puno as head. In much the same way that the AFP mounted Cory as head of a revolutionary government in 1986.

But if that’s the plan, then the Puno crusaders underestimate the daunting challenge of the times. The Chief Justice will be deluged by problems — political, economic and military — which would be far beyond his solitary capacity to meet. He isn’t made to govern. What he is made for is to stand as a symbol of moral rectitude at a time when moral degeneracy has become the order of the day and the way of life.

And for that Puno will be ideal. But that wouldn’t be enough, a new government, committed to change and installed for that purpose, requires much more. It will need, for one, the new face of a morally rejuvenated military establishment. And that new face finds its maximum expression in Gen. Danny Lim. If Puno represents moral rectitude, particularly in the judiciary, Danny Lim represents moral rectitude in the Armed Forces. And since a transition government can be possible only through the intervention of the military, it is imperative that the new face of a morally rejuvenated military be represented in that government.

Danny Lim is the one military figure today that so powerfully represents the face of integrity and valor expected of the nation’s soldier, and one can’t conceive of a transition government, mounted by the AFP, without him. Besides which, Lim is the only military figure who has dared defy the face of colonialism and foreign domination by calling for a nationalist, sovereign and independent government. There isn’t anyone in the military who has dared do that — and dared it while in his prison cell.

As for Erap, why include him in the new government when, as said, the public is tired of politicians? And besides, hadn’t he admitted guilty to the criminal charges raised against him by the GMA government?

The answer is simple. Erap won’t be in the transition government as a politician and former President who had pleaded guilty to plunder but as the one public personality in the Philippines who has the capacity of appeasing the masses and of persuading the masses to support the new government.

The central problem of any new government is the masses: How to persuade them that the new government means business and that the new government needs their support. Only Erap has the capacity, or at least the potential, of doing that for the new government. Nobody else can take Erap’s place in that role. What does the new government do should the masses break out in hunger riots — and that is bound to happen because there isn’t an end in sight to the global crisis. As to Erap’s guilt, everyone knows that he would never have obtained justice as long as this government is in place. And so, he did the only practical and politically intelligent thing to do — which was to withdraw his appeal and accept the absolute pardon.

And besides, hasn’t Cory herself said that Edsa ll was a mistake and had asked Erap’s forgiveness? That was Cory’s highest moment, and Erap’s vindication too.

A revolutionary government simply would have to include Erap, because, rightly or wrongly, he incarnates the hope of the masses. And any revolutionary government must stand first and foremost for the masses and be perceived so. Otherwise, it collapses.

The Puno-Lim-Erap triumvirate is the political future.

Another Magdalo officer wants to join Trillanes in Senate

By Charlie C. Lagasca
Philstar.com
January 18, 2009

SOLANO, Philippines - It seems that another Magdalo soldier has been bitten by the political bug.

Detained Army Brigadier Gen. Danilo Lim is reportedly eyeing a seat in the Senate where his colleague, former Marine Lieutenant second grade Antonio Trillanes III, now sits as a senator despite also being under detention at Camp Crame’s custodial center.

Supporters here indicated that Lim, a native of this Ilocano and Gaddang-dominated booming town, is seriously considering running in next year’s election.

Lim, former head of the Army’s 1st Scout Ranger Regiment, and Trillanes are presently detained for their involvement in the Manila Peninsula incident in 2007 to topple the government.

Aside from a seat in the Senate, Lim, known to be charismatic here, is also eyeing the mayoralty post of this province’s premier town in next year’s national and local elections.

Talk of Lim’s political plans started when, besides posters and calendars, his streamers expressing congratulations to the town and barangay fiestas started to surface. Volunteers for Lim said they were also distributing leaflets and membership forms in support of Lim’s possible senatorial or mayoral bid.

DANNY LIM’S NEXT TARGET: NV MAYORSHIP

By Ted Boehnert
18 January 2009
The Daily Tribune

One of the 28 military officers detained in connection with the alleged February 2006 coup against the Arroyo administration is reportedly eyeing a local position in the coming 2010 election.

Supporters of Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim are floating his name as a possible candidate for mayor of Solano in Nueva Vizcaya province after calendars of the former commander of the elite First Scout Range Regiment and Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV, a former (Marine) Navy lieutenant and colleagues in the Magdalo group who is also detained for leading several coup attempts against the government, started circulating in the town.

Lim and Trillanes also led the Nov. 29 standoff at the Manila Peninsula Hotel in 2007,

According to Lim’s supporter, the general who comes from Solano has reportedly expressed serious interest in running for the mayorship.

Residents of the town affiliated or sympathetic with the Magdalo group said membership forms and other materials were being circulated as a sign of support for Lim’s candidacy.

Aside from being considered for the mayorship, Lim’s name was also being floated as a possible senatorial candidate.

Supporters, however, said that the local positions seems to be more of a priority to Lim.

High school batchmates of Lim, who was salutatorian of St. Louis School Batch 1972 in Nueva Vizcaya, responded positively to the information of his imminent possible candidacy.

Batch valedictorian Marilou Gilo-Abon, president of the Neuva Vizcaya State University, said her noted batchmate was “upright” and “a good friend.”

A graduate of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) and Westpoint Lim was born into a poor family in this town and head to work his way through high school until he entered the Academy, always staying at the top of his class.

By Alejandro Lichauco
The Daily Tribune
12/18/2008

The fate of the GMA regime — whether it will meet the fate of Marcos and Erap or survive calls for its ouster — won’t be determined by the political opposition or even by the parliament of the streets. That fate will be determined by the outcome of the struggle between two ideologically opposed views raging within the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

What are those views?

One is represented by AFP Chief Alexander Yano. And the other is represented by Gen. Danny Lim of the prestigious Scout Rangers and currently under arrest for his alleged complicity in a plot to politically pre-terminate the term of this government.

At the height of the Dec. 12 rally against Constituent Assembly (Con-ass), there was wide expectation that the AFP, through General Yano, will formally announce that the AFP was withdrawing its support for the regime. In brief, that Yano will do an Angelo Reyes when the latter, as then chief of staff under the Erap government, turned against the nation’s Commander-in-Chief at the height of a militant protest demanding Erap’s resignation.

The declaration of withdrawal just didn’t come about. Instead, General Yano issued a statement reiterating the AFP’s allegiance to the regime on grounds that the Constitution as well as the democratic process requires that the AFP’s allegiance to the incumbent regime be maintained.

The Yano statement, which was reported in the Star was an explicit repudiation of the view that the regime is illegitimate and corrupt and, being illegitimate and corrupt, doesn’t deserve the support of the AFP which is mandated by the Constitution to protect the people and the State.

In arguing his position, Yano implied that Edsa ll was a mistake. It was a pointed reference to Edsa ll, when an incumbent president was forced out of office by the AFP withdrawal of support. Yano claimed that the AFP “has a already matured,” and that it “won’t allow itself to be used as shortcut or a quick-fix solution to resolve political and social issues.”

Yano, of course, can’t be blamed for taking that position in light of the growing popular realization that the forcible ouster of the Erap government was, after all really a mistake. What Yano was in brief saying was that for all the sins attributed to the current regime, the lesson of Edsa ll shouldn’t be forgotten. If it was a mistake then for the AFP to withdraw support for the sitting government of Erap, the AFP shouldn’t commit that same mistake today by withdrawing support for an equally sitting government of GMA.

You will have to admit that the Yano position has an appeal of its own to common logic. Yano’s position, of course, was bolstered by the fact that the Dec. 12 rally wasn’t a rally calling for GMA’s ouster. It was a rally protesting Con-ass.

Now, as to the opposite position. That position was stated by Gen. Danny Lim in a manifesto read for him by Bishops Tobias at a press conference two weeks ago.

Lim’s position was that GMA’s regime is illegitimate and that because of its corruption, the regime has “become the greatest continuing threat to the security, cooperative spirit, well being and sense of nationhood of the Filipino people.”

“A true leader,” Lim emphasized, — is a symbol of unity and a rallying figure especially in difficult times. A bogus leader is divisive and stays in power to the detriment of the good and the national interest.

Lim then proceeded to define the kind of leadership which he believes can save the nation. He called for a nationalist leadership that would challenge colonial masters and their local surrogates, abandon debt payments, push industrialization and sustainable agrarian reform.
‘There isn’t any question that is the Yano and Lim statements, respectively, issues have been joined. There isn’t any turning back and it remains to be seen which of the two opposed views and mindset will eventually command the support of the rank and file of the AFP, or at least those in positions of strategic command within the AFP.

There isn’t any question either that the opposing views of Yano and Lim represent a fundamental conflict between the traditional, conventional mindset of the military, on one hand, and the mindset of an emerging faction within the military resolved to bring about the fulfillment of Bonifacio’s unfinished revolution. It is a mindset reflected in the very name which that emerging faction has chosen to give itself: The Bagong Katipunan.

The fate of this regime will largely depend on the outcome of the ongoing struggle between the mindset represented by Yano and the mindset represented by Lim and the Bagong Katipunan. And the civilian sector will eventually have to make up its mind which faction and mindset to support.

In a sense, it can be said that the civil war which many have feared could eventually come about has actually started within the AFP.

By Ellen Tordesillas
November 29, 2008

Exactly one year ago, Filipinos were glued to their TV sets watching a few, brave military officers led BGen Danilo Lim and Senator Antonio Trillanes IV take a stand against the trampling by Gloria Arroyo of our Constitution and and our democratic institutions.

Following are links to articles on that day:

Media Hours, grit at the Manila Pen http://www.ellentordesillas.com/?p=1915

Photos of the Manila Pen siege

Manila Pen- not a case of rebellion or warrantless arrest

Media concerns in the Nov. 29 incident

Bibeth

Maria Ressa’s paper on the Manila Pen incident

NHK’s Charmaine Deogracias on the Manila Pen incident

Majority of the Filipinos believe Gloria Arroyo cheated in the 2004 elections. It’s a criminal act.

That “original sin” has spawned more crimes against the Filipino people: fertilizer scam, NBN/ZTE, Diwalwal/ZTE, Quedancor mess, etc. etc.

But why is Arroyo still in Malacañang”

Because we allow it.

Brig. Gen. Danny Lim’s quote on that day, rings louder today: “Dissent without action is consent.”


Tama na, kumilos na

Matindi ang kahulugan ng “Araw ng mga Bayani” ngayon dahil nakikita natin kung paano binabastos ni Gloria Arroyo at ng kanyang asawa at kanilang mga alagad ang saligang batas na nagbubuo ng diwa ng ating sambayanan.

Maraming buhay ang nabuwis para maitaguyod natin ang ating demokrasya at ito ay bastas-basta na lang niyuyurakan ni Arroyo para lamang patuloy isyang manaitli sa kanyang ninakaw na kapangyarihan.

Noong Huwebes, naglabas ng mensahe si Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim na ngayon ay nakakulong dahil nanindigan siya ng ilang beses laban sa mga katiwalian ni Arroyo. Tawag nga ni Lim kay Arroyo ay “pekeng presidente.”

Sabi ni Lim, “Ang kapayapaan, pagkaisa at pag-unlad ay hindi natin nakakampatan dahil and namumuno sa atin hindi lehitimo sa moralidad at sa legalidad. Siya ang pinakamalaking banta sa ating seguridad at pagkaka-isa.”

“Ang totoong lider ay simbolo ng pagkakaisa at nagpapatnubay sa atin sa oras ng kagipitan. Ang bogus na lider ay ugat ng pagaaway at kaguluhan.”

Marami sa ating kababayan ay sadlak sa kahirapan. Nabubuhay ang administrasyon ni Arroyo sa katas ng pagpa-alipin ng mga Pilipino sa ibang bayan. At ito ay pinagyayabang pa ni Arroyo.

Sa paggunita ng kabayanihan ng ating mga ninuno, sabi ni Lim, dapat nang kumilos ang sambayanang Pilipino para mabawi ang kanilang dignidad at patalsikin ang pekeng pangulo para maisulong ang kaunlaran na maari lamang makamtan kung ang lider ay nagpapahalaga ng katotohanan at hustisya.

“Ang panawagan ngayon ay hindi lamang para makinig kung di mag martsa,Panahon na para tayo’y magkapit-bisig at kumilos,” sabi ni Lim.

Kahapon ay isang taong anibersaryo ng insidente sa Manila Peninsula. Maala-ala natin na nagwalkout sa hearing ng Oakwood mutiny sina Lim , Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV at iba pang Magdalo na opisyal kabilang sina Capt. Nick Faeldon, Capt. Gary Alejano, LTSGs James Layug, Manuel Cabichan, Eugene Gonzales, Andy Torrato; LTJG Arturo Pascua, 1Lt Billy Pascua; 2LT Jonnel Sanggalang and Armand Pontejos.

Ilan lamang sila sa mga nagmartsa mula Makati City Hall hanggang sa Manila Pen kung saan ipinahayag nila ang kanilang paninindigan laban sa katiwalian ng administrasyong Arroyo.

Alam na natin ang nangyari. Nabitin sa ere ang mga magigiting na sundalo dahil ang hindi nagkaroon ng lakas ng loob ang karamihan sa atin. Kaya tuloy ang kurakutan sa kaban ng bayan at pagyurak sa ating Saligang Batas.

Pinakita nina Lim at Trillanes na handa silang magsakrispisyo para sa taumbayan. Hanggang ngayon nakakulong sila. Kayo?

By Aika Lim
June 2, 2008


gloria will soon ruin her own government.. time will come.. tignan nyo nalng sa mga headlines. lahat tumataas… gasolina, kuryente, value of peso, pagkain, harina, kanin, bigas, delata, anu pa.? bka sasusunod pati si ms. president tumangkad bigla! hahah. she wont be there in her throne forever. even the GREAT esperon. i bet once na mawala sila sa pwesto…. lilipad yang mga yan sa ibang bansa. lumalabas na rin lht ng mga dati pang pinag sasabi ng mga taong dati pang naninindigan sa katotohanan at sa kanilang mga prinsipyo. ang hirap ngayun. halos lht ng tao naghihintay na lng, hnd na gumagalaw para maisulong ang katotohanan. takot.

dumating ang panahon na ok na. inter faith rally…. ayun wala ring nanyari dahil magkakaaway din yung mga tao dun… hnd nagkakasundo. nag si alisan nalng… isa pang dahilan cguro. wala na ang magigiting na sundalo… (yung nagtetake life ba) wala. wala na yung naninindigan talaga yung may prinsipyo. yung mga tulad ni(you know: papa)hnd rin bumabaligtad sa kanilang pinaninindigan. grabe. pinagdaanan pa nila yung tear gas na yun. he was detained for almost three years without evidence and without the right cases to detain him. grrr!!!

–

its dad’s bday. weee. ito lang ang masasabi ko. sa tagal tagal na (alam mo na) si papa. talagang bilib na talaga ako sa kanya well dati pa naman. SHOx eto na nagpapaka emotional na. may dad and i really dont talk alot about these kind of things cguro pag assignment na sa school o kaya naman related dun nagtatanung na ko talaga. that’s why i cant even say na i am the second one that knows him the most. i am still a teenager, but i understand a bit of it already. And to think na sa tagal tagal nya nang nandun sa (alam mo na) mag te-three years na… and for 3 months na mag-isa sya dun grabe… hnd mo iisipin na "kakayanin ko kaya yun walng kausap walng tv walng cellphone?" … eto talaga yung mystery kay dad ehhh… how does he do that???!! sbi naman nya he can turn off o kaya i close yung one side of his brain. IS that really possible? yan ang matatanung mo. tanung nga ni mama sa atty namen kung naniniwala sya dun. sbi nmn ni atty na it might be possible kasi ibang klase daw talaga si papa… weird noh ahahah!!!

pero eto i’ll support it with this nalng. dad can literally remember alot of things. 1st, sa dami dami ng libro ni papa sa bahay parang library na kung tutuusin. he knows what color of the cover, the author, the title, and where he last saw it. grabeh. 2nd, he knows all his god-children from baptisms, weddings and confirmations. lastly, ang pinakanakakatawa he still remembers his classmates from grade 1 or so. he even knows their "kalokohan" during those years. and to think that he is already in his 50’s. NO cONNECT ba? haha

one thing im proud of him. is his principles. grabe. kung titignan mo, tuwing christmas party dati sa kanyang mga battalions, camps, etc. ang daming nag dodonate ng kung anu anu. pang give away, pang kain, pera etc. IF my dad is like ESPERON, GLORIA and her constituents… ay wala na…. MAYAMAN na ako!!!! hahahah!!! i could get my own car, i might even have three cars of my own! hahaha o kaya puro alahas lhat na ng maiisip mo. pero eto lng sinasabi ni dad. "hindi yan para sa inyo, para yan sa mga sundalo, binigay yan para sa kanila." awwww. dad really loves his troops. magaling humawak si papa ng tauhan, inaalagaan pa nya. hahaha. eto pa, ngayun lng kami nag karuon ng totoong bhy! as in puro utang pa toh kung tutuusin. im 17 na at ngayun lng kame nag karuon ng stable na talagang matatawag na home.

mahilig din si dad sa mga hayop ….. tulad ng manok, baka, kambing, ahas, bayawak, at kung anu ano pa…. magkakasundo sila ni KUYA KIM sa umagang kay ganda o kaya sa matanglawin! hhaha. pinagtyatygaan nya talaga yung mga pilay na sisiw… yung abnormal na sisiw … grabe, ang cute

dissent without action is consent.

grabe feeling ko naman na sobrang dami kong alam. madami lng naman akong naisulat. well nagkukwento lng. a tribute? for my dad? well si papa naman kung mag salita maiksi lng pero punong punong ng LAMAN pwede narin cgurong sabihin na diretso. hahaha. let’s just support every Filipino who stands up…

For what is True,

For what is Honest,

For what is Right.

one thing i hate about dad. is that he is so trusting, lahat trina-trust nya. ambaet talaga ni dad haaayy. dad is so unique, you wont find anyone like him. laahat nalng trusted nya. minsan tuloy tinetake advantage ang pagka bait nya.

I love you dad, happy bday. We miss you.

buti naman pinapasok nyo kame kanina kay dad. dyan ko siguro masasabi na napaka taas ang respeto nila kay dad at symphathy samen.

By Aries Rufo
abs-cbnNEWS.com
10/28/2008

Are Church leaders now ready to back attempts to oust the Arroyo government?

In its strongest position yet indicating that they are ready to give their blessings for what may be a drastic change in government, five bishops, led by Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) president Angel Lagdameo, condemned the unabated “top to bottom” corruption in government and asked the public to shake the status quo.

Lagdameo went as far as assuring the public that “liberators” may be just around the corner.

“In response to the global economic crisis and the pitiful state of our country, the time to rebuild our country economically, socially, politically, is now. The time to start radical reforms is now. The time for moral regeneration is now. The time to conquer complacency, cynicism and apathy to prove that we have matured from our political statements is now. The time to prepare a new government is now,” Lagdameo said in a forum organized by the CBCP.

Lagdameo added the public should not lose hope that changing the present system is futile. “In spite of the seemingly hopeless and negative prognosis, our liberation may yet serendipitously happen. We are dreaming, praying and hoping that our county may yet have the needed liberators.”

It is hoped that these “liberators,” Lagdameo said, “will in a courageous peaceful way effectively and uncompromisingly reform our country.”

Also present in the forum were Lingayen Archbishop Oscar Cruz, Bataan Bishop Socrates Villegas, Masbate Bishop Joel Baylon and Bishop Emeritus Jose Sorra. We learned that seven more bishops would have attended the forum but cancelled for some reasons.

Active involvement

Villegas urged the public “not to be passive” but engage “in active involvement” in effecting a change in governance. He noted that curbing corruption by only half of its present level would immensely benefit the country. “The problem is not population, the problem is rampant corruption,” Villegas said.

He said that the country would have been better prepared to deal with the ongoing global financial crisis if not for corruption.

Cruz said the country is now in a “precarious, dangerous and critical situation” because of massive corruption and directly blamed the “incumbent occupant” in Malacanang as the culprit.

In his statement, Lagdameo took to task the government’s claim that prosperity is now being felt by the masses pointing out that 20 million people will surely disagree with this, as shown by surveys. He said rampant poverty and hunger are directly related with rampant graft and corruption “which has invaded all public and private institutions.”

Endemic corruption

Lagdameo noted that corruption under the past few years of the Arroyo government up to present has become “endemic and systemic.”

He pointed to “overprized projects, multi-billion scams of various kinds, election manipulations, anomalous transactions, bribery of both high and low, unsolved murders of media practitioners” as the “faces and symptoms of corruption.”

He lamented that the country is now tagged as one of the most corrupt country in Asia, based on a survey conducted by Transparency International. “If we are not horrified, disgusted, exasperated and enraged by these realities, can we still we love our country?” Lagdameo said.

The bishops’ statements came on the heels of the arrival of former agriculture undersecretary Jocelyn “Joc-joc” Bolante from the US following futile efforts of seeking asylum there. Bolante, tagged as the main architect of the P728-million fertilizer scam, had claimed political persecution but US immigration junked his alibi.

Also providing backdrop was the current “euro” scandal in the Philippine National Police where four police officers, including one retired, are set to be charged with unauthorized release of intelligence funds, and the fresh impeachment initiatives against the President.

Church leaders have been criticized for just waiting in the sidelines and giving mixed signals on its verdict on the Arroyo administration. At the height of the wiretap scandal, where the President was caught on tape giving orders to disgraced poll commissioner Virgilio Garcillano during the canvassing of the results in the presidential elections, the CBCP sought for truth but withheld passing a guilty verdict. Lack of active Church support has been cited as one of the major dampeners on attempts to oust Arroyo.

By Romy Lim
07 July 2006
Malaya

BRIG. Gen. Danilo "Danny" Lim, relieved commander of the Philippine Army First Scout Ranger Regiment, really took his licks from the official comment made by the AFP on the video where he allegedly announced his withdrawal of support from the government. A very tragic fate, if not an outright maltreatment, from the institution that he has served so well.

ANALYSIS

By Alejandro Lichauco

The Daily Tribune
10/23/2008

The hunger problem is now at the center stage of the national problem following survey reports that the hunger situation has sharply aggravated.

In his column of Oct. 21, titled Local Leaders should solve the hunger problem, Alejandro Roces of the Philippine Star urged the nation’s political leaders to do something about the problem. Roces alluded to the fact that the Philippines has been listed “as one of the 33 countries with a serious hunger problem along with troubled economies in Africa. He went on to cite that 11 million Filipinos “or about 12 percent of the population are food poor and live below the subsistence level.”

Truth is that the hunger situation is much worse than the statistics cited by Roces. Way back in 1986, immediately after Edsa, a survey commissioned by the office of then Speaker Mitra found that more than 40 percent of Filipino households are living in hunger conditions. And in 2003, a government agency found that 80 percent of Filipino households are hungry.

The global meltdown which has recently exploded with the financial explosion in Wall St. is bound to accentuate beyond calculation the hunger situation in the country and the wonder of wonders is that there isn’t a single politician or political leader in the horizon who has stepped forward with just as much of a suggestion as to what should be done.

The situation is made-to-order for the opposition but sadly there isn’t a single one of them who has come out with even as much of a hint as to what should be done. The deafening failure of the nation’s political parties and politicians to even suggest that Congress should now meet in emergency session just to discuss and focus on the hunger situation and the repercussions of the global meltdown on the Philippines is proof conclusive that the nation can’t rely on civilian authorities to respond to the humanitarian disaster that is going on right before our very eyes and nose.

Question is, if the country can’t rely on the civilian and political authorities, on whom can it rely to solve or at least attempt to solve the hunger problem?

The answer is, the military revolutionaries. Only the military revolutionaries, a faction of which goes appropriately enough by the name of the Bagong Katipunan. A few years ago, this group issued a Manifesto titled The Last Revolution: Toward a New Philippine Order. In that document, the revolutionary group traced the root of the hunger to globalization and a failed electoral system. Their proposed solution: Suspend elections, reorganize the electoral machinery and put an end to globalization.

“Globalization must be stopped,” the revolutionary manifesto declared and, it continued, “it cannot be stopped by a regime that had been reduced to a mere lap dog by multinational financial institutions.” The military revolutionaries described globalization as a “masked evil.”

Raising the issue of hunger — and mind you that was several years ago when politicians didn’t even mention the word — the Manifesto starkly stated that “Our people are literally dying of hunger in the countryside.”’ It continued: “Our society is slowly being engulfed by the fires of poverty, war and corruption.”

The military revolutionaries, mind you, issued that statement years before the global meltdown and years before this very government finally acknowledged that hunger — and even starvation — now stalks the countryside.

What is this piece trying to say? This piece is trying to say that the only organized faction in Philippine society that has displayed the foresight and concern over the problem of hunger are the military revolutionaries. Their Manifesto on the “Last Revolution” and call for a “New Philippine Order” alone are indications enough that they are the elements in our society qualified to take political leadership of the nation in these times.

The behavior pattern of the nation’s political leaders tell us only one thing: That it is utterly futile to look to politicians and the political system to address the humanitarian disaster that has the nation in grip and which threatens to tighten that grip even more in the immediate years ahead.

As one re-reads the Manifesto of the military revolutionaries today, one can only be overwhelmingly impressed by the patriotic concern and foresight that the group displayed and this writer will hazard to say that as the hunger pangs become more acute and as the people become increasingly aware, as they are bound to, that the nation now stands in urgent need of class of leaders that offer the prospect of leading the nation out of its hunger, the realization will dawn that the only political solution to the hunger crisis is a revolutionary military government composed of the best and the brightest in the Armed Forces.

The Third World abounds with examples of how military governments led by the patriotic likes of Nasser, Park Chung-hee, Suharto and Khadaffy took political hold of starving nations and delivered their peoples from poverty and hunger.

So, let’s all look to that. We need the new Bonifacios and they can be found only, it seems, in the idealistic and still uncorrupted elements of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

(Very Important Prisoner)

By Fe Zamora
Philippine Daily Inquirer
July 23, 2006

BRIG. General Danilo Lim has the heart of a civilian trapped in a soldier’s battle-scarred body.

“Maybe I should have not been in the military,” Lim told a friend who had visited him recently at his heavily-secured military quarters at the Philippine Army Officers’ Village (Paovil) in Fort Bonifacio. “I cannot be a fence-sitter; never was, never would be,” Lim was also supposed to have said.

Outside his leafy abode, a group of soldiers man a makeshift checkpoint; another group had set up a sentry at the back, beefing up the guards at the Paovil gate, just 20 meters away from Lim’s house. Such airtight security arrangements have earned Lim the distinction of being “most important prisoner” in recent coup-prone military history.

Lim has been under military custody since a videotape of himself announcing his withdrawal of support from President Arroyo surfaced in a news program. The tape was to have been used on Feb. 24, when soldiers marching out of their camp were supposed to meet with civilians out in the streets to commemorate the Edsa revolt. It was proof, claims Malacañang, of a Leftist-Rightist plot against the government that justifies Arroyo’s proclamation of a state of emergency.

The charges that Lim would lead the conspiracy have surprised those who know him only as an indulgent father to his only daughter, Aika.

Just five years ago, Aika Lim dragged her father to the Cineplex in Glorietta. The older Lim had already forgotten what it was like to watch a movie. “I haven’t been inside a movie house since 1973,” Lim told the Inquirer then. Transformed from security-conscious officer into a dutiful dad, Lim was having a good time when Aika nudged him to take a closer look at their seatmate. It was Phillip Salvador, the movie actor whose tumultuous love affair with Kris Aquino had been the staple news in those days. Lim was amused, but Aika was adamant. She wanted her Dad to get Phillip’s autograph.

Putty

Lim, the hardline Army captain who negotiated that the rebel troops be allowed to return to barracks, weapons and all, can be putty in his daughter’s hands. An only child, Aika was a baby when Lim was detained for the December 1989 coup. A former detainee recalled several officers doing “infantry” duties in jail, among them Lim.

Another detainee, an alleged communist leader from Southern Luzon, Vic Ladlad, would be Aika’s godfather, a relationship that transcended the ideological divide between Lim and Ladlad. When Aika starred in her school’s musical production in 2001, Lim unabashedly invited media friends to watch the play. The souvenir program also showed ad placements from military organizations that could only have come from the solicitation of a very supportive father.

A consistent honor student in Solano, Nueva Vizcaya, Lim was a freshmen at the University of the Philippines in Diliman when one of his classmates, Renato Heredia, came to class with application forms for the Philippine Military Academy (PMA). It was 1972. Martial law had just been declared. Lim said he signed up for the heck of it. “There were many who had signed up, so I joined the line,” he said. The successful examinees either had brothers at the PMA, like Heredia, or had fathers who were PMA alumni or military officers.

Second highest

Lim, the youngest of five sons of a Chinese migrant worker from Xiamen and a hardworking businesswoman from Bohol, did not top the exams, but the topnotcher backed out, pushing Lim, who had the second highest score, to the top slot. Lim was sent to the US Military Academy in West Point in 1974.

“I would have wanted to be a doctor, but it was too expensive,” Lim said. He did not want to burden his mother or four brothers, either. Lim’s father died when he was 5 and his mother raised the brood by herself. Since his older brothers finished college on scholarships, Lim felt he too had to get by on scholarship.

Fortunately, Lim found academics, especially the math subjects, a breeze at West Point. The regimented military life also suited him, as he adapted to it seamlessly. Even his marriage was something of a record, according to another classmate. Lim’s wife, Aloysia, was actually his neighbor and classmate from elementary to high school. “But there was nothing there then,” Lim once told the Inquirer. “(The attraction) came later.”

Upon graduation from West Point in 1978, Lim was sent to Jolo to head the all-Igorot Forward Recon Unit. The unit was often sent out to patrol the enemy lairs, chalking up seemingly endless encounters that had their senior officers shaking their heads in disbelief. A former pilot who sometimes airlifted the wounded recalled in jest that the Igorot troops never realized what they were getting into because Lieutenant Lim kept them drunk with gin.

Wounded twice

But Lim would himself be wounded twice from grenade shrapnels. After his second hospitalization in 1981, then Col. Arturo Enrile sought him out. “He told me, ‘I better take you out from here before you run out of luck,’” Lim recalled. From Jolo, Lim was transferred to the PMA, where he taught math subjects. He would also become the aide-de-camp to PMA Superintendent Brig. Gen. Jose Ma. Zumel, and administrative officer of PMA Superintendent Brig. Gen. Rodolfo Biazon in 1986.

In March 1987, a bomb exploded at the PMA grandstand, ripping off a roof and wounding several personnel, including then Col. Lisandro Abadia, the PMA commandant of cadets. Lim was among those suspected behind the incident, but this was never proven.

Before the incident, however, Lim had supposedly questioned the alleged anomalous deals at Biazon’s office. From the PMA, Lim was transferred to the Scout Rangers, the unit that he led in the takeover of the Makati Commercial and Business District in the December 1989 coup.

Doubts

The Feb. 23 videotape seemed to be an apt follow up. Lim’s doubts about President Arroyo’s mandate started soon after the May 2004 elections, when rumors circulated in the military circle about how some senior officers had allowed the President’s allies to use the military camps in the cheating operations, particularly in Basilan, Sulu, Lanao and Cotabato areas in Mindanao. There were also rumors that some units from the Marines and the Scout Rangers had reportedly refused to cooperate with Malacañang’s allies in the military.

Compounding the situation was the alleged braggadocio of some officers who were supposed to have orchestrated the cheating operations, to the consternation of the young officers, including some Rangers who sought out Lim for advice. A senior colonel who talked to Lim then told the Inquirer that he was concerned about the Scout Rangers that Lim headed. “Lim does not believe that GMA won the elections. This is problematic,” the colonel said of his former classmate.

Fearless prognosis

Lim’s doubts were reportedly shared by many officers, with one of them expressing doubts that the President would be hounded by questions about her mandate. “GMA cannot govern,” was his fearless prognosis, as of June, 2004.

The cracks in the military armor surfaced after the June 6, 2005 airing of the “Hello Garci” tapes, the wiretapped telephone conversations between Comelec Commissioner Virgilio Garcillano and several personalities, including Ms Arroyo and her husband, First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo. The tapes seem to confirm allegations of fraud during the May 2004 elections, with at least four generals mentioned in the tapes as being involved. On July 8, 2005, a group of military officers had reportedly planned to withdraw support from the President, joining the group of senior cabinet members who had resigned en masse and urging Ms Arroyo to do the same for the sake of national unity.

But Lim prevailed over the disgruntled. Later that month, Lim’s group, the now-defunct Young Officers Union (YOU, also issued a statement of withdrawal from the 1995 peace agreement it had forged with the government. Lim denied the YOU statement. He also sent a text message to the Inquirer, to the effect that he was “under pressure from all sides.” In fact, Lim was under surveillance from the military and under intense courtship from the opposition. At the necrological rites for Capt. Rene Jarque at the Fort Bonifacio chapel in September 2005, Lim showed up by his lonesome.

Close tabs

But a civilian-clad soldier tailed him, always keeping within earshot of the general. Malacañang also kept close tabs of his activities, often inviting him to dinner at the Palace. By late January 2006, Lim had reportedly visited troops in Mindanao to sound them off about his plans to withdraw support from President Arroyo. An officer he talked with said Lim did not indicate he would “do something” anytime soon. “We talked and he said it was ’no go,’” the officer told the Inquirer. In less than a month, Lim would “go,” to the surprise of even his closest friends.

Since Feb. 24 when he was placed under house arrest, Lim has not been allowed to talk to the press. Some have managed to sneak in, however, accompanied by lawyers, priests and relatives. Former Inquirer reporter Andrea Trinidad-Echavez visited Lim one day in July. Lim had been Echavez’ sponsor at her church wedding to Dick Echavez in 2001.

According to Echavez, Lim was in good spirits, and seemed at peace with himself and the world. “He looks confident that all would end up well,” Echavez said. Having hit rock bottom after the 1989 coup, Lim knows only too well how to play his cards. “He’s a tactician. He’s been through a lot. What is happening to him now is chicken feed,” Echavez added.

Besides, people who’ve met Lim also know that the man would rather pay the price of taking sides than stay still, watching from the sidelines.