TFC Balitang America on Case Filed vs Illegal Recruiter

The legal battle has begun. Here is a follow up story on TFC Balitang America about the developments on the issue of the Filipino teachers in Louisiana. The American Federation of Teachers (AFT) and its Louisiana Federation (LFT) filed cases against the abusive recruitment agency.

TFC Adobo Nation Program on LA Teachers

Universal Placement International (UPI) is now getting free advertising from The Filipino Channel. The problem is: what is being advertised is how this placement agency exploits its clients!

Let's help our compatriots in their struggle against this illegal recruiter by signing on their online petition at www.gopetition.com.

Balitang America on Louisiana Teachers' Issue

Migrant teachers’ rights should be protected

I would like to share to everyone a press statement by the Partido ng Manggagawa (PM – Philippines) regarding the recent termination of more than 30 Filipino teachers under the East Baton Rouge School District in Louisiana.

---

Press Statement
June 10, 2009

Migrant teachers’ rights should be protected

The Partido ng Manggagawa (Labor Party – Philippines) is deeply concerned about the welfare of Filipino teachers who are deployed in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

We have an ongoing probe into the plight of these migrant Filipino teachers. Our party is saddened that they have been subjected to iniquitous treatment and are still expose to very hard circumstances.

Leaving their families back home to be able to pursue the American dream, these teachers risked everything thinking that their credentials and talents will get them through.

Definitely, these people have discovered that following this dream is not at all easy. Hard work, it seems, is not even enough. In their case, they have to put themselves and their families in deep indebtedness, risk all their families’ resources for a shot at their dream of being financially successful in the future.

What is mainly pulling them down, however, is their being subject to a manipulative placement agency whose only objective it seems is to squeeze the maximum payments from them. What the agency is employing is clearly a form of debt bondage. Universal Placement International, headed by Lourdes Navarro, has put in place a web of policies and measures to ensure that these teachers would all be fully dependent upon the agency. Navarro employs threats, intimidation and deceit to ensure conformity from these teachers.

Many of these teachers are left with no choices but to kowtow to the placement agency’s whims as they are threatened by Navarro that she can have them fired. In many opportunities she makes it a point to assert to the teachers that she can influence some people in the EBR school district.

While, this is clearly a manipulative tactic utilized by Navarro, we can not blame the teachers from feeling threatened as it is the future of their respective families that are at stake.

Now, what makes this more distressing is the fact that at least 34 of these teachers have been terminated by the school district. We are anxious about the welfare of these Filipino workers.

Upon review of the circumstances leading to their termination, we believe that the process the school district employed may have violated the rights of these workers or at the very least has lapses that could have been handled better.

For one, there is lack of transparency as to the process of evaluation of these teachers’ performance. According to several teachers we talked to, there are no clear cut guidelines or procedure as to what can constitute termination and what the correct process should be.

Further, the school district should know fully well that foreign teachers will encounter issues related to differences in culture. The school district can not also discount the fact that aside from being in a new environment, the usual support system of these teachers, which are their family and friends, is not around.

While there maybe mentorship or training opportunities available for the teachers, some of those teachers who were terminated arrived in the latter part of 2008 and were not yet able to undergo these trainings. Take note that most of those terminated have been exposed to US schools for only less than a year.

As many of these teachers are in an adjustment phase, we believe that other constructive options were not seriously considered. A good example would be a transfer program in which teachers can be reassigned to other schools within the district where they may be able to perform better based on each teacher’s strengths and weaknesses.

And the fact that the school district, according to its associate superintendent for human resources, Elizabeth Duran Swinford, erroneously stated the reason for the termination of some teachers as “noncompliant” and will have them “refired” leaves a bad taste in the mouth. If they are taking these matters seriously, how come that the most important information on the termination papers, which is the rationale behind the termination, is wrong?

The school district’s action of terminating these teachers in a hasty process suggests that they treat labor, particularly migrant labor, as a commodity that can easily be disposed of. These teachers are human beings and they have families to feed and children to send to school.

We want to make it clear that we are not asking that special treatment be afforded to Filipino teachers. What we are advocating is the protection of the rights of all migrant workers and the whole laboring sector.

Lastly, PM strongly believes that labor rights are human rights and we believe that regardless of residence status, these rights should be guaranteed to all workers. Citizen, migrant or whatever your status maybe, the rights of a worker should be respected. ###

The Struggle of Filipino Migrant Teachers

(I am sharing below an open letter that summarizes the plight and the struggles of Filipino Migrant Teachers in the US. You can check out their blog at http://www.pinoyteachershub.blogspot.com/. By any means, let us support their cause.)

An open letter to our fellow Filipino Migrant Teachers

Why we need to act together.

We left our country to work in a foreign land. Many of us were reluctant to leave our families and communities behind but the promise of a brighter future for us and our children led us to where we are now. We are here because we are trying to secure a life that is full of opportunities, not only for ourselves but also for our loved ones.

In the pursuit of our aspirations, we encountered challenges but we always resolved to face these problems for we know that a persistent attitude is the only way to go forward. Before we made our decision to come here, many of us were faced with the dilemma of leaving our families – sacrificing the company of our respective spouses and kids for a shot at the future.

Before we came here, we have to hurdle several interviews, seminars and backbreaking reviews and examinations. Many of us were short in finances but we sold our properties or even placed ourselves deep in debt so as not to derail our plans to become financially stable in the future.

In short, we gave all that we could, so we can start building a dream for ourselves and our families. We discovered however that the beautiful pictures that were painted in our imagination are not as what they seem to be. Now we discovered that the Recruitment and Placement Agency who we entrusted with our dreams is not acting with the best, or in fact not even a fraction, of our interests in mind.

Firstly, there was a lack of transparency in the process that we underwent as we are preparing our documents for our deployment here. The fees and charges were not even clear to us as the agency seems to invent new ways to empty our pockets every week. Many of us were not even able to read and study our contracts with the agency as we only received a copy of it on the eve of our flight.

Secondly, the agency is defrauding us with our hard-earned wages. Our contract stipulates that 10% of our monthly gross income for two years shall be paid to the agency. In reality however we were made to pay in advance 20% of our “expected” gross income for one year. To add insult to injury the “expected” gross income is bloated so as to make us pay the maximum advance payment. This overcharging of placement fees and the premature collection of the same is tantamount to illegal recruiting and is a violation of a Philippine law, the Republic Act 8042 or the Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995.

Further they say that the excess payment will be applied to the following year while we are not even sure of being renewed for the next year or if we would even opt to use the same agency next year. What the agency is doing, apart from milking us dry, is to indirectly restrict us from pursuing our other options as they intend to continue exploiting us.

Thirdly, the agency has instituted schemes that are grossly immoral and unfair to us teachers. One blatant example is its effort to corner many of us into borrowing from its partner lending agency that charges excessive interest rates. The agency is charging us illegally with steep placement fees, then turns around and refers us to its partner lending agency to charge us once again with exorbitant interest rates.

Fourthly, we are dismayed by which we are treated virtually as modern slaves. The agency cramped us up in dilapidated apartment units. What makes it even painful is that we are being overcharged with the rent for these unspeakable living quarters that were simply forced upon us. While the published rent of a unit is only around $800 a month, we are all charged $310 each with each apartment unit housing 4 individuals and at times up to 8. We have a right to a safe and clean place of dwelling. And we have a right to choose a place that we deem is best for ourselves as we are the ones spending for it in the first place. The agency however decided to simply disregard these rights and make money in the process.

Fifthly, many of us have experience first hand the threats and intimidation employed by the agency and its owner to force us to shut our mouths up and simply swallow the oppression. The agency even discourages us from communicating with other Filipino groups or else our contracts will not be renewed.

Sixthly, we are aware of some of our colleagues who, weeks after they arrive here, are still without school assignments but instead need to attend job fairs for placement. They were duped into believing that a job is waiting for them here for how else can they be issued working visas. For the meantime, interests payments for their debts pile up every day.

Further there are so many other individual issues that we are sure you have experienced with the agency as well. They have unlawfully opened our SS document without our consent, they have bullied us and treated us as if we are not responsible adults who can decide for ourselves, and much more. We share many of these horrible stories yet here we are appearing disorganized if not helpless.

Now what are we to do? Some of you may be thinking of just keeping silent and swallow whatever pride that is left within you. Some of you may take a step of getting a lawyer to secure your immigration papers. Or maybe you are one of those who are thinking of seeking justice against the agency in your individual capacity.

We are in a foreign land and unfamiliar with the environment. No doubt we can easily adapt like we Filipinos always do – but will we simply allow these injustices to continue to happen, not only to us but to the next batch of our fellow teachers? We don’t know any public officials here who can help us or a radio or a media organization that we can turn to – but will we simply join in the chorus of silence and inaction?

We strongly believe that it is in our best interest to act collectively. The same way that it is in the interest of the agency to keep us separate and scattered, to keep us vulnerable and powerless. The reason why the agency forbids us to talk to one another, or with any other Filipino groups for that matter, is precisely because the agency is afraid that we share our horrible experiences and in the process unite us into action.

We need to stand up. We need to act as a group. And here are the main reasons why:

First, we share a common goal in this struggle – a goal that we may be able to pursue our dreams for our families. When we coordinate our action, our effort will be much more effective as we have more brains, and hands and hearts working for our common objectives.

Second, these efforts require not only our time and energy but also our financial resources. Securing a lawyer alone to handle our immigration papers and pursue our case will involve a lot of expenses. And most of us are now drowning in debt caused by the exorbitant fees the agency is charging us. If however we act as a group, we have the power to negotiate a favorable arrangement that will make the shared burden lighter.

Last and more important, we very much know that in numbers there is strength. It is only through a united action can we achieve true empowerment. It is only through a concerted effort that our voice will be heard loud and clear. It is only through a unified struggle can we effectively protect our jobs and our future.

Again, it is an imperative that we act together. It is an imperative that we act now!

Mabuhay ang gurong Pilipino!


Signed:

Concerned Filipino Migrant Teachers
Louisiana, USA

RISE Information Sheet Against Coal-Plants

(This information sheet was prepared by the Responsible Ilonggos for Sustainable Energy (RISE) and the Concerned Physicians of Iloilo.)

Coal-fired power plants (CFPP) emit toxic heavy metals, particulates, radioactive elements and gases which poison the air, water, and soil causing disease and death!

1. CFPP’s and so-called “clean coal” generate mercury which is poisonous.

• Fetuses, infants and children are especially at risk because of their developing minds and bodies.

• Mercury exposure can result in learning difficulties, behavioral problems like attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), allergic reactions, tiredness, headaches, sperm damage, birth defects and miscarriages, vision changes, deafness, difficulty in walking and movement, and memory loss.

• No specific therapy is available for chronic mercury poisoning.

• Mercury can travel up to 966 km from the power plant.• Mercury in the environment can make fish and other seafood unsafe to eat.

• Mercury bioaccumulates up the food chain and never disappears in the environment.

2. CFPP’s including so-called “clean coal” emit other poisons like lead, manganese, aluminum, boron and cadmium.

• These poisons can cause miscarriages, weight loss, physical and mental development delays, and problems in the respiratory, circulatory, reproductive, digestive and nervous systems.

3. CFPP’s produce cancer-causing substances.

• Heavy metals like arsenic, hexavalent chromium and cadmium are all associated with the development of cancers of the prostate, bladder and lungs.

• Dioxin in the fly ash can also cause lung cancer.

• Fluidized bed combustion releases polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) of which the most potent carcinogens are benzoanthracene and benzopyrene.

4. Burning of coal release radioactive elements thorium, uranium and radium.

• Both large and small amounts of radiation can damage our genetic material; it can destroy cells or alter its growth or function

• Other effects of large doses of radiation include suppression of the immune system and cataracts.

• Certain tissues of a fetus, particularly the brain, are especially sensitive to radiation at specific stages of development.

• Radiation can also increase the probability of cancer.

5. CFPP’s including “clean coal” still release particulate matter.

• Particulate matter (PM) lodges deeply in the lungs causing heart and lung problems.

• Particulate matter can cause cancers, asthma attacks, chronic bronchitis, strokes, heart attacks, congestive heart failure, hypertension, premature deaths, sleep disturbances, lower birth weights, premature births, intrauterine deaths, birth defects, increased new born deaths due to respiratory causes.

6. CFPP’s contribute to extreme climate change due to carbon dioxide emissions which cannot be controlled by circulating fluidized bed combustion.

• Coal is the most carbon intensive of all the fossil fuels.

• Direct effects are droughts, typhoons, floods and landslides.

• Indirect effects are resurgence of vector and water-borne diseases like dengue, malaria, encephalitis and cholera; changes in food and water supplies; population displacement and economic disruption.

The health risks are greatest for people living closer to the plants. Twenty percent of the total health impact occurs on 8 percent of the population that lives within 48.27 km of the facilities.

REFERENCES :
• Beyond Coal: Power, Public Health and the Environment, Kim Perrotta, Ontario Public Health Association, Nov 2002
• Haddad, Lester, Shannon, Michael, Winchester, James. Clinical Management of Poisoning and Drug Overdose, 3rd ed., 1998
• Handbook on Childhood Poisoning, 1st Ed. Philippine Pediatric Society, Inc. Committee on Therapeutics and Toxicology.
• (Harvard School of Public Health Report 2000)Kaplan and Sadock’s Synopsis of Psychiatry.2007. 10th Ed,
• McMichael, Tony. 2001. Human Frontiers, Environment and Disease.
• Natural Resources Defense Council, September 2007.
• Needleman, Herbert, P. Landrigan. 1994. Raising Children Toxic Free.
• Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 15th Ed.
• Wrisley, Jeff. Report on “Adverse Effects of Coal Burning Power Plants in Michigan”.

Rice crisis, a policy crisis

“It is not these well-fed long-haired men that I fear, but the pale and the hungry looking.”
- Julius Caesar

The Arroyo government is now scrambling to find quick fixes to the rice crisis. The government is pretending as if this is something that came from nowhere, that they were caught by surprise as the worldwide food problem reached our shores. It is as if people in the government did not see this crisis coming. It is as if this was an imported disease that we know nothing about.

The reality is that the government is complicit to this very problem. For decades now, our government has ignored the agriculture industry. Succeeding administrations are guilty of disregarding an economic sector that could have been the strong backbone for the country’s development. Yes, our government has been a big failure in being able to capitalize on our rich agricultural resources that would have ensured the nation’s food security.

While other Asian countries continue to build and strengthen their agriculture, we have been busy building malls and golf courses. We have been contented with just sending our people abroad to work as maids and caregivers and take comfort that our economy is kept afloat by their remittances.

Our economic managers conveniently concluded that it is far easier to just import rice from Thailand or Vietnam or from anywhere else. Our policy-makers decided to instead focus on attracting call centers and other service sector industries. And while our government advanced the tourism industry, investment for agriculture dwindled to the point of pity.

Instead of protecting our agriculture the government blindly subscribed to the policy of liberalization that subjected the industry to uneven competition. Let us not forget that it was also Gloria Arroyo, as a senator in 1997, who promoted the country’s entry to the WTO (World Trade Organization) and enthusiastically supported the same trade policies that aggravated the damage to our agriculture industry.

Thus, our own government is an accomplice to this crime of neglecting the food security of the country. But Gloria Arroyo now is acting as if she is not aware of what is happening. And while at this, Arroyo is as usual in a show-off mode – trying to project that she is on top of the problem, that she is tough against rice hoarders, that she is compassionate by distributing cheap NFA rice.

We are a country rich in agricultural resources yet it is a pity to note that we are one of the highest importers in the whole planet of the very staple food that we need.

It is time to go back to the basics – our country needs to be self sufficient most especially in food production. We cannot depend on other countries for our food supply. That is the bottom line.

A Reader's Comment

(Below is a very interesting email from Bert who read my article, "Misinformation on Coal", in the The News Today.)

Dear Mr. Seruelo,

This article solidifies the undeniable concern of the hazards coal power plants could potentially bring to the City of Iloilo. What is baffling is that proponents would use anything and everything to justify something that is horribly wrong. Why can't they just put their time and energy to solicit other environmentally friendly power sources?

- - - -

Kansas Rejects Proposed Coal Plant
October 19, 2007

Because Of CO2 Emissions The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has become the first government agency in the U.S. to cite carbon dioxide emissions as the reason for rejecting an air permit for a coal-fired electricity generating plant, The Washington Post reports. Sunflower Electric Power, a rural electrical cooperative, proposed to build a pair of 700-megawatt, coal-fired plants in Holcomb at a cost of about $3.6 billion.

It may be the first of a series of similar state actions inspired by a Supreme Court decision in April that asserted that greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide should be considered pollutants under the Clean Air Act.Air permits have been denied over emissions such as sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and mercury, according to WaPo. But Roderick Bremby, secretary of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, said that “it would be irresponsible to ignore emerging information about the contribution of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases to climate change and the potential harm to our environment and health if we do nothing.”

- - - -

Didn't any of the member of the 10 man task force of Mayor Trenas pay attention to this article circulated in one of the local newspaper in Iloilo? One of the panellists is a Professor from UPV and the current Vice Mayor is a UPV alumni - what else can they have missed? Where is the UP spirit of doing what's right vs. what is easier?

Another panel member is a priest who is fond of perpuating that coal plants are acceptable in the United States - doesn't he realize that he is not the only one who have been to the United States? If there is no such concern, why is it then that the US Government is spending a lot of money to clean up the environmental mess brought about by coal powered plants? He is a proponent of the filtration system being offered by the builder! What is his guarantee that the standards would be followed diligently? Unfortunately, he forgot that we are a country who do not have the kind of discipline to implement most standards. We cannot even manage the cleanliness of our streets and rivers!

I do not understand why a certain politician/doctor champions the installation of a coal powered plant in Iloilo when he cannot even convince his constituents to put up one in their own town?

What about the Mayor of Iloilo who is blinded by political paybacks that he is willing to be remembered as the mayor who brought about the environmental doom of Iloilo.

The Liga ng mga Barangay president who arrogantly says "How come the people of Cebu are still alive despite the installation of coal power plants in their city?". Here's your answer based on the article below - it takes years before you will feel the hazardous effects. Who will foot the bill for the clean-up and the medical expenses?

- - - -

US-based Ilongga expert issues word of caution on coal plants
By Ronilo L. Pamonag

A US-based Ilongga expert on coal power plants advised proponents of a coal-fired power plant to look for other alternatives, as she expressed concern over the potential ill effects on the populace.

“We have to look for alternative fuel without the hazardous emissions. Try to think of other alternatives,” chemical engineer Erlinda Palmos, formerly a technical advisor with the US Department of Energy and now the manager of the US Navy’s Environment Safety and Health Management, said during a press conference Monday afternoon.

We have hydro-electric and geothermal sources of energy, why don’t we maximize their potential, she said. Coal, she adds, is a dirty raw material. She stressed though that she is neither for nor against the proposal of Global Business Power Corporation to put up a coal-fired power plant in Brgy. Ingore, Lapaz, Iloilo City, but expressed uneasiness that the proposed site is very near residential communities.

The GBPC has been lobbying for a coal-fired power plant in the City to address what they claim is the predicted power shortage by 2010.

Palmos also advised proponents to look for other sites, and come up with a deeper, more comprehensive, and accurate feasibility study.

In the United States, she said, coal power plants are located away from communities to minimize the effect of emissions on the people caused by changes in the wind pattern.

Moreover, the present trend in the US is against coal plants, and more for nuclear power plants. Many coal plants in the US are closing because they are having a hard time complying with federal and state environmental regulations. “That’s why they’re training their eyes on third world countries,” she said.

In fact, when she was still with the DoE, she ordered the closure of one coal plant for exceeding emission levels, Palmos relates.

The study, she suggested, should include toxicology data, as well as the instrumentation used and the process followed.They are planning to put up a coal-fired power plant but their Environmental Impact Study is about diesel power plants, she noted, referring to GBPC’s EIS.

Coal is different from diesel, she pointed out. She highlighted the need to ensure that environmental laws, especially regulations on emissions and waste disposal, are complied with, and that there is a standard operating procedure governing the regular preventive maintenance of the plant.

“Are they willing to spend huge amounts just to ensure that toxic elements are not released into the environment?” she asked.For the first two years of operation, a coal power plant will not yet experience problems with its emissions. But as years go by, problems regarding toxic emissions would crop up, she said.

- - - -

I applaud your conviction in writing "Misinformation on Coal". I pray that the people of Iloilo would be guided to oppose the installation of the coal powered plant in Iloilo.

Sincerely,

Bert Rosal

Censored Article

I am dismayed that a significant portion of my article entitled "Misinformation on Coal" was cut and was not published in the The News Today.

Below is the section that was excluded. See previous blog entry for complete article.

- - - -

Shameless

The sad story here is that some media entities are becoming to be part of this misinformation. An example is the shameless practice of this certain news daily in slanting all its news stories for the coal plant and maligning those who opposed the project.

This newspaper, while it proclaims itself as “Western Visayas’ Most Read and Respected,” has a weird concept of balance news. It is balance in a way that it gives good publicity in proportion to the weight of your wallet.

An interesting coincidence is that the publisher/editor of the paper is the paid PR manager of the coal plant proponent.

Misinformation on Coal

“There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, and statistics.”
- Benjamin Disraeli

Misinformation it seems is the remaining tactic of the proponent of the 168 MW coal plant here in Iloilo. As more and more Ilonggos understand that putting up a coal plant right in our backyard is not such a good idea, the proponent and its PR team are now trying to spread more lies and half-truths.

Well what can you expect? Millions of pesos in annual profits are at stake here and that the proponent has hired the best spin doctors to weave a blanket of misinformation.

Clean Coal?

First, they keep on reciting this “clean coal technology” script as if repeating it a thousand times will at least make it sound cleaner. In industrialized countries they are already moving towards renewable alternatives to coal in recognition of the fact that coal plants are the dirtiest sources of energy.

And coal-plant investors in these industrialized countries are now even talking about advancing the technology such as burying the carbon emissions underground or the use of a gasified form of coal. Again, in recognition of the fact that coal-fired power plant technology including the circulating fluidized bed combustion proposed here in Iloilo is a dirty technology.

Shortage?

Secondly, these coal pushers take advantage of the power interruptions brought about by the inefficiencies of the PECO-PPC tandem and the region’s poor transmission infrastructure. Then they conveniently pair these brownouts and blackouts to their over-exaggerated power demand projections.

They spin this dark tale that these power interruptions are going to get worse and a coal plant is the only answer to this problem. But if you check the annual projections of the DOE since 10 years ago, they have been projecting a shortage as early as 2005. Do we have a shortage now? No. The problem that we have now can be solved simply by an improvement in the transmission facilities, not by a 168 MW coal plant.

Currently, Iloilo City has a peak demand of only 76 MW and we have a capacity of 84 MW (69 MW from PPC and 15MW form NPC), not to mention the 25 MW capacity of the Negros-Panay submarine cable that provides additional power to the island. Simply put, these coal plant PR managers are fear-mongering us Ilonggos to accepting a hazardous project.

I am not saying here that there is no need to build more power plants for the city’s future needs. What I am saying is let us not foolishly jump to this dirty project as we have enough time to study and solicit investors for a cleaner power source.

Safe?

Thirdly, I have never heard any of these coal pushers acknowledging that indeed coal plants pose dangers to both the human health and the environment as shown by tomes of documents worldwide. What is ironic however is that while there is no admission of any hazard, they keep on mouthing their ready reply called “mitigating measures.” I do not know why you need “mitigating measures” if this is supposed to be a “clean coal technology.”

Now, they even got somebody from the DOH to endorse the project. I really do not know how a doctor from the DOH can be so ignorant of the facts. This endorsement of the building of a coal plant right in a densely populated city is such an irresponsible act coming from a health professional.

The DOH doctor asserted, “As far the health is concerned, there's no question with that because our concern is public protection. DOH is supportive of the coal plant project as it believes that mitigating measures will be put in place precisely to protect the public.”

There they go with the “mitigating measures” again. Here is a DOH doctor who will entrust our city’s health and environment to the belief that “mitigating measures will be put in place.” Why not chose a cleaner option so that there will be no need to mitigate? Why put a community at risk if there are other safer alternatives?

In news reports this doctor never mentioned what mitigating measures she has in mind and did not even articulate a medical or scientific perspective on the issue. All she can say is that the coal plant project is okay, period. It seems that corruption in Malacañang has trickled down to the departments.

Shameless

The sad story here is that some media entities are becoming to be part of this misinformation. An example is the shameless practice of this certain news daily in slanting all its news stories for the coal plant and maligning those who opposed the project.

This newspaper, while it proclaims itself as “Western Visayas’ Most Read and Respected,” has a weird concept of balance news. It is balance in a way that it gives good publicity in proportion to the weight of your wallet.

An interesting coincidence is that the publisher/editor of the paper is the paid PR manager of the coal plant proponent.

(Send your comments and reactions to: for text messages to 0919-348-6337 and for e-mails to ianseruelo@gmail.com.)

A democratic alternative to GMA

(This is a statement from former UP President and now chairperson of Laban ng Masa Prof. Francisco Nemenzo)

A democratic alternative to GMA

The belated involvement of Makati Business Club and other elite groups in the campaign to oust Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is welcome. But we should not let them steal victory from the people.

The ouster of GMA will bring no significant improvement if the system of elite rule is left intact. Whoever accedes to Malacanang in this political framework will remain a captive of the greedy and colonial-minded elite.

For as long as the elite hold effective power, a snap election will be another contest between trapos who enjoy their financial blessings. Democracy is a fraud where people are merely asked to choose who among the candidates of the elite will represent and repress them.

The truly democratic alternative to GMA is a Transitional Revolutionary Government, a collective leadership that has the strength and political will to institute fundamental reforms. Since the country is damaged beyond repair after decades of oligarchic rule, it has to be rebuilt from top to bottom. New structures for popular participation at the grassroots level should replace the present pseudo-representati ve system. The neoliberal policies now dragging the country to the brink of disaster should be reversed. The public and private centers of power should be democratized. The bureaucracy, military and police should be cleansed of officials whose opulent lifestyles can only be sustained by graft and corruption.

We are appalled to hear the executive director of the Makati Business Club claim that his outfit financed the inter-faith rally last Friday. Laban ng Masa never received and will never accept any assistance from such a source. That is how the elite manipulate the elected trapos. That is why we are not only fighting for regime change; we are fighting for system change. We do not only want to rid the country of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo; we want an end to the system that breeds her type of leadership.

Readers’ take on corrupt politics

"Kung kaya mong isipin, kaya mong gawin
Isa-isang hakbang lamang at ika’y makakarating
Tulad ng puno na galing sa binhi
Ang mga dakilang gawa’y nagmula sa guni-guni..."
- from “Kung Kaya Mong Isipin” by Joey Ayala

Today I am featuring several emailed letters from this column’s readers. Many of the emails I received in the past days are in reaction to my previous article entitled “The Tentacles of Evil”.

What is common in many of the reactions I received is that despite of what is happening in our country, many well-meaning Filipinos are still ready to stand up for what is right and willing to act for the future of our nation.

Definitely you can sense the tone of hopelessness, of surrender to the seemingly bleak future ahead. We are buried in a very dark hole indeed, but let us hope that we Filipinos can muster enough wisdom, courage and sense of unity to choose the path that will lead us back to the light.

* * * * *
Kabayan,

We all desire to achieve our objectives....

What about those overnight critics/enemies of PGMA who were with her many years in their post and took advantage of enriching themselves? Should we also run after them...or just let them go scot free, as if nothing happened?

If we want to get rid of the scalawags in our society, we should consider the option of reaping them out also....and sow a new seed. Don't let the old weeds remain.

Just my thoughts...

From: maltares@kfupm.edu.sa

* * * * *

I feel so helpless seeing and hearing all this mafia function that’s been happening ever since she (Gloria Arroyo) was in power.

And to realize that she used those money for her own good, sacrificing our Inang Bayan. It saddened me to realize that those projects are good projects, broadband, North and South rail projects to name a few. I'm saddened because it hit me when I think the good impact of such. Broadband means good communication, faster link, same with the road construction that will boost our economy. Look at our neighboring Asian countries, Japan has the Bullet train that transport people faster, good roads and airlines, same with Singapore, Hong Kong and the like.

It’s so frustrating to know, that this unfinished projects cost this much $$$$ and our mahal na INANG BAYAN was in debt for millions AND millions of dollars. Seems like the Philippines was sold to China for the benefit of this hypocrite, and as you well said, FAKE president.

I agree that its time to stand up now before it’s too late, we will soon be carrying China's passport.

From: asilag@arrow.com

* * * * *
Just like many Filipinos, I am appalled by the latest events in our country. This administration just as the previous administrations has committed big crimes against our nation – corruption, corruption and corruption. I do not know if we can even live to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

I agree with you that it not correct to swallow the corruption of President Arroyo simply because all of them are corrupt anyway. We cannot trust any of those dirty politicians. It is time to move and bring out alternative leaders for our country’s future.

From: janreyes123@yahoo.com

(Send your comments and reactions to: for text messages to 0919-348-6337 and for e-mails to ianseruelo@gmail.com)

The Tentacles of Evil

“Work and struggle and never accept an evil that you can change.”
- Andre Gide

So what has our nation become after more than 100 years since the Philippine declaration of independence? Andres Bonifacio, Jose Rizal, Apolinario Mabini and all our heroes for sure are turning in their graves as the nation is plunged deeper unto this pit of corruption and greed.

What has our nation become after almost a quarter century since the first EDSA people power? The spirit of EDSA, our dreams of social justice, is now drowned into the abyss of inequity and elite politics.

It seems that whatever good that is left is overpowered by the powerful stench of mafia-style governance. Our nation has been marinated for so long in this concentrated pulp of sleaze such that as time passes, the flavors of greed and corruption seeps deeper and deeper into its matter. Now, it seems that this concentrate has fully invaded the very core of our nation’s culture, spirit, and consciousness.

What is apparent is that the tentacles of evil have now reached all corners of our society. It is so entrenched that even those who are well-meaning are even blinded by the real issues.

Take for example those who would rather turn a blind eye on the substantive issues and say “Well, let the opposition prove the accusations against Arroyo in an impeachment case or a legal proceeding. Let the rule of law prevail.”

The assumption here of course is that Gloria Arroyo will submit to the “rule of law”. Could a government operating like a mafia submit to the rule of law? We have seen several times already how Gloria Arroyo manipulated our laws to suit her and her cronies. We have seen how Arroyo breached the spirit of our laws just to push her family’s agenda. Now what “rule of law” are we talking about here?

Further what this rule-of-law argument is saying is that removing Arroyo from Malacañang through another people power is a violation of our laws and constitution. The presidency, as all public offices, is a public trust. Now, is the exercise of the people of its sovereign power to withdraw this trust and oust a corrupt and fake president outside the scope of its political rights?!

Or take also the example of those who will simply tolerate Arroyo and defend her by saying “Well, all of them are the same anyway. Let any one who is clean cast the first stone.”

The problem with that premise is that it is okay for their beloved Arroyo to steal since all of these trapo (traditional politicians) are thieves anyway. I don’t know how in heaven’s name could one accept such kind of reasoning.

We should stand up now not for the benefit of the other thief, but for the sake of our nation’s future, for the sake of our children. We should stand up now not because we want to install another trapo, but to push for a social justice agenda that will benefit the poor and the marginalized, our nation as a whole.

This is I think one of the lowest period in Philippine history. A point where the nation is still divided in condemning corruption in its grandest scale. A point where we don’t even tremble in indignation as we are faced with one big blatant attempt to defraud the nation.

(Send your comments and reactions to: for text messages to 0919-348-6337 and for e-mails to ianseruelo@yahoo.com.)

Censored Article

The article I wrote entitled "Big Flaws in Fr. Celis Arguments" (see previous post) was censored by my editor. It did not saw print nor was it published in its online edition.

We had an exchange of e-mails but in gist, here is what he said "my point is we don't have to refute the personal views of others to bring our message across.. i think fr.boy's pronouncements was his personal view and not as a member of the task force.. i did not say that you have violated journalism ethics, it's just my judgement not to print your article trying to refute specifically the pro-coal arguments of fr. boy.. indi bala entitled man siya to have his own perception about the issue?"

Here are different excerpts from my several emails to him:

"If you read my article it was a respectful opinion. it was not attacking Fr. Celis as a person. The article attacks the argument, not Fr. Celis. I dont have any below the belt attack on the persona of Fr. Celis. He had his views known by using the media, it is just anybody's right to give a different opinion. He is entitled to his opinion but as a columnist, i am also entitled to how i view the issue. "

"What is wrong with a columnist reacting to an article from other paper or sources? And what is wrong if a columnist wants to react to another specific person's viewpoint?

"Fr. Celis is part of the Task Force created by Trenas to evaluate the proposed coal plant. So his statements and public pronouncements of endorsing the coal plant has political implications. Moreso what is wrong with refuting a personal opinion? Like when one refutes or supports another columnist's personal opinion, there is nothing wrong with it. If one of our readers reacts to or refutes my personal opinion, then it is also ok. What is important is we do it in a manner that focuses on the issues and principles."

"As a writer yourself you should know how it will feel to have your piece of writing censored. And when the government suppresses our freedom to express or the independence of the media we are all in one side fighting against it."

Despite all those however he said it was his editorial judgement. So what can i do?

Big Flaws in Fr. Celis’ Pro-Coal Arguments (# 1)

“A small rock holds back a great wave.”
- The Odyssey by Homer

Corruption in government and in Philippine society happen everyday. This culture of corruption envelopes the whole system as if it is a malignant tumor. The main beneficiaries of this sick system are big time corrupt politicians who regularly rake in millions of pesos in kickbacks from multi-million projects.

Now, why will you scold the lowly barangay captain from pocketing one thousand pesos intended for a barangay project? In proportion, a thousand pesos is an insignificant “candlelight” in the hellfire of muliti-million kickbacks.

The management of solid wastes is a global concern. These wastes pollute the earth’s water, air and land resources in such disturbing rate. Industrialized countries such as the US are the leading generators of solid waste as they churn out millions of tons of solid waste per day such as tin cans, tires, plastics, styrofoam and bottles that end up in land fills and don’t get recycled.

So why will you scold Juan who tossed his garbage over the bridge and into the river? In proportion, a bagful of garbage is an insignificant “candlelight” in the hellfire of millions of tons of solid wastes.

Fraud is rampant every time we hold our elections. Vote rigging seems to be a given, an accepted feature in our electoral exercise. Wholesale cheating is done by “operators” the likes of Garci and also with the aid of military officers. Thousands if not millions of votes get padded up to the trapo (traditional politician) with the highest bid.

Now why will you scold the one flying voter who cheated by voting twice thereby adding just one fraudulent vote? In proportion, one vote is like an insignificant “candlelight” in the hellfire of millions of fraudulent votes.

The examples I have given above utilize the same argument Fr. Espiridion Celis is using in support for the proposed construction of a coal plant in Iloilo City.

"China definitely will open two coal-fired power plants every week for the next three and half years. It is like opening a very, very big oven for global warming. Will you scold Iloilo for lighting a candle because it will heat the world? I don't think we are proportion here. There are 24 coal-fired power plants in the Philippines, why Iloilo should have not one? I do not understand," he was quoted by the local media.

Celis also added, “I'm sure that Iloilo will not contribute one-twentieth of China's (emission)”.

We human beings are supposed to be stewards of the planet we live in – a planet, which in Christian teaching, is god’s creation. So priests I suppose would be in the front line of these efforts. I also suppose that religious leaders would have higher standards than say an economist or a capitalist or a politician when it comes to the protection of mother earth.

It is simply hard to believe that a church leader will say that it is okay to pollute a little and not mind the bigger global picture. It is hard to believe that a spiritual leader will say something that is tantamount to declaring that small actions do not affect the bigger world.

Asserting that the act of putting up one more coal plant could not possibly factor materially to the planet’s pollution and contribute to global warming is exactly the kind of mindset that is worsening a lot of the world’s ills.

Simply go back to my earlier examples on corruption, solid waste problem and electoral fraud. One thousand pesos, one bagful of garbage and one fraudulent vote are certainly not in proportion to the totality of the respective problem. But can we really dismiss them as insignificant?

Corollary to this, history has proven that small actions have caused both uplifting and devastating impacts to the world.

If Mahatma Gandhi has the same mindset as articulated by Fr. Celis, then the struggle for India’s independence could have been longer and violent. Apartheid in South Africa would not have been abolished sooner if Nelson Mandela did not believe in small actions.

The end of the horrible racial segregation in the US could not have been expedited if Rosa Parks gave her bus seat up to a white person, thereby giving no spark for Martin Luther King to initiate small protest demonstrations.

Our own Andres Bonifacio could not have inspired a revolution if he did not believe that his small band of katipuneros could one day defeat the mighty Spanish military.

On the opposite side, Adolf Hitler could not have brought mayhem to the whole world if he was stopped initiating his small propaganda about his superior race that placed him on the leadership of his nation.

Now, if the quote attributed to Fr. Celis came from the prospective investor or their paid consultants, I would understand as many of them think only of the benefits to their bank accounts with little consideration to the impact to the environment and society as a whole.

Coming from a priest however makes it different as you anticipate a more insightful opinion, a profound reasoning, a moral stand. Obviously, with all due respect to the parish priest of Mandurriao, I think he has not realized the true meaning of the dictum: “think globally, act locally.”

(Send your comments and reactions to: for text messages to 0919-348-6337; for e-mails to ianseruelo@gmail.com.)

Save TESDA! Prosecute Syjuco!

“Ethical axioms are found and tested not very differently from the axioms of science.
Truth is what stands the test of experience.”
- Albert Einstein

This column would like to yield this space to a petition to save Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) amidst the corruption scandal within the agency. Under the leadership (or the absence of it) of Boboy Syjuco, this department has deteriorated and became a milking cow of some people.

It is sad that an agency that benefits the poor and the working sector would be threatened to be abolished just because of the corrupt action and irresponsibility of its head.

Indeed there is no question that TESDA needs to be improved and that there is so much to be done for the agency to be able to achieve its mandate. But we cannot deny that with the worsening education and employment situation in the country, TESDA, in its small way, is filling in the gap for thousands if not millions of Filipinos.

This column is encouraging this blog’s readers to support the petition below which by the way can be signed online. The online link can be found at the end of this article.

* * * * * * *

To: Philippine Congress

We are pleased over the positive developments during the past weeks concerning the corruption case against Syjuco and the five members of the TESDA Bids and Awards Committee (TESDA-BAC). The corruption scandal is nearly over as all the aforesaid officials have been found guilty of grave misconduct and gross neglect of duty by the Presidential Anti-Graft Commission (PAGC) for their participation in a P 9.2 Million anomalous transaction involving the printing of a book entitled Salabat for the Filipino Soul.

Malacañang has upheld the PAGC ruling and ordered the dismissal from government service of the five TESDA-BAC members. On the other hand, Syjuco’s case has been forwarded to the Committee of Peers due to his cabinet rank. While we are eagerly hoping for the Committee of Peers to finally bring the case to its just conclusion, we are deeply saddened by the emerging bid among some of our legislators to abolish TESDA and to transfer its functions to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

As you may know, TESDA was established through the enactment of Republic Act No. 7796 otherwise known as the "Technical Education and Skills Development Act of 1994.” Signed into law by President Fidel V. Ramos, the need for it arose from the key recommendations of the 1991 Report of the Congressional Commission on Education. These recommendations came about as a result of a national assessment of the state of education and manpower development in the Philippines.

Three offices – the National Manpower and Youth Council (NMYC) of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Bureau of Technical and Vocational Education (BTVE) of the Department of Education, Culture and Sports (DECS), and the Apprenticeship Program of the Bureau of Local Employment (BLE) of the DOLE – were merged into one in order to “reduce overlapping in skills development activities initiated by various public and private sector agencies, and to provide national directions for the country's technical-vocational education and training (TVET) system.”

In general, TESDA is mandated to:

1. Integrate, coordinate and monitor skills development programs;
2. Restructure efforts to promote and develop middle-level manpower;
3. Approve skills standards and tests;
4. Develop an accreditation system for institutions involved in middle-level manpower development;
5. Fund programs and projects for technical education and skills development; and
6. Assist trainers training programs.

TESDA has gone a long way since its inception. In an assessment of TESDA’s performance during the period from 1995-2000, the said agency earned an average rating of 2.71 or Fair by various stakeholders and an Independent Review Panel. Moreover, the report concluded that there is still a lot of room for improvement. This indicates that even after just a few years since it was established, TESDA already showed potential to serve as “a conductor, a referee, a policeman, a helper, a strategist, a planner, a visionary for the TVET sub-sector.” Combining three agencies into one is no easy task and yet, TESDA in its early years has managed to come up with “notable initiatives.”

The assessment report made various recommendations to strengthen TESDA and what surfaced as the most urgent need to further strengthen the TVET sub-sector was to push for adequate funding for TESDA. More recommendations were made and every one of them pointed to strengthening TESDA, focusing its mandate and instituting reforms within the agency. Not one suggested that TESDA be abolished or be placed under another jurisdiction.

Now more than ever, the country needs to address the issues concerning our manpower development. With the degrading state of our education system and the job-skills mismatch that has been pointed out as the major cause of the unemployment among our youth and labor force, we must reform TESDA in order for the institution to become more responsive. Placing it under the management of DTI will only defeat our purpose of developing our manpower as the two agencies cover different mandates and have different expertise. In addition, doing so will only result to a multi-layered bureaucracy that would not have the sufficient focus and resources to address the needs of our middle-level manpower.

We call on our legislators not to be swayed into abolishing TESDA just because of the Syjuco corruption scandal that has negatively its performance. Ever since he became Director-General, Syjuco has only brought shame to TESDA. This is because he has merely used the agency as a tool to further his political and vested interests. This is evident on how the budget of TESDA is concentrated in District 2 of Iloilo where he served as former Congressman and how he spends excessively on programs that have nothing to do with improving the plight of the TVET sub-sector and publicity stints meant to raise his profile and please GMA.

Our legislators should banish Syjuco, not TESDA. The whole agency does not deserve to bear one man’s failings.

SAVE TESDA! SACK SYJUCO!

* * * * *
This blog fully supports this petition and is encouraging you to sign along at the following web address: www.petitiononline.com/sacboboy/petition.html.

(Send your comments and reactions to: for text messages to 0919-348-6337; for e-mails to ianseruelo@gmail.com.)

Time to Move

“ The road may be rough, the weather may forget us But won't we all parade around and sing our songs, A magic kingdom, open-armed…”
- from “Bandwagon” by R.E.M.

A new movement against illegitimate debt was launched during the last weekend in Quezon City . It is aptly called People Against Illegitimate Debt (PAID!). This movement held its first assembly and also launched its People's Petition calling for the creation of an Independent Citizens' Debt Audit Commission.

This column thinks that this is a timely undertaking given the country’s worsening debt situation. No thanks to the sitting fake president! Further, last year was a year when a lot of anomalous big projects were exposed – projects that end up jacking up the country’s debts. Well, it’s not as if there was a year that I can remember when there was a shortage of corruption-tainted debt-creating “projects”.

What made 2007 stand out as the “Year of the Corrupt Trapo” is the boldness by which corruption was done. Just think about the ZTE-National Broadband Network (NBN) project, the World Bank textbook scam, the Cyber Education Project (CEP). And we can add to that the Austrian Medical Waste Loan. Not all of these projects were initiated in 2007 but it was that year when these anomalies came to light.

It is distressing to note that after these sham projects were exposed, it was met with rage from the public alright, but only took a few days or weeks for the anger to die down. What is ironic is that this anger always ends up building our mounting apathy. We seem to say “Well that is how it is. What’s new?” And every time this kind of event happens we retreat back to our shell and say “I said so. Those trapos (traditional politicians) will always be trapos.”

These actions undertaken by a broad network of social movements, civil society leaders, people's organizations, communities and personalities in organizing the PAID! movement and calling for a debt audit are clearly meaningful steps to the right direction.

Here are excerpts from the group’s manifesto:

"More than just the burden of payments, there is the fundamental injustice. While citizens are forced to pay, much of these debts were contracted without full public transparency and accountability, and without full compliance with democratic processes, and did not benefit the people.”

"Many loans were accompanied by unfair terms and harmful conditionalities. A significant number has been tainted with deception and fraud, or used for questionable purposes such as financing of ill-designed, unnecessary, and even inoperable programs, or repayment of earlier loans for onerous projects such as the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant."

It is high time that we start asking questions. Now, is the time that we demand transparency and accountability from the government.

How much is the country’s outstanding debt and exactly how much are we paying annually? Who contracted the loans and what were the loans for? What procedures were followed? Were these procedures in compliance with the principles of transparency, accountability, due diligence, democratic decision-making?

How were the loans used? Were the funds actually spent for the intended purposes? What were the terms and conditionalities accompanying these loans? What were the effects of the loan-financed projects and policies on communities and on people’s lives?

What were the environmental impacts of these loans and projects? What are the accountabilities of creditors? What are the effects of automatic and continuous payments of these debts today on the lives of the Filipinos?

Answers to these questions are what Independent Citizens' Debt Audit would like to be presented and revealed to the Filipino taxpayers and consumers. It is these questions that PAID! seeks to be answered as it calls for the creation of a Congressional mechanism to audit the country’s debt.

This audit, as PAID! envisions, should go beyond mere accounting as it should examine past and present government policies, transactions and contracts that have contributed to the accumulation of public debts. This action shall be a step for the review and rationalization of laws and regulations relevant to borrowings, public guarantees and debt payments.

One of the main organizers of this movement is the debt watchdog Freedom from Debt Coalition (FDC). During the 13th Congress, FDC was successful in getting the joint resolution on debt audit passed unanimously by the House of Representatives. However, it was stalled in the Senate due to the inaction of some legislators.

Now, let us get this moving once again. Let us start talking about this issue as this involves the future of the country. Let us start knocking in unison so the halls of Congress will be filled with our calls. To paraphrase a landmark manifesto: We have nothing to loose but the chains of indebtedness.

(Send your comments and reactions to: for text messages to 0919-348-6337; for e-mails to ianseruelo@gmail.com.)

Twelve 2007 issues, Twelve wishes for 2008

2007 is on its way out. Another year has past. Looking back, it has been one chaotic year indeed. Here are 12 selected issues from the various topics I tackled this past year. Aside from the quotes from one article per month, I also included my wishes for 2008 pertaining to each of the issues.

1. Minimum wage, January 2007

“The business sector declares that a legislated P125.00 increase in the minimum wage will be ‘disastrous’ to the economy.

“The business sector presents, in their full page advertisements campaigning against the wage legislation, that the increase will cause a ‘disastrous chain reaction’ and is a ‘ticking time bomb’.

“I say, continue to deny the workers their just share to their fruits of labor and see for yourself where this ‘disastrous chain reaction’ will lead to. And yes, starve an already impoverished population and witness what a real “ticking time bomb” is all about.

My wish for 2008: May workers be more unified in their struggle for just wages. In the sorry state of Philippine politics, only a united loud angry voice by the masses may be effective for the trapos to notice.

2. Global warming, February 2007

“For years now, scientists all over the world have been raising the alarm over global warming. Strong evidence points to this phenomenon and how human activity is strongly link to climate change. Lately a scientific gathering strengthened this consensus with the hope that the world will act faster and face this inconvenient truth.

“The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) issued their Fourth Assessment Report on the underlying science of climate change. IPCC has concluded that humans are the main culprits for atmospheric greenhouse gas build-up.

My wish for 2008: I hope that more people the world over will pressure their respective governments to act swiftly on this global issue.

3. Still on poverty, March 2007

“Further according to the NCSB, here are the poverty thresholds per capita (per person, per day) in the areas in Provinces in the Visayas area: Guimaras P43.73, Negros Occidental P40.48, Aklan P39.59, Iloilo P39.33….

“It means that here in Iloilo we only need P39.33 a day to live out of poverty. Take note that that amount does not only cover food. That amount should include allocation for house rent, utilities, fare, clothing, health and for other emergencies.

“I don’t actually need to write an article to highlight how the government manipulates these data to hide the real crisis. I know that everyone knows the actual situation and how the burden is getting heavier by the day.

My wish for 2008: May the Filipinos survive another year.

4. Peace in Mindanao, April 2007

“It seems that peace in Mindanao remains to be illusive. The conflict in Sulu is getting worse. As the government continues its military offensive, we should once again bring to the fore the painful impact of war to the population.

“A decision to go to war should be supported with hard facts and real evidence that it is indeed necessary. The government should learn from the example of what happened in Iraq. The government should learn from the previous military offensives in Mindanao. Bombs and guns can never be a solution to the deep divide in the South.

My wish for 2008: Peace. Harmony. Yeah I know this again is too much to ask in a year. Ok then. A bit of peace. A tiny morsel of harmony and tolerance.

5. Arroyo dumped in mid-term elections, May 2007

“Looking at the results of the recent elections, I can say there is a glimmer of hope in the Filipino nation. As of today’s numbers, at least nine in the magic 12 senators are not administration candidates.

“This is by itself equivalent to a vote of no confidence to the current corrupt administration – a government headed by a president whose mandate simply came from a fellow named Garci.

“Despite the Filipinos reluctance to march out in the streets to protest Arroyo’s fraud and corrupt practices, this election results manifest the stand of the majority who are fed up.

“Though this is short of the anger I expect from a nation oppressed by a fake president, I nevertheless say this is a significant spark. A flicker that I hope will never die but grow into a blaze that will light up the Filipinos’ consciousness. A glimmer of hope…

My wish for 2008: I wish that principles return to Philippine politics. Okay that is too much to ask, I know. All I am asking for is just a tiny tiny bit. And may this glimmer of hope transform into a conflagration this year.

6. The continuing burden of PECO consumers, June 2007

“First order of business, here in Iloilo City, should be to alleviate the burden of the power consumers who for years have been slapped with exorbitant electric bills. PECO (read: Patay Electric Consumers) has for decades manipulated the rate setting mechanism to pad its electric rates. And up to now, it seems there is no respite to the suffering of the Ilonggo consumers.

“To compare, look at the amount of taxpayers’ money that the Province was able to save recently when they shifted their power source from PECO to Napocor. Now, the Iloilo Provincial Capitol only spends about half of what it pays PECO before.

“The questions now are: Is there a way to end this abuse and malpractices of PECO? Is there a feasible solution in sight? Or do we simply remain at the mercy of PECO?

“The answer is: Yes, there is a way! In fact we now have a golden opportunity to have a say in PECO and in fact take over its management as a consumer cooperative. To recall, the ERC ordered PECO last year to refund P2.89 Billion of overcharges to its consumers. This amount, instead of the tedious process of distributing it back to thousands of consumers, should be converted to shares to take-over the management of PECO.

My wish for 2008: A stronger consumer movement in Iloilo and all over the country.

7. Another SONA, July 2007

“‘First, investments in physical, intellectual, legal and security infrastructure to increase business confidence. Imprastraktura para sa negosyo at trabaho. Isang milyong trabaho taon-taon.’

“Interpretation: As in my previous SONA, I promised millions of jobs annually. And I am proud to say that yes I have achieved all those targets! In fact by simply paying lip service to the country’s economic needs, our government is forcing, este…causing… millions upon millions of Filipinos to be employed annually… outside of the country, however, hehehe. But still you have to credit me for that, for if there are jobs here in our country, then only a few Filipinos will be able to see America or Canada.

“‘Second, investments in a stronger and wider social safety net - murang gamot, abot-kayang pabahay, eskwelang primera klase, mga gurong mas magaling at mas malaki ang kita, mga librong de-kalidad, more scholarships for gifted students, and language instruction to maintain our lead in English proficiency. Dunong at kalusugan ang susi sa kasaganaan.’

“Interpretation: Health and education, that’s my priority. That is why for 2007 we budgeted P146B for education and P13B for heath care. Just don’t look at my allocation for debt servicing which, by the way, will amount to P622B. Don’t tell anybody ok? Just believe me when I say that health and education are my priorities.

My wish for 2008: That I will not be able to hear another round of Arroyo’s SONA.

8. More illegitimate debts, August 2007

“In 1996, The Philippine government entered into a loan agreement with government of Austria that involves an equivalent of P500 million.

“The Philippine government agreed to pay $2 million annually starting 2002 up to 2014. This translates to an additional annual debt payment of almost P100 Million peso for the Filipino taxpayers.

“Test however showed that the incinerator units are of substandard quality, as it did not meet emission levels guaranteed by the supplier.

“A subsequent assessment of the incinerators’ emissions, jointly conducted by the DOH and the World Health Organization (WHO), revealed that these incinerators emit extremely high pollution.

My wish for 2008: That our legislators will repeal automatic appropriations for debt payments and pass a measure to rationalize the country’s fiscal and debt policies.

9. Suspension of NBN project, September 2007

“The kickback-laden ZTE-NBN broadband project has been suspended. This controversial project will cost $329.5 million – that is, ladies and gentlemen, equivalent to almost P15 billion (yup, that’s 15 with 9 zeroes!) at the current exchange rate!

“But why was the project suspended? Is it because it was tainted with corruption? Or is it to prevent more stink from coming out? Did Gloria Arroyo wake up one morning and realized the contract is unfair to the government? Or is she trying to save her behind by protecting her husband’s behind?

“I think this project should not only be suspended but deserves to be thrown directly into the nearest thrash can. For what is likely to happen is that Arroyo will simply wait for the public opposition to the project to die down and then revive the contract. We know that these greedy, scheming trapos (traditional politicians) will do anything to make their pockets heavier.

My wish for 2008: I ardently wish that these greedy politicians will wake up one day, any day within the year, and recognize that stealing is wrong. Yeah right!

10. Another coal plant proposal and junket bribes, October 2007

“If the current technology used in coal plants is “clean” why is it that up to now there are ongoing technological researches on how to make the same technology become environmentally friendly?

“Simply put, if “clean coal” is indeed “clean” why the need to make it clean?

“This technology that they are pushing is plainly NOT CLEAN – that is the simple message, no matter how they distort the facts. The term “clean coal technology” is a misnomer – grossly misleading and revoltingly contradictory.

“This leads me now to a separate but related issue – the question of legality and propriety of the ‘study trips’ of our ‘honorable’ city officials that were sponsored by the very proponent of a coal plant project in the City of Iloilo.

"Treñas, Mabilog and these councilors should know better. As public officials, they should ensure that their actions and position on issues is beyond reproach. They should not allow their office to be tarnished by such mindless action.

My wish for 2008: That these blind city officials will see the light – that no amount of PR and bribes can cover the fact that coal plants are harmful to human health and the environment. I also wish that Ilonggos will see through the deceit of the coal plant proponents.

11. The pardon of Erap, November 2007

“In writing this article I am even at a loss as to how to approach the issue. The reason is that in any angle you view it; this current move of the fake president is simply revoltingly repulsive (or repulsively revolting)! It was simply a pardon granted without any single grain of wisdom. Well, apart of course from the motive of self-preservation.

“Yes, that is a crystal clear fact – that this pardon of Erap is nothing more than Arroyo’s scheme of ensuring her stay in power. Arroyo is simply trying to appease a section of the ever growing opposition to her administration – a tactic to divide those calling for her immediate removal from office.

“When national policies are made to simply satisfy the interests of a politician then we have a problem. When a presidential power is used for the sole purpose of satisfying a whim of a trapo President then we have a big problem.

My wish for 2008: That Gloria Arroyo and Erap be put in jail together in one cell for crimes against the Filipino nation. Or at least in my dream – that would surely give me a restful sleep.

12. The strengthening of the Peso, December 2007

“The strengthening of the peso against the dollar was also the brainchild of Arroyo. By not investing enough in economic services, the government was able to force more Filipinos, including physicians who became nurses, to work abroad. So the more OFWs, the more dollar and other foreign currency remittances.

“These OFW remittances are the reason why our economy is kept afloat. Isn’t that a very clever economic strategy? Push your population to hunger and they will find food somewhere else and even send more food back home.

My wish for 2008: That Arroyo stops taking credit from ‘achievements’ she did not have a hand on. And that Filipinos will have a better Christmas next year – more food on the table!

* * * * *

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL! Thanks to all readers and all those who sent text messages and emails. I was not able to reply to all your messages but rest assured that they are all highly appreciated.

(Send your comments and reactions to: for text messages to 0919-348-6337; for e-mails to ianseruelo@gmail.com.)

Another Blue Christmas

“Yahweh, Yahweh
Always pain before a child is born
Yahweh, tell me now
Why the dark before the dawn?”
- from “Yahweh” by U2

It is Christmas season once again and it seems there is not much going on. When I say “going on”, I mean improvement in the lives of the ordinary Filipinos.

In fact, “improvement” is not even the appropriate term; for this column would be glad to proclaim if the majority still feel at least the same level of satisfaction (or more accurately: destitution) from the previous year.

Try to ask around and check how people think they fared today compared to the previous Christmases. Well, for sure majority will confirm this, albeit, with smiling faces, what with the Filipinos’ capacity to smile in the face of extreme hardship.

The year 2007 is about to end and clearly this year marks ever deeper hardship for the Filipino family. It was a year of steep increases in the cost of basic commodities as well as other services and goods.

For one the cost of petroleum products have increased many times we even lost count as to the actual number of increases. Along with these came the increases in the prices of goods which are dependent in different levels to oil inputs.

Jeepney fares also increased, which is I think the highest single increase as far as I can remember. And yes of course the electricity rates! This was indeed another year of steep increases in power rates and more is to come as the fuel cost continue to soar. Add to that the continuing anti-consumer practices of PECO, other private power distribution companies and electric cooperatives.

Well, we may ask, since when did these prices stop increasing? Good question, but this was a year with the sharpest rise in the cost of different products and the nominal cost of living as a whole.

Secondly, it’s not only a function of the rate of increases of the various commodities and services. It is also a function of the stunted level of incomes of the poor Filipinos especially the ordinary workers. Well I don’t want to whine about the recently approved adjustment in the minimum wage because that will take another article. The bottom line is -- our capacity to buy remains very low and continues to be eroded.

This was another year of hardship to the majority of Filipinos while the government is busy window-dressing the economy.

This fiscal crisis, which has in fact been around as early as the year 2001, is manifested in the budget, spending and new borrowings of the national government. Less and less is spent by this government for social (housing, health care, education) and economic (infrastructure) services as it borrows more and more to pay for its debts.

No wonder more Filipinos are going out and even more are planning to go out, not for a greener pasture (for we can’t even say that what we have in the Philippines is still green!), but simply for a green one.

I sure hope that these dark days will be over soon as we wake up to a new dawn. Wishful thinking…

Trivia: This article is largely based from an article I wrote in December 2004. The funny thing is – I only did a few editing and the article seems to be current. The situation holds true then as much as today. That is the sad reality.

(Send your comments and reactions to: for text messages to 0919-348-6337; for e-mails to ianseruelo@gmail.com.)

Economist or Politician?

“I think I’m a pretty good economist, but a very bad politician.”
- by Gloria Macapacagal-Arroyo

On rare occasions I agree with Gloria Arroyo. She may be a well-known liar and one of the most corrupt trapo (traditional politician) in Philippine history but once in a while she has the capability to tell the truth. For example the quote above is indeed very true. Below are my proofs and validations.

As a “pretty good economist” the following are just a few examples of Arroyo’s economic accomplishments.

1) Arroyo was responsible in the country’s ballooning debt. Gloria Arroyo, in just a period of 4 years (2001-2005), borrowed P2.44 Trillion, which is more than the combined borrowings of the Aquino, Ramos and Estrada administrations. Arroyo in just a short period was able to bury the country in deeper debt! Of course, we and our grand-children will be the ones who will end up paying those loans.

2) Despite of the ever increasing debt, the only item in the annual government budget that receives real increases in allocation is debt servicing. Where did the money go? Only Arroyo and cohorts know. Sounds like magic but only a “pretty good economist” can do that!

3) Arroyo was the bright mind behind the introduction of an efficient solution to the country’s classroom shortage. Can you still remember last year, when Gloria was able to lick the problem of classroom shortage in the country? All she did was change the ideal classroom-to-student ratio from 1 classroom for every 50 students to 1 classroom for every 100 students! Do you have any better economic strategy than that?

4) Gloria was able to improve the financial status, not of the country by the way, but of her family and cronies. Her being the president is material to the business dealings Mike Arroyo and friends brokered with the Philippine government to corner handsome contracts. Also let us not forget Jose Pidal who stashed away millions in deposits in controversial deals with the Arroyo government.

5) The strengthening of the peso against the dollar was also the brainchild of Arroyo. By not investing enough in economic services, the government was able to force more Filipinos, including physicians who became nurses, to work abroad. So the more OFWs, the more dollar and other foreign currency remittances.

These OFW remittances are the reason why our economy is kept afloat. Isn’t that a very clever economic strategy? Push your population to hunger and they will find food somewhere else and even send more food back home.

Now, as a “very bad politician”, below are Gloria’s career highlights so far.

1) During the EDSA 2 protests, Gloria Arroyo then Vice-president only abandoned her boss once it was clear that Erap is about to be toppled. Gloria’s trapo strategy: Stay in the fence while the factions are throwing punches, then when one is about to be knocked out, immediately jump to the winning side! She is such a bad politician indeed – no back-bone, unprincipled, fence-sitter.

2) To make sure she won the previous presidential election, Arroyo utilized hundreds of millions of taxpayers’ money to finance her campaign by distributing (read: bribing) local officials. Also she employed the infamous Joc-joc Bolante to distribute bribes pretending as fertilizers. And let us not forget our all-time favorite, Virgilio “Hello Garci” Garcillano who was tasked to make sure that Arroyo leads by 1 million votes in Mindanao at all cost.

Arroyo is such a “very bad politician” for being caught on tape conspiring to rig the previous presidential election. Good politicians don’t get caught, right?

3) Arroyo is swamped with anomalies and scandals which prompted calls for her to be impeached. Impeachment proceeding should be initiated in the Lower House and under the House rules, only one impeachment case can be filed against her within a year. Now, by simply having one of her cohorts file a weak case against her she manages to give herself another year of getting away with mounting crimes against the nation. By abusing technicalities, Arroyo makes a mockery of the constitution and our laws.

4) To appease a section of the opposition and a section of poor Filipinos, Arroyo pardoned Erap after he was found guilty of plunder. Disguised as a humanitarian act, a plunderer who was toppled by the people was freed just to ensure her stay in power.

5) As a “very bad politician”, Arroyo employed different tactics to suppress dissent and opposition to her fake and corrupt government. We can still remember the violent Calibrated Preemptive Response or CPR that met street demonstrations last year. Also, E.O. 464 which was issued to block the appearance of government officials and military officers in Congressional hearings that investigate her administration’s anomalies.

Meanwhile activists and journalists are being assassinated in such blatant fashion as the Arroyo government pays lip service to the protection of human rights.

Pretty good economist but a very bad politician? You bet!

(Send your comments and reactions to: for text messages to 0919-348-6337; for e-mails to ianseruelo@gmail.com.)