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!
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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.)
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