Recently in Raul Gonzalez Category

PRESIDENT Arroyo's tough defense of the expanded value-added tax (E-VAT) in her 8th State of the Nation Address is expected. The government's varied programs on providing popular but band-aid solutions to rising fuel, power and food prices largely depends on it, thus she cannot compromise the future of the country, lest her administration which is facing a hard and uphill battle come national and local elections in 2010. While the good news is that this fiscal policy was implemented at the time when single-digit inflation rate was recorded prior to the abnormal rise of fuel cost and the looming recession of the US economy. These have indeed helped government shore up the much needed money to finance ongoing programs and projects for the masses. The bad news is that majority of the people can no longer afford to shell out the 12 percent VAT for basic goods and services. Even the lowly ants gather food during sunny days while taking a break when storms come. One needs not be a degree-holder of economics to know what is out there. All he or she has to do is check the public markets and ask the stall owners about their day-to-day sales, and most likely he or she will get a curt reply, "Matumal." Why? Because many Filipino families would rather buy cooked food from their "suking carinderia" to save money and fuel. Same is true with jeepney drivers plying a short distance like here in Singalong. People would rather take a walk than shell out P8.50, if not argue with the driver to give them senior citizens' or student’s discount. Thus it would have been more relevant and substantial if she announced that she will immediately convene the Legislative-Executive Committee to study the effects of lowering the 12 percent VAT to a more realistic figure in view of the prevailing economic hardship that the people -- whom she profoundly cared for -- have been experiencing in the recent past. All is not lost, however. It is time to listen to the voice of the people and give them hope than totally isolating the Palace and its occupant in an ivory tower. Rhoniel Enrile Narca, Singalong, Manila, (via e-mail)

THIS is classic doublespeak. [Raul] Gonzalez telling us that he doesn't want foreigners dictating him to intervene in the release of Beltran is exactly the opposite of what he did during the trial of Smith. Now he speaks of rules of court, while in Smith's case he brazenly disregarded those very same rules when he manipulated and schemed with the US government to violate the status quo thus rendering the pending case of Smith moot and academic. I hope Gonzalez runs for an elective office in 2010. Let's see if the people would still heed his callous remarks and trapo attitude. -- Rene Delorino, Diliman, Quezon City (via e-mail)