News and Views - Latest

As 2010 comes rolling in, the TV Ads seem to show more and more infomercials of different politicians, more specifically, politicians who have a mind of running for election next year. The infomercials usually talks about government achievements plus the face of the person who heads the bureau.

These political figures cum infomercial models have been called by the chair of the Senate economic affairs committee Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago, in a probe discussing the infomercial subject, mainly, the funds behind these rather pricey ventures.

Some of those requested to come are Vice President Noli De Castro, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro and Finance Secretary Margarito Teves.

Others include Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay, Education Secretary Jesli Lapus, Pagcor Chair Epraim Genuin, Chair of Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Bayani Fernando, Public Works Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane, TESDA Chair Augusto Syjuco and Agrarian Reform Secretary Nasser Pangandaman.

The politicians’ answers to the questions fielded by Santiago and accompanying Senator Loren Legarda were convincing at best and hilarious at worst.

When questioned about the existence of his infomercials, Health Secretary Duque answered that they were to “inform the public of the threats to public health…” naming the diseases dengue, typhoid fever and even the AH1N1. When asked by Santiago why it has to be he rather than some pretty faced model, Duque answered that as the chairman, it was his role to support his own projects.

Asked the same question, Bayani Fernando answered that the Filipino are the type to questions, “ang Pilipino kasi…tinatanong kung sino may sabi…” (Filipino’s tend to ask: “says who?”)

Education Secretary Jesli Lapus had a different approach, saying that his presence during his infomercial was because he was a model in his former life, arousing sudden laughter in the crowd.

News and Views - Latest

There are no words fitting to describe the loss a multitude of dedicated soldiers during a fight with Philippine terrorists Abu Sayyaf. Wednesday, the supposed short-span battle lasted for more than fifteen hours as more and more Abu Sayyaf member emerge in spite of the preparations and vast number of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. The total body count reaches 44, 23 of those from our own troops while 21 come from the opposition and a crowd of wounded from both camps. Of the 23, 20 came from the Marines, 3 from the army while two of the slain Abu Sayyaf’s are apparent leaders of the organization.

The purpose of the onslaught was to take over the militant group’s “training camp” for bomb production, a goal which the Army has fortunately achieved.

The plot becomes thicker as the vice chairman for military affairs of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) Eid Kabalu claims that ten of those dead are members of the MILF group.

The Philippine Army reports three casualties from its troops, both 1st Lieutenants Dhenjun Evangelista and Chester Barela and Corporal Renato Dindin.

Casualties from the Marine battalion include Staff Sergeants: Nilo Yu, Aguido Casiano, Johnny Corpuz, Reynaldo Tojeras, Roberto Gamboa.

Sergeants: Elmer Miranda, Ramon Encila, Randy Vacaro.

Corporals: Ronald Bayos, Crisanto Simtim, Rey Guanza.

Private First Class: Richie Estrada, Daryll Dave Toroy, Ernie John Marquez

Privates: Jefferson P. Callao, Redentor Bactotoy, Enrico Roxas, Lemuel Dela Cruz, Jomar Trompeta, Elfie Igcalinos.

Meanwhile, the Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo ordered the annihilation of the Abu Sayyaf troops as said by Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro. The president has also expressed her condolences to the surviving family of the fallen soldiers. Financial help was given to both the wounded and the deceased.

News and Views - Latest

After the brouhaha on the alleged $20,000 dinner by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and her associates during a working visit in the United States, another report comes up that prior to that, the President has also dined on a $15, 000 meal. The cost roughly translates to 720,000 pesos while $20,000 is equivalent to a staggering 960,000 pesos! A total of P1,680,000 for two meals. The 15,000 dollar meal was reportedly dined at Bobby Van’s Steakhouse while the larger of the two was at Le Cirque.

Who picked the tab?

The Palace maintains that the Le Cirque meal was paid for by Leyte Representative Ferdinand Martin Romualdez. However, the Bobby Van’s dinner financier remains unidentified but was supposedly paid in cash.

Reactions

The dinner splurge at Le Cirque has incited outrage on the public and has fed the media. Lawmakers from the House of Representatives are aiming for an investigation over the dinner splurge. House Resolution 1315 was filed by Representatives Teodoro Casino, Liza Maza and Satur Ocampo. The resolution alluded to the Republic Act 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees. The republic act prohibits a public official and his employees to “accept, directly or indirectly, any gift, gratuity, favor, entertainment, loan, or anything of monetary value from any person in the course of their official duties…”

Critics claim that the dinner was “insensitive” of the President as millions – if not billions – of Filipino’s are involuntarily hungry due to mass poverty.  

Rebuttals

      So far, the Palace has only commented on the Le Cirque report through Press Secretary Cerge Remonde. Remonde maintains that the dinner was a “simple, late night dinner” and did not contain the reported caviar and expensive wines. No comment as to the Bobby Van’s Steakhouse is released as of late.