Video: How NOT to get rid of a whale

They should have just called Hancock.

Bayani Posters in Nueva Ecija

It's bad enough that MMDA chairman Bayani Fernando's posters are all around Metro Manila. But Bayani posters in Nueva Ecija?

First off, MMDA's jurisdiction is only within Metro Manila, kaya nga Metro Manila Development Authority, di ba? Assuming for the sake of argument that it's ok to post Bayani billboards all around the Metro, Bayani has no business posting his billboards in the provinces. Let's just hope that Bayani is shelling out his own money for the posters.

But even granting that he is spending his own money for the posters, it's clearly an act of early electioneering which leaves a bad taste in the mouth.

Mr. Fernando, do your job as an MMDA well, and people will see the results. If we like what you're doing as an MMDA chair, then we will vote for you. But this kind of early electioneering is a real turn off. People can clearly see through the cheap tricks, and it's hurting your chances for 2010 more than it is helping you.

Nota Bene: this goes out to other politicians who are likewise advertising themselves as early as now in preparation for the 2010 elections.

Bayani Fernando: More Equal than Others

A snippet of an Inquirer report headlined "Lay off my posters, Bayani tells DPWH" reads:

Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Chair Bayani Fernando gave this warning yesterday to the Department of Public Works and Highways, which has threatened to tear down his posters around the metropolis.

Unlike commercial billboards, the posters bearing his photo do not imperil lives and property, Fernando said in a statement.

“They shouldn't do that,” he said of the DPWH's threat to remove the posters. “Unlike other billboards, they don't pose danger to lives and property.”

“They're part of an intensified information and educational campaign of the MMDA to instill discipline among residents and restore order in the metropolis,” he said.

Yeah right, BF. As a long-time public official, Fernando ought to know that those similarly situated should be treated equally under the law. And there are many reasons why Fernando's billboards should not be given special treatment.

First, what makes Bayani Fernando's billboard stand apart from other billboards? Are his billboards so much sturdier than commercial billboards that the latter will imperil lives and property while his will not?

Second, billboards bearing Fernando's mug cannot in anyway be fathomed even by the most imaginative mind to be informational or educational. All his billboards say is: "Kaayusan, Pagbabago sa Kapaligiran, Pagbabago sa Kaisipan." All it tells us is that Bayani is gearing himself for the 2010 elections. Nothing educational about that.

Third, contrary to his claims, his billboards will not instill discipline among the people. In fact, it reveals the lack of self-restraint of our public officials in using public funds for private gain. If Fernando's goal is really to inculcate discipline among the people, then he is sending the wrong message.

Fourth, Fernando's billboards will not restore order in the metropolis. They just add to the chaos of an already chaotic city - eyesores to a city already filled with so many eyesores. Just look at his billboards for crying out loud. Res ipsa loquitur. At least most commercial billboards show images that are pleasing to the eyes.

So Mr. Fernando, please do the right thing and take down your billboards. Unless you want to be likened to the pig leaders in George Orwell's Animal Farm who proclaimed, "All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others."

Photo: psd, Creative Commons, Flickr

Sabio the Teacher

Justice Jose L. Sabio, Jr. is all over the news these past few days because of the controversy within the Court of Appeals and the alleged bribery attempt against him. Let me share with you another facet of Justice Jose Sabio, Jr. - that of being a teacher.

I was a student of Justice Jose Sabio, Jr. twice. He is one of the most feared professors in our school because of his reputation as a tough teacher. In fact, his reputation precedes him - many students drop his Criminal Procedure class even before they experience being told to "sit down!" by Justice Sabio. But for those who've chosen to stick it out, I'm sure that most (if not all) have not regretted their decision, especially if they've heard a "that will do" or "thank you" from the eminent Justice after a grueling recitation.

Beneath his gruff demeanor is a man who genuinely wants to share valuable knowledge to his students; a man who exudes integrity that is beyond question. He shares with his students his experiences in the law profession, urging us as he did not to take the easy path just because it's there. That making the harder choices, as long as you keep your credibility intact, is well worth it in the end.

As to the controversy that Justice Sabio is in today, I think that there is no reason not to believe him. There is also no reason for him to expose the bribery attempt just to spite MERALCO at the expense of his credibility. He has worked too hard for what he is today just to squander it away. And for what? For GSIS? I don't think so.

And why does he doggedly insist that the division which he temporarily chairs has jurisdiction over the MERALCO case? Well, I think because he thinks it is just proper to do so. One thing is for sure, he will defend his position up to the Supreme Court. If the Supreme Court hands down a decision in his favor, he will surely inhibit himself from the case. Surely.

That's what I believe - he was just doing what he thought was correct, although it embroiled him in the ugly rift between Winston Garcia and the Lopezes. But you really can't blame a guy for doing the proper thing, can you?

SONA and the VAT

In my last post, I wrote that GMA needs VAT in order to support her band-aid projects. Let me expound on the matter.

In her SONA, GMA was firm on her decision to continue imposing VAT. Explaining her stand, she said:

Kapag ibinasura ang VAT sa langis at kuryente, ang mas makikinabang ay ang mga may kaya na kumukonsumo ng 84% ng langis at 90% ng kuryente habang mas masasaktan ang mahihirap na mawawalan ng P80 billion para sa mga programang pinopondohan ngayon ng VAT. Take away VAT and we strip our people of the means to ride out the world food and energy crisis.

It is basic that tax is the lifeblood of the government. Equally basic is that people avoid tax like the plague. Thus, GMA is in an unenviable position of justifying an unpopular tax measure. This may have prompted her to follow up her previous statement with:

We have come too far and made too many sacrifices to turn back now on fiscal reforms. Leadership is not about doing the first easy thing that comes to mind; it is about doing what is necessary, however hard.

Yes, it has been four years since her 2004 SONA wherein she revealed our budget deficit problem, which led Congress to pass several tax laws (including the revised VAT). Yet, we are nowhere near solving our budget deficit problem. Instead of doing what is truly necessary as she herself espouses, she has actually done the first easy things that come to her mind.

Instead of using the VAT windfall for meaningful projects, she has used the extra revenue for short-sighted projects.

To be more specific, the government is planning to use (or is actually using) VAT windfalls for the following and like projects:
1. P500 power subsidy to lifeline power users in Metro Manila;
2. Fertilizer subsidy to farmers amounting to P37.8 million;
3. Proposed fuel subsidy to public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers amounting to P3.3 billion; and
4. Food-for-school program

See the pattern? All are stop-gap measures to stem the people's discontent for the moment. And all, except perhaps for the fertilizer subsidy, are merely dole-outs.

It is clear that these programs are populist moves in order to show the people that there are things being done on the most pressing issues of this year: electricity, oil and food (On a side note, it's funny that despite these populist programs, GMA has remained hugely unpopular). However, there is the concern that these programs will die a natural death once these pressing issues become old news. And at this early stage, the administration's most visible program, the food-for-school program, has been scaled down.

Moreover, these programs will not change the fact that these people will continue to live a food-to-mouth existence. It will not change the number of people below poverty line. Despite the seemingly good intentions, these people will remain poor until genuine reforms are implemented.

If the government is not going to use the VAT windfalls for vital projects, maybe it would be better if the imposition of VAT is lifted. The people can find better use for the money in these hard times.

2008 SONA: The Report Card

I couldn' resist not watching GMA's 2008 SONA. Maybe it's because I'm predisposed to fairy tales ever since I was a kid. The only difference is that in the kinds that I grew up reading and watching, the good guys won. But that's another story.

So I missed my class to watch the SONA, with a truckload of salt beside me for good measure.

If i were to grade this year's SONA, I would give the follwing marks:
Form: A
Delivery: A
Reflection to Reality: D

I have to give it to GMA and her ghostwriter. The speech was well-written, and GMA delivered it perfectly. If I were a foreigner hearing GMA speak for the first time, I would have had the impression that the Philippines is a burgeoning nation teeming with potential. But that is not the case.

The people are mired in poverty, and are likely to stay that way amidst the rising fuel and commodity prices. The programs are ineffective in providing genuine solutions to our problems. At most, the proposals to the problems are merely band-aid solutions - give the people the impression that the government is actually doing something, only to be forgotten when the hottest issue of the day cools down.

Moreover, the SONA is full of dubious facts that will make you think if you're living in the same country as that being illustrated by GMA so glowingly. 65 million Filipinos covered in health insurance? Really now. Increasing profit of a jeepney operator and a rural folk? Surely, this must be the exception to the rule. I was munching on spoonfuls of salt as I was hearing this.

At best, Gloria was most honest when she declared that VAT will have to stay. It's no surprise really, because she needs VAT as cash cow. After all, if VAT is taken away, where will she get the funds for her band-aid projects?

Napaso sa SONA

I distinctly remember Gloria Arroyo's 2001 State of the Nation Address. We were required in our Political Science class to make a reaction paper on the said SONA, so I had to watch the whole proceeding. But more than that, I really wanted to hear GMA's first SONA, since she held so much promise then.

I remember writing in my reaction paper that the speech took off on a cheesy start. There s really no need to include the Payatas kids (and their bankang papel) in the speech. No need for dramatics for a SONA, I wrote.

Then I praised GMA for thinking like an economist that she is. I wrote that Arroyo had clear goals- S.M.A.R.T. goals (Developed by Peter Drucker, S.M.A.R.T. stands for: Specific Measurable Achievable Relevant and Time-bound).

Fast forward to 2008, the goals of Arroyo way back in 2001 still remain to be goals. No, not goals - they are more accurately described as pipe dreams.

In fact, it seems that the State has gone the opposite direction. Take for instance, Gloria's preliminary statements:

Napakalinaw, napakasimple ang hiling ng mga anak ng Payatas: Trabaho, edukasyon, sariling tahanan. Idagadag na rin: Pagkain sa bawat mesa. Ito ang mithiin ng masa.

And this, in common sense and plain talk, is the core of my vision.

Yes, there is employment. But you have to go to POEA first before you find one that can actually support a family.

Yes, there is education - the quality of which no decent president can really be proud of.

Yes, there are homes. But the government cannot really take credit for it, since Gawad Kalinga has borne the brunt of the work, effort and initiative.

And no, there is no food on the table.

Gloria has been in office for seven and a half years. She has already delivered seven SONAs. I can genuinely say, without any exaggeration whatsoever, that my family's standing in life has gone for the worse while she was in office.

So maybe I'll follow Erap's example: stay away from this year's SONA and not waste my time to listen to a "fairy tale story."

Pasong paso na kasi ako sa mga SONA ni Gloria e.