MANILA,
OCTOBER 22, 2011 (STANDARD) TO THE POINT, BY EMIL JURADO
The Philippines has been getting so many "distinctions" lately.
The Ninoy Aquino International Airport was named the worst airport in the
world. And then the Philippines was identified as one of the countries most
prone to disaster, especially in the wake of climate change. Now the Dutch
airline KLM is pulling out because of over-taxation. We have also slipped
further down on the list of business-friendly countries – not that we were ever
high up there to begin with. When will all these end?
In the meantime, the laid-back Aquino administration does not seem to care.
It is so fixated on going after the Arroyos and everybody associated with them.
Santa Banana, with no European airline, can we still expect European tourists
to come to the Philippines? This after the President cancelled a contract with a
Belgian form for the dredging of Laguna Lake.
So here is Johnny-come-lately Transportation and Communication Secretary
Manuel Roxas II with his brilliant idea to sell Terminal 1 to finance the
long-delayed plan to relocate the main intyernational gateway to Clark's
Diosdado Macapagal Airport.
But what stupid person would buy something as decrepit as this ? The
terminal's ceiling is collapsing. Its structure is deficient. It has a short,
lone runway incapable of accommodating bigger aircraft like the Airbus A380.
If the administration is serious about moving the main gateway to Clark, it
should act now – not tomorrow or next year. We have been talking about this for
decades!
* * *
The country lost 19 soldiers in an encounter with the separatist Moro Islamic
Liberation Front. All the Aquino-appointed presidential peace negotiator Marvic
Leonen said was that it was an isolated case that will not jeopardize the
government truce with the Muslim separatists.
Who is Leonen working for – the Philippine government or the MILF?
It is said that the reason for the encounter is that the soldiers intruded
into MILF territory. Since when have these separatists had their own territory?
Just to show you the kind of Moro-Moro the Aquino administration is having
with these insurgents, there are in fact checkpoints installed by the MILF in
many parts of Central Mindanao. Ask Christians and Muslims alike who travel in
Central Mindanao and they will tell you that when they reach those checkpoints,
they must go down and get searched for weapons. At times, Christians are
harassed and robbed of their personal effects.
The problem with the MILF boils down to trust and sincerity. Should the
government continue accommodating them in the name of peace? Yes, we are all for
peace in Central Mindanao, but not at all costs!
I'm no war freak when I say that the only language the Muslim separatists
understand is force of arms. Those who know the culture and history of the
Muslims in Mindanao -- who have not been really colonized by the Spaniards,
Americans and the Japanese – will readily say that Muslims respect only the
force of arms. That's why from childhood, Muslims are taught how to handle guns.
If President Aquino expects the MILF to be content with less than an
independent state, he's dreaming.
So, I ask, how many more soldiers will die and be sacrificed by government in
the altar of peace?
* * *
The same is true for the communist insurgents.
How many times have the peace talks with the National Democratic Front gone
on-again, off-again? And yet, the government – under many administrations – has
not learned. The National Democratic Front keeps on harping on the need for the
government to release political prisoners facing charges of murder, homicide and
even rape.
The fact is that the communist movement is no longer a monolithic group. Many
of its members have become plain bandits. They raid business establishments --
mining sites, for instance – whose owners refuse to pay "revolutionary taxes."
Like the government's Moro-Moro with the MILF, this is a zarzuela with the
leaders of the insurgents who are living in exile in the Netherlands.
Indeed, those who does not learn the lessons of history are bound to repeat
its mistakes.
* * *
I am sure that when businessman Roberto Ongpin returns from his business trip
and appears before the Senate in connection with his P660 million loan from the
Development Bank of the Philippines, he will be asked question that have already
been answered.
This is, after all, another charade. The Senate investigation, supposedly in
aid of legislation, has become an avenue for some senators to display their
prejudice. In this probe, some senators act like inquisitors, judges and
executioners all rolled into one.
I can bet that Ongpin would again be asked about his relationship with former
first gentleman Mike Arroyo. The favorite conclusion seems to be that anybody
connected to Mr. Arroyo is a criminal.
Likewise, Ongpin will be asked why he sold to Manny Pangilinan at P21 per
share giving the latter control of Philex using the money he borrowed from DBP.
Why didn't DBP wait to sell its 50 million shares to MVP, like Ongpin did? This
is all hindsight – and as we know, hindsight makes geniuses of everybody.
He will also be asked why his transactions with Pangilinan should not be
viewed as insider trading. Again this is silly. Everybody knew that Ongpin was
dealing with Pangilinan.
When Ongpin appears before the Senate, it will be another circus.
* * *
President Aquino has immediately cleared Department of Social Welfare and
Development Secretary Corazon Soliman and peace adviser Teresita Deles of
involvement in the PEACe bonds scandal given their role in CODE-NGO. Ten billion
pesos worth of people's money is involved in this controversy.
The two officials insist they were not involved, but that's a lie. They were
members of a cabal that sold the PEACe bonds to the secondary market and made a
pile of P1.8 billion.
The problem is whether or not the sum meant for poverty alleviation really
went to the beneficiaries. We may never know since the President is so quick in
absolving Soliman and Deles. The Senate must investigate the scandal.
In any case, I am certain that when the Commission on Appointments tackles
the confirmation of Soliman as DSWD secretary, some senators -- not the Aquino
lapdogs -- will ask her about the PEACe bond scandal. And then the curtain will
rise.
* * *
Some sectors, like bishops and anti-mining advocates, were quick to lay the
blame of the killing of Italian priest Fr. Fausto Tentorio to his alleged
anti-mining advocacy without proof or evidence -- just perception.
But how could that be when the Chamber of Mines has come out with a public
statement that it has no member-company in North Cotabato?
The problem with some people is that they are quick to condemn anything done
just because of their opposition to mining. This is not only totally unfair to
the mining industry, but to Fr. Tentorio himself. Let's wait for the police
investigation.
* * *
I had a one-on-one with Metro Manila Development Authority chairman
Francis Tolentino, former mayor of Tagaytay City, when he was appointed to
his post last year.
In that meeting, I gave Tolentino some unsolicited advice on the concerns of
Metro Manila residents.
First, there was the horrible traffic gridlock especially on main
thoroughfares like Edsa.
Second, garbage – causing flooding in Metro Manila.
Third, the many billboards which pose dangers especially during typhoons.
Fourth, the sidewalks, or the lack of them, which force pedestrians to walk
on the streets. This is also dangerous.
I also mentioned the need to have separate lanes for motorcycles to prevent
accidents.
Tolentino has been doing well in solving the metro's traffic and billboard
problems. Still, he has funding problems. Malacañang needs to know what its
priorities are. I commend him though for his efforts to make the metro livable
again.
Chief News Editor:
Sol Jose Vanzi
© Copyright, 2011
by PHILIPPINE HEADLINE NEWS ONLINE
All rights reserved
PHILIPPINE HEADLINE NEWS ONLINE [PHNO] WEBSITE
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