With less than 100 days before Philippine’s President Arroyo ends her two term leadership fiasco, it also defies common sense that at the eleventh hour, the Filipinos to send her packing-off with her Report Card all marked in red. The People Power Movement (EDSA) should have booted her from the Malacañang Palace much earlier than that.
Two Ai-Yo-Yo! Office terms and only God knows what she was up to for her Country and fellow countrymen.
Mrs. Arroyo’s best net satisfaction score is +30, hit in March 2004. Her rating fell into negative territory seven months later and has remained there since. None of her predecessors — Corazon C. Aquino, Fidel V. Ramos and Joseph E. Estrada — received a negative score.
The poll results, made exclusive to BusinessWorld, showed Mrs. Arroyo’s net satisfaction rating at a “very bad” -53 , the lowest notched by a president since the independent survey research institution began the survey in 1986.
Mrs. Arroyo saw her net satisfaction rating fall to “very bad” from merely “bad” in all geographic areas except in the Visayas, by socioeconomic class, and in gender terms.
In terms of gender, Mrs. Arroyo’s net rating among men fell by 16 points to -55, and was down 13 points to -50 among women.
Survey conducted by: Social Weather Stations (SWS)
I will never place Imelda Marcos in the same patriotic league for example, as Premier Mao Zedong who died at 83 and was in power for 27 years.
At 80 years old, Imelda Marcos should be seated in her rocking chair, singing,
“The Green Leaves of Summer”
A time to be reaping
A time to be sowing
A time just for living
A place for to die
Twas so good to be young then
To be close to the earth Now the green leaves of summer
Are calling me home.
“BanLec” is an abbreviation for Banana and Lectin. Seriously, we’re talking about the real bananas here, just in case you think that this is a sidewinder.
“BanLec is a potential component for an anti-viral microbicide that could be used to prevent the sexual transmission of HIV-1,” wrote Swanson and his colleagues in their paper that appeared in the March 19 issue of the Journal of Biological Chemistry.
Now, don’t just read this and LOLWYBSITA (Laugh Out Loud With Your Boobs Shaking In The Air. )
To my Filipino compadres, CARPE DIEM! Yeah, seize the opportunity because, it is said…
Previous studies showed that not all varieties of bananas produce lectins. Among those that do are the ones commonly known to Filipinos as latundan, lakatan, morado, radja, saba, tiparot and tindok. All of these banana varieties belong to the same species of edible banana known scientifically as Musa acuminata.
Duh! compadres, you still don’t get it ha? INVEST! INVEST!!
Buy up banana plantations or plant bananas all around your house. Spare not a quarter of your cultivatable land.
Then merrily sing-a-long Harry Belafonte’s “Day O” and reap your rewards! Work all night on a drink of rum
Daylight come and me wan’ go home
Stack banana till de morning come
Daylight come and me wan’ go home
Come, Mister tally man, tally me banana
Daylight come and me wan’ go home
Come, Mister tally man, tally me banana
Daylight come and me wan’ go home
Lift six foot, seven foot, eight foot bunch
Daylight come and me wan’ go home
Six foot, seven foot, eight foot bunch
Daylight come and me wan’ go home
The president of the influential Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines on Friday told voters not to believe the promises of candidates and to be more discerning in choosing the country’s next leaders.
And Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales exhorts,
In choosing leaders, the electorate should carefully study and match the traits of candidate with the needs and issues disabling the country today.
Fair enough. Sound advice but may I ask, how?
1. How does an ordinary citizen become competent in evaluating a character?
2. How does an ordinary citizen know what it takes to drive an Economy?
3. How does an ordinary citizen know what issues are causing the country to destabilize?
From those three questions, it can also be deduced that the fruit of Democracy for whatever it’s worth, it is is self fulfilling.
I shall hypothesize with the use of an analogy.
A parent advises his child…
“Be careful now. On your way to school, be wary of strangers. Choose who you befriend when you are at school. Study them carefully so that you accept only those from whom can make you good in your studies”.
Now, what possibly becomes of this child?
If the child understands all that his parent advises, off he goes to school and he’d be looking over his shoulders precariously at intervals after every five steps. He would not accept any help to cross a busy street to get to the bus stand. He would be paranoid about ever befriending at School.
Let’s rejoin with the Church’s advice to Filipino voters.
Instead of confusing with open-ended obtuse advice, has the Church prelates forgotten in the power of Prayer? It would be more sense that the Church prelates do what they do best; exhort their faithful to seek for Enlightenment when they go to the Ballot and pray that they be guided by the truth.
Every politician preempts on promises during his campaign. Political promises are akin to a Church prelate’s promise of heavenly glory to those who tread the straight and narrow.
Consider this. If a politician promises nothing, what else does he talk about apart from all the flaws of his opponent? That would be a most Church-like politician if he were to talk about global warming, the mathematical probability for a Tsunami striking the Philippines, the multi use of the coconut tree BUT no promises.
As I explained it here before, what is seriously lacking is a clear Manifesto from each of the Presidential candidates. The voter must know why, what and how the candidate intends to achieve and whether his plans are realistic.
The Manifesto reflects his political prowess and will serve as his gauge to the ordinary citizen to decide on who is deemed the best for the job.
As would be expected, during the coming two months there will be an all-out effort by the President wannabe’s in the Philippines. They will need to up the ante as National Vote Day draws closer.
This Theme Song is to provide them assistance during their heated pursuit.
(lyrics are sung to Abba’s “I Have a Dream”)
I have a dream, a lie to sing
To help you and economy
Don’t you see my chances to be President
You can trust your future even if you haven’t
I believe in bragging
There’s always something for me and me
I have to be bragging
Ano! it’s the time for me
Believe my dream – give me esteem
I have a dream, no bullshitting
To help me through get rich I mean
For my banking account it is worth the while
Lying through this campaign so don’t you revile
I believe in bragging
There’s always something for me and me
I have to be bragging
Ano! it’s the time for me
Believe my dream – give me esteem
Believe my dream – give me esteem
I have a dream, a lie to sing
To help you and economy
Don’t you see my chances to be President
You can trust your future even if you haven’t
I believe in bragging
There’s always something for me and me
I have to be bragging
Ano! it’s the time for me
Believe my dream – give me esteem
Believe my dream – give me esteem
As advised by Albay Gov. Joey Salceda, a top economic adviser of President Macapagal-Arroyo, it went like this:
A well-sustained economy, poverty reduction, fiscal issues and control of corruption are the national imperative concerns that the next president should look into in order to attain higher economic growth.
A moment please…
Before I lose my train of thoughts, I have a relevant question to ask Gov. Joey Salceda.
My question:
Sir, during the two terms of the President Macapagal-Arroyo, were those also your repeated advice? Assuming you did advise the same, how much has been accomplished in real measurable terms?
From my appreciation of what troubles the Philippines most, Gov. Joey Salceda’s advice should be in this order of importance:
1. Control of corruption
2. Reduction of poverty
3. A well sustained Economy
4. Fiscal issues
It is ridiculous that Gov. Joey Salceda’s advice comes at the eleventh hour, a few months before the citizens vote for a new President. Like many of my countrymen, neither do I agree that President Macapagal-Arroyo and her Administration have addressed any of those priorities in a significant way nor will they leave a legacy of achievements for any of the advice given above.
Self delusion
A recent report by the Acting Local Chief Executive of Legazpi City, Albay wrote this about Legazpi City, Albay.
Why “Reaching out”? Amidst poverty in the economy and politics, aggression and disunity became an epidemic. Crisis in the leadership is likewise evident that resulted to confusion and vacuum in the governance.
Well, this was a day to remember! Thank goodness I am leaving town!
My hosts arranged for a meeting with the governor of the province, Governor Joey Salceda. Mainly, we wanted to acquaint him with the hospital. But, we did want to bring up the fact that a container full of donated medical supplies and medicines sat on the dock in Manila for a year and a half before it was released.
Instead, the governor announced his most important issue was global warming and preceded to talk non-stop about that………..
You should not miss reading the the rest of that Article written by U.S Senator Pam Roach.
Now, don’t get me wrong. This isn’t a character assassination bid. This is just one of the countless examples about the demerits of Philippine politicians who have been entrusted with the noble duty to serve the populace.
As Governor of Albay, Joey Salceda needs first, to come to terms with the sorely needed improvement at his own Albay backyard before advising the President on a national scale or being presumptuous about what the future President must do. The blind leading the blind aptly describes this ironical situation for the Philippine economy.
About the “massive savings surplus” which Gov. Joey Salceda takes pride in, unfortunately it is not the sole indicator of economic growth. Why does Gov. Joey Salceda not mention the percentage of the Philippines population that lives below subsistence level?
It is the intrinsic strength and the purchasing power of the Peso that gauges the success for the Economic policies administered by the Government.
For the rest of Gov. Joey Salceda delivery, it can be said that it is comparably no better than what a student in Socio-Economics would echo parrot-wise from his text book.
Same old, same old. Nothing inspirational with these politicians, bureaucrats and advisers who share several things in common, such as:
- SELF BEFORE NATION
- MISSED AND SQUANDERED OPPORTUNITIES
- NO ACTION, TALK ONLY!
What is the present political landscape of the Philippines? For now let’s side-step history and look forward.
Does it augur well for the betterment of the citizens of the Philippines?
I would like to believe that the new change of leadership will achieve that but there are several serious reasons that lead me believe otherwise.
From the Presidential candidates there isn’t any that has produced a clear Manifesto of what he seeks to achieve during his mandate in Office. A Manifesto that would clearly map if his aims are credulous and achievable. Also, the Manifesto would serve as a gauge for the efficacy of his leadership.
As with all our past and present Presidents, they are full of it, self-praise about their achievements. If their achievements were true why are Filipinos none for the better today and why is the purchasing power of the Philippine Currency lagging behind South East Asian countries? It must be noted that the Philippines does not face any economic challenge or impact that is unique when compared to her neighbors.
The Presidential candidates have produced no Manifesto. As an ordinary Filipino I know what the candidate wants but do I know what I will receive? If you have been keeping abreast of what the Presidential candidates have been doing, there is nothing short of bickering, backstabbing and lip service that follow in their trail. It is a national soap opera and it bears no resemblance of the seriousness that the highest Office in the land demands.
If there be truth in the axiom that unity in diversity can exist, each vying candidate would then have one perennial aim in mind. It is to bring a greater good for the citizens in every aspect. This in turn becomes the macroeconomics springboard that will benefit the country.
However, is that axiom true with the political aim of these vying candidates? I dare say that it is not true simply because my fellow countrymen have been going around in endless circles. Our politicians are deft in spinning wheels and blowing smoke in Filipino eyes. So, the standard and the quality of Filipino life have not improved except for the privileged.
One politician recently thundered that the Filipino middle class must increase by a quantum leap to ensure a stable and vibrant Philippine economy.
Clap! Clap!
Well said! May I ask how he perceives achieving that. Where is his blue print? See reader, it is all hot air again. Get the vote by handing out dreams to the voter.
Filipinos are too easily swayed by the political drama and the clout of the media. There is more than meets the eye when the ulterior motives of these politicians seek for votes. To the simple-minded voter whose emotions are manipulated, the well being of his own future is traitorously overwhelmed by promises. Promises that the simple-minded voter fails to see as hollow and unattainable, given the circumstances in the country.
While the dirty linen of each candidate’s personal life and morals are served as fodder to dupe the gullible, it helps the opposing candidate to pursue his goals with greater speed and success.
Why should rational citizens be deluded by this kind of diversions and miss what they owe first to themselves? The rational approach is to question their livelihood today and what they aspire it to be during the mandate of the new leader.
The Philippines is immensely endowed with natural resources and opportunities. Its people are highly literate and they are productive. When these two are combined, it can and it should develop the Philippines far better and far greater than what it is today.
Instead of developing our nation’s potentials, Filipinos are driven out of our country by the domestic hopelessness. We develop the economies of foreign lands beyond our shores to work as domestic maids and laborers. What about the brain drain caused by Filipino professional emigrants?
What is left behind in the country then is very obvious. In two months hence the citizens will vote the lesser of two evils to be the President of the Philippines.
Warning: Quite a long post ahead. I hope you could all bear with me.
WHAT IS BUREAUCRACY?
The existence of a bureaucracy is an essential component of every government regardless of the ideological line, and is one of the most crucial factors for the survival of the state. It is noteworthy that bureaucracy is not only applicable in the government service but could also be adopted by every private organization.
A few salient characteristics of an ideal bureaucracy as envisioned by Max Weber, the founder of Modern Sociology, are the “rationalization of collective activities” and the “attainment of the highest degree of efficiency.”
There is a domination of professionals by the bureaucrats and the dependence of the professionals on the bureaucracy. It only means that bureaucracy is highly professionalized from selection to the appointment process in the pursuit of merit. competence and performance.
A high performing bureaucracy means people who are able to adapt to the changing scenario against which government operates. This means new work competencies, retooling of skills, and mainstreaming the development of knowledge- based manpower capacities that would re-energize and enable a bureaucracy to cope with new requirements and expectations at the workplace.
MY POINTS OF DISAGREEMENT
I work for the Philippine government alright. I am an employee of the fourth most corrupt agency in the country. I have seen the good, bad and even the worst. There’s a helluva lot of difference being a civil servant. I can tell the big difference because I have worked for a private organization nine years ago for six long years.
Bureaucracy is a powerful tool, a necessity to deliver public goods. But I have made a rundown of bureaucracy at its worst, to wit:
The people in the bureaucracy are perceived in varying degrees of inadequacy and imperfections and not at all ideal. The government has failed to produce significant impact in terms of enhancing efficiency, effectiveness and responsiveness of the bureaucracy. This may be largely explained by the lack of political will to achieve the true intent of reforms as embodied in development plans, laws and administrative issuances.
In the Philippines, the government is unable to attract the “best and the brightest” because being a civil servant is seen as less attractive as a career. It is perceived that government employees are less productive and less efficient.
Placement or promotion in government bears no sense of merit. Rather, it is based on “utang na loob” (debt of gratitude) to recommending officials.
Job promotion is largely based on “whom you know”and not “what you know“. This is clearly manifested after election where an elected official would place in position those that have helped him win the race. Thus, giving in to the perceptions of “palakasan” patronage or political concession on the part of the appointing authority.
Civil servants work based on mere compliance rather than strong commitment. Government employees tend to be impersonal. The vision of the organization is not being internalized. The sense of “ownership” of the organization is not being developed, hence indifference ensues.
The opportunities for corruption are present. There is a common notion that one can make easy and big money in the government. This is an apparent fact for these honorable crooks who have entered into contracts for bringing services to its constituents. The bidding processes have become an easy venue for these people to maneuver things in their favor for the realization of their vested interests.
The security of tenure, (which also gives immunity from suits to some public officials), prevents the removal of incompetent people from the bureaucracy. These megalomaniacs in the government tightly cling on to power even if they have betrayed the public’s trust. They hide themselves behind the rules, regulations and procedures.
There is perceived laxity in the implelentation of administrative rules and regulations resulting to inefficiency and red tape. The government’s inability to fully implement the rules and regulations have led to the apparent rise in the number of cases of graft and corruption.
CONCLUSION
The ideal bureaucracy envisioned by Max Weber is still in the process of development in the Philippines. Despite the prevailing negative perception of the Philippine bureaucracy, it is significant to note that the government never stopped on its efforts in re-engineering the government in a more serious, calculated, and strategic way. Many reforms were initiated such as the professionalization and streamlining of the bureaucracy, devolution, privatization, and the like.
The government is only the facilitator, enabler, catalyst and champion of the greater mass of people who have little or no access to the opportunities and benefits of development.
Civil servants should not aim for profit or gain. It’s main goal is to serve the common tao. However, this goal escaped the minds of the few who chose the path of personal aggrandizement, bowing to the call of greed and power. They trample on the laws and make a mockery of the government, casting a negative light on majority of the civil servants who are honest and law-abiding.
Change could not be attained overnight. It is a tedious process where everyone must take part. It is about time that everyone must come to terms with the fact that working in and for the bureaucracy entails a lot of sacrifice and dedication.
We all can do something for our country. Instead of complaining, finding faults and blaming others for whatever has gone wrong, we should look into ourselves and try to do the little things that when put together will make all the difference!
The conduct of satellite registration in the premises of City Jail here in GenSan and other parts of the country by the Commission on Elections paved the way for the detainees to be registered. For the first time, detainees en masse in various detention facilities, who are not otherwise disqualified, are being allowed to register and vote, in the upcoming elections.
However, there is a looming impossibility for the inmates to exercise their right to suffrage. It is because of the Provision in Section 155 of the Omnibus Election Code “prohibiting polling places inside prison compounds”.
The Commission on Human rights argued that the detention per se does not disqualify persons deprived of their liberty from exercising their right to vote. In a petition submitted by the Commission on Human Rights to the Commission on Elections, it emphasized that “the right to vote is a political right. This right can only be taken away either by disqualification as provided by law or by legal deprivation of the exercise of civil and political rights as declared by a court”.
Whether or not the inmates can exercise their right to suffrage is still debated and being pursued by the Commission on Human Rights. I wonder if the same is applicable for people in drug rehab.
With less than 100 days before Philippine’s President Arroyo ends her two term leadership fiasco, it also defies common sense that at the eleventh hour, the Filipinos to send her packing-off with her Report Card all marked in red. The People Power Movement (EDSA) should have booted her from the Malacañang Palace much earlier than that.
HERE
General Santos Time
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