Genuine sacrifice for the public
The wreckage brought by Bagyong Ondoy resulted to genuine union among Filipinos after years of disunity (the last authentic union I could remember was during the first EDSA revolution).
Civilians, professionals and men in uniform collaborated efforts to render much-needed help to the typhoon’s victims.
Filipinos bore witness to the heroism of artists, yuppies, professionals in different fields and especially ordinary policemen and policewomen, who were used to be tagged as good for nothing cops who are last to rescue, in whatever crime and whatever calamity.
This time, cops were not the last. In fact, policemen and policewomen were captured on television rescuing our distraught countrymen from neck-deep floodwaters or helping distribute relief goods to victims of the deluge.
Hundreds of them sacrificed in helping their own families who are also victims of Ondoy in order to render even a little relief to many families who also need help. Policemen this time answered the call of their duty, sacrificing the call of their respective families.
A good example is the 90% of the police force in Marikina—whose homes were also devastated by “Ondoy” who preferred not to go home to rebuild their lives because of, according to Chief Supt, Nick Bartolome, the “call of duty.” They could not go home yet because they have been assigned in the relief, rescue and clean-up operations in the Ondoy-battered areas.
“Policemen are also victims themselves, but they are not minding their problems at this time. They are concentrating on rescue, relief, and clean-up operations,” Bartolome, head of the PNP community relations group, said in a media interview. “Also, they have cancelled leaves so they cannot attend to their problems.”
Nevertheless, these cops remain in high morale, he said, because they are able to help other people.
In Quezon City, a thousand policemen "armed" with shovels, rakes and brooms led the cleanup in flood-devastated areas like Tatalon, Bagong Silangan and the corner of E. Rodriguez and Araneta avenues.
These unsung heroes are increasing in number under the watch of Interior and Local Government Secretary Ronnie Puno as National Police Commission (Napolcom) chairman.
During the recent celebration by Napolcom to mark its 43rd foundation anniversary, the Napolcom recognized the acts of heroism and gallantry of several policemen who almost lost their lives in carrying out their mission as protectors of the people.
“The acts of bravery of these police officers clearly manifests their commitment to serve and protect the people,” Escueta said during the Napolcom anniversary program.
These good things that we’ve been hearing about the PNP are the fruits of the moral transformation program that Puno, as Napolcom chairman, is helping the police organization implement on his watch.
Puno, who has always fiercely defended the PNP from criticisms, lobbied, cajoled and begged Malacañang to increase his Department’s budget to enable the PNP to acquire more patrol cars, guns and other equipment; build more police stations; refurbish their tanks and patrol boats; raise the salaries of its personnel; and provide retirees with more pension benefits.
Escueta pointed out during the Napolcom affair that Puno has done much on his current watch as Napolcom chairman to improve the living and working conditions of our police officers.
We can see for ourselves that what Escueta said is true.
Police stations have been refurbished; many of our police officers now have spanking new patrol cars and motorcycles, and in some districts, they even carry Blackberries and use GPS systems to track down violators of the law.
Puno wants to make both our police officers, and the people they serve, proud of what they are doing as “protectors of the people,” in keeping with the PNP mantra “to serve and protect.”
Sen. Edgardo Angara, who delivered the keynote speech during the Napolcom anniversary celebration, likewise credited Puno for having the “vision and energy” in helping transform the Napolcom into a “well-structured, well-directed” agency that exercises control and supervision over the PNP.
The Napolcom awardees were:
o P/SInsp. Elmer Santiago who on the evening of July 25, 2009 in Hermosa, Bataan, together with two other policemen, valiantly fought a group of armed communist insurgents belonging to the Marxista Leninista Partido ng Pilipinas/Rebolusyonaryong Hukbong Bayan. The encounter led to the death of one of the rebel leaders and the arrest of another member of the communist group.
o P/C Insp. Gilberto Tuzon, for his exceptional courage as the ground commander of the police teams dispatched to Mindanao to pursue MILF rebels in Cotabato.
o PO3 Rommel Salcedo, for his conspicuous act of gallantry when he shot it out with members of a crime group believed to be responsible for a series of bank robberies in Metro Manila. Salcedo mortally wounded a member of the gang during one of their attempts to rob a UCPB branch office in Barangay Poblacion in Makati City.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Miriam’s another paranoia towards genuine help to Ondoy’s victims
Miriam’s another paranoia towards genuine help to Ondoy’s victims
With the gloomy devastation brought by the onslaught of typhoon Ondoy, Filipinos are welcoming every help they can receive from individuals and institutions, both Filipino and foreign. Ondoy’s victims are not left alone as sincere help continue to pour in from everyone around the globe. All Filipinos are overwhelming with appreciation. All, except one. Yes, she is Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago, whose paranoia overrules her compassion for the victims and appreciation to those who genuinely help.
It’s the worst thing that a Filipino politician can do. While she is in the comfort of her home and office, Miriam is again casting motive where there is none, finding ghosts and shadows where there is only unalloyed humanitarian gesture.
Miriam sees dark conspiracies around her and views the VFA with strings attached, People see humanitarian gestures, pure motives, unsullied gestures.
According to accounts, members of the 3rd US Marine Expeditionary Force are on a medical mission in the Ondoy-ravaged areas. In Marikina City alone, some 100 GIs or American soldiers are attending to about 1,000 patients a day.
Two more US military units–31st Marine Expeditionary Unit and the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, both stationed in Okinawa, Japan–will have arrived by this time, bringing with them heavy equipment to help in the cleanup of the disaster areas. Such equipment include a bulldozer, five cargo trucks, five heavy transport vehicles and two heavy-lift helicopters.
Only somebody with a twisted mind will shout to the world that there is a vicious motive behind the US’ gesture of help because it is, to her, a springboard for the American troops who will help in the relief and rehabilitation work to stay in the Philippines for good.
To Miriam, the real motive behind the humanitarian mission of these US troops is so they could possibly go to Mindanao on the sly and mount an assault on the Abu Sayyaf to avenge the deaths of two American soldiers who were killed in a rebel-orchestrated bomb explosion in Sulu.
No one casts motive on the help and assistance rendered by do-gooders, even if they are foreigners or politicians. At this point, Ondoy victims need all the help they can get.
The only one grating voice, seemingly unmoved by the great human tragedy around her, is Miriam.
What is happening to this Senator? Has she been lately drinking a number of liquors that her mind and right senses cannot anymore contain resulting to her irrationality, delusion and persecutory beliefs concerning a perceived threat?
The upcoming 2010 elections will dictate Miriam’s fate in the world of politics. The election will hopefully serve as Miriam’s day of reckoning. She has inflicted so much harm to innocent people and institutions. The voters in May should say “Enough” to her very destructive antics.
Much of the poison well in the country’s political discussions has been the work of Miriam. There should be a collective, conscious effort to reject her Senate run in 2010.
Mediocrity has no place here
Mediocrity has no place here
Exemplary public servants know who belongs to their flock.
That is why they do not promote Miriam’s mediocre husband despite her arm-twisting the BIR.
Narciso “Jun” Santiago Jr., the husband of Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago who was a middling customs personnel in the late 1960s and early 1970s, assigned to insignificant jobs at the customs intelligence and investigation division (CIID).
Then-Customs Commissioner Ramon Farolan, did not promote Jun Santiago from his obscure post because Farolan can spot real talent when he sees one. Even Bobby Tañada, the former senator, who started out as the first customs commissioner after the fall of Marcos never recognized Jun Santiago as a talent
This is perhaps is what is at the root of the extreme opposition of BIR Commissioner Sixto Esquivias IV to turning over the Large Taxpayers Service to Santiago, who is now presidential adviser on revenue enhancement (PARE).
Esquivias fears that Santiago–in this particular context of a global economic meltdown–may just make a sorry mess of the LTS, which would depress, not enhance, the revenue collection of the BIR. Esquivias’ fears have real basis, if the track record of Santiago at the customs bureau were to be used as basis.
For sure, Esquivias did his background checking and apparently found nothing to assure himself that the LTS will be enhanced as a major BIR unit under Jun Santiago.
The Santiago couple seems to have an undue interest in a BIR unit that handles the largest corporate and individual taxpayers in the country.
This is why Senator Santiago is arm-twisting Esquivias to turn over a prized BIR unit like the LTS to her husband.
If Senator Santiago feels she scored points over Esquivias when she terrorized the BIR commissioner for his opposition to giving away the LTS to Jun Santiago, the public has a different interpretation of the events.
Senator Santiago was perceived as the caricature of a politician motivated by selfish and vested interest, lobbying for the grant of undeserved power and perks for her husband.
There are several powerful women in Philippine society who are always working to promote their average or mediocre husbands but no one can top the singular intensity of Miriam in this department.
If Finance Secretary Margarito Teves wants to preserve his image as a professional, he should support Esquivias and reject the power tripping of the Santiago couple.
Teves should tell the Santiago couple to rein in their ambition. The LTS is too crucial and important to national revenue collection effort to be left to somebody with the mediocrity of Jun Santiago whose only plus point in his resume is his being married to Brenda.
Gibo-Ronnie tandem gets clear edge
Gibo-Ronnie tandem gets clear edge
Filipinos are looking at four tandems for the 2010 elections: Gibo-Ronnie, Noynoy-Mar, Chiz and Erap whose running mates are still unidentified as of yet.
Who has the edge among the four, is the strongest and whose strength will last even up until the election period?
Surveys show that even with all the mud thrown at President Arroyo, she still has a solid 25% support (or approval rating) among Filipinos, that would translate into about 8.25 million voters going to the anointed bets of President Arroyo.
The rest of those dissatisfied with the President, which number around 45% would vote for the other opposition bets—meaning that the likes of Noynoy, Erap and Chiz would have to fight over this 45%. The 30% who are undecided could go either way.
This scenario gives the Gibo-Ronnie team a head start because even without doing anything they are already assured of 8.25 million of the 10 million votes or so needed to win in 2010, just by being identified with President Arroyo.
The Gibo-Ronnie tandem is assured of some 8 million votes at the start of the race by just being endorsed by President Arroyo.
The Noynoy-Mar tandem’s familiarity and good smell to people are too limited, and cannot sustain until the election period. They have to work hard to earn people’s votes for them. Their works are obvious. We have Noynoy using her sister Kris Aquino who dominates most of the shows on a TV network and whose frankness irritates the public. Mar is using a lot of expensive infomercials like “Padyak,” but he still has not earned points from people. Chiz is still waiting for his 40th birthday to qualify to run for Presidency. Erap? I cannot believe an impeached President still has guts to run.
Clearly, President Arroyo’s endorsement, along with the administration party's well-oiled political machinery reaching down to the grassroots level and the candidates' qualifications, proves the clear edge of the Gibo-Ronnie tandem.
Filipinos are looking at four tandems for the 2010 elections: Gibo-Ronnie, Noynoy-Mar, Chiz and Erap whose running mates are still unidentified as of yet.
Who has the edge among the four, is the strongest and whose strength will last even up until the election period?
Surveys show that even with all the mud thrown at President Arroyo, she still has a solid 25% support (or approval rating) among Filipinos, that would translate into about 8.25 million voters going to the anointed bets of President Arroyo.
The rest of those dissatisfied with the President, which number around 45% would vote for the other opposition bets—meaning that the likes of Noynoy, Erap and Chiz would have to fight over this 45%. The 30% who are undecided could go either way.
This scenario gives the Gibo-Ronnie team a head start because even without doing anything they are already assured of 8.25 million of the 10 million votes or so needed to win in 2010, just by being identified with President Arroyo.
The Gibo-Ronnie tandem is assured of some 8 million votes at the start of the race by just being endorsed by President Arroyo.
The Noynoy-Mar tandem’s familiarity and good smell to people are too limited, and cannot sustain until the election period. They have to work hard to earn people’s votes for them. Their works are obvious. We have Noynoy using her sister Kris Aquino who dominates most of the shows on a TV network and whose frankness irritates the public. Mar is using a lot of expensive infomercials like “Padyak,” but he still has not earned points from people. Chiz is still waiting for his 40th birthday to qualify to run for Presidency. Erap? I cannot believe an impeached President still has guts to run.
Clearly, President Arroyo’s endorsement, along with the administration party's well-oiled political machinery reaching down to the grassroots level and the candidates' qualifications, proves the clear edge of the Gibo-Ronnie tandem.
Monday, October 5, 2009
Should we rob them of their wealth?
Should we rob them of their wealth?
Aerial spraying of fungicides in the vast banana plantations of Mindanao is safe. GPS-controlled mechanisms are now employed in all banana plantation spray runs since it reduces the volume of fungicide used.
Dr. Emily Fabregar, technical committee chief of the Philippne Banana Growers and Exporters Association (PBGEA), made this assurance during her presentation of a paper on “Global Positioning System (GPS): A New Technology for Farm Application,” during the foundation celebration of the University of the Philippines - Mindanao (UP-Min) in Davao City.
Dr. Fabregar said the use of GPS has greatly reduced the risk to humans since the system automatically shuts of spraying equipment when it leaves the target area.
She said the “intelligent spraying” systems employed by PBGEA are also controlled via GPS. The Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority (FPA) requires 50-meter defaults along the area perimeters of the plantations to be sprayed. Showing a video clip of an actual aerial spray run by a PBGEA fixed-wing plane, the cut-off mechanism clearly showed that the misty spray stopped before reaching the boundaries (identified by a river in the clip) with enough room to spare. This should allay concerns expressed by some quarters regarding off-target spraying in banana plantations.
GPS allows no room for pilot error that may cause drift or off-target spraying. The fungicides are sprayed on banana plants to prevent a fungus called “sigatoka” from spreading. This fungus attacks banana leaves and causes premature ripening and freckles on the fruits. With premature ripening and freckles, bananas cannot pass export quality control. With the help of the aerial spraying, our banana planters in Mindanao earn huge income from exporting that helps uplift Mindanao’s, and even Philippines’, economy. Should we rob them of this wealth even if they’re doing the safest thing?
Aerial spraying of fungicides in the vast banana plantations of Mindanao is safe. GPS-controlled mechanisms are now employed in all banana plantation spray runs since it reduces the volume of fungicide used.
Dr. Emily Fabregar, technical committee chief of the Philippne Banana Growers and Exporters Association (PBGEA), made this assurance during her presentation of a paper on “Global Positioning System (GPS): A New Technology for Farm Application,” during the foundation celebration of the University of the Philippines - Mindanao (UP-Min) in Davao City.
Dr. Fabregar said the use of GPS has greatly reduced the risk to humans since the system automatically shuts of spraying equipment when it leaves the target area.
She said the “intelligent spraying” systems employed by PBGEA are also controlled via GPS. The Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority (FPA) requires 50-meter defaults along the area perimeters of the plantations to be sprayed. Showing a video clip of an actual aerial spray run by a PBGEA fixed-wing plane, the cut-off mechanism clearly showed that the misty spray stopped before reaching the boundaries (identified by a river in the clip) with enough room to spare. This should allay concerns expressed by some quarters regarding off-target spraying in banana plantations.
GPS allows no room for pilot error that may cause drift or off-target spraying. The fungicides are sprayed on banana plants to prevent a fungus called “sigatoka” from spreading. This fungus attacks banana leaves and causes premature ripening and freckles on the fruits. With premature ripening and freckles, bananas cannot pass export quality control. With the help of the aerial spraying, our banana planters in Mindanao earn huge income from exporting that helps uplift Mindanao’s, and even Philippines’, economy. Should we rob them of this wealth even if they’re doing the safest thing?
Banned for doing the safe way
Banned for doing the safe way
Aerial spraying in Davao city is initially banned. Due to this, Lapanday has closed its Mandug banana plantation within the city. More than 150 hectares of a previously viable and productive banana farm has been lost due to an ordinance that was enacted rather impulsively..
These banana planters are deprived of their business and income due to unfounded allegations and despite managing their business the safe way.
Dr. Eufemio Tan Rasco, Jr., author of “The Unfolding Gene Revolution” recognized as the NAST “Outstanding Book of the Year 2008,” said during a forum on science-based agriculture conducted in January at the Grand Regal Hotel in Davao City that the most cost-effective solution to the sigatoka problem was aerial spraying.
Global Positioning Systems-controlled mechanisms are now employed in all banana plantation spray runs since it reduces the volume of fungicide used. GPS allows no room for pilot error that may cause drift or off-target spraying. The fungicides are sprayed on banana plants to prevent a fungus called “sigatoka” from spreading. This fungus attacks banana leaves and causes premature ripening and freckles on the fruits. With premature ripening and freckles, bananas cannot pass export quality control.
Dr. Rasco stressed it was funny that the ban was imposed on the solution to the problem besetting the banana industry.
This initial ban unjustly deprives poor banana farmers of their only source of income due to the unfounded cause of so-called environmentalist groups who can not even provide the planters of an alternative income; who call for a ban and after its approval, leave the farmers hungry, pockets-empty and in essence suffer from a dim-witted stand.
Aerial spraying in Davao city is initially banned. Due to this, Lapanday has closed its Mandug banana plantation within the city. More than 150 hectares of a previously viable and productive banana farm has been lost due to an ordinance that was enacted rather impulsively..
These banana planters are deprived of their business and income due to unfounded allegations and despite managing their business the safe way.
Dr. Eufemio Tan Rasco, Jr., author of “The Unfolding Gene Revolution” recognized as the NAST “Outstanding Book of the Year 2008,” said during a forum on science-based agriculture conducted in January at the Grand Regal Hotel in Davao City that the most cost-effective solution to the sigatoka problem was aerial spraying.
Global Positioning Systems-controlled mechanisms are now employed in all banana plantation spray runs since it reduces the volume of fungicide used. GPS allows no room for pilot error that may cause drift or off-target spraying. The fungicides are sprayed on banana plants to prevent a fungus called “sigatoka” from spreading. This fungus attacks banana leaves and causes premature ripening and freckles on the fruits. With premature ripening and freckles, bananas cannot pass export quality control.
Dr. Rasco stressed it was funny that the ban was imposed on the solution to the problem besetting the banana industry.
This initial ban unjustly deprives poor banana farmers of their only source of income due to the unfounded cause of so-called environmentalist groups who can not even provide the planters of an alternative income; who call for a ban and after its approval, leave the farmers hungry, pockets-empty and in essence suffer from a dim-witted stand.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Decipher – human rights advocates in bad faith and human rights advocates in good faith
Decipher – human rights advocates in bad faith and human rights advocates in good faith
They say they are human rights advocate. They fight for the rights of the people, especially the marginalized many. But in reality, they are not.
The Mamamayan Ayaw sa Aerial Spray is hurling mad to cripple, and worse, kill the banana industry. They think they are fighting for the people’s cause. But in truth, they are guilty of violating the basic human rights to live and survive the present economic hard times, right to employment and the right to live without any inch of hunger.
“We promise to spread awareness about the issue and to help the victims of aerial spraying in Mindanao in whatever way we can,” added Cherryl Si, president of the Development Society.
She should be enlightened and she should come down to Davao City to personally learn the truth about aerial spraying from actual experience and knowledge and not through the forger Maas.
So-called development societies called on the banana industry “to prioritize the welfare of the people over any profit-generating strategy” that undermines the rights of the people.”
Without the banana industry in the Davao Region, the right and welfare of the people to live decent lives is lost. Maas’ ultimate aim is to kill the industry, cause unemployment and sow economic chaos, a formula that enemies of the state use to topple the government. Banana planters were invited explore alternatives to aerial spraying since they say these are equally effective in ridding crops of pests as seen in Bukidnon and North Cotabato where banana plantations continue to thrive despite compliance to provincial bans.
This is another misinformation brought to Manila by Magaway to gain ears to his demented logic that lies can win the battle for him against aerial spraying. There are at present aerial spraying applications in Bukidnon and Central Mindanao.
A development society cited a recently released study commissioned by the Department of Health that showed traces of pesticides in blood of residents and in air and water samples in Sitio Camocaan, Hagonoy, Davao del Sur. The study recommended a ban on aerial spraying and a shift to organic farming methods to protect public health.”
The DOH in Region XI has disowned any role in the study whose findings were never validated. The alleged environmentalist-toxicologists behind the study are now in the Most Wanted List of residents of Camocaan in Hagonoy who have resented the falsity hurled against the industry that has brought—not threats–but peace and progress and development to their communities.
here are always two sides to a coin in scams THE PRETENDERS BUT IN BAD FAITH AND THE VICTIMS. Let us learn to decipher the real intention of the pretenders, fight a genuine battle on basic human rights and not using it as a mask to earn ill-reputation and money, and fight for the industry who are true defenders & advocates of people’s rights and upon which hundreds of thousands of people depend for survival.
They say they are human rights advocate. They fight for the rights of the people, especially the marginalized many. But in reality, they are not.
The Mamamayan Ayaw sa Aerial Spray is hurling mad to cripple, and worse, kill the banana industry. They think they are fighting for the people’s cause. But in truth, they are guilty of violating the basic human rights to live and survive the present economic hard times, right to employment and the right to live without any inch of hunger.
“We promise to spread awareness about the issue and to help the victims of aerial spraying in Mindanao in whatever way we can,” added Cherryl Si, president of the Development Society.
She should be enlightened and she should come down to Davao City to personally learn the truth about aerial spraying from actual experience and knowledge and not through the forger Maas.
So-called development societies called on the banana industry “to prioritize the welfare of the people over any profit-generating strategy” that undermines the rights of the people.”
Without the banana industry in the Davao Region, the right and welfare of the people to live decent lives is lost. Maas’ ultimate aim is to kill the industry, cause unemployment and sow economic chaos, a formula that enemies of the state use to topple the government. Banana planters were invited explore alternatives to aerial spraying since they say these are equally effective in ridding crops of pests as seen in Bukidnon and North Cotabato where banana plantations continue to thrive despite compliance to provincial bans.
This is another misinformation brought to Manila by Magaway to gain ears to his demented logic that lies can win the battle for him against aerial spraying. There are at present aerial spraying applications in Bukidnon and Central Mindanao.
A development society cited a recently released study commissioned by the Department of Health that showed traces of pesticides in blood of residents and in air and water samples in Sitio Camocaan, Hagonoy, Davao del Sur. The study recommended a ban on aerial spraying and a shift to organic farming methods to protect public health.”
The DOH in Region XI has disowned any role in the study whose findings were never validated. The alleged environmentalist-toxicologists behind the study are now in the Most Wanted List of residents of Camocaan in Hagonoy who have resented the falsity hurled against the industry that has brought—not threats–but peace and progress and development to their communities.
here are always two sides to a coin in scams THE PRETENDERS BUT IN BAD FAITH AND THE VICTIMS. Let us learn to decipher the real intention of the pretenders, fight a genuine battle on basic human rights and not using it as a mask to earn ill-reputation and money, and fight for the industry who are true defenders & advocates of people’s rights and upon which hundreds of thousands of people depend for survival.
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