It is deplorable to see the high-handed action of the school administration of the Quezon City High School (QCHS). It is very sad to see bright and progressive students being subject to disciplinary action without due process, for airing grievances, for saying in a truthful manner how they think about their school environment, and their feelings about their school administrator. I must point out to the QCHS administrators and faculty that the Philippines is still a working democracy. Less they have forgotten, under a democracy, people are allowed to air their grievances and feelings. A valid grievance will not be resolved by suppressing through suspensions. Instead, resolve the root cause. Less the school administrators and faculty have forgotten, QCHS is a special curriculum school, and their students belong to the upper cream of the country’s high school students. Their students have the potential to be future leaders and scientists of our country. They should be shown good example of the democratic ways. Baka naman hindi na alam ng pamunuaan ng paaralan kung ano ang demokrasya dahil na rin sa mga nakikita nilang action ng national government. The school environment is a microcosm, a small reflection of the greater Filipino society. Kapag ikinulong mo ang ibon, ito ay magpupumigals at pilit na aalpas upang ang kaniyang mga pakpak malayang maipagaspas.

Alberto Micu, Vito Cruz, Manila, via e-mail

Regarding your article on “Gov’t fears 60,000 IT job losses” I think the title of this article is misleading. As I read the story, it really pointed to the job losses from the electronics sector which strictly speaking is not part of the IT industry. Although Intel and Texas Instruments may have some IT offerings but your article only talked about the electronics business of these two companies. On the contrary, IBM and Google even posted better earnings from their fiscal reports and these companies are the ones that really belong to the IT industry.

Dexter Uy, Hagonoy, Taguig, via e-mail

Since the MMDA has begun tearing down traffic obstructions, such as the hazardous waiting sheds, they should go a step further by taking out the massive billboards that distract drivers. The C-5 road has a number of these that need tearing down. And they should ban all posters or billboards that show faces of politicians and government officials. The roads and structures, the traffic flow, the ongoing repairs and improvements should be enough to remind the people of what these officials have done. Besides, we don’t owe them. It is THEY. This early, they should firm up the rules about using the highways for political ads for the 2010 elections.

Victor Manalac,, Taytay, Rizal, via e-mail

On December 10, 2008, my driver was apprehended by the Anti-Smoke Belching Team of Makati at J.P. Rizal, Makati under the EDSA Bridge. His license was confiscated by the authority and got a fine of P1,000. It was the first offense of my driver. As per DENR Rules and Regulation (R.A. #8749) on Clean Air Act, fine for first offense is P 200; second offense is P500 and third and succeeding offense is P 1,000. So why charge us P1,000 right away? Isn’t it that they are only the delegated agent of DENR? Lastly, may I call the attention of this Anti-Smoke Belching Team, because I saw a member of their group smoking, he is “Mr. R. Reyes.” If you love clean air, DON’T SMOKE! You are also violating the Clean Air Act. Note:

Andy Jimenez, New Manila, Quezon City, via e-mail

ITis a crying shame that, in our benighted country, those who diffuse light and luster are snuffed out. Reports say that Supreme Court Chief Justice Reynato A. Puno, one of the most illustrious men ever to serve our government, is being targeted for impeachment. He is being flagged down for taking the high road – his intellect, integrity, and independence have enabled him to make a difference not only in our judiciary, but also in our country. Those privileged to be in the sunlight of his presence can bear witness to the depth and fullness of his life and works which seemed to number none but shining hours. His towering intellectual achievements and his spiring moral standards have given us a glow that illumines so we can hope against hope that we can fix our wreck of a country. Honor to whom honor is due. Here is a good man and true.

Ramil San Juan, Dallas,Texas, via e-mail

If I were these prosecutors I would wait for the completion of the investigations. Kung napatunayan na wala silang kasalanan ay magiging bida sila sa mga tao. Hindi dapat dahanin sa init ng ulo ang mga ganitong situasyon. Beware, there are a lot of unemployed lawyers in the country. They will be very happy to take your jobs. Nobody is indispensable.

Ruben Lacap, Daly City, via e-mail

THE Kaya Natin! Movement for Good Governance and Ethical Leadership is now looking for more local government officials to join its ranks.

The movement which was initially convened by the Ateneo de Manila University-School of Government (ASOG) recently had a political retreat and strategic planning session at the Mimosa Leisure Estate, Clark Field in Pampanga and one the main things that was resolved is to be able to include more effective and ethical local government leaders in its fold.

Currently, Kaya Natin! is led by Governors Eddie Panlilio of Pampanga, Grace Padaca of Isabela, Teddy Baguilat, Jr. of Ifugao, Mayors Jesse Robredo of Naga City and Sonia Lorenzo of San Isidro, Nueva Ecija.

Since the movement began in June last year, it has already brought its Caravan of Good Governance to more than 40 colleges and universities nationwide speaking before thousands of students.

[Read the rest of this entry »]

MY sympathy goes to Tess Valte, a paraplegic who simply requested a coding exemption and was embarrassed by an MMDA employee. Why is it so hard for MMDA to give an exemption to Ms. Valte when in fact a lot of motorists got an exemption without a valid reason like Valte’s? The MMDA employee also assured Ms. Valte that she will definitely be apprehended because she has no exemption and my question is, why are those sporty cars bearing the license plate number “8″ don’t get apprehended when they counter flow and honk their sirens? Even the entourage of the US ambassador to the Philippines got away with violating traffic rules of the MMDA enforcers. And to top it all, the MMDA chair himself and his security entourage are ignoring traffic lights while honking repeatedly and blurting their sirens when I encountered them along Kamias months ago. Bayani for 2010? Think again.

Nazareno See, Quezon City, via e-mail

PRESIDENT Gloria-Macapagal-Arroyo said the “full force” of government’s powers would be applied “unequivocally” against Department of Justice personnel and other government officials who “betray public trust.” Therefore she should be the one to lead by example by not only taking a leave of absence, but rather resign by betraying public trust and letting his sons, husband, brother in-law mess with the affairs of the Palace.

Reynaldo Nacpil, Toronto, Canada, via e-mail

+++

ARROYO tells the DOJ execs to go on leave due to suspected bribery in drug cases? Then everyone there at the DOJ should take that leave including Sec. Raul Gonzales. And why limit the directive to drug cases only? Why not included all cases?! Doesn’t she go on a leave of absence herself?!

Bugsy Del Rosario, Quezon City, via e-mail

THIS is in reaction to various reports in today’s issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer on the DOJ vs. PDEA controversy: After reading about Varona’s nearly successful caper and the DOJ’s speed of its processing and subsequent follow up, it looks suspicious enough (or that it stunk to high heavens so badly) for citizens to think that the DOJ has positioned itself to defend the Alabang boys on basis of some technicalities, while at the same time wanting to prosecute the PDEA agents.

The arresting agents have now become the prosecuted. I can imagine the drug syndicates laughing at our government’s uncoordinated efforts to incarcerate the drug dealers and stop the illegal trade. It also appears that the lawyer of the Alabang boys was sneaky and sleazy enough to have almost pulled a fast one on the “unsuspecting” DOJ. Was he really pulling a fast one or was it already a routine for him with some cohorts inside?

For him to have prepared the resolution and fast-tracking it into the a prosecutor’s office and forwarded to the Secretary for signature makes him as cheap as any prohibited LTO “fixer” of before was to his credit though, the lawyer was like a stealth and was damn effective! I think that there may never be enough evidence to prove the guilt beyond doubt of the DOJ people in the bribery case, nor can there be sufficient proof to nail any of the prosecutors for serious and maliciously motivated wrongdoing. If those cases are weak then we should drop them and focus on really getting the Alabang boys into high security jail, for good and for the rest of their lives.

[Read the rest of this entry »]