September 1, 2006 at 5:10 pm
Here are replies by Rep. Ruffy Biazon to comments in a previous blog
(The Gallant 32)concerning him. Since the post is already on page two, I decided to post his comments in the front page.
I appreciate it that Ruffy is taking time to address our concerns about his stand in the impeachment.
ruffyb Says:
September 1st, 2006 at 10:02 am
COntinuation….
Spartan said:““BEING TIRED” IS SUCH AN “UNDER-STATEMENT” TO DESCRIBE WHAT WE TRULY FEELS…
you get tired by playing baskeball or exercising, or even after “making love” to your wife/partner….but with such BLATANT disregard by this government in (which you are also a part of) to the well-being and values of the “common” people like Mang Pedro the ice-cream vendor, Aling Juana the mag-gu-gulay, Atong the elementary student having his class under the alatires trees whose father was just killed “for being a militant activist/factory worker”…then seeing the same government officials wining and dining, driving Lexus, Escalades, or BMWs….people like me are not just “tired”…WE ARE SICK TO OUR STOMACK, WE ARE ALREADY VOMITTING, WE ARE ANGRY AND OUTRAGED…and, WE MIGHT BE EVEN ALREADY LUSTING FOR BLOOD…the “black blood” of all the CROOKS, LIARS, CORRUPT public officials and politicians who are continuously “raping” our Motherland”
Yes, I guess saying that the people are “tired of goovernment” (which indeed, I am a part of) is an understatement. BUti pa si Mang Pedro at ALing Juana may pinagkakakitaan at si Atong nakakapasok sa eskwela. Sa aking distrito, marami ni walang pinagkakakitaan at maraming bata hindi nakakapasok sa eskwela dahil walang baon at pamasahe. Sila ang mga araw-araw kong nakakaharap sa aking pag-ikot sa distrito habang nagsasagawa ng konsultasyon.By the way, not all government officials have Lexuses, BMWs, Escalades or other similar luxury vehicles.
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Artsee said:“Gaya din ni Ellen, iginagalang ko ang pasya niya kahit na hindi ako sang-ayon. Pero hindi niya maaasahan na karamihan ng taga-Muntinlupa ay igagalang siya.”
Salamat sa paggalang kahit hindi ka sumasang-ayon. Hindi ko naman inaasahan na lahat ng tao ay sasang-ayon sa akin. Sabi nga “you cannot please everyone.” Lahat tayo may sumasang-ayon at sumasalungat sa atin. Kahit nga ang Panginoon meron pa ring sumasalungat.
Ganun din sa paggalang. Hindi lahat ng tao gagalangin tayo. Meron at merong hindi magbibigay galang, kahit na sinabi ng Panginoon na mahalin at galangin ang bawat isa. Sa mga debate sa impeachment nga, pinakita ng ilang kongresista kung paano makipag-debate ng walang galang.
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Spartan said:“artsee, ang susunod na eleksyon sa Muntinlupa ay mahirap maging basehan kung “mahuhusgahan” ng ng TAMA ang mga politikong “lantad na kaanib” at “tagong-kaanib” nina gloria. Ang lugar na ito ay “balwarte” ni toting bunye, at katulad din ng “nabanggit” ni Kagalang-galang na Representate de Kamara R. Biazon, andito din ang mga ELITISTA, may napakalaking Mall si Tabako diyan, andyan din ang mga gusali at opisina ng mga “big-time realtors” tulad ng Presidente ng Senado ngayon, iyong mga nasa “masa level” na ang karamihan ay naninirahan sa baybayin ng Laguna de Bay, tulad ng Bayanan…marami duon ay masasabing mga “paboritong papirmahin” ni Lambino ng SInGAW NG BAYAN, na sa halagang P500 o kaban ng bigas at kahon ng noodles ay handa nang humawak ng ballpen o isawsaw sa tinta ang “hinlalaki” at ibenta na ang kanilang “PRINSIPYO POLITIKAL”…aanhin nga naman ang politika kung KUMAKALAM ang kanilang mga sikmura.”
In 2001, I ran and won under the banner of the opposition (and I served my whole first term as a member of the opposition in the House). My opponent then was incumbent Congressman Toting Bunye. Prior to serving as Congressman, he served 3 terms as elected mayor and 1 term as OIC-Mayor (after the Edsa 1). Ever since he assumed the post as mayor in 1986, his service was uninterrupted and his ticket always won. In that election, the incumbent Mayor was his long-time running mate, vicemayor to him when he was mayor. All the councilors and the barangay captains were with them.
His affiliation and affinity with former Pres. Ramos was definitely instrumental in keeping him in power. In 2001, he was the GMA adminsitration’s candidate, having been a key player in the Estrada impeachment in the House.
The area where Spartan calls “elitistas” was Bunye’s bailiwick, since he had a long standing relationship with them, and, being a former BPI executive, was supported by the professionals and upper class.
When I ran in 2001, all the odds were against me. In fact, the only person who had confidence I would win was my wife. My parents and my inlaws did not think I would win, along with some other well-meaning friends.
In spite of all the odds, I won handily over my opponent, so convincingly that he did not even file a protest (of course, his sportsmanship is one that may be commended).
In 2004, I was once again up against an administration candidate, both local and national. But I won with the biggest vote that any candidate has ever recevied in Muntinlupa’s history, including the biggest lead over my opponent.
This inspite of the fact that I was involved in the Davide Impeachment (which the civil-society sector took against me), my stand on Reproductive Health (which the Catholic church strongly campaigned against) and my joining the Liberal PArty (which then allied itself with the GMA administration, an issue that the Pro-Erap/FPJ were agitated about).
My votes were overwhelming from all classes and all genders, cutting across political persuasions and religions.
I say this not to brag but just to put into proper perspective how the voters in my district decide on who to support.
I believe I was able to achieve those successes because I did the basic thing that people expect from their government — I CONSULT with them directly, I LISTEN to what they have to say (whether it is praise or crticism ), I tell them the TRUTH about issues and reasons for my stand on those issues, I ACCEPT any wrongdoing and ask for their indulgence, forgiveness and understanding, and I DELIVER what I promise.
It does not concern me whether I win in the next election or not. I can always go back to private life and leave in peace minding my own business rather than be stressed and abuse my health or prematurely grow old worrying about my district’s and the nation’s affairs.
What matters is that in the end, I can face my Creator and confidently tell him that I have done my job sincerely and to the best of my ability. I’m not so much concerned about pleasing men than pleasing God. I know that if I serve the people in accordance to His Will, I will not go wrong with Him and it will not matter what people will say. After all, people have their own prejudices and faults, just as I have my own. God is the only judge we have that will not make a mistake (with all due repsects to people out there who ahve different religious beliefs).
Just like what Allan peter Cayetano said, ang takot ko ay nasa Diyos.
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Artsee said:“Kung tutoo ang mga sinabi mo tungkol sa galaw ng pulitka sa Muntinlupa at balwarte ng Malacanang, di lalong na-confirm kung bakit hindi sumipot si Ruffyb dahil nga sa influence at pressure mula sa mga makapangyarihan taong binanggit mo.”
Siguro sa paliwanag ko sa itaas, masasabing mali ang conlcusion na ito.
There is absolutely no pressure or influence on my decision. Whenever I am faced with a difficult political decision, I always isolate myself from people who may try to exert influence or pressure, not even my father. He knows that because that’s how he trained me. To make firm decisions based on conviction. The best decisions are not necessarily based on wisdom. The best decision is one that is based on one’s conviction because it is one that you can live with for the rest of your life. Poeple have made wise decisions but lacked conviction. In teh end, they are not sure if they did the right thing, in spite of the wisdom.
In the stand, I made on this recent impeachment, no one influenced or pressured me. NOt my Liberal Party mates, not the memebrs of teh opposition or administration, not my parents, not even my wife, who is my most important confidante and adviser.
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norpil said”“silence will always mean yes to status quo. impeachement voting is finished and to borrow some hated persons words, let us go forward, i.e., to the next battlefield.. what does cong biazon think about chacha.”
I don’t my consider my absence during the vote as silence. There is a saying that sometimes the loudest message is the unspoken word. My absence was noted not by a few people. When the questions were asked, that was when I explained that it was an act of protest to the process that was pre-decided and served as an obstacle to truth.
Liek I said, just because we fight battles differently doesn’t mean we’re not on the same side.
With regard to Chacha, I agree that there are amendments that need to be done on the present constitution.
But with regard to the present move the amend or change the constitution, this is my position:
1. I disagree to the reason being given –the main reason being used for the present drive to change charter is that the rpesent system is supposedly the cause of our misery as a nation. I disagree. It’s the people runnning the system that’s to blame. If we change the sytem without pointing out the faults of those running the system, those faults will simply be carried over to the next system.
2. I disagree with the methods being used—-the People’s Initiative as pushed by Sigaw ng Bayan isa farce. It is not the people who are pushing for this but just the Politicians. (P.I. nila ito). In my district, the overwhelming sentiment is against it, and the signatures were either forged or the people were duped into signing it. Besides, the Supreme Court already said the law is insufficient to do the PI, and yet they insist on it. With the CON-ASS (voting as one version), I think it is the height of arrogance to simply ignore the Senate, especially since the present constitution’s spirit is that of bicameralism.
3. I disagree with the timing —- I believe that the correct time in doing a charter emendment or revision is during a time of political peace. Right now, the poltiical atmosphere is highly charged primarily because there are many unanswered fundamental issues. If we proceed with a chrater change at this time, we will only end up with the constitution that will be owned by a particular political party.
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Artsee said:“Basta ang mas importante ang mga susunod niyang gagawin. Kapag ang kanyang mga kilos ay pabor kay tiyanak at hindi para sa opposition at mamamayan, di puwede na natin siyang husgahan at sabihin isa siyang traidor.”
Nauunawaan ko ang nasa isipan ni artsee. Ngunit tanong ko lang, sino ba ang nasa lugar upang humusga kung ano ang pabor lamang kay gma at ano ang para sa mamamayan at oposisyon?
Halimbawa, may programa ng pabahay si gma para sa mga nakatira sa riles ng muntinlupa na aalisin para sa paggawa ng southrail…magiging laban ba sa oposisyon at sa mamamayan na nakatira sa riles kung ako ay mag-cooperate upang maisagawa ang proyektong ito?
O dapat ko bang harangin ang proyekto dahil si GMA ay magkakaroon ng political mileage dito, at hayaan ko munang manirahan ang mga mamamayan sa ilalim ng panganib na masagasaan ng tren ang kanilang mga anak sa pagpasok sa eskwela? Magtiis ba muna sila sa slum areas na may araw araw na bantang sila ay magkasakit ng dengue, cholera, tuberculosis at iba pang mga malubhang sakit? Sino ang magpapagamot sa kanila?
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Myrna said:
“I hope Cong Ruffy won’t take offence if I ask him what his stand or opinion is on the threat of Mike Pidal to file complaint against Cong Cayetano with the ethics committee, and probably expel him”
I don’t see any reason why I would take offence to this question.
I think there is no reason for Rep. Cayetano to expelled or even sanctioned by the COmmittee on Ethics. There is absolutely no reason for him to resign. Rep. Cayetano is working in behalf of the Filipino people who are demanding answers to these questions, which will not be answered by a complaint filed in the COmmittee on Ethics by the First Gentleman.
Sagutin na lamang ang tanog.
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Spartan said:“I just finished watching the tv series of a Story How Singapore Came To Be…Lee Kuan Yew, he may also not be perfect…but by God, if the Philippines could have “someone” like him…I would believe “that miracles do exist”. Would it not be “plausible” to have someone like Lee Kuan Yew in our Philippine politics Honorable Congressman R. Biazon?”
Yes, I believe it is plausible. But it depends not just on the politicians but on the people as well.
FIrst, politicians come from the ranks of the people. We must prove that politicians are not reflections of society itself. Inother words, that corrupt politicians are bred from a corrupt society.
I agree that many polticians nowadays are a bane to the people. But I just request that the people should refrain from lumping all politicians together as a “bunch of crooks”. there are good politicians out there. Let;s not make them collateral damage in our effort to weed out the bad politicians.
If we continue to brand all politicians as bad, how can we expect the sincere members of society to stand up and join the ranks of public officials? Kung matino kang tao, ayaw mo mabilang sa hanay ng mga tinatawag na kawatan.
Who will then be left to serve the nation? Only the thick-skinned and insensitive will have the guts to be in public office. We would have turned away those with potential to be serve sincerely.
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Artsee said:“Hindi ko aasahan na sagutin ni Cong. Biazon ang komento ko dito uli dahil sa lahat na pumuna sa kanya, ako lang yata ang hindi niya kursunada. Pero salamat din sa nauna niyang mga sagot sa akin.”
I do not knnow how artsee got his idea that I don;t like him. I answered all his questions politely, didnt I?
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Artsee said:“Binanggit niya na wala naman siya pakinabang sa mga sumusulat dito dahil baka hindi pa nga tayo sa lugar niya. Ibig sabihin kung hindi tayo botante, bakit niya sasayangin ang kanyang oras dito. Pero Mr. Congressman, palagi ka bang magiging Congressman lang? Hindi ka ba gagaya sa father mo na naging Senador? Siguro naman may ambition ka rin maging Senador balang araw at baka Presidente pa. Kaya ngayon pa lang ay tratuhin mo sana ng pantay ang lahat ng tao..ke botante mo o hindi.”
You are correct. I won’t be congressman the rest of my life. I may choose to give up after this term. I might follow my immigrant brother to canada. Yes, I won’t be congressman forever. Yes, I might also be senator, if God wills it.
But just like my fahter said, “Have a vision, not ambition. Vision will give you a reason to serve. Ambition will just make you a hostage of it.”
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Diego K. Guerrero said:“The hall of congress is the battleground in case of impeachment complaint against illegitimate President Gloria Arroyo. Pro and anti impeachment congressmen can be compared as “soldiers” in the battlefield. Deserters in the military are executed on the spot. Desertion or intentional abandonment is a serious crime. I think Rep. Raffy Biazon intentionally abandoned his beleaguered comrades in the impeachment deliberations and voting. Where are you Honorable Rep. Raffy Biazon when your comrades needed your support or help? Bakit may sakit ka noon? Non-participation or boycott may only benefits “superior GMA evil forces”. A negative vote can make a big difference in congressional proceedings. The Filipino people want to hear your stand against kleptocracry, election fraud and abuse of power in the impeachment proceedings. I know a tough then Marine Colonel Rodolfo Biazon who stand his ground against R.A.M. superior forces in a failed December 1989 coup d’état. He is a real hero and saver of democracy.”
Sorry, you are incorrect in saying that I was sick on that day. I never said I was sick.
IN order to cut short this reply, I would like to refer you to my blog where I explained my position. If you really want to know the reasons, I suggest you read it. Unless, of course, you’re just taking a pot shot at me. Then, I welcome your posts here.
By the way, please leave my father out of the issues against me. I am my own man and he is his own.
My blog:
http://ruffybiazon.blogspot.com/
