Bohol, an Wage Informed Erap Ousted publisher’s notes alternative Increase Consumer Ten Years Ago! Boracay Consent When P-Noy? OpinYon on Air OpinYon sa Radyo started last THE TRAVEL ADDICT THINK LABOR CROSSINGS YESTERDAY, TODAY & TOMORROW January 10. The radio show, an 8 By Marivic Del Pilar 7 By dAVE dIWA 12 By BUTCH JUNIA 6 By LINGGOY ALCUAZ extension of OpinYon weekly newsmagazine, allowed the readers to directly interact with Dummy Capitalism A new spectre is haunting the business scene- the spectre their favorite columnists. of dummy capitalism in holy alliance with foreign capital SHOPTALK PAGE 4 The columnist-hosts are joined by Catherine Go, a radio beauty, who was tasked to P15.00 anchor OpinYon sa Radyo. We politicize economic issues The strength of OpinYon is the quality of its column writ- and give economic ers - all experts in their fields perspective to sharing their expertise in the political issues radio medium.
Page 4 The Only Opinion Paper, We Take A Stand JANUARY 17 - 23, 2011 • Vol. I, No. 22 ISSN 2094-7372 Visit us at www.opinyon.com.ph
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By Chito Junia President Benigno C. Aquino III says the Filipinos today live a better life. Even as he said this, prices of food electricity, oil and other basic goods have gone up. What the Presi dent is saying and what the Filipinos see are diametri cally opposed in terms of real economic life of the Filipinos. High prices being real has not made life for the Filipino any better, nay, it has worsened and has made more Filipinos hungry, Pres. Aquino’s claim of goodturn life to isPAGE a 2product of poor imagination and a fantasy at its highest order. And because the fantasy has been exposed the blame game has started. inside Listen to oPINYON SA RADYO OCHOA SHOWS MUSCLE at DWBL 1242 AT NAIA STORY ON PAGE 3 SEE SCHEDULE ON PAGE 11 NEWS The Only Opinion Paper, We Take a Stand tariff should have been under the formula and the tariff which the foreign investor is able to collect. This government policy Police Reforms Needed Blame Game has been met with groans and moans from the consumers who By Vic Bert Sia National Police Commission From page 1 fares beginning March 1 this will eventually have to pay for (Napolcom) to be judicious Consumers are blaming the En- year. The Department of Trans- those projects, either directly With its public image being in reviewing criminal cases ergy Regulatory Council (ERC) portation and Communication’s through user fees, or indirectly tarnished by the involvement involving policemen, saying for allowing itself to be used as (DOTC) has already approved through their taxes, if only to of some police officers in that during her term as PLEB a puppet of Meralco, by granting the petition of the government deliver P-Noy’s commitment to criminal activities, what could chairman, many cases were all requests of the country’s larg- owned MRT and LRT rail com- the foreign investors. have been a better way to ex- dismissed by the Commission est power distributor for power panies for fare increase. press the need to overhaul the without “justification.” This rate increases. And because of Blaming P-Noy ’s lack Philippine National Police’s could probably be the reason this, consumers are blaming Blaming a poor Fiscal Policy of control of his official promotion and recruitment why many policemen are not P-Noy for his disregard for the With his campaign slogan family process than the reported afraid of getting involved in call of consumers to revamp, if “Pag walang Corrupt, walang Filipinos are also blaming the enlistment in the country’s illegal activities. not abolish the ERC, or at least, mahirap”, P-Noy may be doing warring “Balay” and “Samar” police force of a Malaysian Already, many police of- intercede for the sake of protect- his best to improve the lives of factions of P-Noy’s core groups national. ficers have been named in ing consumer interest, in the poor Filipinos. But the ill advise of advisers for putting the Presi- According to Teresita Ang “hulidap” operations, and yet virtual slaughter of consumers of his economic pundits have dent on a bad light. The open row See, Chairman of the Move- they still roam the streets in by Meralco, with the approval by placed the President on an awk- between the two factions, which ment for the Restoration of uniform, probably, scouting the ERC. Already, the country’s ward predicament. is perceived to be beyond the Peace and Order (MRPO), she for victims. “Hulidap” is power rates are the highest in The 21 Billion peso Con- President’s control, underscores learned about the Malaysian an illegal police operation ditional Cash Transfer (CCT) his lack of control over his key Asia. In Meralco’s Distribution becoming a Filipino policeman where, its purpose is just to program for instance, of the De- advisers. Supply Metering (DSM) charges some years back when she was extort money from, usually, partment of Social Welfare and Department of Interior and alone, from 76 centavos per the Executive Chairman of unsuspecting individuals. Development (DSWD) to help Local Government (DILG) un- kilowatt hour in 2007, it has gone the People’s Law Enforcement In a recent “hulidap” alleviate poverty in the country is dersecretary Rico Puno is likewise up to P 1.22, to P 1.49 and now to operation by operatives of looked upon by financial experts being blamed by some sectors for Board (PLEB) in Manila. P 1.6464. “This situation under- the Manila Western Police Motorists are blaming the as a “stop-gap” measure only. the President’s waning popular- scores the need for the District in Malate, Manila, Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) for Providing the poor with dole ity because of his handling of the Philippine National Police an unsuspecting recruitment approving the 300% increase out money for help from the Luneta hostage drama. to exercise due diligence in agency employee was picked in toll fees sought by the South government will never solve the P-Noy’s financial advisers the promotion and selection up for allegedly illegal recruit- Luzon Expressway Inc. (SLEX), country’s poverty problem. In are also being blamed for giving ment, based presumably on a the operators of the South Luzon fact, anti corruption advocates the President the idea that the of police officers, especially fear that without lots where camps Crame and in light of reports of involve- complaint by four recruitment the appropriate Aguinaldo are situated can be ment of some police officers victims. With his campaign slogan “Pag walang monitoring and sold by the government to real in criminal activities” the The recruitment agency check and bal- estate developers, when the deed MRPO chairman stressed. employee, in an entrapment Corrupt, walang mahirap”, P-Noy may ance measures of donation for the lots prohibits “We were able to confirm operation, was picked up at in the selection its use for other purpose, other that he was a holder of a Ma- around 3 pm in the afternoon be doing his best to improve the lives of beneficiaries than for the military camps. laysian passport and he be- in the early part of January of poor Filipinos. But the ill advise of of the program came a policeman. Although, this year, and by 7 pm of the and releases of The Blame Game Continues I can no longer remember same day, she was out of the his economic pundits have placed the funds, part of The euphoria over P-Noy’s the name of the Malaysian police station, after paying the the 21 billion landslide victory in the 2010 recruit,” See added. police officers with 100,000.00. President on an awkward predicament. peso funds for presidential election is over. See attributes the police But, the sad part of the story is the CCT could With over 3.4 million Filipinos recruitment foul up to the that, the alleged complainants expressway, Luzon’s major road go to the pockets of certain having gone through hunger “palakasan” and “Padrino” against the recruitment agency artery to the south. Although, government officials. because of poverty, according to system in the PNP, as one of employee for illegal recruit- the implementation of the new With part of the funds for the latest Social Weather Stations the factors that contributed to ment already had their visas toll rates has been done on a the CCT coming from govern- (SWS) survey, a situation that is the PNP’s erosion of discipline issued and were just awaiting staggered basis, by August this ment loans, which eventually made even worse by the relent- in the ranks. for the other POEA documents year, motorists using SLEX will have to be paid by Juan De less increase in power rates, toll “They [police leadership] for their deployment. would carry the burden of the la Cruz, Filipinos are blaming fees and basic commodities, the have to instill discipline. They But, nevertheless, the entire 300% increase in toll fees. the DSWD, government finance blame game among the Filipinos have to review the process recruitment agency employee With the full implementation of officials for the ill advice to the continues. of recruitment, application gave in to the police officers the new TRB approved rates, the President on the CCT program. Some blame Mar Roxas for and promotion,” she added. 100,000.00 demand, if only P 65.00 toll fee from Nichols to P-Noy’s much touted Private giving way to P-Noy in the “They have to enhance and to be able to go home on the Alabang, for instance, would be Partnership Program (PPP) to Presidential race. Some blame strengthen the process.” same evening when she was more or less P 180.00. And just encourage more foreign inves- the businessmen, who, perhaps The Movement for the picked up. like the power users, motorists tors in the country is also seen by to further their business inter- Restoration of Peace and These type of “hulidap” are also pinning their hopes on financial experts as a potential ests, urged P-Noy to run for the Order has been pushing for operations is almost a com- P-Noy to reverse the TRB ap- economic time bomb, if certain presidency in the last election. reforms in the criminal justice mon thing in the Malate area proved increase in toll fees. policies of the program are not And some blame his friends and system of the country, where where hundreds of recruitment Commuters, for their part, are changed. relatives for prompting P-Noy to the PNP is one of the major agencies hold office, and were poised to hold rallies in protest The government assurance vie for the highest position of the pillars in the system. thousands of overseas job of the impending increase in from P-Noy himself during the land. See said that unless true seekers roam to scout for their transportation fares. Already, launching of the PPP program But behind this unending reforms in the criminal justice desired jobs abroad everyday. the taxi cab operator’s request for which was attended by some blame game, many Filipinos system are implemented and But with, “hulidap” police an increase on its flag down rate 500 foreign investors that, if for who supported P-Noy in the last police discipline is enforced officers roaming around the has been approved by the Land some reason, a court decision Presidential election and are now with an iron fist, restoration Malate area, perhaps, it is Transportation Franchising and threatens the toll rate adjustment living in poverty, can only look of public trust on the Philip- not the best place to locate sought by a PPP investor on a up and blame nobody else the Regulatory Board (LTFRB). pine justice system could still an overseas manpower place- toll way facility for instance, the most, but themselves, for their LRT and MRT commuters be far from reality. ment industry business, after government will compensate for current woes under the Simeon for their part, will also see a 50 Ang See called on the all. to 100 percent increase in train the difference between what the Benigno Aquino III Presidency.
Legarda meets Aung San Suu Kyi Solon prods govt. to support restoration of democracy in Burma Senator Loren Legarda today Suu Kyi last November sent us our neighbors in Asia, become called for the Philippine a signal that the restoration of practising democracies—the government’s active role and democratic rule in Myanmar kind that works better for de- continuous support to the (Burma) could be on the way. velopment. Aung San Suu Kyi restoration of democratic rule We hailed her release, a hard- has thanked President Aquino in Myanmar (Burma). fought freedom that translates for calling her after she was Legarda, Chair of the Senate to a victory for democracy. Now, released from house arrest, Committee on Foreign Rela- as member of the ASEAN, we and she continues to be grate- tions, made the statement after a must continue to call on Myan- ful to us for our consistency recent meeting with Myanmar’s mar (Burma) authorities to and vigilance in expressing our pro-democracy icon, Aung San take concrete steps towards a views and concerns relative to Suu Kyi in Yangon (Rangoon), fair political system that would the restoration of democracy in Myanmar (Burma). allow the involvement of all its Myanmar (Burma),” Legarda According to the Senator, citizens in the country’s politi- said. Aung San Suu Kyi believes that cal affairs,” Legarda said. “As a democratic nation, let the Association of Southeast Legarda added that Aung us continue to encourage and Asian Nations (ASEAN) will play San Suu Kyi said she will support other nations whose a very essential role in restoring only take part in Myanmar’s citizens would also want to ex- the democratic institutions in elections under an “inclusive perience the kind of liberty that Senator Loren Legarda meets with Aung San Suu Kyi in Yangon Myanmar (Burma), in the same political process”, in which all we already have—that freedom (Rangoon), Myanmar (Burma) where they discussed ASEAN’s way as African nations played citizens of Myanmar (Burma) which allows all of us to use our role in restoring full democracy in Myanmar (Burma) and a significant part in resolving can freely participate. knowledge, skills, and talent to where Aung San Suu Kyi expressed her appreciation to the political disputes in Ivory Coast. “We all need to do our part take part in nation building,” Philippine government and its people. “The release of Aung San in helping nations, especially she concluded.
2 J A N U A R Y 1 7 - 2 3, 2 0 1 1 OpinYon The Only Opinion Paper, We Take a Stand NEWS New POEA head named By Chito Junia
A Methodist pastor, lawyer and a corpo- rate man has been named by President Ochoa shows Benigno C. Aquino III to head the Philippine Over- seas Employment Administration (POEA) the gov- muscle at NAIA ernment’s regula- By CHITO JUNIA If Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa’s behaviour at Carlos Cao Jr. tory body in the the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 2 upon his country’s overseas manpower placement industry, replacing arrival from a trip abroad last December 28, 2010 is to be the measure of former President Gloria Macapagal Ar- arrogance of this administration’s officials, as the Presidents alter ego, royo appointee Jennifer Jardin Manalili. it practically puts P-Noy’s slogan of “Kayo ang Boss Ko” as nothing but Carlos Cao Jr., a journalism gradu- ate of the University of the Philippines mere lip service and a manifestation of this governments hypocrisy. who later took up law at the UP Law Center and finished it in 1984, got the In a December 29, 2010 with “No sir, we are only President’s nod when he was strongly incident report by Special asking for Customs Baggage Agents (SA) Roberto Ramos Declaration.” endorsed by the Search Committee and Rolando Fajardo, both Ochoa, for the second and all of the senior officials of the gatekeepers of the Bureau of time asked Fajardo about Department of Labor and Employment Customs Arrival area at the Ramos’ airport assignment (DOLE), including former Senator NAIA Terminal 2, Ramos, saying, “Puwesto ba niya Jovito Salonga. according to the report was yon” (Is it his post there) Cao’s extensive experience in law, manning gate I when at about which Fajardo replied in among them as managing partner 8:50 pm of December 28, 2010, the affirmative. Ochoa of El Elyon and Cao Law Offices, as Ochoa, with a companion, was again asked “ Ano ba Confidential Legal Assistant to Court about to pass through their siya diyan” (What is of Appeals Justice Bienvenido Ejercito, gate. As a standard procedure, Ramos he there). Fajardo replied, “He is a as legal researcher for the Public Estates politely asked in vernacular, “ Sir, excuse customs police officer sir”. Finally, Authority (PEA), and last of which was me, ang baggage declaration nyo po. (Sir, Ochoa asked Rolando Fajardo as Chief Legal Counsel of Mitsubishi Excuse me, your baggage declaration again for the name of Ramos “ Motors Philippines, Inc., coupled with please), which Ochoa answered “Wala Anong Pangalan niya Rolly” ( his management expertise when he ako niyan” ( I don’t have that). What is his name Rolly?). also led the MMPI’s Corporate Planning And because there were many other The poor customs police Department for almost 19 years, is seen incoming passengers passing through officer could just be doing his to be a big boost to the POEA’s thrust to the gate at that time, Ramos, according job. And knowing that P-Noy strengthen the country’s international to the report, attended to the other pas- makes a stop whenever he labor market share. sengers. goes through red lights, he might have thought that the While Cao still has to learn the trade SA Rolando Fajardo, however, his partner at gate I, recognized Ochoa and Executive Secretary could in overseas manpower deployment, approached the Secretary to greet him just as well abide by the having worked in the private sector for good evening. After greeting the Sec- rules of the airport. most of his career life, his corporate work retary, however, the Secretary asked Fa- A Customs Baggage orientation is seen to be an advantage for jardo. “ Trabaho niyo ba ang manita?”(Is Declaration, is a require- the POEA. After all, most private com- it your job to check on people?), which ment for all arriving panies are much better than government Fajardo, as stated in the report replied passengers. agencies in terms of efficiency.
OpinYon J A N U A R Y 1 7 - 2 3, 2 0 1 1 3 EDITORIAL The Only Opinion Paper, We Take a Stand have one hour to explain their thoughts and publisher’s notes directly interact with their listeners. And they reach out to the hundreds of thousands who By Ray Junia listen to DWBL from the two ends of Luzon and the world through live streaming and electronic media. While they were surprised of the move to go radio, Margie Holmes called and expressed con- cern the idea was great but “are we not straining OpinYon on Air the resources too thin?” I was also surprised by OpinYon is now on radio from Monday to Friday the interest of almost everybody. They were al- of the week. That is at DWBL 1242AM in your most all willing to go onboard despite the hassle dial. The title is OpinYon sa Radyo. of going to the studio. The bigger surprise was We started our radio show last January 10 the volunteerism to find sponsors for the pro- while the weekly newsmagazine was on its 21st gram. We were talking and pushing as a family. I issue. Lucky number, they say. noticed this energy during the Christmas party. Getting to radio was a surprise to the colum- There was minor headache. Fixing the sched- nists. The format is the columnists take turns in ule. Most were accommodating, though. Harry hosting the daily show. The readers of OpinYon Tambuatco, Sarah Jane Suguitan and Linggoy weekly are now given the chance to directly Alcuaz volunteered to move to Wednesday as interact with their favorite columnists. the group of Marivic DelPilar, Chito Borromeo, The strength of OpinYon Weekly is the qual- and Michelle Junia cant make that day for Rotary ity of its column writers, all experts in their field. Club meetings. Like when Butch Junia says Meralco is cheating We got Cathy Go, a seasoned radio booth its customers with the consent of the govern- beauty, was picked to anchor the show. She had ment pledged to support the people, he has the anchored for all my radio shows before. numbers to prove his assertion. When Marivic First day, Monday, Bernie Lopez, broke the ice, DelPilar writes about countries in Europe, she as they say. We had guests from YWCA who are writes as she has seen and visited the places. fighting eviction by the top officials of Quezon Now OpinYon writers are not limited to 800 City. Bernie would say OpinYon is committed to words in their articulation. This is the suggested serve the interest of the oppressed. Who’s to Blame? space in the weekly newsmagazine. They now Turn to page 13 The public always holds the government responsi- ble for what happens to them but the government always finds a way to blame everybody else when Dummy capitalism things go wrong or when it fails to deliver what The Department of Labor & Employment This is a chicken and egg the people expect from them. situation but every turn around, P-Noy’s first experience in responding to a real announced no salary hike this year. The the MVP group makes lots of pesos to buy the dollars remitted crisis was the failed rescue attempt of the twenty business sector should be happy with this to the countries of his foreign two tourists from Hong Kong held hostage by a announcement. But is it? principals. Of course, the local dismissed police officer. A fact-finding body found dummies make a pile in the The business community is process. his closest friends and associates accountable but worried the uncontrolled hike the president took full responsibility for the car- in prices of basic goods and ser- • • • • • • nage and the people accepted his explanation. But vices will lead to workers unrest. A company involved in real What is sure is productivity will estate development appears to the Hong Kong government is not satisfied and be affected. They are worried be in a big problem. A dummy wants to conduct their own investigation. They are an unhappy workforce will not of foreign principal is reported the first to doubt President Aquino’s judgment. produce its best. SHOPTALK, to own a minority-share of the P-Noy, like his mother, came to the presidency There is solid reason to this INC. company. He now wants to take worry, mostly coming from busi- control and buy out the majority. unprepared that is why the people is inclined to nesses that came to the country Ryan & Allen This company is in develop- give him a chance to change and learn to govern. recognizing the natural talent of ment of housing projects, condo- He was elected on a promise to rid the country of Filipinos in creativity. the most expensive power rates. miniums and memorials lots. Businessmen think that Hey! Why would business The problem is the majority re- corruption that is why his first act in office was to because salary is mandated and complain? The high cost of fuses to sell. So the foreign dummy issue an executive order creating a truth body that controlled in the country, the power is being borne by the (FD) pulled out investments. FD is the Supreme Court later struck as improper and same should be true with prices small consumers. The business awash with cash being in power, of basic goods and services. and manufacturing sectors are communications, media among unconstitutional. Instead of admitting his mistake, subsidizing the cost of electricity, other cash cows. His pulling out P-Noy accused the High Court of being deaf and • • • • • • the government’s alleged solu- results in the company losing ac- blind to the cry of the people for justice and res- What is killing the economy tion to keep business going and cess to funds. Its financial viability of this country is the cost of manufacturing plants humming, has been compromised. titution. The justices appointed to the Supreme electricity. Many businesses have to keep the unemployed from This real estate company Court by his predecessor is to blame. left for countries like Vietnam taking the streets. should have known better than Lately, the prices of food, sugar, flour, canned where the cost of power is cheap. The problem is the small con- inviting a Pacman to its fold. The There was a time when Meralco sumers of MVP power company guessing game is will FD even- goods, water, electricity, fuel oil and toll fees have electricity bills were lower than are also the ones running these tually get his way. Looks like he increased beyond the capacity of the consumers to that of Japan per kilowatt hour. busine sses and they are unhappy. will if the experiences of Meralco pay or buy. Blame the market, the global economy, After Manny Pangilinan’s group They want bigger salaries to sur- and Manila North Tollways Cor- took over Meralco, we overtook vive in this country whose basic poration is the gauge. not the regulators, not the government, the Palace Japan and very soon New York to services are controlled by dum- The era of crony capitalism is explains. make another record first for the mies of foreign interests, specially gone; welcome dummy capital- This government’s propensity to lay blame on Philippines: a poor country with electricity, toll roads and trains. ism! other people for their own shortcomings has now become a shamelessly collective habit. This cour- age to lay blame on other people or a co-equal tweens think... branch of government stems from a crude belief By Micka J. Yngson that the high popularity rating of P-Noy is synony- When people are late for work they always mous to an unending public trust. Time flies. rush and half run to their work. That’s natural. When I wake up 6:00am for my But the public mind has a short memory. Fili- 7am class, to rush is a must like making me feel how short the time is. Some pinos are forgiving people but they are quick to people can stay calm while in a hurry. In most cases though, the rush shortens change their minds. Some people have started time like they say: time flies. to blame themselves for having voted P-Noy for president. Micka J. Yngson is a twelve-year old, sixth grade student at The Learning Child in Ayala, Who is to blame, then? Alabang. Asked what she wants to be, she says she wants to be a writer. But even that changes everyday, she says. This space is for contributions from young mind, even kids.
RAY L. JUNIA ALFONSO O. LABITA DAVID S. CAGAHASTIAN NESTOR L. ABREMATEA Publisher Managing Editor News Editor Vis-Min News Bureau Chief
Published and printed by Digitek Publishing House with editorial and business offices at REA ANN SANTOS KARLO GOMEZ Unit A, Finlandia Residences 2926 Finlandia Editorial Assistant Editorial Assistant Street corner Volta Street, Makati City. Telephone: 843-3989. RICARDO G. VELARDE Atty. RICKY M. RIBO Email: [email protected] Art Director Legal Counsel
4 J A N U A R Y 1 7 - 2 3, 2 0 1 1 OpinYon The Only Opinion Paper, We Take a Stand FEATURES STRADCOM an embarrassment ‘Karate Kid’ The Flea By OpinYon Research Group Market By The Staff 1st Is the STRADCOM contract with the government of3 perfected that allowed the information technology parts company to collect P9.6 Billion from 2002 to November by the river of 2010? The Swiss company trying to pal audience walked away and excused himself, STRADCOM Corporation is an information technology sup- fastbreak a contract with the promising to be back. plier contracted by the Department of Transportation and Com- Bureau of Internal Revenue Minutes and hours piled up, the “Karate Kid” munications to supply technology and systems in the upgrade (BIR) for its stamp tax technol- of the Palace did not keep his promise and was of information management at the Land Transportation Office. ogy has found a new champion seen somewhere else in the Palace. The Palace The contract for this purpose was signed on March 26, 1998. The in the Aquino government after underling was left feeling dejected and upset. contract was for a Build-Own-Operate. the new heads of DOF and BIR Aware of the “PR” fall-out, a smart-aleck DOTC insiders, however, claim that an audit showed the Palace official reminded the department green- BOO did not have the approval of the President, at that time junked its proposal for being Fidel V. Ramos. Same sources say what was approved and signed costly and unfit for Philippine- horn to next time limit her presentation to a by the President was the NEDA study and recommendations. style corruption. “one-pager” so as not to bore their ADHD The question of the BOO legality only came about after The Swiss firm was almost principal. STRADCOM got into problems and was reported unfit to deliver a shoo-in in bagging the con- • • • • • its obligations in the contract. tract until their lucky numbers A Palace communications official who can’t How STRADCOM faired in its side of the contract became a expired with the coming of the even write a straight English PR raised some big issue even as the firm earned almost P10Billion. Most of its new administration. Also included in the ex- eyebrows when he spent his holiday season in income came from the National Capital Region with P2.6Billion piry date is the “goodwill money” that it spread the land of Uncle Sam. followed by Region 3 with P1.09Billion. around to finally seal the deal. Plucked straight from a mediocre stint in As STRADCOM was raking in the billions, the public it was After months of seclusion, the foreign firm the media, the Palace communications official committed to serve were up in arms in complaints, giving head- came out a-blazing in media circles recently and should have moderated his being a “show-off” ache to the officials of the DOTC and LTO. even recruited an eager beaver business journal- by deferring his US trip, which obviously he “As concerns on operational inefficiency and failures of ist of a major broadsheet as their ponente. can’t afford just with his current salary. STRADCOM remained unattended and not corrected, people The renaissance of the foreign technology The immediate reason being forwarded is were pushing for review of the legality of the BOO and the provider is apparently owed to an official of the that the Palace sub-press official “saved” a lot subsequent amendments,” sources at the LTO said. Presidential Communications Group who was of media budget during the campaign that he’s Chief among these complaints were STRADCOM system conking out when it is most needed, like during peak periods. their earlier media “contact” when he was still a decided to stimulate the US economy. Reports have it that the STRADCOM system is capable of han- broadcast big ass. And for being identified with the Samar bloc, dling only 25,000 transactions per day. The load work at the LTO The Swiss firm and the Palace press official the Balay Group can’t wait to unleash their at- goes up 50,000 transactions per day. recently renewed their ties, which should be good tack dogs to question the dollar-denominated According to LTO insiders, the very purpose STRADCOM until 2013 when the communications official off-shore travel of the communications official was commissioned to do information management was to makes a run for a public office. barely six months into the Aquino government. have an efficient system run which is not happening now. “We Joining the new and improved stellar cast of are back to the old manual practice, in most of the time,” they the media stooges of the Swiss company is a for- added. mer communications official of the Arroyo gov- the principal subject of her wizardry Even the national media has not spared STRADCOM from ernment, who served as spokesman of a presiden- suddenly stood up, made some im- criticism, placing the leadership of the LTO and DOTC in a bad tial candidate who loved to wear green and is now spot before the public. Media reports claim that the BOO is green with envy that his “bum” cousin is now the promptu stretching and, try this -- grossly disadvantageous to the government. big man in Malacanang. There were accusations of the BOO being used to “rip off” in Any moment now, the corporate public could kicked and punched into the air as if scams victimizing the paying public. expect the formal re-emergence of the Swiss mimicking the Karate Kid. Lately the STRADCOM caught national attention caused by firm as the rightful choice the alleged forced takeover by parties claiming to be the real to provide a technology owner of the IT company. The corporate infighting threatened the viability of its service as demanded in its BOO contract. promising to curb The ownership war is now in the courts. While the court has bootlegging of yet to say who really owns STRADCOM, the public is asking: tobacco and liquor does STRADCOM deserve to earn almost P10Billion for services products. that the LTO people itself describe as “an embarrassment.” • • • • • Next issue: more violations by Stradcom of its BOO. In one boring day at the Palace, a depart- ment underling was summoned to brief the Palace big-shots about important current indus- try issues. The excited Palace underling went about her business and mesmerized her audience with her excel- lent power point presentation and gab away with dizzying data. But in the middle of her cere- bral presentation, the principal subject of her wizardry suddenly stood up, made some impromptu stretching and, try this -- kicked and punched into the air as if mimicking the Karate Kid. 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OpinYon J A N U A R Y 1 7 - 2 3, 2 0 1 1 5 POLITICS The Only Opinion Paper, We Take a Stand Ego is the enemy Erap ousted ten years To achieve balance, I have decided to alternate critical analysis and inspirational ago! When P-Noy? topics. Today, we have the latter. The past weekend was a milestone for every time I attended a session George is the new creative of the Impeachment Trial, I had director of the Acme Advertis- both Yesterday and Today. to remove the batteries of my ing Agency. He is meeting his Ten years ago, January 16 numerous cell phones. Thus, staff of four copywriters for fell on a Tuesday. The day I found it more convenient on the first time – Janice, Jeffrey, before, January 15, a Monday, the second day of the Trial in Liz, and Leo. As he enters the Congress had reconvened the New Year of 2001, to watch room, the four are standing EASTWIND from the Christmas-New Year the proceedings on television. erect in a straight line. JOURNALS break. That break had broken YESTERDAY, As we were probably dis- the momentum of the Erap cussing about the future, we GEORGE. Okay, relax. You Bernardo V. Lopez Impeachment Trial. From my TODAY & just caught from the corner of are copywriters, not soldiers. own memory, I’m not sure if TOMORROW our eyes the historic events of You carry ideas, not guns. I the Impeachment Trial’s last that night. The prosecution am George but my last name the phone in front of all you session of the year 2000 had Linggoy Alcuaz wanted to open a couple of isn’t Patton. Relax, relax. I guys? No way. been on December 15 or 22. envelopes and study their con- want you to follow after me. GEORGE. I mean you keep I do recall that it was a Friday another column. The eleventh tents. The defense refused. The [They go through a relaxing your cubicles for your private and the star witness for the day anniversary of that Conspiracy, matter was put to a vote. And exercise.] Okay, feel better, needs, but you stay in the was the tall lady Vice President Movement and Sticker will as Davide put it, “The nays Janice?] conference table to work. All of Equitable Bank. She testified occur in the month of March, have it.” JANICE. Yes, sir. creative activities is on a long that then President Estrada had or as they say, “Beware the Ides Pandemonium broke loose. GEORGE. I heard your table. It’s being constructed sat a foot away from her when of March!” The prosecution team walked former boss was a tyrant. right now – a knights-of-the- he signed the Jose Velarde bank After dinner, on that Tues- out. Senator Loren Legarda Well, let’s change all that. round 12-foot-diameter table. documents. When I watched day night of January 16, 2001, I cried. Senator Tessie Aquino From now on, I’m your buddy If the phone rings, you run to her on TV, I felt the end was was watching television at the Oreta broke into a dance. first, boss second. Can we sit your cubicle. near for Erap. open patio of the coffee shop Meanwhile, east of the City down? Okay, the first thing I LEO. But we’re only four. For us, who had signed the of the Legend Hotel with some of Manila, at the Green Mead- want you to learn is to answer That’s too big. impeachment complaint (s) friends. They were Wencelito ows Christ the King Catholic back. I don’t have the final GEORGE. No, five. Count way back in October, but had Andanar, Charlie Avila and Church, leaders of the lay group, word on creativity. Question me in. been planning the impeach- Annie Cantaoi Llamson. We Couples for Christ were meeting everything. I hate yes people. LIZ. Great. I like the idea. ment since July or August, the were watching the Impeach- and praying. Then, candles were I love rebels. The essence of Wow, fantastic. Sir, I like you. break was unwelcome. Nine ment Trial with Chief Justice handed out and several hundred innovative creativity is being GEORGE. You better. The months before, a mere slanted Hilario Davide, Jr. and Senate couples boarded their cars and a rebel. I have here all the high-tech table will have Exclamation Point on a black President Aquilino Pimentel, headed for the EDSA Shrine. ad copies you’ve done in the no intruding monitors. All background sticker, had rock- Jr. presiding over the Senate My friends and I went to the monitors are beneath glass in eted virtually out of nowhere as Impeachment Court. I Dasmarinas Village residence front of you. Everyone can see to shake the foundations of happened not to be physically of former Tarlac Congressman Okay, the first thing everyone eyeball to eyeball. Erap’s less than two year old present in the Senate gallery Jose “Peping” Cojuangco, Jr. JEFFREY. You will be I want you to learn administration. As the unof- because a few days before the From there, we too, headed for inducing war. ficial spokesman of the Silent Holyday break, I had gotten the main streets of the Makati is to answer back. I GEORGE. It takes conflicts Protest Movement that wielded into an argument with the Central Business District bent to refine a raw idea. War is don’t have the final that harmless symbol, I have Senate Sergeant at Arms se- on Revolution. Eventually, we, good for the creative depart- an insider/outsider’s view of curity personnel regarding my like every other anti Erap Tom, word on creativity. ment. War is a form of bond- that Instant but Stillborn Revo- cell phones. They had banned Dick and Harry, landed at the ing. Am I talking sense? lution. However, we will save the entry of cell phones into the EDSA Shrine. Question everything. I LIZ. Yes, yes, I can see your that narrative for another day, Senate Session Hall. And so, Turn to page 13 hate yes people. I love point. He’s right guys. We trample on each other’s ideas rebels. The essence of and refine them. That’s what innovative creativity is he wants us to do. GEORGE. Liz, I like you. being a rebel. LIZ. You better. He wants Crisis by design! us to unshackle our selfish long-term goal to spread last six months. I’d say your nerdy ways and form a team. The world was (and still is) in the grip China’s political, financial creative instincts, all four of Guys, hey guys, he wants a and economic influence in you, are fantastic, but … team. Oh gosh, how I have of suspense and anxiety as the tensest the Asia-Pacific region. Actu- JEFFREY. But it’s not good been waiting for this. I hate flashpoint – the Korean Peninsula ally, China is using its favourite enough. Something is lack- my cubicle already. tactic of trade and investment ing. LEO. Lose our individual- could start another sequel to what they cooperation, supplemented by GEORGE. So you know, ity? Become robots loyal to experienced some fifty years ago. abstracts of ethnic, cultural Jeffrey. What’s lacking? the team? You take credit for affinity and common values to LEO. We’re not so origi- my idea? No way. A Korean War part 2 is not reach its purpose. nal? JANICE. You’re really a far-fetched if the manipulators With the above-mentioned GEORGE. Nope. You nerd, Leo. Can’t you see, you of events will push through intentions of the two giants, the don’t have to be original to be become more individual in a with their agenda and drag the real crisis building up between creative. Your ideas can come team. The credit you want is whole region (and the world) to the two Koreas are designed to from the Chinese, for all I for your ego. a war. sustain a scenario, which means care. You can get old ideas and GEORGE. I am beginning What has transpired since WHISTLE – a great deal of saber rattling, crunch them into a hurricane. to like you guys. Leo, in my the Cheonan incident, and BLOWER especially the show of military So, what’s lacking guys? garden, there are individuals recently the shelling of a South might by Washington near the JANICE. You tell us, boss. but no individual ideas. All Korean island, had worsen Erick San Juan contested waters. So far, hos- GEORGE. The name’s concepts, all ideas are com- the relations between the two tilities is still far for reaching George. Your ideas are too munal. If there is anything Koreas. Translation – could be to keep our fleet in the Japanese that boiling point. Same with raw. I want to kill in my garden it a proxy war in the offing by the waters despite the end of the North Korea, by using said tac- LIZ. Raw? What do you is all your hardened egos. No two giants i.e. U.S. and China. Cold War.” Perhaps the sudden tic, it will force talks where the mean? egos here. Egos have destroyed Why? Because some analysts heating up of Korea tensions West will agree to a substantial GEORGE. Raw. Not hundreds of creative depart- treated the incidents as just is also related to a longer-term aid package in return for a refined. Needs further pol- ments nationwide. We begin plain incidents, for there were Pentagon agenda for the region. guarantee that Pyongyang will ishing. Good ideas normally a team with total humility. no “true investigations” that If we ask Cui Bono, the clear not produce further nuclear evolve through time. Let me Accept criticism. Accept your are acceptable to all the con- reply is “Washington”. weapons. Both sides want ask. You all have your cubicles, idea to be crunched to a pulp cerned parties. Until, of course, Meaning, Washington’s wealth, not World War III. right? [They nod] You all have by the team. when Washington came to the geopolitical ambitions have As what was pointed out different products or brands JEFFREY. Right, I agree. rescue on the side of South critical impact on the failure by nuclear deterrence guru, assigned to you, right? [They Better than letting the cli- Korea that actually exacerbated to resume the six-party talks Glenn Snyder described the nod]. That’s the problem. ent crunch my idea. Also, a the situation in the process. (the talks include North and phenomenon, of which there From now on, all products and crunched idea implies better Let us not forget China who South Korea, the US, Japan, are several examples, as the brands are the responsibility ideas. is always on the side of its ally, China and Russia) because the “stability-instability paradox”. of all, with the originator only North Korea. international recognition of the Beijing military hawks a facilitator. George begins to sing a tune. From the point of F. William North Korean regime and the fought Russia over the Zhebao JEFFREY. I get it. You mean Liz follows, and slowly, the rest. Engdahl in his article The Ko- normalization of the situation Island on the Ussuri River in we’re presently not a team but Raymond the President barges rean Crisis: Cui Bono? : In 1999 on the Korean peninsula may 1969 to strengthen their po- a bunch of individualistic self- in. They stop singing. this writer spoke with a former question the need for U.S. mili- litical position without actually ish nerds working solo. US Ambassador to Beijing, a tary presence in the Northeast risking a large-scale war that GEORGE. Bingo. You put RAYMOND. Hey what’s career CIA officer and close Asia and the disposition of would have destroyed them. it so well, Jeffrey. Your former this, a creative group or a cho- friend of the Bush family. The the system of theater missile Pakistan fought a limited war boss trained you to be so. It’s rale group. George, I can see former diplomat stated, in an defense. with India over Kashmir in not your fault. So from now you have your team up and incautious moment, “If North Simultaneously, Beijing 1999, a year after both countries on, no cubicles? about in just the first hour. Korea did not exist, we would considers North Korea as a tested their nuclear weapons. JANICE. What? I talk on Turn to page 13 have to create it. They allow us strategic bridgehead for its Turn to page 13
6 J A N U A R Y 1 7 - 2 3, 2 0 1 1 OpinYon The Only Opinion Paper, We Take a Stand LABOR BOC benchmarking Wage Increase scrapped The quick succession with which toll fees, to shoot up sky-high. The energy electricity, fuel oil and other basic food requirements of China and India Finally, the old benchmarking practice at the alone can drive benchmark Bureau of Customs (BOC) which was adapted items like sugar and bread have increased prices upwards. Estimates are that crude oil will breach by past commissioners has been scrapped by these past few days prompted the Trade the $100 per barrel threshold BOC Commissioner Angelito Alvarez. Union Congress of the Philip- before the end of the year. Some analysts are saying that the hefty Perhaps, with this de- pines (TUCP) to publicly an- increase in the cost per barrel velopment, Alvarez could nounce that they will ask for a could materialize in the first or really be serious in his drive P55 increase in the minimum second quarter of this year. to cleanse the bureau of cor- wage. The truth of the matter is ruption. Although, as earlier Interviewed on her reaction that if wages are to be deter- explained to this writer by The to the plan of TUCP to file a THINK mined on the basis of market BOC-Subic Bay Metropolitan petition for a new round of in- Migrant forces, then there is reason to Authority District Collector creases in the minimum wage, LABOR increase the minimum wage. Atty. Talek Pablo Jr. that Worker Labor Secretary Rosalinda Dave Diwa Whether it is good to in- benchmarking, when used Baldoz said “it is too early to CeeJay crease wages when the prices properly by BOC officials speculate on an increase this year because of the one year of other factor inputs are rising could be good, it can also be year.” She added: “We’re not “waiting period” within which is a question that has divided abused for illegal activities. on weights, and the full coming out with any pay in- to entertain a new petition for the tripartite partners. Indus- By the way, let me extend collection of penalties and crease at the moment” and that adjusting the daily minimum try says that increasing wages my apologies to BOC-SBMA surcharges for all shipments the “Labor Department hadn’t wage. The last wage order man- at this time will only make the District Collector Atty. Talek slapped with additional fees received any wage increase dating for a 22-peso increase country even more uncompeti- Pablo Jr. for having miswrit- and charges, significantly petition.” for workers in the National tive. The government is under- ten his name in my earlier helped in generating their Well, the TUCP had just said Capital Region (NCR) was is- standably worried. Increasing column. Sorry for that Col- section’s much needed rev- that they will file a petition for sued in June 2010. This means wages every time there is a lector Pablo. enues. an increase in the minimum that workers in Metro Manila surged in prices will only hurt Yes, benchmarking, ac- According to manaois, wage. If TUCP says so, they will will have to wait until July 2011 industry and labor as well. cording to my sources in everyone in their section do so. Petitions for an increase before they could file a valid Invariably, they would argue the bureau was one of the practically had to work hard, in the minimum wage are filed petition for wage increase. that the NCR minimum wage windows used for smuggling if only to meet their revenue with the Regional Tripartite However, with the sudden at P404 per day is equivalent activities at the BOC. By goal for 2010. And again, Wages and Productivity Boards and sky-high increases in the to US$8 compared to less than simply mixing high value despite the foregone tariff (RTWPB). Out of seventeen re- price of fuel oil, transport fares $5 for China, Vietnam and items with other low value revenues of Php 715.9 due to gional wage boards, TUCP will and electricity, there could be Cambodia. Our minimum items in one container, the Asean Free Trade Agree- likely file in fourteen regions a spiral effect on the prices wage is higher than that of In- and basing the benchmark ment (AFTA) and other as they often do. Unknown of other basic commodities. donesia ($7) and is roughly the price for the computation of similar agreements, Section to many workers, the TUCP Under the Implementing and same as that of Malaysia ($8), tariffs for the container load 4 increased its assessment has been the lone guardian Rules and of mixed items on the lower by 12% or the equivalent and champion of minimum Regulations value items, shippers are able amount of Php 429 Mil- wage setting in the country for (IIR) for RA Wage fixing under a tripartite to do away with, otherwise, lion surplus and valuation decades now. 6727 an “ex- millions worth of tariffs for increase of 25%. Over the years, the TUCP traordinary system is more of a political the high value goods. For Manaois and Santera, has perfected a formula for increase in Indeed, some officials dedication is the key to computing adjustments in the process than a technical the prices of and employees at the BOC success. Manaois has been minimum wage. The formula pet roleum can always find ways to get through threats and harass- takes into account increases in exercise. This is the reason products themselves richer every work ments by some smuggling the consumer price index (CPI) and basic day. But, with the scrapping syndicates operating in the since the last wage hike; the why wage adjustments over goods and of the benchmarking system, customs area. But all these imputed inflation rate for the s e r v i c e s ” the years have fallen below the government would never made him waver in his rest of the year; a coefficient would war- probably be able to raise its drive to enforce the country’s representing contribution from rant the expectations. revenue collections from tariffs and customs laws. growth in the regional econo- filing of a customs tariffs this year. Catering to shipments my and a wage recovery factor petition for a wage increase even two countries whose level of This could even help the bu- of electronic merchandise representing depreciation in “within the 12-month period” development is higher than the reau meet its bigger revenue and other high value items, real wages since 1989 when from effectivity of the last wage Philippines. However, these target for 2011. the Section 4-Formal Entry the law on regional wage fixing Division could be a rich was first established. order. This is what is known as a are nominal comparisons that “supervening condition.” obscure differences in labor BOC Section 4 Formal ground for smuggling, if of- Wage fixing under a tri- While the target inflation is productivity, working condi- Entry Division Meets ficials manning it would play partite system is more of a relatively low at 3.8 to 4 percent, tions and welfare and social Collection Target their game. A few containers political process than a techni- the outlook for energy prices is protection benefits. In China And talking about meet- of misdeclared or underde- cal exercise. This is the reason rather optimistic on the high and Vietnam for instance, the ing collection targets, the clared high value shipments why wage adjustments over side. The Department of Energy government is spending heavily multi awarded Section 4 of every week could get mil- the years have fallen below has projected that the cost of for the education, housing and the Formal Entry Division of lions of pesos to corrupt BOC expectations. In the last ten crude oil will dramatically re-training of their workers. Collection District II-B once officials and businessmen. years alone, the TUCP has increase in the next few months. The truth of the matter is again exceeded its 2010 rev- Unfortunately for smuggling petitioned for an increase in This will be triggered by the long that if wages are to be deter- enue target when it collected syndicates, officials manning the minimum wage anywhere winter season in North America mined on the basis of market Php 3.964 Billion pesos out the Section don’t play their from P55 to P75 per day. The and in some parts of Europe and forces, then there is reason to of its Php 3.963 Billion col- game. highest amount ever granted Asia prompting demand for oil increase the minimum wage. lection goal for the previous This is principally the by a wage board was P26.50 year. reason why Manoais, in the National Capital Region Principal Customs Ex- Santera and the entire staff (NCR) in 2000. aminer Yeye Manaois and of Section 4-Formal Entry The last round of adjust- Principal Customs Appraiser Division keep a close watch ments in the minimum was Gloria Santera give credit of all shipments that go granted last year. Fifteen wage for their previous year’s through their section every orders were issued from June successful tariffs collection day, if only to ensure that all to November 2010. The highest performance to the com- shipments are taxed based daily minimum wage today is mitment, dedication and on their real transactional in the National Capital Region expertise of the Formal Entry values and real tariffs are (NCR) at P404 per day for those staff, especially in its drive to paid to the government. working in the non-agricultural curb smuggling in their ju- For the current year, Sec- sector. The lowest minimum risdiction. The PCE Section 4 tion 4 –Formal Entry Division wage is at P222 per day in the is responsible for the entries is faced with an even bigger Autonomous Region of Muslim of electronic items including revenue collection target. Mindanao (ARMM). wires and cables. However, for Manaois, San- The wage rates in Region And despite the section’s tera and the entire staff of the IV-A is between P315 and P337 recorded 3% decrease in the Section, the 2011 collection covering the major industrial volume of imports for 2010 target is just another bigger centers in Cavite, Laguna and compared to the year 2009, challenge which they will Rizal. For the industrial areas of the full implementation of have to face with more work, Region III, the minimum wage Manaois’ and Santera’s Sec- dedication and commitment ranges from P308 to P316. The tion 4 Action Plan, where for the year 2011. wage rates for all the regions verification of documents Kudos to you Manaois, can be found in the National and declarations are strictly Santera and the entire staff Wages and Productivity Com- being enforced, verification of Section 4-Formal Entry mission (NWPC) website. of real weights are being Divison of the BOC. May
OpinYon J A N U A R Y 1 7 - 2 3, 2 0 1 1 7 TRAVEL The Only Opinion Paper, We Take a Stand What is a 1930’s Shanghai night club doing in Makati? The Peninsula Manila is the official name of that hotel with the impressive exterior water- falls at the corner of Ayala and Makati Avenue. Many of us affectionately refer to it as “the Pen” or “Ma- nila Pen”. During the Marcos era, its vast lobby was The (with a capital “T” please, my dear Editor) place to be seen WOODEN for the who’s who as well as SPOONs the who-does-he-think-he-is of Manila’s society, when they & FORKS were still known as The New Ramon M. Borromeo Society. With so many posh places that one can see nowadays, Opinyon: But then Manila, The Lobby (yes the Pen’s when its buildings were still lobby’s official name is The 3 to 4 storeys tops, and its Lobby), no longer has a avenidas with horse drawn monopoly of the “in” crowd. carriages beside what are now Thanks to the population referred to as vintage cars, and tourism growth though, also looked like sections of the Pen’s lobby still teems Paris then and now. Someone with people, some of whom emailed me rare pictures of Bohol, self-consciously sharing what both old Manila and Paris. could be the largest com- Makes you want to cry at how mercially available halo-halo Manila turned out. an alternative to Boracay ever. Salon De Ning also has Nowadays, or now-a- a Shoe Room replete with In my last article I talked about Boracay. It is one up in the cliff, just a few steps nights, the Pen’s lobby also stilettos, sandals and boots, of the most popular beach destinations in the away from the Beach. I would has a crowd not seated but over a hundred of them. recommend this resort for standing on its fringes. This Then there is the Shanghai whole world. Boracay lures the party crowd. honeymooners because their is a crowd waiting to get a room which is best seen up The young blood love it for villas have their own plunge seat or even just a spot to close than written about its mystique: what happens in pool. And the bathroom is stand on in the Pen’s newest to be truly appreciated. (In Bora stays in Bora. It’s wild, it’s designed such that a couple outlet, Salon De Ning. The writers’ parlance, that means fun in Bora! can take a bath together under Swiss manager of the Salon I don’t remember much about But to each his own – some the moonlit skies. It is indeed De Ning mixes well with it much thanks to the potent people would no longer wish a very romantic place as the his clientele and is quick cocktails I had that night.) to travel to Bora again because THE TRAVEL resort name suggests. The food to point out to newcomers A night club must have they find it noisy, crowded, too is great too! I loved their ube music, dancing and good commercialized. Some people ADDICT mousse cake and their peanut looking people. For music, want to have a taste of the Bora kisses sans rival. The villas are You can tell you Salon De Ning that night some 20 years ago. This travel Marivic Del Pilar overlooking the sea. At night, it are getting old had a two-man band to open experience, I believe, can be is nice to lounge around with a the evening, singing a mix of delivered by Bohol’s Alona the tourist. For the budget loved one, sipping wine and just when you start 70’s to the latest light songs. Beach. traveler I have tried and can looking at the sea in Amorita’s A larger and louder band fol- Alona Beach is just 20 recommend Alona Kew. Their resto area. complaining about lowed and played three sets. minutes from the Tagbilaran rates are very reasonable. Bohol is great! The island There isn’t much space to airport. It is in Panglao island. They have a lot of rooms and has white sand. It has many the volume of the dance but people did anyway, It is Bohol’s version of the Bora it is easy to get a reservation. It ecotourism sites like the some even where they stood beach strip. The strip is just feels like you are inside a bahay chocolate hills, great diving band music just and had their drinks. I did half the size of Bora, just a kubo when you stay in Alona sites, the Loboc river tour, visit like your parents. find the music rather loud es- kilometer and a half long. The Kew. The room rate includes a to the tarsiers, and to many of pecially since I was also there water is clear. But one could good enough breakfast. Really our country’s old churches. The to talk business. walk along the shores peace- a good deal! island is not boring at all and that there is and never was Opinyon: I must be getting fully. It is nice to lie down in For those who are more so a 3 night and 4 days stay in a real person by the name of old. You can tell you are get- a beach mat under the coconut meticulous, I will recommend Bohol is what I would recom- Madame Ning despite her ting old when you start com- tree and just read a book or get Amorita Resort. Amorita is at mend. Put this in your bucket huge picture at the entrance plaining about the volume of a massage along the beach the end of Alona beach, list this year. Cannot miss it… guarded by one of the pretty the band music just like your strip. Nobody will disturb attendants garbed in body parents when you played your you. In the evening there is clinging cheongsams. Beatles 45’s and 33 and 1/3’s no wild music. There are no But there could have been on the record player. drunkards walking on the such an intriguing persona Oh, that night I was with streets. It is a serene place. whose imagery and knick some associates who were There are many resorts knacks were captured in the just a few years younger than lined up along the beach. interior design and décor of me. A female friend of my son, It is easy to get a room. Salon De Ning’s four rooms, who is in his 30’s, happened to The people are friendly. each with a fascinating story pass by with her colleagues. I From the budget rooms to behind its theme. There is stood up and we did the hello the very expensive rooms, the Zeppelin replete with a beso-beso that is expected all these are available for section of a cockpit. The story of all civilized people who goes that Madame Ning was chance upon each other in a good friend of the German chic places. After a quick ex- Count who invented the change of pleasantries and a Zeppelin dirigible which he bye bye beso-beso, we parted named after himself. Decades as she said “It’s so nice to see later his name would be you again, Tito Chito.” adopted by a band my class- I returned to my seat and mates and I rocked to in the was greeted by my associates 70’s. But that’s another story. gleefully referring to me as Le Boxing Room is “Tito Chito”. An ageing as- adorned with boxing gloves sociate’s Opinyon: You can and has a life size picture of tell you are getting old when a real-life pugilist who was you are in a cool place with rumored to be enamored with great looking women and all the fictitious Madame Ning. of them refer to you as “Tito”. Using “Le “ instead of “The” All I can say to that is, I would exudes a French air, after all, rather be called ‘Tito” than Shanghai, which is supposed “Papa”? ‘Nuff said. to be where such a night club Closing with a Question: could have been in the 1930’s, What is a 1930’s Shanghai Bar was known also as the Paris doing in Makati? Answer: It is of the East. doing great.
8 J A N U A R Y 1 7 - 2 3, 2 0 1 1 OpinYon The Only Opinion Paper, We Take a Stand ENTERTAINMENT / GENERAL INTEREST Frustrations Loud is entertaining? I grew up when radio and then television Alas, you hardly have a in TV watching choice. announcers were velvety-voice, somber, Television personalities of When “Face To Face,” dubbed by TV5 as cool and ‘in control.’ today holler as though it were the first “talakserye,” or plainly translated Doom’s Day. Men exploited their deep Female entertainers (?) as the first live hot discussion on television voices when they enunciated. who fail in the looks depart- or perhaps aptly described They were clear and careful ment resort to gimmicks in as the mudslinging or murk- when they chose their words. dress. The more they lack, raking exchange of notes in They were proper role the louder they get and the public, was launched on air, models for speaking English. more atrocious they look. it seemed to create history in Radio icons like Bobby ETAL These clones of Lady Gaga the landscape of local tube Ng, Phil Delfino and Jo San have that American enter- programming. THE NET Diego as well as Tita Muñoz, Behn Cervantes tainment icon to guide them. True, it really made [National Entertainment Today] Angelo Castro and Vero Per- To each her/his own, but I unprecedented point in the fecto spoke grammatical and No matter if they have frankly think that the televi- ratings war among networks Boy Villasanta exemplary English. more sensitive microphones, sion personality who has but only in the viewership The only one who seemed current announcers holler to made it her trademark to dress department or in addition, of goods being contended excitable was basketball an- our discomfort. atrociously is neither funny in the format of presenting by the warring parties, the notator Willie Hernandez. Someone started ap- both sides of cases, legal socio-economic realities of nor cute. She is merely loud, and otherwise, from among the day can also be tackled Such was the sport he was pending an extra syllable to silly and very ‘trying hard.’ the barangay residents with as a pivotal source of the announcing. The NCAA words, for example. So, it I also do not understand matching views, analysis, conflict and not merely dis- basketball games were then isn’t merely daan. This group either why each major station moral lessons and comments missing them because that the most exciting of sports pronounce it as daan-nah! from two opposing groups would amount to pretentious so Willie gave his annota- Therefore, it is not patayan You cannot use of “sawsaweras” and three and shallow discussion. tion dash and excitement. but patayan-nah! And, it is main, if not most of the time, Government agencies His side-kick Jake Romero, NOT Presidente Aquino but today’s most popular regular guest panelists from on economic development, however was staid and ‘in Presidente Aquino-ah! the religious, psycho-social in this particular instance, control.’ Is this some strange Japa- radio and television and legalese areas. could also be dragged in to When television came nese dialect? personalities as role What more could be more crystallize a more meaning- in the early 60’s, most an- You cannot use today’s interesting and colorful ful, timely, relevant and nouncers were recruited most popular radio and tele- models for proper unearthing of basic human fruitful discourse if only to from the medium of radio. vision personalities as role English speaking conflicts in a community than sincerely and totally share They had properly-trained models for proper English presenting a couple wash- in the unburdening of the voices that were soothing and speaking since they pur- since they purposely ing dirty linens in public or chips and problems of the properly pitched. June Castro posely mispronounce words mispronounce words. beauty parlor gays screaming contending parties. and others who followed like Jennifer LowPEZ, they at each other over a piece of Television is a potent were properly guided by their mix Taglish with Gay Lingo force in giving the audience guy’s meat? predecessors. along with their invented has to employ a resident gay At the outset, the show the right thinking direc- Do we have the same words. who gives the Gay commu- offers the mundane and tion and fares like “Face today? It has become atrocious. natural course of things To Face” could really be of nity a bad image by acting in the most absurd and help if it will meticulously The lot now is loud and It is certainly NOT an aural like stereotypically hysterical, authentic manner in the probe into the manifold gimmicky. pleasure. Because they scream gossipy and plainly silly. lowest ebb of the poorest of aspects of the problem not To succeed in what must so, you drop the book you are Stop it already! Major the poor in this country but only on the psychological be a competitive arena, radio reading to lower the volume studios, please look to your unfortunately, it just begins and even on the metaphysi- and television announcers or find a more pleasant sta- glorious past and realize what and ends there—setting a cal levels, eliciting alone resort to gimmicks. tion. a travesty the scene is today! problem, presenting one side audience empathy, interest of the story and eventually and wonder that make calling on the other end of them glued to small screens the antagonist, commonly aren’t enough but the entire analyzing each predicament gamut of human existence State of ironies with hostess Amy Perez at and epistemology should The Philippines’ medical and health care our score card? the helm and finally, as if in also be inferred to provoke Well, arguably we cannot the courtroom, rendering the multi-disciplinary treat- is into a state of ironies. say our country is in a bad fix, verdict on the issue at hand. ment on subjects. Amidst the present era of but neither can we say we are Although it’s really not In terms of soaps and “wellness” which manifests in at a pink of health. Foreigners an original concept because sitcoms, there seems lack of our social events, sports gyms, continue to flock the country there’s a talk show abroad social and political nuances spa parlors, commercial ads for they find our health care of the same tone and motif, not only on characteriza- and convenience stores, we services still very much afford- “Face To Face” can be attrib- tion but stance on issues in have a large population suf- able and tourist-friendly. We uted as the forerunner of an any territory as reflected on fering from serious illnesses, are however, neither benign investigation of the life of the stories churned out daily or malnutrition and lack of proper neo but there is much to be desired; classes D and E on television weekly. health and medical education. spectrum and of course it’s dead wrong of the stratified Philippines Gag shows can be perfect Our professionals, major to say that we’re on terminal society. venues for satires and buf- hospitals and multi-specialty Atty. Solo V. Tibe stage, such that it’s very early But something is kind foonery but only few could clinics in urban areas, especially to thrown in the towel. The of missing in the cross- deliver. in Metro Manila, are fighting to serve for free at a 2-year subject matter is actually tricky examination, indeed. Mostly, TV shows of any neck and neck to entice high contract, which is the subject of or slippery which is not some- It is the infusion of genre, always are mouth- paying and middle class ongoing legislative inquiry at thing easily gauged with a socio-political implications pieces of the hegemony of patients, while the vast major- the Senate. barometer, yardstick or decided of realities in the lives of the social elitism and the feudal ity of the population in our 80 While the church and state by a toss of coin. anathema. all afraid to rock the boat provinces have very least health debate the wisdom and pa- For this writer, the answer The lower classes in which in the final turn fail to service providers and facilities. rameters of the Reproductive to the question is safely say- our society aren’t separate address the common roots of Our ratio of doctor-patient and Health Bill, more and more ing somewhere in between. components of the national evils in this society because hospital-population ratios are cases of unwanted pregnancies, We must address however whole and that escapes the we always mistake screen far below average. I don’t know abortions and STD/HIV AIDS these ironies with priority and discussion, clearly and rel- illusions as mere entertain- if the Doctor to the Barrio Pro- are being recorded around dispatch. Let’s strive further evantly. ment rather than harbingers gram launched by then DOH the country. Worse, there are to raise the bar of our health Interrelationships among of positive changes. Secretary Juan Flavier in the repeated reports of abandoned and medical service providers. the downtrodden and the 1990s still continues to thrive or babies here and there, which Educate more our population lumpen aren’t disconnect- • • • • • • at least enlist volunteer-doctors. headlines our local media and about true wellness is a balanc- ed lines from the middle Shorts: 2009 Palm d’Or We have more than 100,000 even catch the eyes of interna- ing act, which does not always to the sub-categories of the Cannes International Film unemployed nursing board- tional media. entail spending or expenses. lowest to the above lowest Festival Best Director Bril- passers, but our hospitals have We have had a long list of Re-instate volunteerism and of the lower to the highest lante Mendoza has rolled to contend with a big turn-over top notch professionals at the patriotism in our medical, nurs- middle-middle classes to his cameras for his newest rate of nurses due to the lure helm of our Health Depart- ing and allied professions. And the professionals and the masterpiece, “Prey,” a story of overseas employment. ment since the 1970s up to the rationalize our health policies intellectuals to the mid- on Abu Sayyaf abduction Recall the time when even present, with Dr. Enrique Ona, and programs to cater to the lower-higher of the elite’s starring international and medical doctors would shift to yet our health policies and more needy population in the elitist. awarded French actress nursing and top the licensing programs barely touch the tip provinces and countryside. The class divide can also Isabelle Huppert and local examinations for the prospect of the icebergs of our health Our government must not be one very important and actor Coco Martin, a Dante of greener pasture in working problems. Our leading diseases allow this state of ironies to virtual element of an en- Mendoza creation and addi- overseas or permanent migra- include tuberculosis and pneu- go on like living “the tale of lightened discussion. tion to a roster of prizewin- tion. This turn-over rate argu- monia while our population two cities.” There should only For instance, if the crux ning young actors in the ably prompted hospitals and rate is growing faster than our be one picture of our national of the matter and the object local movie industry... medical institutions to charge gross domestic product. health care and it must be a of the tug of war is the price Turn to page 13 training fees or require nurses So, if you may ask, what is good one. Every life matters.
OpinYon J A N U A R Y 1 7 - 2 3, 2 0 1 1 9 GENERAL INTEREST The Only Opinion Paper, We Take a Stand PART Oracles? City government websites 1 reportedly quipped recently in Leadership and I-Google mo na lang. A convenient shortcut a speech delivered in a general I at times utter, text or type, when a friend or assembly of the League of Cit- disenchantment online chum asks about something. ies of the Philippines. At the very least, can the city govern- Either I am circulating with non- Oh yes. Everything is there ment websites provide such on the Net. Well, almost. For basic on information on how citizens of this country or there instance, you can’t find the to set up businesses? Many meaning of the concept and of our younger entrepreneurs is evidence of an “open source” practice of “Ulog” or a full copy are tech savvy. To make such disenchantment towards the President. of the “Maura Law” there. But information available at their This is worrisome and all things considered, yes, the fingertips with but a few clicks Internet is one fine modern PONDERING should really hasten things for has to be addressed. We oracle. A fount of knowledge. POLITICS business development. all need to be on the same A repository of trivia and It has almost been a year side on issues about nation meaning. A living document Louie C. Montemar since these local governments building. Nothing less; of life and change. At least changed (or retained) guards, nothing more. for those of us who are on the and related resources for good as it were. It would be interest- The open source, TALK privileged side of the so-called urban governance? If one has ing to see what they have done, Newsweek says, refers to TO HARRY digital divide. We must never need of information about city if not in the real world at least a software that let anyone forget that many Filipinos still governance concerns, where in the virtual one. to link up and contribute Harry Tambuatco don’t have access to the Inter- can we turn too? Consider the This week I have therefore in the tech world. “Control net and computers. DILG and the seventeen City decided to take a look at these is exchanged for crowd- confidence. This is the reason An oracle is a place, person, Governments in Manila, what websites of our City Govern- sourced creativity.” why we sometimes dress well deity, or answer that is a source is out there about them in the ments in Metro Manila. Guided There are no gray areas; or what is called “dressed-to- of wisdom or of revelations virtual world? by ideas from Neeta Verma only black and white, so kill” or “power-dress” adored from the Gods. Today, in the I Googled. Found one good and Sonal Kalra, I will try to to speak. There is a need sometimes with jewelry just page in the official be as systematic as I can in for united front and single to project success and so win DILG website, try my review. In an online paper objective! While there is a confidence. For them, ‘E-Governance’ this: http://www. entitled “Designing e-ffective need to consider a number So how then should our or electronic governance dilg.gov.ph/lgu.php. Websites for e-governance,” of things we must be de- leaders be? In this page, one they argue that “in the quest termined to pursue our set In Singapore the life- is ‘a technology driven finds all the links to for governments to become objectives… which is, nation styles of their leaders are the official websites more responsive and acces- building. Author John Robb closely observed by no less methodology aimed at of all cities in the sible, e-governance is being describes the Iraq war as than the government. Here NCR. But how func- looked upon as an accepted an “open-sourced” combat in our country the people in harnessing the IT industry tional, user-friendly methodology involving the use wherein competing groups government are perceived to the needs of the and useful are these of IT in improving transpar- with varied interests are to be corrupt. Can we blame city government ency providing accurate and united against a common the people when they see common people.’ sites? Consider if speedy information to citizens predator- the American them all over town in fancy you were someone and improving administrative invasion force. hotels and restaurants with who wanted to set efficiency and public services.” In our case, a point of dis- women, bodyguards, “ala- urban desert of Manila, we up business in the Metropolis, (http://www.cddc.vt.edu/ enchantment was reached lays” and “wang wangs” digitalgov/articles/egovernan- may have but electronic oracles can these sites help? when a popular president parading their guns, goons which may be accessed in our “We have so many chances cepaperfinal.doc) like Erap provoked the and gold? homes, schools, places of work to welcome investments, and For them, “E-Governance” so-called “civil society” to We require our leaders to or in those ubiquitous internet the important thing is to help or electronic governance is “a unite against him as a com- be modest in their lifestyles cafes. The availability of infor- each other make investors feel technology driven methodol- mation technology in our urban welcome. But if we hamper ogy aimed at harnessing the mon enemy. and we could not care less centers is a matter that has yet investors with so many re- IT industry to the needs of the I genuinely believe that who their company are. to be fully maximized. How quirements, what will happen common people.” both Erap and P-noy are We need our leaders to be can we use such technology to us?” President Aquino To be continued people with integrity even as sensitive to public opinion their leadership and compe- and not overly protective of tence are being questioned. their grade school or college I am bothered by radio friends, classmates or rela- reports that the president is tives. We need leaders with P-Noy joyrides on a Porsche spotted in fancy sports cars firm resolve, are transpar- gallivanting at night and ent, with a clear vision and while families go hungry worse, hosted by a big time ready to admit and correct contractor. His Executive mistakes. We need our Secretary is caught in one After all the fuss about how our President is a man inequality and injustice that of Makati’s finest hotels al- for the people and tries to live in prudence like have pervaded our country in legedly under the influence We had Erap’s them, with him banning the use of “wang wang” the past administration. Surveys indicated that Fili- of alcohol in the company of famous and showing how much a pinos welcome the New Year sexy models. bachelor president earns each with optimism, possibly blind We had Erap’s famous midnight month which is not enough optimism that didn’t consider midnight Cabinet with all for him to start a family, he news of the increases in their the stories about drinking Cabinet with goes out of his way to buy a expenses for transport, and the and gambling late into the Porsche. increasing trends in the prices night. True or not it does not all the stories The gift was supposedly Public of most everything else. bode well of our leaders. Our Mr. Aquino’s gift for himself primer Malacanang’s promises of perception of a leader, right about drinking this Christmas, and he had de- going after the corrupt and the or wrongly, is one who is and gambling fended the purchase by saying David Cagahastian unjust have been factors in this conservative, learned, firm, he used his private funds for blind optimism, and the pro- decisive and dresses well. late into the the Porsche, and that driving have to work everyday and have paganda of having a President But can we trust a leader who around in his “third-hand” no business playing video games that is for the people and tries is flamboyant, a gambler, a night. luxury sports car was a bet- because they simply cannot af- to be like them has worked drinker, a womanizer, one ter hobby than playing video ford to do so. wonders to keep the people with a short attention span leaders to that will serve as games. News of the purchase also happy despite bleak prospects. or one who cannot attend models to the body politic, This newspaper was the first came in the heels of a survey It has worked, until the Pres- cabinet meets for waking up prepared to listen and not to report about a top politician that showed that 18.1 percent ident buys a Porsche, a move late from sleep? oppose their views or com- purchasing a luxury sports of Filipino families, or 3.4 mil- that could disenchant Filipinos Would you invest in a plaints. If we have these car, taking it for a test drive, lion families, have gone hungry on his promises of pursuing bank whose head you see in kind of leaders we will have and figuring in an accident. during the Christmas season the straight and prudent path, the casinos? Would you have no need for periodic opinion Only we reported that the because they had nothing to eat. and which repudiates on the confidence in your ad man surveys or expensive public politician had bought a Ferrari. This might very well be the promise of cutting down on whose office is filthy and relations and media cam- Thank God we were wrong or trend this year, as transport the perks and privileges of the located in a poor section of paign to promote oneself or Malacanang’s spokespersons costs of wage workers are government officials. town? Would you listen to ones performance. would have an even more expected to more than double Sure, he used his private your pastor who is always in As the saying goes, you difficult time explaining how with the increase in the fares of funds. But sporting in long the company of women and can fool some of the people Mr. Aquino’s constant pitch for MRT and LRT, and the seem- drives on luxury cars driven minors? Imagine your public some of the time but not all austerity and prudence will be ingly necessary increases in along clear highways while relations man/woman who the people all of the time contradicted by his spending the jeepney fares because of 3.4 million families go hungry is poor in grammar; your during the Christmas season habits of his “private funds.” the continued rise of the price lawyer who never meets you l E-mail me at harrytam- If we take Mr. Aquino’s of oil in the local market. adds to the feeling that we and sends only his or her as- [email protected] and watch word for it, that he had used his Already these increases are would continue to be op- sistants, etc. etc. Destiny Cable Channel 8, private funds to buy the P4.5 resulting in the disillusionment pressed. And the oppression is We require a certain Every Monday, 8:00 PM; million third-hand Porsche for of many Filipino voters who harsher because it comes from or Channel 1 in Pampanga Christmas, it would still be hard entrusted their huge mandate the president who has given us level of integrity and some evidence of the lifestyle of our UHF41, Cagayan de Oro, to tolerate in the face of increases on Mr. Aquino and his pro- false hopes on change in the Naga City and Baguio City. in the expenses of those who fessed fight against corruption, government. leaders to earn our trust and 10 J A N U A R Y 1 7 - 2 3, 2 0 1 1 OpinYon The Only Opinion Paper, We Take a Stand GENERAL INTEREST of Rm. 207 REZA Bldg., 1318 Quezon Avenue, Quezon City. Pimentel is the sole proprietor Thank God, IPO BIR’s Anti Tax of LLP TRADING which is en- gaged in the retail of automotive fuel, pharmaceutical products, is moving out! Evaders campaign books, office/school supplies and other non-store retail products Tales of people getting trapped inside while Lincod is an independent nets more violators Certified Public Accountant. the IPO elevator are as routine as the Information accessed by BIR weekly flag ceremony. I never expected The Bureau of Internal Revenue’s (BIR) unrelenting investigators from the Philippine Run Against Tax Evaders (RATE) campaign and National police (PNP) revealed to be one of those people. that Pimentel understated her Oplan Kandado have again resulted in the closure income from sales to PNP by a IPO refers to the Intellectual of 11 business establishments in the Laguna and total amount of P184,167,860.27, Property Office located in an underdeclaration of 41,109% Makati City. Tagaytay City areas and the charging of tax evasion compared to what she declared On the second Monday cases against a Quezon City retailer and A Certified with the BIR in her 2009 income of the New Year, I arrived Public Accountant. tax return. Under the Tax Code, at the lobby of the IPO and an underdeclaration of taxable waited for the lift to take me The eleven business estab- the requirements specified in the income of more than 30% is to the fifth floor. Typical. In REGISTERED lishments that were engaged in 48-hour Notice and the 5-day considered as substantial un- her station was the friendly various business activities were VAT Compliance Notice, was derdeclaration and constitutes lobby guard, Gretchen, who Atty. Sara Jane A. Suguitan ordered padlocked by the BIR implemented through a Closure prima facie evidence of fraud greeted me in her usual way. for acts constituting violations Order signed by BIR Deputy tantamount to tax evasion. A messenger was bent over of the Tax Code particularly the Commissioner for Operations Based on the said data, the the logbook, filling in his up inside me. I tried to stay understatement of taxable sales Nelson M. Aspe. estimated aggregate deficiency tax details. A couple more people calm, but I knew that at one or receipts by 30% or more of Revenue District Office No. liability of Pimentel for the taxable stood in the lobby waiting for point I had to speak to her, the correct taxable sales/receipts 57, Binan, Laguna Revenue Dis- period in question was computed the lift to come down from and I knew that when I do, for taxable year 2008, 2009, 1st trict Officer Julio G. Alcasabas at P121,395,326.98, inclusive of quarter of 2010 and 2nd quarter said that he recommended the the upper floors. my voice will be as shrill and surcharges and interests, broken of 2010 and failure to pay defi- closure of the establishments down as follows: Income Tax – There were only two lifts, high-pitched as a cry and the ciency value-added tax (VAT). after MS. ALON-ALON failed P96,913,713.09; and Value-Added words will be tumbling out both serving six floors. The All the eleven business to settle her tax liability (VAT) Tax – P24,481,613.89. one on the left went down to of me at the rate of a million establishments named, (1) amounting to P4,645,650.73, in- Furthermore, certification the parking lot in the base- words per second. So many Magic Saver’s Supermarket cluding increments, broken down issued by the PNP disclosed ment all the way to the fifth things can go wrong. (supermarket) located at Tram as follows: 2008 – P2,093,624.16; that as early as taxable year 2007 floor. The one on the right We heard a loud clanging Plaza, Balibago, Sta. Rosa, La- 2009 – P1,750,364.32; 2010 (1st Pimentel received income pay- served the ground floor until overhead. We listened to the guna, (2) Cabuyao Mini Resort Qtr) – P421,767.30; and 2010 (2nd ments from the PNP amounting the sixth floor. sound intently, wondering if (resort and motel) in Barangay Qtr) – P379,894.95. to P4.3M. Under the Tax Code, The screen on the top of that’s the sound of rescue. Sala, Cabuyao, Laguna, (3) Bell Deputy Commissioner Aspe receipt of such amount beyond the right lift indicated that I knew in my heart that we Junction Commercial (leasing) for his part, stressed that the the P1.5M threshold made it it has parked itself on the both prayed that it was. in Barangay Sala, Cabuyao, La- a b o v e me nt io ne d fifth floor. The one on the Well, not yet. guna, (4) Starbright Inn (motel) businesses will be The eleven business establish- left signalled it was on the We heard the lobby guard in Tubigan, Binan, Laguna, (5) temporarily closed second then the lobby, where through the small speaker Radiant Star Apartelle (hotel) until all the require- ments that were engaged in various it opened its doors to take inside the elevator. “Ma’am, in Silang West, Tagaytay City, ments of the BIR, in the three of us waiting in sandali lang po.” It was (6) Goldengate Inn (motel) in including the settle- business activities were ordered the lobby. The two others Gretchen. Tagapo, Sta. Rosa, Laguna, ment of the tax li- padlocked by the BIR for acts con- pressed three and four. I I didn’t even realize I (7) Montreal Lodge (motel) in ability as mentioned pressed five. wasn’t breathing until I Paciano Rizal, Calamba City, (8) above, are complied stituting violations of the Tax Code. 727 Commercial Space (leasing) with. I should have taken the exhaled. The first sign of in Paciano Rizal, Calamba City, Meanwhile, charged before mandatory for Pimentel to reg- stairs. exchange with the outside (9) Citrus Lodge (motel) in Dita, the Department of Justice (DOJ) ister as VAT taxpayer. In spite of world! It felt good to know On the second floor, the Sta. Rosa, Laguna, (10) MAA for willful attempt to evade or this, she still failed to register as door opened and in came that the emergency call but- building (leasing) in Nueva, San defeat payment of tax, deliber- VAT and deliberately failed to file Jo, a colleague from the fifth ton can be heard by someone Pedro, Laguna, and (11) Tram ate failure to supply correct and VAT returns for 2009. floor. outside of us, as confirmed Plaza (leasing) at Rizal Blvd., accurate information, deliber- Lincod, on the other hand, On the third floor, the and verified by the reply. It Sta. Rosa, Laguna are owned ate failure to file VAT returns, was included in the complaint two other people decided to felt very good to receive a by a certain LUZVIMINDA A. perjury and failure to register sheet for issuing an unquali- go out. Jo pressed the “four” reply. ALON-ALON with registered as VAT taxpayer following fied opinion in his certification button to undo that destina- “Naku, breaking news address at National Highway, discovery of gross underdeclara- of the 2009 audited financial tion. tayo nito,” I told Jo. I smiled. Tagapo, Santa Rosa City, La- tion of income in her income tax statements of Pimentel despite We went past the fourth Or at least, I tried to. For guna. return for taxable year 2009 were his knowledge of the existence floor and on to the fifth all I know, I was giving an The closure, which came after LILIAN LOPEZ PIMENTEL of of income payments received by without incident. expression like that of a sick the refusal and neglect of MS. 111 Scout De Guia St., Quezon the latter exceeding the reported Then the lift seemed to duck. ALON-ALON to comply with City and DANILO M. LINCOD P448,000.00 income. have bumped its head on the Jo was still smiling. I ceiling of the fifth floor. The think we talked somehow carriage shook, and, follow- and tried to reassure each ing the standard action movie other that help was coming. procedure, the fan inside the She was concerned about the lift slowed down before the fan. It stopped right after the lights went out. I looked over elevator bumped its top on at Jo who was standing in the ceiling. She’s right; it was front of the buttons. She had getting dry. Maybe that’s why a smile on, a smile of panic. I I felt like I wasn’t breathing? tried to smile back. The lights I tried not to think of suf- flickered back on. To me, it focating. We waited for what sa gave the eerie weak glow of felt like a long time. It was backup power. “Batteries,” difficult. I tried not to cry, Radyo I thought, “The lift must be when finally, we heard some operating on backup power more clanging overhead and Tune in to DWBL 1242 for OpinYon sa or batteries. They must have finally a key turning. Yey! cut off power.” We heard the outer doors Radyo from Monday to Friday, 7-8 P.M. The carriage shook a bit, open and then the door to and I quickly took note of our the carriage. About six or surroundings. We’re almost seven guards and a number Schedule of Radio Hosts: to the fifth floor, and that’s of other staff members stood the highest level that this there before us. I thanked MONDAY TUESDAY THURSDAY carriage serves. Knowing them profusely with a smile. that Jo and I were dangling And then I felt like throw- Erick San Juan Marivic del Pilar Margie Holmes six floors above ground, I ing up. Dave Diwa Michelle Junia Jeremy Baer sent a quick prayer to keep My stomach tightened the elevator from free fall- itself into a knot that until Atty. Sal Panelo Ramon Borromeo ing. now, seven hours later, Bernardo Lopez FRIDAY “Attorney, ano po gagawin refused to loosen up. I had WEDNESDAY Butch Junia natin?” she asked nicely. three spoonfuls of rice and That was exactly the same four bites of fish for lunch. I Harry Tambuatco Atty. Bonifacio Alentajan question running through can’t feel my hunger or thirst. Atty. Sara Jane Suguitan Mentong Laurel my mind. My eyes wandered I feel unhappy for no reason. Linggoy Alcuaz above her head where the Weird. buttons are. I pointed to the Tonight, I’m pretty sure “Emergency Call” button. I won’t sleep well. I’ll try to, I couldn’t bring myself to but I might not. You see, I speak, lest I start betraying hear about people getting the panic that was building Turn to page 13
OpinYon J A N U A R Y 1 7 - 2 3, 2 0 1 1 11 CONSUMER The Only Opinion Paper, We Take a Stand Informed consumer consent Anti-ERC/power Payag ka ba na ikaw ang mag-bayad ng the patsies. oligarchs struggle begins Senior Citizen Discount sa kuryente? Kaya ang tanong po namin sa mga mag-babayad, alam ba This week the first batch of car stickers Tinanong ka ba tungkol dito? Kung ninyo na kayo ang taya dito? dramatizing the treachery of the Energy tatanungin ka, papayag ka ba? If you say yes, I commend your generosity. If not, let us Regulatory Commission (ERC) and the The Energy Regulatory work to set things right for Commission (ERC) recently the consumers. Generosity is avarice of the privatized power industry announced the Senior Citizen a virtue, provided you are not sector will be coming out. Discount for electricity, to the shanghaied into it. applause of a lady senator and a The discount guidelines We’ll highlight this on our congressman and to the elation are in the ERC website. Check Tuesday, January 18, episode of many seniors like me. them out yourselves. of Talk News TV with HTL on Was this for real, this time? Take note of the implemen- Global News Network, Destiny Or was it more of the old stuff? CROSSINGS tation and monitoring scheme, Cable Channel 8 in Metro Ma- I checked the ERC website where the utility can charge the nila (and in over 150 local cable for the implementing rules and Butch L. Junia subsidy to us without need for providers across the country). CONSUMERS regulations and after going prior ERC clearance. Reports The sticker, bearing a fantastic DEMAND! through the definition of terms pkwh to P1.6464 pkwh, aver- are filed at the end of each artwork by OpinYon artist Ricky Velarde, sends the message suc- and the mathematical formula age, residential customers with month but ERC verification is cinctly but powerfully. Mentong Laurel for the discount, the provision I over 400 kwh consumption not until after three years. The Indeed, it is correct to de- was looking for leapt out of the are charged P2.3943 pwkh for ERC record for giving consum- clare “ERC Traydor” for the further as all that they earn page: “The Subsidizing End- distribution, while those in the ers access to reports from utili- regulatory body’s consistent, are siphoned off by the power User.” range of 101 kwh to 200 kwh are ties is not inspiring, thus there nay, persistent betrayal of pub- companies in cahoots with the There it was. It was not a charged only P0.93 pkwh. Gen- is every reason to fret over the lic trust. Time and again, it has ERC’s “commission-ers.” free lunch, after all. Consum- eral power customers served kind of latitude apparently scandalously favored the abuse The deluge of price hikes ers would have to foot the bill; by 34.5 kv and 115 kv lines are granted to utilities in this case. and exploitation of energy has triggered simmering rage more of the old ERC stuff. charged only P0.0282 pkwh. Bear in mind that while an generation, transmission, and in the public mind. Murder- According to the ERC IRR, This grossly unfair and individual customer may only distribution companies all over ous power rates have been a the subsidizing end-user “shall very lop-sided rate structure be charged P10.00, but with the country. By its complicity, festering decade-old sore. The refer to the non-senior citi- was challenged by Mang Naro 4.5 million customers, that is it continues to punish hapless added burden of new rate and Lualhati who says P45 Million for just one billing electricity consumers, severely price hikes on toll ways, MRT- residential custom- cycle. With sales of 30 billion damage industry and com- LRT, and bus/taxi/jeepney fares Check out your monthly ers were overcharged kwh, that is P300 Million for merce, and grossly undercut could finally light the prairie P39 Billion under every one centavo charged. our export competitiveness. fire; and it wouldn’t be a bad bills, and depending on these discriminatory The usual defenders. Some We now have the updated thing if the people finally rose your actual consumption, rates. According to of the usual talking heads of 2010 comparative electricity up to teach the ruling oligarchs Mang Naro, he is still Meralco have come out of the rates (in US$) of several coun- and their political underlings- you could be paying as waiting for the final woodwork to defend the util- tries thanks to volunteer Rich- -whether in the regulatory ruling of ERC, but he ity’s P45Billion capital invest- ard Mendoza and others from agencies, the legislature, or much as P100.00 a month is prepared to elevate ment program and sell the the Sulo ng Pilipino group: Malacañang--that the people his action to the ap- so-called improvement in ser- can only take so much. on subsidies. pellate court. vice quality and reliability as Australia 0.1855/kWh Popular insurrection doesn’t In any case, we are justification for Meralco’s soar- Hong Kong 0.1180/kWh have to be violent, as there are zen and non-qualified senior already paying a lifeline rate ing profitability. An increase in Iceland 0.0845/ methods of “civil disobedi- citizen end-users who shall subsidy that ranges from P0.10 profits from P2.8 Billion to P12 kWh (87% ence” that can be devised. But bear the discounts and adjust- pkwh to P0.14 pkwh and a Billion in just three years, with- hydropower; for the immediate term, the ments extended to qualified cross subsidy charge of P0.0103 out making any sizable new 13% geothermal) imperative task is heightening senior citizen end-users. All pkwh. Check out your monthly investment (each cost item in Malaysia 0.0920/kWh the political-economic con- lifeline customers are excluded bills, and depending on your the capital expense program of Portugal 0.1285/kWh sciousness of the public to the from the subsidizing end-user actual consumption, you could Meralco is covered by the an- Singapore 0.1738/kWh point that they’ll cry out, “We base.” be paying as much as P100.00 a nual rate increase ERC grants Spain 0.0570/kWh won’t take this anymore!” In other words, all the non- month on subsidies. Meralco under Performance Thailand 0.0800/kWh The working class and qualified customers, except The power reform law man- Based Regulation) is hardly Turkey 0.1830/kWh dispossessed of this world are now rising up. From the PIIGS lifeline customers or those con- dated the lifeline rates without the reasonable return contem- From this we can see that ( Portugal , Iceland , Ireland , suming less than 100 kwh per specif y ing where the subsidy w ill plated under EPIRA. As to the the Philippines tops them all Greece , and Spain ) to the US month, shall pay for the dis- come from. This was used as a quality of service, that is the with 0.2880/kWh. Philippine of A, as well as Tunisia and counts. That will include every sweetener to cushion the impact obligation of Meralco under its power rates, specifically in the Algeria in Africa , students and Juan and Juana connected to of reforms, and was dressed up mega-franchise, and if it should Meralco franchise area, are workers are rising up. Let’s put any distribution utility, includ- as part of the safety nets. fall short of those quality stan- 300% higher than Malaysia ’s, on the “Anti-ERC/Oligarchy” ing even those seniors whose Ironically, it violated one of dards, instead of rewarding 350% higher than Thailand ’s, stickers to begin our very own account is not in their name or the principal objectives of elec- Meralco with a rate increase, and 60% higher than Singa- consumer revolution! do not bother to apply for the tricity reform and restructuring the franchise should be given to pore ’s, which has a per capita discount at all. – the removal of subsidies. So someone else. Come to think of income of $20,000 compared to l Tune in to Sulo ng Pilipino, In the Meralco franchise area, now, not only have the cross and it, we have yet to see a tangible the Philippines ’ $1,700. Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, hardest hit would be the resi- lifeline subsidies been expanded, advantage – like economies of One politician had long 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. on 1098AM; dential customers using more ERC has hit consumers with yet scale – from giving such a huge asserted that the Philippines is watch TNT with HTL, Tuesday, than 400 kwh per month who another subsidy for seniors. franchise to just one service a rich country pretending to be 8 p.m. to 9 p.m., with replay at 11 are already paying more than And as with the other sub- provider. poor, and from these electric- p.m., on Global News Network, double the rates of others. Under sidies, this will be implement- ity prices one can believe that; Destiny Cable channel 8; visit the ERC order granting Meralco ed without those “who shall l Email comments, concerns but the GNP per capita shows our blogs, http://newkatipunero. a P0.1547 pkwh increase in its bear (i.e. pay) the discounts” and suggestions to crsng_47@ otherwise. The Filipinos’ per blogspot.com and http://herman- distribution rates from P1.4917 even knowing that they are hotmail.com capita income cannot rise much tiulaurel.blogspot.com
12 J A N U A R Y 1 7 - 2 3, 2 0 1 1 OpinYon The Only Opinion Paper, We Take a Stand GENERAL INTEREST Erap ousted day as President. Unlike the incumbent ruler. That brings us From page 6 first hundred days, the second to the twenty fifth of April, an hundred days do not normally ominous date. On that day ten Climate change Four days later, Chief Justice attract too much attention. years ago President Erap was ar- Last January 2, 2011 was the 2nd death Davide administered the oath However, if you are one of those rested, then locked up in Camp to the Vice President. If we are who believe that P Noy failed Crame, Veterans Medical Center, anniversary of the late Dr. Henry Yaokasin to believe him, he forgot that his first one hundred days, but the PNP-SAF Camp, Fort Santo Sr., former president of the Tacloban City the oath was supposed to be as believe also that he should be Domingo in Santa Rosa, Laguna Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chamber of “Acting President.” Eventually, given more time to prove him- and finally Tanay, the Camp and the majority of the Supreme self, then the time has come the Resort. He stayed locked up Commerce and Industry. Court upheld Davide’s mistake. to seriously take stock of him for slightly more than six and His anniversary was They did not want to lose their and his and our situation. For a half years until October 26, celebrated with a mass and jobs as the Fernando Supreme ourselves, we believe that he 2007. lunch in Tacloban City and Court (Except for Claudio did not do much better in the We wish for P Noy that he it was attended by his family Teehankee, Jr. who became the second hundred days than in learn the lessons vicariously members led by his widow, new Chief Justice.) did after the first hundred days. from Erap’s experience. On Nancy Yaokasin and and EDSA UNO. In short, he failed again! So the other hand, we also wish son, Atty. Henry Yaokasin Jr. VIS-MIN After ten years, there is what do we do? Give him more that the Filipino people not be Among those present CONNECTION now hardly a commemoration time. Give him a third one imprisoned in the smallness of were Rep. Emil L. Ong of the of EDSA DOS. Is this because hundred days. For now, we have P-Noy’s mind and his Admin- Second District of Northern Nestor L. Abrematea there is nothing to celebrate no other choice. So, let us count istration’s incompetence for Samar and his compadre, the anymore? Or is it because there the days till his three hundredth the next five and a half years. former Tacloban City Mayor seven people and rendering is no more GMA in Malacanang day. Fifteen days left of January. P-Noy will have to first liberate Uldarico E. Mate and his hundreds homeless. Many to try to eliminate? Whatever it Plus twenty nine days of Febru- himself from himself. If not, wife Luz. Also present were of the barangays near St. is, it is the right time to think ary, a Leap Year! Thirty one days the People will again have to Tacloban City Councilor Bernard were also affected of P-Noy’s future. Yesterday, of March, half of which will liberate themselves from him Jerry S. Uy; Jack Uy, presi- by the landslide as a result January 16, 2011, was his 200th add to the nervousness of the and his unworthy cohorts. dent of the Tacloban City of flooding brought about by Filipino-Chinese Chamber heavy rain. of Commerce and Industry After St. Bernard, now Opinyon... Crisis... and Dr. Yaokasin’s brother, comes the heavy flooding in From page 4 Ego... From page 6 Jimmy Yaokasin Sr. Eastern and Northern Samar From page 6 Second day, Tuesday, was The real fear now is that Dr. Yaokasin Sr., is re- and some parts of Tacloban for the trio of Chito, Marivic Congratulations. I have a protracted North Korean ag- membered for helping in the City and the nearby towns. and Michelle. It was a hilarious short announcement. Our gression will push South Korea construction of numerous In Northern Samar, five mu- one hour as they talked about target this year is to win and Japan to reconsider their school buildings in Leyte nicipalities identified as Ca- Boracay scandal, the problem the advertising award. Is long-held taboo on possessing and Samar. These various tubig, San Roque, Pambujan, that is Cebu Pacific budget that possible? [Instead of nuclear weapons. school building projects were Laoag and Las Navas were fare, and Piatco air terminal. answering, the group con- North Korea has stolen the funded by the Federation of reported still submerged in Chito does a segue “dahil we tinues to sing.] Okay, okay. spotlight if not the thunder from Filipino-Chinese Chamber flood waters. are talking about Piatco, my I was going to give a pep United States nuclear envoy. US of Commerce and Industry In Eastern Samar, the food suggestion tonight is para talk, but I see you don’t Ambassador Stephen Bosworth in Manila, now led by Dr. towns of Dolores, Can-Avid, payat ako.” Very like Chito. need one. [He leaves.] made a quick trip to the North- Alfonso S. Uy as Federation Taft, Oras, Maslog and Ji- Wednesday, was Linggoy, It took awhile to break east Asian capitals this week president. papad also suffered severe Harry and Sarah Jane. Linggoy egos and to shift from my- with an adroitly timed call for Jimmy Yaokasin told us flooding and some land- was in his usual self analyzing idea-your-idea to our-idea. resuming six-party talks on its stories about the old and the slides. Eight people died from for the future while citing the All copies pass through nukes with “no preconditions”. new China. China, he said, drowning and thousands past, of course with focus on the entire team, evolving The North Korean proposal is now fast becoming an eco- were rendered homeless and the non-performing PNoy. from raw to refined, from could hardly have been better nomic power in the world. hectares of newly planted Harry and Sarah Jane did a lot crude to fantastic. Ideas timed considering that it came That China is now a super ricefields were damaged by of tips on business and intel- kept on evolving until they right after Bosworth in Seoul power. Congressman Ong flood waters. lectual property rights. sparkled. In spite of noisy got through saying there was said that many years back In other parts of the Thursday, was the personal ‘wars’, the protagonists no point “in talks for the sake of he went to China and stayed country, heavy rains also and sex relationships hour with ironically became better talks”. Then Bosworth was off to at the Beijing Hotel with the caused flooding in Caraga Margie Holmes and Jeremy friends. They slashed ideas Beijing, where he propounded former First Lady Imelda R. Region and in Albay in the Baer. The husband and wife and egos, but were gentle to the same message along with the Marcos. They ate without Bicol Region. team celebrated for their can- one another. Not one but all usual plea for China to please rein using spoon and fork, eating With all these floods that did, practical and sometimes were credited for a fantastic in its North Korean protectorate. direct from the rice cooker, are now happening, many controversial advice to couples. copy, although the origina- (“North Korea goes gunning for he said. This time, the Beijing people are now becoming Two questions were picked tor was proclaimed. aid” by Donald Kirk) Hotel is entirely different. It aware of what is happening from listeners. First was about True enough, they won In order to reach stability in is now a five star hotel, and to our world. In Queensland, why May-December affairs the national advertising the region, all interested parties an expensive one at that. Australia, many people died happen, why would an 18 year award. All five went up the should promote the concept of • • • • • • and became homeless when old fall for a 70 year old DOM? stage to accept the trophy. establishing a multilateral se- On climate change, I flash floods hit them, the The other question was if its The mark of leadership curity mechanism in Northeast agree with my colleagues in most vicious in years. OK for a man to have sex with is in staying behind the Asia as a basis for the regime the broadcast industry that In Northeast America, another woman when his wife scene, and being the to maintain peace and to we are now experiencing people are suffering from is pregnant? As usual, it was facilitator not the actor. exclude from consideration the rapid changes in weather bitter cold as ice water fall an open no holds barred dis- The leader does not have proposal of the White House to conditions. Not too long like rain. cussion of behavior, from the to have creative ideas, only establish a certain coordination ago, Ormoc City was hit by a With all these unkind clinical to the practical. Opne creative people with ideas. mechanism to be led by them. flash flood that killed almost weather conditions, our hour was not enough for the True teamwork does not Together with the rest of 3,000 people in a matter of government officials, sweet couple. destroy individualism, the peace-loving countries, we minutes. Many believe that it particularly those at the na- Friday was consumers day. but in fact strengthens adhere to the peaceful means was caused by the cutting of tional level must focus their With Butch Junia and Mentong it. This is the principle of of resolving this crisis, may it be trees or by logging operations attention on climate change, Laurel. These two guys do a lot synergy, where one plus designed by some globalist elite. in the mountains of Ormoc not constitutional change or of research on what they are one equals a hundred. In Who wants a world war City several years back. changing the Constitution. writing about and saying on any human endeavor, ego anyway? This coastal city has now We have to be serious on this radio. Try them and learn more is the enemy, humility the recovered from the tragedy matter as thousands of our why the country is going down ally. The individual must and must have forgotten that people are gravely affected. because top officials in govern- die for the team. The team Thank God... once a upon a time, corpses Our people becomes hope- ment are anti people and pro must die for the individual. From page 11 were swept from the high- less when they see that their big business. All for one and one for all. lands and threwn floating for houses are deep in flood trapped inside that elevator ever Opinyon Radyo expands the since I’ve set foot in this office in many days near the Anilao waters and yet there is no reach of OpinYon. Be part of it. l [email protected] 2007. River and into Ormoc Bay. sufficient assistance from the As I said, it’s as normal an Then, followed the government coming. occurrence as our weekly flag disastrous landslide in The government must ceremony or payday. Guinsaugon, St. Bernard, be relentless in its drive to Frustrations... Well, it shouldn’t be. And Southern Leyte. The entire punish those destroying our From page 9 with the move to the new office, barangay together with a mountains so that we can Sharon Cuneta is recuperating from a slight rise in blood pressure she it won’t be anymore. hundred families were bur- prevent flooding and the figured in during her birthday concert at the Big Dome last week...” For now, I’ll content myself ied. What now stands in the loss of lives. The national Lumba-Lumba” original singer Paul Toledo still feels left out with exercising my freedom of barren field that was once leadership should take seri- when he wasn’t in the line-up of fellow rockers Wally Gonzales, expression and condemning that a thriving Barangay Guin- ous attention on this matter Joey “Pepe” Smith, Sampaguita, Lolita Carbon, Heber Bartolome, harrowing elevator experience. All that talk against the IPO for saugon is a solemn landmark of preserving our forests, Mike Hanopol, Florante etc in Viva Concerts’ “Ugat,” a tribute to moving into a better office? Try that will remind generations mountains and hills so that Philippine rock music forerunners and Florante de Leon’s come- to come of the tragic incident. we can save ourselves from getting trapped inside the eleva- back to the country...” Wai Chi Baby,” a Hong Kong-Hollywood tor even once. Now I know what Survivors of the landslide drowning when the seas co-venture directed by Craig Addison and top billed by Filipina have been relocated to the finally engulf entire conti- moral damages feel like. I don’t actress Chanel Latorre is entered at the Hong Kong International want anymore of that. Tales of town proper now called New nents as predicted by climate Film Festival unfortunately, according to Latorre’s talent manager Barangay Guinsaugon. change experts. people getting trapped inside and publicist Dennis Adobas, has yet to compete at the Robert the elevator isn’t normal, and it Last week, St. Bernard Paging officials of the Redford’s Sundance Film Festival for first-time director... was on national television Philippine Climate Change shouldn’t be. That’s why IPO is Is it true that Zanjoe Marudo is playing sweet music with Bea moving out. Anyone who’s been again when another killer Commission! Where are you Alonzo?... Lovely is the right term to describe Aiza Seguerra’s through what I’ve been through landslide hit the town, killing and what are you doing now? live-in partner? would want out. OpinYon J A N U A R Y 1 7 - 2 3, 2 0 1 1 13 JANUARY 17-23, 2011 / Vol. I, No. 22 LIFESTYLE NEWS...... 2 FEATURES...... 5 POLITICS...... 6 LABOR...... 7 inside TRAVEL...... 8 The Only Opinion Paper, We Take A Stand CONSUMER...... 12 In love with a single mother Hi Dr Margie and Mr Baer, person; by the same token there are those who are still unmar- I’m Mr. Pisces from Canada. I met a girl in the Philippines ried despite going out together two months ago through a common friend. She said she for more than a decade. I suggest was single with no babies on our first date. But I just found that you consider very carefully out now that she has a 4 year old daughter but she is not whether you are more in lust married, in other words unplanned pregnancy. Before, when than in love. There is absolutely I asked her if she has a kid, she says no but now she says she nothing wrong of course with has one. I really love her but I don’t know if I should still being in lust provided you do continue or not. not mistake it for a desire to form a lifelong relationship with Dear Mr Pisces, the object of your lust. With luck, If I understand you cor- TWO you will remain in lust and grow rectly, you met a girl in the PRONGED together to be in love too; then Philippines two months ago, you can consider something presumably when you were on permanent. vacation. She told you that she Finally, though you do was single which was true, but not tell us, yours shows every she also said she had no chil- Jeremy Baer & sign of being a long distance dren which was not. The friend Margarita Holmes relationship. You are now back who introduced the two of you in Canada while she is in the either did not know about this Philippines. This makes it more or did not think it important enough time to allow you to difficult, though not impossible, that you should know. You are recognize her many virtues to develop a relationship. Dis- in love with her but not sure first. This could be an innocent tance tends to magnify feelings: whether to persevere or not. stratagem (perhaps the truth the moderate become intense, Regrettably yours is not an about the child had driven whether positively or negatively. uncommon story. So many men suitors away in the past before So in answer to your question find that the woman of their they could really get to know ‘do I continue?’ I suggest that dreams is unfortunately only her) or it could be a devilish you do. Learn more about her, that - a dream - and that the scheme to ensnare you by de- see whether love can truly grow reality turns out to be closer to laying the revelation until you and above all don’t rush into a nightmare. In your case, you were too deeply in love to resist anything precipitately. have highlighted five issues: her. Only you can decide which to be clear why she had the child, the very fact that you are Best of luck - JAF Baer and she has lied to you, she has had applies in your case since you child in the first place. Is the still considering her as a mate MG Holmes an unwanted pregnancy, she know her and we do not. unwanted pregnancy simply means that the child is not an P.S. Mr Baer has been iden- has a child, you are in love with One other major problem her explanation or have you insurmountable problem for tified as the cynical, curmud- her, and you don’t know how to when you find that your girl- obtained corroboration from you. Not all men would be as geonly one mainly because proceed. friend has been lying big time other trustworthy sources? If open minded as you are when he is. But as you can see from The problem with lying is is that you begin to wonder you are seriously considering faced with the prospect of rais- this letter, the seeming mean- that it so often boomerangs and what other lies she has told you. the option of continuing this ing another man’s child. ness-- which the Brits like to one then wonders what pos- Is this her only child? Is she relationship, it would be wise This brings us to the matter call irony—has been tempered. sessed the liar to be economical really single? These and other to have as much information of being in love only two months That is because, due to space with the truth in the first place. questions can then fester and on the father of your soon-to- after meeting her. You do not tell constraints, this particular Quite how your girlfriend destroy your relationship since be stepson and the relationship us how far your relationship has column has been thoroughly thought she could get away trust can never be established he had with your soon-to-be developed nor do you tell us how discussed and negotiated so with a lie of such gargantuan between you. wife. You do not want to find she feels about you but whatever that it is truly a blend of our proportions escapes me. Of You attribute her child out too late that she is still in the circumstances two months is true feelings. MG Holmes course, it is possible that she to an unwanted pregnancy. love with him and would leave a very short time to get to know P.P.S. You have no idea how felt that learning the truth too While this may indeed be the you in a flash were he suddenly someone. Naturally there are thoroughly; I have the bruises early would drive you away case, it is by no means the to become available. people who know almost from to prove it (joke only.....I think). and so she was merely buying only possibility and you need Turning to the issue of her the start that they have met THE JAF Baer
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14 J A N U A R Y 1 7 - 2 3, 2 0 1 1 OpinYon