On Occasion

It doesn't take much to get Filipinos into a festive mindset especially at this time of the year. Christmas of course is a "major, major" celebration here, second only to Good Friday, and holiday ornaments and merchandise have been out on  the shelves for a couple weeks now. BTW I'm going to try be less of a curmudgeon about Christmas.   After all, I rather enjoy the special dishes that are cooked during the season along with the displays of artistic decorations, some of which are really beautiful.  Did I mention the special dishes?

Year by year it seems that Halloween, complete with pumpkin style decorations and trick-or-treat for the kids,  is becoming more popular in the Philippines possibly because of its "spirit world" theme and proximity to All Saints Day.  The latter is observed on Nov. 1 and is is a legacy of the country's Spanish and Chinese heritages. On this holiday, families flock to cemeteries in remembrance of their  deceased family members. But this is not a solemn occasion and is marked by such recreational events at the grave sites as picnicking and card playing.   For a more detailed description of this holiday and of All Souls Day which falls on Nov. 2 , please click here .

Then there was a really bizarre celebration here in Eastwood City the other day.   The local McDonald's which  was closed a few months ago for renovations reopened Saturday morning at  12a.m.  That's  right—midnight.   This was accompanied by a fireworks display and later in the day a marching band.  I suppose the hour was chosen in honor of the mainstay of Mc Do's business in this locale: the 18,000 call center agents who work in Eastwood, many of them on the graveyard shift.  But my wife and I had no inkling that the reopening  would be scheduled at that time.  So when we were awakened by the thundering pyrotechnics    (just across the street), we didn't know what the hell was going on.

Another festival that has crept into culture recently at this time of the year at least at malls and restaurants is Oktoberfest. Beer of course is  popular both in the Philippines and Germany, so naturally  a major player in popularizing this event here is San Miguel Beer which sponsored several gatherings last month for this occasion throughout Metro-Manila.  Eastwood City is also holding week-end Oktoberfest beer and sausage specials this month.  

My wife Lydia and I are stay-at-home types.  Still it's nice to know that if we want to join in any of the night life amidst all these fiestas, there are many venues from which to select just a short walk from our door.  But when it comes to fast food,  I think that I'll skip McDonald's. All the redecorating and fireworks in the world won't change the fact that the food is still the same fare as before.  In other words  those new coats of paint are, as the saying goes here,  just putting a new collar on an old dog.

Never on Wednesday and Other Disaster Preparedness Plans

Sept. 26 marked the one year anniversary of Ondoy, the flood that wreaked havoc throughout Metro-Manila (see my Sept 28, 2009 post "Storm Signals").  There is much that still needs to be done to prevent a recurrence of the damage that would recur if a similar storm to were to strike again. Yet it's heartening to see that steps have already been taken in that direction including a campaign to reduce estuary-clogging  litter.

One of the most problematic forms of such refuse is the ubiquitous non-biodegradable plastic bag.  When improperly discarded it becomes an environmental menace, especially in blocking water drainage.   In order to encourage responsible use of these containers, several mall and supermarket chains  throughout the Philippines have teamed up with the DENR (Department of Environmental and Natural Resources).  They have declared Wednesdays as "Reusable Bag Day" and will charge shoppers a fee for these bags on those days beginning this week.  The purpose is to encourage consumers to be less wasteful by furnishing and reusing their own bags  while shopping. (Just think, what did we do both here and in the U.S. before plastic bags were invented?  Somehow we survived to tell the tale.)

Another favorable sign in the ongoing struggle to clean up Metro-Manila and at the same time reduce the risk of flooding  is the planned crackdown by the MMDA (Metropolitan Manila Development Authority) via renewed implementation of the anti-littering law, which has been on the books since 1996s but has not been enforced since 2003.  I really hope that something good comes of this ordinance,  However, given the cultural barriers against success, such as  indifference by Filipinos toward public sanitation, the practice of bribery by businesses and individuals towards officials and enforcers, and the national trait of ningas cogon  (initial enthusiasm followed by a quick wane of interest), I'm skeptical that this particular project will make much headway over the long haul.  But it's worth a shot.

On a larger scale, the Philippine government has taken such measures as upgrading the national meteorological  service PAGASA (Philippine Atmosphere Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration.  BTW Pag-asa is also the Tagalog term for "hope") to enable that department to issue hourly updates about storm and water level conditions. Previously that information was available only every 6 hours. In addition there has been  disaster preparedness training in various communities and supposedly overall better preparedness if the worst happens.

These are just a few steps in the right direction. Whether they will make a meaningful  impact can't be known of course until a disaster actually strikes. However, much of the damage to Metro-Manila from typhoon Basyang in July for example was the result of an unexpected swerve that the storm took, which the weather service using the old six-hour report schedule was unprepared to announce.  With their newly improved meteorological equipment, is there certainty that the authorities will be warned in a more timely manner next time in order to take proper precautions? And will they react accordingly?  We can't say for sure, but at least there's room for pag-asa.

The Official Hostage Taking Story: It Just Keeps Getting Weirder

I have refrained from commenting about Aug. 23 hostage tragedy because so much has been said about it already that I wasn't sure what more I could add.  But as recent developments have come to light, I've decided to put in my two cents.

According to the Sept. 8 edition of the "Philippine Daily Inquirer", a respected local newspaper, witnesses said that the hostage taker, Rolando Mendoza,  arrived by car at 9:30 at the point where, according to the bus driver and a passenger, he commandeered the bus 15 minutes later. However —and here's the bizarre part— the SWAT team was alerted at 9:07 a.m and was deployed at 9:15.  This was of course long before the perpetrator seized the bus or even showed up at spot where he hijacked the vehicle. In other words, as the PDI said, the police were "tipped off" ahead of the event.

The attorney representing the SWAT team claims that this sequence time line  was erroneously reported as the result of an honest mistake and will be corrected, but the police stand by the original time that they were first notified of the event.  If that's the case,  it means at least one other person was in on the crime and for whatever reason dropped the dime on Mendoza.  Yet this wrinkle only surfaced today in the course of a hearing held by the committee investigating the takeover.

Now here's something else that's not clear to me, and I've not yet seen this point mentioned elsewhere:  Had Mendoza already targeted the particular tour bus that he hijacked?  If so, how did he know that the bus was going to be at the place, Fort Santiago, where he seized it?  Inasmuch as this vehicle was a tour bus and not a public utility transport, it didn't follow a schedule. Alternatively, perhaps it's a popular spot for tour buses and Mendoza was aware of that and instead happened to pick this one at random?

Also, when the PDI said Mendoza alighted from his car at the hijack location, it didn't say from which side, the passenger or driver's seat.  If the former, then does this mean that someone drove him to there?  If so, whoever that person was had to know what Mendoza was up to as he was already decked out in fatigues and carrying a rifle.  And if there was another person in the car, a likely suspect is his brother who later made a scene and was taken away by police at the location where the bus finally wound up at the Quirino Grandstand in Rizal Park.  When Mendoza saw his brother being dragged away, this supposedly set him off into the shooting frenzy that left eight passengers dead plus Mendoza.himself who was shot supposedly by police when they stormed the bus.

What apparently drove Mendoza to carry out the hijacking was hopelessness over his allegedly wrongful employment termination, attendant loss of retirement benefits, and subsequent denial of due process regarding his appeal of the dismissal. Perhaps out of desperation he figured that taking hostages was the only way that he could get the authorities to listen to him.  I certainly can't condone Mendoza's actions.   Yet I do understand how a perceived injustice that has cost a person his livelihood and reputation can cause him to become unhinged and lash out irrationally.

The possibility that Mendoza originally had a companion with him, the time line discrepancy , the unprofessional manner in which the police assaulted the bus to free the hostages, and the conditions under which Mendoza lost his job are just a few of the matters that I hope will be covered in the the panel's report which is due for release later this month.  IMO,  the information that's been made available thus far contains too many  anomalies. May truth not wind up as the ninth victim.

Breakfast Blues

Eastwood City where my wife and I reside continues to be a vibrant blend of condominiums, businesses, shopping and entertainment.  As a long awaited additional tourist attracton to this mixed use community, a  high-rise hotel, the Eastwood Richmonde,  is scheduled to start  its guest operations in September.  The hotel restaurant, The Eastwood Cafe, is already open and starts serving at  6:00 a.m daily.

We were looking forward to this option as there were previously no upscale restaurants in Eastwood that open before lunch.  We are early risers, and we fancied that we might enjoy an excellent hotel breakfast experience similar to what  we enjoyed many years ago when we stayed at what was then the Century Park Sheraton (now the Century Park Hotel) in the Malate District of Metro-Manila.

So last week we decided to treat ourselves and walked over to the Eastwood Cafe shortly after they opened for the day.  We  were the first ones there and figured that being the case, getting decent service would be a slam-dunk.  We placed our order and waited to be served... and waited...and waited. When we finally asked what the holdup was, it turned out that either the kitchen forgot to tell the server that our food was ready, or the server forgot to pick it up.  It doesn't matter who dropped the ball, because when our breakfast finally arrived (minus the coffee that I had asked for!) both meals were cold.  Further,  my order, french toast,  was undercooked. So we sent the whole thing back to be reheated (and in my case, replaced--which it wasn't.)

By the time that everything was finally ready, my wife and I were both out of sorts over the long delay and really couldn't enjoy the food.  And because this was a hotel dining room, of course the bill of fare was higher than it would have been in a comparable stand-alone establishment.   When we complained about our experience to the hostess, she just smiled and said that they would try to do better "next time", without so much as offering the courtesy of, say, comping a portion of the check.  I also completed and turned in the customer survey card that came with the tab, leaving my phone and email address to see if we would get a reply. Not surprisingly, that didn't happen.  Next time? Yeah, right.

From now on, if we want to go out for breakfast,  we may as well go to  the local  Jollibee or McDonald's.   At least at those places we won't have to worry about paying for more than the food or the service is worth.

Oh, BTW, I don't know why there's no longer a Sheraton in Manila, but if the Eastwood Richmonde manages guest lodging the way it does its food service, this hotel may also not have much of a future.

Welcome To The Jungle

Although the Philippines is certainly not lacking for laws to protect employees from abusive working conditions, they are not usually not enforced. According to the announcement "DOLE to inspect, correct firms violating minimum wage, other labor standards",  a government study showed that over half  the businesses inspected by the Philippines Department of Labor and Employment were in violation of national  labor standards.

From my observation the burden of worker exploitation falls most heavily on blue collar and manual laborers (surprise, surprise). These workers often have to put up with job conditions that would befit the pyramid slaves in ancient Egypt.  I have seen such counter-productive and inhumane practices as delivery people carrying loads on their backs instead of being provided with  inexpensive hand trucks.  Tree-trimmers are often forced to climb trees to cut branches instead of being furnished with pruners or even ladders. Instead of being run by electric motors, cables holding scaffolds carrying high rise building window washers are often manually operated by workers on the ground who pull and release the ropes to raise and lower the platform.  Construction workers usually work without hard hats and sturdy shoes (despite being admonished to do so by signs posted at building sites).  Employees  who are exposed to fumes, dust and particulates, use handkerchiefs instead of filtration masks, that is if they use any protection at all.

As is the case with many countries, the excuse that the Philippines is an underdeveloped / third world / developing (take your pick of adjectives) nation falls flat.  While these workers toil in difficult and backward circumstances, their managers often enjoy state of the art offices and conveniences.  Culturally, in many ways the Philippines is still  a feudal society and employers often regard their employees as little more than serfs. The resources are available to improve the lot of the workers, but most employers are too shortsighted to realize that by spending money by  improving working conditions, this will lead to higher production.  There are labor organizations, but with some exceptions such as  PISTON, an aggressive union which represents the jeepney drivers, most of them do a piss-poor job in protecting their members.

But from a larger perspective, mistreatment of workers here is rooted in the dark side of capitalism:  supply and demand of human labor.  Due to overpopulation in the Philippines, especially in Metro-Manila, the job market has a glut of worker, which of course depresses wages for everyone and which leaves would-be employees scrambling for jobs, including positions with substandard working environments. (To be fair, in this regard, the Philippines is not alone.  In any country where this set of conditions prevails, workers almost always get the short end of the stick).

This surplus of workers is aggravated by migrants from the provinces and the countryside who come to Metro-Manila in hopes of  finding better livelihood opportunities than those back home.  Even if they don't find formal employment, most of them stay on, competing with a population already hustling for a living however they can get one.  Given the Philippine culture of family narcissism, many people will do anything, legal or otherwise to put food on the table.  Naturally, desperation and ruthlessness contribute to the high crime rate here.  

As a result of low pay a large number of parents can't properly support their families.  And since laws against child labor and abuse are laxly enforced, many kids drop out of school and go to work, run away, or are abandoned by their families to fend for themselves.  Those who survive street life  grow up educationally and socially handicapped and in turn produce children whom they can't afford to properly take care of.  And so the cycle continues generation after generation in ever increasing numbers. 

Several steps need to be taken to successfully combat worker exploitation.  Here are a few:  Population control including widespread and cheap availability of contraceptives; strict implementation of wage and labor laws. improved public education quality, facilities, and opportunities; free and /or low cost health care for all; decentralization of public and private workplaces in order to improve job availability outside of Metro-Manila to locations throughout the country, along with infrastructure repair and expansion (which itself will provide jobs) to facilitate a reverse migration.

At any rate,  the present state of affairs cannot long endure.  If the workers' plight and other serious problems plaguing the Philippines, as discussed in "Stopping the Ticking Time Bomb", continue to be ignored, this country may soon reach a breaking point from which it can never recover.  And if that happens, it won't be just the lower working class that will find itself in a Darwinian struggle for survival.

Collateral Damage

Typhoon Basyang (aka Conson) ripped through the Philippines and hammered Metro-Manila last week. The storm left the city without electricity for an extended period and in some areas of Luzon for several days.  As a result, perishable foods that lost electric powered refrigeration and/ or freezing within this period became unsafe for consumption.

Food spoilage  is a problem that accompanies any long term brownout. Personally, for the most part my wife and I can get by when the lights go out. However, our main concern under such circumstances is possibly contracting a food-borne illness because our refrigerator isn't running.   In many instances of course it's easy to detect that a particular food product has gone bad just by smell, taste, sight, or touch. With other items it's not that easy.  They may appear to be o.k. but may be harboring dangerous bacteria.  (So I wonder just how many people are felled as a result of ingesting spoiled food in the aftermath of natural disasters.)

Here in Eastwood City, it took almost 24 hours for electricity to be restored. Fortunately, our refrigerator was up to the job even without power such that our frozen foods stayed hard and the refrigerated foods remained reasonably cold.

However, during the power outage I noticed that for some nearby fast-food restaurants without alternate sources of power, it was business as usual. Their interiors weren't lit or air conditioned, and the cash registers weren't working, ( sales were calculated manually); so I assume  their food preparation and refrigeration units also weren't functioning  (Perhaps the food was left over from the day before).  In fact, I observed that one of these businesses, a convenience store, had food out at room temperature (actually in the 80's indoors due to warm weather) all day on the display rack of a non-functioning oven warmer.  That is just the right condition for bacteria to multiply and thrive in.

But all this carelessness isn't surprising. Unsafe food handling practices are common in the Philippines.  There are laws on the books against such negligence, but more often than not, due to corruption and inefficiency, they are unenforced.

However, it's not rocket science to understand that meals served by restaurants under such circumstances can lead to food poisoning. Yet during the blackout customers were still patronizing these establishments. These people appeared to be middle class and therefore presumably educated enough to know that they were flirting with danger.  But such apathy is part of the Philippine culture of  bahala na  which is roughly translated as fatalism.

For those who want to play it safe, IMO it's probably best to stay away from such eateries for at least a few days after a long-term power outrage while they foist off their questionable inventory on an  indifferent public.  On the other hand dining out in the midst of a power outage is probably safer in malls that have backup generators powering their businesses including restaurants along with the latter's' food storage equipment.

As careful as I try to be in these matters, I have not always been able to dodge the bullet.  I have contracted amoebic dysentery twice from contaminated  food or beverages.  However,  it could only occur more frequently if I were to let my guard down.  Risk in dining out or even in food preparation at home can't be totally avoided even under the best of conditions.  But by exercising common sense under obviously hazardous conditions,  it can at least be minimized.

America, The Philippines, and the Fourth of July

July 4 marks not only American Independence Day but also Philippine-American Friendship Day.  By way of a little history, this date was also originally celebrated as Independence Day in the Philippines to commemorate the official end of American colonization in 1946. The holiday was moved to June 12 in 1964.  For the story behind reason for the change, click here.

But back to the present, in honor of this joint holiday the American Association of the Philippines, an organization with which I only recently became familiar,  presented a festival in Taguig City yesterday. Inasmuch as I usually don't attend such events, I decided to spend a few hours there anyway but didn't stay for the finale.

It was a low-key, family oriented celebration that while it had a distinctly American flavor and was held mainly for the benefit of Americans residing in the Philippines, the festival  nevertheless blended U.S.and Philippine cultures. There was a good turnout, and everyone seemed to be at ease with this mix.

The American ambassador, Harry K. Thomas made an appearance and gave a speech that traced the historical ties between the U.S. and the Philippines.  He mingled with the crowd and pressed the flesh; so  I was able to meet  and exchanged pleasantries with him. Ambassador Thomas seems sincerely interested in his assignment, and I wish him success. However, his immediate predecessor, Kristie Kenney, who was immensely popular with the Philippine people is going to be a tough act to follow.

Two glitches in the festival were a shortage of  tables and chairs to accommodate everyone in attendance, and the "infomercials" presented by the sponsors were too long which delayed the rest of the events agenda.

Still I'm glad that I went and that the AAP holds such festivities which enable us expatriates to collectively enjoy the holiday traditions that in relocating abroad, we might not otherwise have the opportunity to celebrate.

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY, EVERYBODY.

Taxi Hassles and How to Avoid Them

As the result of some of my recent experiences with taxis in Metro-Manila I have decided take this opportunity to review and expand on some advice that I offered in my original post about what everyone who uses this form of transportation here should know.

First, when you flag down a taxi, tell the driver where you're going before boarding. Many drivers are prima donnas and  will refuse to take you if they think the destination is too far or inconvenient for them.

As soon as you're in the cab make sure that the driver activates the meter immediately.  If he doesn't, chances are he's going to ask for an outrageous flat rate instead.   Or did the driver hesitate before accepting you as a passenger? Chances are he was planning to add a surcharge to the fare.   Either of these scenarios can be infuriating.  But don't let your anger cloud your thinking.  If, say, it's raining and / or taxis are far and few between where you're boarding, it may be best to swallow your pride and roll with with paying an additional P50 tacked onto the fare or to negotiate a flat rate after all.  Otherwise, just say no and tell the driver to pull over and let you out, or threaten to report him to the LFTRB (a government transportation regulation agency). Sometimes either of these demands itself will cause him  to back down and play by the rules.  This also applies to reckless drivers.  Again, deciding when and when not to do "rebel"  is strictly a judgment call.  You can also text complaints about errant drivers to 9988. Click here for details about this service.

Also for your personal safety when you board, text the taxi's license number to a personal contact especially if you're traveling at night or are in an unfamiliar locale. 

If possible, avoid taxis that are in poor condition inside or out.  There seems to be a positive correlation between dilapidated vehicles and greedy drivers. 

Know in advance exactly how far your destination is and how to get there.  Then when you tell the driver what route to take, you will show that you can't be fooled and are less likely to get an unexpected tour of the city. You can buy street maps and directories at places such as National Book Store.  I recommend the "Accu map Metro Manila CitiAtlas" or their "Metro Manila Route Map". Whichever guide  that you're most comfortable using, I suggest that you go over it in your spare time to acquaint yourself with the various streets and byways of the area.

Finally, I don't want to give the impression that all taxi drivers here are dishonest.  That's certainly not the case.  For all that I think I know about getting  around or going from point A to point B in Metro-Manila , I've had drivers who have shown me  better and cheaper routes. It's just that the more you know about being a taxi passenger, the less likely you are to be taken for a ride.    

The Green, Green Grass of Home

My wife Lydia and I recently returned from a trip to her home town, Gumaca, Quezon, which is about 210 km south east and a 5 1/2 hour bus ride from our locale in Quezon City. It was good to get away from the concrete jungle of Metro-Manila for a few days.  Another incentive is seeing  Lydia's step-niece who roll outs the red carpet when we visit there.

Gumaca is a bustling municipality with a population of about 65,000; but it's  small enough such that the greenery of the countryside is a just a walk or short tricycle ride away from any point in town. Another scenic area is the promenade along Lamon Bay in the middle of town. One of the best times of the day to enjoy Gumaca is just after dawn while the air is still (relatively) cool.  Many people are already up and about strolling or buying pan de sal and other breakfast goodies. Property owners are outside sweeping their walkways and burning fallen leaves.  The air is redolent with that scent, along with that of  smoked copra (a form of processing coconuts), and of sea air if you happen to be near the bay.

There are a couple hotels in or near Gumaca.  One of which that comes to mind is the the Perennial.  This establishment is in Gumaca proper on Rizal Street, the main artery of town.  Lydia and I have stayed there and found it to be adequate.   The rooms are small but clean, air conditioned, and have their own bathrooms. Room rate as of Sept ., 2009 was P800, but we managed to tawad it down to P500.  Another hotel is the Acacian, about 15 minutes north of Gumaca located along Maharlika Highway (the national road).  I've never been there but from the outside the place looks attractive. I've heard that the interior is also pleasant and that there's a restaurant on the premises. So guests don't have to travel into town just to eat.

Speaking of  food, in Gumaca you will find the the ubiquitous Jollibee and Chow King eateries.  But if you really want a great  meal, check out the Kapit Bahay  Restaurant.  The selection and quality of the food there  which is mainly native and Chinese cuisine are competitive with the better restaurants in Metro-Manila, and a lot cheaper.  Fried (half) chicken for example is P125.

While we were there we visited a coconut plantation  in Barangay Rosalino near the town of  Pitogo, which is about a  20 minute jeepney ride from Gumaca.  Walking through this forest-like area was very relaxing and so quiet that the only sound was that of birds singing.  As such,  it was the highlight of my visit.

Lydia, who has a love for landscaping and a talent to match, spent time on beautification of a property which we own in Gumaca and have up for sale. She is in her element with this kind of work and does it with the passion of an artist, shaping the land and creating a rolling hillside garden. 

The only downside of our visit was the weather, which was miserably hot and humid. But it  certainly was no worse than that in Metro-Manila. Just about the time we left Gumaca in the middle of the week,  the extended heat spell over this part of Luzon finally broke, and the weather has since turned a bit rainy.

I would like to visit Gumaca more often, but due to  health considerations lengthy bus rides are no longer my cup of  tea (Lydia tolerates them better than I do).  In all fairness, I should mention that the trip itself is actually broken up by a change of buses at the Grand Central  Terminal in Lucena City, about 3 hours from Metro-Manila.  Grand Central like its namesake is huge but-- including the the restrooms (which charge P5  for use)--surprisingly clean.  One of the better bus lines to Lucena City is Jac Liner, which offers air conditioned coaches, comfortable seats, and a movie.  The trip from Lucena City  to Gumaca and points south is not as pleasant.  The buses on all the lines heading in that direction are messy and not air conditioned. An alternate means of transportation to travel between M-Manila and Gumaca (and other destinations  of course)  would be to hire a car and driver.  However, that's a rather pricey proposition, about 10 times the price of a bus ticket.

Well, homebody that I am, I'm glad that I made the decision to take a break from my routine and make this journey. Despite the discomforts it was worth the trip.

On Choosing One's Battles

When it comes to political issues,  as my posts indicate I'm usually rather opinionated.  But in the case of outgoing Philippines President Gloria Arroyo's last-minute naming the Renato Corona as Chief Justice of the  Supreme Court I can see both sides of the argument as to whether or not President-elect Benigno Aquino should recognize this "midnight appointment."

Granted that there is controversy in the Supreme Court's decision in favor of Arroyo's claim that it's her right as president to proceed with this appointment and that it's proper for Corona to accept it  But  based on his own record is there any reason to doubt that Corona will be his own man as he professes and that he will not serve honorably? Based on this criteria, is there any cause to be skeptical that he will not simply be Arroyo's insurance policy to block legal action against her for her misdeeds that she committed while in office--or in order to achieve that office?  If not then perhaps Aquino should be a bigger person than Arroyo (no pun intended) and drop the matter for the sake of  continuity and the good of the country rather than provoke a constitutional crisis.  He will have enough on his hands putting his policies into place without having this issue as a distraction.

Yet it must be acknowledged that Corona is not Arroyo's only appointee to the Supreme Court. That branch is packed with justices whom she placed there. And after all, an overwhelming  majority of them did recently vote to reverse the decision that had initially blocked Arroyo from being allowed to fill any vacant government positions, which according to the Philippine Constitution the President may not do in his/her final days in office.

In America we also know what a biased Supreme Court can do. Recall the 2000 U.S. Presidential elections when the Republican dominated Court ordered Florida to stop the ballot recount that probably would have tipped the election in favor of Al Gore.  What a different  history America would likely have had without George Bush as President, especially considering that his first term for that office may have been bogus.

Then there is the possible scenario as painted by one newspaper columnist:  Suppose the Supreme Court justices rise above their political debt to Arroyo and instead  live up to their mandate of impartiality. In doing so, further suppose that they find the Ampatuan clan guilty as charged for the hideous massacre of 57 journalists and others last November.  In response to this verdict the leaders of that family may take their revenge by spilling their guts and revealing everything about their erstwhile beneficiary, Arroyo, for whom they delivered votes in their locale by hook or by crook in exchange for free reign and full control of their province, and confirm that she in fact was guilty among other crimes of fraudulently securing the office of the presidency in 2004.  In turn this would call into question the not only her legitimacy as President (like Bush?) but of all her appointments including that of Corona.

Yet if Aquino somehow manages to successfully challenge Corona's position as SC Chief Justice, would that in itself  necessarily stop the Ampatuans from singing like canaries if finally convicted?.  And in that case, what about Arroyo's other Supreme Court justice appointments for whom there was no midnight appointment controversy.  Wouldn't they still be tainted by the her guilt?  In fact wouldn't every law that Arroyo signed and every policy that she enacted since "assuming" office be up for the question of legitimacy?

If Aquino sincerely believes that in order to uphold  the honor of his office and of the Philippines as a whole he has no choice but to press for Corona's dismissal, then it's understandable that he must pursue this campaign to the bitter end. Yet, on the other hand, by vigorously protesting Corona's appointment as he has already done, Aquino has made his point. Now maybe it's time for him to strike some kind of compromise and and move on.