baratillo @ cubao : www.baratillo.net

I. ABS-CBN legal tactics and settlement with the victims of wowowee

Several weeks ago (after a time of mourning I suppose) ABS-CBN aired a reformatted Wowowee. After that, their lawyers went to work to tidy up the remaining mess - their lawyers questioned the impartiality of the Department of Justice and offered out-of-court settlements for the victim of the stampede. I am not surprised that happened, despite all pronouncements from the station in the end it had to survive. They are doing what any company or group of people would given similar circumstances. Are what they doing sound legal stratagems? An equivocal yes. However, does it hold up to the same scrutiny they often subject other people, group or even corporation do in the same circumstances?

II. Winnie Monsod’s criticism of cha-cha

See the following blog entries:

Winnie Monsod’s Brazen Lies & Karma

Manolo Quezon

Newstand’s Solita No More Post

San Juan Gossip Mills Outlet

Torn and Frayed

The Bystander

Philippine Commentary: Throw Mareng Winnie Off the Cha cha Train

It would seem that a number of people seem to have been taken by the view of Monsod versus the Cha Cha train. Some think it is a change of heart; a signal that she maybe joining the other side of the political fence. Still others think that the change has come too late in the day. Does Monsod’s latest opinion piece tantamount to a retraction of all her past opinion pieces? I do not think so. If anything, it seems to signify an independence of spirit and the drive to say things as she sees fits. You might disagree with her opinion or you might agree with it or you might even envelope it around yourself and say that she is saying what she said is similar to what you believe. In the end though it is not the opinion of any group of people (and she (or any writer) ever said it was), nor is it the party line of any group, it is just her opinion.

It has also been said that writers like Winnie Monsod, Bong Austero, Alex Magno, Connie Veneracion and other writer who do no follow the anti-Arroyo line of assembled hosts of the Anti-Arroyo League have also been labeled as apologists, fellow travelers, useful fools and sycophants for the GMA administration. What their detractors fail to remember or remind themselves that such accusations fall on a two-way street. One man’s apologist is another man’s voice of the people.

Labeling is a poor substitute for debunking points or counterpoints. Unfortunately, you can find it on all sides of the political fence.

III. Cha-cha/People

I am not at all surprised at the speed the cha cha train is moving. Given that the initiative is being orchestrated and supported by people determined to change the form of government. But is it really a people’s initiative? Does it really represent the true sentiment of the people?

I think the People’s Initiative and the Anti-Arroyo rallies/activities are cut from the same cloth. Both claim being the voice and clamor of the people. Supporters and volunteers of each endeavor receive support from respective sides. Both initiatives have philosophers and pundits supporting their cause. And both sides claim they are doing this to save the country. The only difference between the two groups is that the People Initiative group seems to be more organised and well managed whereas the opposition is a loose coalition and not well organised. Furthermore, it would seem that the People Initiative group is well financed.

In the end who will win? Usually, a better organised, well financed and unified group will win. Then again history is full of surprises, maybe something will happen, but then again it may not.