PHILSTAR: 4.3 MILLION HUNGRY FAMILIES
MANILA, OCTOBER 29, 2011 (STAR) SEARCH FOR THE TRUTH By Ernesto M. Maceda (photo) SWS reports that the number of hungry Filipinos increased 6.5 percent from 15.1 percent in June to 21.5 percent in September resulting in a record high 4.3 million hungry families. It was highest in Metro Manila with 23 percent claiming experiencing hunger the last three months.
One therefore, has good reason to question the release of a huge P21.2 billion Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) fund which was supposed to provide P1,300 a month to 2.3 million beneficiaries nationwide to help them feed and house themselves. Earlier this year, President Aquino complained that the surveys have not been able to capture the effects of the CCT dole out. That's no longer true today.
It is a scandal that this administration has not formulated a plan to bring down food prices. The price of a can of sardines has gone up from P10 to P15. The price of rice went up from P18 to P27-P32 per kilo. Vegetable, chicken and pork prices are also very high. Oil companies are registering excessive profits.
A large portion of the disposable incomes of poor families goes to food and energy expenses. Both are among the highest in the world. With large portions of disposable income usurped by unjust food and energy costs, there should be little wonder that poverty continues to grow in absolute terms.
High food costs are due to poor logistics networks, which is part of our infrastructure deficiency. High power costs are due to the absence of a long term energy plan that will encourage our power sector to match global benchmarks for efficiency and lower cost. Power shortages are predicted to happen in 2012.
Little wonder that despite the fact that we have achieved middle income status as a national economy, our malnutrition rates remain intolerably high. If this administration does a food mapping of the country, we will discover that many areas are prone to famine in the event of major calamities.
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COCONUT GHOSTS. . . The Manila Bulletin ran a story on its front page last Thursday, Oct. 27, about a "little girl haunting Binay's palace." The story reported security personnel and guests including movie star Agot Isidro who was shooting a TV show seeing a little girl looking down from a 3rd floor window, sitting in the back seat of an Innova or her hand prints on the windows of a car. Voices of three or more kids are heard playing or crying.
We double checked with the staff and security personnel of the Vice President and they confirmed that there are ghosts at the Coconut Palace. Not only little girls playing or voices heard, but hands without a visible body opening doors or flushing toilets and a priest in full white robe walking at night and blessing the rooms. They told us Mrs. Elenita Binay is looking for a ghostbuster priest to bless the building and to drive the ghosts away. Interesting story.
By the way, there are also ghosts in Malacañang. I felt them when I was Executive Secretary.
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SELECTIVE WAR . . . After the President announced a no all-out war policy against the MILF, the government mounted an all-out war in Zamboanga Sibugay using tanks, choppers, OV-IOs and a battalion of soldiers and 100 policemen going after a camp of rogue MILF rebels headed by Waning Abdulsalam in the town of Payao.
The AFP claims they killed 20 rebels while suffering three casualties but more than 100 rebels including Abdulsalam escaped.
No operation has been mounted in Basilan as of today.
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DESPERATE. . . It looks like the Aquino Administration is having a big problem meeting its revenue collection targets.
DOF Secretary Cesar Purisima and BIR Commissioner Kim Henares are planning to resurrect Revenue Regulation No. 2-2011 by January 1st requiring the filing of annual information return (AIR) equivalent to a statement of assets and liabilities by taxpayers having a gross income of P500,000 or more. Also, individuals, estates and trusts with a final withholding tax exceeding P125,000 are required to file AIR. Final tax exemptions refer to bank deposits where interest payments are withheld and also stock exchange transactions.
The AIR requires the declaration of the taxpayer's income other than from main employment such as passive income from bank accounts, income from stocks, royalties, even transactions on real estate properties. If implemented, it is expected to depress the stock market and the real estate industry.
The House ways and means committee headed by Rep. Hermilando Mandanas will investigate the matter.
The BIR should continue to collect the proper amount of taxes from rich taxpayers. I know of at least five billionaires who are not paying the right taxes, but who have not been audited because they are close to the Administration. Smuggling income should also be taxed.
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PAY OFF . . . Malacañang confirmed that P5 million was given to the MILF negotiating panel by Government Chief Negotiator Marvic Leonen.
This confirms that money is the bottom line in these peace talks. The government is willing to pay and the MILF is demanding payment. The President should be transparent on this matter.
Sen. Chiz Escudero questioned the authority of Sec. Teresita Deles to release funds to the MILF. He is demanding an accounting of OPAPP funds.
But why the advance payment? The government should only release money and only for development after a peace agreement is signed.
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TIDBITS. . . Advance birthday greetings to the gracious wife of Titoy Pardo, Marilyn Velarde Pardo who is celebrating her natal day on Nov. 1st.
According to the UN, average lifespan is now 68 years. The world population is now seven billion.
Puerto Princesa Mayor Edward Hagedorn is due for knee surgery.
Have a good long weekend. If you're driving out, drive carefully. A blessed Undas to all.
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Chief News Editor: Sol Jose Vanzi
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