Launching Pad for Presidential Ambitions

The reason why so many people are interested in getting the DILG post is because it is a good launching pad for any presidential plans. Maybe, if PNoy can really handle (time wise)  DILG,  on a permanent basis, it would perhaps discourage those who have such ambitions. 

Presidential Brother-in-Law James Yap No Show at PNoy Inagural

Tsk, tsk, tsk. Just as most everyone  expected. Will he now known as  as an ex? Too bad. Well, perhaps James Yap will be more focused during his game practices.

First 3 bills in the Senate filed by Senator JP Enrile

Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile files his first bill - penalizing unfair trade and anti-competitive practices. This is Senate Bill 1. He also filed Bills #2 and 3 which are measures to reduce electricity rates.

Looks like Kris and James Marriage not a Match made in Heaven

Boy Abunda announced that Kris Aquino was unable to distribute her school supplies  promise to the children of Cebu because Kris is going through a tough time in her marriage. So what is new and why do we have to care?

No reason really. It's just that analyzing is a hobby. And makes me think I am analytical. That's why :-)

Whether we believe it or not, Kris A. is hot copy. She's earns millions (I think) from her product endorsements. She's had her share of scandals. Some like her, others don't. But people just love to watch her cry.  Make mistakes. And sometimes make  a fool of herself on TV. I have seen her expel loads of naso-pharyngeal   mucus while crying on her show over national television,  and I wonder, what could still be missing in this woman's life? True love perhaps? To begin with is she herself capable of love at all?

I realize that just like us  lesser mortals,  silver spooners like Kris Aquino, make boo-boos, goof  and bloop themselves deep into the founders of emotional abyss. The truth is money doesn't always buy you happiness.

My question is.. will she still allow husband James to join in PNoy's inagural ceremonies? Just curious.

Cheers!

Freedom of Information Act ? How's that again?

Something I found interesting here. It is a post by Danah Boyd of Apophenia

“Transparency is Not Enough”

At Gov2.0 this week, I gave a talk on the importance of information literacy when addressing transparency of government data:

“Transparency is Not Enough”

I address everything from registered sex offenders to what happens when politicians don’t like data to the complexities of interpretation.  In doing so, I make three key points:

1. Information is power, but interpretation is more powerful
2. Data taken out of context can have unintended consequences
3. Transparency alone is not the great equalizer

My talk is also available on YouTube if you prefer to listen to a different version of the same message (since my crib is what I intended to say and the video is what actually came out of my mouth).

 And Congress has not even  been able to pass the Freedom of Information Act. (Same thing happened with the other past 6 Congresses.)

So third world. Sorry.

US Ambassador Thomas meets VP Binay

As I was watching the video clip showing the courtesy call of  the US Ambassador Harry Thomas to VP Binay on television,  I wonder  if this is customary? Does all  U.S. Ambassadors call on newly elected VP's?

VP Binay said that the US Ambassador, during the call,  expressed concern on human trafficking in the Philippines. Along with countries like Cuba, Iran, Myanmar, North Korea, Sudan , Syria,  Saudi Arabia,  Kuwait, and the Philippines are among the 52 countries on  the US Watchlist.

Recently

Poor implementation of  trafficking laws has resulted to a surge in human trafficking crimes.

Selecting the next CSAFP and SND

Gen Delfin Bangit has retired from the AFP. According to rumors some members of the PMA Class 77 will soon assume office ath AFP GHQ - Gen David's name is being mentioned as "incoming" CS AFP.

Also retired PSG Chief Gen Gazmin (time of Pres Cory) is said to assume the SND's portfolio.

The buzz circulated after P Noy attended the reunion of ex PSG personnel, recently.

Rubber Boats for Rescue Ops

It's good to hear that the PNP Maritime Group recently bought inflatable rubber boats at the cost of Php1.7 million each. Twenty one units will be deployed in Luzon while 51 will go to Mindanao.

These boats were acquired in preparation for rescue operations during flooding and typhoon situations. I hope they don't forget to conduct the corresponding training on the utilization of these boats for maximum benefit.

And now they ask God to intervene

Looks like no solution is in sight for the Florida oil spill problem over there in the United States. They are now asking the people to ask for God's help in resolving this earth damaging issue.

As Al Gore noted during his recent visit to the Philippines, the BP oil spill is really a moral issue. It is not economic nor big business concern alone. Catastrophic effects have been seen around the area affecting the locality's birds,  plant and sea creatures.

Are they still trying to hide the sad truth there? "Gather round people" now do what needs to be done.

Absolutely critical that we have a disaster management or recovery plan

I hope the incoming government will make sure that the Philippines have a   ready, workable  disaster management/recovery plan. This plan should be designed in such a way that it  could be put into motion a few minutes or  immediately before a disaster strikes  its full impact. I hope we have learned from Ondoy and Pepeng, knowing or realizing that stronger typhoons and more devastating floods are to be expected due mainly to climate change. Note that a  compounding reason would be that  our   waste management system  simply sucks.

We don't have much time. Let us remind ourselves with these images, please.

Take it from Winnie Monsod

I heard  this statement from  Professor Winnnie Monsod on television,  about how Pres. Noy should recruit his people.

1. Imitate President Obama. Introduce his would be cabinet members to the people. Tell us their credentials and state why he is appointing that person to the position.

2. Ask his cabinet members to sign a waiver on the Bank Secrecy Law. This should provide a deterrent to corruption while in government.

3. Ask a commitment from each and every recruited cabinet member to NOT entertain anyone presenting or sponsoring a government project  from any of his relatives, classmates and friends.

The Luneta Grandstand It Shall Be

President-elect Sen. Noynoy Aquino has finally decided that his inaguration will be held at the Luneta Grandstand in the City of Manila at 12:00 Noon on June 30, 2010. Good for him. His advisers must have prevailed. According to  P.Noy,  he wants to accord PGMA and her position the respect that is due her. He adds, that she is his elder and that she is a woman at that.

Tradition and all, this is a good decision.

For Presidential inaguration anecdotes and snippets, please refer to Manolo Quezon's post here.

I realized that

From the time I was old enough to understand Philippine politics, the government:

1. has given me a free intermediate, tertiary and collegiate education - thank you
2. was able to build roads, bridges, hospitals, schools but proven not enough - more work from gov't
3. was unable to control population - I worry for the future generation
4. was unable to control urban migration - I have security and sustainability apprehensions
5.provided my mother her pension as a beneficiary of my father (he was in the armed forces and WWII) - thanks but no thanks?
6. proved a failure in generally taking care of the young,  the old  and those who are sick - disappointed and uneasy
7. have legislated so many laws but unable to provide protection to those who need protection - where do we go from here?
8. is very poor in managing disasters - what's the next step, please?
9. has overly taxed its citizens, I, included - anguish over hard earned money (taxes) into the pockets of corrupt gov't officials,
10.has miserably failed in providing good governance - I refuse to capitulate but can we migrate?

Last but not the least, personal conduct in our political system leaves much to be desired. As a private citizen and as a part of the political system, mine too I must admit,  sometimes :-(