I PRAY MANNY PACQUIAO WILL LOSE THIS SUNDAY

While the entire country is reeling from the destruction brought by typhoon “Frank”, our officials led by no less than Gloria Arroyo are enjoying their sweet time in the United States. They say its a working visit. Who are they fooling. They are just their for junket in the US and most of them are just hopping in to watch the Manny Pacquiao-David Diaz boxing fight live in Las Vegas this Sunday.  Never mind hundreds of lives lost in their homeland and millions more are suffering from the typhoon aftermath.  As long as the Manny Pacquiao wins, it will solve all the country’s miseries and tragedies.  A Manny Pacquiao victory will be a panacea to all our problems.

Which make me wish, Manny Pacquiao lose! That would comfort our countrymen for the utter lack of delicadeza of our officials, lead by Gloria Arroyo herself who might be hoping that a Pacquiao win will make people forget the insensitivity of this government in the midst of national disasters.

 

FREE FOR ALL IN MISAMIS ORIENTAL FIRST DISTRICT CONGRESSIONAL SEAT

If there will be special elections held to fill the seat of the late Congressman Danilo Lagbas, the following are the contenders:

1. Jimmy Caina - Board Member
2. Peter “Sr. Pedro” Unabia - Board Member
3. Jeremy “Jigjag” Pelaez - Baord Member
4. Benedict Lagbas - Board Member and brother of Danilo Lagbas
5. Marie Guingona - daughter of Gingoog City Mayor Ruthie Guingona
6. Danilo Lagbas Jr. - son of Congressman Lagbas
7. Rommel Maslog - Mayor of Talisayan, Misamis Oriental
8. Michael Paderanga - lawyer and son of former Gingoog City Mayor Miguel Paderanga

According to Governor Oscar Moreno, “Not so fast.” The good Governor prefers that the seat should remain vacant as a special election would only cause disunity among partymates. Four of the abovementioned contenders, Caina, Unabia, Lagbas and Pelaez belong to the ruling PaDayon Pilipino Party of the Governor.

Columnist Cris Diaz of Mindanao Gold Star Daily made some assessment of the prospects of some candidates in his column June 20, 2008 column “Probable Candidates”

First, Jimmy Caina, a self made man and a “favored” contractor. Caina already expressed apprehension in running because acording to him he has no election money to spend…

Unabia, touted to be the richest among the Provincial Board Members and a fraternal brother of the late Danilo Lagbas may like to run but he does not want to flaunt it…

Benedict Lagbas, a former town Mayor of Sugbongcogon is also being prodded by the late Congressman’s political leaders to consider the congressional seat. Will Benedict accept the challenge? It remains to be seen…

Jeremy “Jigjag” Pelaez may also join the political fracas if only to regain the Pelaez political legacy in the province…

Michael Paderanga, is likely to run to regain his lost political ground. Michael is a worthy candidate. Yet Michael should learn from his mistakes and not stick to the traditional campaign strategy.

Marie Guingona is considered a dark horse. But I find her a hesitant candidate who could not make up her mind. I think she would prefer to run only in Gingoog City since her mother Ruthie will end her term in 2010…

Meanwhile, Maslog thought of running for the mayor’s league in preparation for his Congressional debut come 2010. However after abandoning his intention of running for the Mayor’s league shortly after the 2007 local polls, I doubt Maslog’s interest…

However in other news reports, Maslog’s interest on the Congressional seat has not wavered. Accordingly, Maslog has already informed Mayor Dixon Yasay of Opol, the President of Misamis Oriental Mayor’s League of Municipalities about his plan to run for congressman. Maslog, who is serving his last office term as Mayor of Talisayan, is banking on the support of the seven town mayors in Eastern Misamis Oriental.

Meanwhile, Danilo “Junjun” Lagbas Jr, claimed to have been getting the endorsements from barangay chairpersons and town officials of the 1st District who supposedly want him to replace his father. Lagbas who said his father asked him to help in implementing infrastructure and livelihood projects in the 1st Distirct, said he and his family want to pursue what the late Congressman started.

This is going to be fun.

(With reports from Lito Rulona and Nilo Abroguena of the Mindanao Gold Star Daily)

 

“SULPICIO IS ONLY THINKING OF ITS MILLIONS.”

This was a phrase blurted out by a distraught relative, Teresa Hiyas, who lost both of her parents in the ill fated MV Princess of the Stars. Relatives of the victims complained of the utter lack of action and information on the part of Sulpicio Lines Inc.

I watched the new program of Ted Failon and Korina Sanchez last night “Harapan” on ABS CBN news when another relative, Heide Laurel, who lost both of her parents and 5 siblings, on the way Sulpicio Lines treated them. There were no company officials who faced them and at least comfort them. Worse, when they insist on their demands for more information, the guards of the company were seen drawing their guns.

These callous acts of Sulpicio only showed their business as usual attitude even if their ship have caused the loss of thousands of lives. Perhaps Sulpicio Lines owners are getting used to this incident that they treat it as if nothing happens.

I witnessed how Sulpicio conduct its business. They shouted their employees as if they are dogs when they are in port. The salaries too are not that compensating given the hardwork that they are giving. “Barat” is the term for that. Stingy in English. It seems that there is an exploitative culture in the said company. With employees not fairly treated and not fairly compensated, how can one expect a quality professionalized service.

Look, many vessels, smaller than Princess of the Stars have managed to survive typhoons. Ocean going vessels which are well maintained and well manned can maneuver themselves well even in bad weather and while sailing in open seas. Which makes one wonder why a ship as big as Princess of the Stars will sink in a sea surrounded by islands.

 

THEY NEVER LEARN THEIR LESSONS

Its been a vicious cycle. Ships sunk, passengers dead, relatives grief stricken and the snail pace cases for justice and compensation. When I read the news about another sinking of a passenger ferry owned by the Sulpicio Lines, I was outraged.

It should be emphasized that this is no longer the 1970’s when sea travel was unpredictable because of unsafe maritime practices and smaller vessels. This is already the 21st century,  where there are great strides in maritime safety and the emergence of super large vessels.

But why things like this still happen. If only the cause is excusable, then it may be easier for people to accept the deaths caused by the capsizing of the Mv Princess of the Stars. But no, from my reading, there is really fault and negligence on the part of the ship’s owners, the Sulpicio Lines Incorporated.

As early as Tuesday, June 17, 2008, PAG ASA has been announcing an incoming typhoon east of Mindanao. If the ship owners and the ships crew are sensible enough to foresee the danger lying ahead, it could not have proceeded to its tragic sail. Instead, the ship sailed on Friday! That was June 20, 2008, right smack on the day the typhoon struck the country and directly into the typhoon’s path.

Using the reason of the Coast Guard, Sulpicio Lines had the discretion to set sail considering the tonnage of the ill fated vessel, which accordingly, could withstand the waves. But if you have a responsible business sense, why risked the vessel and the lives of more than 700 souls on board? If they think about lost profits, then they could have thought how much they would lose if the vessel will meet an accident, which what actually happened. It the greed for profits that pushed the shipowners to force the issue and let the ship sail in stormy weather.

 

HANJIN ORDERED SHUT FOR TOO MANY DEATHS

I guess this another blackeye to the sympathizers of Hanjin Heavy Industries. To our officials in Misamis Oriental, Cagayan de Oro and neighboring provinces, is this the kind of investor you want to have business with in the area? With its alarming safety record, we might be sending our workers to their deaths.

Central Luzon Desk
First Posted 22:56:00 06/21/2008

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT–(UPDATE) The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) ordered a stop to the operations of the construction arm of Hanjin Heavy Industries & Construction Philippines Inc. (HHIC-Phil) on Friday after another worker had died.

The death of Mario Atrero, 52, an employee of Hanjin Construction Corp. Ltd. (HCCL), was the third at the Korean shipbuilding site in nine days.

It brought to 12 the number of work-related deaths at the facility since it began operations in 2006.

Hanjin officials said most of the casualties in the earlier accidents had been hired by subcontractors. But Atrero was said to be in the direct employ of HCCL.

“The [safety] situation at the shipyard has become alarming,” SBMA administrator Armand Arreza said.

He said HCCL was served the cease-and-desist order at 6 p.m. on Friday, two hours after Atrero was hit and killed by a steel frame that collapsed due to strong winds.

Four other workers–identified by the SBMA as Joel Alido, Darvin Silva, David Alcayaga and Leody Abad, all residents of Zambales–were injured.

more on this

 

ANOTHER SULPICIO LINES FERRY CAPSIZED, 4 DEAD, 700 MISSING

Another passenger vessel, Princess of the Stars, of the Sulpicio Lines Inc. ran aground and eventually capsized off Sibuyan Island in Romblon. As of this writing, 4 were confirmed dead, 3 survived and an estimated 700 passengers are still missing.

Sulpicio Lines have its history of tragic sea travel accidents that spans for decades. Foremost among them are the MV Dona Marilyn in the early 80s, MV. Dona Paz which killed almost 2000 in 1987, the Princess of the Orient in 1998 and now the MV Princess of the Stars.

But still the company was still allowed to operate inter island passenger ferry despite its tragic record.  I commiserate the distraught relatives of the victims, many whom are still to be accounted for as of this moment.

 

“GLORIAESQUE”

The moment I saw Sen. Loren Legarda occupying a prominent role in the release of Ces Drilon, I almost fell from my seat. Loren Legarda without any semblance of delicadeza took another opportunity to propel her selfish agenda of promoting herself for the 2010 elections. Good thing that political blogger, uniffors.com, had written a fine article (”Separated at Birth”) on the sudden starring role of presidential wannabe, Loren Legarda and spared me from emotions of writing down my disgust over the political opportunity master stroke of the Gloria Arroyo clone.

Take it away Manuel!

Manolo also reprinted the following text circulated yesterday:

I was at a luncheon mtg w Ed Espiritu. He is an unimpeachable source re Ces Drilon kidnap. He is family, brother of mom of ces. He can’t believe d gall of Loren daw. She got into d picture only after family of Ces paid 5M. That’s when first cameraman was released. They had to pay some more for d release of the Ces and Jimmy. Ces felt she had no choice but to go along w Loren’s script. Loren even directed plane to taxi more to change position so they would be facing camera when dey disembark & she told Ces that she has to emerge from plane first and dat Ces should follow only after 10 mins. And now Loren and Ed Angara want Ces to seek an audience w GMA. Ces knows she’s being used but at d time of her release she felt she had no choice. By d way d family also thinks dat d mayor being held now is guilty. He & Loren were also d ones who negotiated w kidnappers of Arlene de la Cruz w same MO.

The text explains why all of a sudden, wannabe president Loren Legarda, emerged from a jet with the kidnap victims in tow and why, at the press conference after disembarkation, she was seated beside Ces Drilon while the other victims were relegated to the sidelines. All of a sudden she was the hero. Meanwhile, her fellow negotiator is being charged with masterminding the kidnapping.

Steal the show. Take the Oscar for someone else’s performance. Just like Gloria.

As of this post, I am still waiting if the Loren-scripted call of Ces and company on Gloria will happen. If it pushes through then we know that Loren will bed anyone for the presidency.

Talagang separated at birth ang dalawa.

 

AGENDA BEYOND 2010?

“…there is a persistent talk that the Arroyo government is just waiting when the people’s emotions snap. When lawlessness starts taking toll on the streets, Arroyo would be ready to exercise her “emergency powers.” At the back of this is the agenda of staying in power beyond 2010.”

Cris Diaz

Every midnight, Fridays or Saturdays, motorists brace for another round of oil price hikes. Since the month of May, prices of oil increase every wekk and people have become restless. What gives us more pain is the fact that prices of basic commodities, including our staple food (rice and corn) are also shooting up.

I could not imagine how a family of five could survive with only the head of the family earning a minimum wage. Effective last June 1, the new daily minimum wage for non agricultural workesrs is pegged at 256 pesos for category one workers or a gross monthly take home pay of P7,680.00 (including Saturdays and Sundays). If we exclude Saturdays and Sundays, a worker could only have a gross take home pay of P5,632. Considering that a worker has no loan, still deductions from SSS or GSIS monthly insurance premium, Pag Ibig fund and Philhealth have yet to be deducted from his gross monthly take home (pay). Thus, we could say that an ordinary worker may get a P5,000 net monthly take home pay.

Of course, its unthinkable to survive with only a P5,000 monthly income considering that a sack of rice (commercial well milled grade) now cost more than P2,000 per bag. this, on top of three children going to public schools with a daily fare allowance of P20 each! What it the family rents a house at P1,500 or P2,000 monthly?

I could feel how hard up a common citizen of this country today is? With a population of almost 80 million and a national labor force of a little over 33 million, it wouldnt come a surprise if, every day, one or two Filipinos die of hunger. It would not also be a surprise if the index crimes against persons and property rises by the day. Sometimes I overheard passengers talking about arming themselves for fear of burglars and robbers. Apparently, the rising apprehension of people against an unstable economy is heating up. It would not take for long before street anarchy would burst into an uncontrollable passion as people with empty stomachs would fight for survival.

 

WORK SAFETY IN HANJIN SHIPYARD “DEPLORABLE”

A report from the Philippine Daily Inquirer underscored the security and safety concerns of the Hanjin Industries Corporation in the operation of their business. While this reputation of Hanjin caused concern in Northern Luzon, in Northern Mindanao, political and business leaders are moving heaven and earth and even fighting for the right of Hanjin to operate its shipyard and possibly “transport” its no so admirable safety record. As the saying goes, caveat emptor.

I didnt say I totally disfavor the operations of Hanjin in Northern Mindanao. But all I ask for is that our local officials must see to it that Hanjin must comply certain safety regulations to ensure that what is happening in Luzon will not happen in Mindanao otherwise people’s lives will be in jeopardy. Heres an excerpt of the article.

“With the record of deaths, you can imagine how dangerous the working environment is and how irresponsible Hanjin is when it comes to occupational health and safety,” she said. “With more than 10,000 employees, the Hanjin facility does not have a medical facility. The wanton disregard for safety of workers (by Hanjin) is deplorable and gravely scandalous.”

It further added,

“…Tack welded metal support located at the ground gave in causing the plate to collapse” because “some metal supports were not welded well. Hanjin had no control record for the finished welding materials to ensure its quality and safety.”

The report also said Hanjin does not provide SBMA with a job safety analysis of tasks considered to be dangerous to its workers.

As usual, Hanjin would always pass the buck to its subcontractors. Jeong Sup Shim, HHIC-Philippines Inc. president said,

“In every accident, Hanjin takes final responsibility even though it was done by our supplier or subcontractor.”

 

KULANG SA PANSIN

Miriam Santiago again kept her tirades burning against politicians appearing on TV either to endorse a product or to explain some advocacies. Some weeks ago, Miriam was calling the attention of these commercials. The question is why she is repeating that again. Will Miriam’s stomach ache when the commercials continue its airing? Or this is her way to get media attention.

You know, with Miriams public demeanor, I dont think she can make a good product endorser. Instead of increasing the sales of the product, consumers might be turned off if Miriam will be tapped for advertisement.

Since Miriam realized that she cannot become a product endorser anyway, so what a way to get media mileage than to ride on public sentiments against early politicking. But wittingly, Miriams public tirade is a form of early familiarization with the voters. Miriam, along with another Malacañang attack dog, Juan Ponce Enrile, will be seeking re-election in 2010 as their terms will expire. They too, need public access but in more subtle way considering that product or advocacy endorsement is not quite feasible for them.

So that explains why both of them are adopting populist issues like picking fights with foreigners in the hope of sounding and looking nationalistic and constantly pick on colleagues who are appearing on tv.

Style nyo bulok!