“NASAAN ANG ‘YONG MGA PANGAKO?”

“Narron ka sa ‘yong palasyo at nagtatago
Napapaligiran ng mga guwardiya
Mga daing ng bayan ay ‘di mo naririnig
Dahil ba sa kalansing ng pera”

 

Traveling at night, I tried to battle the temptation of dozing off. I really don’t want to sleep while traveling. In one of these boring moments how I wish the bus driver would play a DVD movie. Then all of a sudden the driver played an old Freddie Aguilar album in  his onboard cassette player. I was totally entertained in that instant trip to memory lane but what struck me most is this familiar song entitled “Pangako”.  It was a song written approximately during the height of anti Marcos movements in early 80’s which captures the overwhelmingly anti dictatorship and pro nationalist sentiments at that time.

 

That particular song finds its resonance in the present day.  Although the song was intended for Ferdinand Marcos, it may also well fitting to Gloria Arroyo, who like Marcos broke her promises of progress and good government to the Filipino people, not once, not twice but countless times. The Filipino may well dedicate this old song to a new kind of Marcos figure in GMA.

 

PANGAKO  

 

Saan ang pangako mong pagbabago ng paligid
Nasaan ang pag-unlad ng kabuhayan
Kay sarap pakinggan ng kay haba mong talumpati
Ngayon ay ‘di ka na makausap

REFRAIN
Narron ka sa ‘yong palasyo at nagtatago
Napapaligiran ng mga guwardiya
Mga daing ng bayan ay ‘di mo naririnig
Dahil ba sa kalansing ng pera

Palagi kang laman ng dyaryo may kasamang dayuhan
Mga kababayan mo’y nalimot na
Kumukulo na ang tiyan at halos ‘di na makahinga
Ikaw nama’y nakangiti sa kamera

[Repeat REFRAIN]

CHORUS
Nasaan ang iyong mga pangako
Sa hirap, bayan ay mahahango
Nasaan, nasaan

BRIDGE
Itong mga mamamayan, baon na sa mga utang
Ito ba ang pangakong kaunlaran

 

HOW SEAWORTHY ARE THE CAMIGUIN-BALINGOAN FERRIES?

A year ago, MARINA had warned of the questionable seaworthiness of Camiguin-Balingoan ferrys. Among those mentioned are the poor and below par safety maintenance of the vessels and the unsanitary conditions within particularly the toilets. You can just imagine had this ferry not rescued it could have slammed into the rocky slopes of Sipaca point, Talisayan, Misamis Oriental. Worse, it could have drifted in open sea towards Surigao where the current is going.

Tsk. I dont want to sound alarmist here. But something has to be done. If Marina will sleep on its job, the owners of the concerned will not be pressured to correct the problem. In the end, Camiguin tourism will suffer. This incident is frightening as it is embarassing.

Marina should act now before something tragic happens.( God forbid!) 

Marina to probe ferry stranding off Camiguin
By Ma. Cecilia Rodriguez
Mindanao Bureau
First Posted 18:23:00 05/15/2008

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Philippines –- The Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) said Thursday it will investigate the reported stranding of the Super Shuttle Ferry 9 Wednesday while ferrying 199 passengers from Camiguin Island to Balingoan, Misamis Oriental.Marina Region 10 director Mar Mendoza said his office has issued a show-cause order to the owners of the Super Shuttle ferry asking them to explain the incident.

The ferry’s passengers had to be rescued from the stricken ship Wednesday morning after it malfunctioned shortly after leaving the port of Guinsiliban in Camiguin Island. The ferry drifted for five hours into dangerous waters off Sipaca Point before another vessel arrived to get the passengers, most of them tourists.

Mendoza said Marina has yet to issue a suspension order on Super Shuttle ferries as it is still investigating the incident.

“If we find probable cause after the investigation, then we will issue a cease and desist order,”

said Mendoza.

He said Marina inspects all vessels every year before granting a ship-safety certificate allowing them to sail.

 

SAN ISIDRO DE LABRADOR: “A WORKER’S LIFE ANCHORED IN CHRIST.”

May 15. Today is the fiesta of St. Isidore the Labourer. I have observed that no other saint in this country who is widely adopted as patron saint of the parishes than Saint Isidore the Labourer. That is why, fiesta goers are at a loss where to go this day considering the number of parishes that are celebrating the fiesta in honor of St. Isidore the Labourer. Fiesta invitations are coming left and right. Most of all, I have observed that it is on this day that most of mountain barangays are celebrating their fiesta. And for that, I can call St. Isidore’s fiesta as the “people’s fiesta” or the “poor man’s fiesta.”

Saint Isidore the Labourer was a Spanish tenant. He is usually depicted carrying shovel, sometimes with a cow.   He was canonized by Pope Gregory XV on March 12, 1622. It was an interesting date for canonization as the day mark the canonization of some “heavyweights (bigatin)” of the Catholic Church such as Jesuits St. Ignatius Loyola and Saint Francis Xavier, St. Philip Neri and St Therese of Lisieux. Can you just imagine that? All of those are either founders of big congregations or Doctors of the Church. Canonized along with them is this humble farmer from Madrid, Spain, St. Isidore the Labourer.

People might ask, why he became a saint? He is just a tenant, farmer, and labourer. According to stories about his life, St. Isidore never fails to visit the church before going and after working from the fields for prayer. Simple. But that simple thing makes it significant. There is spirituality even in work.

San Isidro Labrador Parish Church, Madrid, Surigao del Sur

St. Isidore’s work is not easy. His is a manual job, plowing the fields, and tending it. At that time,  there were no tractors, and no modern harvesting and post harvesting facilities. He didn’t even own the land he is working because he is just a peasant. Yet in his difficult and manual job, he still finds time to pray to God. How many of us, working in airconditioned offices, provided with the best amenities and facilities the modern world can offer, can still find a time to pray before and after work? How many of us who claims to be very busy in our lives still finds time to pray and thank the Lord.

It is said that when his master verified reports that he is late on his job, he wnt to the fields to catch St. Isidore. But lo and behold!, he instead saw St. Isidore either assisted by the Angels or the Angels working the fields in his stead while St. Isidore is still in the Church praying. With him getting help from angels, St. Isidore’s work equalled to 3 workers. His working time spent in prayer is compensated several folds because the angels helped him accomplish his work for the day. Pray and God will do the rest.

St. Isidore became a Saint because in his simple life of a worker, his life was constantly anchored to God. A simple work done with great love and devotion is a prayer and an act of Holiness in itself. In the end, St. Isidore became a saint for being a model of worker in prayer and in constant communication with God.

Since most of our country, particularly in Mindanao is agricultural, it is not surprising that many parishes are patronizing St. Isidore. Here farming communities appropriately chose St. Isidore as their model by making him their patron saint. One diocese even make him its titular, the Diocese of Malaybalay, Bukidnon which is presently administered by Bishop Honesto Pacana.

Diocese and Parishes where St. Isidore is the patron saint and which is celebrating its fiesta today.

Diocese of Malaybalay, Bukidnon

San Isidro Parish Gusa, Cagayan de Oro City

San Isidro Parish (Medina, Misamis Oriental

San Isidro Labrador Parish Naawan, Misamis Oriental

San Isidro Labrador Parish Rizal, Buenavista, Agusan del Norte

St. Isidore the Farmer Parish RTR, Agusan del Norte

San Isidro Labrador Parish Salvacion, Bayugan, Agusan del Sur

St. Isidore The Farmer Parish Loreto, Agusan del Sur

San Isidro Labrador Parish Binucayan, Loreto, Agusan del Sur

San Isidro Labarador Parish, Madrid, Surigao del Sur

San Isidro Labrador Parish Malimono, Surigao del Norte

San Isidro Labrador Parish Alegria, Surigao del Norte

San Isidro Labrador Parish Loreto, 8415 Surigao del Norte

 

And countless chapels around the country.

 

To all of the faithful celebrating the day of St. Isidore the Labourer, Maayong Pyesta kaninyong tanan.

P.S. Reminders to all fiestagoers. Please before going to any house to eat, visit first the Church. Pamistahi una ang patron. If you failed to attend mass, at least, you can light a candle. Its the patron’s day, a homage to him or her is just appropriate. Thanks. Happy eating.

 

 

GROPING FOR FORM

Pyesta na naman!

A new witness for the NBN ZTE mess has surfaced. For weeks, national headlines are dominated by the rice and other sorts of crisis. There is this energy crisis which ironically was reported to the media by Sec. Angie Reyes himself as if the purpose was to make people so alarmed, reeling from one crisis to another. National news have become boring that I tend to concentrate on local issues but with these new developments my fingers are working frenziedly on the keyboard.

The Palace is obviously caught by surprise of this new development. Their spokespersons are issuing contradicting statements very much like what happened to them during the time the Hello Garci bomb exploded.

There’s this Anthony Golez whose immediate reaction was to challenge the witness to sue GMA in court which all of the people know is a hollow challenge since the President is immune from suit. The Ombudsman will be more than ready to dumped the case pronto.

Then there’s this ZTE executive who denied that GMA and husband Mike Arroyo went to China to visit them on some particular dates as alleged by the new witness.

You think it’s the end of the story, another spokesperson, contradicted the ZTE official by saying that there was indeed a meeting between ZTE and Gloria Arroyo on November 2006. Maybe denying it is not convincing enough, the Palace realized it would be better to admit the meeting but sell it as something casual, like a meeting with any other foreign investor.

Ms. Lorelei Fajardo said the meeting was not secret. Really, but if the meeting was not that secret why is it that it was not reported in the media? The people would have had understand had the meeting occurred in the Philippines but then again, this will always be carried on by the media given the need for media coverage of this administration to even at least improve its public approval rating. A meeting of this magnitude would give a big publicity boost to the administration given the enormity of the project that is supposed to benefit the Filipino people. However this meeting occurred in a foreign country and what is bewildering is that it was done low key. Our leader visited a foreign country without being accorded a dignity of a head of state. What was apparently shown is that our President was travelling incognito in a foreign country! The question that begs an answer is why is it that the meeting was done in low key? Why? Because the government do their work in silence and do not want to brag its accomplishments?

But that is unbelievable!

 

“LOOK WHO’S TALKING, MR. JIMENEZ?”

Dante Jimenez of the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC) is reportedly mulling a boycott in payment of Meralco bills as a sign of protest.

“I’ve been monitoring itong mga investigation in aid of legislation at the Senate…at ang VACC ay nagpaplano ng mga series of actions tungkol sa pagtataas ng singil sa kuryente, isa sa magiging panawagan, kung magiging mailap at insensitive ang Meralco, ibo-boycott, kung kakailanganin, ang pagbabayad ng singil sa ating kuryente.”

He justified that his planned boycott is not an illegal act because it only shows the impatience of the people (wtf!). He even further said that if Meralco would send its linemen for disconnection, the people can bar Meralco’s utility men from cutting their lines. (Susmaryusep!).

If my memory serves me right, Dante Jimenez is one of those voices who cried for the observance of rule of law in the past attempts to oust GMA from power. He lambasted coup plotters for resorting to unconstitutional means to oust GMA from Malacanang.

However for Dante Jimenez, rule of law is only applicable if it will benefit his own interest and that of his patrons. If the illegal act is applied to the perceived enemies of the administration, Jimenez has no qualms of resorting illegal acts just to dramatize his point forgetting the name of the organization he is leading. May I remind Dante Jimenez that non payment of electric bills is estafa and the barring of linemen from doing their assigned duties is grave coercion.

Or maybe Jimenez is no longer against crime, moreso with corruption. With what he is proposing, maybe Jimenez should change the name of his organization to VOLUNTEERS FOR CRIME AND CORRUPTION.

that would be fair enough.

 

MISOR VICE GOVERNOR BABIERA RETORTS CAMIGUIN GOVERNOR JJ ROMUALDO ON HANJIN ISSUE.

Saint Augustine Cathedral, Cagayan de Oro at early morning.

“Uncalled for”

Hon. Norris Babiera

Vice Governor, Misamis Oriental

At the outset, here’s my reaction to the comments of Regional Development Council chairman and Camiguin Governor Jurdin Romualdo who accused the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Misamis Oriental of doin nothing in regard to the Hanjin Project fallout. My reaction is not intended to befuddle the issues and the problem hounding the project.

It is only intended to defend the dignity of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Misamis Oriental. Its members and the people it represents, maligned by this baseless, misplaced accusation leveled on us by the highest official of the neighboring province.

In times of disasters and calamities, it is instinctive for neighbors and relatives to come together and offer assistance and comfort to the distressed and the victims. It is engrained in our culture and Christian values as Filipinos helping our neighbors in times of crisis. If the Hanjin shipyard will not push through, it will be a disaster of forfeited economic opportunities for our people. Unfortunately the act of the governor of Camiguin, whose people and inhabitants are closely related to the people of our province, in accusing the Misamis Oriental SP was un-christian and exactly the opposite of the values I just stated. And it is highly uncalled for in times like this.

As a three term Congressman, Gov. Romualdo is definitely aware that unlike Congress where it has vast powers in the exercise of its oversight functions and investigations in aid of legislations, there are specific limitations in the Local Government Code with regard to the power of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan. Considering the breadth and magnitude of the Hanjin investment and controversies hounding it vis-à-vis its implication in our economy and our trade and bilateral relationship with other countries is beyond the dominion of a local legislative bodies. (sic)

 

“GABAKAKA KINI SILA.(THEY ARE LYING)”

Oloy lashes out at Rufus, Loloy

Lito Rulona and Ben Balce

Tagoloan Mayor Paulino “Oloy” Emano yesterday lashed out at Reps. Rufus Rodriguez of Cagayan de Oro and Pedro Romualdo of Camiguin for issuing statements he felt put him in the bad light.

“Kini sila misakay sa maong issue. Gabakaka kini sila,”

Emano told radio station DXCC.

Rodriguez has filed a resolution at the Lower House last Monday that seeks a congressional investigation into the circumstances that forced the Korean-owned Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction Corp to withdraw its US2 billion shipyard project from Misamis Oriental.

His Camiguin counterpart, Romualdo, earlier hinted of a congressional inquiry into the Hanjin mess even as he confirmed that he received information about how local officials pestered the Korean executives with proposed business deals. Romualdo did not identify the local officials. The pronouncement of the two congressmen only muddled the issues, said Emano.

He accused the congressmen of adding fuel to the fire even as he called allegations that some local officials wanted to corner deals with Hanjin for the supply of construction materials as a mere intrigue. Emano said there were other politicians who insinuated that local officials tried to squeeze money from the Koreans. He said he would welcome any investigation into the Hanjin mess so he could clear his name.

“They have to show proof All they want is to destroy us.”

Said Emano.

 

ARROYO BOYS PLAN TO TAKE OVER BIG FIRMS

Mike Baños

Mindanao Gold Star Daily

 

Former Senate President Ernesto Maceda on Thursday alleged that a group of influential businessmen allied with the present administration is now implementing a “master plan” to take over big businesses when President Arroyo steps down in 2010.  “We became aware of the master plan to takey over huge businesses and they are now implementing it against Meralco and Petron, among others.”  Maceda told a news conference.  He said it was the businessmen’s retirement plan.’

 

Asked about the motive of the alleged group to take over the big businesses, Maceda replied: “Money.  These businesses earn big money and these people are preparing for the time when they no longer have influence in Malacanang and they can retire in luxury.  Lending credence to Maceda’s allegation are recent moves against huge businesses like Meralco and Petron.

 

“CAGAYAN DE ORO REMAINS AN ERAP COUNTRY”

Crowds at Ketkai mall

“ I am here to personally thank you for giving me the largest number of votes in Mindanao ever given to senator, a vice president and a president. You also gave me the largest margin of victory ever recorded in the city for a presidential election.”

Erap: I have no intention to run for president again.

Mike Baños

“I am not campaigning. I have no plans of running.”

Former president Josph Estrada categorically stated he has no intention to ru for president again and he is not campaigning for the office. Estrada repeatedly stated he is no longer interested in running for president, despite repeated hints and leading questions from his retinue and media during his one day Lakbay Pasasalamat.

Estrada, accompanied by former senator Ernesto Maceda and Sen. Francis Escudero, went on a one day barnstorming of Cagayan de Oro City to kick off his tour in Mindanao.

“ I am here to personally thank you for giving me the largest number of votes in Mindanao ever given to senator, a vice president and a president. “,

Estrada speaking mostly in Tagalog, told over a thousand participants in a luncheon at a local restaurant.

“You also gave me the largest margin of victory ever recorded in the city for a presidential election.”

He added, referring to the 1998 presidential elections which he won by a landslide.

“I will never forget the people of Cagayan de Oro, because even when I was placed on trial and detained, I was surprised you still voted for Loy and my son, Jinggoy”,

an emotional Estrada told the packed function hall which practically included the entire City Council led by Vice Mayor Vicente Emano, 2^nd District Rep. Rufus Rodriguez and former Misamis Oriental Governor Antonio Calingin.

“Full force” was how Rodriguez described the attendance of the luncheon meeting which aside from the city council also included barangay officials of practically all 80 of Cagayan de Oro’s urban and rural barangays.

When pressed on how he could not run again when he had repeatedly stated he would never leave the Filipino people while they needed him and he was in a position to help them, the former President replied there were many “presidentiable” in the opposition who were qualified to lead the nation. However after pondering a few moments , he made a caveat, that he may possibly consider it if was the only option left to unite the opposition. “I may consider it if is what’s needed to unite the opposition.

But he was heard muttering in jest to Emano, Rodriguez and Maceda who was seated with him during the brief media conference following the thanksgiving luncheon, “Pinahirapan nyo pa ako ah.” Estrada was repeatedly addressed by Mr. maceda and other dignitaries and officials present as “Mr. President”, as where the stage backdrop, streamers, and other print collaterals for his “lakbay pasasalamat.”

Like his nemesis President Arroyo, Estrada is barred from running for another term although the law on this has come under fire form legislators following Arroyo’s decision to run for President in 2004 after serving the remainder of Estrada’s term following the 2001 EDSA Revolution. Political observers have also become wary of pronouncements such as this one following Arroyo’s infamous turnaround in 2004 when she decided to run for president after repeatedly stating previously that she would not be seeking a new term after serving the remaining of Estrada’s term.

 

SENDING THE WRONG MESSAGE

sunrise in Surigao del Norte-Surigao del Sur boundary

The ongoing squeeze play by the government, thru GSIS, on Meralco has already generated adverse effect on the power firm. Reports yesterday said Meralco shares fell by as much as 5.6% on Wednesday before paring its losses to close at P70, down 2.78%, underperforming the main index, which climbed 0.43%.

Already analyst warned that the takeover talks may backfire. “The government is privatizing its power assets debt, boost state finances and attract fresh investment into the energy sector but pressing Meralco to cut rates may turn off foreign investors,” analyst say. According to Peter Wallace government control on power firms may discourage investors.

“If you try and control the price that the power plants sell at, how are you going to privatise them? Who is going to buy them?”

The reasoning of GSIS president Winston Garcia that the prices of Meralco bill will go down if there is a new management who can initiate reforms is flawed. Since when did government men excel in managing private business enterprise? Look at the government telephone system, look at the water distribution services before it was privatized, look at public schools. Its always a given that business run by private individuals or corporators are far way better than those run by the government.

Garcia also said he is doing an accounting on the high power rates of Meralco to protect the interest of GSIS members who are investing in Meralco. How is that? With Garcia’s actions, Meralco share prices are falling. The interest of GSIS members who are the investors will be best served if Meralco is earning out of its power distribution activity.  With falling share prices, the interest of GSIS members are adversely affected.

Is Garcia now complaining that Meralco is earning at the rate the power firm is charging its power distribution or his real intention is not for the protection of the interest of the GSIS members but to play up the populist stand against high power price as a precursor to the eventual management takeover of Meralco?

Let us not also forget the culture of corruption in the government. You allow government men to control means one is feeding Meralco to the crocodiles. With a potentially corrupt management, power rates do not necessarily go down and worse, power service would even deteriorate.