Mining woes

The Philippines boasts of being one of the richest countries of the world in terms of natural resources, especially minerals. It has large deposits of gold, copper, nickel, magnetite and platinum.

The Tampakan Gold Mining in Davao and South Cotabato has an estimated reserve of $2 trillion worth of gold.

But despite several laws giving incentives and favorable treatment to mining operations, government revenue from mining has not increased, again due to corruption with mining production and exports not being correctly accounted for. It is estimated that only 25% of mining exports have been reported and paid the appropriate taxes. Only 10% of gold panning production is reported.

Import records of minerals by China with Philippine exports figures show a difference of 75%.

The other major problem is due to the heavy opposition of environmentalist groups led by the Catholic bishops against mining operations. Also, 25% of mining sites is being claimed by indigenous tribes.

In addition, some mining companies have closed down due to unreasonable “taxes” and extortion from the NPA and local officials. What is the Aquino III administration policy on mining? It is not clear yet. The DENR Secretary, Ramon Paje is serving in an acting capacity, waiting for former Cong. Nereus Acosta to take over in May.

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ANGRY P-NOY. .While President Aquino was voicing his displeasure against the travel advisories issued by the US, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and France at the sidelines of the APEC in Yokohama, his Japanese hosts gave him a jab to the belly when they issued a travel advisory to its citizens against travel to the Philippines because of the danger of being a victim of robbery, kidnapping and other security concerns.

LP Senator Ralph Recto called on P-Noy to confront local terror threats including organized crime.

This again validates what we pointed out in several columns: The raging epidemic of crime. Don’t blame the 7 countries and hide the dust under the rug. Get PNP, DILG, DOJ and local governments to take more resolute action against criminals.

Meanwhile, another activist, labor leader Carlos Rodriguez, president of the Nagkaisang Lakas ng Manggagawa ng Calamba (Laguna) and director of COURAGE was shot dead Friday in Calamba by 2 motorcycle gunmen. The Human Rights group, Karapatan, claims that Rodriguez is the 22nd victim of extra-judicial killing under P-Noy.

A robbery of China jewelry shop and a grenade explosion at SM Mall (Bicutan) left 6 people wounded. Gold Dazz jewelry shop and pawnshop at Ongpin, Manila was also robbed while another store on Rizal Avenue was also robbed, breaking the no-crime during Pacquiao’s fight record.

In Yokohama, P-Noy complained why the newspapers printed stories about his romance with Liz Uy and not his major policy statements at APEC. Sorry sir, you have only yourself to blame because you talked about it.

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CORRECTION ON BILLIONAIRES. .The peso value of the top 22 billionaires was understated in our last column. Henry Sy, the topnotcher whose wealth was placed by Forbes Asia Magazine at $5 billion erroneously computed at P21.5 billion. The correct figure is P215 billion at P43-$1 exchange rate. At the present rate of P43.40 to the $1, the correct amount is P217 billion. No. 2 Lucio Tan is worth P91.14 billion; No. 3   John Gokongwei P65.1 billion; No. 4. Jaime Zobel de Ayala P60.76 billion; No. 5 Andrew Tan with P 52.08 billion; Rounding out the top ten are: No. 6, Tony Tan Caktiong P42.532 billion; No. 7, Enrique Razon Jr. P42.315 billion; No. 8, Betty Campos P36.456 billion; No. 9, George Ty Jr. P34.937 billion; No. 10, Eduardo Cojuangco Jr. P32.984 billion;

Add to Thursday’s list the following multi billionaires. They are:

23. Betty Ang - P7.161 B; 24. Enrique Aboitiz - P6.51 B; 25. Gilberto Duavit - P6.293 B; 26. Menardo Jimenez - P6.206 B; 27. Felipe Gozon - P5.208 B;

28. Alfredo Ramos - P5.077 B; 29. Manuel Zamora - P5.034 B; 30. Wilfred Uytengsu Jr. - P4.991 B; 31. Benjamin Romualdez - P4.774 B; 32. Wilfred King - P4.340 B

33. Tomas Alcantara - P4.296 B; 34. Bienvenido Tantoco - Sr. P4.123 B; 35. Frederick Dy - P3.038 B; 36. Eugenio Lopez III - P2.951 B; 37. Lourdes Montinola - P2.821 B

38. Luis Virata - P2.473 B; 39. Jesus Tambunting - P2.387 B; 40. Philip Ang - P2.170 B

How about “billionaires” Manny Pacquiao, Chavit Singson and Willie Revillame? They have been overlooked?

Will BIR Commissioner Kim Henares do an audit/lifestyle check on how they accumulated so much wealth. Do they pay the right taxes or they just contribute to presidential campaigns to assure protection?

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CLINTON. .Nothing earthshaking. If it is true that President Bill Clinton was paid a million dollars to come to Manila to deliver his lecture, it wasn’t worth it. He was good to listen to, but not very good. Many commented that former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair and Vice President Albert Gore were more forceful.

He did the usual courtesy compliments on the country’s President whom he praised for his energy based on a 45-minute call in Malacañang. He cited the Philippines for its advances in geothermal power and lauded the Philippines priority for agriculture. He suggested the government “ought to bring more people to come home.”

In answer to a question of Maria Ressa, former ABS-CBN news head, Clinton pointed out that if you hold so much power, then you must be humble. “You realize you are not as smart as you thought you were.”

Among the VIPs in the full Manila Hotel Tent were Vice President Jojo Binay, President Gloria M. Arroyo, President Fidel V. Ramos and wife Ming, Congresswomen Imelda Marcos and Lani Mercado.

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TIDBITS. . . Manny V. Pangilinan has bought MRT 3 from Bob Sobrepeña for P750 million. Fares will go up. . . Majority Floorleader Vicente “Tito” Sotto joins Sen. Edgardo Angara in opposing the Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) program. He said a similar CCT program failed in New York. . . Atong Ang has taken over the STL operations in the 3rd district of Laguna. . .Usec Lucille Ortille, former HUDCC Secretary General under VP Noli de Castro was recommended to Exec. Sec. Jojo Ochoa by his brother-in-law Gerry Acuzar, the owner of San Jose Builders, who had been awarded construction projects by NHA and Pag-IBIG.

There’s a new batch of special Ceso appointees in Malacañang. They are Classmates of Executive Secretary Ochoa.