If you love the Philippines…
Tuesday, May 8th, 2007…vote wisely.
Dear Fellow Filipino,
Good day to all of you! Before I
begin my letter… just a disclaimer, for people who know me they know that I
love the Philippines very much and I am not really one who rants and complaints
to high heavens about what is happening to our country and does nothing about
it, in fact, I feel that at my relatively young age of 27, I have done much
service to the Philippines by setting up Pathways to Higher Education which has
sent more than 500 poor but deserving students to college and AHON Foundation
which has already built two public elementary school libraries that have
benefitted more than 3,500 students. Yet, after seeing how events in our nation
have transpired the past few weeks and talking with some friends, I feel the
urge to share with you my own thoughts and feelings.
Over the weekend, we saw the
completion of two major political alliances for this coming Senate Elections
that has just began here in the Philippines.
Now we have two political forces with familiar faces nonetheless on opposite
sides of the fences. On one end, you have Tito Sotto and Tessie Aquino-Oreta
who were two major stalwarts of the opposition and the FPJ Campaign in 2004
hobnobbing with the woman (Pres. GMA) whom they claimed to have cheated FPJ in
the last Presidential Elections. On the other side of the fence, you see Manny
Villar, the former house speaker who was actually responsible for impeaching
Erap now part of the United Opposition who is led by no less than… Erap
himself. Now if you don’t see anything wrong with this picture then you must be
one of the many Filipinos who have accepted this very sad reality that there is
indeed no permanent ideals that our government leaders stand up for but rather
they just go where there self-interests can best be served. It is this kind of
politics why I no longer wonder why good people like Ramon Magsaysay award
recipients Mayor Jesse Robredo of Naga City or outstanding Bulacan Governor
Josie Dela Cruz will find it hard or worse, never be elected to national
positions.\u003c/font\>\u003cspan lang\u003d\”EN-CA\”\>\u003c/span\>\u003c/p\>\n\n\u003cp style\u003d\”text-align:justify;line-height:14.65pt\”\>\u003cfont size\u003d\”4\” color\u003d\”navy\” face\u003d\”Times New Roman\”\>\u003cspan lang\u003d\”EN-CA\” style\u003d\”font-size:13.5pt;color:navy\”\>It is with these in mind that I'd\nlike to share with you what are events this coming May elections that will make\nme consider leaving the Philippines:\n\u003c/span\>\u003c/font\>\u003cspan lang\u003d\”EN-CA\”\>\u003c/span\>\u003c/p\>\n\n\u003cp style\u003d\”text-align:justify;line-height:14.65pt\”\>\u003cfont size\u003d\”4\” color\u003d\”navy\” face\u003d\”Times New Roman\”\>\u003cspan lang\u003d\”EN-CA\” style\u003d\”font-size:13.5pt;color:navy\”\>1.) If former COMELEC Commissioner\nVirgilio Garcillano of Hello Garci fame wins in his bid to become Congressman\nof Bukidnon … seeking to replace a good man no less in incumbent Cong. Neric\nAcosta… We would really be the laughing stock of the whole world if we allow\na man with the reputation of Garci to be one of our so called "Honorable\nGentlemen".\u003c/span\>\u003c/font\>\u003cspan lang\u003d\”EN-CA\”\>\u003c/span\>\u003c/p\>\n\n\u003cp style\u003d\”text-align:justify;line-height:14.65pt\”\>\u003cfont size\u003d\”4\” color\u003d\”navy\” face\u003d\”Times New Roman\”\>\u003cspan lang\u003d\”EN-CA\” style\u003d\”font-size:13.5pt;color:navy\”\>2.) If Dancing Queen Tessie Aquino\nOreta reclaims her seat at the Senate… I hope that all of us would still\nremember that dance that she did during the 2001 impeachment hearings after\nthey voted to overrule the decision of then Chief Justice Davide… let us make\nsure that people like her never make it to the Senate again.\u003c/span\>\u003c/font\>\u003cspan lang\u003d\”EN-CA\”\>\u003c/span\>\u003c/p\>\n\n\u003cp style\u003d\”text-align:justify;line-height:14.65pt\”\>\u003cfont size\u003d\”4\” color\u003d\”navy\” face\u003d\”Times New Roman\”\>\u003cspan lang\u003d\”EN-CA\” style\u003d\”font-size:13.5pt;color:navy\”\>3.) If Richard Gomez becomes a\nsenator… what does he know about making laws? We already have the likes of\nBong Revilla and Lito Lapid in the Senate and their performance or lack of it\nwould be reason enough not to elect another actor who has no prior experience\nin government to the distinguished halls of the Senate.\u003c/span\>\u003c/font\>\u003cspan lang\u003d\”EN-CA\”\>\u003c/span\>\u003c/p\>\n\n\u003cp style\u003d\”text-align:justify;line-height:14.65pt\”\>”,1]
);
//–>
It is with these in mind that I’d
like to share with you what are events this coming May elections that will make
me consider leaving the Philippines:
1.) If former COMELEC Commissioner
Virgilio Garcillano of Hello Garci fame wins in his bid to become Congressman
of Bukidnon … seeking to replace a good man no less in incumbent Cong. Neric
Acosta… We would really be the laughing stock of the whole world if we allow
a man with the reputation of Garci to be one of our so called "Honorable
Gentlemen".
2.) If Dancing Queen Tessie Aquino
Oreta reclaims her seat at the Senate… I hope that all of us would still
remember that dance that she did during the 2001 impeachment hearings after
they voted to overrule the decision of then Chief Justice Davide… let us make
sure that people like her never make it to the Senate again.
3.) If Richard Gomez becomes a
senator… what does he know about making laws? We already have the likes of
Bong Revilla and Lito Lapid in the Senate and their performance or lack of it
would be reason enough not to elect another actor who has no prior experience
in government to the distinguished halls of the Senate.
\u003cspan lang\u003d\”EN-CA\” style\u003d\”font-size:13.5pt;color:navy\”\>4.) If Gringo Honasan wins again….\nhave we not learned our lesson? I cannot believe that just because someone is\ncharismatic then we will just elect him to become one of our senators despite\nthe fact that he has time and again caused so much instability in our\ncountry… if we want a military junta similar to that of Thailand …\nthen lets all vote for this guy….\u003c/span\>\u003c/font\>\u003cspan lang\u003d\”EN-CA\”\>\u003c/span\>\u003c/p\>\n\n\u003cp style\u003d\”text-align:justify;line-height:14.65pt\”\>\u003cfont size\u003d\”4\” color\u003d\”navy\” face\u003d\”Times New Roman\”\>\u003cspan lang\u003d\”EN-CA\” style\u003d\”font-size:13.5pt;color:navy\”\>5.) If Manny Pacquiao becomes\nCongressman of General Santos City…everybody loves Manny the Boxing Champ but\nManny the Lawmaker? Lets be realistic here, Manny is our Hero alright but I\nthink it takes more than just great boxing skills and a desire to serve to be\nable to make appropriate laws that would help uplift the lives of the many\nFilipinos who live in Poverty.\u003c/span\>\u003c/font\>\u003cspan lang\u003d\”EN-CA\”\>\u003c/span\>\u003c/p\>\n\n\u003cp style\u003d\”text-align:justify;line-height:14.65pt\”\>\u003cfont size\u003d\”4\” color\u003d\”navy\” face\u003d\”Times New Roman\”\>\u003cspan lang\u003d\”EN-CA\” style\u003d\”font-size:13.5pt;color:navy\”\>6.) If Lito Lapid wins for Mayor of\nMakati City… I don't like Jojo Binay as well but Lito Lapid as city mayor of\nthe country's finance and business center?!?! And do you really think he is\nfrom Makati and\nhas good plans for the city? The Arroyos asking someone like him to run just\ngoes to show you how much love and concern this government has for our country.\u003c/span\>\u003c/font\>\u003cspan lang\u003d\”EN-CA\”\>\u003c/span\>\u003c/p\>\n\n\u003cp style\u003d\”text-align:justify;line-height:14.65pt\”\>\u003cfont size\u003d\”4\” color\u003d\”navy\” face\u003d\”Times New Roman\”\>\u003cspan lang\u003d\”EN-CA\” style\u003d\”font-size:13.5pt;color:navy\”\>7.) If Chavit Singson becomes a\nSenator, Illegal Gambling \u003d Chavit…enough said.\u003c/span\>\u003c/font\>\u003cspan lang\u003d\”EN-CA\”\>\u003c/span\>\u003c/p\>\n\n\u003cp style\u003d\”text-align:justify;line-height:14.65pt\”\>\u003cfont size\u003d\”4\” color\u003d\”navy\” face\u003d\”Times New Roman\”\>”,1]
);
//–>4.) If Gringo Honasan wins again….
have we not learned our lesson? I cannot believe that just because someone is
charismatic then we will just elect him to become one of our senators despite
the fact that he has time and again caused so much instability in our
country… if we want a military junta similar to that of Thailand …
then lets all vote for this guy….
5.) If Manny Pacquiao becomes
Congressman of General Santos City…everybody loves Manny the Boxing Champ but
Manny the Lawmaker? (Note from me, Ruby: you might also wanna read my blog "Pacquiao is a Schmuck" at http://rubycube.multiply.com) Lets be realistic here, Manny is our Hero alright but I
think it takes more than just great boxing skills and a desire to serve to be
able to make appropriate laws that would help uplift the lives of the many
Filipinos who live in Poverty.
6.) If Lito Lapid wins for Mayor of
Makati City… I don’t like Jojo Binay as well but Lito Lapid as city mayor of
the country’s finance and business center?!?! And do you really think he is
from Makati and
has good plans for the city? The Arroyos asking someone like him to run just
goes to show you how much love and concern this government has for our country.
7.) If Chavit Singson becomes a
Senator, Illegal Gambling = Chavit…enough said.
Now if all of these 7 things happen\nduring this coming elections then don't be surprised if many Filipinos decide\nto leave this country that we love dearly. \u003c/span\>\u003c/font\>\u003cspan lang\u003d\”EN-CA\”\>\u003c/span\>\u003c/p\>\n\n\u003cp style\u003d\”text-align:justify;line-height:14.65pt\”\>\u003cfont size\u003d\”4\” color\u003d\”navy\” face\u003d\”Times New Roman\”\>\u003cspan lang\u003d\”EN-CA\” style\u003d\”font-size:13.5pt;color:navy\”\>Like I said during the first part of my letter, I feel that I have\ndone much for this country but I think its time that Filipinos become more\nvigilant and critical in selecting our leaders for the sake of our future and the\ngenerations that will go beyond us. So I appeal to every Filipino who asks what\ncan I actually do for my country… Choose and vote for the right people this\ncoming elections, huwag na tayong magpaloko sa mga kandidatong maganda lang ang\njingle o gwapo lang sa mga poster. Let us choose leaders who have a good track\nrecord for service and who are genuinely committed towards serving our country.\u003c/span\>\u003c/font\>\u003cspan lang\u003d\”EN-CA\”\>\u003c/span\>\u003c/p\>\n\n\u003cp style\u003d\”text-align:justify;line-height:14.65pt\”\>\u003cfont size\u003d\”4\” color\u003d\”navy\” face\u003d\”Times New Roman\”\>\u003cspan lang\u003d\”EN-CA\” style\u003d\”font-size:13.5pt;color:navy\”\>Manindigan naman tayong lahat para sa ating Kinabukasan at para sa\nKapakanan ng ating Bayan!\u003c/span\>\u003c/font\>\u003cspan lang\u003d\”EN-CA\”\>\u003c/span\>\u003c/p\>\n\n\u003cp style\u003d\”text-align:justify;line-height:14.65pt\”\>\u003cfont size\u003d\”4\” color\u003d\”navy\” face\u003d\”Times New Roman\”\>\u003cspan lang\u003d\”EN-CA\” style\u003d\”font-size:13.5pt;color:navy\”\>Thank you very much for your time in reading this letter.\u003c/span\>\u003c/font\>\u003cspan lang\u003d\”EN-CA\”\>\u003c/span\>\u003c/p\>\n\n\u003cp style\u003d\”text-align:justify;line-height:14.65pt\”\>\u003cfont size\u003d\”4\” color\u003d\”navy\” face\u003d\”Times New Roman\”\>\u003cspan lang\u003d\”EN-CA\” style\u003d\”font-size:13.5pt;color:navy\”\>Sincerely,\u003cbr\>\n\u003cbr\>\nHarvey S. Keh\u003c/span\>\u003c/font\>\u003cspan lang\u003d\”EN-CA\”\>\u003c/span\>\u003c/p\>\n\n\u003cp style\u003d\”text-align:justify;line-height:14.65pt\”\>\u003cfont size\u003d\”4\” color\u003d\”navy\” face\u003d\”Times New Roman\”\>\u003cspan lang\u003d\”EN-CA\” style\u003d\”font-size:13.5pt;color:navy\”\>Email: \u003ca href\u003d\”http://by132fd.bay132.hotmail.msn.com/cgi-bin/compose?mailto\u003d1&msg\u003dD406278B-2233-479E-8B19-C8072CB2DF31&start\u003d0&len\u003d25745&src\u003d&type\u003dx&to\u003dharveykeh@gmail.com&cc\u003d&bcc\u003d&subject\u003d&body\u003d&curmbox\u003d00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000001&a\u003d22adcaf1b86cd719242c4ec73e111fef5588a587fc77ed91b74f6c260caddbaa\” title\u003d\”http://by132fd.bay132.hotmail.msn.com/cgi-bin/compose?mailto\u003d1&msg\u003dD406278B-2233-479E-8B19-C8072CB2DF31&start\u003d0&len\u003d25745&src\u003d&type\u003dx&to\u003dharveykeh@gmail.com&cc\u003d&bcc\u003d&subject\u003d&body\u003d&curmbox\u003d00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000001&a\u003d22adcaf1b86cd719242c4ec73e1\” target\u003d\”_blank\” onclick\u003d\”return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)\”\>”,1]
);
//–>Now if all of these 7 things happen
during this coming elections then don’t be surprised if many Filipinos decide
to leave this country that we love dearly.
Like I said during the first part of my letter, I feel that I have
done much for this country but I think its time that Filipinos become more
vigilant and critical in selecting our leaders for the sake of our future and the
generations that will go beyond us. So I appeal to every Filipino who asks what
can I actually do for my country… Choose and vote for the right people this
coming elections, huwag na tayong magpaloko sa mga kandidatong maganda lang ang
jingle o gwapo lang sa mga poster. Let us choose leaders who have a good track
record for service and who are genuinely committed towards serving our country.
Manindigan naman tayong lahat para sa ating Kinabukasan at para sa
Kapakanan ng ating Bayan!
Thank you very much for your time in reading this letter.
Sincerely,
Harvey S. Keh
//–>harveykeh@gmail.com
KAILANGANG MABASA ITO NG 80 MILLIONG PILIPINO !!! IPASA NYO
NG IPASA!!!
Harvey Keh was my colleague from our Sanggunian days in Ateneo.
