andito na naman si boy siksik... sinisiksik na naman ang sarili sa mga bagay bagay na wal naman syang alam... personal lang... ngunit eto ay pawang obserbasyon lamang at lahat ay ayun sa kanyang nakita at narinig sa kaka siksik sa bus sa oberpass at sa kahit na anong lugar...
ang sulat kong ito ay hango sa mag kaibigan na si atat at si dilat... atat ang tawag sa kanya kasi d sya makapag hintay... dilat naman sya kasi na gising sa kaototohanan...
ganyan ang mga bagay bagay na nagyayari sa ting kapaligiaran.. sa ating sistema na parating ang mamamdali sa kung saan saan... madami naman ang nag bubulagbulagan, d tulad ni dilat at natutu na.. gusto na nyang makawala sa sistema ng dayaan... si atat naman ay guatong mapasok ang kawalan.. maki ayon sa sistema o kaya matutu na kung ano ano...
eto ang kwento ng atat at ng dilat... at umeksena si bulag...
Friday, August 5, 2011
Friday, July 8, 2011
kontrobersyal na naman....
D artista... di naman politiko.. ngunit kontrobersyal... d naman boldstar... d naman porno star.. ngunit kontrobersyal....
Andito na naman tayo para mag nilay nilay sa mga pangyayari sa kapaligiran... sa ngayong linggong eto d naman maulan ngunit basang basa ang mundo ng kaparian... Sila na naman ang sentro ng mga bangayang pampolitika... mga pari na may sinumpaang tungkulin para mag bigay ng kapayapaan sa mundo.. mga pari na may vow of poverty (english, dko ma translate kasi, pasensya tao lang alagad ng diyos d perpekto), ngunit sila ngayon ang naging sentro ng mga SUV na hiningi sa Philippine Charity Sweepstakes. Alagad talaga sila ng diyos, pinag darasal lang nag kakatotoo na, ngunit d sila lumuhod sa harap ng tuinay na dyos kundi nag sulat sa papel na parang humuhinge ng regalo kay Santa Cluas kahit di pasko, pero kaaarawan naman nya kasi at may rason pah... ganyan lang sila sa iisang iglap mga isang milyon na mahigit na SUV ang binigay sa kanya... d naman tayo nag kukutya.... Inggit lang.. hehehehehe!
sa pag papaptuloy ng ating kwentong kainggitan, pag usapan naman natin kung bakit d nagingialam anag simbahan sa pag rarally sa panahon ni glorya! syempre nakakita ang mga kaparian ng glorya kay Gloria.. madali mag dasal sa kanya, ang hiling ay madali na naiibigay kahit di pa hinihiling... ganyan sa bilis... zooom!
mabilis.... magaling... ganyan ang patakaran...
pero kung titingnan mo naman sa likod ng kwentong eto, pwede hindi pansarili ang pangagamitan ng SUV na to, malayo nga kaya kailangan nya mg Montero Sports 4X4, o kaya isang Strada na 4x4 din... dba d naman magara un. pang bundok lang... may panggagamitan din naman pala eh...
sa pagka bunyag ng kontrobersiya na to gusto daw ibalik na lang para matapos na ang mga isyu... matatapos pa kaya.. nabahiran na ng maduming palad ang mga kaparian... pero kailangan natin na mag isip isip... mag isip ng mag isip para malaman kung kailan din tayo mag kakakroon ng panginoon na walang hirap sa pag bibigay... na sa sulat lang nag kakatotoo ang iyong mga panalangin...
Peace!!!
Andito na naman tayo para mag nilay nilay sa mga pangyayari sa kapaligiran... sa ngayong linggong eto d naman maulan ngunit basang basa ang mundo ng kaparian... Sila na naman ang sentro ng mga bangayang pampolitika... mga pari na may sinumpaang tungkulin para mag bigay ng kapayapaan sa mundo.. mga pari na may vow of poverty (english, dko ma translate kasi, pasensya tao lang alagad ng diyos d perpekto), ngunit sila ngayon ang naging sentro ng mga SUV na hiningi sa Philippine Charity Sweepstakes. Alagad talaga sila ng diyos, pinag darasal lang nag kakatotoo na, ngunit d sila lumuhod sa harap ng tuinay na dyos kundi nag sulat sa papel na parang humuhinge ng regalo kay Santa Cluas kahit di pasko, pero kaaarawan naman nya kasi at may rason pah... ganyan lang sila sa iisang iglap mga isang milyon na mahigit na SUV ang binigay sa kanya... d naman tayo nag kukutya.... Inggit lang.. hehehehehe!
sa pag papaptuloy ng ating kwentong kainggitan, pag usapan naman natin kung bakit d nagingialam anag simbahan sa pag rarally sa panahon ni glorya! syempre nakakita ang mga kaparian ng glorya kay Gloria.. madali mag dasal sa kanya, ang hiling ay madali na naiibigay kahit di pa hinihiling... ganyan sa bilis... zooom!
mabilis.... magaling... ganyan ang patakaran...
pero kung titingnan mo naman sa likod ng kwentong eto, pwede hindi pansarili ang pangagamitan ng SUV na to, malayo nga kaya kailangan nya mg Montero Sports 4X4, o kaya isang Strada na 4x4 din... dba d naman magara un. pang bundok lang... may panggagamitan din naman pala eh...
sa pagka bunyag ng kontrobersiya na to gusto daw ibalik na lang para matapos na ang mga isyu... matatapos pa kaya.. nabahiran na ng maduming palad ang mga kaparian... pero kailangan natin na mag isip isip... mag isip ng mag isip para malaman kung kailan din tayo mag kakakroon ng panginoon na walang hirap sa pag bibigay... na sa sulat lang nag kakatotoo ang iyong mga panalangin...
Peace!!!
Monday, July 4, 2011
ang pakikipag sapalaran ni boy siksik...
andito na naman tayo... matagal nang panahon na di ko kayo na entertain.. (english un ah) matapos ang ilang araw na d ako naka sulat ngayon andito na naman ako makikipag usap sa sarili, kukutayain ang mga nakikita sa paligid.. pero puna lang d naman nakakasakit pang sports pah! Booom!
simulan natin sa pagka panalo ng AZKALS! yahoooo! nananlo ang Pilipinas! Congatulations! (english uli!) nanalo sila a iskor na 4-0, sawsaw balaw! ano naman kung nanalo! (nag kukunwari kuno na d ako apektado) OO Pilipino ang bandera na dinadala nila... Pilipino ang azkals.. marunong ba silang managalog? si caligdong lang ata ang narinig ko na nag tagalog ah?! d naman ata, meron din mga marunong katulag ng mag kapatid na batang-asawa na lalake! a (ang hirap i transalate ah!) Pilipino naman lahat sila, kalahati sa ina or ama at purong banyaga mag magsalita. nabigyan na natin ng explinasyon ang kupunan... pero paano nananalo ang azkals? eto ang scinetipikong explinasyon dyan. una andun si Angel Locsin na nag pakulo ng dugo ni Phil, atat na atat na mag iskor para iapkita kung gaano sya kagaling hanggang mag cramps ang katawan nya... naka iskor naman dalawa pa nga (salamat angel). pangalawa, gustong patunayan ng mga puro na kahit di sila hati na banyaga makakaiskor din sila.. tama nga, unang umiskor si chiffy, na syang nag umpisa ng iskor ng Pinas (salamat mga banyaga). at ang pang huli.. gusto nilang makaiskor lahat para magkaroon ng commercial sa telebisyon.. ung ang pang apat kasi wala sa commercial si Spanish- Pilipino na man lalaro... (Ganun?!) d naman ata pero ganun din un.. lahat sila gusto magkaroon ng commercial kaya halos naubos na ang depensya sa goal.. mabuti nga andun si Neil! Mabuhay!
Salamat sa mga nag Iskor! Sana iapag patuloy ninyo ang nag papabugso sa inyong damdamin na maka iskor para may mapanood naman kami sa Copa del Mundo! (tama kaya eto?)
eto si boy siksik!
Monday, June 20, 2011
bat ganun...?
i have been watching television lately.. wala kasing magawa ngayon.. maulan, may bagyo, baha... naisulat ko eto ngayon na kaarawan ni Jose Rizal, ngunit kahapon pa pala yon... napanood ko sa telebisyon na iniinterview ang mga kamag anak ng ating pambansang bayani... Di po ba nag sabi ang ating pambansang bayani na mahalin ang sariling wika? bat ganun.. sila ingles ng ingles hindi ko tuloy maintindihan bat ganun? Iyon na ba ang ibig sabihin na mahalin ang sariling wika dahil kung hindi mo mahalin ang iyong sariling wika mangangamoy ka kasama ng mga fish kill sa batangas... ganun ba talaga yon? Ganun na ba ang sukatan ng pagiging apo ng bayani, dapat magaling ka mag ingles? bat ganun?
Marami din ang nag tatanong kung ano magiging si pambansang bayani natin kung buhay pa sya ngayon.. isip isip? di po ba matanda na sya ngayon kung buhay pa sya? o di kaya bed riden na sya dahil sa katandaan? madami rin ang sumagot (tanga?) ganito ang gawin natin, kung nabuhay sya nagayon bayani kaya siya? tsik tsik! nag papapaka tanga na naman tayo... d katulad lang sya ng ordinaryo na tao... pano makakakagamit si pamabansang bayani ng facebook, twitter, o iba pang social network kung d naman sya nabuhay nagayon dahil kung nabuhay sya ngayon bayani kaya sya? o isa rin sya sa mga kumon na tao na sigaw ng sigaw sa kalsada na wala naman ginagawa.. hayaan na lang natin siya sa kanyang panahon, wag na natin ipag sisisksikan ang kanyang buhay sa kasalukuyan... mag isip isip naman tayo.. panahon natin ngayon, panahaon ng mga bagong bayani (sana?) panahon ng mga walang sillbing tao, panahon ng kurapsyon, panahon ng makalumang politica, panahon na kung saan mga bata parin ang iniisip na pag asa ng bayan (kaya ang dami ng mga anak anak)... panahon ng mga pa pogi sa lipunan (parati nananalo sa eleksyon, parati nasa telebisyon o di kaya artista)... sana nabuhay na lang tayo sa panahon...
ang simbolo ng pag asa ng bayan ay nasa mga bayani, isa buhay at isa puso na lang natin wag na tayong mg O.A., hayaan na lang natin sya sa panahon nya. ngayon ay panahon natin, panahon na tayo naman ang maging bayani.. sana man lang may natutunan tayo sa panahon nila. madami ang mga naiambak ng ating pambansang bayani sana payamanin na lang natin at matuto!
ganun ba talaga?
Marami din ang nag tatanong kung ano magiging si pambansang bayani natin kung buhay pa sya ngayon.. isip isip? di po ba matanda na sya ngayon kung buhay pa sya? o di kaya bed riden na sya dahil sa katandaan? madami rin ang sumagot (tanga?) ganito ang gawin natin, kung nabuhay sya nagayon bayani kaya siya? tsik tsik! nag papapaka tanga na naman tayo... d katulad lang sya ng ordinaryo na tao... pano makakakagamit si pamabansang bayani ng facebook, twitter, o iba pang social network kung d naman sya nabuhay nagayon dahil kung nabuhay sya ngayon bayani kaya sya? o isa rin sya sa mga kumon na tao na sigaw ng sigaw sa kalsada na wala naman ginagawa.. hayaan na lang natin siya sa kanyang panahon, wag na natin ipag sisisksikan ang kanyang buhay sa kasalukuyan... mag isip isip naman tayo.. panahon natin ngayon, panahaon ng mga bagong bayani (sana?) panahon ng mga walang sillbing tao, panahon ng kurapsyon, panahon ng makalumang politica, panahon na kung saan mga bata parin ang iniisip na pag asa ng bayan (kaya ang dami ng mga anak anak)... panahon ng mga pa pogi sa lipunan (parati nananalo sa eleksyon, parati nasa telebisyon o di kaya artista)... sana nabuhay na lang tayo sa panahon...
ang simbolo ng pag asa ng bayan ay nasa mga bayani, isa buhay at isa puso na lang natin wag na tayong mg O.A., hayaan na lang natin sya sa panahon nya. ngayon ay panahon natin, panahon na tayo naman ang maging bayani.. sana man lang may natutunan tayo sa panahon nila. madami ang mga naiambak ng ating pambansang bayani sana payamanin na lang natin at matuto!
ganun ba talaga?
Sunday, May 29, 2011
the Philippine National Flag!
The Philippine Flag has been the Witness of several battles that the Philippines has faced, but people don't even recognized its relevance to thier lives. Flag is the symbol of the maryrdaom of all the heroes in our land, they had shed blood just to see this flag wave up in the air.
The Philippine flag is a royal blue, red and white which this color means blue for peace, red for bravery and white for
purity. Our flag is also coposed of the three stars which symbolizes Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, and a Sun with eight rays whci means the eaight provinces that fought the spaniards. this is how colorful anf meaningful our flag is, this is also sewn by Marcela Agoncillo and first waved in the air by President Emilio Aguinaldo.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
P-Noy needs more empathy
P-Noy needs more empathy
DEMAND AND SUPPLY By Boo Chanco
(The Philippine Star) Updated January 17, 2011
Business Section
http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=648746&publicationSubCategoryId=66
“You are starting to sound like you are sorry you supported Noynoy in the last election,” a long time friend ribbed me last week. I just smiled and he continued, “Well, if you aren’t sorry, you should be.”
No, I said. I still pretty much support P-Noy and pray that he succeeds in getting the country on track in the next five and a half years. I can’t say I am confident he will be able to do it but at my age, all I can really do is hope, pray and write.
I explained that when I decided to shift my support to P-Noy last May, I was well aware of the candidate’s vulnerabilities but decided we have to fight our battles one step at a time. First order of business is to vote for an honest President. I figured Mar Roxas can cover P-Noy’s deficiencies in running anything more complicated than a gun club. Who would have thought things would happen the way it did?
Now it seems that with P-Noy, we have to constantly remind him where the daang matuwid is. No, he hasn’t done anything yet to make us doubt we were wrong to think he is honest. But he constantly gets himself in trouble with self inflicted problems, no doubt due to lack of experience or lack of empathy or both. Sadly, he had been less of the Leader we thought he could be.
This week, media and the social networks were riled up about P-Noy’s third hand Porsche. Indeed, if Ate Glue showed lack of empathy to our suffering people by dining in Le Cirque in New York, the same can be said of P-Noy’s romance with a four and a half million peso Porsche or for that matter, Imelda’s 3,000 pairs of shoes. What was wrong for Ate Glue and Imelda is wrong for P-Noy for the same reason… it displays lack of empathy.
It hardly matters that he used his own money. Like Ate Glue’s feasting on caviar and fine wine supposedly courtesy of Congressmen Romualdez and Suarez, getting that Porsch is scandalous in a nation where half the population consider themselves poor and close to 20 percent actually go hungry. It shows the insensitivity of a cacique. It shows an inability of P-Noy to transcend his social class origins to feel the sufferings of a majority of his people.
I understand too where P-Noy is coming from when he bought the Porsche. He is obviously going through mid-life crisis. Being an old bachelor in his 50s with a thinning hair line (I can empathize with the thinning hairline bit) and a limited ability to keep relationships can be emotionally challenging. P-Noy is tao lamang and he obviously needs a testosterone fix real badly. A Porsche, rather than Prosac, is his preferred prescription for that problem.
But then again, P-Noy forgets he isn’t a normal anybody. He is President of the Republic. He presented himself to the people and promised to be the leader we can be proud of. He made a contract with the Filipino people that limits what he can do… something like the vow of chastity that priests take.
When he took that oath at the Luneta, he should have realized the Constitution he vowed to uphold called upon public officials to “lead modest lives.” Thus, he effectively agreed to push back satisfying his own wants if doing so delivers a mixed message that accentuates the great divide between our social elite, of which he is a part, and the masses. In the fishbowl world he now lives in, everything he does must inspire his people.
I also sort of recall a similar provision of the Civil Service Code which requires public officials and their families not to indulge in extravagant or ostentatious display of wealth in any form. There is also the Administrative Code that talks of “thoughtless extravagance in expenses for pleasure or display during a period of acute public want or emergency.” And because he has apparently violated the spirit and the provisions of Law requiring government officials and employees to live simply, he has also lost the moral authority to demand it from the bureaucracy.
The one word that P-Noy must learn and understand well is empathy. Without it, he cannot be the leader who will make a difference. Ate Glue is a fairly competent and even hardworking leader but the one other thing she lacked other than trustworthiness was empathy. She projected a coldness that alienated people. P-Noy, on the other hand, cannot be just the honest President who will not steal a centavo. He must be someone who empathizes with his people, even if he comes from a family of hacienderos.
Maybe what added to the gravity of the Porsche story was bad timing. The Porsche story came out in the same week that SWS released its latest report on the rise in the number of people calling themselves poor and admitting going hungry. It was also the same week when the P-Noy administration took a relatively tough line on increased toll rates, increased MRT-LRT fares, increased taxi rates and granted permission for bakers to increase the prices for bread.
The Porsche story was heaven sent for the likes of leftist propagandists. The Porsche story presented a visible image of a government leader who is not of the people and could therefore not be expected to understand their problems meeting the high cost living. Other than the fact that it might actually violate our laws, getting the Porsche goes against the image of egalitarianism that P-Noy himself proclaimed with his no wang wang message.
What we are left with is the image of a spoiled brat, not of a leader who would deliver his developing country from poverty. What he is facing after all, are problems that should keep a devoted leader busy working on affairs of the state up to way past midnight.
For many of us who voted for him, we knew he wasn’t the sharpest pencil in the box but he did present himself as someone who is a quick learner. We figured he should be enough to get the nation to at least go in the right direction. What we found more important was his potential to inspire the people. Unless the leader inspires, our people will not do their part in nation building but rather, continue to just look out for themselves.
Unfortunately, our Great Leader has proven himself less than inspiring so far.
Empathy. Wikipedia defines empathy as the capacity to recognize and, to some extent share, feelings (such as sadness or happiness) that are being experienced by another. In other words, empathy means being sensitive to the sufferings of other people. A certain amount of empathy is needed before a person is able to feel compassion. Empathy covers a range of feelings that includes demonstrating a concern for other people that creates a desire to help them.
An effective leader must show lots of empathy to the plight of his people. And that empathy is conveyed by giving the right messages… not just what he says but what he does. It isn’t easy being President. And now that he is President, P-Noy will have to start thinking and acting like he is indeed, our Great Leader.
We apparently have to keep reminding P-Noy that the tuwid na daan is not about a race track for his Porsche. It is about getting government to function like the fine tuned engine of a Porsche. I guess if that thought comes to mind when he is speeding around in his new toy, maybe the Porsche is the best thing that has ever happened to the Filipino people. Let me remind you however, it is suicidal to hold our breath.
Beemer
A middle aged man walks into a BMW dealership. He browses around, spots the Top-of-the-line Beemer and walks over to inspect it. As he feels the fine leather upholstery, he inadvertently breaks Wind.
He looks around nervously to see if anyone has noticed his little accident. As he turns around, he sees a salesman standing right behind him. The salesman greets him, “Good day, Sir. How may we help you today?”
Very uncomfortably, but hoping that the salesman may just not have been there at the time of his accident, he asks, “Sir, what is the price of this lovely vehicle?”
He answers, “Sir, if you farted just touching it, you are going to shit when I tell you the price.”
Boo Chanco’s e-mail address is bchanco@gmail.com.
DEMAND AND SUPPLY By Boo Chanco
(The Philippine Star) Updated January 17, 2011
Business Section
http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=648746&publicationSubCategoryId=66
“You are starting to sound like you are sorry you supported Noynoy in the last election,” a long time friend ribbed me last week. I just smiled and he continued, “Well, if you aren’t sorry, you should be.”
No, I said. I still pretty much support P-Noy and pray that he succeeds in getting the country on track in the next five and a half years. I can’t say I am confident he will be able to do it but at my age, all I can really do is hope, pray and write.
I explained that when I decided to shift my support to P-Noy last May, I was well aware of the candidate’s vulnerabilities but decided we have to fight our battles one step at a time. First order of business is to vote for an honest President. I figured Mar Roxas can cover P-Noy’s deficiencies in running anything more complicated than a gun club. Who would have thought things would happen the way it did?
Now it seems that with P-Noy, we have to constantly remind him where the daang matuwid is. No, he hasn’t done anything yet to make us doubt we were wrong to think he is honest. But he constantly gets himself in trouble with self inflicted problems, no doubt due to lack of experience or lack of empathy or both. Sadly, he had been less of the Leader we thought he could be.
This week, media and the social networks were riled up about P-Noy’s third hand Porsche. Indeed, if Ate Glue showed lack of empathy to our suffering people by dining in Le Cirque in New York, the same can be said of P-Noy’s romance with a four and a half million peso Porsche or for that matter, Imelda’s 3,000 pairs of shoes. What was wrong for Ate Glue and Imelda is wrong for P-Noy for the same reason… it displays lack of empathy.
It hardly matters that he used his own money. Like Ate Glue’s feasting on caviar and fine wine supposedly courtesy of Congressmen Romualdez and Suarez, getting that Porsch is scandalous in a nation where half the population consider themselves poor and close to 20 percent actually go hungry. It shows the insensitivity of a cacique. It shows an inability of P-Noy to transcend his social class origins to feel the sufferings of a majority of his people.
I understand too where P-Noy is coming from when he bought the Porsche. He is obviously going through mid-life crisis. Being an old bachelor in his 50s with a thinning hair line (I can empathize with the thinning hairline bit) and a limited ability to keep relationships can be emotionally challenging. P-Noy is tao lamang and he obviously needs a testosterone fix real badly. A Porsche, rather than Prosac, is his preferred prescription for that problem.
But then again, P-Noy forgets he isn’t a normal anybody. He is President of the Republic. He presented himself to the people and promised to be the leader we can be proud of. He made a contract with the Filipino people that limits what he can do… something like the vow of chastity that priests take.
When he took that oath at the Luneta, he should have realized the Constitution he vowed to uphold called upon public officials to “lead modest lives.” Thus, he effectively agreed to push back satisfying his own wants if doing so delivers a mixed message that accentuates the great divide between our social elite, of which he is a part, and the masses. In the fishbowl world he now lives in, everything he does must inspire his people.
I also sort of recall a similar provision of the Civil Service Code which requires public officials and their families not to indulge in extravagant or ostentatious display of wealth in any form. There is also the Administrative Code that talks of “thoughtless extravagance in expenses for pleasure or display during a period of acute public want or emergency.” And because he has apparently violated the spirit and the provisions of Law requiring government officials and employees to live simply, he has also lost the moral authority to demand it from the bureaucracy.
The one word that P-Noy must learn and understand well is empathy. Without it, he cannot be the leader who will make a difference. Ate Glue is a fairly competent and even hardworking leader but the one other thing she lacked other than trustworthiness was empathy. She projected a coldness that alienated people. P-Noy, on the other hand, cannot be just the honest President who will not steal a centavo. He must be someone who empathizes with his people, even if he comes from a family of hacienderos.
Maybe what added to the gravity of the Porsche story was bad timing. The Porsche story came out in the same week that SWS released its latest report on the rise in the number of people calling themselves poor and admitting going hungry. It was also the same week when the P-Noy administration took a relatively tough line on increased toll rates, increased MRT-LRT fares, increased taxi rates and granted permission for bakers to increase the prices for bread.
The Porsche story was heaven sent for the likes of leftist propagandists. The Porsche story presented a visible image of a government leader who is not of the people and could therefore not be expected to understand their problems meeting the high cost living. Other than the fact that it might actually violate our laws, getting the Porsche goes against the image of egalitarianism that P-Noy himself proclaimed with his no wang wang message.
What we are left with is the image of a spoiled brat, not of a leader who would deliver his developing country from poverty. What he is facing after all, are problems that should keep a devoted leader busy working on affairs of the state up to way past midnight.
For many of us who voted for him, we knew he wasn’t the sharpest pencil in the box but he did present himself as someone who is a quick learner. We figured he should be enough to get the nation to at least go in the right direction. What we found more important was his potential to inspire the people. Unless the leader inspires, our people will not do their part in nation building but rather, continue to just look out for themselves.
Unfortunately, our Great Leader has proven himself less than inspiring so far.
Empathy. Wikipedia defines empathy as the capacity to recognize and, to some extent share, feelings (such as sadness or happiness) that are being experienced by another. In other words, empathy means being sensitive to the sufferings of other people. A certain amount of empathy is needed before a person is able to feel compassion. Empathy covers a range of feelings that includes demonstrating a concern for other people that creates a desire to help them.
An effective leader must show lots of empathy to the plight of his people. And that empathy is conveyed by giving the right messages… not just what he says but what he does. It isn’t easy being President. And now that he is President, P-Noy will have to start thinking and acting like he is indeed, our Great Leader.
We apparently have to keep reminding P-Noy that the tuwid na daan is not about a race track for his Porsche. It is about getting government to function like the fine tuned engine of a Porsche. I guess if that thought comes to mind when he is speeding around in his new toy, maybe the Porsche is the best thing that has ever happened to the Filipino people. Let me remind you however, it is suicidal to hold our breath.
Beemer
A middle aged man walks into a BMW dealership. He browses around, spots the Top-of-the-line Beemer and walks over to inspect it. As he feels the fine leather upholstery, he inadvertently breaks Wind.
He looks around nervously to see if anyone has noticed his little accident. As he turns around, he sees a salesman standing right behind him. The salesman greets him, “Good day, Sir. How may we help you today?”
Very uncomfortably, but hoping that the salesman may just not have been there at the time of his accident, he asks, “Sir, what is the price of this lovely vehicle?”
He answers, “Sir, if you farted just touching it, you are going to shit when I tell you the price.”
Boo Chanco’s e-mail address is bchanco@gmail.com.
Le Porsche = Le Cirque
CTALK By Cito Beltran
(The Philippine Star), page 14
Updated January 14, 2011 12:00 AM
http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=647964&publicationSubCategoryId=64
The present Aquino administration is so generous.
In fact we can even say that this administration is generous to a fault, particularly their faults. Ever since they stepped into Malacañang, they have been so generous at giving the public every reason to criticize them.
Yesterday was no exception when radio and print media finally publicized or tackled the “issue” of President Noynoy Aquino allegedly driving around Metro Manila in a multi-million peso Porsche.
This of course is “old” news that has circulated among many businessmen and the privileged class. Perhaps, it is now NEWS, since the administration has nothing new in terms of real accomplishments and the public has lost interest in the last-latest girlfriend linked to P-Noy.
Perhaps no one would have noticed if P-Noy or someone pretending to be P-Noy were very discreet about cruising around Metro Manila. Unfortunately the style in which the convoy cruised certainly catches attention.
When I saw the now controversial “Presidential” cruise car, there were at least three huge SUVs running point with blinkers flashing and clearing the road for the President on wheels. I can only imagine that it was like playing Play Station Gran Turismo in real life.
Considering how the “walang wang-wang” declaration put a stop to politicos abusing power, any vehicle using blinkers immediately catch drivers’ attention. Now we watch out for blinkers and sirens because we now willingly give way to legitimate emergencies. But when three SUVs zoom by followed by a Porsche, everybody notices and now thanks to the media focus, everybody thinks or knows it’s P-Noy at the wheel.
It is ironic and alarming that the story of the Presidential Porsche has unraveled on the month when the NLEX and SLEX toll rates went up, when the government announced that they will be increasing the fare on the LRT and the MRT, and the same week that surveys revealed that more Filipinos went hungry in the first few months of the Aquino administration, more than in the time of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.
In this season of discontent it was no surprise to hear that the President’s alleged Porsche cruising activity was no different from Gloria Macapagal Arroyo eating a thousand dollar dinner at Le Cirque in New York.
If it is indeed P-Noy who owns and drives the sleek Porsche, he should have consulted with several Porsche owners in Metro Manila concerning the driving etiquette for Porsches.
I am certain there are at least 200+ Porsches in Metro Manila but they don’t simply go out the driveway and flaunt their cars. Usually they leave early in the morning, on weekends and holidays and they try to get out of Metro Manila as fast as possible in order to avoid gawkers and not to attract unnecessary attention.
They drive outside the Metro in places such as the NLEX-SCTEX-Clark-subic and maybe even Baguio or back to Manila. Or they drive out south on the SLEX-STAR Toll-Tagaytay-Calatagan. These routes bring out top end performance enjoyment of the cars without soliciting envy, contempt or unwarranted social judgment.
The Porsche driver is always at point, unannounced and unassuming. They don’t have sweepers. Part of the fun is being able to use the driving skills required in order to fully appreciate the power and performance of a Porsche. They don’t have tinted cars because that would be denying legitimate ownership of a legitimate sports car legitimately acquired at a big cost or a big sacrifice.
Yes, privilege has its price and part of it is the obligation to be discreet and considerate.
I personally have no problems with President Noynoy driving around in a Porsche. I think it’s cool to have a bachelor President who drives himself in a high quality sports car around Metro Manila. But first things first.
As a fellow Filipino, I would tell President Noynoy – establish your relationship, your goodwill and above all demonstrate your love not your politics to the Filipino people and most certainly not your Porsche.
The Filipino people are very open-minded, appreciative people, but at a time when the slogan “Matuwid na daan” has been replaced by “Matarik na daan” (steep path) because of increasing and steep prices, it is no surprise that those who believed in you now take offense.
* * *
I was pleasantly surprised to hear from my friend Gilbert Teodoro who has just returned from a long deserved vacation with his family abroad.
Gilbert Teodoro has obviously been keeping tabs on local issues and commented on the plans of selling Camp Crame and Camp Aguinaldo. Being the former Secretary of Defense, Teodoro is familiar with the facts and figures of the Department of Defense and pointed out that the modernization of the AFP is a long term requirement, and that the money Secretary Purisima could make from selling the camps would probably be used up in one year or could buy only two to three fighter jets and all the logistical support for the three planes.
Being a country with 34,000 kilometers of shoreline, Teodoro stressed that we seriously need to beef up our capabilities to patrol and respond against smugglers, drug traffickers, and foreign illegal fishing boats.
Even more immediate is the serious need to upgrade the AFP’s ability for Disaster Response. We need aircraft that can transport aid, materials and personnel. We need emergency vehicles such as water borne craft and land vehicles so our Army and Navy can respond.
But like all else, we need a serious and informed plan. That’s the difference between people who live the life versus living the likes. I’m betting we will be hearing more from Gilbert Teodoro in the coming days.
(The Philippine Star), page 14
Updated January 14, 2011 12:00 AM
http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=647964&publicationSubCategoryId=64
The present Aquino administration is so generous.
In fact we can even say that this administration is generous to a fault, particularly their faults. Ever since they stepped into Malacañang, they have been so generous at giving the public every reason to criticize them.
Yesterday was no exception when radio and print media finally publicized or tackled the “issue” of President Noynoy Aquino allegedly driving around Metro Manila in a multi-million peso Porsche.
This of course is “old” news that has circulated among many businessmen and the privileged class. Perhaps, it is now NEWS, since the administration has nothing new in terms of real accomplishments and the public has lost interest in the last-latest girlfriend linked to P-Noy.
Perhaps no one would have noticed if P-Noy or someone pretending to be P-Noy were very discreet about cruising around Metro Manila. Unfortunately the style in which the convoy cruised certainly catches attention.
When I saw the now controversial “Presidential” cruise car, there were at least three huge SUVs running point with blinkers flashing and clearing the road for the President on wheels. I can only imagine that it was like playing Play Station Gran Turismo in real life.
Considering how the “walang wang-wang” declaration put a stop to politicos abusing power, any vehicle using blinkers immediately catch drivers’ attention. Now we watch out for blinkers and sirens because we now willingly give way to legitimate emergencies. But when three SUVs zoom by followed by a Porsche, everybody notices and now thanks to the media focus, everybody thinks or knows it’s P-Noy at the wheel.
It is ironic and alarming that the story of the Presidential Porsche has unraveled on the month when the NLEX and SLEX toll rates went up, when the government announced that they will be increasing the fare on the LRT and the MRT, and the same week that surveys revealed that more Filipinos went hungry in the first few months of the Aquino administration, more than in the time of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.
In this season of discontent it was no surprise to hear that the President’s alleged Porsche cruising activity was no different from Gloria Macapagal Arroyo eating a thousand dollar dinner at Le Cirque in New York.
If it is indeed P-Noy who owns and drives the sleek Porsche, he should have consulted with several Porsche owners in Metro Manila concerning the driving etiquette for Porsches.
I am certain there are at least 200+ Porsches in Metro Manila but they don’t simply go out the driveway and flaunt their cars. Usually they leave early in the morning, on weekends and holidays and they try to get out of Metro Manila as fast as possible in order to avoid gawkers and not to attract unnecessary attention.
They drive outside the Metro in places such as the NLEX-SCTEX-Clark-subic and maybe even Baguio or back to Manila. Or they drive out south on the SLEX-STAR Toll-Tagaytay-Calatagan. These routes bring out top end performance enjoyment of the cars without soliciting envy, contempt or unwarranted social judgment.
The Porsche driver is always at point, unannounced and unassuming. They don’t have sweepers. Part of the fun is being able to use the driving skills required in order to fully appreciate the power and performance of a Porsche. They don’t have tinted cars because that would be denying legitimate ownership of a legitimate sports car legitimately acquired at a big cost or a big sacrifice.
Yes, privilege has its price and part of it is the obligation to be discreet and considerate.
I personally have no problems with President Noynoy driving around in a Porsche. I think it’s cool to have a bachelor President who drives himself in a high quality sports car around Metro Manila. But first things first.
As a fellow Filipino, I would tell President Noynoy – establish your relationship, your goodwill and above all demonstrate your love not your politics to the Filipino people and most certainly not your Porsche.
The Filipino people are very open-minded, appreciative people, but at a time when the slogan “Matuwid na daan” has been replaced by “Matarik na daan” (steep path) because of increasing and steep prices, it is no surprise that those who believed in you now take offense.
* * *
I was pleasantly surprised to hear from my friend Gilbert Teodoro who has just returned from a long deserved vacation with his family abroad.
Gilbert Teodoro has obviously been keeping tabs on local issues and commented on the plans of selling Camp Crame and Camp Aguinaldo. Being the former Secretary of Defense, Teodoro is familiar with the facts and figures of the Department of Defense and pointed out that the modernization of the AFP is a long term requirement, and that the money Secretary Purisima could make from selling the camps would probably be used up in one year or could buy only two to three fighter jets and all the logistical support for the three planes.
Being a country with 34,000 kilometers of shoreline, Teodoro stressed that we seriously need to beef up our capabilities to patrol and respond against smugglers, drug traffickers, and foreign illegal fishing boats.
Even more immediate is the serious need to upgrade the AFP’s ability for Disaster Response. We need aircraft that can transport aid, materials and personnel. We need emergency vehicles such as water borne craft and land vehicles so our Army and Navy can respond.
But like all else, we need a serious and informed plan. That’s the difference between people who live the life versus living the likes. I’m betting we will be hearing more from Gilbert Teodoro in the coming days.
Whatever happened to…?
Opinion
By Rigoberto D. Tiglao
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 04:55:00 01/06/2011
p. A11
http://opinion.inquirer.net/inquireropinion/columns/view/20110106-312772/Whatever-happened-to
Filed Under: Governance, Graft & Corruption, Civil & Public Services
A FAVORITE feature of mine in this newspaper had been the occasional “Whatever happened to...?”, which followed up what happened later on to news—controversies, crimes, accusations—that had been reported.
It was a reality-check of sorts, as a follow-up often disclosed that seemingly shocking accusations, for instance, were exaggerated. Often, the whatever-happened-to follow-ups were disappointing, as for instance, it turned out that the only thing that happened regarding a crime story after two years was that “the case is pending in the court.” The feature was also a means to pressure authorities to fulfill their promises.
With the start of a new year, it would be useful to list down several “whatever-happened-to’s” of national interest, and revisit it every six months:
One, the jueteng “exposés.” In September, retired Archbishop Oscar Cruz hogged the headlines with his claims that jueteng was prospering under the new administration, and that President Aquino’s top officials, including Local Government Undersecretary Rico Puno, were receiving P8 million monthly protection money from jueteng lords. “Tapos na ang maliligayang araw nila,” Mr. Aquino angrily retorted, as he declared war on the illegal numbers game.
Whatever happened? Nothing. An article in this newspaper the other day, buried in the inside pages, (“Laguna police keeping watch on expansion of jueteng,”) reported ominously: “Jueteng in Metro Manila has expanded its operations down south.”
Two, the anti-corruption campaign. The President has indeed created an ethos that his will be a graft-free administration. At the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp., for instance, the new management has stopped the notorious racket of restaurants’ accreditation by which Pagcor pays for the astronomical, and even fabricated, bills of casino players dining in restaurants it “accredits” in exchange for a monthly commission. We haven’t heard though of any revitalized anti-graft campaign in the “usual suspects”: the Department of Public Works and Highways, the Department of Transportation and Communication, the Bureau of Customs. If Education Secretary Armin Luistro doesn’t comment soon on how he will deal with the oligopoly of loan sharks preying on teachers at his department, I’d be praying for his discernment. All eyes are on Carlos Garcia’s plunder case. But has the Armed Forces set up the mechanisms to prevent other Garcias?
“Tuwid na daan muna tayo” has purportedly been the response of many a corrupt bureaucrat to deals offered, while grinning as though to make fun of the President’s mantra, and apparently just biding their time. That’s good, but if the anti-graft campaign remains on the level of moral injunctions, with little fear of prosecution, the effort will fizzle out. And there are indeed disturbing signs.
Prosecuting the alleged misdeeds of the past administration is not the be-all and end-all of the Office of the Ombudsman. It is investigating 2,000 cases of corruption all over the country. But obviously so mad at the agency’s head, the President has cut down its budget by P400 million this year.
Its performance was not stellar, but the Presidential Anti-Graft Commission was a means for whistle-blowers to report graft cases they knew about. But it has been effectively closed down, with its functions turned over to the executive secretary’s legal office, which is hardly staffed by stellar legal minds.
Three, National Food Authority head Lito Banayo’s “we’re-swimming-in-rice” assessment. Aping President Aquino’s claim when he took office that the past administration “over-imported” rice, Banayo claimed that the previous management had imported “in a midnight deal” P100 million worth of overpriced rice, and even asked the Department of Justice to prosecute former NFA officials. When the rice production data came in, he was aghast to discover that output was significantly down due to drought and typhoons. Banayo then boasted that it was good that the NFA had sufficient rice stocks. Of course, he didn’t mention how much of the stocks were part of the “over-importation” he once disdained. Next year, he blithely announced, rice imports would be just marginally lower than the imports in 2010.
Excusable lapses in judgment perhaps, as Banayo has zero experience in rice trading and agricultural economics. But of all the many state firms and agencies, why did he ask to head a corporation that for more than three decades has racked up billions of pesos in losses, with a deficit this year of P40 billion? A Chinese rice trader I asked responded with a big grin.
Four, the Lamborghini tax-evader. Last July, the Bureau of Internal Revenue charged William Villarica with tax evasion, claiming he paid minimal taxes despite his thriving pawnshop business. It was supposed to be the start of the BIR’s vigorous campaign against tax evaders. To make the story sizzle, the BIR claimed Villarica owned a P26-million Lamborghini sports car. The first court hearing on the case was postponed as no BIR prosecutor turned up. The last news story I could dig up said that Villarica’s lawyer Frank Chavez (formerly President Cory Aquino’s solicitor general) claimed that the BIR didn’t have proof, not even the car’s certificate of registration. The same news story pointed out that William Villarica’s sister-in-law is Bulacan representative Linabelle Villarica, a party mate of President Aquino. I hope BIR Commissioner Kim Henares brings us up to date on their “landmark tax-evasion case.”
There are of course other interesting “whatever-happened-to’s”: the anti-wangwang policy (successful, it seems); the factionalism in Aquino’s government (successful it seems); the Luneta hostage drama (forgotten it seems, except by Hong Kong); 4,300 government positions to be filled (my count: about 100 appointees, including Tesda’s Director General Joel Villanueva, son of evangelist Eddie Villanueva).
(E-mail: tiglao.inquirer@gmail.com)
By Rigoberto D. Tiglao
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 04:55:00 01/06/2011
p. A11
http://opinion.inquirer.net/inquireropinion/columns/view/20110106-312772/Whatever-happened-to
Filed Under: Governance, Graft & Corruption, Civil & Public Services
A FAVORITE feature of mine in this newspaper had been the occasional “Whatever happened to...?”, which followed up what happened later on to news—controversies, crimes, accusations—that had been reported.
It was a reality-check of sorts, as a follow-up often disclosed that seemingly shocking accusations, for instance, were exaggerated. Often, the whatever-happened-to follow-ups were disappointing, as for instance, it turned out that the only thing that happened regarding a crime story after two years was that “the case is pending in the court.” The feature was also a means to pressure authorities to fulfill their promises.
With the start of a new year, it would be useful to list down several “whatever-happened-to’s” of national interest, and revisit it every six months:
One, the jueteng “exposés.” In September, retired Archbishop Oscar Cruz hogged the headlines with his claims that jueteng was prospering under the new administration, and that President Aquino’s top officials, including Local Government Undersecretary Rico Puno, were receiving P8 million monthly protection money from jueteng lords. “Tapos na ang maliligayang araw nila,” Mr. Aquino angrily retorted, as he declared war on the illegal numbers game.
Whatever happened? Nothing. An article in this newspaper the other day, buried in the inside pages, (“Laguna police keeping watch on expansion of jueteng,”) reported ominously: “Jueteng in Metro Manila has expanded its operations down south.”
Two, the anti-corruption campaign. The President has indeed created an ethos that his will be a graft-free administration. At the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp., for instance, the new management has stopped the notorious racket of restaurants’ accreditation by which Pagcor pays for the astronomical, and even fabricated, bills of casino players dining in restaurants it “accredits” in exchange for a monthly commission. We haven’t heard though of any revitalized anti-graft campaign in the “usual suspects”: the Department of Public Works and Highways, the Department of Transportation and Communication, the Bureau of Customs. If Education Secretary Armin Luistro doesn’t comment soon on how he will deal with the oligopoly of loan sharks preying on teachers at his department, I’d be praying for his discernment. All eyes are on Carlos Garcia’s plunder case. But has the Armed Forces set up the mechanisms to prevent other Garcias?
“Tuwid na daan muna tayo” has purportedly been the response of many a corrupt bureaucrat to deals offered, while grinning as though to make fun of the President’s mantra, and apparently just biding their time. That’s good, but if the anti-graft campaign remains on the level of moral injunctions, with little fear of prosecution, the effort will fizzle out. And there are indeed disturbing signs.
Prosecuting the alleged misdeeds of the past administration is not the be-all and end-all of the Office of the Ombudsman. It is investigating 2,000 cases of corruption all over the country. But obviously so mad at the agency’s head, the President has cut down its budget by P400 million this year.
Its performance was not stellar, but the Presidential Anti-Graft Commission was a means for whistle-blowers to report graft cases they knew about. But it has been effectively closed down, with its functions turned over to the executive secretary’s legal office, which is hardly staffed by stellar legal minds.
Three, National Food Authority head Lito Banayo’s “we’re-swimming-in-rice” assessment. Aping President Aquino’s claim when he took office that the past administration “over-imported” rice, Banayo claimed that the previous management had imported “in a midnight deal” P100 million worth of overpriced rice, and even asked the Department of Justice to prosecute former NFA officials. When the rice production data came in, he was aghast to discover that output was significantly down due to drought and typhoons. Banayo then boasted that it was good that the NFA had sufficient rice stocks. Of course, he didn’t mention how much of the stocks were part of the “over-importation” he once disdained. Next year, he blithely announced, rice imports would be just marginally lower than the imports in 2010.
Excusable lapses in judgment perhaps, as Banayo has zero experience in rice trading and agricultural economics. But of all the many state firms and agencies, why did he ask to head a corporation that for more than three decades has racked up billions of pesos in losses, with a deficit this year of P40 billion? A Chinese rice trader I asked responded with a big grin.
Four, the Lamborghini tax-evader. Last July, the Bureau of Internal Revenue charged William Villarica with tax evasion, claiming he paid minimal taxes despite his thriving pawnshop business. It was supposed to be the start of the BIR’s vigorous campaign against tax evaders. To make the story sizzle, the BIR claimed Villarica owned a P26-million Lamborghini sports car. The first court hearing on the case was postponed as no BIR prosecutor turned up. The last news story I could dig up said that Villarica’s lawyer Frank Chavez (formerly President Cory Aquino’s solicitor general) claimed that the BIR didn’t have proof, not even the car’s certificate of registration. The same news story pointed out that William Villarica’s sister-in-law is Bulacan representative Linabelle Villarica, a party mate of President Aquino. I hope BIR Commissioner Kim Henares brings us up to date on their “landmark tax-evasion case.”
There are of course other interesting “whatever-happened-to’s”: the anti-wangwang policy (successful, it seems); the factionalism in Aquino’s government (successful it seems); the Luneta hostage drama (forgotten it seems, except by Hong Kong); 4,300 government positions to be filled (my count: about 100 appointees, including Tesda’s Director General Joel Villanueva, son of evangelist Eddie Villanueva).
(E-mail: tiglao.inquirer@gmail.com)
Rebel taxes started in Bicol, says book
Across the Nation
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 22:57:00 01/05/2011
p. A7
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/regions/view/20110105-312735/Rebel-taxes-started-in-Bicol-says-book
Filed Under: State Budget & Taxes, Guerrilla activities, Armed conflict
NAGA CITY, Philippines—Taxation was introduced by communist underground leaders in Bicol as a way of raising funds to feed guerrillas following an extended period of disconnect with national communist leaders, according to a book by Filipino authors published in Switzerland.
The book, “Primed and Purposeful,” said guerrillas in Bicol were the first to collect so-called revolutionary taxes and permit-to-campaign fees, toll that is collected from politicians during elections.
It was published in Switzerland last April by the Small Arms Survey and written by Soliman M. Santos Jr. and Paz Verdades M. Santos in collaboration with Octavio Dinampo, Herman Kraft, Raymund Quilop and Kira Paredes.
Paz Santos, one of the authors, said revolutionary tax was devised by New People’s Army rebels in Bicol at a time when guerrillas in the region were cut off from the national leadership for long periods from March 1969 until the 1970s.
She said the national leadership of the Communist Party of the Philippines once frowned upon revolutionary taxation but later adopted it everywhere NPA rebels operated.
“The group (NPA rebels) had been struggling to feed and arm its troops until it devised the system of charging ‘revolutionary taxes’ or ‘donations,’” said the book.
It said taxes started being collected from farm workers, fishermen, teachers, barangay officials, nongovernment organizations, businesses and landowners. Juan Escandor Jr., Inquirer Southern Luzon
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 22:57:00 01/05/2011
p. A7
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/regions/view/20110105-312735/Rebel-taxes-started-in-Bicol-says-book
Filed Under: State Budget & Taxes, Guerrilla activities, Armed conflict
NAGA CITY, Philippines—Taxation was introduced by communist underground leaders in Bicol as a way of raising funds to feed guerrillas following an extended period of disconnect with national communist leaders, according to a book by Filipino authors published in Switzerland.
The book, “Primed and Purposeful,” said guerrillas in Bicol were the first to collect so-called revolutionary taxes and permit-to-campaign fees, toll that is collected from politicians during elections.
It was published in Switzerland last April by the Small Arms Survey and written by Soliman M. Santos Jr. and Paz Verdades M. Santos in collaboration with Octavio Dinampo, Herman Kraft, Raymund Quilop and Kira Paredes.
Paz Santos, one of the authors, said revolutionary tax was devised by New People’s Army rebels in Bicol at a time when guerrillas in the region were cut off from the national leadership for long periods from March 1969 until the 1970s.
She said the national leadership of the Communist Party of the Philippines once frowned upon revolutionary taxation but later adopted it everywhere NPA rebels operated.
“The group (NPA rebels) had been struggling to feed and arm its troops until it devised the system of charging ‘revolutionary taxes’ or ‘donations,’” said the book.
It said taxes started being collected from farm workers, fishermen, teachers, barangay officials, nongovernment organizations, businesses and landowners. Juan Escandor Jr., Inquirer Southern Luzon
Toll
Opinion
By: Alex Magno
(The Philippine Star)
Updated January 6, 2011 12:00 AM
Links: http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=645713&publicationSubCategoryId=64
There is something wrong in this sequence.
Immediately after they were given the go-ahead to raise toll rates last month, companies operating the expressways announced they will implement the increase in stages. They, obviously, have an interest in cushioning the impact of the price adjustments on the consumer: it reduces the possibility of violent consumer protests.
As the workweek began, the Palace announced they will ask the companies operating the expressways to implement the increase in stages. Wasn’t that exactly what the companies already announced? Was anybody working in the Palace through the holidays?
Sometime late this week, we do not know exactly when, the administration is supposed to convene its economic managers to discuss ways by which the impact of the toll rate adjustments might be mitigated. Such a meeting ought to have been convened months before, anticipating the hefty toll adjustments that will be made.
It is not as if the toll rate adjustments caught us by surprise.
In its first few days, the Aquino administration announced that the contracts with the investors will be respected. Those contracts assure investors in our infra development cost recovery and profitability. If those contracts are not respected, future investments in our economy will be doomed.
A couple of months ago, a conference was held where potential investors in our infra projects were assured a hospitable policy environment. Our economic managers, in fact, promised something that might be difficult to deliver: government guarantees against any losses incurred because of juridical or political uncertainties.
We knew the toll rate adjustments would happen. In fact, they should have happened a long time ago. Investors were losing massively with every day of delay in the implementation of the rate adjustments. Too, every day of delay meant less time for cost recovery within the concession period — therefore steeper price adjustments to ensure recovery.
The only thing that held back the rate adjustments was a consumer suit filed before the Supreme Court in a frantic attempt to stop the rate adjustments. The Court ruled in favor of government and threw out the petitions.
When President Aquino whined about being singled out by the Supreme Court, he forgot about this important ruling. The ruling opens the way for the administration’s program of “public-private partnerships” to proceed.
The expressway toll rate adjustment is a litmus test for assuring investors a more market-friendly environment in the country. If the administration buckled under populist pressure in this case, its credibility in the eyes of investors will collapse. We might as well give up any hope of attracting private investments to help close our yawning infrastructure gap for the next six years.
True, the toll rate adjustment will inflict pain on consumers. We have long been used to paying ridiculously low rates courtesy of immense government subsidies for everything from electricity to fuel to trains to expressways. Those immense subsidies threw us into indebtedness.
Subsidies are an inefficient use of scarce public finances. They benefit some at the expense of others. They favor richer consumers and disfavor the poor. They benefit those who use a utility at the expense of those who don’t.
Subsidies for roads and rail, fuel and power are generally unjust. If we subsidize fuel, for instance, we favor those who own gas-guzzlers and disfavor bikers. If we subsidize expressways and commuter rail, we favor those in the metropolitan area at the expense of those in the Visayas and Mindanao.
Because subsidies are generally unjust, they deepen regional disparities, preserve rural poverty and retard our development by discouraging market-driven investments in things we urgently need, such as good roads, efficient rail and reliable power supplies.
If we want First World expressways, we should be prepared to pay for their real costs. Justice is better served if the direct users pay for these costs and the non-users of the utility spared the expense. There is an ethical consideration here, not just an economic calculation.
The new toll rates took effect, as long expected, on the first day of the year. The “economic managers” meeting is scheduled about a week after. This is not just a problem of timing but also of audience. This might not even be the right meeting to convene.
A month ago, the President should have convened, not the economic managers, but the line agencies charged with transport fare, traffic management and other related concerns. Government should have been ready with a coordinated response, adjusting fare rates and dealing with traffic overflow caused by vehicles avoiding the expressways.
When the new toll rates took effect, for instance, buses using the expressways took it upon themselves to adjust their fares independent of the government regulatory agencies. For the transport operators, it was a matter of necessity. What they did was illegal, but government action was late.
Little, if any, was done to upgrade, ahead of the toll rate adjustments, the old roads used by small traders who bring agricultural produce to the metropolitan area. If all agricultural produce pass through the expressways, a commensurate increase in food prices becomes unavoidable.
We need more rail services to lower the logistics costs of bringing food to the city. There is no government program for this.
Soon we will have to deal with a fare increase in all the commuter rail lines in the city. Hopefully, we see less of the utter unpreparedness on the part of government characterizing the toll rate adjustments.
We are moving into a new price regime in all our logistical systems as we prepare for their modernization. The Palace should be more proactive in preparing for their many repercussions.
By: Alex Magno
(The Philippine Star)
Updated January 6, 2011 12:00 AM
Links: http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=645713&publicationSubCategoryId=64
There is something wrong in this sequence.
Immediately after they were given the go-ahead to raise toll rates last month, companies operating the expressways announced they will implement the increase in stages. They, obviously, have an interest in cushioning the impact of the price adjustments on the consumer: it reduces the possibility of violent consumer protests.
As the workweek began, the Palace announced they will ask the companies operating the expressways to implement the increase in stages. Wasn’t that exactly what the companies already announced? Was anybody working in the Palace through the holidays?
Sometime late this week, we do not know exactly when, the administration is supposed to convene its economic managers to discuss ways by which the impact of the toll rate adjustments might be mitigated. Such a meeting ought to have been convened months before, anticipating the hefty toll adjustments that will be made.
It is not as if the toll rate adjustments caught us by surprise.
In its first few days, the Aquino administration announced that the contracts with the investors will be respected. Those contracts assure investors in our infra development cost recovery and profitability. If those contracts are not respected, future investments in our economy will be doomed.
A couple of months ago, a conference was held where potential investors in our infra projects were assured a hospitable policy environment. Our economic managers, in fact, promised something that might be difficult to deliver: government guarantees against any losses incurred because of juridical or political uncertainties.
We knew the toll rate adjustments would happen. In fact, they should have happened a long time ago. Investors were losing massively with every day of delay in the implementation of the rate adjustments. Too, every day of delay meant less time for cost recovery within the concession period — therefore steeper price adjustments to ensure recovery.
The only thing that held back the rate adjustments was a consumer suit filed before the Supreme Court in a frantic attempt to stop the rate adjustments. The Court ruled in favor of government and threw out the petitions.
When President Aquino whined about being singled out by the Supreme Court, he forgot about this important ruling. The ruling opens the way for the administration’s program of “public-private partnerships” to proceed.
The expressway toll rate adjustment is a litmus test for assuring investors a more market-friendly environment in the country. If the administration buckled under populist pressure in this case, its credibility in the eyes of investors will collapse. We might as well give up any hope of attracting private investments to help close our yawning infrastructure gap for the next six years.
True, the toll rate adjustment will inflict pain on consumers. We have long been used to paying ridiculously low rates courtesy of immense government subsidies for everything from electricity to fuel to trains to expressways. Those immense subsidies threw us into indebtedness.
Subsidies are an inefficient use of scarce public finances. They benefit some at the expense of others. They favor richer consumers and disfavor the poor. They benefit those who use a utility at the expense of those who don’t.
Subsidies for roads and rail, fuel and power are generally unjust. If we subsidize fuel, for instance, we favor those who own gas-guzzlers and disfavor bikers. If we subsidize expressways and commuter rail, we favor those in the metropolitan area at the expense of those in the Visayas and Mindanao.
Because subsidies are generally unjust, they deepen regional disparities, preserve rural poverty and retard our development by discouraging market-driven investments in things we urgently need, such as good roads, efficient rail and reliable power supplies.
If we want First World expressways, we should be prepared to pay for their real costs. Justice is better served if the direct users pay for these costs and the non-users of the utility spared the expense. There is an ethical consideration here, not just an economic calculation.
The new toll rates took effect, as long expected, on the first day of the year. The “economic managers” meeting is scheduled about a week after. This is not just a problem of timing but also of audience. This might not even be the right meeting to convene.
A month ago, the President should have convened, not the economic managers, but the line agencies charged with transport fare, traffic management and other related concerns. Government should have been ready with a coordinated response, adjusting fare rates and dealing with traffic overflow caused by vehicles avoiding the expressways.
When the new toll rates took effect, for instance, buses using the expressways took it upon themselves to adjust their fares independent of the government regulatory agencies. For the transport operators, it was a matter of necessity. What they did was illegal, but government action was late.
Little, if any, was done to upgrade, ahead of the toll rate adjustments, the old roads used by small traders who bring agricultural produce to the metropolitan area. If all agricultural produce pass through the expressways, a commensurate increase in food prices becomes unavoidable.
We need more rail services to lower the logistics costs of bringing food to the city. There is no government program for this.
Soon we will have to deal with a fare increase in all the commuter rail lines in the city. Hopefully, we see less of the utter unpreparedness on the part of government characterizing the toll rate adjustments.
We are moving into a new price regime in all our logistical systems as we prepare for their modernization. The Palace should be more proactive in preparing for their many repercussions.
Big money at Immigration
By: Ernesto M. Maceda
(The Philippine Star)
Updated January 6, 2011 12:00 AM
Links: http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=645716&publicationSubCategoryId=64
Officers and employees of the Bureau of Immigration are up in arms against the “gross, blatant and deliberate violations of law” of Atty. Ronald P. Ledesma, officer-in-charge. They accuse him of removals, designations and reassignments of personnel without the approval of the Secretary of Justice. Particularly targetted are those considered close to President Arroyo and to former Commissioner Marcelino Libanan. Many have been arbitrarily transferred to outports. Employees have been ordered to be out of their offices by 5:30 p.m.
A white paper also points out that thousands of illegal Chinese and Korean nationals have entered the country and are holding jobs or doing business under the protection of Immigration officials. In Divisoria alone, hundreds of non-tagalog speaking Chinese are openly doing work as vendors and salesclerks. The “going rate” for non arrest is P250,000 per head. Also flourishing is a racket for the approval of petitions for recognition filed by naturalized Chinese for a fee of P300,000 per head.
Three women fixers headed by Betty well known at Binondo, are operating. Also thriving is the sale of missionary visas to fake pastors and clergymen.
Human trafficking and escort services at the airport is flourishing but with the price per head going up from P200,000 to P500,000. The US Embassy has complained about the large number of Filipino arrivals in the US with fake visas which should have been caught at NAIA.
The long lines at airport counters are still there. While it takes five minutes or less to clear immigration in Hong Kong, Macau, Japan and Singapore, it takes 20-30 minutes at the NAIA. New rules imposed by OIC Ledesma under Memorandum Order No. RPL-10-004 have delayed the airport clearance.
OIC Ronald Ledesma is impervious to criticism and advice and is very arrogant because he was recommended by a close associate of Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa. Walang tuwid na daan sa Bureau of Immigration. DOJ Secretary Leila de Lima should take a closer look at what is happening at the Bureau of Immigration. There’s an impending paralysis about to hit that office.
* * *
POLICE BESTIALITY . . . PO3 Antonio Bautista of the Manila Police District has been charged with rape and robbery perpetrated on a 30-year old vendor on New Year’s eve, Dec. 31 inside MPD Headquarters on UN Avenue, the 10th case of police grave misconduct the last four weeks alone.
PO3 Bautista and a companion arrested the victim for vagrancy on Carriedo Street while on her way to Sta. Cruz church, despite her protestation that she was waiting for her partner who was buying coffee.
At the MPD headquarters, Bautista took P4,000 from her wallet, then demanded she performs oral sex, then raped her in exchange for her release.
How many times has he done this to women he has arrested? Sources in the MPD say he had a similar case three months ago. When suspects are brought to headquarters or a police station, are they recorded in the police blotter? And shouldn’t the Chief of Police or the Station Commander monitor what is happening in the backroom where suspects are held?
Before this PO3 Bautista incident, we saw a video of Supt. Joselito Binayug torturing a suspect in a Tondo police sub station. Was he dismissed?
How about the policeman who was accused of raping a masseuse at the San Juan police station? Was he suspended? Five QC cops are now accused of kidnapping with murder by James Kumar and two companions in Pasay. One of them was found shot to death in Bulacan. A police major went berserk in Pasig.
DILG Sec. Jessie Robredo who is chairman of the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) has finally taken note of the successive cases of rogue policemen involved in serious crimes. He promised to speed up the disposition of administrative cases against policemen. There’s a big problem here as there is corruption in NAPOLCOM as shown by the low 15 percent rate of dismissal, aggravated by the long delay in resolving cases, as long as five years.
After six months, it has been one “palpak” after another for the Robredo-Puno team at DILG.
* * *
NO ANCHORS . . .President Aquino assured the Philippine Navy he will secure more ships for them at the installation of Admiral Alexander Pama as FOIC.
As Ambassador to the US, we were able to get a patrol craft (PCF) from the US. The US made available to us a bigger coast guard ship being phased out of service but the AFP preferred to get choppers and a C-130 for the PAF and 6x6 trucks for the Army. It’s time to give priority to the Philippine Navy, considering our long coastline.
We made an official visit to China as chairman of the committee on national defense and security of the Senate. China also manufactures ships of all classes. If we befriend China, we can also get brand new ships from them on very easy terms.
* * *
NO LAW ENFORCERS. . .According to LTFRB Board Member Manuel Iway, the Gasat Express bus that killed 7 family members in a head-on collision at the Star Tollway was out of line and had no permit to ply the Manila-Batangas-Iloilo route.
So how was it able to travel from Cubao-Makati to SLEX to Batangas without any LTO or PNP highway patrol agents stopping it?
* * *
TIDBITS. . . Aroroy, Masbate Vice Mayor Vicente Maristela was shot dead in an ambush in Fairview, Quezon City. Twenty people have died in the flash floods in Bicol, Leyte and Eastern Mindanao.
Southern Police District PO1 Pedro Reyes has been accused of stabbing a neighbor on New Year’s eve.
Condolences to the family of the late Gov. Nancy Q. Sison of Pangasinan. Her remains are at Loyola chapels at Guadalupe
(The Philippine Star)
Updated January 6, 2011 12:00 AM
Links: http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=645716&publicationSubCategoryId=64
Officers and employees of the Bureau of Immigration are up in arms against the “gross, blatant and deliberate violations of law” of Atty. Ronald P. Ledesma, officer-in-charge. They accuse him of removals, designations and reassignments of personnel without the approval of the Secretary of Justice. Particularly targetted are those considered close to President Arroyo and to former Commissioner Marcelino Libanan. Many have been arbitrarily transferred to outports. Employees have been ordered to be out of their offices by 5:30 p.m.
A white paper also points out that thousands of illegal Chinese and Korean nationals have entered the country and are holding jobs or doing business under the protection of Immigration officials. In Divisoria alone, hundreds of non-tagalog speaking Chinese are openly doing work as vendors and salesclerks. The “going rate” for non arrest is P250,000 per head. Also flourishing is a racket for the approval of petitions for recognition filed by naturalized Chinese for a fee of P300,000 per head.
Three women fixers headed by Betty well known at Binondo, are operating. Also thriving is the sale of missionary visas to fake pastors and clergymen.
Human trafficking and escort services at the airport is flourishing but with the price per head going up from P200,000 to P500,000. The US Embassy has complained about the large number of Filipino arrivals in the US with fake visas which should have been caught at NAIA.
The long lines at airport counters are still there. While it takes five minutes or less to clear immigration in Hong Kong, Macau, Japan and Singapore, it takes 20-30 minutes at the NAIA. New rules imposed by OIC Ledesma under Memorandum Order No. RPL-10-004 have delayed the airport clearance.
OIC Ronald Ledesma is impervious to criticism and advice and is very arrogant because he was recommended by a close associate of Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa. Walang tuwid na daan sa Bureau of Immigration. DOJ Secretary Leila de Lima should take a closer look at what is happening at the Bureau of Immigration. There’s an impending paralysis about to hit that office.
* * *
POLICE BESTIALITY . . . PO3 Antonio Bautista of the Manila Police District has been charged with rape and robbery perpetrated on a 30-year old vendor on New Year’s eve, Dec. 31 inside MPD Headquarters on UN Avenue, the 10th case of police grave misconduct the last four weeks alone.
PO3 Bautista and a companion arrested the victim for vagrancy on Carriedo Street while on her way to Sta. Cruz church, despite her protestation that she was waiting for her partner who was buying coffee.
At the MPD headquarters, Bautista took P4,000 from her wallet, then demanded she performs oral sex, then raped her in exchange for her release.
How many times has he done this to women he has arrested? Sources in the MPD say he had a similar case three months ago. When suspects are brought to headquarters or a police station, are they recorded in the police blotter? And shouldn’t the Chief of Police or the Station Commander monitor what is happening in the backroom where suspects are held?
Before this PO3 Bautista incident, we saw a video of Supt. Joselito Binayug torturing a suspect in a Tondo police sub station. Was he dismissed?
How about the policeman who was accused of raping a masseuse at the San Juan police station? Was he suspended? Five QC cops are now accused of kidnapping with murder by James Kumar and two companions in Pasay. One of them was found shot to death in Bulacan. A police major went berserk in Pasig.
DILG Sec. Jessie Robredo who is chairman of the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) has finally taken note of the successive cases of rogue policemen involved in serious crimes. He promised to speed up the disposition of administrative cases against policemen. There’s a big problem here as there is corruption in NAPOLCOM as shown by the low 15 percent rate of dismissal, aggravated by the long delay in resolving cases, as long as five years.
After six months, it has been one “palpak” after another for the Robredo-Puno team at DILG.
* * *
NO ANCHORS . . .President Aquino assured the Philippine Navy he will secure more ships for them at the installation of Admiral Alexander Pama as FOIC.
As Ambassador to the US, we were able to get a patrol craft (PCF) from the US. The US made available to us a bigger coast guard ship being phased out of service but the AFP preferred to get choppers and a C-130 for the PAF and 6x6 trucks for the Army. It’s time to give priority to the Philippine Navy, considering our long coastline.
We made an official visit to China as chairman of the committee on national defense and security of the Senate. China also manufactures ships of all classes. If we befriend China, we can also get brand new ships from them on very easy terms.
* * *
NO LAW ENFORCERS. . .According to LTFRB Board Member Manuel Iway, the Gasat Express bus that killed 7 family members in a head-on collision at the Star Tollway was out of line and had no permit to ply the Manila-Batangas-Iloilo route.
So how was it able to travel from Cubao-Makati to SLEX to Batangas without any LTO or PNP highway patrol agents stopping it?
* * *
TIDBITS. . . Aroroy, Masbate Vice Mayor Vicente Maristela was shot dead in an ambush in Fairview, Quezon City. Twenty people have died in the flash floods in Bicol, Leyte and Eastern Mindanao.
Southern Police District PO1 Pedro Reyes has been accused of stabbing a neighbor on New Year’s eve.
Condolences to the family of the late Gov. Nancy Q. Sison of Pangasinan. Her remains are at Loyola chapels at Guadalupe
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