God’s will
I have nothing against Bro. Eddie. In fact, I voted for him during the last election when he ran for President. Together with other fellow born-again Christian, we prayed and cried to God to let His child lead this country. This is the same prayer that almost all born-again Christian around the world concerned about the Philippines is praying. And I am sure, Bro. Eddie together with the people around him have also prayed for wisdom before he filed his Certificate of Candidacy.
As Christians, we ask for wisdom from God on whatever major decision we make all of the time. And that does not spare Bro. Eddie from doing so. We ask God to talk to us… to show us His answer to our prayers through the Holy Spirit – in the form of visions, the Holy Scriptures, through other people, and through the things that happen around us.
When Bro. Eddie was not elected during that election, I was convicted that it was God’s will that he will not be the President of this country. For whatever reason, it is only God who knows why. And I was hoping that God will have this known to Bro. Eddie.
Trust in the Lord
Unfortunately, we Christians are guilty of something. We tend to pray to God to answer us with the answer that we want. We insist to Him that our will is the best choice. Para tayong mga batang paslit na pilit ng pilit sa ating magulang na bilhin ang laruan na gusto natin.
But we know what our Father said… “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not in your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your path straight.” -Proverbs 3:5-6
Save the Philippines
If we insist that the country will be saved from corruption and evil if a leader like Bro. Eddie will be our President – then we are not trusting in the Lord. Perhaps as a Minister, we should be more focused on performing His most important instruction to us – THE GREAT COMMISSION. Save the Philippines by saving more souls. I believe that is the kind of fight that our Christian leaders should choose. If Bro. Eddie becomes the President of the Philippines, this mandate by God to him will not be fulfilled. As the Chief Executive, he will be busy with the kingdom and not busy for the King. Can we suggest that he evangelize all of his opponents in the Presidency?
Was it prophesied?
I have heard from a fellow Christian that it was prophesied by another servant of God who is a foreigner for Bro. Eddie to be the leader of this country. I have no personal account of what was said on that prophesy. But whether it was true or not, leading this country does not only mean you have to be the President. Perhaps, we have misinterpreted what the prophesy really meant? What if it means leading the Filipino country to Christ? And not literally leading the country in the government.
Salt and light
When watching one of the forums on a television involving the different Presidentiables – I noticed one thing about Bro. Eddie. As he talked, I was not able to see in Him the light that a Christian is supposed to be bearing. What I discern is more of an activist running for President – less of a child of God.
I became more worried when on a motorcade on May 1, 2010 which I and my wife volunteered to join at our expense, the caravan passed by a large group of young supporters of Bro. Eddie. They were all in high spirits. I said this crowd is mostly Christians so nothing to worry. Both of us gave them our smile as we show the hand symbol of our candidate. But later on – both me and my wife became worried. Sabi niya wag kang lumapit sa kanila, iiwas mo sa banding gitna ng kalsada. They are becoming verbally aggressive and their actions are short of picking a fight. And sadly, they were judging those on the motorcades (which are all volunteers like us)… “Volunteers kami, hindi bayaran…” They acted almost like the militants in the picket line. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uqx4QJ0ftj4
To my mind I said, these youth were only misguided. But then again, inisip ko. Yes indeed… they were misguided. If they were acting and talking in that manner… it is close to saying that Bro. Eddie is possibly talking in this manner just like the way he answer questions on national television. As a leader, the followers usually emulate their leader’s style. Just as the other candidates are mudslinging on each other, or if a candidate uses positive campaigning. This is not to judge Bro. Eddie- my only point is, he should have led his supporters, whether Christian or not, in a campaign attitude which is Christian-like. As Christians, we must be the salt and light of the community wherever we go… whatever we do.
Again, as I said… I have nothing against Bro. Eddie… Why not let us pray again and ask God… Lord, let your will be done… Help us choose who you want us to be the President of this country?
I respect your opinion, but perhaps you were just not aware of what Gibo has already done, in the perspective of people around him… Not in his own hand-writing.
"iba ibang lugar. Kulay red ang nangingibabaw..."
Gibo was in the DND, not in the Red Cross. That is why what you will see on pictures of Gordon are people on red shirts. Have you seen Gordon wearing a camouflage saluting soldiers an isolated island, at the Air Base or at a remote army/marine battalion? Definitely not because Gordon is not the Defense Secretary. On the other hand, you would not see Gibo either because those pictures are not intentionally sent out to the public to promote himself – but promoting pictures of the AFP organization itself.
"Ondoy"
During Ondoy, Gibo was working as the “head”, not as the hands or the foot. You might have not noticed what NDCC means – National Disaster Coordinating Council. The role of NDCC is to COORDINATE a national approach to disaster. To rally all disaster response resources to address a massive calamity. The immediate reaction at the locality needed by those trapped like Cristine Reyes is the job of the local governments- barangays, cities/municipalities. PLUS the volunteers such as red cross.
But as the head of the Red Cross, I am more happy to see Gordon at the “STRATEGY ROOM” making sure all resources are properly distributed, not at the field doing “PUBLIC DISPLAY”. That’s what differs their approach to Ondoy… What do you think? Sino ang talagang nasa lugar at totoong ginagawa ang trabaho during Ondoy?
This is what happened during Ondoy which the public did not know about Gibo. Unlike Gordon, Villar and Noynoy who made sure they were taken video footages to be seen on ABS-CBN.
"...bakit naantala ang rubber boats at choppers noong panahon ni Ondoy"
So where are the rubber boats and helicopters of the DND? Remember that the mission of the Gibo's rubberboats and helicopters is for military operations... Those rubberboats and choppers were deployed all over the Philippines not to prepare for typhoon such as Ondoy which raised the water level in Marikina, Pasig and Cainta in a short period of thirty minutes due to the heavy volume of water. Ondoy is one-month worth of rain and nobody expects that. That is what meant “Di ko pa po kasi alam ang eksaktong bilang ng mga kakailanganin” if ever that was what Gibo exactly said. Does anybody know? Even Pag-asa was not able to predict it. It was a tragedy only God knows how much water to send to awaken the people. There were few allocated for disaster response.
Nevertheless, the military resources were there... But remember that it was not only Marikina/Pasig which was affected. And those soldiers, rubber boats and choppers were on different locations - especially those not covered with photographers and camera men... The priority are lives which are of the greater risk (but of course not everybody can be saved), not those areas with media men. Pero hindi niyo rin ito napapansin, because the soldiers are wearing fatigue/camouflage uniforms... masyado ka na ring nasanay sa presence ng military sa mga ganitong pagkakataon kaya hindi mo rin sila maalala, at di mo rin maalala si Gibo.
"Gibo and the soldiers are not volunteers"
Think again... Disaster response is not the primary duty of the soldiers... yet many of them lost their lives because they rescue people - BEYOND THE CALL OF DUTY. Isn't that the volunteer you forgot? Gusto mo kilabutan? Read the heroism of "Gibo's" soldiers here: Ondoy’s selfless heroes shine in the face of tragedy
Letter of Thanks from Typhoon Ondoy Survivors
Senate honors “Ondoy heroes”
More Fallen Heroes from Ondoy
‘Ondoy’ leaves 52 dead, 24 missing
And the rubber boats of the Navy/Army/Air Force were not intentionally taken pictures. even the heroism of those soldiers who lost their lives because of Ondoy… Of course hindi niyo i-credit kay Gibo yun kasi trabaho nila yun eh… at hindi naman kini-claim ni Gibo na siya ang boss ng mga yun, alam na natin yun eh.
“kapag may nangyayari, kapag may baha, o kaya may barko lumubog, basta madami pangayayri ng sakuna, andoon si Gordon. Nasanay na nga ako na lagi sya nasa TV pag may nangyayari”
Superferry 9 incident, who were there first? It was the Navy... but we believe that it is just part of their job, where in fact it's that of the Coast Guard... but we didn't bother. Dahil nasanay na tayo... Well, they are in the government - kailangan nilang gawin yun. And so that gives an edge for red cross volunteers? As I said Red Cross and DND are different organizations. So as Gordon and Gibo have different qualifications. So we can not compare the "volunteerism" of Gordon's people and "the acts beyond the call of duty" of Gibo's soldiers.
I used to work in a public relations office, and met one of the Public Relations Officer of Gordon in a meeting with my boss. Gordon has already been cooking the recipe to Presidency even before he ran for Senator. That is why he make sure that there are camera wherever he goes. Everything is documented, however brief or long is the duration of his stay in a disaster area. And making sure that everything Gordon does is literally PUBLISHED everywhere. Those PR Officers are PAID, for a very long period of time already for this ultimate goal. By the way, she was a Filipina already working abroad but IMPORTED here to do the job.
That is the reason why you have almost ignored Gordon already, because of his over-publicity. Gordon compromised the lives of many soldiers in Basilan, because of his immature and intentionally attention-grabbing statements over the ICRC volunteers kidnapping incident. Just to be noticed that he is at the headlines especially that “HIS” self-owned red cross is involved, sinisiraan ang AFP / PNP on their approach to the situation- releasing baseless and immature accusations.
Gibo's Accomplishment?
Gibo instituted reforms in the AFP particularly of proper resource management (Defense Resource Management System-DRMS or Defense System of Management-DSOM). He made sure that the meager resources of the AFP shall be well-managed through a top-down approach. He is “silently” curbing corruption in DND for a very brief two year period in DND. You surely have not heared about it yet, Gibo made into realization a Coast Watch Project of key sea lanes (chokepoints) around the country. This gives more security to the resources of our archipelago. Neither you would hear about Gibo’s accomplishment as a legislator – because unlike other legislators, he did not made funfare of the congress- he never bragged of his accomplishments… but he had many accomplishments as a legislator. Not as an actor… not making himself popular… hindi nagbubuhat ng sariling bangko.
So, Why not Gordon?
Gordon is also my second bet… but between him and Gibo- he is best suited on a tactical operation, on a micro-approach. He suits to a lower level leadership – bastonero… but not the head.
What Gordon lacks compared to Gibo is humility, and the ability to lead his men without humiliating them… GIBO does not only uses positive campaigning… He uses positive reinforcement. With Gordon, there will be more conflict at the cabinet, more conflict in the society… I believe Gibo have the traits to unite the country. Tapusin ang awayan… That is why even his contenders give their respect to him, and chose Gibo as the President if they were not themselves running for the office.
Undeniably, Gordon's reputation precedes himself... Unfortunately, the negative reputation outruns his positive reputation... Because we need a leader whom we will like... We need a statesman for a President... Gordon can't be that man.
Showdown at Subic Bay - Philippines
This video shows what scares people off Gordon... He does not submit even to the Chief Executive of the country... Hindi ako maka-erap. but being the President who issued an order, Dick should have submitted to authorities...
With Gordons arrogance and non-submission, "he misled and turned the people into monsters by fighting against authorities."
Assuming he wins 2010 elections, and loose in 2016- I see Gordon not willing to step-down and call his followers to uprising.
If he is President, I see chaos more than development.
GORDON is leading by example? yes he does have. But I believe, BAD MANNERS is not leading by example. And this what makes him UNACCEPTABLE to most people. Sabi nga ng isang blog na nabasa ko: "I must like my President."