Comparing Notes

I read something in TechTimes: "In most countries, a 35-second delay would barely register. But in Japan, where punctuality is a national value, it's taken seriously -even on the lightning-fast Shinkansen bullet trains.  When one train was delayed by just 35 seconds, the conductor issued a formal apology, and every passenger received a full-fare refund as a gesture of respect and accountability."

I hate comparing this to the impeachment of Inday Sara, as they are two different things. They are poles apart, and yes indeed, the circumstances are different. 

But well-intentioned friends encourage me ... as long as I am trying to put it in the proper context ... I am safe from threats of indirect contempt.  

They told me to compare it with how the Japanese handled the incident, vis-à-vis how Filipinos handled it.

Ok ... ok. So the Japanese took accountability right away. With a 35-second delay ... FORTHWITH they issue formal acknowledgement that the trip delay was their fault. No ifs ... no buts ... no excuses. ... no more convoluted stories to save face ... no more defense and no pretense. And NO POLITICS.

How did Pinoys fare in Inday Sara's impeachment? Wow ... it looked like we were at ground zero. I can't believe there was a national debate on what the word FORTHWITH means. 

If the Japanese treated it to mean "ora mismo" ... Pinoys would rather wrestle with it and waste their precious time calling each other names (Bobo ... Stupid) just to delay it for six months.

After the election ... naka-robe na nga ang ilang senador ... nakataas na ang kamay para umpisahan na ang impeachment and just like the twists and turn of any soap opera ... may isang senador ang nagmungkahi na ibasura na ang impeachment dahil guided daw siya nang Holy Spirit at yon daw ang tamang gawin.

Mabuti na lang hindi napipikon ang Holy Spirit at hindi nagrereklamo "not to use her name in vain." Nakalimutan yata ng senador ... na second commandment yon? 

Well ... shit happens. Imagine isangkot mo at i-implicate ang Holy Spirit na siya ang nagturo sa kanya ng  kabulastogan? Eh kung BATO-hin kaya siya ng BATO ng Holy Spirit ... (sorry po mabait ang Holy Spirit) ... instead BINATO na lang siya ng tinapay. Patunay na chill lang ang Holy Spirit ay kahit hinahamon na siya ... nagpapasensiya pa rin.

E si Jesus Christ nga hinamon na at lahat ng devil sa disyerto to worship the devil in exchange for worldly power ... eh dinedma lang. Baka hamonan sa boxing ala-Baste baka papayag pa siguro ... or hamonan na lang ng kantahan sa Tawag Ng Tanghalan (ala Larry Gadon at lawyer Atty. Ferdinand  Topacio?)

O di ba magaling magdribble and Pinoy? Katulad ko hindi naman ako marunong magbasketball kaya hindi ko alam kung saan patungo ang post na ito ... pero sigi lang baka makahanap din ng opening at maka-lay-up din mamaya.

E kaso maraming dribolistang senador ngayon ... at ito pa ang isa at ayaw rin patalo. NagDEMAND na i-REMAND ang mga impeachment complaints at ibalik sa HOR. And Horror of all Horrors ... 18 pa mga senador ang nagtaas ng kamay para sumang-ayon.

Dribble dito at dribble doon ang nangyari para madelay lang. Meanwhile ang taong bayan at madlang people ay inip na inip na.  Yong iba ay galit na galit na. Hanggang makaisip sila ng isang brilliant idea.  Bakit hindi natin ipasa sa Supreme Court ang sisi ... dahil ang mga tao ay nagpupuyos na. Maghugas kamay tayo sa pag-dribble natin.

There were threats of civil unrest ... may nagpaplano ng People Power ... nag EDSA 4. Hintayin muna natin ang SC na makapagbigay ng ruling. Ay saka na tayo magsalita.

So dribble ulit. Ang planong mag-convene ang Senado sa last week of July ay napostpone ulit. After SONA na lang.

And the fateful day came nasa backdrop pa ang tatlong bagyo na nagta-tag team na sumalakay sa bansa. Sa gitna ng panawagan na walang opisina at walang klase ... ang Manila ay lubog sa baha. 

Kung ang Senado ay nagdidribble pa ... ang Supreme Court naman iba ang kanilang working ethics. Masigasig nilang hinarap at binuo nila ang kanilang ruling sa gitna ng walang katapusan tubig at ulan.

Tingnan mo si Inday kahit nalubog na sa baha at daluyong ng mga problema nakaisip pa ng isang innovative idea: "Ipunin daw ang tubig at dalhin sa Malacanang.

Pagkatapos na ideclare na UNCONSTITUTIONAL ng Supreme Court ang proseso ng impeachment ... parang self-fulfilling prophecy ... mabilis pa sa alas kuatro: "naghugas kamay na ang Senado." Paano?

Ang narrative nila ngayon ay 90 degrees pa ang tumbling: "Irespeto natin ang desisyon ng mataas na hukom. Tanggapin na lang natin." "The Supreme Court is the final arbitir justice." taos pusong suyo nila sa mga mamamayan. Kitam?

That was a stroke of genius. Kaya kung hindi matuloy ang impeachment this year ... that was not the Senate. Kayo na ang bahala kung sino ang sisihin ninyo. 

By the way yong isang senador consistent talaga siya ... kaya buong saya niyang ipinalandakan na tama nga ang desisyon niya na ipabasura na ang impeachment. He was guided by the Holy Spirit remember ... in the same vein that Quibuloy was the self proclaimed ... the Appointed Son of God.

So madlang people going back to the Japanese ... is that how Pinoy should regard accountabilty? And regarding time ... i-dribble na lang ba ng idribol hanggang makalimutan na lang ang problema ...  wala ba tayong punctuality bone sa ating katawan at wala tayong keber sa oras na ating sinayang?

So un-Japanese. 

Bakit MALI Ang Supreme Court Sa Kanilang Impeachment Ruling

Lawyer's Mumbo Jumbo.

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PHRASE: Ordinatio Repressiva Brevis - Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) 

MEANING: In law, TRO is a court order that temporarily prevents a person or entity from taking a specific action in a specified time frame, usually issued in emergency situations or as a stopgap measure before a more formal hearing on a preliminary injunction.

A temporary restraining order (TRO) is issued ex parte by an executive judge in the Regional Trial Court (RTC), Court of Appeals, or the Supreme Court. It is a provisional remedy where the court orders the litigant to perform or refrain from performing a particular act to prevent grave injustice and irreparable injury. 

Another purpose is to maintain the status quo by restraining the defendant or the court officer from contacting or harming the plaintiff.

Once the TRO expires, it can not be extended beyond the specified period.

In Tagalog, ang TRO ay isang pansamantalang kautusan mula sa korte na nagbabawal or pumipigil sa isang tao o partido na gumawa ng isang partikular na aksyon o aktibidad. Anf TRO ay karaniwang inilabas upang mapanatili ang status quo habang hinihintay ang isang mas detalyadong pagdinig o desisyon sa isang kaso.

Halimbawa kung may isang aksyon na maaring magdulot ng malubhang pinsala sa isang partido, maaring magpetisyon ang isa sa mga partido sa korte upang humiling ng TRO upang pansamantalang ihinto ang aksyon habang dinidinig pa ang kaso.

Ang TRO ay limitado sa panahon at maaring tumagal lamang ng ilang araw hanggang ilang linggo, depende sa batas o sa desisyon ng korte.

EXAMPLE: Ang balita sa DZMM Teleradyo tungkol sa impeachment ni VP Sara ... wala raw TRO na hiningi galing sa Supreme Court para ihinto ito ... kaya malaya daw ang Senate to proceed with impeachment.

Impunity Under The Microscope

News Of The Week: The Supreme Court has effectively blocked the impeachment of Inday Sara. It was a unanimous decision ... some say it was based on a PROCEDURAL ground ... still others think it came from some QUESTIONABLE grounds.

The Internet witnessed a mushrooming of reactions from everyone who wants to join the fray ...a free-for-all ... mano-a-mano battle of the minds ... in one hand are the LEGAL luminaries and on the other side of the fence are the ILLEGAL bystanders who just want to air what's on their mind ... and what's on their heart.

Some observers were  NOT SURPRISED at all as they heard leaks and rumors circulating even before the announcement of its unconstitutionality. But others were SURPRISED and they were amazed by how IMPUNITY crawled in ... and stole the thunder from everyone else. 

By the way, impunity to a layman can best be understood as someone getting away with murder (that's an idiomatic expression, dummy), meaning the person manages to dodge public scrutiny, in this case, an impeachment trial.  It is a freedom from punishment when they deserve a penalty and retribution. They broke the law ... and were able to escape censure and public backlash scot-free.

Great Mistake!

 

I was browsing some political memes today ... and this one caught my attention.

In the State of the Nation Address by the president last Monday, something significant is taking place away from the incessant and boisterous applause and the unrestrained approval of the BBM crowd with whatever BBM shared in his speech.. 

Ang ingay ng mga supporters na ito ha... I tell you ... napaka-loyal na loyalista. Proof of that? Namamaos na ang mga boses and their hands turned crimson-red sa kapapalakpak.. 

Going back to the unwelcome incident I mentioned ... was that just a coincidence (?) ... a freak accident (?)... or was it planned for dramatic purposes or to blow your minds out?

Isa pa ... totoo bang may nagyaring ganoon? I-rewind nga natin kung ano ang sinabi sa meme.

Pres Marcos: "Marami kaming natatanggap na reklamo na hindi man lang umaabot ang tubig sa kanilang mga gripo." May pinaparinggan ba?

Ang wandering cameraman naman nag-pan sa mga politiko sa audience ang camera niya... while Marcos was saying that ... aba eh ang tinamaan ba naman ng roving camera ay si Camille Villar? Of all people?

Pinagpiestahan tuloy ang shot ... and the cameraman had his fifteen minutes of fame ... or was it notoriety (a short-lived media publicity)

Meron tumuligsa: "Naku kulang sa zoom. Baguhan siguro."

 Naniniwala ako. Malabo kasi pag long shot. Ginawa na nga ... eh bakit hindi pa ginawa ng tama.

At may pumuri: "The cameraman deserves a bonus." Updated siya sa current events.

Camille was unbothered. Kasing tahimik siya ni Kuya Mark ... at walang pakialam kahit nagkagiyera na sa West Philippine Sea ... or maimpeach na si Inday Sara.

Lawyer's Mumbo Jumbo

 

PHRASE: Sui Generis

MEANING: The legal term sui generis is Latin, meaning literally, "one of a kind. " Anything sui generis is there's nothing else like it or it's own thing. They are not like anyone or anything else. A "Rara avis" or a rare bird.

Other phrases or words that would be synonymous are: in a class of its own ... one and only ... one of a kind ... by itself ... on its own ... unique ... peculiar ... distinct.

EXAMPLE: Senator Joey Villanueva said the impeachment court (or the Senate) is sui generis ... meaning it is separate and a class all to itself.

There are three branches of the government (the legislative branch- the House of Representatives and the Senate), the other being the executive branch (the President of the Philippines), and the Judicial branch (the Supreme Court).

The Senate is not working under the Supreme Court, nor are they subordinate to SC, considered junior or lower ranking ... or lowly or inferior member.

In the Philippine government, the Senate and the House of Representatives are co-equal branches of the Legislative branch, also known as Congress. They share the responsibility of lawmaking, with each chamber having distinct powers and characteristics.

One of the House of Representatives' mandates is to initiate the impeachment process against any erring high official.

And the Senate ... HAS THE SOLE POWER TO TRY AND DECIDE ALL IMPEACHMENT CASES.

The Supreme Court has no business encroaching on the decision whether to proceed to impeachment or not.

With sui generis ... the Supreme Court can issue rulings, but they can't overreach and overstep their bounds or take over the mandate that belongs to the Senate.

The Supreme Court also lacks the authority to reject or cancel a decision or view that can only be made by the Senate.

In the impeachment of Inday Sara ...the Senators who want to play safe (they are already thinking of the fallout in the 2028 election). Some of them are hiding under the skirt of the Supreme Court and issuing statements like "nakadesisyong na ang mataas na hukom at irespeto na lang natin ..." which is not well thought of.

Utang na loob hindi desisyon ng Supreme Court yon. The decision to proceed to impeach (acquit or convict is the mandate of the Senate.

Huwag maghugas ng kamay na parang si Poncio Pilato! Matagal pa ang Holy Week.

Sui generis makes the Senate unique and distinct from others. They alone can decide what to do with their mandate without any interference from any Supreme body.

Selective Outrage ... Selective Amnesia

Sara criticized Jonvic Remulla for the way he communicates as the DILG head. She was ticked off at the way Jonvic perfected the Gen X manner of speaking. And he sounds so hip and "IN" the way he mastered their lingo.

She was referring to this statement where people were waiting for weather advisories, and in her estimate, Remulla's typhoon informatories were short of being inappropriate, "Mga abangers ang sarap ng bogchi ko. Sa kabusugan ko naidlip ako sandali."

Sa loob-loob niya siguro, she is wondering bumabaha na nga at lahat ... nagpapacute pa siya at his age? She was dead serious when she said, "The government must be professional at all times.

But Jonvic Remulla's supporters were quick and snappy with their rebuttal, and poor VP ... her amnesia gave Remulla's squadron more ammunition to fire back and have VP's narrative boomerang to her.

Natandaan ninyo ba ang pagmura niya sa mga Marcoses: " Mga pu---- --- kayo lahat. Hindi pa kayo nakakita ng kalaban tulad ko." Nanlilisik pa yong mga mata.

Professional ba yon Inday? That was the lowest of the low, having used that phrase ... it sounds so ill-mannered and so unladylike. And coming from a Vice President ... everyone was amazed how she really stooped that low.

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I agree, Inday Sara may be right when she scolded the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) for its “meme-like” flood advisories—posted while her countrymen waded through chest-deep waters.

But Inday's pontification is selective outrage. Funny, but it is unbelievable how she can change characters in a jiffy. Her sudden godliness and holier-than-thou stance remind her audience of her absence when her father taunts the Pope, blasphemes God, or threatens to slit the reporter's throats. See how your past can haunt you big time?

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Where was she when he made rape jokes and humiliated and demeaned Leila de Lima? She was conspicuously absent, and mum and the eerie silence in Davao were deafeaning. Were all that professional?

Was this sudden piety and empathy ... a mask and a front to cover her absence ... again? She was in the Hague for the nth time ... for a fully paid vacation and pleasure trip.

While BBM and Jonvic waded through the mud, our travelling Vice President remains dry and warm (this is already her third year ...we still have to see her work in times when Mother Nature had her temper tantrums.)

Obviously, her priority is herself and Digong and their political survival ... the Filipino people, as usual, take a backseat in the list of their concerns.

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