Mindanao coned as the land of promise is now the land of poverty, pain and suffering

When you abuse your nature and its environment by satisfying your own immediate needs; one day, the nature and its environment that you raped and abused will turn its back to you, and the prosperity that you first enjoyed will certainly result to a tremendous misery at the last.

This is what happened in Mindanao, more particularly at the places where flash floods have sustained its cruelty to the people who were either responsible for the abuse the environment or are victims of the abuse of a few moneyed people.

As I learned before, during the early days of civilization in Mindanao, the supposed public lands were turned into private properties. And these private individuals who owned private properties are the ones holding now the reigns of government. I can say that ordinary people are as submissive as they should be. They have no choice, neither those already in power.

As deaths have been counted and still increasing, I have come to a reflection, as I was in Mindanao for 16 years. My parents brought me there when I was 1 year old. My family have lived the life of what they commonly called as “loggers”. My father told me the story that Mindanao was known to many people in the 1960s as the “land of promise” because of its vast resources from virgin forests and precious metals, and other natural resources. Employment opportunities were high as long as you can work as a lumberjack or skills in repairing machines. Education then was not a requirement for employment. Thus, people from Luzon and neighboring Visayas regions are flocking in Mindanao with the dream of prosperity brought about by its vast resources.

Most of the companies owned by politicians or relatives take the opportunity to enjoy the richness of nature in Mindanao. Even ordinary people who are prudent, business-like attitude and inclinations, or have its own capital invested in any business would certainly prosper. I learned that laws of the land was far effective as people there were living like the West-like cowboy shows that I’ve seen. You will survive when you have the guts of doing the thing that others have done before you. In fact, when I graduated in college, I planned to go back to Mindanao and test my luck there. But the plan did not come around as I already decided to stay in my home province of Camarines Sur.

I know that typhoons have no place in Mindanao. Before.

Today, as radio and TV reports have piled up documentary shots recording the misery that the people residing in a lot of places in provinces of Davao, Cagayan De Oro City, Surigao del Sur and other provinces in Mindanao ravaged by Typhoon “Pablo” (International name: “Bopha”) tagged as the first super typhoon that hits Mindanao, a lot of surprised communities of people have surprisingly incurred multiple deaths because some of them don’t really have that experience of typhoons. And besides, typhoon in Mindanao was never familiar until just recently. But flash floods were common knowledge for everyone and they know why---the rampant illegal logging operations in spite the fact that there is mandate of “total log ban” imposed by the government throughout the Philippines.

But, what are laws anyway when people framing it, planning for it, and passing it in the Congress are the very people who are engaging in it. I even heard that moneyed people before have engaged in land grabbing more particularly at places known for richness of natural resources like forest and minerals. These rich people used their money to buy rights of the land and even law enforcements were at their grabs.

As I saw the gruesome deaths that a lot of people in the communities have suffered just recently, I have only two things to think about blaming---greed and poverty.

Greed because a lot of moneyed people in Mindanao still sustain what was left by their ancestors who came to Mindanao for such opportunities. Politicians who were not original in the place are the ones in control of government. These politicians are maintaining private armies and use them during election times. There are a lot crimes, cases of deaths and missing, that are not actually recorded in the books of events in some places, because the family of the victims refuse to report it to authorities for fear of reprisal.

Poverty because people from other places flocked to Mindanao with the belief that their lives will prosper but then, they were lured in to join on certain groups that justifies criminalities as a way of life. I believe that the perspective in the 1960s is all the same as in the modern day today. But, the only difference is that education and employment opportunities outside the country have uplifted some people who gallantly ventured in taking education as their first choice to survive. However, some who've taken the ways of education prefer not to stay in those places where poverty has been the sustaining event of their lives. They would choose to venture to Manila or Cebu to find while collar jobs, in the office or anywhere else they could find.

What the government can do for those victimized by the typhoon?

I believe nothing. For as long as politicians holding power in the government offices remain engaged in their unscrupulous activities of raping the environment and cut trees for their own profits, the small people would have to stay dependent upon them. These ordinary people will be forced to work at the risk of environmental reprisal, because they believe that these are the only ways and means for them to survive or even send their children to schools and colleges.

I’m thankful that we survived such onslaught of nature revenge. Now that I’m away from Mindanao which was coned as the “land of promise”, I still have this desire to come back there one day to witness again the “dog eat dog” situation believed to have sustained by people in power. But some of my classmates in high school would say that the situation in Mindanao is quite different from when I’ve known before. People are now educated and are aware of the effects of abusing nature and its environment. However, to a few places only. There are other places that remained infested by rebels and private armies. Though government have a strong stand against these, who can stay on with such situation when people who are imposing the law and the very ones violating it because of political dynasty and patronage.

Finally, I would say that Mindanao still remains as the land of promise when people try to reflect what they have done to nature and its environment; and of course, the government is really serious in imposing the laws of the land. If this would be so, there is still hope, else, deaths come rushing through their homes and villages to exact what is due.

Today, these are just disturbing stories of nightmares.

MY CYBERCOUNTRY IS JAILED WITH ME.

Dear Fellow Netizens,

I am also a citizen of a cyber-country called INTERNET.

This a free country for all the citizens of the world. We call ourselves "Netizens", short of "Internet Citizens". I love it. In my own simple thoughts and ideas, I could share to the whole world what is happening around me, and of course, my craggy thoughts and idea earned from my own poverty.

I feel that we are now at the very dark age of our FREEDOM OF THOUGHTS, SPEECH AND SPIRIT.

We are now deprived of our very own fundamental rights granted by the Freedom Constitution---the 1987 Constitution of the Philippines---sculpted by the sacrifice of one NINOY AQUINO, the father of my president, NOYNOY AQUINO.

We were FREE then.

But today, in the Philippines more particularly, the many netizens is under attack of E-MARTIAL LAW and the authors are the majority of the Senators except one TG. I believe these Senators betrayed us by inserting into the Cybercrime Prevention Law of 2012 a provision about e-libel. There was no public consultations made from us. It was I believe a result of a “swift insertion” and gerrymandering. These Senators also fleet a disguise as a countermeasure to lay underground their sinister plan of passing the Cybercrime law using the issue on the "dreaded RH Bill". As far as I learned it all started there!

It all started with a "crying Senator" who felt sorry about the death of his child. But later, one netizen discovered that some of the contents of his privilege speech were all "plagiarized"; and when some of the netizens call his attentions to take notice of such wrong-doing, he invoked his "parliamentary privilege," to which all of the senators except one, just let it run his way. He even downplayed that netizen by saying, "just a blogger." Well, it was an unfortunate statement from an elected Senator of the Republic of the Philippines, mandated to make and uphold the law!

There was that time that this Senator gained a lot of critiques and criticisms with blunt disregard of the "blogger's intellectual rights" and even stand firm in his conviction by saying, "everybody is doing it in the Philippines." What a short-minded statement it was. So, unfortunate indeed.

He called the statements of his critiques as "Cyberbullying", while in fact, he could have stated it as "Cyber-bullshitting". Anyway, what happened had already been blown to a tremendous magnitude where silent netizens, enjoying the freedom of his country, come to the cyber streets, rallying against this bullshitted "cybercrime prevention act."

I feel that one day, if this law stays at the very foothold where it is now, a lot of netizens will land in the cold corners of the cyberjails throughout the Philippines’ cyber-archipelago that even a cyber-island would not be enough to accommodate their numbers.

My fellow netizens, I am calling your attention on this Cybercrime Law. My anti-virus is not enough to kill this contagious “sottofect.exe” virus, or the other “enrileffec.exe” worms inside the nerves of own cybersystem. It is killing me!!! I did try to install two of the anti-virus I’ve known, namely: “Trillanes Anti-virus” or “Guingona Anti-virus”, but to no effect at all. I think I have to try what a fellow netizen named, “Jim”, the “Lacson Anti-virus,” but it still in Beta form.

Anyway, this might be my last message to all my fellow netizens, because I need to rest, and gear up my self to the next tremendous task of countering the “cyber-storm” that me come around against me.

Guess what? I'm presently in my cold cyber-jail as you surf this in all of the cyber-streets. In case, I will be arrested and jailed, just remember that I’m always with you. But if you care to visit me then, bring a tiny laptop, hide it in a handkerchief or any just to keep it away from the jail guards. I promise to keep it whatever is the cost. Just let me write my thoughts in this tormented corners of my jailed country---the INTERNET.

Sincerely yours,

Cyber Geo

P.S. Remember the day when we were FREE and HAPPY.

DEMISE OF ROBREDO FOSTERS NEW CHALLENGES IN AQUINO’S ADMINISTRATION

I feel a painful grief and desolate over the untimely death of a gentleman, innovator, governance inventor, and a lowly reformist who fought against traditional politics with courage, bravery and integrity yet ever had in the arena of government service. Truly, government service is a bastion of people’s trust. When a worthy official, like Robredo, who deserve something far greater than who he really is, the whole nation mourns for his lose.

I have this feeling also that the dreaded numbers game---jueteng---will surely resurface in the coming days. Unscrupulous politicians would surely gear up and try to operate this greatly profitable numbers’ game because a lot of our ordinary people still love to bet; and because local government officials allow them to operate.

These local government officials are really getting interested to support it or even finance it because in the next few months, election is in the offing. By that time, sufficient funds for vote-buying and purchase of sacks of rice, noodles, canned goods, and the hoarding of 20 or 50 pesos denominations will still be more easy to gather than during campaign and election days. Of course, the 100s, 500s and 1000s denominations would also be a subject for hoarding as banks now are really busy managing the turnover of cash deposits and withdrawals.

As a banker would say, “Surely, there will be an upsurge of cash, as I have observed, coming from different sources particularly abroad. It wouldn’t take long in the cash chamber as or the recipients depositors would immediately withdraw it and secure it somewhere safe.” Probably true because banks also are targets by holduppers. This is a very amusing thing to note. However, no matter would be the events in the next few days or months, we shall be witnesses to an untimely environment left to us by Sec. Robredo.

The whole nation grieve for his passing but remained thankful and adamant to pursue his ideals and objectives. Ordinary people really are true in terms of relationship whether personal, business or politics. The icon of goodness and integrity are a few remarkable symbols of his presence even in death.

As the body of Sec. Robredo was cremated, the luster of his servant-leader inspiration has remained a symbolic inspiration for all of us; his indefatigable stride to excel in his own pace in managing the whole affairs of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) with less oversight and supervision from President Noynoy Aquino only show us who he really is when he works for the best for all of us---his awards in public service stand as an historic legacy that every Filipino today will remember always.

Indeed, this great man died because he’s been in a zenith where his good deeds will be planted in the hearts of people whom he served well. Farewell, Jesse; your legacy of good government and iconic symbol of a real public servant carry us all to new challenges ahead with strength and will that we can overcome them all.

I just hope and pray that President Aquino indomitably carry on the reforms that Sec. Robredo has done and accomplished; and check upon his own people who really are serious and those are not. I can foresee that the battle against graft and corruption in the government would be an uphill stride.

Goodbye, Jesse. Good luck, Mr. President. We are counting on you.

Chief Justice Corona dramatics flopped

CJ Corona's composure before he took the witness stand was excellent and I think he was in good health when he stepped down the witness stand. The statement he snarled would clearly show that he was grandstanding inside the impeachment court and trying to wield his power and authority as Chief Justice which was a blatant challenge and disrespect of the Senate seating as an impeachment court. I was near to believe him and even the court itself were it not of his challenging the 189 Congressman and a Senator to sign also a waiver. Why he did that? He is a lawyer and he knows well the workings inside a court.

CJ Corona must remember that he took the oath before he seated at the witness stand. The Senate President and the Senator-Judges as well as the Congressman are elected representatives of the people whom I believe have the authority to impeach an try whether he is guilty or not. It is a constitutional authority that emanates from the people who elected them. While on the other hand, CJ Corona was only "appointed" by ex-pres. Arroyo by virtue of her sole trust and confidence and long association.

Moreover, by the time that he stood at the witness stand, he should have been treated as any ordinary witness with all the rights accorded to by the constitution and existing laws. His statement before he went down of the witness stand clearly amplify disrespect and a mock to the senate institution. He was trying to wield his authority as Chief Justice inside the impeachment court. It was a daring move which would only amplify or admission of the guilt, if there be any found against him. He should have narrowed his testimony according to the complaint and not of the black propaganda which he clearly knows inadmissible in court.

It would have been better if he stayed calm and focus to the case at hand and minded out those “black propaganda” he claimed to have affected him and his family.

I believe he forgot that he was seating as a “Witness” and not as a “Chief Justice.” By this time, the credibility of all his statements in his “senate monologue” could not serve him better but worsened his case.

Be that as it may, this first impeachment proceedings against the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court would be a clear precedent for the Congress of the Republic of the Philippines to pass a law that would strengthen further the authority of the impeachment court. Although, the three branches of the bureaucracy should stand as an independent institution in the pursuit of democracy and for purposes of balance in authority, the Supreme Court should remember that the basis of their present is by “appointment” from those elected by the people and their authority does not, in any manner, delimit the power of Congress to impeach Justices of the Supreme Court which are believed or accused of wrong-doing. In fact, the temporary restraining orders (TROs) issued by the Supreme Court en banc should not have stood at the very core of the exercise of duty and responsibility of the Senators and Congressmen to the people who elected them.

It is still the President and Congress who possess the ultimate power and authority emanated from the people who elected them and not in the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court whose authority is subservient to the appointing power of the President’s authority to dispense justice and whose function is to see to it that the laws passed by Congress and duly “approved and signed” by the President are correctly interpreted and implemented according to the very spirit to which it were all intended.

Finally, sad to say, CJ Corona was overwhelmed by the vastness of such authority by so interpreting the “absolute character” of the Foreign Currency Act that flopped the very essence and spirit of his testimony. He overdid it!

The Supreme Court is not owned by the people managing its affairs; it is owned by the Filipino people

 

The Senate's first exercise of impeachment against the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court would be written in the History books. So, it would be prudent that the Senators would have to exercise its utmost power and authority to be more dignified in the disposition of the case. Whatever the result of this impeachment trial would certainly instigate a metamorphosis on our justice system.

This would clean up the ranks and file of the institution, and this would break the meteoric hype that the Supreme Court is no vulnerable to graft and corruption; and that it could stand alone in the disposition of justice in the country. This myth brings out the adamant attitude of the SC to the summons of the duly elected authorities, trying to weed them out, by standing to that principle of separation of power between the three pillars of our government.

Now, the SC people should know that they don't own the SC, the SC is owned by the Filipino people who establish the institution to dispose justice according to the mandate that it is tasked to do.

Communist China is employing Protracted War Management Tactic to heightened its claims on Scarborough Islands

 

The Philippine government should be alarmed by such blatant posturing and fearless pronouncements of the Chinese media. You can observe that political propaganda and military bullying is one of the Chinese's protracted war management tactic. While it's diplomatic machinery has been actively composing itself to politicize the Philippine government by virtue of trying push it to the limit of its own resources, other structural representations of the Chinese communist government is tactically manipulating the groundwork as it advances to its military objectives.

They can consider the conflict between the Philippine government as a "petty war" that can be resolve eventually without firing a shot to conclude it. They would utilize that old communist tactical offensives of politicizing the whole observing world to legitimize its own claims on Scarborough Shoal which is about 230 kilometers off Luzon island, while intensifying its war preparation if in case, conflict in the area would be inevitable, because of possible involvement of the United States and its allies.

As we can observe, the Philippine government has been exhausting its whole efforts of trying to engage China in diplomatic settlement while knowing that it would not deal with them directly. China knows the ins and outs within the streams of the Philippine bureaucracy, by indication, it very well know how people who are working the best of their efforts to convince China to quit from “bullying” the country, until such time that the “ultimate demand” will be made to their great advantage.

As of the moment, the political machinery of the communist is working with overwhelming accuracy, which I believe, is very critical to the ongoing diplomatic negotiations. Although, the Philippines would have certainly moves of bringing the matter to the appreciation of the international community, and also through the United Nations, as its optimal ground of action that would legitimize their diplomatic protest. But, all these actions, to the extent of inviting the whole world to come to rescue and assist the Philippines, the ultimate end would still be protracted war management effort of China to go on, even beyond all the reasons that it could bear until all is won.

It would be that in the next few weeks, or even months, when the smoke of the conflict would rise into the next level, there is that possibility that China will not hesitate to use force to concretize its main objective, just like what it did in 1988 when 64 Vietnamese sailors were massacred. It was an act of war against Vietnam, but, the latter could not do otherwise. Vietnam recognizes China as a powerful giant. You can read the whole account of the story here.

Now, the question, can the Philippine government send troops to Scarborough Shoals to defend the islands? Yes, it is possible, but the soldiers should understand that they would be the “sacrificial lambs” when armed conflict against China will erupt. By so doing, the Philippine government can declare war against China, and the latter would be happy to engage.

By this scenario, what would be the legitimate reaction of the U.S.? None, unless China would declare war against the U.S. But, since, it’s only the Philippines, the burden would be the sole responsibility of the Philippines, because the US government would not be dragging its own resources to this mess because either way, it would be to their geopolitical advantage. So, it would all be Philippines against the giant China only. One on One (What a classic scenario!)

I just hope that the Philippine government, no matter what, must stand firm to its claims and it should not yield to the politicizing of the communist China. With or without diplomacy, war is inevitable.

Finally, I know that Philippines is different from Vietnam, or any other Asian country for that matter.

Shaking Off Dusts or Hammering Rusty Doubts: A Supreme Court’s Impeachment Story

There is a very thin line between decisions that determine justice or injustice in a country where the rule of law is perceived to be the keystone of a fair and just society.

People who are managing the affairs of a justice system  are venerated of their astute intelligence and impartiality, precise dispensation of justice that is marked with the highest degree of integrity, with unparalleled liberty in looking at the very fiber of evidence that would yield the utmost degree of truth. By the words of their mouth, it is justice with the highest degree of dispensation.

When one hears the “Supreme Court”, it rings “Justice” as well. The Supreme Court is the last bastion of the rule of law dispensing what truth really is truth. But, when the very head of a justice system is now in question, it would certainly rock the very foundation where the “archived truth” will hang in a balance.

Issues about Chief Justice Renato Corona is now getting deep, and I can see a lot of justice seekers making use of the recent “question of integrity” to propel a much much incline of drawing the justice system corrupt. I believe that the outcome of this trial would bring out the best of our justice system; and it would only be achieved when it will convince the Filipino people. But, mind you, not all decisions or service to justice is a convincing one. Both camps would have to feel, in clear conscience, that justice is served, and served well.

Thus, shaking off the dust or hammering dusty doubts would have to sound the treble part of those not hidden in the lyrics of a metaphorical music. The people is still the final judge of all.

ADB Shuns Away from Workers Right: A Shameful Blunder

These economic technocrats just don't know the base of their economic perspective, a point of their so-called economic study---the Workers. All they have to do is base their perceptions on the principles of exploit, explore and control, a kind of socialist parametric philosophy which assumes that when authorities can control people to react negatively from a given portion of policies to raise economic concerns to increase the chance of earning profits from a business venture, it would be good and favorable to the capital provider but to the sheer disadvantage to the people---the workers, who perspired to make it happen.
Such perspective is clearly depicted on the action taken of those "registered participants". ADB don't like to face them squarely in the forum of discussions to thresh out what really is realistically happening in the field of economic implementation of plans and projects. Such defensive stance as taken by the Philippine Government only show sympathy to these capital movers which would definitely redound to effect the "power to control the protesting people."
It this event, it's the Philippine Government who became the antagonist while those economic technocrats are hiding behind skirt of the Philippine President. I should agree with the ADB's pronouncement that it was an "unfortunate" incident whose scenario was crafted by a "too scared" capital movers; making now the country to look like a pauper to these economic technocrats. What a shameful blunder it was!

The World is turning Red again!

US diplomatic expertise counts best for as much as their national interest would not be subject to certain level of threats that hamper international trades going on in this part of the Pacific. Of course, I believe that they would help the Philippines in case war against China is inevitable, but it doesn't mean that the Philippines as a sovereign nation would have to depend militarily on the U.S.

This recent pronouncement that it would stay neutral as to the “competing sovereignty claims to land features in the South China Sea” draws vividly the axial consideration that it would undertake in case conflict may arise. Although, this diplomatic statement may convince observers from the other part of the world, but it signals a different opportunity for China to undertake a more opportunistic venture that would concretize their whole intension.

Why is it so?

We can notice the cooperative effort of Russia, a country of surprise inclinations, with Putin at the helm of government. Undeniably, Russia has its own grip of influence over China because of its long-time Cold War influence many times over when China opted to close its doors to the world. It assisted China to stand up against all odds until Perestroika brought down the walls of the once majestic Russian communism; and it was expected that China would follow suit. But surprisingly it’s not, it waited until Hong Kong was returned by the British empire after 50 years of colonization. The experience of Hong Kong coupled with geopolitical experiments by its mainland masters, draw two differing faces of China: One engaged in a more democratic system while the other with the  principles of Socialist communism, and here the hardline communist believers of the old Russia still played a silent domino until the ripe time that China would emerge as a new world power. It happened! It’s happening!

The awakened giant is now ready to take geopolitical responsibility which the U.S. signified to let through and would of course really wanted. Why is it that the U.S. is very confident on China to take hold in part, I mean, share the reign of leadership? China was never a conqueror but a conquest of smaller nation like Japan. The U.S. believe that China is a friendly dragon.

On the other perspective, the U.S. owes China, as yet financially as Chinese investments flood through, in one way or another, the underground economy that eventually crippled the financial streams that caught the U.S. financial system flatfooted! While Chinese products of lower prices attracted the general consumers with all the hypes of advertisements, the U.S. Federal system refuse to acknowledge that the absence of Chinese investments from their economy would mean a crippling bone that would soon crack. It needs to extract a new but prophetic bilateral agreement with China to make the playing field more competitive for both side viz-a-viz restoration of the U.S. economic supremacy that would consequently bring out the same stream of easing the financial crisis in some other parts of the world, like Europe or Southeast Asia.

Now, we can see the value of China as a balancing economic superpower. It’s prudent and long-term hard work and patience is now compensating the whole economy of the world. As the whole world is now struggling to recover the lost glory of prosperity because of the world financial crisis, China is now serving as the only economy of the world who’s got the capacity, or capability to wield the magic wand. It’s contributing to the vibrant economy of India, or even part of the European economy, it has a greater edge. And this is why Russia has found a more reliable ally.

Lots of indicators that would speak in itself, point out that China is getting the edge of dominating the whole financial system of the world. It has also build greater influence over decision-making machine of the United Nations with Russia as its stout backup.

Now, do you think that China is still the sleeping dragon?

I’m sorry to say that it’s no longer sleeping. It just woke up from its deep snore! And its future actions will spark a new tranche of fireworks in the air. If it be so, nations have to take sides.

As to the Philippines, I would say that it would remain included among the short listed allies of the United States. But this relations does not guarantee security of sovereignty.

China’s aggressive stance in South China Sea is a test of might

I was irked to write about the recent aggressive stance of China at the Scarborough shoals of the Philippine territorial zone where Chinese fishermen were caught fishing, I mean, poaching or smuggling, whatever you call it.

I believe that China is now taking a test of might on South China Sea (SCS) more particularly when they know that the area is believed to have large deposit of oil and gas reserves underneath its seabed. Besides, the area also holds the record that one-third of the world’s shipping trades are traversing through its waters. By trying to announce its aggressive presence, China is certainly sending a clear message to its neighbors that it would not yield to its claims that this part of the world is part of their dominion, even if the conflict that recently occur happens within the backyard of the Philippine territorial boundary.

The recent impasse between China (The Mighty Bear) and the Philippines (The Mighty Mouse) is only one among the many conflicts that it has been involved in years passed against a sovereign country like the Philippines. Since SCS could be the flash point for future world conflicts, it would be proper for the Philippines to stand up with distinctiveness about its claims, but it should not only rely to the United States of America (The Mighty Uncle Sam) about resources on defense. The Philippine Congress has to initiate also an aggressive stance about the claims by bringing the matter to the international court of law and justice and should not allow China just play giant without restraint in the backyard of Philippine sovereignty.

But it seems that the diplomatic course of settling conflict, more particularly, in the United Nations, where China is one of the permanent member of the UN Security Council, would no longer be a feasible forum, nor would it be a refuge for those who really need its swift action to settle the conflict. We can take a credible example in Syria; with China and Russia, both stood up opposite to the other members of the UNSC for immediate military action as response to the growing incident of a government killing its own people, not until recently when thousands have already been gone to swift death perpetrated by its own government. Indeed, the democratic process which is one of the paramount pillars of the United Nations is now taking a longer process of responsiveness. Of course, doubts as the probable actions of the US and UK has always been one of the stinking reasons for China and Russia to delay action. Therefor, each of the members of the UNSC are drawing reasons to doubt every intentions laid down during talks and negotiations---a play of domino, I should say.

Now, China, with all its dollar reserves and sundry, earned through edging up against US products and others, would probably wants to show the world that it’s their time now. It has to emerge as one mighty power that should not be taken lightly neither by the US or the UK, or even France, or any mighty country for that matter.

I could foresee a different China, which before a “sleeping giant” now awake to take the specter of dominance against all odds.

The conflict now slowly revealing in the course of agitating the Philippines to take a more aggressive stance of its claims at Scarborough Shoals can be the key to a worst or bitter scenario of the future of China-Philippines relation; and I would admit, the old school for spies and daggers, is beginning to resurface as the Mighty Bear wants to play with Might Mouse. Thus, careful consideration must be taken into account, but not discounting the fact that China is really getting hot of world dominance, by force or trades.

Watch out! Lots of surprise unravels China’s real intent. Of course, North Korea will be there to start the fire. I just hope I’m wrong as I observe the patterns that these countries are playing with their own domino games.