Some good news

President Aquino predicted in an Anvil Business Club speech that “the best is yet come.” He cited the stock market index rising to an all time high of 5,145.89. He declared: “We are on the road to becoming one of the world’s more successful economies: HSBC (Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corp.) recently predicted that by the year 2050 we will be the 16th largest economy in the world.” That’s a long way off, Sir.

Another piece of good news: The Civil Service Commission deferred implementation of the new, more complicated SALN form.

The Philippine Military Academy’s (PMA) 187 graduates were exhorted by President Aquino to fight corruption.

The President also reported at the Anvil Business Club meeting that the government is working double time to boost tourism and is rushing airport construction.

There was bad news, too. Comelec decided to buy the PCOS machines. The Irrawaddy dolphins of Palawan are down to 42.

*      *      *

LEGAL QUESTION . . Is the failure to disclose acquisition cost an impeachable offense? The defense says no, it is not even a crime. The prosecution says yes, it is a betrayal of public trust.

Who will decide? The Senator Judges will decide individually and collectively. Let’s wait for the defense to finish presenting its full case. Note that the prosecution took 7 weeks to finish its presentation.

The defense is building its case block by block. Let’s be patient.

DBM Sec. Butch Abad has admitted that he, too, has not declared the acquisition cost of his properties.

In the meantime, let’s focus on other issues, jobs, gasoline prices, runaway crime, the slow economy and the disturbing NPA and MILF insurgencies.

*      *      *

BE MODERN . . If there is one ongoing criticism of the Catholic Church, it is the fact that it is antiquated and has not modernized.

Here comes Legaspi Bishop Joel Baylon telling the faithful to dress properly to go to church, and not wear skimpy shorts or t-shirts and sandals or sneakers in church.

Shorts and miniskirts are accepted dressing even in business offices. Why ban it in church? Haven’t priests given up using long dresses?

Especially during summer, considering that churches are hot places, churchgoers should be allowed to use comfortable clothes. What is important is the people come to church, not what they wear. Remember 80% of our people are poor and cannot afford to buy several sets of clothes.

*      *      *

SELF DENIAL . . The administration is in self denial with regards to unemployment figures. They are even claiming unemployment is down to 7.2% from 7.4%.

But UP economics Professor Benjamin Diokno disputes that saying that unemployment rate in Oct. 2011 was 6.4%. It has therefore deteriorated to 7.2% and is the highest in the Asean region.

Three thousand Filipinos are still leaving everyday; DFA is processing 10,000 passports a week; 300,000 registered nurses are unemployed. Unemployment in manufacturing increased. Business is slow because people have no money to buy things.

Diokno said the Philippines continued to struggle with poor quality jobs. National Capital Region registered the highest unemployment at 12.2%. Half of these unemployed are in the age 15-24 group, partly explaining the high crime rate among those in this age bracket.

Definitely in the employment sector, the best or the good has not yet come.

*      *      *

BEAUTIFUL AGOO . . One of the most beautiful towns of the North is Agoo, La Union where the Marcos highway going to Baguio starts. It has a big campus of the Don Mariano Marcos State University (DMMSU) where 4,000 students are enrolled. Located near the sea, it has a beautiful beach. Agoo Church is one of the most impressive old churches in the country.

The town is efficiently administered by the husband and wife team of Congressman Franny Eriguel and Mayor Sandra Eriguel, both medical doctors. It’s now a first class municipality with a budget of P200 million. 

*      *      *

UNCHECKED . . Prof. Teresita Ang See of the Citizens Action Against Crime, told a TV interview that there have been 5 kidnapping cases during the 1st 10 weeks of the year. She said that many families no longer report crimes to the police.

Seaman Benito Evangelista, 42, of Subic Zambales was shot dead in front of the Victory Liner terminal in Earnshaw, Sampaloc, Manila.

The body of a suspected salvage victim was found dead with a shot to the head in San Juan. A 14-year-old deaf/mute girl was raped in Rapu- Rapu, Albay.

An Indian trader kidnapped in Patikul, Sulu is considered dead by the PNP. A grenade exploded at the back of Cotabato City Hall.

*      *      *

TIDBITS . . . Our prayers have been offered for the recovery of ex-DOTC Secretary Larry Mendoza who suffered a heart attack at a beach resort in Laiya, San Juan, Batangas. He is confined at St. Luke’s Hospital at Global City, Taguig.

PMA topnotcher Tom Puertollano is the son of a carpenter. Many PMA graduates are sons of farmers, teachers, and ordinary employees. Most of them graduated from provincial public high schools. That’s proof our public schools are not that bad.

One thousand OFWs are applying for repatriation from Syria. DFA Sec. Albert del Rosario is working overtime to get them out.

DOTC Sec Mar Roxas is at odds with DPWH Sec Rogelio Singson. Mar is questioning DPWH support of VP Binay’s projects in Cagayan de Oro.

Greetings to avid readers Mayor Greg Abalos of La Trinidad, Ester Balagtas of Tarlac, Ed Avila and Councilor Nick Aliping of Baguio, Jun Elias of La Union, Judge Genaro Gines, Dr. Danilo Padua of BSU, ex-Mayor Joseph Cosente and Larry Aniceto of Tublay, Isauro “Boy” San Pedro of Cainta and Boy Crisostomo of Bayugan, Agusan del Sur.