Mother’s plea

Mommy Dionisia Pacquiao is pleading with her son Manny to retire. That’s a majority opinion. But Manny just announced in a DZMM interview with Korina Sanchez that he will still fight.

Mommy Dionisia also gave the opinion that part of the reason for Manny’s defeat is his leaving the Catholic faith and becoming a born again pastor.

Fr. Larry Faraon agrees with Mommy Dionisia. He noted that Manny even removed his rosary and no longer does the sign of the cross.

If Manny wants to fight again, that’s his decision. Let us hope that he wins next time. Think hard Manny.

GOOD MOVE . . DepEd Sec. Brother Armin Luistro announced that math and science teachers will get a 3-step salary increase.

This should bring their salary to about P22,000 a month. Hopefully, it will stop the brain drain as math and science teachers are very much in demand abroad especially in the US.

The P18,000 a month starting salary pay for all teachers need to be increased, hopefully to at least P25,000 a month.

Kindergarten teachers now receiving small allowances must now be given regular salaries. There is a need to hire 21,000 kindergarten teachers.

SANTA BANANA . . The damage to banana plantations in Davao del Norte, Davao Oriental and Compostela Valley is massive with estimate by an association of major growers and exporters being placed to P8-12 billion. DA Sec. Proceso Alcala estimates the damage at P8.5 billion.

Damage in one town of Kapalong, Davao del Norte alone was estimated at around P1 billion.

An estimated 10,000 hectares of banana plantations have been damaged in Nabanturan and Maco towns in Compostela Valley.

Banana plantations in Panabo, Sto. Tomas and Tagum, Davao del Norte were spared.

But Hijo plantation in Davao del Norte reported 70% of their plantation has been destroyed. Also wiped out were the Lorenzo and Dizon plantations.

This is a major project for the government to immediately provide funding for, so that the damaged areas can be immediately replanted. Low interest loans must be made available by all commercial banks. It takes ten months to replant the banana plantations.

The occurrence now raises the point that crop insurance should be extended to banana farmers.

UP AND UP . . The latest casualty toll of typhoon Pablo is 640 dead and 827 missing. The number of homeless families is estimated at 300,000. 300 fishermen from Gen. Santos are missing.

Relief and resources are quite slow in reaching the isolated towns of Baganga, Cateel and Boston.

When President Aquino and his party visited, they used 7 helicopters — why weren’t they used to deliver emergency relief to the isolated barangays?

Definitely, the DSWD and the NDRRMC were caught unprepared for this one.

Malacañang is saying it will charge to local officials who failed to do their jobs. That’s unfair in the face of a destructive typhoon. Local governments did not have resources and facilities to deal with the same.

By the way, we observed that DSWD Secretary Dinky Soliman goes back and forth to Davao and Manila. She should stay permanently in the damage area. She should bring her undersecretaries with her, too.

President Aquino sent Cabinet Secretary Jose Rene Almendras to coordinate relief efforts. Yes, NDRRMC could not handle the job properly.

SIN TAX REDUCED . . As we had predicted, the bicameral conference committee on the Sin Tax has agreed on a compromise P35 billion from the Senate version of P40 billion.

The sharing has also been changed from 60-40% to 70-30% or even 69-31% to which Senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is objecting.

Now being discussed is the revenue sharing of the proceeds with Senators Ralph Recto and Marcos batting for a definite and higher earmarking for health programs.

With the proposed unitary rate for imported and local cigarettes, it is expected that several local cigarette factories will close.

STL/JUETENG . . The STL as cover for jueteng collections is flourishing in Southern Luzon, Bicol, Central and Northern Luzon provinces.

Provincial governors received an average P700,000 ‑ P1 million a month.

Upon assumption of office as DILG Sec. Mar Roxas announced a renewed campaign against jueteng. So far, the PNP provincial director has been sacked.

It’s wide open with mayors also getting their shares.

GIFT GIVING . . Pagcor distributed 8,600 gift bags at the Cuneta Astrodome yesterday with President Aquino, Chairman Bong Naguiat and Pasay Mayor Tony Calixto leading the gift givers.

Among the beneficiaries are 2,000 street sweepers, orphans, the elderly, disabled and handicapped persons, special children and indigent families from squatter areas.

The gift giving will continue until Dec. 20.

TIDBITS . . . When President Aquino visited Boston, Davao Oriental, Governor Corazon Malanyaon was not invited. Why?

Mayor Christian Natividad of Malolos City is doing well as City Mayor. He is all set to build a new city hall. He will be opposed by former City Mayor Danny Domingo.

179 party-list groups have been disqualified by Comelec, 78 party-lists have been approved so far.

Transparency International (IT) reports that the Philippines is in the lowest 3rd of corrupt countries, scoring 34% out of 100 with 100 being the least corrupt in the corruption perception index.

President Aquino named 3 envoys: Ambassador Domingo Lucenario to Pakistan and Afghanistan, Ambassador Salud Glang to Bahrain and Ambassador Alex Chua to Myanmar.

Washington State joins growing number of US states allowing same sex marriage.

Greetings to avid readers Zeny Dy, Lulu Dailo, Ex-Cong. Jun Aniag, Carol Mangaong, Lito dela Cruz and Zaldy Mendoza.

Thank you to Deputy Speaker Noli Fuentebella, Sen. Greg Honasan, Rep. Rex Gatchalian, Chairman Bong Naguiat, Jaime Dichaves, Johhny Sy and Nene Henson for their early Christmas gifts.