El Nino burnt about P10 billion worth of crops, Agriculture Sec. Berni Fondevilla frets. The drought jacked up poverty incidence from 35 to 38 percent UP economist Arsenio Balisacan warns. That’s the bad news.
http://bit.ly/9gS9Mf
Friday, March 26, 2010
Another People Power Revolution In The Making?
After a presidential spokesperson uttered the words "military takeover" in the context of a missing Supreme Court Chief Justice, all sorts of reactions were uttered in response. Since the spokesperson was Charito Planas, a senior citizens and a veteran of Philippine affairs for five decades, her words were not seen as a slip of the tongue. They could have been, but Charito knows better than to provoke unwanted speculations in one of the most partisan moments of the country. Besides being such a contentious period, today also experiences the most unpopular president in Philippine history, and one of the least trusted among known personalities in Philippine society. What, then, prompted a presidential spokesperson to mention the possibility of a military takeover should no presidential candidate be declared as the winner in the coming elections?
Senator Enrile immediately said there would be no basis for a military takeover because other constitutional dynamics can be taken to declare a winner among the candidates. COMELEC Chairman Melo says there will be no widespread election failure. Senator Noynoy Aquino said that he would call for people power if there would be a concerted effort to rob the people of their true will. And from these remarks came a new thread of reactions, one of the the latest coming from Senator Gringo Honasan who said that people were tired of people power.
It is funny how most of those who commented are right, and so wrong at the same time. It is possible, even maybe a secret desire, of key military leaders who have just taken over the senior leadership of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, led by the former chief security office of Gloria. The current AFP Chief of Staff, Gen. Bangit, wasted no time putting his trusted friends and classmates in the most strategic places. It raised more than just eyebrows, and resentment is growing among other officers who consider themselves not part of the Bangit-Arroyo circle and, consequently, lost rightful claims to those key positions. As changes in the military leadership shift strongly in favor those largely seen as close to Gen. Bangit or to Gloria, a Supreme Court of Gloria-appointed Justices overturn an earlier Supreme Court ruling on overnight appointments. The context of Supreme Court Justices who are suspected to please Gloria more than pleasing the Constitution upset experts of jurisprudence and gave basis for conclusions that Gloria will use the Supreme Court to perpetuate control.
It is but natural that many will remember the controversial Hello Garci controversy, the "I am sorry" statement of Gloria whose voice was recognized in taped phone calls to Comelec's now famous "Garci,"and an even earlier promise of Gloria that she would not even run in the 2004 presidential elections. It is but natural that many shudder at report after report of international corruption watchdogs keep ranking the Philippines number one or number two most corrupt in our region. It is but natural that many are ashamed of their religious membership and their Filipino citizenship when reminded especially by outsiders that poverty and hunger haunt tens of millions of fellow Filipinos.
In the context of the above, aggravated by the supremacy of corruption and embarrassing neglect of the poor by Congress and the Senate, why is it improbable that a military takeover in the event of a proclamation hiatus coupled by a Supreme Court with only an acting Chief Justice can actually take place? And if a military leadership with Gloria's favorite generals finds the faintest excuse to take over and install Gloria as interim president until a new Constitution can be drafted and approved, why would that scenario be an impossibility? Why would a shift to the parliamentary form of government be unthinkable when our country is in turmoil under a presidential system - and Malacanang, the AFP and Congress take the lead in offering stability by simply changing the Constitution?
Senator Enrile is right, that is is no basis for a military takeover under the law because other remedies are in place without resorting to such a takeover. But Senator Enrile is wrong to say that there is no basis when people in power seek to stay in power beyond what is moral, ethical and Constitutional. Lust for power is a strong though immoral basis. And as a lawyer, Senator Enrile must know that all sorts of legal gobbledygook can make almost anything legal - if the military allows it and the people do not risk their lives to resist it.
COMELEC Chairman Melo is right when he asserts that widespread electoral failure is "pure fantasy" because the COMELEC can also imagine that a priest can cheat the most powerful political forces in Pampanga, that a disabled journalist can cheat a political dynasty in Isabela. When the COMELEC can fantasize that an Among Ed and a Grace Padaca can steal election victory from a Lilia Pineda, an incumbent Governor Lapid, or the Dys who have ruled Isabela for decades, then most Filipinos can more easily fantasize about a widespread failure of elections managed by a mistrusted COMELEC.
Senator Noynoy Aquino is right when he says he will call for people power if he believes that widespread cheating has violated the people's will because that is something he can do. Noynoy can be wrong, though, because people might initiate a new EDSA initiative in all the key population centers in the country ahead of any call by him or any national leader. After all, polls have already tracked the belief of at least 40% of Filipinos that such a popular uprising can happen if they are cheated.
Senator Honasan can be right when he says that people will not support another people power because they are tired of doing so without any visible progress for them and country. But he might be blindly unaware that the discontent of people at the current leadership and horrible situation of corruption and poverty can override their hesitance for another people power.
I myself believe that anything can happen because the Filipino is primed for change. May he not lose that fervor for what is right to defeat what is wrong, for what is true to overcome what is false, and for what is brave and heroic to conquer fear and apathy.
--
"There is always a philosophy for lack of courage." Albert Camus
Thursday, March 25, 2010
6.0-magnitude quake strikes west of metro manila
MANILA, Philippines (AP) - A 6.2-magnitute earthquake has struck west of Manila, shaking building in the capital and causing workers to stream out of their offices.
There were no immediate reports of damage or casualties Thursday and no tsunami alert was issued. Buildings in Manila shook for about 30 seconds.
http://bit.ly/c4KzUV
Monday, March 22, 2010
Pacquiao goes to Big D; retains world title as Texas Filipinos enjoy an exciting week
DALLAS, TEXAS -- World famous Filipino boxing hero, politician and party singer Manny Pacquiao did not disappoint 51,000 spectators who trooped to the spectacular new Texas Cowboys stadium on March 12. Now regarded as the best pound-for-pound boxer in the world owning seven different weight class championship belts, Pacquiao gave a virtual clinic to millions who were watching the fight live via satellite by clobbering Ghanaian Joshua Clottey in a 12-round “decisive” decision.
The challenger and former welterweight champion Clottey showed his toughness by keeping his reputation of never having been knocked down in 39 fights, but he was never aggressive. Saturday’s match was a far cry from the usually exciting Pacquiao fights. The result was disappointing to boxing experts who described the “event” as boring. They blamed Clottey’s turtle-like defense for it. Clottey refused to trade leather with the champion, depriving the boxing fans of an epic battle. Two judges generously gave him only one round, and the third gave all rounds to Pacquiao. The bigger and stronger Clottey who personally adored Pacquiao was clearly trying to wear the champion out and was looking for a chance to deliver a lucky punch which never came. The buzzsaw Pacquiao was too fast and too smart. “He was very quick,” conceded Clottey and his trainer. “We clearly got beat by a great champion.” The one-sided affair earned the challenger $2.5 million for showing up.
“When asked if ever the reigning pound-for-pound king held back his punches in the late rounds, Pacquiao’s trainer Fred Roach said: “I always go for the kill all the time, and we wanted to finish Clottey off in great fashion, but it just didn’t work out, as he never got out of his shell.”
It was lopsided right from the start after the Ghanaian challenger opted to keep his face covered in survival mode, clearly avoiding one of Pacquiao’s powerful combinations that could have delivered the KO and put a blot in Clottey’s unblemished record.
Unfazed, promoter Bob Arum said: “There was no way Clottey was going to beat this superstar, even if he took off his gloves and fought him bare-fisted.” Pacquiao is poised to make between $17 and $20 million for pounding Clottey en route to improving his record to 51-3-2. At the press conference that followed the fight, Bob Arum and Dallas Cowboys stadium owner Jerry Jones both pledged to work hard to bring Pacquiao back to Dallas in October against either Floyd Mayweather or Shane Mosely. That, many predict, will be a “real fight.”
The Texas Cowboys Stadium steals the show
The main event did not meet expectations of an exciting fight, but in the end, nobody seemed to care. Clottey was never booed and the huge crowd did not express any displeasure, which is a tribute to the wonderment of the spectacular venue. Almost 51,000 boxing fans were mesmerized by the state-of-the-art stadium which at night looked like a giant space ship from a Hollywood sci-fi movie.
There was not any doubt in the minds of those who came that the magnificent stadium and the glitzy production more than made up for the championship main “non-event”. The new stadium was a big hit to basketball fans when it hosted the last NBA All-Stars game, but the last Pacquiao fight brought it to an even higher level of awareness and amazement worldwide. Once again, the giant high-definition video board the size of a basketball court was mesmerizing and the presentation around the ring was electric. It was a tremendous spectacle never before seen in the sporting world.
This writer, a Texas community and business leader, has lived in Dallas for 35 years and has been a Dallas Cowboys fan since 1975, watching them win Super Bowls. It never ceases to amaze what Jerry Jones has done building and promoting the largest indoor stadium in the world that will host the 2011 Super Bowl, and hopefully, Pacquiao’s next super fight as well.
The Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders sang the national anthem and showed better moves in the ring than the unworthy challenger Clottey. Arnel Pineda, the young Filipino lead singer of popular band Journey, sang the Filipino national anthem.
Gaylord Texan transformed into a Filipino Town
Although a bit disappointed that they did not see what they are used to seeing their hero do – knock out his opponents in the early rounds – the thousands of Filipinos who came from all over the world enjoyed the week of the fight watching Pacquiao work out, connect with his fans and freely give away his very intricate autograph.
The 5-star Gaylord Texan Hotel and Convention Center was virtually transformed into a Filipino town, with groups of well-dressed Filipinos roaming the halls and pathways of the elegant 500-room hotel. Pacquiao himself had an entourage of 140 – bigger than Mohammad Ali’s. The members of Team Pacquiao who were resplendent in their red-white-and-blue jackets came in a colorfully decorated Pacquiao Express bus and a private jet dubbed the Pacquiao Air. His entourage includes members of the Philippine media.
The Filipino guests and their local hosts were seen mixing it up with, and getting autographs from local and national celebrities which included Dallas Cowboys hall of famers, Dallas Mavericks and Dallas Stars players and cheerleaders, NASCAR champions, boxing legends and former champions at all weight classes.
Among the Philippine dignitaries seen at the Gaylord Texan were First Gentleman Mike Arroyo, House Speaker Prospero Nograles, perennial Pacquiao companion Chavit Singson, and several other Philippine congressmen and governors.
The Philippine-American Chamber of Commerce of Texas, led by president Ethel Mercado, hosted a private dinner reception at the Riverwalk restaurant in the hotel the distinguished Philippine guests.
Known for their hospitality and wealth of local talents, the Filipino community of Texas helped organize a “Post-Fight Party” with Manny Paquiao in attendance, win or lose. The late party was held in nearby Texas Rangers ballpark in Arlington and was attended by several hundred guests. The indefatigable champion showed up after a long final press conference and obliged the adoring crowd with eight songs, joined on the stage by Arnel Pineda and by his backup singer Madonna Decena, arranger Lito Camu and the MP Band. The party lasted until 4:00 in the morning, to the delight of the star-struck local Pinoys.
What is in the future for Manny Paquiao?
The final press conference that followed the 12-round bout was very revealing as to what the future holds for the world champion. Trainer Fred Roach intimated that Pacquiao would probably fight two more championship bouts then possibly retire. Roach and Bob Arum expressed strong desire that one of those would be against undefeated Floyd Mayweather.
What would be a fitting end for those impressive victories in seven incremental weight classes are not nearly as impressive as the world-class fighters whom Pacquiao has beaten as he has grown in size and stature over the years. His victims include Cotto, Hatton De La Hoya, Barrera and Morales – a veritable murderers row of champions, which makes him the champion of champions.
“I have been around Muhammad Ali, Marvin Hagler, Sugar Ray Leonard, and I can say that Manny Pacquiao is the best fighter I have seen,” says Bob Arum who has promoted many of the biggest names in boxing for more than 40 years.
While waiting for Pacquiao and his wife Jinkee who were freshening up in a nearby dressing room, I asked Bob Arum: “We the faithful fans will support Manny whatever he decides to do. But we all know about his third love – politics (and singing) – and God forbid, he may leave boxing for Philippine politics. How would all this fan out?”
The effervescent Bob Arum gave a witty response: “Manny asked me to go to the Philippines to support his candidacy and I declined. I told him it would be illegal for me to do so, and luckily I don’t have to contribute to his campaign either!”
Arum later added: “There is no doubt he will win as Congressman, and he can become President of the country if he wants to. But I think he will continue boxing. And if the Philippine Congress is like the U.S. Congress where the Congressmen do absolutely nothing, then it will be just fine for Manny!” That brought the house down.
In his native country, Pacquiao casts a giant shadow
What a week it was! It was not one of Manny’s most memorable performances, but the greatest active fighter in the world delivered, in more ways than one. He brought honor to his millions of fans the world over, and especially to his countrymen and to his native country, where he casts a giant shadow.
To wit: The streets of the Philippines are deserted during his telecast fight. People can pitch a tent in the middle of an intersection without any danger of being hit, as everybody is glued to the TV set or fills thousands of movie houses that show his fight. Even his country’s army and the rebel insurgents agree to a seven-hour ceasefire so both sides could watch his fight. The predominantly Catholic country reduces the number of Sunday masses on Pacquiao Sundays. Men folks do not go to church, afraid that there may not be a priest there to say Mass.
In a country that has never won a gold medal at the Olympics, Manny Pacquiao is a precious, national treasure. May we see more of him where his greatness reigns supreme – the boxing ring.
Thank you, Manny Pacquiao, for making us proud to be Filipinos. And thank you for your wonderful and unforgettable visit to our town. Dallas loves you!
(About the author: Gus Mercado is a successful Dallas-based Filipino business entrepreneur and civic leader whose part-time hobby is journalism. He and his wife are leaders of the Texas Phil-Am Chamber of Commerce and many other civic groups. Reactions to this article may be sent to: gusmercado@verizon.net)
Texas Fil-Am teenager is Ringside's World Champion
DALLAS, TEXAS -- Unbeknownst to the thousands of Filipinos who came to Dallas to watch the Pacquiao-Clottey event is a beautiful and unassuming young Filipino-American teenager in their midst who is famous in her own right. Her name is Vanessa Sansano Washington, a 17-year-old senior high student at Mansfield H.S. and lives in Arlington, Texas with her parents Carleton and Norma Washington.
http://bit.ly/cRcvYO
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Confused national identity
In a way, I’m glad that deviation from the original composition in the singing of the Philippine national anthem is causing controversy.
That means that people still care very much about our national anthem, which is one of our patriotic symbols.
http://bit.ly/c4goXI
RP Jobs, Quality of Work in 2009 Worst in 50 Years
MANILA -- The country’s employment and quality of work was at its worst in 2009, with around 64.4% to 81% of the 39.4 million-labor force in 2009 either jobless or in poor quality work. Its true unemployment rate of around 11% counting 4.32 million jobless Filipinos puts the Philippines in the worst crisis of joblessness and of poor quality work in its history.
According to research group IBON, the average unemployment rate for the period 2001-2009 is 11.2%, which is the country's worst nine-year period of sustained high joblessness since 1956. Unemployment rates were much lower in 1956-1960 (8%), 1961-1970 (7.3%), 1971-1980 (5.4%), 1981-1990 (10.2%) and 1991-2000 (9.8%).
IBON added that the estimated jobless figures grossly understate the seriousness of the country's job crisis. Although statistics show that 35.06 million are employed, the figure actually includes 4.22 million “unpaid family workers” and 12.16 million “own-account workers” covering those in informal sector work.
Also, the category “wage and salary workers” covered by employment figures that imply job security and stability includes another layer of poor quality work: 4.67 million non-regular wage and salary workers or those with casual, contractual, probationary, apprentice or seasonal status and 11.21 million wage and salary workers employed but with only verbal contracts or none at all.
These layers of poor quality jobs partially make up the underemployment figure of 6.69 million in 2009. It covers those employed but nonetheless still looking for more work and income, but may not reflect those discouraged or otherwise practically unable to find the time for any additional work given their current job. Meanwhile, 36.4% jobs in 2009 were merely part-time work at 12.75 million.
These figures sum up to 25.35 to 31.91 million Filipinos– or 64.4% to 81% of the country's labor force either jobless or in poor quality work– the combined unemployed, unpaid family workers, own-account workers and non-regular or non-contract wage and salary workers.
Amid record high unemployment and worst quality of work, the country’s employment situation remains the greatest challenge for the next administration, IBON said.
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