FROM THE BARREL OF MY PEN
By Gonzalo “Jun” Policarpio


SOONER RATHER THAN LATER



So the time has come for CHANGE in the Philippines. The Filipino people chose Noynoy, the son of former president Cory Aquino and Filipino hero, Ninoy, to be their president for six years.

Real change is the big challenge facing the incoming president. First in the chopping block is the deep-rooted problem of graft and corruption that has plagued leaders of mostly third-world countries where the Philippines is still one of them.

If money can be used for evil purposes, then I think it can also be used for good ones.

The record says that the nation’s wealth is controlled by very few Filipino families. Because wealth is power anywhere in the world, former dictator Marcos called those rich Filipinos as “oligarchs.” Marcos’ folly, I believe, was his scheme to covet those riches that did not belong to him.

Given such a situation where the very powerful few can convert their money into power, the new Filipino leader may try to convince this special segment of the Filipino society to convert their money into ways to improve the economy of the Philippines, particularly in creating millions of jobs for the jobless through opening of thousands of industries, plants, and factories all over the archipelago. One way to move them is to offer incentives, most particularly tax incentives.

However, for those “rich” Filipino kleptocrats who stashed most of their stolen wealth abroad, one country such as the United States has a policy of seizing the “dirty” stuff and giving them back to the Filipino people. This campaign should start as soon as possible.

I will call the election of Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III as one last chance for CHANGE. After it, I do not see anything better if it won’t succeed.

Fellow Filipinos, it’s also time to work together to get the job done sooner rather than later.

FROM THE BARREL OF MY PEN


MIRACLES STILL HAPPEN TODAY


Fellow Filipinos, allow me to say Heaven’s mandate came down on May 10th, Election Day in the Philippines, and anointed Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino as the next president. Only God knows the reason why. Why He chose a neophyte but honest politician to rule the country beset with millions of problems only an Angel of the Lord can solve.

Is it because Noynoy’s father sacrificed his life for freedom and democracy while his mother dismantled dictatorship and restored democracy for her once subjugated people?

Or perhaps God would not want to tolerate anymore the rule of plunderers of the people’s resources.

Or perhaps God would not want to risk anymore the welfare of the people at the hands of greedy politicians and their minions?

Let’s again consider a story in the Bible how God plucked a shepherd boy to rule Israel and defeat the ungodly conquering Philistines.

There is another story how God anointed a slave to rule Egypt in order to restore prosperity in the land.

Miracles still happen today, my friends. And Noynoy’s victory is truly one of them.

FROM THE BARREL OF MY PEN
By Gonzalo “Jun” Policarpio


“LET THE DIE BE CAST!”

On this coming May 10th presidential election, the Filipino people will choose their own fate in the next six years and nobody knows what is ahead, except ONE WHO KNOWS ALL. Maybe heaven or maybe hell on earth. For it all depends on who will be entrusted with all the powers delegated by the Constitution- political, economic, social, military, and other attendant authorities - the next president of the Philippines.

I think God allowed Marcos to rule the Filipino people with a dictatorial hand in order to let the people experience life with less freedom.

I think God allowed Cory Aquino to rule with a motherly hand in order to let the people experience life with more freedom.

I think God allowed Ramos to rule with a military hand in order to let the people experience life guided by some sort of discipline.

I think God allowed Estrada to rule with a gambler’s hand in order to let the people experience life with a risky mind.

I think God allowed Macapagal-Arroyo to rule without the people’s mandate in order to let the people experience life under pretense.

Now who do you think God will allow to rule?

An innocent but honest young man catapulted to popularity by virtue of being the son of extraordinarily good parents?

A mega-rich businessman noted for shrewdness and wheeling-dealing?

A former gambler-president who was convicted of plunder?

Or a candidate nobody expects to win?

Let the die be cast!