I BELIEVE that the Makati rallies play an important part in awakening the real feelings of the Filipino people.

The true sentiments of disgust and loss of trust in the government must be expressed, must be shown for the entire world to see. This GMA government and all its henchmen will do all at their disposal to prevent and stop all negative sentiments that our people will manifest toward them. Even a “no-fly zone” over Makati where the rally was being held was suddenly declared.

– Bong Cendana, Quezon City, Philippines (via e-mail)

I AM no fan of GMA. I abhor what’s going on in Philippine government and politics now, but I choose to see things from a higher plane.

I often wonder, if GMA is so evil and corrupt, why is GDP growth the highest in 31 years? Why is inflation in the low 2 percent? Why is the peso at P40.50 [to the dollar]? The problem with many is they think corruption can go away overnight. Why don’t we try to place ourselves in Malacañang and imagine funding a P6-billion presidential campaign, a P200-million-per-senator campaign, P20 million per congressional bet, local, etc., etc. from our own pockets?

We drag GMA out of Malacañang and you think all our problems are over. Haven’t you considered the biggest potential winners in such a scenario are the rightist military or the extreme left? Sadly, we may be playing to the tune of rightist and leftist power grabbers… and unknowingly leading the nation to the way of Burma!

Unfortunately, GMA is about the best this rotten political system can produce. She is a small part of the problem. Someone said the opposition can’t seem to gain any headway because nobody is above the fray. Of course no politician is above the fray. They are all part of this extremely flawed political system. To fix the system, we must first work long and hard to attain an economy that will support a principled political system. The only way there is sustained economic growth. Somewhere along [the way], we change the electoral system so one does not have to steal or sacrifice his/her principles to get elected and do his/her mandate.

After a sustained 10-year growth, for example, government may be able to partially reimburse election expenses. It will be able to pay government employees wages that afford basic necessities and more dignified lives. By then, ordinary Filipinos can afford to donate part of their growing disposable incomes to help elect competent and principled leaders.

My call to media and so-called moralists: Think!

– Gerry Ditching, Makati City, Philippines (via e-mail)

THIS pertains to the letter to the editor of Mr. Francis Oca dated 22 February 2008 (”OWWA’s Undeclared Priority,” 22 February 2008).

We at the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), sympathize with the relatives of the late OFW Roberto E. Panganiban. However, the medical assistance program for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) was transferred to the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PHIC) or PhilHealth since March 2005.

OWWA provides to OFWs, among other programs and services, disability/dismemberment, life insurance and burial benefits. The life insurance and burial benefit, of which OFW Panganiban is entitled to as an OWWA member, has already been facilitated. Also, OWWA provided financial assistance to his family while the said OFW was ill on top of this entitlement.

We take this opportunity to express our gratitude for the feedback that OWWA receives from our clients and social partners as those aid the agency in improving its operations and the services provided for OFWs and their families.

We are in the process of reviewing the package of services to the member-OFWs to be more responsive to their needs.

– Marianito D. Roque, Administrator, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration

By Lester Cavestany, Contributor
INQUIRER.net

IT would always be the same crooks, the same money interests who would take fullest advantage of democracy or any kind of government in the Philippines, while the poor and the brave would always lose out. The batters change in the game of Philippine politics, but the baseball team remains the same and the game remains fixed.

– Ninoy Aquino[1]

As we celebrate the 22nd8th anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution, it would be good to look back on the wisdom of the man who inspired us to unite as a people and to defend our country against a corrupt government. We are more aware of Ninoy’s oft-quoted, “The Filipino is worth dying for,” but I chose the one above because it is more suitable to our present times.

To fight again another day

After two weeks of excitement about Jun Lozada’s testimony, the opposition has yet to come up with more witnesses and more evidence that will prove the corruption in the Arroyo administration. Even after the show of support that the public has done to encourage more people to come out and testify, no new witness or evidence has appeared.

[Read the rest of this entry »]

I WISH to see the day (soon) when the Senate hearing is concluded.

Then we will see who has the longest nose in the Senate investigation.

– Ed Valeriano, Union City, California (via e-mail)

SINCE the NBN [national broadband network] deal has already been scrapped, I believe that the Senate should stop its inquiry and spend its time on what they are supposed to be doing in the first place.

Let the justice department or the Office of the Ombudsman take over. If the senators want to pursue the case, let it be outside the Senate hearing and through the justice system, otherwise what they are doing is being used for the purpose of positioning themselves in the coming election — or are they not?

– Johnny Nicar, Surrey, British Columbia, Canada (via e-mail)

THE PANIC that the Arroyo administration has over its (mis)handling of the ZTE-NBN [national broadband network] controversy has obviously further clouded its ability to think.

The administration should, by now, have learned something from the lack of intelligence that all the President’s men had exhibited when they testified at the Senate to demolish the testimony of the ZTE-NBN star witness, Jun Lozada, and save the scalp of their lady boss. The bright boys of Malacañang should realize that the more this administration violently fights its way out of the quicksilver it has gotten itself into, the faster that it would sink. They should instead face the music rather than spin stories not even nitwits would believe.

The assassination plot against PGMA is another of these and the people might get fed up because of the contempt its spinners have for their intelligence and would stage another EDSA out of their pique.

– Raul Galang Sarmiento, San Fernando, Pampanga, Philippines (via e-mail)

A FORMER congressman, a bar topnotcher and a public official, Secretary Sergio Apostol was one of the prominent politicians respected during his term as a congressman, championing the cause even of OFWs when he was one of the first congressmen to use their CDF to finance OFWs
overseas.

But as a Filipino with Chinese origin (from the Lim family clan), I find it hard to believe the good man Apostol as I used to see him become tactless in his words against Lozada, being emotionally driven as to spark the ire of the Chinese community. I can only imagine how much of a bad influence the Palace could give good politicians like Apostol. I have not met him personally, but I only heard good things about him in the past. Now this, such an outrage.

Regardless of who they are, or their origin, Palace should amply react to such an outrage, quickly salvaging its image by getting rid of such people who would tactlessly make such remarks against cultural or religious minorities in the country. Malacañang is looked upon as the epitome of public administration, regardless of how its image is being questioned these days, and should do its best to protect or maintain its integrity, for whatever is left of it.

– Jun de Vera, Barangay San Isidro, Makati City, Philippines (via e-mail)

IF your answer is yes to one or more of the following questions, then this article is for you:

1. Were you affected by the Malu Fernandez controversy?
2. Do you know anyone who is an overseas Filipino worker? (OFW)
3. Do you have a relative who is an OFW?
4. Do you believe that many Filipinos are working abroad because of the lack of opportunities here in the Philippines?
5. Do you believe that OFWs help the Philippine economy?
6. Do you believe that the present administration is corrupt and there has to be some changes?
7. Are you an OFW, or an ex-OFW, or are you planning to become an OFW?

If you said yes to any of these, read on…

Perhaps you’ve heard of the controversial memorandum (1) of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) regarding the Guidelines on the Direct Hiring of Filipino Workers. Please allow me to explain to you why OFWs need your support against this memorandum. We really need your help! Please forward our plea for help to as many people as possible.

[Read the rest of this entry »]

WE commend Mr. Jun Lozada for his courage in coming out with what he knew about the anomalous ZTE NBN transactions.

Abalos’ continued insistence of his innocence is a pathetic display of arrogance and lack of integrity among our politicians and public officials. The dots can now be connected with regards to the Hello, Garci controversy! Mr. Abalos clearly had a hand in rigging the 2004 elections in favor of Gloria Arroyo and he was collecting his due from the First Family through the $130M “commission” from the NBN [national broadband network] deal!

Garci and Esperon were the henchmen in the widespread manipulation in Mindanao while Abalos was the one controlling the entire operation to rig the results and hand the victory to GMA on a silver platter! It really sucks from the very start, entrusting the Comelec to Abalos was like hiring a thief to guard a bank! And the biggest thief among them is still squatting in Malacañang! Disgusting!

– Romeo Oida, Dubai, United Arab Emirates (via e-mail)