OF DUMPTRUCKS AS FUNERALS CARS AND “AWARDS” SCAM
Former General Luna, Surigao del Norte Mayor Atty. Jaime Rusillon wrote in his column “Views from the Bottom” of Island Post issues of political and civic relevance for Siargao Island and the province of Surigao del Norte.
I would like to thank Governor Robert Ace Barbers for providing the barangay captains with vegetable seeds. In these hard times, this timely program of the governor is laudable, somehowm, it easies the pain that the suffering populace is now experiencing. Barangay folks are now planting vegetables in their backyards and hopes to sell the excess. These program can help the nutritional problem of the people and put a few pesos in their pockets where it is hurting due to the economic crunch that this God-forsaken nation is now suffering. Hitting two birds with one stone-so to speak. Keep sending those governor and we the Barangay folks will take care of the rest.
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I do not know if the governor is aware of this, that his dumptruck is being used as a funeral car, instead of repairing the roads that is now in a sorry state. Potholes are so huge that accidents do occur every now and then, sending people to the hospital. I suggest that this vegetable seeds be accompanied by medicines.
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This is now the reason for the fools. Local executives will now start receiving letters from high sounding associations informing them that they have been selected as one of the “Outstanding Mayor” or “Councilor” of the Philippines by reason of their performance in the past year. The board of directors that allegedly selected them ars composed of “editors” from prestigious newspapers such as the Financial Times of Souheast Asia” or the Far Eastern Economic review etc. ostensibly based in Hongkong and Singapore. That this award will be given in the Grand Ballroom of the Sheraton Hotel or the Winter Garden of Manila Hotel on a given date. If you are so busy on that given date, the plaque of recognition will be sent for you for a fee of Php. 10,000.00 or even higher. Neat huh!!! Think of the more than 1500 municipal mayors all over the Philippines and the more than 16,000 – municipal councilors! These racketeers must be raking in with a lot of money. They will be this as long as there are a lot of stupid mayors or councilors who will take the bait.
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I know of one Mayor who, because of his lack of ability to speak the tagalog “dialect” does not go to Manila t attend the “solemn” ceremony of plaque giving. He sends his money to the many “prestigious” orgnaization and he receives his plaque of recognition thru the mails. I visited him one day, to find the four walls of his office decorated by the plaques of recognition – up to the ceiling!!! For lack of space, he had a wooden box beside his office table filled with the same. The old adage in our vernacular that say – that in this world of ours there are only two kinds of people – “Ang manontohay ug ang magpatonto!”, mind you, he was re elected twice!
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I extend my thanks to Tingog.com for including the Mount Balatucan Monitor as one of his choices for The Top 10 Emerging and Influential Blogs of 2008. Things like that are so inspiring and humbling. Thanks to Tingog.com for the generous commentaries.
The Top 10 Emerging and Influential Complete List
I’ve been very busy as of late, and I had intended to complete my list of The Top 10 emerging influential blogs much earlier than today, but in any case, here’s the completed list.I already made the first three entries a few weeks ago,
2. Mon Casiple
and in that post I had one criteria in mind, socio-political blogs. No disrespect to other blogs out there, I’m sure my list is going to have holes because this list is quite focused. If I could, I would have quite a few in the list, but since 10 is the cut off, there are bound to be those that are much more deserving, if only they were political in nature.
Without further ado
4. Ed Panlilio, I’m actually thankful I have waited this long to complete my list, Ed Panlilio has only been blogging for about a week, and already I can see the potential that is there, the message of hope that he brings, that of change, that of grassroots effort to bring down the old politics, and an inside look at one of the more famous governors of today.
5. Jun Lozadaopposit, whether we like the guy or not, I’m neutral when it comes to Jun Lozada, he may still bring that influence, even if there are those who totally disagrees with his actions. His first post garnered a flood of comments, and if he continues to be relevant by writing about a wider variety of issues, I’m sure he will still have that loyal following. He can be divisive at times, but that does not make him less influential in my opinion.
6. Opposite of Apathy, a group of younger politicians, this is a blog to watch. If they can bring out something other than propaganda for their own political aspirations, then I am in. In any case, whether they promote themselves rather than the solutions to the issues, influence will still be there. If they can update even with their busy schedules.
7. Mount Balatucan, I don’t know who this guy is, but this is some of the best in depth coverage that I’ve seen in a long while. Not only is the information he provides timely, complete, and thoughtful, many broadsheets just don’t cover some of the topics he writes about.
8. Ding Gagelonia, a fellow Filipino Voices blogger, he has only been writing for one week with us, and already he has been one of our best contributors on the blog. He is a seasoned veteran, and with the prolific nature of his writing, we can be treated to some nice old fashioned journalistic writing, only in a blog.
9. Lester Cavestany, yet another Filipino Voices blogger, call me biased, and you would be right, but why would you think I invited this guy to collaborate with us if not for the analysis and opinion he brings to the table. He is young, refreshing, and passionate about his homeland, sort of like another version of me.
10. Vera Files, a group of veteran reporters, bringing with them their experience and professionalism. This is yet another inside look at the brave journalists in media, without fear, reporting what they know, and what they are passionate about. I know this group will be influential.
And that’s my list, I apologize to those that did not make my list, again, due to limitations in the number of blogs to nominate, my own discretion on only choosing socio-political blogs, and the rule that blogs must have been created no earlier than July 2007, it was quite a thoughtful task, trust me.
I may come up with an honorable mention list, which I hope will acknowledge the blogs that I know will be influential, and the blogs that I frequent often. This includes of course, Mica, Visit Sagada, and others.
