amiel's secret

Plunderers Power-Grab

2009-08-28T17:59:00.000-07:00

Efren Danao said that it is now apparent that power grab is the only reason behind the efforts of former President Joseph Estrada to unite the opposition and nothing else. There is no underlying principle that should bind the opposition except to take over Malacañang in 2010—if that qualifies as a principle.

At the Kapihan sa Senado on Thursday, I asked Erap if there is any other reason, besides capturing Malacañang, that should bind the opposition. He virtually gave no other reason. He only gave the motherhood statement that “in the interest of our country, our government, we must be united.” He added that every member of the opposition wants to put the country’s affairs in order so the Philippines could no longer be branded as “the most corrupt country, most dangerous for journalists.”

For the opposition to be truly united, they must all agree on common political, social and economic principles that would govern the conduct of the government once they are in power. Otherwise, the unity will be good only during the election. Once they are in power, they will end up fighting each other.

But then, why bother with coming up with a platform of government that would be adopted by all opposition candidates? Opposition unity is a pipe dream, after all. And it is keeping Erap in the news.

If we are to believe the Pulse Asia Survey, Sen. Manny Villar is tops in the voters’ presidential preference. If we are to believe the Social Weather Stations survey, he is second only to Erap. Whichever survey one believes, what is apparent is that Villar remains high in the surveys despite the ethics case filed against him by Sen. Jamby Madrigal.

Villar had refused to attend the hearings of the case against him. He preferred to explain his case to media and the people and not before the Senate Committee of the Whole with members who would be his rivals for the presidency in 2010. I have had misgivings before about his non-appearance in the hearings. I thought it was a wrong strategy because the hearings were aired live on TV and radio. Only snippets of Villar’s side could be aired on the news programs of TV and radio, which would put him at a disadvantage.

Well, it looks like Villar was playing his card well. He is maintaining his ratings despite the charges. Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago has an explanation for this: “Either the people were becoming confused by the pieces of evidence submitted by Jamby or, they just do not care.” Incidentally, I note that the hearing last Tuesday was no longer covered live by radio and TV. I expect some senators to stop attending the hearing once they realized that they could not get the needed media exposure there.

Estrada is Unstoppable!

2009-08-19T17:55:00.001-07:00

(by Tony Lopez) More than 100 trips to 360 towns and cities in 60 provinces in less than two years. By plane, by helicopter, by boat and by land. No one has been to more places, held more protests and meetings, spoken in more universities, delivered more speeches, met more local officials, seen more people and pressed more flesh in so short a time. Yet, Joseph Ejercito “Erap” Estrada is not even a declared candidate for any office—yet.

“Neither [Senator] Many Villar nor [Senator] Chiz Escudero has covered not even a third of the territory we have been to nor the number of people we have met,” reckons former Sen. Ernesto Maceda, Estrada’s de facto executive secretary for his sorties. Villar and Escudero, per surveys, are Estrada’s main rivals for 2010.

In Iloilo next week, Estrada was scheduled to visit nine towns in two days. Four mayors called up his Greenhills, San Juan residence to inquire why their towns were not in his itinerary. “This shows you the interest of people in Erap, considering that Iloilo is supposed to be Mar Roxas and Frank Drilon country,” smiles Maceda.

In Cebu, the former president has made five visits and covered all its congressional districts. Cebu is administration or Gloria Arroyo country. Erap, per surveys, is weakest in Cebu, among so-called presidentiables. Yet, he was mobbed by local officials and Cebuanos. His political machinery on the island, which is booming economically, is well-oiled and working well.
In the 2004 presidential election, the main opposition candidate, actor and Erap buddy, Fernando Poe Jr., was clobbered by Arroyo by a margin of eight to one in Cebu. Yet, overall, nationwide, the fight was close and the outcome would have been different if not for the fraud. Arroyo, the incumbent, got 13.9 million votes (39.99 percent), just 1.12 million votes more than FPJ’s 11.78 million votes (36.51 percent). Her 3.48 percent margin is the smallest in the history of Philippine presidential elections. Her Lakas CMD party got just 79 of the 235 district congressional seats.

Erap—his screen name and political nickname—says he is stumping the length and breadth of the archipelago to say thank you to the people who had stood by him and never wavered in their support during his six years and six months of incarceration after his conviction for plunder by a special three-person court created specifically to try him.
Estrada says he will run only if the opposition is not united. Judging by the previous presidential elections, since the abolition of the two-party system, the opposition is usually not united. Since 1992, the presidency has always been contested by no less than five opposition claimants against a single perceived administration or status quo candidate. Estrada thrives best in such a scenario.

In 1992, seven vied for the presidency. Retired general and People Power 1 hero Fidel V. Ramos won with a 23.58-percent plurality, just a slim 3.86-percent margin over the second placer, Miriam Santiago’s 19.72 percent. In 1998, when Erap won. He garnered 40 percent (10.72 million votes) of the vote in a nine-way presidential fight. His chief rival, former Speaker Jose de Venecia, was a poor second, with 15.58 percent (4.26 million votes).

It seems inevitable Erap will throw his hat into the ring in 2010.

Surveys indicate he is now No. 1 among the aspirants. This is the effect of three factors—his lingering popularity and masa appeal, his hundreds of provincial sorties, and what Maceda calls “the sympathy vote,” the Filipino’s love for the underdog, for one who had been a victim of injustice, having been unceremoniously ousted from the presidency in January 2001, only to be succeeded by someone who later acquired the image being even more corrupt (than Erap) and as dictatorial as Ferdinand Marcos was.

Remembering tita Cory

2009-08-02T03:46:00.000-07:00

Some people make me sick... Marine Col. Ariel Querubin, who helped lead a coup against Aquino in 1989, said in a statement: “She braved the night and the anti-riot police to be one with the people in prayer.” “Through the years I have learned to admire her bravery and courage very much. She was brave up to her final moments,” said Querubin, detained in connection with a failed 2006 coup against President Gloria Arroyo.

Two of Marcos’ senior aides defected in February 1986 after he beat Aquino in elections marred by massive cheating.

Aquino called her supporters onto the streets to protect them, giving birth to her “People Power” Revolution that sent the strongman and his family packing for exile in Hawaii, where he died three years later.Aquino established a transition government, overhauled the electoral process, released political detainees and instituted democratic reforms.

I saw Ariel Queubin and Rommelino Gojo painting a Marine LVT tank with the RAM-SFP markings back in December 1989. They treacherously went against my dad (who was Marine Commandant at that time), to lead the 1989 military revolt against tita Cory.

Their goal was simple- to murder the President! Rebel choppers open fired on the Presidential palace with rockets but luckily missed tita Cory.

Bloody coup attempts hounded her from Year one up to 1989. The first five of these useless rebellions were crushed without or with minimal violence. But the sixth left 53 people dead and over 200 wounded, including tita Cory’s son, Noynoy, now a senator. A handful of rebel Marines open fired on a Presidential convoy that carried tita Cory’s eldest son.

The seventh and final attempt, in December 1989, ended with more than a 100 dead and cost the nation more than a P1 billion financially. Until now, these rebels say their actions against Pres. Cory Aquino were “justifiable”. Some of these same rebels are again in jail, for their involvement in “military adventurism” against the present administration. Tita Cory, who these rebels loathed to the point of trying to murdering her, has now metamorphosed into the country’s madre de familia and national treasure.

I ask these rebels now… Was it worth trying to slaughter our madre de familia?

Honoring One Woman's Dream

2009-07-30T21:16:00.000-07:00

SEC Commissioner Jenny, Chiqui Veneracion and Amiel Aguilar Cabanlig

The Philippines’ premier choral group, the Philippine Madrigal Singers, have worked tirelessly over almost five full decades to bring the Filipino’s incomparable choral gift to the world to touch hearts and improve lives through their performances and training of up-and-coming choral talents. On July 27, 2009, they stood both honored and humbled by the recognition of this unique mission as Koichiro Matsuura, Director-General of UNESCO, formally designated the Philippine Madrigal Singers as UNESCO Artists for Peace. This recognition was granted in the presence of Ambassador Rora Navarro-Tolentino, Ambassador to France and Permanent Delegate to UNESCO; Undersecretary for Foreign Affairs Esteban Cunejos Jr. and other members of the Diplomatic Corps, and the Filipino community in Paris. After expressing their gratitude and plans for fulfilling the role of Artists for Peace in an acceptance speech from Choirmaster Mark Anthony Carpio, the Madz delivered a stirring, sterling one-hour concert that reminded all present of their capability and dedication.

These hard-traveling singers, the latest in a long line of proud Madz generations, were brought together in 1963 for the first time by Philippine National Artist for Music, Professor Andrea O. Veneracion. Their name has since become synonymous with peerless vocal skill, performance quality, individual discipline, and musical diversity. The Madz have spent the last few decades winning choral competitions such as the European Grand Prix – widely understood to be the Olympics of the choral circuit, which they have won twice (1997 and 2007) – and reaching out to budding choirs from all corners of the Philippines via the Madz Et Al choral network. The latter has enabled many of these choirs to compete abroad and win, as well as continue the practice of giving back to their own communities. They have been recognized as UNESCO Artists for Peace “in recognition of their efforts to promote dialogue and understanding among peoples in Southeast Asia , their contribution to extend UNESCO’s message of peace and tolerance, and their dedication to the ideals and aims of the Organization.”

Now named UNESCO Artists for Peace for the next two years, the Philippine Madrigal Singers are recognized celebrity advocates charged with the mission of embodying, and raising awareness in, the UNESCO ideals – including collaboration for the promotion of peace, security and fundamental human rights and freedoms – in their respective contexts through their respective means and talents.

MGen. Carlos Garcia Corruption Case

2009-07-27T20:12:00.000-07:00

THE new head of public relations for Marc Jacobs' men's division has an interesting fashion accessory: an ankle bracelet.

Tim Mark Garcia is currently out on bond and facing extradition back to the Philippines on "plunder" charges -- and he's been wearing the ankle bracelet to fashion parties around town.

His father, former Armed Forces of the Philippines comptroller Major General Carlos F. Garcia, has been accused of stealing $6.2 million in public funds. A Trump Park Avenue condo purchased in the younger Garcia's name in 2004 for $765,000 is alleged to have been bought with the illegal cash.

His mother and two siblings are also facing extradition. A lawyer for Garcia denies the charges. He told Page Six, "He has absolutely no criminal record whatsoever. Whatever is transpiring has to do with the Philippines." No one at Marc Jacobs returned calls.

Richard Gutierrez Charged!

2009-07-24T19:04:00.000-07:00

Actor Richard Gutierrez was charged with reckless imprudence resulting in homicide by the wife of his bodyguard who died in a car crash with him on May 22 in Silang, Cavite.

The case was filed by Lorayne Pardo, 29, of 1763 F.B. Harrizon Street, Pasay City, who is the wife of Gutierrez’s production assistant, Nomar Pardo.

The preliminary hearing is set on August 15 at the Prosecutor’s Office in Imus, Cavite.

According to the Fiscal’s Office in Imus, Lorayne personally filed the criminal charge of reckless imprudence resulting in homicide against Gutierrez, 25, of Mckinley Street, Makati City.

According to records, the car crash happened late morning of May 22 as Gutierrez and Pardo were riding a car (ZTU 775) when it fell from a cliff.

The car was a total wreck and Nomar died instantly and Gutierrez was thrown outside the car and escaped serious injuries.

Lorayne said that she has not asked for any monetary consideration from the actor and has not received any amount from him or his family. (Manila Times Correspondent)

Humility Needed- Sen. Mar Roxas

2009-07-20T18:14:00.000-07:00

This is an excerpt from an open letter to Mar Roxas written by Alito Malinao of the Manila Times.

Dear Senator Roxas,
Among the so-called presidentiables, I have found you to be the most capable of running this country after President Arroyo. I do not know you personally although I have on several occasions observed you closely while you were still the DTI secretary and as a senator…In the Senate, I found you to be hardworking, conscientious, resourceful and scrupulous. Indeed, you are a chip off the old block, a man destined to perpetuate the legacy of your great forebears, your grandfather, Manuel Roxas, your namesake, the first president of the Republic, and your illustrious father, the late Senator Gerry Roxas, who, with his glasses perpetually on, looked like a college professor than a politician.
What I am saying is that even without your “padyak-padyak” commercial and your much-hyped romance and impending marriage to broadcast journalist Korina Sanchez, your record in the Senate and as former DTI boss can stand public scrutiny.

But I have a word of caution for you, my dear Senator Roxas. There is such a thing as overkill. In the Greek mythology, the gods would destroy those who develop HUBRIS or those who discard humility as a virtue.
While I am among the many beneficiaries of the Cheaper Medicines Act (my wife and I are taking maintenance medicines) that you have championed for so long, I was terribly disappointed when you announced to the media that you would summon President Arroyo to the Senate hearing.
Haven’t you gone too far in your desire to gain media mileage?
Why have you become so arrogant to seek the presence of the President of the Republic in a Senate hearing?
Why the cavalier attitude toward a president whom you once served?
Have you forgotten the Confucian saying that “humility is the solid foundation of all virtues?”
I remember quite well that among the Estrada Cabinet members, you were the only one who joined the Arroyo government after the tumultuous EDSA 2 revolt. Out of delicadeza, like all your former colleagues in the Estrada administration, you could have refused to serve in the new government.
But you stayed perhaps believing that Mrs. Arroyo, like you an economist, could make the difference in this country.
However, times have changed. And you have changed with the times…
I am sure a lot of Filipinos have cheered you for the crusade that you have embarked, from your Quixotic fight against the big oil companies and the scrapping of the VAT on oil products to your lonely battle against unscrupulous pre-need companies and your spirited call for the full implementation of the Cheaper Medicines Act…
But don’t squander your chance of leading this country by making reckless and puerile moves like asking the President to appear before you to be interrogated on the medicines law. However noble your objective was what you did was certainly an irresponsible act. This was like asking the mountain to go to Mahomet.
I have already forgiven you for the GUTTER language that you used in a Makati rally in attacking the President but asking her to kowtow to your whims is going too far.

God bless you, Senator Mar.

HUBRIS: The fall of the mighty Lopez family

2009-07-18T00:07:00.000-07:00

This was written by Tony Lopez of the Manila Times.”The loss by the Lopezes of their stranglehold in Meralco presents a veritable case study on how a mighty family could lose their crown jewel, the symbol of unrivalled power and influence.

Overborrowing, overexpansion, and overarching ambition in the mid-1990s and loss of focus in their core businesses by the early 21st century finally undid the Lopez group by 2008, forcing it to sell many of their prized assets—the Manila North Tollways, the Subic-Tipo Highway, and the awesome Maynilad Water concession which never became profitable. Today, the Lopez group is a shadow of its own self. It bought PNOC-EDC at a horrendous overprice—P58 billion, three times the market price.

Jim Collins, of the Good to Great book fame has come out with a new book, How the Mighty Fall (about P1,000 at Fullybooked). Though rather thin, the book is a good reading for it presents lessons on how a company becomes good, then great, only to be gone later.

The management guru identifies the causes of corporate disaster and cites five stages a company undergoes before it unravels.

Stage 1: hubris born of success

This is when people become arrogant, regard success virtually as an entitlement, and lose sight of the true underlying factors that created success in the first place.

When the rhetoric shifts from “We’re successful because we do these specific things” to “We’re successful because we understand why we do these specific things and under what conditions they would no longer work,” decline very likely follows. Luck and chance play a role in many successful businesses. Failure to acknowledge this is hubris or pride. Remember the Greek gods? They fall because of hubris.

Stage 2: undisciplined pursuit of more

More scale, more growth, more acclaim, more of whatever those in power see as “success.” Companies stray from the disciplined creativity that led them to greatness in the first place. They make undisciplined leaps into areas where they cannot be great or growing faster than they can achieve with excellence—or both.

When an organization grows beyond its ability to fill its key seats with the right people, it has set itself up for a fall. Although complacency and resistance to change remain dangers to any successful enterprise, overreaching better captures how the mighty fall.

Discontinuous leaps into areas in which you have no burning passion is undisciplined. Taking action inconsistent with your core values is undisciplined. Investing heavily in new arenas where you cannot attain distinctive capability, better than your competitors, is undisciplined. Launching headlong into activities that do not fit with your economic or resource engine is undisciplined. Addiction to scale is undisciplined.

To use the organization primarily as a vehicle to increase your own personal success—more wealth, more fame, more power—at the expense of its long-term success is undisciplined. To compromise your values or lose sight of your core purpose in pursuit of growth and expansion is undisciplined.

Stage 3: denial of risk and peril

Leaders discount negative data, amplify positive data, and put a positive spin on ambiguous data. Those in power start to blame external factors for setbacks rather than accept responsibility. The vigorous, fact-based dialogue that characterizes high-performance teams dwindles or disappears altogether. When those in power begin to imperil the enterprise by taking outsize risks and acting in a way that denies the consequences of those risks, they are headed straight to Stage 4.

Stage 4: grasping for salvation

Common “saviors” include a charismatic visionary leader, a bold but untested strategy, a radical transformation, a dramatic cultural revolution, a hoped-for blockbuster product, a “game-changing” acquisition, or any number of other silver-bullet solutions. Initial results from taking dramatic action may appear positive, but they do not last.

Stage 5: capitulation to irrelevance or death

Accumulated setbacks and expensive false starts erode financial strength and individual spirit to such an extent that leaders abandon all hope of building a great future. In some cases the company’s leader just sells out; in other cases the institution atrophies into utter insignificance; and in the most extreme cases the enterprise simply dies outright.

The point of the struggle is not just to survive, but to build an enterprise that makes such a distinctive impact on the world it touches (and does so with such superior performance) that it would leave a gaping hole—a hole that could not be easily filled by any other institution—if it ceased to exist. To accomplish this requires leaders who retain faith that they can find a way to prevail in pursuit of a cause larger than mere survival (and larger than themselves) while also maintaining the stoic will needed to take whatever actions must be taken, however excruciating, for the sake of that cause.

The GrandMaster... Intelligence

2009-07-12T00:27:00.000-07:00

The GARANDMASTER- John Defensor, Raul Teehankee, Amiel Aguilar Cabanlig and CHESS grandmaster Eugene Torre

By Rony V. Diaz

THE conventional wisdom about intelligence is that it’s inherited. Children of bright parents are generally brighter than the progeny of the less bright.

This was the theory that was propounded in 1994 by Richard J. Herrenstein and Charles Murray in their book The Bell Curve.

It has been roundly denounced as racism masquerading as science although the authors drew their conclusions from a large body of research in both psychology and the cognitive sciences that they evaluated with great care and circumspection.

The opponents of the hereditarian theory of intelligence found it easier to question the authors’ motives rather than their methodology.

Studies on intelligence are fraught. Establishing heritability is slippery. Furthermore, however “detached” a researcher would like to be, subtle biases and ambiguities are bound to color his or her judgments.

IQ tests measure intellectual inequalities that are, many believe, natural and not cultural. There are even those who go as far as to theorize that intelligence is encoded in the genes. This is the basis of the belief that Azhkenazi Jews are the brainiest ethnic group followed by East Asians, whites in generals, with the blacks bringing up the rear.

It’s therefore a great service to all of us that Robert E. Nisbett, a cognitive psychologist at the University of Michigan at Dearborn, published last month Intelligence and How to Get It. Why Schools and Culture Count (W.W. Norton).

He began with a careful critique of hereditarism, which he countered with nonhereditary factors in determining intelligence.

Nisbett accepts IQ tests as instruments that measure something “real.” They measure “fluid” intelligence (abstract reasoning skills) and “crystallized” intelligence or knowledge.

Within the same family there are inequalities in fluid intelligence.

Nisbett, however, rejects the hereditarian claim that 75 percent to 85 percent of intelligence is inherited. He thinks that it’s less than 50 percent.

The higher estimates were made by comparing blood relatives—identical twins, fraternal twins, siblings—who grew up with different adoptive families. But adoptive families are not all the same. The more affluent tend to give their adopted children more “cognitive stimulation” than the poorer ones. The data then yield erroneously high estimates of IQ heritability. The right conclusion is that there’s no fixed value for heritability. The average difference in IQ is entirely environmental.

Using this logic, Nisbett explained the disparity in average IQ between white and black Americans. The IQ gap is purely environmental. In fact, this gap is closing. Over the last 30 years, the measured difference in IQ between white and black children has decreased from 15 points to 9.5 points.

From studies in population genetics, Nisbett found that African-Americans as a consequence of slavery, have on average about 20 percent European genes. But the proportion of European genes ranges widely among individuals—from near zero to more than 80 percent. The conclusion is inescapable: if the gap is genetic, then blacks with more European genes ought to have, on average, higher IQs. The fact is they don’t.

As regards the higher intelligence of Ashkenazi Jews and East Asians, Nisbett found that if the IQ tests were properly designed and normed, Americans would score slightly higher than East Asians.

If differences in IQ are largely environmental, then what can be done to eliminate intellectual disparities?

The most dramatic results came from adoption. When poor children are adopted by wealthier parents, their IQ increases by 12 to 15 points.

Early childhood education increases the intelligence of children measurably. Nisbett is for scaling up pre-school programs because even in adolescence, those children are 10 points ahead in IQ than those who did not attend a pre-school program.

For older kids, Nisbett recommends telling high school students that intelligence is expandable and they are in control of their own IQ. Students, once convinced, tend to work harder and earn higher grades.

This is particularly true of girls who have been made to believe that they are genetically disadvantaged in science and math. Once this mindset is overcome, they excel because they are deprived of an excuse for failure.

I suggest that parents, teachers and school administrators give up the idea that children are differently endowed intellectually.

Cognitively, we are all equal. And good education can do a lot to expand the brainpower of a nation.

nauseating ads

2009-07-06T20:42:00.000-07:00

Alito Malinao of the Manila Times wrote a very interestig article..."While you are watching the early evening TV newscast, Manny Villar suddenly appears on the screen. He is visiting a dilapidated house with a leaking roof in Moriones, Tondo. He tells you that he and his eight siblings grew up in that house. Then an elderly lady thanks Villar for making her dream of owning a house a reality.

A few minutes later on the same newscast, Mar Roxas is seen pedaling a pedicab. In his “padyak-padyak” commercial, he tells the young boy, the regular pedicab driver, not to lose hope. His parting words are “Hindi ko kayo pababayaan,” a spin from the funereal song, “Hindi kita malilimutan,” a bad omen for Roxas’ presidential ambition.

Then, the face of Mayor Jejomar Binay of Makati is splashed on the screen with testimonials of the sick, the elderly, and schoolchildren, the supposed beneficiaries of Binay’s “welfare state” style of governance in Makati. His commercial is dubbed “Ganito kami sa Makati, Ganito Sana sa Buong Bansa.”

Another TV newscast is interrupted by Vice President Noli de Castro who urges everyone to take advantage of the government’s low-interest housing loans and the restructuring program of Pag-IBIG for delinquent borrowers.

Other latecomers but with the same vacuous TV campaign ads are Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro telling everybody to prepare for calamities and disasters, Sen. Loren Legarda with her “pagkain, hindi Cha-cha; trabaho, hindi Cha-cha . . . aalagaan ko kayo” commercial, and MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando who styles himself as the Lee Kuan Yew of the Philippines (translation: likoanniyo or U-turn slots with concrete barriers that have caused the death of several motorists).

These commercials, which are repeated over and over again on radio, are irritating, disgusting, suffocating and nauseating. Because they are so crudely done without any cerebral message, they not only pollute the airwaves but also insult our intelligence.

Why do we have to suffer these inanities? Can the authorities not do something to stop this cruel insensitivity to public opinion displayed by our publicity-hungry politicians?

Stupid provision

Unfortunately for us, the authorities cannot do anything because of the stupid provision of the Omnibus Election Code.

Even if everybody knows that they are already campaigning and some of them have even announced their intention to run for president, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) has said that they are not legally considered candidates because they have not yet filed their certificates of candidacy.

Section 79 of the Omnibus Election Code states that an individual may be considered a candidate only if he or she has filed a certificate of candidacy before the Comelec. The filing of the certificate of candidacy for president is still on November this year.

This issue was settled last year when the Comelec junked the petition of Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago to declare the appearance of politicians in commercial advertisements as an election offense.

The Comelec said it has no power to restrict politicians from appearing in advertisements to endorse products or promote an advocacy because this is not prohibited under the Omnibus Election Code.

“The commission recognizes that there is a need to quell the less than noble practices complained of by the petitioner [Santiago]. However, as the law stands, these practices cannot be restrained or punished,” the Comelec stressed.

Top spenders, big losers

If the media handlers of the presidential bets think that the more their candidates are exposed in the media, the better their chances of winning in next year’s polls, they should think again.

In the 2007 elections, Prospero Pichay and Villar were the biggest spenders in political ads. Pichay spent P151.72 million followed by Villar with P138.28 million. Both have exceeded the allowable limit of P135 million, computed at P3 per voter of the estimated 45 million votes.

What happened to them?

Pichay was thrashed in the polls and Villar, despite his massive campaign ads, landed only fourth, overtaken by Legarda, who placed first, Chiz Escudero and even by Sen. Panfilo Lacson.

The other big spenders in political ads who also lost in the 2007 senatorial derby were Michael Defensor, Tito Sotto, Tessie Aquino-Oreta and Ralph Recto. On the other hand, Antonio Trillanes 4th, who did not have any campaign ad and was unable to campaign because he was and is still detained, was number 11.

What to do?

These political ads will become more frequent and more annoying when election campaign starts. But unless the election law is amended, we are helpless.

Henrietta de Villa, chairman of the National Movement for Free Elections (Namfrel) and the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting, said that the best way to show our outrage over the premature campaigning and circumvention of the law by these candidates is not to vote for them in the 2010 elections.

I agree with her and I think that this is what we should all do when we enter the polling booths next year."

MIKE DEFENSOR at 40

2009-07-04T20:40:00.001-07:00

“In life we shall find many men that are great, and some that

are good, but very few men that are both great and

good.” Charles Colton

Butch Acebuche, Marj Defensor-Lopez, Raul Teehankee, Amiel Cabanlig, John Defensor, Florence Defensor, Sen. Manny Villar, Mojo Javier, Mike Defensor, Atty. Chat Zamora, Paulo Lopez

Mike and his loving family!

The solid batch of 86'

J.Flavier, M.Rosal, J.Defensor, A.Cabanlig, A.Alejandrino,N&A DeVilla

Back to the 80's

Ai Ai De las Alas

Dr. Robert Nazal and Ai Ai

Victorina's fav' Mayor Recom Echeverri

the anatomy of pure evil

2009-06-30T18:40:00.000-07:00

Wall Street swindler Bernard Madoff was sentenced Monday to 150 years in jail for masterminding an “evil” multibillion-dollar investment scam that cheated thousands of people around the world.

“It is the judgment of this court that Bernard Madoff should be sentenced to 150 years in jail,” Judge Denny Chin said as he handed down the maximum term possible on 11 charges of fraud, theft and perjury.

He described Madoff’s crimes as “extraordinarily evil” and said it was “not merely a bloodless crime that takes place on paper but one that takes a staggering human toll.”

The tough sentence came even after Madoff, the former chairman of the Nasdaq, made a courtroom apology to his victims. “I am sorry,” he told them simply. “I don’t ask for forgiveness.”

“I leave a legacy of shame to my family. I am responsible for a great deal of suffering and pain. I live in a tormented state,” said the disgraced 71-year-old financier who now faces spending the rest of his life in prison.

Judge Chin gave Madoff 10 days to appeal, but noted there had not been a single letter from friends or family testifying to his good deeds. “The absence of such support is telling,” he said.

Madoff’s wife, Ruth, finally broke her silence Monday to lash out at her husband, saying: “All those touched by this fraud feel betrayed; disbelieving the nightmare they woke to.

“The man who committed this horrible fraud is not the man whom I have known all these years,” she said in a statement.

White House spokesman Robert Gibbs weighed in later by saying the maximum sentence handed to Madoff would send an effective warning to other investors.

“The judge wanted to send a very strong signal to anybody that invests money on behalf of others of the amazing responsibility that they have to those investors and to the country,” he said, adding “that message will be heard loud and clear.”

Prosecutors say about $13 billion was handed to Madoff. The financier himself has talked about losing some 50 billion dollars, which is believed to be the amount that would have been paid out had the funds been properly invested.

Among Madoff’s victims were Hollywood and international celebrities, several of the world’s bestknown banks and Jewish charities, some of which were forced to close after the scheme unraveled.

The funds were then used to pay out “dividends” to investors in what is known as a “Ponzi scheme.”

One lingering issue is how to return the stolen funds. Of the billions of dollars that were lost, prosecutors say only one billion has been recovered. (manila times)

Flying Coffins?

2009-06-25T17:43:00.001-07:00

A long times ago I warned the Victorina council regarding the airworthiness of Zest Air’s MA60. I even told ABS-CBN’s RG Cruz that the Chinese made MA6o that were being sold cheaply to third-world countries like Zimbabwe, Congo, Zambia, Laos, Indonesia, Bolivia and other countries and Africa is bad news. During a raffle, I was given a free round trip ticket to Caticlan but I never bothered to use it.

Yesterday, Zest Airways flight Z2-863 overshot the runway at Caticlan prompting the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) to close the airport. Investigators are now verifying eyewitnesses’ reports that the plane landed almost at the middle of the 1,050-meter- long runway. Just last January, another MA60 plane overshot the runway. Reports said strong winds caused the aircraft’s landing gear to explode, hitting the airport fence. After swerving 180 degrees, the plane was, with registry number RP-C8893 crashed into the airport’s passenger lounge.

Zest Air owner Alfredo Yao said the MA60 plane with tail number RPC 8992 exceeded the runway of Godofredo Ramos Airport in Caticlan, Aklan because of the abnormal weather.

There were no reported injuries among the passengers, comprising of 50 adults, four children and one infant. The passengers were evacuated from the plane by the responding airport rescue team and were ferried to the terminal by bus. Caticlan is the seventh busiest airport in the Philippines and the third busiest in Western Visayas. It is also the hub of Southeast Asian Airlines serving the most destinations in and out of the neighboring Malay, Aklan.

Gokongwei-led Cebu Pacific Air Inc., canceled some of its Caticlan flights because of the Zest Air incident. The trustworthy SEAIR, diverted some of its 12 Manila-Caticlan-Manila flights after CAAP closed the airport. PAL Express, also canceled its six Manila-Caticlan-Manila flights while mounting extra flights to Kalibo to accommodate their affected passengers.

Can we really trust Zest Air?

Estrada should follow Roh's example!

2009-06-22T01:51:00.000-07:00

Joseph Estrada was been found guilty beyond reasonable doubt of plunder by the Sandiganbayan and was later pardoned. He was charged with violation of Republic Act 7080, or Anti-Plunder Law on four counts and also for perjury for lying about his Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN) for the year 1998. Estrada should have faced a penalty of reclusion perpetua, or imprisonment ranging from 20 years and one day to 40 years, with civil interdiction of marital authority and of disposal of property, and perpetual absolute disqualification from public office or profession based on RA 7080, or Anti-Plunder Law. The anti-graft court ordered the freezing of Estrada’s accounts estimated at $87 million including protection money from illegal gambling operators, embezzled tobacco taxes, and commissions from insider trading.

The PLUNDERER was later set free!

When Former South Korean President Roh Moo-Hyun was tried by his country for corruption, he left a suicide note for his family that family lawyer Moon Jae-in handed out to South Korean media. The former Korean President said;

"I am in debt to too many people," the note reads. "Too many people have suffered because of me. And I cannot imagine the suffering they will go through in the future." Roh's suicide came amid an investigation into a bribery scandal that had tarnished his reputation. Prosecutors were investigating the former president for allegedly receiving $6 million (ONLY) in bribes from a South Korean businessman while in office. Roh's wife was scheduled to be questioned by prosecutors Saturday, and Roh was planning to answer a second round of questions next week.

Roh had said he was ashamed about the scandal… I commend him for his remorse for the sins of his past. I hope PLUNDERER Estrada follow the footsteps of the former Korean Premiere. Maybe your nation can forgive you!

Villar and Jun Lozada... together at last!

2009-06-19T20:34:00.000-07:00

The proclamation made by nuns that they will go with Jun Lozada wherever he goes — even a jail cell — seems to be tickling the funny bone of some “journalists” like Ellen Torsesillas. Though the nuns’ objectives may seem noble, for a lot of people this image is quite idiosyncratic of Lozada- a crooked Chinese carpetbagger who has illegally amassed wealth from dishonesty. This brouhaha may just turn Lozada into a senator in 2010 especially with the interest shown by the party of Manny Villar to include him in their senatorial slate. Babes Rumualdez thinks that this may backfire on Manny Villar since a lot of people have become a bit cynical of politicians, particularly presidentiables, with the perception that everything at this point is calculated to give them the edge for the 2010 election.

Defense Committee to investigate Gadian

2009-06-17T21:58:00.000-07:00

"...clear the names of those who are innocent asp, ngayon ang nangyayari pati yun mga lumalaban sa bundok nasasabit na sa usaping ito..this should not drag those who are continuing to provide service to this country." BIAZON

The senior reporter of the Manila Times, Efren L. Danao reported that Biazon said the Gadian case has two aspects—the threat on her life and the alleged embezzlement of Balikatan funds by some military officers. He emphasized that the court order was focused on the threat on her life. “It has not established from which direction the threat is coming, and based on the ruling, it seems that is does not come from the AFP as proven by the directive of the court which mandated no less than Sec. Teodoro to provide the protection for Nancy Gadian,” he said.

(Ed Cabanlig with the US Marine troops in Balikatan excercise)

Biazon had earlier volunteered to provide protection to Gadian after learning of her fears about going public with her expose. He said that with the court order for Teodoro to secure her, he would no longer pursue that offer. “I am confident that Secretary Teodoro can put together a security measure to ensure the protection of Nancy,” he said.

But even after being placed under Teodoro’s custody, Gadian and her supporters remained concerned about the former Navy officer’s safety. They would prefer her to remain with her current guardian of religious leaders. “While Gadian has good reasons to be truly elated with the CA decision, we at the Center for International Law who acted as her lawyers for the Petitioner, her sister Nedina Diamante-Gadian, still have reasons to be very concerned,” Roque stated in a statement.

The lawyer said Teodoro showed “bias” in his statement on May 23, when he asked the court to review the petition of Gadian as it could affect the chain of command and the implementation of the disciplinary system in the military. Another reason for concern was about the apparent security risk posed by military personnel protecting a whistleblower in scandal involving men in uniform. Teodoro earlier assured that the Defense department would provide security to Gadian as ordered by the court.

Sen. Pia Cayetano said the Senate must now get the testimony of Gadian on the alleged embezzlement of Balikatan funds after she secured the writ of amparo. “With the granting of the amparo petition, Lt. Gadian will now be more at liberty to testify and provide further details to support her accusation that her superiors had misused the funds intended for the 2007 Balikatan war games,” the senator said. She delivered a privileged speech on May 26 calling on the Senate to take custody Gadian and to undertake a legislative probe on the Balikatan funds mess. The inquiry has been referred to the Senate blue-ribbon committee with the Senate Committee on National Defense as secondary committee.

The JUDGE from HELL!

2009-06-16T10:13:00.001-07:00

The justice system in the Philippines is totally screwed. The council members have talked about this time and again and have come to a consensus that our justice needs an overhaul- or else. Our very own Brian Gorrell has been screaming for justice but to no avail.

Dan Maraino of the Manila Times talks about the issue!

Judge’s Pyrrhic victory

By Dan Mariano

“

"This is one occasion I find myself commiserating with the PNR boss. I have not always agreed with Defensor’s political stance and affiliation but I cannot help but feel sorry for him…Despite his close association with the Arroyos, Defensor is still a citizen who is entitled to his right to seek redress for what he apparently considers are grievances as well as to seek justice for the wrong he believes was committed against him."Dan Mariano

Judge Jorge Emmanuel Lorredo must still be celebrating. During a hearing in his sala last week, Michael Defensor, the former presidential chief of staff, formally withdrew the perjury charges he had filed against NBN-ZTE witness Rodolfo Lozada Jr. Lorredo has many reasons to celebrate.

First, he was able to browbeat Defensor into submitting to the court’s wishes that he withdraw his case against the so-called whistleblower.

Second, he poked fun at President Arroyo and her husband, Jose Miguel—and has apparently gotten away with it.

Third, he has delivered a performance worthy of a professional stand-up comic with no less than the entire nation as his audience.

And fourth, he has demonstrated to his fellow judges a “new method” to avoid having to try cases in their courts that may require the appearance of personalities they find offensive.

You’ve got to hand it to Judge Lorredo. He has put one over Defensor and the Arroyos; he has even managed to portray himself as a martyr—if not a champion of the anti-administration crowd.

Judge Lorredo, who presides over a sala at the Manila Metropolitan Trial Court, managed to grab the entire nation’s attention after he issued an order in connection with the perjury charges filed by Defensor against Lozada.

In that order, the judge—deliberately or otherwise—subjected Defensor to ridicule, calling him “Mr. Railroad Man” and mocking his current post as chief of the Philippine National Railways (PNR) by referring to “old, dilapidated, rusty trains” that he said Defensor plays around with.

The judge’s mighty judicial pen did not spare the President and her husband from similarly scornful digs. He warned that he would have Mrs. Arroyo arrested by Manila Mayor Fred Lim, or by opposition Sen. Panfilo Lacson Jr., or by jailed Sen. Antonio Trillanes 4th—in collaboration with his fellow 2003 Oakwood mutineers.

The judge also went to some length to portray Mr. Arroyo’s current health problems in droll light. Lorredo even insinuated that the First Gentleman’s ailments are a punishment heaped on him by heaven.

The order was seen as a stinging rebuke on Defensor for trying to use Lorredo’s court to obtain justice. No way, the judge seems to have told the erstwhile Malacañang factotum.

But what disturbs observers—yes, even those who share some of the judge’s anti-administration views, such as this corner—is his seemingly less-than-evenhanded treatment of Defensor’s plea.

According to Defensor, he had no choice but to withdraw his complaint against Lozada believing that he could not expect a fair hearing, much less a favorable ruling, from Lorredo.

This is one occasion I find myself commiserating with the PNR boss.

I have not always agreed with Defensor’s political stance and affiliation but I cannot help but feel sorry for him.

Despite his close association with the Arroyos, Defensor is still a citizen who is entitled to his right to seek redress for what he apparently considers are grievances as well as to seek justice for the wrong he believes was committed against him.

Unfortunately for Defensor his plea for justice landed in Lorredo’s sala. In his bid to be given his day in court, the judge seems to have said, this isn’t your day, Mr. Railroad Man.

Defensor will have to accept that this has been a setback for him; Lorredo has got him checkmated, as it were.

After issuing the berating order and announcing his plan to hale even boxing champ Manny Pacquiao to his court, the judge revealed that he was under pressure from the Palace.

Thereafter, any attempt by the administration to even up the score with the judge could only confirm his contention that in this telenovela of a case it is he who is the victim.

Defensor cut his—and the administration’s—political losses by backing off, and the judge basked in the adulation of anti-GMA forces for his clever resistance to what he alleged was Malacañang meddling.

The judge successfully berated Defensor and subjected the President and her husband to national ridicule. Moreover, he has denied them an opportunity to get back at him. Now, that took some doing.

Unfortunately, the judge’s victory over Defensor and his political principals could prove pyrrhic.

Lorredo may have to contend with the public perception that his sense of fair play has become questionable.

True, the disdain he heaped on Defensor, the President and the First Gentleman elicited laughter—if not, guffaws—from not a few quarters. But it could have also given rise to unfavorable views about his own equanimity.

The judge may have succeeded in denying Defensor his day in court. However, the stunt may have also created fear among other potential litigants that they, too, could be denied access to justice if their case ever falls on Lorredo’s sala.

The judge may have achieved his goal of preventing Lozada from facing perjury charges in his court. However, he may have also created the impression that Lozada could not have gotten away with this “vindication” if Lorredo had not cowed Defensor into withdrawing his complaint.

Judge Lorredo may have triumphed over Defensor, but many quarters doubt if his celebration would last very long.

Never Ending GREED

2009-06-15T19:08:00.001-07:00

Madame Imelda Marcos was seen weeping on national television. She feels victimized by our nation because she wants her jewelries back! Newsweek magazine named Imelda Romualdez Marcos, spouse of the late President Marcos, as one of the 11 greediest people of all time. Mrs. Marcos was notorious for spending $5 million on shopping sprees in New York City and Rome and for amassing the world’s largest collections of gems and about 3,000 pairs of shoes. The Burmese ruby was 150.1 carats and was valued at $290,000. Meanwhile, the diamond brooch, bracelet and earrings were priced at $1.4 million.

Previous reports said that for 19 years, the “Malacañang” and “Honolulu” collections were stored at the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), while the Bureau of Customs stored the “Rou-meliotes,” said to be the most expensive jewelry collection of the former First Lady. Commissioner Ricardo Abcede recently announced that the agency was planning to auction off Marcos’s jewelry, which he estimated to be worth around P15 billion.

The Manila Times recently obtained a two-page letter dated June 4, 2009 in which then Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez oradered the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) to return to Marcos the pieces of jewelry that were confiscated from her. In the letter, former DOJ Sec. Raul Gonzalez explained that his order to return the Marcos jewelry was based on the demand made by the former First Lady “for the immediate return of all her pieces of jewelry, which were: (1) taken by the PCGG from the Malacañang Palace during the 1986 EDSA incident; and (2) those turned-over to PCGG by the US Government.”

Indeed, all human suffering springs from unbridled desire. Unless one extricates oneself from the clutch of greed, one will not free himself from the fetters of sorrow.

Estrada- Mastermind of Murders

2009-06-11T22:46:00.001-07:00

Secretary Raul Gonzalez vowed Wednesday to pursue the celebrated Dacer-Corbito double murder even if it would mean quitting his new job as chief presidential legal counsel to ensure that justice will be served to the families of the victims. “I will pursue the case. That [Dacer-Corbito case] is my main concern,” Gonzalez told reporters in a farewell lunch he hosted, adding that he had already discussed the matter with Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita and her successor, Solicitor General Agnes Devanadera.

Gonzalez said he knows everything about the case as he started it and has in his possession the affidavits of the two suspects, former police Senior Supts. Cezar Mancao 2nd and Glenn Dumlao, and all pieces of evidence that are vital to the solution of the twin murders. “It’s unfair to Mancao and Dumlao if we will just throw them to the elements,” Gonzalez said, citing the promises he made to the former police officers: “That they will be properly protected, that they will not be left to twist in the wind, that we will not leave them to their own device.”

“I think it would be decent on the part of the government to treat them properly,” he added.

Gonzalez said he would not hesitate to quit his new post and “offer myself as lawyer for Mancao and Dumlao if this case will not be handled well, not because of the incompetence of the prosecutors but for other reasons.” Mancao is already in the country. He executed an affidavit last February linking Sen. Panfilo Lacson and former President Joseph Estrada to the murders of publicist Salvador “Bubby” Dacer and his driver Emmanuel Corbito almost nine years ago.

Mancao named Lacson as the one who gave the order to liquidate Dacer. He also mentioned in his affidavit a codename “Bigote,” allegedly referring to Estrada.

Both Estrada and Lacson deny the charges of involvement in the murders, and allege that the revival of the case is political harassment by the Arroyo administration. Gonzalez said if Mancao corroborates his affidavit before the courts, government prosecutors would recommend him to become a state witness.

If the court grants the petition to make Mancao a state witness, he would be dropped as an accused in the murders of Dacer and Corbito and would be acquitted. Dumlao, on the other hand, is still in the United States waiting for his extradition to the Philippines.

Gonzalez said that Dumlao has also expressed his intention to testify.

“The case can open a wider horizon,” Gonzalez further said, referring to the other celebrated murder case like the “Kuratong Baleleng” and the “Bentain” cases, which all happened during the Estrada administration when Lacson was the Philippine National Police chief and concurrent head of the defunct Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Task Force. (Manila Times)

WHO KILLED BENTAIN?

2009-06-10T18:20:00.001-07:00

Edgardo Bentain was suspected of being the source of a video tape showing then Vice President Joseph Estrada playing cards in a VIP room at one of the casinos. The videotape was handed to Manuel “Manoling” Morato, Erap’s political nemesis, during the 1998 presidential campaign.

Edgardo Bentain was later murdered (please watch the reenactment- http://www.gmanews.tv/video/42034/Case-Unclosed-Ang-pagkawala-ni-Edgar-Bentain) !

This is from a Senate hearing on 17 August 2001 into the activities of Ping Lacson:

... He then related how the PAOCTF men abducted Pagcor employee Edgar Bentain and said he saw Bentain alive immersed with cement inside a drum...He identified ousted president Joseph Estrada’s son, JudeEstrada, as having given a black bag, which he said had contained money, to Aquino purportedly as payment for the killing of Bentain.

“The case can open a wider horizon,” former Sec.Raul Gonzalez said, referring to the other celebrated murder case of “Edgardo Bentain”, which all happened during the Estrada administration when Sen.Ping Lacson was the Philippine National Police chief and concurrent head of the defunct Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Task Force.

Mancao named Lacson as the one who gave the order to liquidate Dacer. He also mentioned in his affidavit a codename “Bigote,” allegedly referring to Estrada.

Raul Gonzalez said he knows everything about the case as he started it and has in his possession the affidavits of the two suspects, former police Senior Supts. Cezar Mancao II and Glenn Dumlao, and all pieces of evidence that are vital to the solution of the twin murders.

“It’s unfair to Mancao and Dumlao if we will just throw them to the elements,” Gonzalez said, citing the promises he made to the former police officers: “That they will be properly protected, that they will not be left to twist in the wind, that we will not leave them to their own device.”

Mancao is already in the country. He executed an affidavit last February linking Sen. Panfilo Lacson and former President Joseph Estrada to the murders of publicist Salvador “Bubby” Dacer and his driver Emmanuel Corbito almost nine years ago.

Putting HATE into Perspective

2009-06-08T17:59:00.000-07:00

The economy has almost tripled in Size

By Tony Lopez

The latest Pulse Asia survey still shows a deep distrust for President Arroyo. Only 25 percent of the people have a big trust in her; half or 48 percent have either a small or no trust at all.This is sad. Among all presidents, she has done the best for the economy.

A strong economy is Arroyo’s defining legacy. The first eight years have seen 32 quarters of consecutive and sustained economic growth, the best and the longest in the country’s history.

Average per capita GDP growth was nearly 5 percent during the first eight years. Average per capita GNP growth was 5.5 percent. Per capita GNP at current US dollars doubled, from $967.3 in 2001 to $2,060.6 in 2008 or a daily income of $5.64.

Middle class country

This makes the country middle class because the World Bank and global benchmark for middle class income is between $2 and $10 a day.

In GNP terms, President Arroyo greatly expanded the size of the economy from $68 billion in 2001 ($967.3 per capita times population size of 70 million) to $185.4 billion ($2,060 per capita times 90 million). That’s a growth of 173 percent in eight years or 21.6 percent per year. In less than a decade, the economy increased in size 2.72 times even as 20 million more Filipinos were born during her presidency.

The NSCB has warned of a recession because GDP grew by 0.4 percent in the first quarter. In Australia, the GDP grew at half that rate, by 0.2 percent. Yet, the Australians see growth ahead. They were supposed to be in recession and yet, it did not happen. To me, a 0.2 percent growth is a statistical error. Yet, the Australians are euphoric and we are not.

All presidents, from Ferdi-nand Marcos to Joseph Es-trada, suffered either a recession or a massive decline in growth in their final year of their reign. Can President Arroyo escape this jinx?

My view is that recession need not happen. President Arroyo has instituted substantial economic reforms to make the economy competitive and keep growing. The consumer base has expanded by almost three times under her.

The Philippines’ major Asean neighbors, notably Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia, are all having a recession. Only Indonesia and the Philippines have eluded the ignominy, thanks to their large consumer base.

Manuel V. Pangilinan, in his speech before the MAP in January, declared the Philippines will not escape the unpleasant effects of global financial crisis. But he remained optimistic, for one reason: “A large portion of the country’s gross domestic product [84 percent] is accounted for by domestic consumption and government expenditures, while net exports account for no more than 4 percent of GDP.”

Pangilinan suggests infra spending, focusing on the country’s core-growth areas, rather than spreading it around the country. These core areas include the National Capital Region, the Central to Southern Luzon growth corridor, the Metropolitan Cebu area, and the Metropolitan Davao area. “Not only the government but also the private sector should mobilize, direct and focus their infrastructure spend in these strategic locations,” he said.

Private sector role

Indeed, it is time for the private sector to pitch in. The taipans and tycoons of this country tripled their wealth during Arroyo’s presidency. True, some of them suffered sharp declines in wealth in the last quarter of 2008. The market cap of their companies went down by as much as 85 percent. Since then, however, stock prices has risen dramatically, such as Ayala Corp. whose share price has climbed 77 percent from its November low of P171 to a near-high of P302 as of June 8.

Areas that can be ramped up to prevent a recession include housing, telephony; electricity and water services, other services, and agriculture.

Increasing housing inventory now makes sense because interest rates are at historic lows, construction material costs have come down by at least 30 percent from their early 2008 highs, it is job generating, and it has spillover effects on 15 other industries. Developers have plenty of internally generated cash from IPO proceeds (Vista Land for instance raised P15 billion last year) and profits from sales of low to medium housing units.

We have 50 million cellular phone subscribers—26 million of PLDT-Smart, 15 million of Globe, and nine million of Sun Cellular.

In other countries, cellular phone ownership equaled if not exceeded the population figure. If rates come down, networks are expanded, and content is improved, the Philippines can double subscriber base to 90 million. Ayala’s Manila Water will increase capex this year to P10 billion from P8 billion in 2008. They just got their water franchise renewed for another 15 years. Manila Water says it will generate 21,000 jobs every year and provide P5.3 billion in concession fees to the government.

Jun Lozada without the Nuns

2009-06-08T00:15:00.000-07:00

random jottings,manila times

IT’S been well nigh impossible of late to get any sighting of the so called whistle-blower Jun Lozada without a cordon of stern nuns in forbidding white habits and packing rosaries providing him security.

So diners at the UCC eatery in Fort Bonifacio a day or two ago were extremely surprised to see Lozada seated at a table with a couple of chums eating and drinking without seemingly a care in the world. But, more importantly, without anyone representing Holy Orders within sight.

The happy and contented scene at Lozada’s table prompted customers at several other tables to therefore wonder whether the well-publicized scenario of Lozada being constantly surrounded by a pack of nuns was just for public consumption.

One person dining at a nearby table even went further, loudly exclaiming within earshot of several tables: “How hypocritical.”

Victorina out to End Hunger

2009-05-25T21:57:00.000-07:00

Hunger is a horrible thing. But even with over 800 million suffering from this terrible affliction around the globe, with many of our own countrymen having to struggle every day to scrape together a decent meal, world hunger still somehow escapes the attention of far too many. Here is a chance for the more fortunate of us to nourish the minds, bodies and souls of children in need.

In a recent press conference held at R.O.X. at Fort Bonifacio High Street, media and celebrity supporters convened to launch a humanitarian effort to help feed destitute children in Mindanaoas well as those around the globe. Leading the campaign is KC Concepcion, who has been designated as the program’s local ambassador. The open forum was facilitated by Trixie Angeles,the Managing Editor of the Victorina Blog and advocate for humanitarian causes.

The conference formally announced how the whole world will be marching together to help out in the fight to eradicate world hunger on June 7, 2009. Aptly called the “End Hunger: Walk the World”, this global effort is expected to be the biggest ever platform for the anti-hunger movement, with millions of people from all over the world set to take a stand against this very real shared threat. “It is our hope that we can count on your support on June 7, 2009 at 6:00 am at Roxas Blvd, in the City of Manila to End Hunger, Walk the World 2009,” implored Stephen Anderson, Country Manager for the UN World Food Programme. “The world will join together in a global walk to raise awareness and funds to feed children in schools.”

According to Doy Roque, managing director of M2.0 Communications whose agency is leading the event, “End Hunger: Walk the World” is a noble initiative directed by the United Nations’ World Food Programme which is the world's frontline organization in the fight against global hunger. This initiative which began in 2003 is an annual global awareness and fundraising event occurring simultaneously in 24 time zones within 24 hours in 77 countries in a bid to end child hunger. In this part of the world, this endeavor is extra special as it is aimed at feeding Filipino school children in conflict affected areas in Mindanao.

We have a unique chance for all of us to do our part in a very worthwhile cause.”

The walk is expected to attract a slew of celebrities, government officials, United Nations agencies, and WFP corporate partners, all with the purpose of raising awareness and funds to feed starving children in the Philippines. Proceeds from the “End Hunger: Walk the World” global match are donated to the WFP's Global School Feeding Programme, which provides tasty and nutritious foods as incentives to get children go to school and keep them there.

Before leading those present in a pledge to do their part to help end world hunger, KC sang her song “Isang Hakbang” which captured the main message and theme of the campaign. The anthem was conceptualized by ActivAsia events management and WFP, composed by Harold Clavite, arranged by Ian Umali of Digitrax and produced by Datu Gallaga of Just Add Water.

Committing their support to “End Hunger: Walk the World” include: Unilever, TNT, DSWD, National Youth Commission, FOCAP, The Local Government of the City of Manila, Primer Group of Companies, R.O.X, Philips, Magic 89.9, 99.5 RT, Harisson Communications, Active Asia, Digitrax, M2.0 Communications, and many more.

With an expected turnout of over 10,000, this year’s march promises to be as well-attended as it has ever been. In addition to the actual walk, the event will also include a live video stream from all four different assembly zones, from each of the participating partners. There will also be a Pledge to End Hunger Ceremony, wherein a number of important persons will imprint their footprints on cement tablets as a symbol of their commitment to support the impoverished children of Mindanao.

“End Hunger: Walk the World” will help make more of us aware of the shared problem of world hunger and of the role each of us has in the fight to end it. To learn more about how you can register and join in this global effort, logon to www.isanghakbang.com.

Superbods Sizzles

2009-05-25T20:36:00.000-07:00

Superhot bodies with super intelligence to boot were enough to make the rainy night sizzle during the successfully concluded Century Tuna Superbods 2009: Bods and Brains Challenge Finals Night held in Boracay.

The rains didn’t stop 24-year-old entrepreneur Van Victor Leano and 21-year-old music student Theresa Fenger from oozing with sexiness and mental savvy that made them the male and female winners of the bods and brains competition. Van Victor and Theresa bested 18 candidates to emerge as Superbods with Superbrains, who possess not only healthy bodies but healthy minds as well, each winning half a million pesos plus high-end digital cameras courtesy of YKL Fujifilm.

Van Victor, who also loves sports and music, wowed the elite panel of judges – composed of distinguished names in the world of showbusiness, fashion, print media and advertising – with his exceptional smarts during the question and answer portion. When asked by host Joey Mead to tell something about himself that the judges didn’t know, Van Victor shared: “I am a workaholic. I like productivity. I make sure to always do something to make my day complete. Whether it’s working out or reading, I make it a point to do something positive and fulfilling.”

Theresa, who enjoys singing, acting and playing sports, also displayed her impressive wit when asked by host Marc Nelson what qualities should she look for if she has the job of choosing the next Superbod: “A Superbod should have confidence, aura, and impressive personality. He or she should know how to take care of their bodies and can eloquently express themselves in the question and answer portion.”

Having the difficult responsibility of choosing the male and female Superbods this year were former Miss Universe and award-winning actress Gloria Diaz, fashion designer Rajo Laurel, director Sid Maderazo,Cosmopolitan editor-in-chief Zo Aguila, fashion photographer Jun de Leon, PC&V Communications vice president Ariel Comia, and Century Tuna senior brand manager Angela Gamboa. Celebrities spotted at the event included; Bernard and Mico Palanca, Century Tuna Superbods 2006 male winner Jon Avila, Coverboys Joem Bascon and Victor Basa, Phoemela Baranda, MTV VJ Kat Alano, Century Tuna image model Isabelle Diaz-Daza, Carlos Morales, TV personality JM Rodriguez, and Century Tuna Superbods 2007 winners Ram Sagad and Patty Ortega.

Besides winning the coveted title, Van Victor also won the Superbods Challenge, along with partner Khai Lim, where they competed in five mind-boggling obstacle course of puzzles and challenges that started off at the Plazoleta and sent them off on a race to the finish line at the Pearl of the Pacific, the official resort of the competition.

The Superbods Challenge showed off Van Victor and Khai’s superb brain performance courtesy of Century Tuna with Omega 3 DHA, which not only helps promote heart health, but has also been found to sharpen memory, enable healthy growth and development of the brain, and promote positive mood.

First Ever Boracay Dodgeball Competition

2009-05-25T20:33:00.001-07:00

Even the weekend rains took a break for a day of sun inBoracay for the Summer Dodgeball Games last Saturday. The daylong competition, which marked the first time that an official dodgeball game was played on the beach here in the country, saw exciting matches that pitted 12 teams for the coveted maiden championship title. Competing teams comprised a motley crew of boys, girls, Filipino vacationers, Boracay locals and foreign tourists of all shapes and sizes under creatively coined teams such as Chikitita (an all girls team) Team Cone and Team Ang.

To the delight of beach gawkers, celebrity exhibition games were held that included among others, Tisha Silang, Krista Ranillo, Cheska Litton, Mark Nelson and Magic 89.9 DJs Mojo Jojo, Mo Twister, Grace Lee andAndi 9. Spectators were also treated to fun intermission games that featured cool summer prizes from Nestlé .The day started with a dodgeball clinic by no less than the Philippine Dodgeball Association to help the uninitiated learn the ropes of the game and others to be reacquainted with the sport. Celebrity DJs, notably Mojo Jojo, Tina Ryan, Junior Jock Dale, and the boys from Boys’ Night Out, helped amp the fun through their often wacky annotations of the games. The competition culminated in a fierce best-of-five final match that had spectators crowding the dodgeball court to see team Boracay Dragons emerge as champions. The champion team brought home P10,000 and fun filled goody bags. Jeffrey Rodriguez of the winning team was chosen Most Valuable Player and won a coolPhilips GoGear mp3 player.

Nestlé executive Gel Angeles expects the beach dodgeball event to now be held every year. “The fun filled excitement of today’s events truly highlights the fun one can get from Nestlé Pops. We hope to expand this competition into a formal annual summer sports event.”

Don't Lie to Me ... Jun Lozada!

2009-05-25T20:29:00.000-07:00

RESPECT THE LAWS OF THE LAND... That's what my dad always says!

Why in God's name would Sen.Chiz Escudero and Sen. Allan Peter Cayetano, who are both lawyers mind you, say otherwise? They both have made it publicly known that they wish Mike Defensor should not press the issue of purgery against ZTE whistle-blower, Jun Lozada.

"Tol" Mike said he would pursue the case unless Lozada would issue a retraction statement addressing allegations against him.

"If this was a mere Senate inquiry, it's okay... But we are talking about the courts," says Mike. I, in all honesty, doubt the credibility of this man Jun Lozada- a self-proclaimed "moderator of greed", a 'cry-baby' turned 'the boy who cried wolf' and a seemingly congenital liar with two families!!!

Guys, if Jun Lozada is innocent then he has nothing to fear... PERIOD!

Earlier today, Lozada was arrested by a police team following a warrant issued by the court yesterday.

Defensor cried foul over Lozada's allegation that Defensor urged him to deny that he was kidnapped and to lie regarding to what he knew about the alleged overprice of the government’s botched contract with China’s ZTE Corp. for the National Broadband Network (NBN) project.

Scheduled to leave for a series of trips abroad with his family, Tol Mike arranged a special press conference to clarify his side about this issue. He emphasized that he is fully aware that he will be portrayed negatively by the media and by Lozada supporters.

“Even my political allies have been trying to persuade me to drop the case, knowing that it will have a negative effect on me... but I am not doing this for politics, I am doing this for my family. All these scandals are temporary, but my record at the Court of Appeals is permanent. Years from now, they will open those court records and will judge me and my family based on those. I want to clear my family name. I am doing this for my children.”

At the same time, Tol Mike challenged Lozada to a lie detector test to “clarify issues and clear my name.”

Dorothy Thompson once said that "fear grows in darkness; if you think there's a boogeyman around, turn on the light."

But today , Tol Mike is already a winner to the eyes of the people who matter the most – his family.

While the results of a lie detector test may not be admissible in court, they are believed to be 99% accurate. At least it would give an opportunity for Lozada to finally spill all the beans and show to the public that he has nothing to hide.

I speculate, however, a person of “moderate greed” such as Lozada has just too many secrets to hide. For one who has been exposed to scam his fellow countrymen, let him face charges and be tried by the very laws he so tried to scandalously circumvent.

Jun Lozada, what are you really afraid of? Is it the quest of one family man trying to clear his good name or is it the unadulterated TRUTH of which you’ve obscured that strikes fear in your heart?

To put an age old adage to shame, in Lozada’s case, the truth may not “set you free” – it might just land you in jail for a very long time.

Enough of the crying, lying and running from the law!

My Boracay Nostalgia

2009-05-25T20:24:00.001-07:00

Organized by Richard Gomez and Marilen Nuñez since 1994, the GOMA Cup has been regarded as the longest-running and most successful celebrity event in the country, gathering the country’s biggest stars, media personalities as well as golf enthusiasts! This reunion of sorts brought about camaraderie and cherished memories for me, my media buddies and celebrities who took time off from their busy schedules to participate in the much-anticipated GOMA Cup Reunion held at the Fairways& Bluewaters in Boracay.

What made this year’s Goma Cup inimitable was the celebrating Earth Day with an inspiring Boracay beach clean-up activity, taking part in preserving the environment and sending a poignant message. I hope that things do not stop here because the island is fast becoming a subject of my nostalgia. I have reached a point where when I look back miss the days when Boracay was once a picture perfect portrait of pristine beach. Environment Secretary Jose “Lito” Atienza has called for a six-month moratorium on development projects on Boracay Island to ensure sustainable development. “We need to restore order to the otherwise uncontrolled construction and introduction of new edifices and stop the over-stretching of the facilities especially the sewerage, water, drainage and power systems,” Atienza told the press.

With such nostalgia in mind, I chose to indulge myself with fun-filled times that only Len Plus could offer. For three consecutive nights, we were treated to special dinners which perfectly capped off each exhausting day of sporting activities. Golf enthusiasts got their fill of the game, which showed their sportsmanship and swing skills. We, on the other hand, had the time of their lives in the adrenalin-pumping watersports competitions such as aquavolley, paddlesurfing, water polo, and beach frisbee.

The last night of the reunion also recognized the outstanding performances of the participants in the different competitions. For the golf tournament, named winners were: John Estrada, overall champion; Class A Category champion Anthony Suntay; 1st runner-up Jong Cuenco; and 2nd runner-up Arnold Clavio; Class B Category champion Ronnie Henares; 1st runner-up Hajji Alejandro; and 2nd runner-up Glydel Mercado; and Class C Category champion Jake Roxas; 1st runner-up Martin Nievera; and 2nd runner-up Drew Arellano. Special Awards were given to Richard Gomez for Longest Drive, Jay Manalo for Most Exercised Player, and Jong Cuenco for Nearest to the Pin.

For the watersport competitions, first place went to Jeremy Marquez’s team, composed of Wilma Doesnt, Jommy Teotico, Bubbles Paraiso, Michelle Madrigal, and Phoemela Baranda; winning second place was Bernard Palanca’s team, composed of Alynna Asistio, Joanne Santos, Rey Pumaloy, and Dyan Castillejo; third place went to Paolo Paraiso’s team, composed Marco Alcaraz, LJ Moreno, Cesca Litton, Carlene Aguilar, Priscilla Meirelles, Domini Primero, and Rachel Alejandro; fourth place was Ernie Lopez’s team, composed of Jeena Lopez, Reema Chanco, Carla Humphries, Ricky Gallardo, Maxine Eigenmann, Gov. LRay Villafuerte, and Geneva Cruz.

The GOMA Cup Reunion was successfully organized by no other than LEN PLUS Inc and I really hope and pray that the Goma Cup will cease to be nostalgia and again be a yearly event!

The fun in Boracay continues today with a plethora of shore-side events that are sure to tickle any beach-goer’s fancy. After a successful “Preserving Boracay” convention sponsored by Philips and comprised of eco-minded bloggers on the island and their counterparts around the would who participated via online channels and teleconference, many more were educated and updated on the efforts being done to save this paradise.

Additionally, congratulations to the University of the Philippines Dodgeball Association, Magic 89.9,Hawaiian Tropic, Garage & Stella Magazines and other participants of the first ever Dodge & Pop: Nestle Pops Ice Cream Beach Dodgeball Tournament which kicks off today at the Beach Bum shores along Boat Station 1.

2009-05-25T20:17:00.000-07:00

The Junior Chamber International, Manila (Manila Jaycees) and the Alfonso Yuchengo (AY) Foundation on Thursday launched the 2009 Blessed Teresa of Calcutta Award (BTCA). The honor, which is now in its 22^nd year, seeks to recognize individuals whose commitment to serve the Filipino poor carries on the legacy of the celebrated humanitarian, Blessed Teresa of Calcutta.

The Manila Jaycees and the AY Foundation said, “The award is intended to focus public attention and confer recognition to those who, like Blessed Teresa of Calcutta, have dedicated a significant portion of their lives in the service of the ‘poorest of the poor’ and have served, and shall continue to serve, as an inspirational, living example to the world.“

At the formal launch at the RCBC Plaza in Makati, 2009 BTCA Chairman Christopher C. Ty looked forward to a wider search for this year’s awardee. “It is our hope that the award search will attract more lay individuals who are equally deserving of the award,” said Ty.

The Manila Jaycees initiated the award, which was then called the Mother Teresa Award, in 1983. It later invited the AY Foundation as a project partner. From a humble grant of P50,000, the AY Foundation now gives P1 million to the awardees. Half of the grant goes to a charitable institution of the honoree’s choice.

Last year’s awardee, Dr. Fe del Mundo used the grant to put up the Mobile Blessed Mother Teresa Little Clinic, which goes on medical missions to depressed areas, such as Tatalon and Payatas in Quezon City.

Alfonso Yuchengco, in a speech to close the event, emphasized the significance of the award. “The importance of this award was underscored by the late Mother Teresa who flew in from Calcutta to personally attend the first awarding ceremony in Tayuman, Manila.”

The first BTCA was given to the late Fr. Anthony Hoffste, O.P. who devoted 35 years of his life to taking care of Hansenites.

Other past recipients include Sr. Carmen Locsin, who helps overseas Filipina workers in Japan; Fr. Graetian Murray, who took special care of orphaned and abandoned children for 40 years; Sr. Maggiorina Arenas, who dedicated several years of her life to help ethnic Mangyans in Mindoro; and Dr. Aleli Guzman Quirino, founder of the St. Martin de Porres Charity Hospital in San Juan, Metro Manila.

Any living individual who has dedicated a significant part of their lives to humanitarian work among the poor, the orphans, the dying, the handicapped, the unwanted, the oppressed, the aged, and the other less privileged Filipinos are eligible for the award. Any individual, institution, association or organization may submit a nominee. For more information please contact the BTCA Committee through phone numbers: 525-2631, 525-6792; fax number: 525-6814 or e-mail: clubhouse@jcimanila.org.

Christopher Ty