Malacañang, through Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa, announced the resignation of Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Enrique Ona on Friday, six days before Christmas.
It was unchristian to say the least, to fire a Cabinet secretary just before Christmas. It could have been done after the New Year. Ona did not even get a ‘thank you for your service.’
After all, Ona had served satisfactorily for four and a half years as Secretary of Health.
In contrast, Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala, who is charged with not acting on the anomalies in the National Food Authority (NFA), the National Irrigation Administration (NIA), Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), National Agribusiness Corp. (NABCOR), has been allowed to stay in office.
In the case of the questioned purchase of PCV-10, an anti-pneumonia vaccine, there is no accusation of overpricing. In fact, it’s one dollar cheaper than the PCV-13 which is recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO), resulting in a savings of P267 million.
How about the case of Philippine National Police Director General Alan Purisima, who is facing charges for graft before the Ombudsman, why has he been treated with kid gloves?
The same is true with Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Secretary Virgilio delos Reyes, who allowed his office to be used in the P900-million Malampaya Fund scam.
President Aquino has not yet decided on who to appoint as successor to Secretary Ona, but Undersecretary Janette Garin will be the acting secretary of health until any permanent appointment has been announced.
Roxas-Poe for LP
Liberal Party (LP) Secretary General and Samar Congressman Mel Senen Sarmiento has proposed for a Mar Roxas-Grace Poe tandem in the 2016 elections as this team-up combines leadership, experience and expertise in governance with mass appeal, honesty and idealism.
The latest Pulse Asia survey gave Roxas a 6 percent rating for a 6th place ranking while Poe received an 18 percent rating placing her second. The latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey shows Vice-President Binay getting 37 percent to Senator Grace Poe’s 21 percent.
It is more logical to field a Poe-Roxas tandem, if Poe is to be convinced to change her decision not to aspire for higher office in 2016.
But Sarmiento said that Roxas remained the “sentimental favorite” for the most LP leaders because they know of his personal sacrifices for the party and his accomplishments as President Aquino’s troubleshooter and Cabinet member.
Department of Budget (DBM) Secretary Butch Abad agreed with Sarmiento saying the Roxas-Poe team-up would be a “potent tandem.”
Senate President Franklin Drilon did not issue any comment.
Cavite Representative Elpidio Barzaga Jr., a leader of the National Unity Party (NUP) also endorsed the Roxas-Poe team-up.
Untimely Christmas gift
The Aquino Administration’s Christmas gift to the people is the increase in Light Rail Transit (LRT) and Metro Rail Transit (MRT) fares effective January 4, 2015.
The MRT 3 fares will be increased from P15 to P28, for the Roosevelt to Taft Avenue trip.
The fare increase is not justified considering the frequent breakdowns and poor service of the MRT 3.
LRT 1 fares will be increased from P20 to P30 for the Baclaran to Roosevelt trip. LRT 2 fares will increase from P15 to P25 for the Recto to Santolan trip
Malacañang approved the increase. It could have waited for the next administration in 2016 to effect the increases.
The Palace said it is long overdue and it is about time they have to trim its subsidy for the railway systems that only serve the population of Metro Manila.
The three commuter trains carry 1.2 million passengers daily, mostly poor people.
Certainly, it will cause another reason for disapproval of the Aquino administration.
It will be an unhappy new year for 1.2 million commuters.
MMFF
The Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) will showcase 8 films starting Dec. 25. Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Francis Tolentino is the overall chairman of the MMFF. Jessie Ejercito is the executive chairman.
Longest running entry is Shake, Rattle and Roll XV produced by Regal Films. It is quite an achievement to produce 15 sequels for a movie.
Congratulations Mother Lily Monteverde.
Outstanding Metro Manila mayors
The following have done an excellent job as mayors of their cities:
1. Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada
2. Navotas Mayor John Rey Tiangco
3. Valenzuela Mayor Rex Gatchalian
4. Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista
5. Marikina Mayor Del de Guzman
6. Makati Mayor Erwin Junjun Binay
Tidbits
Thirty-four-year-old Filipino-American Lovelyn Marquez-Prueher was awarded the California Teacher of the Year certificate. She teaches English at the Dodson Middle School in the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD).
Christmas greetings to Congresswoman Baby Arenas, Tessie Sy-Coson, Ricky Recto, Kim Wong, Fr. Bel San Luis, Lily Monteverde, Len and Tessie Oreta and to all our readers.
The Sandiganbayan granted President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s petition for a Christmas furlough.
Actor Robin Padilla, who spent three years at the New Bilibid Prison (NBP), said that even during his time there were drug dealings at the NBP.
A grenade thrown at the Parang, Maguindanao public market wounded 7 persons.
Ebola death toll is now 7,373.