IS NOYNOY READY FOR THE 2010 PRESIDENCY?

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"1. Only an incorruptible leader like Noynoy would have the determination and the daring to combat rampant corruption– the root of poverty and injustice in our country;
2. Noynoy has a legacy to protect, and this legacy has concretely manifested itself in his personal life and public-service record;
3. Noynoy’s achievements have lived up to his advocacy to serve the poor and the underprivileged; and"


Jean,

If so, why the Hacienda Luisita issue still exists. If he is incorruptible, he should have the guts and the will  to reign over his family and relatives. The issue still persists because of his family’s vested interest to keep the lands to themselves and leave the farmers to oblivion. If he can a find way to convince those protesting farmers to vote for him, then I will be oblige to do so.

If you look at the bills he authored and sponsored, you can find not a single iota which specificaly refers to the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP). I would like to ask him why? It is no secret that a vast tract of lands in Negros,  Calatagan, and Nasugbu in Batangas are owned and controlled by the Cojuangco clan. As per statistic, these areas have the highest poverty incidence in the country.

Ka Freddie was even inspired to write a song for the hungry children of Negros to highlight the seriousness of poverty which envelopes this province. You can also try watching the documentary film “Uuwi na si Utoy”, a scene from Batangas which potrays a young boy of 11 earning a living for his siblings by harvesting sugarcanes in a Cojuangco owned sugar plantation. If he wants to champion the cause of the poor, fine. But his effort will be undoubtly thwarted  by no less than his family and relatives. How could anyone possibly believe that he could deliver his pro-poor programs in such a scenario.

Corruption is not the only cause of poverty. It is just one of the factors. The root of poverty in the country side is the manipulation of big time hacienderos of agricultural lands. It deprives the farmers of opportunity to grow, improve and to own the land they toil.

I am equally interested to know what ‘Legacy’ does his parents boasts,  save from sending off  Apo to exile. I joined the military way back in 1984. In the 70’s, the reds are up in the mountains and fearful of venturing to the lowlands. In the time of Cory, the government were swarmed with  Reds, Joma was even freed. We took up arms against Cory not because we despise her.

We took up arms in ‘87 and ‘89 to save the government from being overun by communists, thats the main reason plain and simple. In her term, Red inspired labor unions sprouted like mushrooms, the MNLF and MILF swelled in numbers and the Reds multiplied by the thousands. The military was dis-organized and suffered from acutely low morale of Cory’s own doing, apparently a gesture of vengeance to the establisment that she holds responsible to the death of her husband. I was left with no option but to join the private sector, pained and disillusioned.

If that is the Legacy that NoyNoy wanted to preserve, that’s fine with me. But don’t sell that crap of pro-poor advocacy just to gain the votes of the poor. To me, that is the highest form of corruption nevertheless.

I have nothing personal against you Jean. You’re a good bloke. I am for the opposition, but definitely not for NoyNoy, not even for Villar.

[Jean Jacques]

Noynoy: Hacienda Luisita distributed to farmers by 2014. http://www.noynoy.ph/blog/2010/02/09/noynoy-hacienda-luisita-distributed-to-farmers-by-2014/

[Achiever]

AS
So you are in between the two giants. Well good for you because you are an outsider. Are the people better off now than before the land form was enacted. We spent almost 150B for land reform program and it looks like the farmers in the countryside are still poor and we continue to import rice from other countries like Combodia and Vietnam. The truth is that over the years, we have become a welfare state because we are keeping an army of employees who do nothing but to distribute the lands and sit down in their offices the whole day thinking what comes along the next day and we are providing the farmers anything that the government can think of from capital to technical and legal services. That's not a good governance nor economic policy to accelerate our economic development. It's wrong economic strategy. I believe Nonoy knows that the land reform program is getting us to nowhere in terms of economic development and prosperity.  If he is not running for President he would not be forced to support the land reform program. Let us remember that Ka Ferdie used the land reform program for political purposes just to get the support of the people especially the poor farmers when he declared martial law in 1972. Our country over the years are heading into the wrong direction by giving full support to this land reform program. I think this is one of the reasons why our country is continuously suffering from poverty syndrome

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Achiever,

If you love history, then CARP is for you. Twenty five years since Apo was overthrown in a mutiny supported by demonstration, Cory promised a genuine land reform and thus CARP was born.
CARP is a state policy that ensures and promotes welfare of landless farmers and farm workers, as well as elevation of social justice and equity among rural areas. Gandang pakinggan di ba? This law was enacted by the 8th congress and signed into law by Cory on June 10, 1988.

I used to hear from old soldiers in my company that CARP is a half baked program of Cory to appease the communists. Katuwiran ko ok lang, baka pag napalitan ng bagong presidente magtuloy-tuloy na. Ramos came, then Erap then GMA, aba mga mates, 22 years na ang lumipas, apat na presidente na ang nagdaan, hanggang ngayon may mga nagra-rally pa at nagha-hunger strikes na mga farmers. Iisa ang isinigaw:   Land Reform Now!   Guinu-o kon Dios, ilang dekada ba ang kailangan para ma-implement ang tunay na reporma sa agraryo.

I disagree with you mate but CARP was not properly implemented in the last 22 years. It is the primary reason why farmers are in a deep shit. Maybe you ought to reduce your figure by 70% and a further 780 million from your new figure courtesy of Joc-Joc Bulate.

[Achiever]

As

Even assuming arguendo that the land reform program was fully implemented, that would not really make a big difference in the lives of the farmers other than giving these farmers the opportunity to own a piece of land that they do not deserve in the first place.

It was and is my understanding that land reform program is meant not only to distribute lands by force but to improve the lives of the farmers by increasing production thereby freeing our country from rice importation.

ARE THE FARMERS BETTER OFF NOW THAN 35 YEARS AGO. ABSOLUTELY NO. HAS OUR COUNTRY ECONOMY IMPROVED BECAUSE OF LAND REFORM. ABSOLUTELY NO. Why is it our country remains one of the poorest countries in the world. Why is it our country continues to import rice from other countries. Why is it our country continues to export labor to other countries. Why is it almost 98% of the farmers remains poor. Did productivity increase after the implementation of the land reform program.

The government is giving lands including private lands to the landless but have you heard a government program that trains people to become farmers. The challenge to the government is that the children of the farmers would prepare to work in the cities than in the farms. They do not want to suffer what their parents are suffering, that is, their bodies be burned under the heat of the son.

China is gradually abandoning the old concept that all the land is owned by the state because  its leaders have realized that free enterprise does bring rapid economic prosperity. India is less receptive about land for the landless because its leader have realized that the key economic success is not giving land to the landless but focusing on the industrialization of the country by adopting high tech approach to economic progress. Mexico even has abolished land reform altogether because over the years, land reform has brought nothing but continued poverty to Mexicans.

We have to wake up that land reform is not a panacea to our economic problem. It is not a panacea to eliminate poverty in the countryside. Is is not a panacea to give dignity to farmers by allowing them to own a small piece of land. We only think of 1 million land reform beneficiaries. We do not think there are almost 90 million Filipinos half of whom still live below the poverty line that need more comfort in life. Unfortunately, the 1 million farmers are in that poverty level.

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Achiever,

Points taken mate, but I think wealth is not measured  alone by your fat bank accounts, how many hectares of land you own, nor the volume of your farm harvest and farm animals you posses. Wealth is trivial to most farm workers because the land they call their own is the black gold itself. That small piece of land itself is their greatest wealth.

Most of them love the modest life they chose, from their farm produce, to their domesticated animals,  with an extra bonus of peace of mind, crime free environment, fresh air; I guess the song writer of ‘bahay kubo’ and “ sa libis ng nayon”was inspired by such a simple way of life. Who needs to go to the city anyway when everything in the farm is fresh and abundant. Do you still listen to the songs of Mabuhay Singers? Well I do mate.

On the other hand, I think it has something to do with urban migration.  It greatly changed the mindset of the new generation of farmers and altered  it all the once productive, peaceful and contented life in the farm. Seems that city life too became so alluring to the young, often leaving their old parents alone to work in the farm.  Kung matanda na si Tatang, at ang mga anak ay urban dwellers na, aasa pa kaya tayo ng 100% na farm output. Common sense lang di ba. Baka mahambalos lang natin ang mga taga CARP at taga-DA  kung hahanapan pa ng magandang ani si Tatang.

Maraming factor na pwedeng i-atribute sa failure ng CARP, pero isa sa parte ng Gobyerno  na hindi nagawa ay  isang all-out support tulad ng technical assistance, mga high yield strain ng palay, mga farm to market roads at mga cooperatiba. Deparment of Agriculture and CARP should work in tandem to accomplish such mission. Mag-aaward nga ng lupa sa magsasaka, wala namang kapital na magamit ang pobreng farmer. Yung fertilizer assistance  na malaki sana ang nagawa  itinakbo pa ni Joc-Joc Bulate. Tapos heto na ang eleksyon, ipapangako na naman ng mga kandidato ang CARP. Buti na lang may gun ban eh.

Tingnan nyo, dito na lang yata sa Pilipinas common yung kalabaw. Pasalamat tayo dito kay Erap Bigote naiisip nya yung carabao breeding station sa Nueva Ecija. Kung wala, paano na, baka pati kambing makita nating may hatak na araro. Mabigat pa nito kung si Tatang ang nasa unahan ng araro at yung kambing ang may hawak ng araro.

Kung yung pondong winalanghiya ng ibang opisyales sa DA at CARP ay ibinili ng capital goods tulad ng mga tractora, threshers at nagprovide pa ng mga tulong pinansyal, sana ay mas malaki ang nagawang tulong nito sa mga farmers. Baka sakali ma-attain ng CARP at ng DA ang passing grade.

Pero sa kabila ng failure ng CARP, it cannot be denied na kahit kapirasong lupa lang ang nai-award sa isang farmer, it changed the once often turbulent relationship between the landlords and the tenants. It dosed off the flame of animosity which often triggers violence and armed confrontation. It also partially weakened the cause of the Reds who are pushing an ideology based on the equal goods distribution rather than by endeavor. It restored the pride and dignity of an individual farmer, such thing is priceless.

You ask me if the farmers are better off now. I can tell you with confidence that a freed slave is better off than a slave for life.

We can take Rice importation on a different level mate. Here, DA under Bernie Fondevilla has a lot to explain. We can also try to understand what is the basis of international agencies to draw such economic data.  Naka base ba yan sa European or American standard way of life. Ang hirap sa mga yan hindi nila alam na sa bukid mabubuhay ka kahit wala kang sandamakmak na pera. Sa US at Europe, hindi pwede ang wala kang pera. Kung matapang ang sikmura mo, doon ka sa mga free foods ng charity. Sa bukid, kahit wala kang pera kakain ka di ba?

[Achiever]

AP
Its like saying you stole my gold rolex wrist watch and because you really love it you offered me to pay the value of the watch. And then you say, this is my greatest wealth, can I have it?. I would say, of course you can but I have only one gold rolex that my parents gave to me. And my kid would say, papa I like that gold rolex of yours, can I have it. I would suggest you have to work for it farmer so you would have money to buy a land of your own and do not rely from the government to pay for your land. The problem is that the government is using the taxpayer's money. Is that fair?. Is that democratic?, Is that justified?. My heart goes out with the poor people. The question becomes, is land reform really the only solution to give a farmer wealth and dignity. I do not think so. That's why we country is still in dire poverty

I disagree with your statement that the awarding of a piece of land to a farmer eased up the amosity between the land and the farmer. True, there are instances where hostility existed between the landlord and the farmer. Why, because the farmer wants more. The landowner is only giving them a small pie. This happens in big hacienda like in Negros.
But that by itself does not justify the government to declare land reform throughout the nation. What the government could have done was not to correct the hostility by giving the lands to the farmers. And this problem was exacerbated by the fact that the process of implementing the land reform program became the lingo of the DAR officials and employees to continue in their respective offices. CARP is screwed and the DAR is screwed. That's the bottom line.

The NPA was born because they adhered to the communist ideology in that all lands belong to the state. The NPA did not say, if we win we will give lands to the landless. The  NPA is more of the battle of ideology rather than giving lands to the farmers.

The farmers are not slaves. They were not freed from slavery because of the land reform. They are being paid by the landowners. The problems as I said before is that, these farmers do not take reasonable share.  What if they did, would they still be craving for a small piece of land. Its' like the employer-employee relationship. Why do you think there is a labor unrest. Well, partly because, the employees are not paid well. That's why we have what we call the minimum wage in order to solve the industrial unrest and wage discrimination. The problem is that, the farmers do not have this pirivilege.If you own a factory and one day, the government will tell that your employees now own your factory for small amount of consideration. What would you feel? The government betrayed you. The employees betrayed you.
Did the take over increase productivity?. Did the take over give the employees higher wages? Did the take over give employees labor dignity. NO.

The difference between the farmer and the employee is that the farmer work in the farm while the employee works in offices. That farmers are even free people because they do not work eight hours a day. They have their own time. They can mate any time of the day. If your are in the office. your mating starts after office hours.Sa bukid, kahit wala kang pera kakain ka di ba? Sa oficina kung walang trabaho, wala kang kakainin. Who is free now?. The farmers or the employees.

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AP
Its like saying you stole my gold rolex wrist watch and because you really love it you offered me to pay the value of the watch. And then you say, this is my greatest wealth, can I have it?. I would say, of course you can but I have only one gold rolex that my parents gave to me. And my kid would say, papa I like that gold rolex of yours, can I have it. I would suggest you have to work for it farmer so you would have money to buy a land of your own and do not rely from the government to pay for your land. The problem is that the government is using the taxpayer's money. Is that fair?. Is that democratic?, Is that justified?. My heart goes out with the poor people. The question becomes, is land reform really the only solution to give a farmer wealth and dignity. I do not think so. That's why we country is still in dire poverty



Your Rolex watch is a luxury you can live without, but the land is the source of it all that you can’t live without. Besides I don’t think you own a Rolex watch. If you did, I think it is an imitation, made in China. That farmer you mentioned is a real oxymoron to appreciate your Rolex watch imitation and deserve no less than a right hook on the jaw. 

You are not also a tax payer because there is yet a law for double taxation in the Philippines. I’m serious, did you owed up to your SAL? So there’s nothing the government can expect from you except a lousy post card of Uncle Sam or Queen Elizabeth. But of course, you have the liberty to criticize and decry those tax wasting policies such as the failed CARP.

Your opinions are yours but I don’t think it will sit well with the crowds during campaign sorties. Least you can expect is a pair of Japanese boots hitting you on the stage. Be good enough to practice your ducking maneuver. That oxymoron farmer who fell in love with your Rolex watch is hoping he could get you with a home run.

AP


The difference between the farmer and the employee is that the farmer work in the farm while the employee works in offices. That farmers are even free people because they do not work eight hours a day. They have their own time. They can mate any time of the day. If your are in the office. your mating starts after office hours.Sa bukid, kahit wala kang pera kakain ka di ba? Sa oficina kung walang trabaho, wala kang kakainin. Who is free now?. The farmers or the employees.

You don’t make love in a knee deep mud, is it possible nowadays to do it with mud splattered all over your body? You don’t mate with your partner under the scorching heat of the sun; not unless you’re inviting itchy sunburn, you'd think it’s worth a try huh. What about mating under the tree littered with animal droppings and occupied by a colony of red ants and creepy insects.

The least you can do is to make love with your partner over your creaking bed at the comfort of your hut provided you still have the strength left in you for that herculean work you did all day long.

You will succeed though, if you try the standing position. I saw one guy in the farm who did just the same 3 years ago. His partner discovered it was a wonderful position. Boy, she really loves it! They did it five days in a row. Now he suffers a broken knee cap and a stiffening tendon. I heard his partner is still out there waiting for a free love to pass by.

Making love in the office is a common thing. Just follow the rules below:

1. Make love with your officemate during break time or overtime.
2. If you can’t, refer to rule 1

Now, who has the good life day between the two?

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Opps sorry about that pasting thing.


Achiever,

Your Rolex watch is a luxury you can live without, but the land is the source of it all that you can’t live without. Besides I don’t think you own a Rolex watch. If you did, I think it is an imitation, made in China. That farmer you mentioned is a real oxymoron to appreciate your Rolex watch imitation and deserve no less than a right hook on the jaw. 

You are not also a tax payer because there is yet a law for double taxation in the Philippines. I’m serious, did you owed up to your SAL? So there’s nothing the government can expect from you except a lousy post card of Uncle Sam or Queen Elizabeth. But of course, you have the liberty to criticize and decry those tax wasting policies such as the failed CARP. Your opinions are yours but I don’t think it will sit well with the crowds during campaign sorties. Least you can expect is a pair of Japanese boots hitting you on the stage. Be good enough to practice your ducking maneuver. That oxymoron farmer who fell in love with your Rolex watch is hoping he could get you with a home run.

You don’t make love in a knee deep mud, is it possible nowadays to do it with mud splattered all over your body? You don’t mate with your partner under the scorching heat of the sun; not unless you’re inviting itchy sunburn, you think it’s worth a try? What about mating under the tree littered with animal droppings and occupied by a colony of red ants and creepy insects.

The least you can do is to make love with your partner over your creaking bed at the comfort of your hut provided you still have the strength left in you for that herculean work you did all day long.

You will succeed though, if you try the standing position. I saw one guy in the farm who did just the same 3 years ago. His partner discovered it was a wonderful position. Boy, she really loves it! They did it five days in a row. Now he suffers a broken knee cap and a stiffening tendon. I heard his partner is still out there waiting for a free love to pass by.

Making love in the office is a common thing. Just follow the rules below:
1. Make love with your officemate during break time or overtime.
2. If you can’t, refer to rule 1
Now, who has the good life day between the two?

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So it is now a battle between an old soldier and a veteran lawyer. The odds are stacks against the soldier, so maybe to concede or yield an inch of ground is just like a tactical withdrawal which does not necessarily means surrender. You have to fight inch by inch mate.

As a way to slowdown your advance, I think you must clear the following:

1. How do you propose to emancipate the farmers from the bondage of soil?

2. Depending on how you tackle the issue of huge ownership of lands, how do you propose to improve the lives of the farmers.

3. A glimpse from our past suggests that big haciendas under contention today are mostly owned and controlled by your Spanish forefathers obtained under the following means:

a.) Eviction by force and land grabbing

b.) Through disadvantageous and dubious transaction

c.) By oppression and intimidation

Under such prevailing circumstances, who is the rightful owner the land?

If you think those Spaniards shifted the earth from Spain to the Philippines by way of galleon, here’s 101 gun salutes!