AMONG ED, any one?

"Good people are resented for their virtue. And because they make everyone around them feel even worse about themselves, they need to be taught a lesson "
(DOGVILLE, Lars von Trier)
Have we reached the apex of misery that we hate good people all around us?
Good people are certainly dwindling in these parts for fear of being ostracized or worse, mobbed.
Where have all the good people gone?
Are we short of options that we have nothing but the worse of the worst?

Come to think of it, day after day we are told that this country is going in a dead end. We see and hear some characters that don't deserve our attention and yet the media feast on them. Is the media the only profitable ventures hereabouts? What happened to the old fashioned fabricas along the South and North Expressways? Have you noticed that these job generators have long closed shop and moved outside of this country? Now those abandoned huge industrial lots are being offered as one of those malls pock marking our geography, from the Ilocos to Mindanao? How many were laid off from these establishments? Where are they now? We bet they are reading those broadsheets and tabloids telling us how in bad shape we are. Indeed, misery loves company. But the companies are gone!

(Henry Sy is lionized for his success as the Mall King. But have you ever wondered how many thousands of SM workers are yet to be regularized? Staffing agencies rake it up from the sweat of these floating merchandisers.)

A talk show host was telling us why we gravitate towards the public figures be they in public office or entertainment. Why are they hot stuff? It seems that nothing distinguishes these personalities from each other any more. All of them are par for the course insofar as gossip is concerned. It is not news if a public figure observes the daily routine of a common mortal, that is, outbound for the workplace by 6 am and home by 5 pm.

We expect these politicians and entertainment personalities to engage in sybaritic and out of this world gimmicks until the wee hours of the morning. In fact, nothing surprises us anymore if these public officials are caught dipping their hands in the public coffers. What if suddenly we find ourselves in need of their help? Where do we expect them to get what we want from them in the first place? Besides, there is that unwritten law that these public figures must dish out and distribute their bounties or they face the wrath of the electorate for being stingy or suapang.

There is that former Quezon provincial excutive who corners the jueteng intelligencia all by himself and the SOPs from favoured contractors and yet he was not known for his generosity. Boksingero, ika (a closed fist person or tightwad, as distinguished from a Karatista, a person with open palm indicative of open-handedness). He was known for his absenteeism and sloth and earned the monicker Kunat-be-located. This specie of corrupt public official is one the people hate most, because while he feathers his nest to the max, he neither parlays any part of it nor allows anyone near it.

In other words, we don't want good people to rule the roost. Look at Pampanga's Among Ed, the miracle politician. One Yeng Guiao, a basketball coach who still is incredulous of the victory of Father Ed Panlilio, is daily sabotaging the programs of the new Governor. He has enlisted the assist of the local officials, who are dyed-in-the-wool professional politicians (those who rely in politics for a living), to derail the vision of Among Ed, that the latter's crusade is made in heaven.

Ironically, we want them bad, the worst the better, like GMA or Erap, because if we had the chance, we would be like them as well. If they are good, as one journalist once told us, walang delejencia, ika.

There is one big synergy, as these corrupt public officials feed on corrupt media practitioners. One former governor of Quezon had one apt description of these media practitioners: media-media, a play on half cooked condiment or a person masquerading as journalist totally bereft of principle out to make a fast buck.

Have you noticed the swashbuckling members of one well-known family all in one line of investigative journalism or so they thought? They practically cornered this type of television reporting that no one accuses them of cornering the market. They are all over the TV network except CNN, BBC and FoxNews. Once you get a peek at their obnoxious visages and grating falsetto voices, you can switch channels. And they act as if they are God's gifts to Philippine journalism. Aren't they guilty of some kind of restraint of trade? Patay kang bata ka pag nakursunadahan ka ng pamilyang ito. One of them was even accused by one elected official of being in the payroll of their agency when he was its chief for P250, 000.00 a month in exchange of silence or praises, as the case may be. When the payola was withdrawn, incredible thunderbolts were unleashed towards the official's direction. Is there no group in the Kapisanan ng mga Broads that investigates unusual lifestyles of their members? This family, for starters, drive around in a convoy of expensive SUVs. When they hit you, this family throws in the wind the rules in human relations and engages in unbelievable abuse of right trampling on the target's right to dignity, peace of mind, privacy, and personality all in the name of press freedom! ‘Lang ‘ya! Even some members of the judiciary are wary of this pack.

Going back to good people on the way to extinction, please come forward and be recognized. Perish the cynicism from your mind.

We don't believe that we are really going to the dogs. You good people out there don't exist only in the books of JK Rowling or John Grisham. You are flesh and bones worried sick on the fate of this nation. Please come forward and let us together pull out this country from the road to perdition.

Just found this piece in my email courtesy of Atty. Arsenio Lim, Jr., as hot as a hot pandesal yet (mainit-init pa!):

A One-Dollar Moral Crusade Against
Graft and Corruption

Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS*
Chairman, Filipino United Network (USA)

How would you like to launch a historical fight against graft and corruption in the Philippines and "buy" back morality in our government --- all for just One Dollar?

You and I have always abhorred the corruption among our government officials in the Philippines, from top to bottom, and deplored the sad state of our country, where more than 70% of our people wallow in massive poverty. While the issue is a complex one, the most obvious etiology of this shameful malady is the overwhelming graft and corruption among our amoral and decadent government leaders.

Would you be willing to invest a dollar --- yes, one single US dollar --- in the fight against graft and corruption in the Philippines?

Our inspiration in this battle is a man of God, the Reverend Father "Among Ed" Panlilio, the newly elected "Miracle" Governor of Pampanga, a man of dignity and integrity.

What happened in that province is amazingly unbelievable. A humble priest, without political experience, without a bank account, without a political machinery, beating two "unbeatable" seasoned, well-funded, and powerful political giants. "Impossible," said the political gurus when "Among Ed" first started his crusade. But the Greater Power above obviously had a grander plan for "Among Ed," and proved the pundits wrong. Suddenly, there was hope for the Philippines.

Armed with his unblemished character, moral ascendancy, love of country, and a strong commitment to honesty and transparency in government, "Among Ed" handily won the election, in spite of widespread vote-buying and rampant cheating. It was evident that a visionary leader with integrity can truly inspire and bring out the best in the Filipino.

The billions of "missing" revenues from the Lahar collection in the past, which Governor Panlilio has exposed since he assumed office June 30, 2007, is only the tip of the iceberg of the invasive cancer of graft and corruption afflicting every level of government in the entire country.

Unfortunately, an honest man makes some people uncomfortable, so there is now a move to eliminate "Among Ed, or oust him thru a Recall, Recount, or, as rumored (hopefully not true), by "Requiem."

One can easily imagine what a man of God, of honesty and decency, of principle and genuine love of country, can do when elected President of the Philippines. A dream, yes. A tall order, definitely. An impossible task? No, not with the Divine Providence, with YOU, and people power on his side!

Governor Panlilio has adopted Gawad Kalinga as the pillar of his vision for Pampanga and the nation. His crusade is gaining speed and momentum, and like Tony Meloto's GK, it will soon be unstoppable. Two giant national religious groups, and many other segments of society, are now supporting "Among Ed." Filipinos around the world are rejoicing and rallying behind him. And we want you to be a part of this historical transformation.

Come and fly high with Governor Panlilio in this moral crusade, to get rid of gutter politicians and immoral officials. Our country and our neglected poor need heroes like you in our battle for morality in government, for justice and dignity for our people. This is, indeed, a revolution. Not a revolution of arms where blood will be shed, but a revolution of ideals and of principle, where dreams and vision, sweat and tears shall bathe the nation clean.

All this crusade needs is your personal commitment and moral support, an investment for the future of the Philippines. Let's not miss this opportunity. Let's use our power to help change our country for the better. The Reverend "Among Ed" Panlilio is heaven-sent and is the hope for our ailing nation.

The Filipino United Network Drive (FUND) for HOPE is a commitment of overseas Filipinos to rally behind the crusade against graft and corruption in the Philippines. We invite you to be a patriot and join us in this historical revolution.

Please make your donation payable to: FUND FOR HOPE, and mail it to: 1830 Mirmar Road, Munster, Indiana, 46321, USA, or, any peso contribution to Buenaventura Condominium, 62 E. Osmena St., Guadalupe, Cebu City, 6000, Philippines.

For your convenience, whichever country you are in, including those in the Philippines, you may also donate thru PayPal with your credit card, a globally accepted and very secure entity owned by eBay. (Please visit www.filipinoUNITEDnetwork.com and click on the orange DONATE button similar to the one below. All donors and amount will be published on this website. No amount is too small or too large for this vital revolution. We are all together in this moral crusade.

More than the dollar, your commitment and support are what we need. Kindly include your full name and email address for our Historical Archive. Be a patriot. This will be the best dollar/peso investment you'll ever make, and help in nation building. Please do visit the FUN website at www.filipinoUNITEDnetwork.com

Each token dollar or peso "invested" symbolizes one Filipino patriot who is coming to the aid of our country, and is committed to support this moral crusade for a better Philippines. More important than the dollar is your commitment and dedication.

The funds we receive will be sent to Kapampangan Marangal, Inc. (KMI), a benevolent group supporting this moral crusade in the Philippines. They will be used to purchase media time and space (local and national newspaper, radio, TV), for printing of flyers, posters, newsletters, brochures, etc. needed in the crusade against graft and corruption, and in fighting the Recall plotted against Governor Panlilio by his political opponents. The Filipino United Network (FUN) is also donating part of the fund for the purchase of computers for public high schools, with programs to educate the students about good citizenship, honesty and transparency in governance, vigilance, voting obligations, self-reliance, industry, and other proactive and progressive disciplines.

Join this revolution, help our country and our people, and leave a proud and lasting legacy for our children and the future generations to cherish with honor and dignity.