Filipinos Goes Desperate?
October 4, 2007
Once again, the Filipino Blogosphere is in an uproar as another “attack” was launched against the Philippines. This time, against our medical schools. Susan Mayer, played by Teri Hatcher in Desperate Housewives, said to her doctor following a seemingly impossible diagnosis:
“… before we go any further, can I check those diplomas because I just wanna make sure that they’re not from some med school in the Philippines.”
I never was a fan of Desperate Housewives and I am not a graduate of any med school in the Philippines either. Those are probably the reasons why I didn’t twitch a bit in the remark. 
[Read more]
Early Termination Fee Is Extortion
October 3, 2007
We already know how poor consumer protection is in the Philippines but let me just express my disappointment with a service policy that is clearly a bull****, but I am hearing no government action to address it yet. It is conveniently called ETF or Early Termination Fee which is usually used by telecommunication companies (TELCOs).
Contrary to other countries where companies offer a 30-day money back guarantee, some companies in the Philippines have a 12-month tie-in period which charges unsatisfied customers for early termination. So if you decided to subscribe today and after installation realized how poor their service is, you need to suffer 12 more months or pay the ETF to relieve you from your misery. I call that extortion.
Things I Learned From The Senate
September 27, 2007
Yesterday, the Senate had a whooping 12-hour-long investigation on the controversial NBN project as former NEDA Chief Romulo Neri attended the session to testify. Here are some of the things I realized as I watch the proceedings from time to time:
1. Neri, taking that the “200″ bribe actually means 200 million, is simply saying that the average kickbacks per government project is not just by the hundreds nor by the thousands.
My Blood Boils Everytime I Hear The ZTE Deal
September 22, 2007
Joey de Venecia claims that the National Broadband deal of the government with ZTE is overpriced by $200M. This excess is said to go to the pockets of some of our honorable public servants. Funding for the said project will be loaned by the Chinese government which bottom line, will be paid by the already burdened Filipino tax payers. The nerve of them!
while some official gets $200M richer,
a lot of kids spend their lives on the streets
photo used with Sidney Snoeck’s permission of My Sari-Sari StoreThey [allies of the administration] are throwing everything they can at Jose “Joey” de Venecia III, casting him in the role of drug abuser, business adventurer cum scam artist, name-dropping son using his father’s position, not to mention liar. ((Ring of Truth by Solita Collas-Monsod, Inquirer.Net))
Joey not being “holy” and “perfect” doesn’t mean that he is not telling the truth. In fact, I do not care less about his reputation. His accusation merits probing regardless of his reputation.
My Change of Heart for Erap
September 10, 2007
If I were not suffering from LBM back then, I would probably be one of those students clamoring for the ouster of President Joseph Estrada six years ago.
What was now tagged as EDSA People Power 2 was the people’s spontaneous and peaceful way of expressing their disappointment in what seems to be an obstruction of justice. In the eyes of the people, truth was being suppressed.
In yesterday’s issue of Manila Bulletin, a full page paid advertisement came out which aims to remind the public not to be misled by the result of “commissioned and manipulative surveys” revealing that most Filipinos favor Erap’s acquittal. The ad has this sentence as its heading, “The law applies to all or none at all.” I totally agree with that. That is probably the reason why I do not give a damn if ever Erap gets acquitted.
“P” Not Just Stands For Parking
August 28, 2007
Another weekend had past. I hope you were able to spend this long one with your family and loved ones. Some of you have probably went out malling or to dine in a good restaurant. Though, there are probably some who went out shopping or just buy stuffs to fill the refrigerator with. However you spent your weekend, if you went out with your car, the odds are high that you paid to park. Because here in the Philippines, the P sign is almost synonymous to PESOSESOSES!
Some Socio-Political Wishes
May 7, 2007
The mid-term election is just a week away. With the imperfections that it possess, Philippine politics do need some serious surgery. Here are some items I wish to see improved:
Honest Election.
I think I need to call forth all powers in the universe for this one.It saddens me that our holy vote are casts on a filthy system. We hear a lot of vote buying, black propaganda, and election related violence. A lot of blood have been shed and a lot of money spent, doesn’t this just shows that some politicians does not after servitude? They crave for power. Sadly, power corrupts and wanting it so much corrupts all the more.
Family Reconciliation.
They say that blood is thicker than water, yet our country proved that politics is way thicker than water and blood. I have heard of a husband versus wife, father against son, siblings in rivalry for the same position in government. It amuses me but saddens me as well. What allure does politics have that people are willing to sacrifice their ties for it? The fundamental social group, destroyed.Automated Elections.
I wish that after this election, they will start working on the improvement of the electoral system and make the casting and canvassing of votes be automated. It is just pathetic to think that we have an automated lootery err.. I mean lottery system while our electoral system remains completely manual.Sorted Priorities.
I do hope that the nation can properly sort out its priorities and see them in to fulfillment. I hope that the trivial and aesthetic things be placed secondary from those that are truly essential. Our failure on this aspect is made evident by things we glory and rejoice about. I do want to see men of science and innovations be given, if not more, the same welcoming as those given to a boxing champ.Opposition No More.
It is funny how politics have a habit of opposing. Today’s opposition is yesterday’s administration. Most probably, today’s administration will be the next opposition three years from now. Why don’t they all just rest their partisan allegiance and for once, side with the people. I wish that public servants will just put their heads together and find solutions for the country.A week from now, we have to choose our leaders. I hope we make the right choices.
Long live the Philippines! I am fed up, but I do not want to lose hope…Genie In A Boto
April 30, 2007
Gusto mo ba ng maginhawang buhay?
Gusto mo ba ng magarang bahay?
Gusto mo ba ng mamahaling kotse?
Gusto mo ba ng ipod, PSP, Nintendo Wii, at ng Nokia N90?
Gusto mo ba ng laptop o ng DLSR camera?May katuparan na ang inyong mga pangarap!
Voters Education? We Can Do Better Than That!
April 18, 2007
I am dismayed by the kind of (some) candidates we have. Since amendments to raise the qualification for candidates is not possible at this time, the least that could be done is provide an orientation or some kind of briefing for the aspiring candidates. I think that educating them is more doable compared to educating millions of voters. Perform some realization check on how serious it is to hold a public office. I recently read an editorial by professor Randy David which I think is a good material for this purpose.
The following link will take you to INQUIRER.net :
To run or not to run: an ethical question
In the above link, professor David quotes Max Weber, “What kind of a man must one be if he is to be allowed to put his hand on the wheel of history?” He also stressed three traits that are essential to a political vocation—“passion, a feeling of responsibility, and a sense of proportion.”
However, I know that there are candidates who will stop at nothing in order to grab a public office, whose calloused hearts rendered their conscience to become insensitive. With that, nothing will match the value of an educated voters.
Formal Education Against Voters Education
Though voters education may help, government should seriously improve the quality of education in the Philippines and make it accessible for it’s citizens. Only then could the government come up with wise people that can vote wisely. Only then can we have voters who will have an independent mind to vote based on needs and platform rather than based on popularity and personality.A study by IBON Foundation showed that the government’s neglect of education, coupled with worsening economic and social conditions, means that millions of children are unable to obtain a decent schooling. Out of every 100 children who enter Grade 1, only 66% will finish elementary school, 43% high school and only 14% will graduate from college.
With that predicament, will Rizal’s famous words that “the youth is the hope of our nation” still holds true if only 4 out of 100 children who enters Grade 1 manages to finish college?
BREAKING NEWS!
10% Cap Tuition Fee Increase, Inalis Na Ng CHED;
Matrikula, Tataas Sa Pasukan.Vote In Pinoy’s Big Bother: Senatoriables Edition
April 16, 2007
I think people should take the trouble of participating in a national election. This is probably the time that one’s voice rings the loudest. Election therefore, should be us Pinoy’s Big Bother.
I would like to know what you think about some of our senatorial candidates. Your views and opinion will be much appreciated and respected.
Mechanics: Assume that the 12 senatorial candidates below are the ones most likely to win in the coming election, participate by leaving a comment answering the questions below. Votes will be summed every now and then, and will close on the eve of election day.
- 2 OUT: Choose at most 2 among the 12, that you DO NOT want to win. Why them?
- 2 IN: Who among the other senatoriables not listed below, would you like to win in their place? (up to 2 choices as well)
NOTE: Candidates above are the Top 12 candidates in Pulse Asia’s April 2007 survey arranged according to rank in a descending order starting from the top going left to right.
magandang araw!
