Split opinion

As the Aquino administration finished 500 days in office, the Top Ten hardworking officials are:

1. DA Sec. Proceso Alcala

2. DFA Sec. Albert del Rosario

3. Vice President and HUDCC Chairman Jejomar Binay

4. DepEd Sec. Armin Luistro

5. DPWH Sec. Rogelio Singson

6. MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino

7. CHR Chairperson Etta Rosales

8. CSC Chairman Francisco Duque

9. GSIS President Robert Vergara

10. DOJ Sec. Leila de Lima

DBM Sec. Butch Abad is not in the list for 2 reasons:

1) His underspending policy has slowed down our economic growth and 2) He has not released the pork barrel of opposition Congressmen smacking of partisan politics.

DOTC Sec. Mar Roxas has been in office for less than 5 months. It’s too early to judge him.

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NO JOY. . . Close to 100 people including houseboys and drivers watched the Pacquiao-Marquez fight at Erap’s Polk street residence which had a 105-inch Panasonic TV set.

After the fight ended, there was silence. The majority led by Cong. Ompong Plaza thought Marquez won while a small minority led by Amb. Felimon Cuevas called it a split draw.

Some expressed the view that Pacquiao should now retire as a reigning champion. Most said that a 4th Pacquiao-Marquez fight suggested by Bob Arum will not happen as it would be too risky for Pacquiao.

 The controversial win gave extra reason for Floyd Mayweather to consider Pacquiao beatable and may induce him to agree to a Pacquiao fight. But will Pacquiao take the risk and bite at a $50 million payoff? If he recovers his former form and focus, he certainly can beat Mayweather.

The judges gave the close win to Pacquiao. As the champion, you give him the benefit of the doubt. A win is a win is a win. Manny Pacquiao deserves our hometown congratulations. Juan Manuel Marquez will have to content himself with wearing a T-shirt saying “I beat Pacquiao thrice”.

The poor performance on his last fight has caused boxing analysts led by Ronnie Nathanielz to reopen the issue of Manny Pacquiao not concentrating on his boxing career, but is distracted by his politics, his TV/movie career, his many businesses as well as his late night vices.

 Time to shape up again, Congressman. If you want to stay in boxing, give up your other pursuits or just retire with your billions in the bank.

Among those who watched the fight at Erap’s residence were Nilo Raymundo, Rommel Ofracio, Tito de Guzman, Beaver Lopez, Armida Siguion Reyna, Bibeth Orteza, William Gatchalian, Eric Tagle, Ike Gutierrez, Johnny Sy, Jaime Dechavez, Reggie Lee, Jessie Ejercito and Tony Villamayor, Shirley and Rica Plaza. 

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NO SHOW. . . Thailand Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra cancelled her trip to the APEC summit in Honolulu because of the Bangkok floods. Mexican President Felipe Calderon also cancelled his Honolulu trip because of the death of his Interior Minister in a helicopter crash outside of Mexico City.

President Noynoy should take note of these two precedents as an option in case disasters like typhoons and floods hit the country or war erupts in Mindanao.

After all, he has a competent Vice President who can lead the Philippine delegation to any APEC or Asean meeting.

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NO TO MINING. . . Governor Rolando E. Yebes of Zamboanga del Norte wrote to explain his province’s ban on open pit mining.

Yebes said that since he assumed office, he adopted a “policy of a strong and firm advocacy for responsible mining operations with special bias towards social responsibility to host communities, barangays, municipalities and the province”.

Yebes also charged that the two principal mining companies, TVI and Philex Mining were not reporting proper production figures resulting in the province getting a measly share because the bigger share of their taxes go to Makati where their main offices are located. Only P1.2 million was paid to Zamboanga del Norte in 2010.

TVI has filed a case in court to question the legality of the Provincial Board Resolution banning open pit mining. The same open pit mining ban has been adopted by the province of South Cotabato under Governor Arthur Pingoy.

We agree with an open pit mining ban.

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RED FACED. . . The Foreign Minister of the Dominican Republic, Carlos Morales Troncoso, has officially denied reports that former President Gloria M. Arroyo has requested political asylum in the Caribbean republic.

That certainly makes DOJ Sec. Leila de Lima red faced and looking too fast on the draw for giving credibility to a text message. It is indicative of the poor staff work and incompetence of Sec. de Lima’s DOJ force.

Will GMA be convicted soon? No way, it took six years for the Sandiganbayan to convict Erap. If he had appealed, it would have taken three or four more years to finish. One thing sure, P-Noy’s term in 2016 would be finished before the GMA cases are decided.

After that, it will hinge on whether a GMA supported candidate for President wins the 2016 elections.

TIDBITS. . . At the resumption of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on the DBP behest loans case, investment banker Bobby Ongpin finally showed up. He denied he was a crony or dummy of FG Mike Arroyo.

Bomb blasts have rocked Kabacan, North Cotabato and Cotabato City.  

Alfredo Velarde, 43, the circulation manager of Brigada, a local newspaper in General Santos was shot dead.

Greece and Italy have elected technocrats as Prime Ministers.

Greetings to avid readers Davao Oriental Gov. Cora Malanyaon, Jun Español, Atty. Bill Agustin, CA Justice Elihu Ybañez, Mayor Dennis Norman Go of Gerona, Tarlac, Albertito and Emily Lopez.

Tune in to Mr. Expose over DZRJ-AM 810 khz on your dial on Saturdays 5 to 6 p.m. and on Sundays from 8 to 9:30 a.m.