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Project 2010: a farewell gift to GMA


Most people stayed indoors while Basyang went on its path of destruction, but some people braved the unfriendly weather to attend a book launch - but not just any book launch. The 97-page, square-shaped, smooth-paged work of heart titled "Project 2010: Confronting the Legacy of the GMA Regime" is a farewell present to former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo from non-government organization Focus on the Global South, its friends, colleagues and partners. Elegantly laid out, the book is a compilation of nine pieces covering the nine-year Arroyo regime, sourced from contributors with various areas of expertise. Focus on the Global South asked activists, advocates, researchers, writers, journalists and academics to reflect and write about the themes they had already been immersed in. The idea is to start an ongoing collective discussion and debate, so that the project goes beyond the book, and beyond 2010 as well. The book features contributions on Chronic Fraud in Philippine Elections (Roberto Verzola), Fertilizer Fund Scam (Luz Rimban), Military (Aries Arugay and Nicole Curato), Power Sector (Wilson Fortaleza), ZTE-NBN and Budget Powers (Jay Carizo), Congress (Walden Bello and Sabrina Gacad), Mindanao (Herbert Docena), Appointments (Cecilia Lero) and Supreme Court (Marites Danguilan-Vitug). While the introduction to the book bears a disclaimer - that there is no full agreement on the themes, nor does Focus on the Global South share all the views expressed in Project 2010 - they believe the issues concerning the former president are not concurrent with her term. This book is their contribution to making sure that the last nine years are not simply swept under the rug. Ultimately, the book aims to encourage continued action on unresolved issues, whether regarding the past administration, or the one that has just begun. Project 2010 is the first of its kind, and though Verzola admits this is a challenge, he is optimistic. "Sooner or later we will find the smoking gun, and then perhaps the whole experience we have had under the GMA regime of election - the full picture will become known to all," he said, adding that it would be a milestone in assessing the heritage left by the Arroyo regime. Vitug candidly said that Arroyo's appointments in the Supreme Court are the heart of the problem President Aquino inherits. "She chose the justices based on loyalty, whom she knows, who recommended this justice, and will this justice stand by her. She used her power to ensure her political survival especially after Hello, Garci," said Vitug, who enjoined the audience to watch President Aquino next month as he makes his first Supreme Court appointment: the replacement of former Chief Justice Puno. "Malaki ang challenge ni President Aquino to be able to restore integrity to the appointment process. He said 'no' to wang-wang, can he say no to lobbying and power brokers? It is very important for all of us to watch," reminded Vitug. The book, despite its rather negative content of scams, scandals and other sordid affairs, is a delight to leaf through. Apart from the nine chapters, the book also features a centerfold timeline of the Arroyo years, accompanied by full-color photographs. There are also comprehensive tables of relevant information, such as Arroyo's networks of political appointees, and impeachment bids against her. At the launch, a generally pleasant crowd listened as Verzola and Vitug shared insights about their contributions for Project 2010. The rain would not let up, but it did nothing to dampen anyone's spirits. When Jess Santiago sang Only In Da Pilipins, everyone gamely sang along. Though the sky was dark and gloomy, the ground wet, the mood at the launch remained light and hopeful. As Focus on the Global South program coordinator Jenina Chavez said, "It is time to light all the candles to finally enlighten ourselves and find the truth we have been seeking for a long time." - GMANews.TV
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