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PHNO-SI: 'ATRIEV' OFFERS COMPUTER LEARNING FOR THE BLIND

'ATRIEV' OFFERS COMPUTER LEARNING FOR THE BLIND

MANILA, MAY 30, 2011 (STAR) PHOTO -ATRIEV has partnered with the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Digital Opportunity Center of Taiwan to set up a a call center training facility.

Going beyond what society dictates, a group of blind computer enthusiasts put up Adaptive Technology for Rehabilitation, Integration and Empowerment of the Visually Impaired (ATRIEV) back in 1994. This admittedly ambitious undertaking strived to come up with innovative ways to help visually impaired people find better work opportunities.

As the only school in the Philippines which specializes in computer access and information technology, ATRIEV makes use of adaptive technology so that blind and sight impaired individuals will have the chance to apply for mainstream employment, like call center positions.

Some may find it hard to believe that a visually impaired individual can successfully operate a computer by himself, but that in essence is what makes up ATRIEV's success. At a time when blind people were limited to certain jobs, ATRIEV worked to fight against the clichés and proved that as long as you have faith in your own capabilities and there are people willing to lend a helping hand, there are clearly no limits to what a person can do.

Since its establishment, ATRIEV has directly and indirectly trained over 400 blind young adults and introduced more than a hundred blind grade school kids to information technology. In addition, the organization's various training programs have benefited over a hundred Special Education teachers, rehabilitation workers, university instructors, and parents of blind children.

Behind ATRIEV's success is its Board of Trustees, a handful of employees and some part-time volunteers who have all dedicated their time to ATRIEV's mission of using and promoting assistive technology to facilitate the rehabilitation, integration, and empowerment of the visually-impaired sector in the country. The organization also strives to capitalize on the unique skills and harness the strengths of each employee, and to strive to become a sustainable organization.

Through the years, the organization has had various successes, including TESDA's Kabalikat Award for Institutions in 2001; the Disabled-Friendly Website Recognition award from the Commission on Information and Communications Technology in 2005; the grand prize for the Samsung Hope Competition in 2006 and 2009; and the top award for the Philippines under the Bridging the Digital Divide category at the 2006 ADOC competition by the APEC Digital Opportunity Center led by Chinese Taipei.

But aside from industry recognitions, the organization's biggest achievement is the hope that they continue to give to people who are seemingly at a disadvantage. Proof of that are the success stories of some of ATRIEV's graduates, like Ma. Criselda Bisda, the first blind recruitment specialist in TeleTech; Julius Charles Serrano, the first totally blind screen reader scripting specialist and digital talking book software production specialist in the Philippines; Alona Bateg, the first totally blind female medical transcriptionist in the Philippines who has no medical background; Marx Vergel Melencio, the second totally blind Go Negosyo awardee for establishing and managing Grayscale Consultancy Services, a company specializing in web content writing; and Lourdes Borgonia, the first totally blind CICT awarded webmaster in the Philippines.

As job placement and job matching are part of the organization's main thrusts, ATRIEV has made efforts to establish strong partnerships with government agencies, non-government organizations, and private business enterprises like its partnership with Gallop IT Solutions, a local transcription company, and most recently, with the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Digital Opportunity Center (ADOC) based in Taiwan.

In partnership with local funding agencies and the private sector, the ADOC 2.0 project brought about the establishment of a call center training facility for the visually impaired, the first in the Philippines. This training facility is equipped with adaptive hardware and software customized to the needs and abilities of the blind. It will use customized outbound call center software together with a refreshable Braille display as hardware, through which a totally blind person is able to provide customer assistance by listening to the client over the phone then reading the responses in Braille. With this technology, blind people can hopefully gain the same speed and efficiency as a sighted call center agent.

In order to better ensure the success of the ADOC 2.0 project, six totally blind, low vision, and sighted graduates of ATRIEV and representatives from partner organizations – the Resources for the Blind, National Council on Disability Affairs, Philippine National School for the Blind, and the Department of Education – are currently being trained in Taipei.

More than just an organization providing quality training in adaptive technology, ATRIEV gives visually impaired individuals a sense of hope and the confidence to strive for a brighter future.

ATRIEV Computer School for the Blind is located at 2/F 1680 E. Rodriguez Blvd., Cubao, Quezon City. Tel. 725-4191; e-mail atriev.inc@gmail.com.

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Chief News Editor: Sol Jose Vanzi

© Copyright, 2011 by PHILIPPINE HEADLINE NEWS ONLINE
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PHNO-LIFESTYLE: LIFESTYLE: 'CHIZ' ESCUDERO, STILL A VERY STRONG PRESIDENTIAL TIMBER

LIFESTYLE: 'CHIZ' ESCUDERO, STILL A VERY STRONG PRESIDENTIAL TIMBER

MANILA, MAY 30, 2011 (MANILA TIMES SUNDAY MAG) BY EFREN L. DANAO SENIOR REPORTER - SEN. Francis "Chiz" Escudero could have been the youngest elected Philippine president had he decided to run for the post in May 2010. He met the age requirement for a presidential candidate when he turned 40 on October 10, 2009. He was high in surveys. With his looks, charisma and intelligence, he inevitably became the strong favorite of young voters who comprise the majority of the electorate. He was also the presumptive standard bearer of the Nationalist People's Coalition, his only party since he entered politics in 1998 at age 28 and became congressman of Sorsogon.

Malacañang eventually vanished from the radar of Chiz, who created a stir when he resigned from the NPC on October 28, 2009. Without a political party, Chiz could not possibly be a serious candidate. Then followed the bombshell that broke the heart of his supporters although they might have expected it: he would no longer seek the presidency in the 2010 election. He later announced his support for the mixed ticket of Noy-Bi (Noynoy-Binay), much to the annoyance of Aquino's running mate, then Sen. Mar Roxas.

By keeping off the presidential race, Chiz averted a potential rivalry with Aquino, his friend since their days in the House of Representatives. He admitted that before he made the decision, he had talked with Aquino but he insisted that Aquino did not ask anything from him and he did not give anything to Aquino.

"We merely agreed that whatever my decision would be, we will remain friends," he said.

Chiz said that among all the senators, Aquino was closest to him. In fact, Aquino even became the godfather of Chiz's twins. Asked to describe his relationship with the President, Chiz said it is more personal than political — which could be surprising because both are politicians.

"He was the only one with me when we went out after Senate sessions," he said.

He did not say where they hung out after sessions, but it does not take much imagination to guess where these men-about-town usually went.

He chuckled when he recalled that his father, Sorsogon Rep. Salvador Escudero 3rd, was a Cabinet member of the late President Ferdinand Marcos, whom the Aquinos accuse of plotting the assassination of the martyred Sen. Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino Jr. the president's father. He said that this background has not prevented him and the President from maintaining their close bonds.

He showed the depth of their friendship when he intoned: "I will always be there should he need my help." As the saying goes, "A friend in need is a friend in deed."

Chiz stressed, however, that their friendship does not impede them from doing their respective duties. "I have my responsibilities as a senator. Noy has his as a president," he said.

So, their friendship notwithstanding, Chiz is keen on preserving the independence of the Senate from Malacañang. Nowhere is this more evident than in their divergent views on the deferment of the August 8 election at the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

"Noy was aware of my position on the ARMM even before the LEDAC meeting," he said, referring to the Legislative Executive Development Advisory Council meeting in February.

In that meeting, the President certified as urgent the bill resetting the ARMM election to the second Monday of May 2013 to coincide with the midterm election. Chiz opposes the postponement, saying this runs counter to the concept of regional autonomy.

"The people in the Middle East are up in arms because they want to vote. They want to choose who will be their leaders. Here, the administration wants to take away that right to vote and appoint ARMM leaders!" he said.

He contended that outsiders could not decide for the ARMM voters on who their leaders should be.

"Noy respects my stand on ARMM. He has not pressured me to change my stand," he added.

As a legislator, he was the most productive committee chairman in the previous Congress. Research by The Manila Times showed that Chiz had produced the most number of committee reports in the 14th Congress. In the current Congress, he has several bills on second reading, including that updating the law on subsidiary imprisonment.

Of all the laws he has authored, he is proudest of the one exempting minimum wage earners from filing income tax returns and raising the personal exemptions of wage earners. When he was still a congressman, he authored the Early Child Development Act. Sen. Edgardo J. Angara is now seeking to amend this law to include mandatory pre-schooling.

Dream on hold When Chiz announced his decision on November 24, 2009 not to run for president in May 2010, he raised the possibility that he might still run at some future time.

"I have decided that now is not the only time to realize my dream of the presidency. I will continue to hold on to that dream and promise if not now, in the coming days," he said in that press conference at the Club Filipino when he declared that he was standing down.

Does that mean he is still keeping a keen eye on the 2016 presidential election?

Chiz said that his plans for 2016 hinge on his rating in surveys and his capability to wage a nationwide campaign. He admitted that he is not sure if he could still duplicate his high ratings in surveys for presidential wannabes in 2010. He also pointed out that he is the second poorest senator and he has no personal fortune to prop up a national ticket and a national campaign.

A problem would be how such a presidential bid would affect his relationship with Vice President Jejomar Binay, who is believed to have the presidential itch also. Chiz, however, shrugged off that "problem."

"That is creating a problem based on a conjecture. Nobody can say if Jojo will run or if I will run," he said.

He also believes that a presidential candidate could still win even if he has no political party.

"A major chunk of those who supported Noy are not Liberals. Binay won even if the political parties that supported him were paper parties. Poll watchers? But watchers are not needed at all in automated elections. And today, so what if Lakas endorses a candidate for president?" he argued.

He contended that almost all political parties are the same insofar as platforms are concerned so it does not matter what party a candidate belongs.

Looking back at his former party, Chiz said that he remains friends with leaders of the NPC even if he had quit the party.

"I am okay with them. I don't have to be a member," he said.

Running with or against Mar? But before 2016, Chiz must first seek reelection to the Senate in May 2013. He placed second in the 2007 senatorial election so his reelection should be a breeze. This time, however, there is the added question of sharing the same stage with former Sen. Mar Roxas.

There were commentaries on "bad blood" between the two stemming from Chiz's support for Binay for vice president instead of Roxas, Aquino's running mate. It is highly probable that Chiz and Roxas will be on the ticket of the administration come 2013 because no single political party is capable of fielding a complete 12-man slate for the Senate.

Chiz said he would gratefully accept any endorsement by the administration and that he would not mind campaigning alongside Roxas in 2013.

"Mar has not done anything against me. Now, I don't know if he bears a grudge against me for not voting for him. But if he does, then that means he is also angry at the 38 million Filipinos who did not vote for him," he said.

He stressed that he could not possibly be accused of junking Roxas in favor of Binay because he was not a Liberal who was duty-bound to vote for the Aquino-Roxas tandem.

Some were predicting that the 2013 senatorial election will be a preview of the 2016 presidential rivalry between Chiz and Roxas. Whoever between them will top the 2013 senatorial election will have a commanding edge come 2016. Some were already predicting that their supporters will be junking the other candidate to show who is really the more popular between them.

Chiz sought to douse cold water on speculations of such a scenario. He said he does not believe that topping the senatorial election matters much in a presidential election.

"That is a wrong assumption. In recent history, no Senate topnotcher has ever become president. Being a topnotcher is not a prerequisite for being elected president," he said.

He noted that Jovito Salonga was topnotcher in the 1987 senatorial election but did not win in the 1992 presidential election. (Obviously, Chiz forgot about Gloria Macapagal Arroyo who got the most number of votes in the 1995 senatorial election. However, the supporters of Fernando Poe Jr., including Chiz, maintain to this day that FPJ was cheated out of Malacañang by GMA in the 2004 presidential election.) "Noli (de Castro), the topnotcher in 2001, won in 2004 but as vice president," he added.

Sen. Loren Legarda got the most number of votes in 1998 and 2007 but failed in her bid for the vice presidency in 2004 and 2010.

Then there is Roxas who was No. 1 in the 2004 senatorial election. As everybody knows, he lost his bid for the vice-presidency to Binay in 2010.

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Chief News Editor: Sol Jose Vanzi

© Copyright, 2011 by PHILIPPINE HEADLINE NEWS ONLINE
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PHNO-OPINION: TRIBUNE: NOYNOY GETS COLD TREATMENT

TRIBUNE: NOYNOY GETS COLD TREATMENT

MANILA, MAY 30, 2011 (TRIBUNE) It was clear that Noynoy came home empty handed from his recent trip to Thailand, where he supposedly met with the four biggest Thai corporations. What was clearly missing in his return report was a quoted investments figure.

In his past travels, the Palace would usually toss around figures of the supposed investments although most of the time these are mere commitments and are extrapolation of the cost of the projects that are exploring a possible location in the country.

More often than not, it is all propaganda, since so-called intent to invest, or even commitments from businessmen hardly ever translates to real investments.

The fact that foreign direct investments have dropped by 30 percent already shows the failure of Noynoy to get investors interested in the country.

The official Palace release said Noynoy had discussions with executives of Thailand's four biggest corporations that have existing investments in the country and indicated that the companies "raised some concerns."

Reading between the lines, that meant Thai companies are looking elsewhere for new projects and are just making sure that their current investments in the country do not fall to state confiscation or similar business catastrophes.

A good guess on these concerns should be what the German government has been raising recently with the government which is all about honoring business contracts.

There are already so many instances when contracts with the government signed during a previous administration are reviewed and changed if not rescinded altogether by a new administration.

A classic example during the Arroyo administration is the airport Terminal 3 contract that was unilaterally cut off and the project confiscated. Until now, the project remains in government hands and Noynoy is even pursuing the tack of his predecessor which is to pay a token amount for the expropriated project.

Noynoy's appointees at the Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA) have also rescinded a contract to operate the South Luzon Expressway (Slex) and is reviewing all other similar contracts signed during Arroyo's watch.

Noynoy himself, in his maiden State of the Nation Address, announced that he was unilaterally cancelling the Belgian firm's Laguna Lake dredging project.

Government contracts in general, in the Philippine setting, have a life span equivalent to the administration in power.

Such uncertainty in business undertakings is among the reasons the country remains a laggard in attracting investments.

More so with Noynoy who had earlier committed to provide businessmen with protection from regulatory risks but makes no serious move to end the dispute at the new airport terminal, which investors are apparently using as a gauge on the Aquino administration's commitment to support the business sector.

Thailand will just be another example of investors who have serious doubts on the state of business stability in the country.

Noynoy apparently failed to assure Thai businessmen that their investments are fully protected in the country or else the Palace would have had counted the billions of dollars that Thai companies will "invest" in the country.

Instead, the Palace needed to highlight trivial matters such as supposed discussions of Noynoy with Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva about climate change, piracy and human trafficking to cover up the bum trip.

Noynoy should realize that the same cold reception from the business sector awaits him anywhere in the world unless he acts fast enough to resolve the issues confronting the credibility of the government under his administration.

The inclination thus far of Noynoy is apportioning government positions and resources to reward political allies rather than taking concrete steps to address the lingering doubts of businessmen, both foreign and local, on the country.

Otherwise, from here on all efforts to woo investments will be a dud.

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Chief News Editor: Sol Jose Vanzi

© Copyright, 2011 by PHILIPPINE HEADLINE NEWS ONLINE
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PHNO-OPINION: MANILA TIMES: NOW IS NOY'S CHANCE TO PROVE HIS BATTLE CRY, 'KUNG WALANG CORRUPT...’

MANILA TIMES: NOW IS NOY'S CHANCE TO PROVE HIS BATTLE CRY, 'KUNG WALANG CORRUPT...'

MANILA, MAY 30, 2011 (MANILA TIMES) US$434-million MCC Compact grant now operational, must be implemented within 5 years!

THE US government has an independent foreign aid agency called the Millennium Challenge Corp. (MCC). The US Congress created it in 2004, a bipartisan product aimed to help governments fight poverty. It delivers US foreign aid focused on a government's good policies and the success of its anti-poverty and anti-corruption efforts.

The MCC forms partnerships with the poorest countries that are committed to good governance, economic freedom and investing in the development of their citizens. How steadfast and effective the commitment is can be seen in something called the "MCC Country Scorecard." The poor country that performs well is given large amounts of aid—MCC calls them grants—to fund their own programs to reduce poverty through sustainable economic growth.

MCC since its inception has approved over $8.4 billion in so-called "compact and threshold programs" all over the world.

What the MCC calls a "threshold program" has the aim of making a country eligible for the large-scale "compact" grants. Under the threshold program the country's leaders and civil servants are watched—and properly rated using the MCC scorecard—as to their ability and zeal in achieving targeted reforms.

In most countries that have partnered with the MCC, the potential of becoming a compact-grant awardee has been a great incentive for government officials to work hard at achieving the initial goals of massive institutional reforms.

The MCC says that all but one of the threshold programs worldwide have been administered by the US Agency for International Development (USAID).

Philippines threshold program MCC awarded its threshold program assistance to the Philippines in 2006, when the president was still Mrs. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. The so-called "Millennium Challenge Account—Philippines Threshold Program (MCA-PTP)" was designed to help our country improve its performance on specific indicators and eventually become eligible for an MCC Compact grant.

MCA-PTP was implemented from November 2006 to May 2009. The total grant amount was $20,685,000. The program was managed by USAID, and implemented through a contract with Management Systems International (a US-based consulting firm) and a grant to The Asia Foundation. Threshold program objectives, scope and performance indicators were outlined in the Strategic Objective Grant Agreement between USAID and the Philippine Government.

The MCA-TPP had twin main goals: to reduce opportunities for corruption and improving revenue administration. To meet these goals, the threshold program gave technical assistance to five agencies: the Office of the Ombudsman, the Revenue Integrity Protection Service (RIPS), the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), the Bureau of Customs (BOC) and the Department of Justice (DOJ). The program supported the enforcement efforts of these agencies against corruption, tax evasion and smuggling through training of investigators and prosecutors, surveillance and IT equipment, work flow re-engineering, and research and case analyses.

Substantial assistance was provided for the nationwide computerization of BIR district offices, specialized IT system for managing human resources of BIR, IT connectivity for improved case management at the Ombudsman and assistance to BOC for drafting a bill for the harmonization of customs and trade laws.

All these five government agencies, monitored and measured using scorecards, attained extremely impressive accomplishments. It was seen that the Philippine threshold program "significantly enhanced the enforcement capability and systems of the five agencies for the effective detection and prosecution of corruption, tax evasion and smuggling."

Too long and too many for our available space, the accomplishments thanks to the support of the threshold program were solid and impressive.

April 2009 Compact grant disappointment On the basis of the success of the "Millennium Challenge Account—Philippines Threshold Program (MCA-PTP)" the Philippine Government submitted the final draft of its Compact grant proposal to MCC in January 2009.

All the government officials and MCC people in the Philippines involved in the effort were hoping and many sere praying, for the compact grant to be approved by April 2009. But approval did not come.

It was a big disappointment for the heads of the government agencies and their assistants. The latter were executives specifically tasked with monitoring reforms and enforcing good governance goals as targeted—and as OK'ed by the MCC through USAID.

Also disappointed were the president of the Development Academy of the Philippines, Career Senior Official, Tony Kalaw Jr. He was the government's overall coordinator, working closely with the Institute for Solidarity in Asia's (ISA) founding Chairman Dr. Jesus Estanislao. Even before the government's partnership with MCC in the threshold program, these agencies were already subjecting themselves to ISA's Public Governance System scorecard.

Why did the Philippine government not win the MCC Compact grant in April 2009—as expected?

MCC decided it that it was more prudent to wait for President Benigno Aquino 3rd to assume office. MCC apparently wanted to make sure that the Aquino administration would be as committed to the MCC goals and methods as the Macapagal administration had been—as proved by its performance in the threshold program.

Finally, on September 23, 2010, Finance Secretary Purisima representing our country and the MCC's CEO Daniel Yohannes signed the Compact-grant agreement. The witnesses were President Aquino and US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

Entry into force May 25, 2011 Eight months later, on May 25, 2011, the Compact grant became operational or, in the MCC jargon, "entry into force was achieved."

The grant is in the amount of $434 million. The Compact must be implemented in five years.

The compact grant will be used to "support reforms and investments to modernize the Bureau of Internal Revenue [about $54.4 million], to expand and improve a community-driven development project, the Kalahi-CIDSS (about $120 million) and to rehabilitate a secondary national road in Samar province [about $214.4 million]."

Very good news. But much better news is that target objectives are being met ahead of schedule. That would prove that "Kung walang corrupt, walang mahirap" is still the administration battle cry.

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Chief News Editor: Sol Jose Vanzi

© Copyright, 2011 by PHILIPPINE HEADLINE NEWS ONLINE
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PHNO-OPINION: PHILSTAR: P-NOY 'SALES' BLITZ FOR HIS PPP

PHILSTAR: P-NOY 'SALES' BLITZ FOR HIS PPP

MANILA, MAY 30, 2011 (PHILSTAR) COMMONSENSE By Marichu A. Villanueva - One of the highlights of the just-concluded state visit of President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III to Thailand was his pitch for his administration's flagship Public-Private Partnership (PPP) program. Spending only a day and a half in Bangkok, P-Noy conducted his whirlwind of activities, mostly business meetings, during the short state visit.

The Chief Executive met with top executives of prominent Bangkok companies Charoen Pokphand (CP) Group, Siam Cement Group (SCG), and PTT Public Company Limited. They reportedly expressed interest in pouring more investments to Manila.

The CP Group wants to expand its agricultural business, particularly hog-raising, after the Philippines has been declared foot-and-mouth disease-free by the Paris-based Office international des Epizooties. Siam Cement, which owns tile maker Mariwasa, wants to expand its operations here and is also looking at breaking into the Philippine power industry. The PTT, one of the small oil players in the Philippines, expressed interest in supplying LPG to taxicabs as well as compressed natural gas that some buses in Metro Manila use.

Certainly, these are pieces of good news that P-Noy brought home as the current "salesman" for the country that badly needs investments from here and abroad. The President's pitch to local and foreign investors like the Thais to put their money here would be put to naught if his appointed subalterns in government would make it difficult for them to do business in our country.

On top of these usual concerns, Malacañang Palace would have to make sure that government agencies and state-controlled corporations that deal directly with investors are helping sell the President's PPP. As it is turning out, however, the opposite seems to be what's happening. Instead of promoting the kind of climate needed to boost P-Noy's PPP, certain smart alecks in his administration are sabotaging his flagship program by arbitrarily changing the rules in the middle of the game in the implementation of government projects.

One example of this "investor-deterrent" or investor-unfriendly behavior exhibited by government-controlled corporations is the way that the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) has been shabbily treating its private business partners.

The BCDA has reportedly been demanding back rentals from its private partner – the Camp John Hay Development Corp. (CJHDevco) – to the tune of P2.4 billion. Instead of trying to facilitate payment of rentals to the government, the BCDA even makes it impossible for the company to raise the money needed to pay its obligations.

Under the contract it entered into with the BCDA, the CJHDevco would develop the John Hay Special Economic Zone in Baguio City. The CJHDevco has reportedly plunked P2.6 billion into the project since 2001 despite corporate and legal setbacks it suffered like the withdrawal of fiscal incentives for the project. To save the project, the BCDA and CJHDevco drew up a restructured Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) in 2008.

From what can be gleaned from the MOA – actually the third revision – the BCDA was required to set up a One-Stop Action Center that would streamline all applications and permits needed by investors to set up business in the John Hay Special Economic Zone. The CJHDevco complained that the One-Stop Action Center has not acted on anything but has merely passed on what it was supposed to do to other government agencies.

Instead of eliminating red tape, the BCDA's One-Stop Action Center became just another bureaucratic layer that made investors wait even longer in processing their requirements. With this kind of inutile One-Stop Action Center, how can CJHDevco entice investors to do business in the John Hay Ecozone?

The CJHDevco is not alone in its miseries in dealing with the BCDA. Private investors led by business magnate Manny V. Pangilinan who runs the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) were being taken for a wild ride also by those people now in charge at the BCDA.

Pangilinan, who chairs the Manila North Tollways Corp. (MNTC), entered into a concession agreement with the BCDA. Under the original terms of the perfected contract, the MNTC would pay semi-annual concession fees in the first five years, which the government would use to pay off loans that had been secured to bankroll this road project. For the remainder of the contract, the BCDA would have 20-percent share in all toll revenues.

But just before the Arroyo-appointed BCDA officers stepped down and new ones took over under Aquino's watch, the MNTC received a letter from the BCDA top management informing it that they want the contract terminated because of certain "money" issues. Pangilinan would not reveal what these issues are but we can only speculate.

Pangilinan is no ordinary investor. He also chairs the Metro Pacific Investments Corp., which controls a significant chunk of shareholdings in large companies like Meralco, Maynilad, the Tollways Management Corp., and several health care and medical institutions. Pangilinan was quoted as saying that he is not suing the government for now because they want to save a viable project like the SCTEX.

We couldn't agree more with Pangilinan when he said that "contracts with private companies should be sacred, especially if the fulcrum of the government's economic program is the PPP program." Pangilinan is still keeping his options open and hopes that the new BCDA management led by chairman Felicito "Tong" Payumo would honor their obligations under their contract.

When he first launched the PPP, President Aquino vowed that his administration – which will be in office until 2016 – would ensure that the rules would be fair, clear and equally applied to all, and that policies would not be changed mid-stream so that companies would recoup their investments, if not earn profit.

But with such seeming arbitrariness in the way BCDA deals with its business partners, this is not the kind of indicative policy environment that investors look for.

If the Aquino administration fails to fix these problems soon, then all the hard work that P-Noy puts into his "sales blitz" for his PPP program will just be flushed down the drain.

----------------------------------------------------------

Chief News Editor: Sol Jose Vanzi

© Copyright, 2011 by PHILIPPINE HEADLINE NEWS ONLINE
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PHNO-OPINION: PHILSTAR: DIFFERENT MINDED PRESIDENT?

PHILSTAR: DIFFERENT MINDED PRESIDENT?

MANILA, MAY 30, 2011 (PHILSTAR) CTALK By Cito Beltran - Let us all be honest about it.

A lot of people who believe they are entitled to an opinion have at one time or another, described or "called" President Noynoy Aquino, a something or another.

To be quite candid about it, even his so-called allies or party-mates have labeled him regarding his personality at work and at play.

While it may be expected of his enemies to call him names, that's not as disturbing and improper, compared to when his allies and party-mates "put" labels on the President.

For instance, a high- ranking member of the Liberal Party is regularly quoted by senior media practitioners as calling the President: "Hard headed" and "Mahirap turuan" (difficult to teach).

From the sound of it, the President's party-mate has become increasingly frustrated and this has manifested in the emotion and adjectives used in labeling the President.

In like manner, many Key Opinion Leaders openly write off the President as "Deaf" or "clueless" because the President has not acted or reacted positively to their suggestions or concerns.

I personally found myself slowly drifting along with this notion that when people don't follow our suggestion or advice, we simply call them "hard headed", "ignorant", "clueless" or "Stupid".

Thanks to the Zen moments that come with sweeping and hand mopping our bedroom floor, I had a moment of revelation otherwise known as a minute of common sense.

Yes we all have an opinion, some of us may know better than others, and I presume that we sincerely just want to help with good intentions. Unfortunately all these also conspire to make us blind of other people's opinions, intentions and interest.

Just because people choose not to "listen" or follow our advice, does not make them wrong. Neither does it make us right. They simply choose to be "Different Minded".

For all intents and purposes, today's "leaders" are old based on relative age and technology. Global and local economies have been ripped and are being redefined; long established political powers and systems are under attack by social media and being rendered powerless.

As Bob Dylan has sung: "The times they are a changing".

Considering the fact that the standard solutions have failed to solve age-old problems of government, it is time to be "different minded".

When Malacañang started to tell the public that Ex-Senator Mar Roxas would soon be coming into the Palace to help, most of us could not imagine or believe that the President would intentionally create a situation of conflict between Roxas and Executive Secretary Jojo Ochoa.

When news began to circulate that Ex-Congressman Nerius Acosta would be a Presidential adviser on matters pertaining to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, most of us painted it all as part of sharing the political spoils.

But in hindsight, I must confess that I now feel like I have my foot in my mouth.

It was not very long ago when even, "I", suggested the very same idea in a slightly different manner. I remember saying back then that in order for the new administration to efficiently run the government it would be wise to have 2 teams.

Team 1 would be the "official" bureaucrats composed of experienced "career" government officials who know the ins and outs of each department as well as the complex legal and bureaucratic processes and realities. They would be the government insiders.

In order for the bureaucrats to be effective, they must have the ears of the President and in order to achieve this, they need to pair up with "The Insiders".

Team 2 would be the "trusted" team of allies and private sector experts who have the confidence and direct access to the President, access to corporate resources and networks and who would provide the "out of the box" thinking.

In light of this realization, both Team 1 and Team 2 should start talking and working on "Team building" because over the weekend, I received the first "Official rumor" of a movement that will take place in September.

Yes, boys and girls, the enemy is on the mood and he is preparing to steal, cheat and lie. The members of the mythical Balay and Samar group may be sharpening their swords for an eventual confrontation with each other, but they would all be fools, as this would simply push them into the trap being laid out by their bigger and common enemies.

While the Balay and Samar group fight for Presidential favor like brats, their enemies are plotting to replace the President altogether by painting him as a mentally challenged leader or an utter incompetent.

If the President's enemies succeed, being associated with the Balay and the Samar and the Liberal Party would have the same value as a political death sentence.

President Noynoy is obviously very "Different Minded". My source tells me that he refuses to be the bubbly, baby-kissing politician, refuses to be "Pa- Charming" and is so detached that he often goes in and then out of events without bothering to chat.

Another informant told me that the President is so deliberate and analytical with paper work, tactless and direct about incompetent or unpopular candidates for certain government positions, and honest about his opinion to a fault.

In other words, we don't have a politician or someone possessed by a "performance Spirit". We have a President who promised to go after corruption and he has continued on that path with singular purpose.

In the mean time, Exec. Secretary Jojo Ochoa, Mar Roxas, Secretary Sonny Coloma, Senator Frank Drilon and Speaker Sonny Belmonte should all step into the gap and get other things done instead of being swept by simmering discontent and failed expectations.

If we are convinced in what we believe should be done, that is reason enough to do it ourselves. Telling others what to do often results in nothing getting done.

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Chief News Editor: Sol Jose Vanzi

© Copyright, 2011 by PHILIPPINE HEADLINE NEWS ONLINE
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PHNO-BE: JOB PROSPECTS TURNED LESS UPBEAT IN 3Q

JOB PROSPECTS TURNED LESS UPBEAT IN 3Q

MANILA, MAY 30, 2011 (MANILA TIMES) BY LAILANY P. GOMEZ REPORTER - FIRMS are less upbeat about employment prospects in the third quarter amid the drop in business confidence in the domestic economy, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said.

In a survey of the country's publicly listed companies, the employment outlook index showed that respondents would continue hiring in the next quarter, which the BSP said was another indicator of sustained growth in 2011.

By sector, construction and services were the most optimistic in their employment outlook at 31 percent and 32 percent, respectively.

However, the results were less buoyant compared with 36.9 percent and 38.3 percent recorded in the previous quarter.

The BSP said that respondents attributed the less favorable sentiment to the continued volatility in the global markets.

The survey also showed that about one in every four respondent firms in the industry sector or 24.7 percent indicated expansion plans for the next quarter. However, the number of respondents who said so declined from a quarter and a year ago.

Expansion plans were noted across all sub-sectors at 24.7 percent.

Respondents from the mining and quarrying sector continued to record the highest expansion plans at 41.8 percent, compared with the 24.3 percent in the agriculture sector.

This was followed by the manufacturing at 24.2 percent; and electricity, gas, and water sub-sector at 23.8 percent. Competition, weak demand leading to low sales volume, and financial problems were the factors that limited business activity in the previous quarter.

These top three business constraints were the same risks identified by respondents since the third quarter of 2009, the BSP noted.

Inflationary expectations are likely to remain high this year as the number of respondents who anticipated higher inflation and interest rates in the second and third quarters increased to 34.8 percent compared with the 21.3 percent in the previous quarter's survey.

"The increasing costs of fuel and other commodities in the global market and the strong performance of the domestic economy contributed partly to the higher inflationary expectations of respondents," the BSP said.

The stronger peso relative to the dollar, which would soften the impact of higher oil prices in the domestic economy, is perceived by respondents to continue in the current and next quarters.

Results of the Second Quarter Business Expectation Survey showed that the confidence index fell to 31.8 percent from the record high of 59.4 percent during the first quarter.

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Chief News Editor: Sol Jose Vanzi
© Copyright, 2011 by PHILIPPINE HEADLINE NEWS ONLINE
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PHNO-SP: PACQUIAO HAS BIG EDGE OVER MARQUEZ - BOB ARUM

PACQUIAO HAS BIG EDGE OVER MARQUEZ - BOB ARUM

[PHOTO - Bob Arum said there's no question that Manny Pacquiao will be the huge and overwhelming favorite against Juan Manuel Marquez.]

MANILA, MAY 30, 2011 (STAR) By Abac Cordero - Bob Arum said there's no question that Manny Pacquiao will be the huge and overwhelming favorite against Juan Manuel Marquez.

And that the two previous fights between them, both close and controversial, at 126 and 130 pounds, won't matter as far as the odds for the third one is concerned.

"Because everybody is now convinced how great Manny Pacquiao is," said Arum in a phone call he made from Los Angeles yesterday morning.

Besides, Marquez will be facing Pacquiao in a weight class he's not suited for.

The fight is set Nov. 12 in Las Vegas with Pacquiao staking the WBO welterweight crown he won against Miguel Cotto, and defended against Joshua Clottey and Shane Mosley.

Marquez has fought only once over 140 pounds, and he took a lopsided loss against Floyd Mayweather in 2009. Against Pacquiao, at a catchweight of 144, he'll be in for a tougher time.

"They (oddsmakers) haven't posted it yet. But it will really depend on the early betting," said Arum, adding that while it could be pretty close, it can't be pretty even.

"But it won't be as big as the odds against Shane Mosley," he said.

Pacquiao fought Mosley last May in Las Vegas, and the odds went heavily in favor of the Filipino pound-for-pound champion, going as high as 9-1 in some betting stations.

Odds for the Pacquiao-Marquez trilogy could move around 5-1 in favor of Pacquiao.

He's never been the underdog since his first fight with Erik Morales in 2005, and against Oscar dela Hoya in 2008, and Pacquiao sounded like he wants the feeling back.

"Baka sa laban na ito dehado na tayo (Maybe in this we'd be the underdog)," he said.

No, that's not going to happen.

Notes: Bob Arum said the press tour for Pacquiao-Marquez III will take place end of August, with Manila as the kickoff stop. He said he's looking at the Araneta Coliseum, site of the historic Thrilla in Manila more than 35 years ago. From Manila, the press tour takes another stop in Asia, in Tokyo. But there could be changes, Arum said, as they're also looking at Singapore or Kuala Lumpur. Then it's off to London, New York, Los Angeles and Mexico City. Tickets to the fight, the chief promoter said, will be priced $1,200 for ringside, and $900, $600, $400 and $200 for the higher sections. They should be out by August.

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Chief News Editor: Sol Jose Vanzi

© Copyright, 2009 by PHILIPPINE HEADLINE NEWS ONLINE
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PHNO-SB: DFA: PHL 'BLOOMS' AT 2011 CANADIAN TULIP FESTIVAL

DFA: PHL 'BLOOMS' AT 2011 CANADIAN TULIP FESTIVAL

MANILA, MAY 30, 2011 (GMANEWS TV) The Philippines shone in the recently concluded 2011 Canadian Tulip Festival at Major's Hill Park in Ottawa from May 13 to 23.

The Philippines was among the more than 20 countries represented at the Festival's International Pavilion, Food Bazaar and International Friendship stage.

"Organized by the Embassy, Philippine participation projected the Philippine Subterranean River National Park, products, cuisine, culture and tourism including the country's UNESCO World Heritage Sites such as Vigan and Puerto Princesa," the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Sunday.

It said festival visitors sampled Filipino delicacies such as pansit, adobo, and lumpia. They bought Philippine souvenirs including t-shirts and accessories.

At the International Friendship Stage, weekend audiences of over 3,000 people found delightful the performances of the Pamana ng LuzViMinda Dance Troupe of Montreal on May 15, the Pamana Cultural Dance Troupe on May 21 and the Himig Choral Ensemble on May 21, the DFA said.

Now on its 59th year, the Canadian Tulip Festival is the largest of its kind in the world.

This year's theme, "Kaleidoscope," was a celebration of spring awakening through color, culture and community.

The festival began after the Second World War when Princess Juliana of the Netherlands presented Ottawa with 100,000 tulip bulbs as a token of friendship.

Canada provided asylum to the Dutch royal family during the war and played a strong role in the Netherlands' liberation.

The Netherlands continues to give Ottawa 20,000 tulip bulbs every year in this annual celebration of international friendship.

It has become one of Canada's best loved and well known cultural events attended by hundreds of thousands of visitors from North America, Europe and Asia every spring. — LBG, GMA News

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Chief News Editor: Sol Jose Vanzi

© Copyright, 2011 by PHILIPPINE HEADLINE NEWS ONLINE
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