Well, I am deeply sorry again for not being able to "re-fill" the Noodle Bowl for a long time...so, para makabawi, I am having this extra-large serving of my thoughts about the different issues that have come since I was away....
The Rice Crisis
For heaven's sakes, they really think that the policy of importing rice is the only way out of it, and it has resulted in epic failure. Instead of spending billions on importing rice, why not channel it on irrigation, seeds and fertilizer, as well as micro-finacing for farmers for them to be able to buy machines and other tools that could help them increase yields? Another thing, the government should amend the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program to require recipient farmers to plant rice at least once per crop season and that the land should not be left unused, otherwise it would be reverted to the government. And lastly, please lang, wala nang kurakot. Pero sa gobyerno ni Gloria, suntok sa buwan iyun.
Oil Price Hikes
Ngayon, nakikita na natin ang importansiya ng Spratlys sa atin. The JMSU should really be rescinded since the oil that we should be using has a chance of going to China instead at tayo ang pupulutin sa kangkungan. Another thing, now is the time to go full-throttle in exploring alternative energy and fuel sources. Maglakad na lang tayo o mag-commute kung malapit lang naman ang pupuntahan natin. Konting sakripisyo naman.
The Swine Scandal
Isang iskandalo na namang ibinaon sa libingan, sa tulong ni Winston Garcia. Whatever happened to the officials of Quedancor and the Department of Agriculture who are involved in this? Puro kababuyan na lang talaga ang idinudulot sa atin ng gobyernong ito.
The Cabuyao and Calamba Massacres
I have always been for the reimposition of the death penalty because first, it was just abolished by Gloria and her allies to pander to the whims of the bishops at para magpaganda ng imahe kay Pope Benedict XVI. Second, although I believe that human life is sacred, hindi na taong maituturing ang mga gumawa ng mga krimeng ito. Mga demonyo lang ang gumagawa ng karumal-dumal na krimeng gaya nito. Same goes to those who kill journalists, activists, unarmed soldiers, ordinary people who are accused of being either spies of the government or the rebels, etc. And although napatay na ng mga pulis ang mga suspect, this issue will still be going on until 2010.
Gun Control
This issue also came up after the bloody Laguna massacres, with Nandy Pacheco of Gunless Society leading the call. Mr. Pacheco, guns don't kill people, people kill other people. Do you think that if a gun could think and speak, it will agree to kill innocent people? If guns are banned, we might as well ban other things that could be used to harm or kill people, and that is about everything. Kung gusto ka talagang gawan ng masama, it doesn't matter if he has a gun or a knife or even a piece of wood. We should not deprive responsible citizens their right to defend themselves against thugs and murderers.
Cyclone Nargis
What in the world are the Burmese generals thinking? What they are doing is pure and premeditated murder. That is why I like the idea of having the US or the UN or any coalition of nations invade Burma and militarily overthrowing the junta on humanitarian grounds. Trouble is, George Bush won't invade because Burma doesn't have oil, the UN insists on diplomatic pressure, and the rest of the world won't budge until either the US or the UN does something.
Fare Hikes
Actually, it's now just fine for me (as opposed in the past, when I would violently react) to have a fare increase, but as I was going to Cubao this morning, a passenger complained that he was overcharged by P2.00, when the increase was only P0.50 on the minimum fare. I wonder, who would protect the passengers from this kind of practice? Kanino tatakbo ang mga pasaherong pinagkakasya na parang sardinas, na hindi sinusuklian ng tama? Some leaders of transport groups speak and think as if sila lang ang nahihirapan sa buhay. Paano naman ang mga mahihirap na pasahero nila? Tama ba namang magbulag-bulagan sila sa mga kabulastugan ng mga miyembro nila? That is why the LTFRB should withold their decision on the P1.50 fare increase until there is an assurance from the transport groups that they will deal with these kinds of shenanigans.
The Cebu Canister Scandal
The current punishment for those involved is not enough for me. They should be suspended or stripped of their licenses and pay compensation to "Danilo". Meron namang kumukunsinti sa mga doktor. Hindi na ba sila nahiya sa ginawa nila?
Hermogenes Esperon's Retirement
(cue music) Na-na-na-na, na-na-na-na, hey, hey, goodbye! 'Nuff said.
Jun Lozada and Dante Madriaga's Security and the new ZTE Evidence
They say a picture paints a thousand words, but for me, the new photographic evidence that surfaced just paints three words: Guilty si Gloria.
Juan Ponce Enrile yapping about the P2 million being spent for Jun Lozada and Dante Madriaga's safety but keeping silent about the taxpayers shouldering P16 billion for the anomalous ZTE deal? Mag-retiro ka na, Senator. Kung ayaw mo naman, uninom ka na lang ng Sustagen Premium. Nagkakaroon ka ata ng memory gap.
The Meralco-GSIS Saga
Well, this government seems to have a knack for trying or actually getting what is not theirs. Their latest victim is Lopez-owned Meralco, under the guise of lowering power rates. They think that they will get three things from this naked power grab by Gloria stooge Winston Garcia; they can pressure the Lopezes into forcing ABS-CBN to tone down on the anti-Gloria rhetoric, they can have another big piece of meat to throw to their cronies (the Aboitizes, the Razons, and Winston's own family, among others) after Transco and some of the privatized parts of Napocor, and they can shore up Gloria's really stinking popularity numbers. However, it seems that the villain (the Lopezes) has now become a hero, and the other villain (Gloria and Co.), well, still a villain.
I just checked my March electric bill (since that's the latest I could find) and although Meralco also has a fault on the high cost of electricity (my charge for Systems Loss was 8.8%, which translated to P132.43--imagine that!), the Generation part was a whopping 53.1% of my bill, which translated to P794.29, the Transmission cost was P162.72 or 10.9% of the bill, and Government Taxes took up 10.4% or P155.76. In contrast, the Distribution cost was 15.1% or P225.33.
What does that mean? Well, for me, that means that everybody has a hand in the high prices of power; Napocor, Transco, Meralco, us (the consumer). Walang puwedeng magmalinis. However, there are those who are more responsible than others, and they are the ones yapping all about it. And that throws doubt into the real reason why Gloria's dogs are after Meralco and Meralco alone.
If I forgot something, please let me know about it.
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Monday, April 14, 2008
While I was Away...
Ahh...I'm back after a month or so of job-hunting/vacation/reflection/gathering more "ingredients" for the Noodle Bowl. I really missed writing here.
So many has happened while I was "off-line", and yet so little has changed, much of it for the worse. The Evil One is still in Malacanang, the Supreme Court (or at least 9 of them) has effectively connived with The Evil One in hiding her crimes, and we are facing a rice crisis. During that time too, Jun Lozada has visited my "hometown", Dagupan City, but not without incident.
As of now, the country is waiting for the end of the rice crisis, as well as the hearing on the Senate's Motion for Reconsideration on the Neri ruling.
Abangan ang susunod na kabanata.
So many has happened while I was "off-line", and yet so little has changed, much of it for the worse. The Evil One is still in Malacanang, the Supreme Court (or at least 9 of them) has effectively connived with The Evil One in hiding her crimes, and we are facing a rice crisis. During that time too, Jun Lozada has visited my "hometown", Dagupan City, but not without incident.
As of now, the country is waiting for the end of the rice crisis, as well as the hearing on the Senate's Motion for Reconsideration on the Neri ruling.
Abangan ang susunod na kabanata.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
The Trojan Horse has Arrived...
I was watching the testimony of Leo San Miguel, the "surprise witness" for the latest installment of the ZTE-NBN hearings, and I can only summarize his "performance" in two words: Trojan Horse.
Tama, hindi si Dante Madriaga ang "Trojan Horse". Si Leo San Miguel ang "Trojan Horse" na matagal nang pinaghahanap. Pakawala, sa madaling salita.
Why did I come to that conclusion? Well, based from what I saw on TV, almost half of his replies were "I don't know" or "I don't remember". He was not able to remember his flights to Hong Kong a few months back, yet he can remember that he met Gen. Quirino Dela Torre 30 years ago, and they had a business 15 years ago. Selective amnesia? I don't know.
Another thing, he admitted that the e-mail address used in sending the "Tongpats" spreadsheet to Dante Madriaga was his. But he would not admit that he knows something about the payoffs. What the heck was that? Is he trying to say that somebody else used his email and sent that file? If that's the case, then he sucks for a "technical guy".
He also continues to deny that he is not a part of the "Greedy Group", but all three witnesses (Madriaga, Joey DV and Jun Lozada) put him on one way or the other with Ben Abalos and Co. Sinasabi ba niyang pinagtutulungan siya?
That is why I consider him as the planted witness of Malacanang to scuttle the ongoing probe. He is in too deep to be let go. However, for that same reason, I also believe that he could still be coaxed to spill the beans.
It's up to the Senate to make him sing the correct tunes.
Tama, hindi si Dante Madriaga ang "Trojan Horse". Si Leo San Miguel ang "Trojan Horse" na matagal nang pinaghahanap. Pakawala, sa madaling salita.
Why did I come to that conclusion? Well, based from what I saw on TV, almost half of his replies were "I don't know" or "I don't remember". He was not able to remember his flights to Hong Kong a few months back, yet he can remember that he met Gen. Quirino Dela Torre 30 years ago, and they had a business 15 years ago. Selective amnesia? I don't know.
Another thing, he admitted that the e-mail address used in sending the "Tongpats" spreadsheet to Dante Madriaga was his. But he would not admit that he knows something about the payoffs. What the heck was that? Is he trying to say that somebody else used his email and sent that file? If that's the case, then he sucks for a "technical guy".
He also continues to deny that he is not a part of the "Greedy Group", but all three witnesses (Madriaga, Joey DV and Jun Lozada) put him on one way or the other with Ben Abalos and Co. Sinasabi ba niyang pinagtutulungan siya?
That is why I consider him as the planted witness of Malacanang to scuttle the ongoing probe. He is in too deep to be let go. However, for that same reason, I also believe that he could still be coaxed to spill the beans.
It's up to the Senate to make him sing the correct tunes.
Friday, March 7, 2008
"Jun Ban" Lifted, But With Conditions
Yesterday, I also wrote about the DepEd directive to ban Jun Lozada and Ben "Borjer" Abalos from their respective school tours (Ben-borjer is still on the planning stage, J-Lozada is like the real J-Lo, having his tours all raging hits). Today, DepEd secretary Jesli Lapus has lifted the ban, but with conditions for Lozada. (http://www.gmanews.tv/story/83722/DepEd-chief-says-Lozada-may-now-speak-at-schools-but-)
He said that "pwede sa graduation, kung di siya mag-incite or mag-create ng controversy. Alam natin pakay niya mag-incite ng ano. Ang paghahanap ng katotohanan di tayo nakakasiguro sino totoo sino hindi."
What?
How can Secretary Lapus be sure that Jun Lozada wants to incite something and create controversy? Does something like seeking and fighting for the truth need incitement? Is seeking and fighting for the truth a cause for controversy? For heaven's sakes, that is something that we should be doing naturally as citizens of this country. It does not need incitement. It should not be a source of controversy, instead it should be a source of pride and honor.
In a nation governed by lies and deceit, the truth is a revolutionary idea that is a cause for controversy.
He said that "pwede sa graduation, kung di siya mag-incite or mag-create ng controversy. Alam natin pakay niya mag-incite ng ano. Ang paghahanap ng katotohanan di tayo nakakasiguro sino totoo sino hindi."
What?
How can Secretary Lapus be sure that Jun Lozada wants to incite something and create controversy? Does something like seeking and fighting for the truth need incitement? Is seeking and fighting for the truth a cause for controversy? For heaven's sakes, that is something that we should be doing naturally as citizens of this country. It does not need incitement. It should not be a source of controversy, instead it should be a source of pride and honor.
In a nation governed by lies and deceit, the truth is a revolutionary idea that is a cause for controversy.
MC 108 Gets The Boot Too, But...
I woke up this morning and I learned through DZMM that Memorandum Circular 108 has also been repealed through the issuance of Memorandum Circular 151. I confirmed this through the ABS-CBN website too (http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryId=111416). MC 151 states that "Executive officials and employees are advised to follow and abide by the constitution, existing laws and jurisprudence including, among others, 'Senate v Ermita, GR no 169777, April 20, 2006,' when they are invited to legislative inquiries in aid of legislation,". In effect, government officials who are being summoned by Congress can no longer invoke them to skip hearings.
Seems like that I should thank GMA, right? After all, I posted just yesterday that MC 108 should be abolished too if ever they want the truth to come out. Okay, for whatever it's worth, thank you, GMA.
However, everyone has seen the previous hearings and everyone will agree with me that these government officials will risk looking like clowns (see Angel Atutubo, Rodolfo Cusi, Paul Mascarinas and Avelino Razon, among others) just to hide something. Besides, who could tell that they will not use a wide range of excuses (like slipping on the bathroom, having a dead fingernail, etc.) just to evade the Senate?
EO 464 and MC 108 might be dead, but we will still be watching.
The evil witch might just summon something again to muzzle the truth.
Seems like that I should thank GMA, right? After all, I posted just yesterday that MC 108 should be abolished too if ever they want the truth to come out. Okay, for whatever it's worth, thank you, GMA.
However, everyone has seen the previous hearings and everyone will agree with me that these government officials will risk looking like clowns (see Angel Atutubo, Rodolfo Cusi, Paul Mascarinas and Avelino Razon, among others) just to hide something. Besides, who could tell that they will not use a wide range of excuses (like slipping on the bathroom, having a dead fingernail, etc.) just to evade the Senate?
EO 464 and MC 108 might be dead, but we will still be watching.
The evil witch might just summon something again to muzzle the truth.
Thursday, March 6, 2008
EO 464 Gets Lifted? So What?
So GMA has lifted Executive Order 464, in order for government officials to be able to attend legislative hearings. This was done after consultations with religious leaders and her officials.
I don't give a rat's ass about that.
They still have Memorandum Circular 108 (http://www.ops.gov.ph/records/mc_108.htm), which says that all heads of departments must obtain the consent of the President to appear before the House or the Senate. It also states that it covers "conversations and correspondence between the President and other persons on matters of privilege".
If they are really for the truth, then they must also repeal MC 108.
I don't give a rat's ass about that.
They still have Memorandum Circular 108 (http://www.ops.gov.ph/records/mc_108.htm), which says that all heads of departments must obtain the consent of the President to appear before the House or the Senate. It also states that it covers "conversations and correspondence between the President and other persons on matters of privilege".
If they are really for the truth, then they must also repeal MC 108.
"Jun Ban"
It was all over the news yesterday. The Department of Education, headed by Secretary Jesli Lapus, reportedly released a directive banning ZTE scandal whistleblower Jun Lozada and former COMELEC Chairman Benjamin Abalos from conducting symposia or fora on public schools. This directive was issued to "insulate" students from politics.
What?
This move just smacks of the growing desperation of the Arroyo administration to fend off the rising movement to force GMA into leaving (her illegally acquired) office. By this directive, they hoped to stem the tide of student participation in mass actions against them. But this is just like plugging a dam's leak with their finger.
This is also the latest move of an increasingly authoritarian regime pretending to be a democratic one. From the "state of rebellion" to EO 464 and MC 108, from Proclamation 1017 to the curfew imposed during the Manila Pen incident and the "no-fly zone" imposed on Makati last February 29, from the one week "gun ban" imposed last week to this latest DepEd directive, it shows that we are slowly being subjected to an "undeclared Martial Law".
Should we wait any further?
What?
This move just smacks of the growing desperation of the Arroyo administration to fend off the rising movement to force GMA into leaving (her illegally acquired) office. By this directive, they hoped to stem the tide of student participation in mass actions against them. But this is just like plugging a dam's leak with their finger.
This is also the latest move of an increasingly authoritarian regime pretending to be a democratic one. From the "state of rebellion" to EO 464 and MC 108, from Proclamation 1017 to the curfew imposed during the Manila Pen incident and the "no-fly zone" imposed on Makati last February 29, from the one week "gun ban" imposed last week to this latest DepEd directive, it shows that we are slowly being subjected to an "undeclared Martial Law".
Should we wait any further?
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