Economy first

When the Catholic Bishop's Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) demanded for a "change of government," president Arroyo responded with a call for a change of budget. When former speaker Jose De Venecia announced the reincarnation of his impeachment case against the president, Arroyo returned with a call for rollback of oil prices and basic commodities.

Well, sounds like we have several dogs barking at the same time but you can clearly tell which or those that bark at the wrong tree.

The battlecry for "change" hoisted by both CBCP and De Venecia's camp is not only old and worn out, it is also unfit for recycling. Worst part of it all is it always comes in a time when we are in a midst of a more pressing concern as if removing an unlikable president is all it takes to make our lives any better.  

For lack of better term, I find their idea more of an "economic hazard" bereft of any calculable return for the ordinary Filipino who is about to feel the crunch of global recession.

The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry even calls it a wrong call as it eludes the reality of a recession which leaders must urgently heed to for its adverse impact from top to bottom of the social stratum Besides, "kahit sino pa ang ipapalit mo, hindi mo rin 'yan makakain" grumbles Mr. Bungoton our bearded neighbor who makes his living as a barber. 

British writer and historian Richard W. Johnson also strongly posits in his book The Politics of Recession that if there's one part of our society that we must entrust our economic fate to, especially in a period of deep crisis, is not the church or our politicians but the businessmen. "Recession creates diffuse social influences towards conservatism...Businessmen -- previously viewed, mundanely, as mere managers -- are now seen as leaders and possible saviors."

(And I agree. At least I can finally say that Mr. Bungoton, the barber that he is, can be potentially sharp as his razor than our church leaders and politicians combine on matters of economic interest.)

Johnson must have observed during the Great Depression in the United States that businessmen and industrialists were more aggressive and innovative to provide solutions and were far determined than the government to preserve their workers and their companies. The call of the time was for President Herbert Hoover "to spend than to save money" in order to compensate for the dwindling investments then thru government-led projects or infrastructure.

(Incidentally, it put to test the Keynesian Theory originally proposed by British economist John Maynard Keynes that in a period of recession, government spending is the best intervention.)

And talk about Keynesian Economics, the recent adjustments to next year's national budget may appear bloated or what critics may wail as digression from the government's austerity measures. But I have every reason to believe that President Arroyo is using the Keynesian principle to help shield the economy from a prolonged contraction.

In trying times, change of leadership is not always what is necessary to overcome it. It is when we choose to be collectively prepared to do what is necessary to overcome it.  

"The time to repair the roof is when the sun is shining." John F. Kennedy

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I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the founders of the Philippine Allied Chamber of Real Estate Brokers and Licensed Salesmen (Phil-acre) for organizing the first chamber in the country to represent the voice of the real estate brokers and salesmen into one collective and collegial body.

My friend, also the founder and president of the chamber, Mr. Anthony Leuterio envisions Phil-acre to be the key or if not, the lead organization to fully professionalize and standardize the practice of real estate selling in one code of ethics, training program and advocacy.     

If you're a broker or a licensed sales agent who wish to benefit from this vision, you may get in touch with Phil-acre's secretariat at 5806688.

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