Emergency powers proposed

Several congressmen led by Eastern Samar Rep. Ben Evardone have proposed that emergency powers be given to President Aquino to expedite the solution to the power crisis and also to problems of mass transportation.

President Fidel V. Ramos was granted emergency powers to deal with the power crisis in 1993. To solve the power crisis, Ramos issued licenses to independent power producers, giving them generous terms, including a government guarantee that it would pay for all electricity produced whether used or not. There was no public bidding.

The Independent Power Producers (IPPs) contracts granted through the emergency powers of Ramos resulted in high power rates, with excessive profits going to the electricity provider and kickbacks paid to the powers that be.

The 1993 Ramos experience has left a lesson that must not be repeated. Public bidding must be simplified, but not totally eradicated.

The grant of emergency powers is a direct admission that the  President does not have sufficient powers under existing law to solve the power crisis. Yes, in three and a half years, there has been no effective solution to the problem. 

Senator Francis Escudero, Congressman Antonio Tinio, and Lito Atienza are opposing the proposal. Sen. Francis Escudero warned that giving the President emergency powers would have repercussions. He said the same situation arose during the presidency of Fidel Ramos, which resulted in high electricity rates. “Although I am allied with the President, I think these powers should not be volunteered by Congress. This is supposed to be sought by the President, not the other way around,” Escudero said.

Government too slow

DPWH Secretary Rogelio Singson announced Friday that 90 bunkhouses are to be delivered this month. Yes, only 90.

The rehabilitation chiefs must now seriously consider giving financial help or construction materials to Yolanda victims on a bigger scale.

Dr. Marie Ann Corsino, a pediatrician in Dulag, Leyte, has organized a purely private effort to help villagers in Dulag to rebuild their houses. Soliciting donations from friends and classmates, Dr. Corsino has helped finish 16 houses in Barangay Luan, Dulag.

We reiterate, the 141 towns hit by typhoon Yolanda should be given P20 million each to start their own home rebuilding programs.

Phinma helping Palo

The Phinma Foundation Inc. has started the reconstruction of the Palo Metropolitan Cathedral in Palo, Leyte.  The project is being carried out by the Union Galvasteel Corp., a Phinma subsidiary.

Archbishop John Du has lauded the project as a manifestation of the spirit of goodwill and unity between the church and private business.

Good job, Phinma.

French Magazine

French magazine Closer reported that French President Francois Hollande was having an affair with French actress Julie Gayet, 41.

Closer reported that Hollande often spends the night at Gayet’s apartment, accompanied by only one bodyguard.

At the same time, Hollande has a live-in mistress, Valerie Trierweiler, a journalist. He is separated from his wife Segolene Royal, with whom he has four children.

60 deaths

Sixty persons have died at Zamboanga City evacuation centers, according to the City Health Office.

Most of the dead persons are children or senior citizens. City Health Officer Dr. Rodel Agbulos reported the deaths were caused by diarrhea or pneumonia.

More than 20,000 people are still living in evacuation centers in Zamboanga City.

Drugs all over

The drug problem has reached all provinces. The recent drug busts happened in Vigan, Ilocos Sur; Batangas; Nueva Ecija; Laguna; and Lanao Del Norte.

Once again, we say that local governments, principally municipal mayors and barangay chairmen should be the first ones to discover the presence of drug dealing in their locality.

With regards to drug laboratories, the equipment is smuggled in. Customs must tighten inspection of drug making equipment.

Cardinal Quevedo

Cotabato Archbishop Orlando Quevedo has been elevated to the College of Cardinals by Pope Francis. Quevedo’s appointment is a surprise choice as the normal expectation was for the Archbishop of Cebu, to be named Cardinal.

Quevedo, 74, is a member of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate Order. He became Archbishop of Cotabato in 1998. Before that he was Archbishop of Nueva Segovia in Vigan, Ilocos Sur. He will be formerly installed as Cardinal in February 22, in Rome.

School not rebuilt

DPWH Eastern Visayas Regional Director Rolando Asis admitted that there are no plans yet to rebuild 100 schools damaged by typhoon Yolanda. He said that there is no availability of good lumber and G.I. sheets.

Asis said that no plans or funds have been received from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Manila to start rebuilding the damaged schools.

DPWH Secretary Rogelio Singson said it will take one year to repair and rehabilitate public infrastructure, including schools. This is another example of incompetence.

Tidbits: Heavy rains left 13 dead and 8 missing in Mindanao, from Tarragona and Lupon in Davao Oriental to Monkayo and New Bataan in Compostela Valley. Floods have hit Butuan City.

Senior Police Officer 1 Miguel Gayagoy was shot dead in Sta. Monica, Quezon City.

CAFGU member Ricky Camacho was shot dead in Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental.

Twenty-four people were wounded at an explosion inside the Cotabato Foundation State College of Science and Technology in Arakan, North Cotabato.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) is set to hire 100 security guards to mount the gates at Camp Crame. This is a step backwards. Sadly, it is an admission that regular policemen cannot effectively guard the gates of the PNP National Headquarters.

Prayers are requested for former Congresswoman Emily Relucio- Lopez, who was seriously injured in a car accident in Santa Barbara, Iloilo. She is at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of Iloilo Doctors Hospital.

Greetings to Tony Boy Florendo, Charlie Gonzales, Binggoy and Baby Montemayor, Speaker Boy Nograles, and Congressman Karlo Nograles. Also to Congresswoman Gwen Garcia.