As the government's "energy summit" starts today, it is becoming more obvious that the government does not really intend to stop the oil price hikes, but instead insists on pursuing foolish efforts pretending to do so. Worse, it wants to address the oil crisis by intensifying liberalization and deregulation schemes -- the same culprits which drove the oil prices to unreasonably high levels during the past decade.
The fact that the summit, with the theme "$100/per barrel, crisis or opportunity", was funded by Asian Development Bank (ADB), the World Bank (WB), the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the United States Agency for International Aid -- the same institutions that pushed for deregulation -- tells a lot.
Nothing we can do?
The government's stubborn refusal to address the roots of the crisis banks on the public's misconceptions regarding the oil price hikes. Government representatives and "economic analysts" propagate the false notion that "there is nothing we can do" with regards to the rising oil prices, that it is "inevitable," and that the rise of oil prices is only "natural" as this is what the "world market" dictates.
This line of analysis ignores the studies made by research and consumer groups saying pump prices have been overpriced by as much as P4.50/liter from 2001-2007 and that oil companies engage in price manipulation schemes; the most obvious among which is the automatic price increase being implemented as soon as world prices rise, regardless of reserves they have bought before the increase.
According to reports, oil companies get at least P200,000 PER HOUR in super profits from this pump overpricing scheme. This would amount to billions in profits annually at the expense of the consumers. The only "natural" thing about this robbery scheme is that it has been imposed upon us almost on a daily basis for a more than a decade.
Myth: The increases in oil pump prices are justified and are reasonable because world market prices are increasing.
Fact: The oil companies have been overpricing their products and exploiting increases in the world market to rake super profits. We should investigate these and stop the oil companies from unjustly increasing prices.
Crude arguments
As to the argument that "spot market" prices dictate the prices of local petroleum products, this is another part of the quackery the government and oil cartel make up in order to jack up profits. First off, the oil companies do not buy their products from the "spot market," and definitely not in "spot market" price levels. They buy their crude products, in far cheaper prices, from their own mother companies and overprice their products via "transfer pricing" schemes. We must understand that these oil giants monopolize the production process from oil exploration to gas station distribution.
According to studies, only half of the crude prices per barrel amount to the real costs of production; the other half goes to the pockets of the oil giants. No wonder that in 2006, Exxon Mobil, the top among the oil giants, raked $25.3 billion in runaway profits -- the largest among all TNC's ever.
And as if the moral consequences of this plunder isn't enough to bring them all into the dark depths of hell, they even play their little games to artificially and continuously jack up world crude prices in their favor. There isn't really any reason for oil prices to increase as much, for according to the oil crude producers, the supply is stable and there are enough reserves to keep the world turning for another four decades. Speculation -- that game capitalists play to jack up prices, at the expense of the world's peoples -- and the big oil monopolies manipulation of oil supply, are the real evils that cause the skyrocketing world price increases.
Myth: Oil price hikes are inevitable because of the rising costs of crude in the "spot market."
Fact: The rising costs of crude in the world market are mainly speculative and prices are artificially jacked up. Big monopolies are benefiting big time with their evil racketeering schemes.
Crisis or opportunity?
Is there really nothing we could do? Of course not. Fact is that there are alternatives other than energy conservation, liberalizing by tariff reduction, "carpooling" and other idiotic "solutions" that our government wants us to accept.
We should stand up against the plunder being done by these oil giants and bring the prices down to reasonable levels. We should take steps towards nationalizing our oil industry in order to free our economy from its dependence to these profit greedy oil cartels. We must reverse the neoliberal policies which brought us to where we are now.
True, in crisis there is opportunity. But either this becomes an opportunity for us to reform and turn away from the problematic policies we have wrongly embraced, or this becomes an opportunity for the greedy monopolies to further exploit our nation's people and resources. Unfortunately, under this puppet regime, and with the myths its lapdogs continue to propagate, we can expect the latter. #
Sa gitna ng pag-alaala ng marami sa EDSA 2 sa mga blogs at sites, may nabuong interesanteng palitan hinggil sa papel ng Kaliwa noong People Power 2 at nagpapatuloy nitong impluwensya at kabuluhan sa kasalukuyan.
Sa isang blog entry ni MLQ3, isang tampok na political blogger at kolumnista, minaliit ang papel ng kaliwa sa EDSA at kasabay nito'y inihayag na umano'y matapos ang 2001, lumiit na ang kabuluhan at nawalan na ng papel ang Kaliwa sa "lehitimong" pulitika ng bansa.
Another complication is how unprepared our society is, to recognize the Left as part of the body politic. A tacit agreement seems to have been reached with the Left, during Edsa Dos, where the Left worked more or less discreetly with the other players (for example, during the “sleepy” periods during those protest days, the Left ensured there would be people at Edsa in the morning and lunchtime). The Left thus managed to make up for missing the bus during Edsa in 1986 (much as their revisionism denies that, of course). Since 2001, however, the Left has found itself unable to really find a place for itself in legitimate politics. From 2005, in particular, while committed and disciplined, the Left had to contend with the usual problems of its dogmatism alienating other political players, and its cause proving itself less than attractive to the broader public (for many reasons: ideological, and also, their past alliances).
Hindi ito pinalagpas ni Tonyo, isa sa mga tanyag na progresibo sa blogosphere, sa kanyang blog entry na "Airbrushing the Left out of Edsa 2 and the body politic" kung saan nilinaw niya ang sentral at di matatawarang papel na ginampanan ng Kaliwa sa pagpupundar sa People Power hindi lang sa EDSA kundi sa buong bayan, hindi lang noong Enero 2001 kundi sa mga panahon bago pa nito. Tumampok ito lalo na sa pangunguna ng Kaliwa sa martsa patungong Mendiola.
Kinuwestyon nya rin ang mga batayan ni MLQ3 sa pahayag nito hinggil sa kawalan ng papel at kabuluhan ng Kaliwa sa pulitika sa kasalukuyan at kawalan umano ng kahandaan ng lipunang tanggapin ang Kaliwa.
I hope Manolo elaborates these points because as far as I know, the Left had been welcomed by the public in the 2001, 2004 and 2007 elections. In fact, Bayan Muna led the 2001 and 2004 partylist elections — to the surprise of both the social democrats in power and people like Manolo. In 2007, despite the massacre of its officers, the imprisonment of Ocampo and the use of terror against it — Bayan Muna returned to Congress with a strong and very respectable second place finish.
Between 2001 and 2007, the Left spearheaded or joined projects with its allies. They are too many to mention but let me put some of them here: the broad coalition to sue Estrada before the Ombudsman and the Sandiganbayan, the coalition against the US-led war on terror, the two impeachment cases, etc. But indeed, there are no perfect alliances. There remain differences and biases among friends. But to say that the Left was lagging behind or was problematic in forging alliances is going a bit too far. Or was it really the Left’s problem? Or were there alliance partners who were too small and too inconsequential but belonged to the elite and so must be given the spotlight and the bigger voice and recognition? Or are some Filipinos just too infected with a psychotic level of anti-Left biases? I don’t know. What I know is that the Left also has a sense of self-respect as to choose its own friends, and choose which alliances to join or help spearhead.
And what is this creature called dogmatism which Manalo refers to? I am curious about it. I want to stamp it like a disease — but if the word is just carelessly thrown without basis, then that is too sad an occasion.
Had the Left been dogmatic all along, it would have rendered itself irrelevant immediately after Edsa 2. But that is clearly not the case.
Higit pang malilinaw ang mga kontra-Kaliwang pagtingin ni MLQ3 (na btw, ay dati nang naging paksa na ng nakaraang talakayan sa Reds Care) sa kanyang addendum sa kanyang naunang entry (na tinugunan din ni Tonyo), sa isang comment at sa isang entry na may mas detalyadong tugon.
Aniya, ang patunay ng kawalan ng kabuluhan ng Kaliwa, ay ang kanyang pagtingin na tinatanggap ng publiko ang mga pagpaslang sa mga aktibista at mga kasapi ng Kaliwa. Hindi daw nagagalit ang mga tao sa pagpaslang. Marami daw e natutuwa pa. Yan daw ang nababasa nya at naririnig sa mga sabi-sabi.
Maraming pwedeng dahilan kung bakit hindi pa dumadagundong gaya ng nais ni MLQ3 ang protesta laban sa pampulitikang pamamaslang. Pero hindi na tatangkain ng historyador na si MLQ3 na pag-aralan ang iba't ibang mga salik na maaaring nagdudulot nito. Ang pinakakumbinyente para kay MLQ3 ay ang tumungo sa kongklusyon na sadyang publiko'y nasusuklam sa Kaliwa.
Kakatwa na habang tinutuligsa ang umano'y pagiging "dogmatic" ng Kaliwa'y sige naman si MLQ3 sa paggamit ng senatorial election results bilang batayan ng umano'y kawalan ng lakas ng Kaliwa. Kesyo daw mas marami pang botong nakuha si Chavit.
Marami pang pwedeng pag-usapan at usisain sa talakayang ito, at tiyak na lalawig pa ang palitan sa pagsagot ni Tonyo at pagsali ng iba pa. Pero hayaan nyong gawin natin itong unang "Open Thread" sa blog na ito. Sana ipaskil nyo bilang komento sa ibaba ang anumang damdamin tungkol sa usapin.
Many activists and Filipinos are reminiscing their EDSA 2 moments today and most are reminding themselves of how great those days were, how ecstatic, idealistic and determined the people were then, and how, after seven years of suffering under this puppet regime, we badly need that People Power spirit with us again -- one that's even greater than what we had before.
Not a few of the people I have been talking to, in urban poor communities, the working class, and even middle class folks, wish of seeing that glorious day when the rotten and corrupt Arroyo government gets forced to step down from office by hundreds of thousands of people marching in the streets, accompanied perhaps by churchmen and anti-Arroyo military commanders.
There is a reason the nation gets excited when events of large political significance, such as the Manila Peninsula take-over, occur: people are praying for that "moment," for that "spark," hoping the the event would be beginning of the end for the regime. Heck, maybe the stock market stability that day in Makati showed that even the businessmen were not that worried over what's going to happen with their money anymore. That people have really had enough already.
Mass movement not sparks and moments
Many are now starting to understand though that "moments" don't necessarily lead to People Power. Not especially under a government like Arroyo, which is extremely desperate and hell-bent in its efforts clinging to office. Looking back, we might have already had a lot of those "moments" under this regime: scandals, controversies, issues, mass resignation of cabinet officials, military dissent, strong church opposition. But the more decisive of the factors, massive street protests -- hundreds of thousands of people in collective will and action --- still has to be developed.
People Power 2 didn't happen overnight. It wasn't as if the nation just suddenly woke up on the other side of the bed and decided to go to the streets because they believe they are destined to do so. Before the refusal of the Senate to open the second envelope, tens of thousands of people have already participated in massive rallies, vigil protests and student walk-outs against an array of issues: all-out war, VFA, budget cuts in social services, price hikes, government corruption, etc. Various formations and organizations ranging from anti-Estrada to progressive to revolutionary, have emerged and have swelled their ranks, making them capable of leading multitudes in the streets.
"Think big"
How do we, the youth and students in particular, revive mass protests during these times? How do we create that muscle which "powers" people's uprisings, and thus prove ourselves deserving of being referred to as "cutting-edge" and "spearhead" of social movements? How do we create People Power in our schools and communities?
First, we must look back at what happened at EDSA and believe that we can lead historically significant and radical activities. Student leaders and activists at present must learn how to "think big" and plan activities way beyond the pocket rallies and media actions we do several times a month. Successful strikes, nationwide walk-outs, peace camps, gigantic street protests, however complicated they are, all begin with simple ingredients. Among them: a little imagination and a strong determination to win.
In order for the student leaders to capture the imagination of the student population, they must come up with definite programs of action, must comprehend the requirements for the fulfillment of which, while being able to implement particular tasks and attain short term objectives. They must desist from implementing rigid and short-sighted plans, in false hope that constantly repeating the same "standard" tasks, will someday lead to something fruitful. Young activists in schools today must share radical visions and plans of action, and must work hard collectively to reach such. We cannot just wait for uprisings to suddenly happen, instead, we must painstakingly strive to fulfill the requirements of building strong mass-based organizations, highly politicized studentry, broad alliances, and others.
Broad Actions
Students must be mobilized in their tens of thousands in different activities in-campus and off-campus. Mass organizations and progressive alliances must thus realize the need for creative, broad, activities, that will engage not only the relatively advanced sections of the studentry but the population as a whole. While maintaining that the militant actions are the more decisive, they must also utilize broad forms of protest.
In danger of being branded TH (trying hard), the relatively advanced student organizations must also be careful not to artificially conduct "broad" and "creative" forms of protest (which might look broad in character but does not really engage the broad population), but instead develop the initiative of traditional groups and sectors.
Sinong papalit?
Contrary to government and reactionary propaganda, I don't believe that most young people are "tired" of people power and are disillusioned. Most young people who ask "sinong papalit?", ask the question not in a cynical manner. Rather, they are seriously asking for genuine, long-term solutions to our country's crisis -- solutions that progressives must readily articulate and propagate. People are not tired of People Power, rather, they are starting to see the limitations of regime change and are trying to understand the long-term solutions to the problems of our country.
Activists should thus engage more young people in discussions regarding Philippine society in general and the need for revolutionary change. Discussions about the semi-colonial and semi-feudal nature of our society and its basic problems and how to change it, must flourish in the campuses. The people are asking, and this fact requires us to be, more than ever, ready to respond. Analysis and discussions of current issues are well and good, but activists must not stop there, they must be able to deepen theirs and the masses' knowledge of the roots of these issues and basic problems of society.
A step in the right direction
While we stress that what's most important now is our systematic and conscious organizing, propaganda and mass work, activists must also be ready for twists and turns, sudden "moments," historically significant events and turn them to our favor. We must also learn how to adjust when we fail to reach particular objectives. Mass actions might not always be successful in terms of attaining its tactical, immediate target, but if led consciously, will, for sure, always bring fruit for the strengthening of the long-term struggle for change and will always be a step in the right direction.
We can and we must, for our country's sake, work together to develop another People Power uprising. One that's more conscious and organized. One that's ready to defeat the regime's fascism. One that will push the people's movement as well as the entire country forward, and will be a significant stride in the struggle for truly meaningful change.#Continue reading this entry >>
<a href="http://peoplepower2.bloggerskapihan.com" title="Remember People Power 2"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgImF8IrWRrTyRz73XwbDMoRQodZDONcmfwZamfyFkkExWQn5xkhZSii-ngbtgv4_BOHqjJNo7D4eV0bU6WL_cp2XOzmgG8nCBbdVXG3U0G_phFNa-0cIp5PnOwl0iub9ObbDmSJqxRhyw/s1600-h/womanpowerededsa.jpg" alt="Beterano ako ng EDSA2!" border="0" /></a>
Wear the badge, copy and paste this to your site:
<a href="http://peoplepower2.bloggerskapihan.com" title="Remember People Power 2"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh49x2_TVyA58Lqm4dFpwegxbjY6VHCA934HD4oNWVDyyAsIFVT1Age0bc8VvjnHmVBA1M3ZizRbg_hPkVb6qXOQN-liVDSbh8QSrXOuCeOpvJEvPVMPL18H1dqtc6atyoD69GL2aPHEu0/s320/I-POWERED-EDSA2-peple-power.jpg" alt="Beterano ako ng EDSA2!" border="0" /></a>
Now’s the time to blog about Edsa 2, now’s the time to remember.
A few days before the 7th anniversary of Edsa 2, Bloggers Kapihan urges all of us to take time out to remember what we did, how we felt, what we dreamt about when we went to Edsa in 2001.
Photos, videos, essays, poems — anything to remember Edsa 2 is most welcome.
And on Jan. 19, let’s go to Kape Tasyo for BK 3.0 and collectively remember with some very special guests.
TXTPower vice president Crisostomo added that the true sin is in the “imposition of taxes on the poor and similar acts.”
“Ang kapal ng mukha nila sa sabihin sinners ang texters (the nerve of them to brand texters as sinners),” said Crisostomo.
Crisostomo said that “for the texters and the general public, the true sins are lying, stealing, cheating and refusing to perform sworn duties to protect and serve the people -- sins that are the hallmarks of the officials of government, starting with the president.”
Bloggers Kapihan will put up a People Power 2 flashback site next week featuring stories, views and recollections of bloggers and young Filipinos of what happened in EDSA seven years ago.
We are encouraging people to send their contributions. Here are badges your blogs and websites can also wear to support the site.
Copy and paste to your site:
<a href="http://peoplepower2.bloggerskapihan.com" title="Remember People Power 2"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGjZVTAi3UiM8wsx9osxIowPpeabg-EkgWim2aeauwjkScBWGKp51bYwrQ-NmCZHzZ2nDok9jznLm6maT9Tawq3_yQ-LIATPBtbdPWB1MSfhnKBfEi1kgRTClA6AXXgFNzkf8uoLDtND4/s320/beterano.jpg" alt="Beterano ako ng EDSA2!" border="0" /></a>
This one is a transparent png so background isn't necessarily white:
<a href="http://peoplepower2.bloggerskapihan.com" title="Remember People Power 2"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ0lC9Qy3dfo80QizEAM742E5f8OFSw0tUV19u-fj6K43OH3BLEHIK8FaYMG187uzhXIIIXyExI_UERkaU1ieNXO0_7euefCo9sHqwT-JlAZF5gjdqev6e91W7W5vrQp6UoNHptkDGsrI/s320/kasama-sa-edsa.png" alt="Kasama ako sa EDSA2!" border="0" /></a>
<a href="http://peoplepower2.bloggerskapihan.com" title="Remember People Power 2"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW5VTDfJicThvU5GbZqboIddHLWNVFVkwbtzusojP1F_grJYi6YjYrN20C1pdVR7TjRiQKTDx_b750vtywhAPOmDSWPVvNM7WhXao0_-prT7oWOodunn3Pjiho-mrs0P3tRYR8xcCBAyc/s320/kasama-sa-edsa.png" alt="Kasama ako sa EDSA2!" border="0" /></a>
<a href="http://peoplepower2.bloggerskapihan.com" title="Remember People Power 2"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWBciuySbcivyuv6osChPd6aJqGk7zdViIH4eMe6Sn4BzJZYcEKi-YDYO6O7zYsAUd_7hK9CApUGGceJawT-mGGYJiIjV0Eb_eMhNPs5lU9ns9ffUEdnKB4PVQEtDtuQZIu5egkUOTk38/s320/kasama-sa-edsa.jpg" alt="Kasama ako sa EDSA2!" border="0" /></a>
This tells of what's really behind the celebration activities. The UP admin isn't really into celebrating UP as an institution in service of the people, rather, one that's willing to use violence to preserve its colonial orientation. LinkContinue reading this entry >>
As the government's "energy summit" starts today, it is becoming more obvious that the government does not really intend to stop the oil price hikes, but instead insists on pursuing foolish efforts pretending to do so. Worse, it wants to address the oil crisis by intensifying liberalization and deregulation schemes -- the same culprits which drove the oil prices to unreasonably high levels during the past decade.
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