Excellent appointment

Congratulations to Leyte Gov. Jericho “Icot” Petilla on his appointment as Secretary of Energy. Gov. Petilla is a technocrat managing a big IT company. He performed in an outstanding manner as Governor of Leyte for 3 terms. Leyte with its big geothermal plant is a major source of energy.

Congratulations Sec. Petilla. Congratulations also to your father Polding and mother Matin.

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WASTED EFFORT . . Vice President Teofisto Guingona Jr. together with several others has filed a petition with the Supreme Court to compel Congress to pass an enabling law banning political dynasties.

This is a surprising move. Any lawyer will tell you that under the theory of separation of powers, the Supreme Court cannot compel Congress to pass any law.

Anyway, Senator Sergio Osmena III is correct; the House of Representatives will never pass a law banning political dynasties as many congressmen belong to families with political dynasties.

Chairman Sixto Brillantes III and Commissioner Rene Sarmiento are correct to suggest that the only remedy is to pass a law by initiative and referendum.

But, certainly, it cannot be done before the May 2013 elections for lack of time.

Let us just leave it to the voters to decide not to vote into office the members of political dynasties. 

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FOUL . . Sec. Edwin Lacierda blamed local governments for the Philippines’ slip to 138th in the World Bank Ease of Doing Business Survey, why? The national government, notably the Cabinet, the Department of Trade, the NEDA and the Department of Finance are the ones responsible for business and financial policies. Local governments only issue business permits. The DTI is head of an anti-red tape task force. As usual, Malacañang is passing the buck for something it is responsible for. That’s foul.

And how about high electricity rates? Again, that’s the national government’s responsibility.

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POLITICAL UPDATE . . Atty. Jun Salatandre (UNA) is running for Congressman of Pasig against Rep. Roman Romulo (Lakas). Salatandre is a lawyer and close associate of Cong. Manny Paquiao.

Vice Mayor Lucilo Bayron (UNA) will contest the mayorship of Puerto Princesa city against Ellen Hagedorn (NPC) wife of Mayor Edward Hagedorn.

The Comelec approved the senatorial candidacy of 5 more persons, namely Greco Antonio Belgica, Baldomero Falcon and Christian Seneres of the Democratic Party. John Carlos delos Reyes and Edward Hagedorn, Independent. There are now 32 approved candidates for senator.

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GENIUS . . Once again, congratulations are in order for Archbishop Luis Antonio “Cardinal” Tagle.

Tagle graduated summa cum laude in his Doctorate of Theology course at the Catholic University of America in 1991.

He also graduated summa cum laude from his Bachelor’s Degree in Theology at Ateneo University.

He served in the Commission for the Doctrine of Faith under then cardinal Ratzinger before he became Pope.

The future is indeed bright for Cardinal Tagle.

He is Manileño and has Chinese roots.

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ROXAS VS JUETENG . . At a meeting of the Central Luzon Peace and Order Council, DILG Secretary Mar Roxas ordered the different police directors to stop jueteng in their respected provinces.

Present at the meeting was Pampanga Gov. Lilia “Baby” Pineda who made no comment on Roxas remarks.

Roxas brought with him to the meeting Ex. Gov. Among Ed Panlilio who has been proclaimed LP candidate for governor against Pineda. That’s not right.

Observers noted that Roxas was very partisan in his remarks.

Let us see if his anti-jueteng drive is serious, or is it the usual assumption of office warnings?

Gov. Casimiro Ynares Sr. is running unopposed for the post of Governor of Rizal.

Rep. Joel Roy Duavit (1st dist.) and Rep. Isidro Rodriguez Jr. (2nd dist.) are also unopposed.

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SURPRISE . . At a poverty conference in UP Diliman, DSWD Sec. Dinky Soliman sought to define who the poor of today are. Surprisingly, she called for action on the needs of the poor. What has she has been doing for the last 2 years and 3 months?

Meanwhile, the Union Bank of Switzerland questioned the NSCB definition of who are unemployed and underemployed. They suggested that the NSCB statistics are meant to window dress government programs.

The bottom line, 11.5 million unemployed and underemployed Filipinos constitute the poor in our society.  

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TIDBITS . . . Philippines charges one of the highest electricity rates in Asia, 2nd only to Japan.

DOLE lifts ban on deployment of workers to Lebanon and Jordan.

Roxas brought Among Ed Panlilio, LP candidate for Governor at Regional Peace and Order Council at San Fernando, Pampanga to the amazement of the Governors.

Thirty-four killed everyday from traffic accidents in Manila; 1/3 in motorcycle; 5 cops have been charged with operating colorum AUV vehicles in Quezon City. SPO1 Ricardo Fernando, PO3 Eduardo Ducanes and PO2 Russel Sangoy were operating AUVs and a taxicab without an LTFRB franchise.

DILG Sec. Mar Roxas disapproved the arming of Barangay tanods.

President Aquino suffered a bum stomach at the state dinner hosted by Prime Minister Julio Gillard. He excused himself from the dinner.

The statue of San Pedro Calungsod has arrived from Rome. It is now at the University of Sto. Tomas.

Davao City Vice Mayor Rudy Duterte has offered a P 5 million reward for anyone who brings the head of a carnapping syndicate to him.

Greetings to avid readers: Mayors Guillermo Paras of Aritao, Nueva Vizcaya; Dionisio Vicmudo of Saguday, Quirino; Leandro Masikap of Pililia, Rizal; Benjamin Maggay of Cervantes, Ilocos Sur; Carlos Pizarrao of Pilar, Bataan; Simplacio Bacol of San Francisco, Surigao del Norte; Leonila Leodenia of Mapanas, Northern Samar; Reynaldo Tamayo Jr. of Tupi South Cotabato, Eugenio Baliling of Kalawit, Zamboanga del Norte; and Sonny de Guzman and Fuji de Guzman; and Lawrence Olarte of Jaen, Nueva Ecija.