At Malacañang briefing

Sec. Jose Rene Almendras reported that 90,000 families will need food assistance for an extended period of time.

It is good that Sec. Almendras has taken charge of the relief and revenue operations.

He admitted that the principal problem is still how to transport the relief goods to remote barangays and sitios.

Lt. General Jorge Segovia, Eastern Mindanao Commander, is in charge of activities on the ground.

He reported that the devastation is so widespread; the 3 towns of Baganga, Cateel and Boston are 90-95% destroyed.

“We’ve lost whole communities,” Almendras emphasized.

DSWD reported 14,000 families in Cateel, 18,000 in Baganga and Boston 7,000 have received relief goods 3 times already; 40.000 families need help in New Bataan and Compostela Valley.

The Philippine Navy rescued 35 but 315 are still missing at sea.

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MEDICAL CRISES . . 95% of homes and buildings in Baganga have been destroyed. There is a critical need for medical supplies and medicines. The hospital is partly damaged. There is a diarrhea outbreak.

The district hospital of Cateel has also been damaged and is again lacking medical supplies and medicines.

There is a great demand for volunteer doctors to come and help out. The number of sick people is growing everyday as the hospitals and doctors run out of medicines to give to the patients.

Why not send military doctors and nurses?

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NO PRIORITY . . It has been noted by observers that in the search for Jesse Robredo, the entire Cabinet went to Masbate and Naga. A fleet of helicopters and coast guard vessels were deployed to help look for one man. Why so few have been deployed to the Davao Oriental and Compostela area to look for 800 men?

At least several battalions including one engineering battalion and military medical team should have been sent to the area.

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FOUR ABSENT . . In the voting for the ratification of the Bicameral Conference Committee report on the Sin Tax bill, the result was 10-9 in favor.

But the vote could have changed if Senators Loren Legarda, Alan Peter Cayetano, Manuel Villar and TG Guingona did not absent themselves.

Considering that, this is the last week of the session before the Christmas break, it is inexcusable to be absent since important bills will be voted upon.

How many will absent themselves on the voting on the RH bill and the FOI bill?

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PACQUIAO BACK . . Manny Pacquiao said in Los Angeles “Don’t worry, we will rise again.” But in Mexico City, Juan Manuel Marquez said he is retiring and ruled out a 5th fight with Pacquiao.

The problem now is to find a suitable opponent for Pacquiao which will generate some interest among fight fans.

There are suggestions of a return bout with Timothy Bradley who defeated him a few months ago.

Will he really fight again, even against Mommy Dionisia’s wishes? Let’s wait and see.

He arrived Wednesday morning with Jinkee and received a warm welcome at NAIA 2. Vice President Jojo Binay led the welcomers.

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WONDER WHY . . It is puzzling that President Aquino took time to meet with 100 Aurora farmers and indigenous leaders at the Ateneo.

Puzzling because it was clear his briefing papers told him he could not grant the protesting farmers’ request.

Thus, it resulted in total disappointment for the marchers who walked 300 kilometers to present their case to the President.

The farmers had a good case to present as they have been uprooted from their farmlands they have tilled for decades.

It’s a sad day for poor farmers and indigenous peoples.

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EXCELLENT PROGRAM . . PGA cars headed by Robert Coyiuto Jr. in cooperation with Porsche Germany has an excellent training program for its mechanics.

It has just graduated its 8th batch of trainees after a 9-month course co-sponsored by Don Bosco Technical Institute.

It has graduated 126 now called as Certified Porsche Megatronics. Most of the graduates are assigned to different Porsche dealerships all over the world.

Porsche Philippines managing director is Roberto Coyiuto III.

Presiding over the graduation rites was Dr. Stefan Broer, Porsche AG Germany service training manager.

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UNANSWERED QUESTIONS . . The many questions about the PCOS machines have not been answered by Comelec or Smartmatic.

Former Comelec Chairman Benjamin Abalos believes there was PCOS cheating in the 2010 elections. There are many who believe the flashcards were pre-programmed with so many “agents” offering to sell flashcards and fix the election results. Complaints were received in Surigao del Norte, Antipolo, even Quezon City.

There is the unsettled question of the authenticity of the source code.

While there is time, Comelec should call all parties to a meeting to answer all questions regarding the PCOS machine.

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CBCP LED PROTEST . . The CBCP led by Bishop Gabby Reyes of Antipolo and Archbishop Ramon Arguelles of Lipa is leading the move against approval of the RH bill. Even Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle officiated at a mass to pray against the approval of the measure at the Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Makati.

Whatever the final result in the House and the Senate, the CBCP has succeeded in dividing the Catholic population into two camps, for or against the RH bill.

The House approved the RH bill, 113-104.

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Season’s greetings to avid readers: Sis. Glo, Sylvia Pascual, Dades Samson, Evelyn Syqui, Marita Huang, Cecille Oppen, HB and Alma Calleja, Joey Santos, Thelma Maceda and birthday celebrant Mariter Macapagal.