No common sense

Addressing leaders in the Semiconductor and Electronics Industries, Liberal Party (LP) presidential candidate Mar Roxas called for the creation of a “Department of Common Sense” to spur economic growth.

Roxas said that this “new department” would abolish outdated economic policies, which blocks full economic growth of the Philippines. He further said that one of its tasks was to eliminate red tape in the bureaucracy that would prevent prospective investors from not investing into the country.

The immediate implication, there is a shortage of common sense in the five-year-old Aquino administration.

The lack of common sense could be seen in the neglect of the mass transit systems and the major neglect of the Philippine National Railway (PNR).

Common sense dictated that with the huge annual increase in passenger traffic, more efficient mass transit systems should have been established.

Common sense also dictated that the Manila-Legazpi trip of PNR should have been attended to five years ago to provide service to Bicol and Southern Tagalog. To attend to these twin problems of transportation on the sixth year of the Aquino administration shows the clear case of lack of priority for a major problem affecting millions of commuters.

Common sense also dictated that skyways should have been built over Edsa, from South Luzon Expressway (SLEx) to North Luzon Expressway (NLEx).

Common sense also dictated that the highest priority should have been given to the anti-illegal drug problem.

Common sense also strongly suggested a stronger anti-crisis problem, starting with the collection of over two million loose firearms.

Common sense also required that the Freedom of Information (FOI) bill be passed to help in the fight against corruption.

Common sense should have warned the administration that giving P50-100 million to 20 senators for Chief Justice Renato Corona’s impeachment cannot be kept a secret.

We don’t need a separate department of common sense. We need Cabinet members with a lot of common sense. 

Pacquiao a big hit in Davao

Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao was a big hit in Davao when he addressed the Mindanao-wide Assembly of Alpha Phi Omega (APO) fraternity in Tagum, Davao del Norte.

Pacquiao related his humble beginnings when his family sometimes had nothing to eat and slept on cardboard on the streets. He said he also knew Vice President Jejomar Binay’s humble origins and believes his sincere desire to help the poor.

He related that Vice President Binay appealed to him to help him push his advocacies to uplift the masses from poverty.

His speech was so emotional, many in the audience shed tears.

Besides Pacquiao, retired General Getulio Napeñas, Princess Jacel Kiram, Rey Langit and Labor lawyer Allan Montaño joined the vice president’s entourage which was met by a big group from Lanao.

In the 2010 elections, Vice President Binay got 70 percent of the votes in Panabo and 62 percent of the votes in Tagum, Davao del Norte.

Vice President Binay addressed the Mindanao-wide Convention of APO fraternity, Alpha Sigma Phi (ASP) Sorority and the First National Jamboree in Tagum, with 25,000 participants. He was welcomed by Panabo City Mayor James Gamao and Tagum City Mayor Allan Rellon.

LP presidential candidate Mar Roxas visited the widow of slain Loreto Mayor Dario Otaza, Ligaya Otaza, in his visit to Butuan.

The Grace Poe-Chiz Escudero team announced the completion of its senatorial ticket with the selection of retired General Samuel Pagdilao as its 12th candidate. Others in the Poe slate are Rep. Roman Romulo, Rep. Sherwin Gatchalian, Senators Tito Sotto and Ralph Recto, Lawyer Lorna Kapunan, Vice Mayor Isko Moreno, Rep. Neri Colmenares, actor Edu Manzano, and former Senators Miguel Zubiri, Panfilo Lacson and Richard Gordon.

Tidbits

Some 55,000 packed the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan to watch a special show called ‘Tamang Panahon,’  featuring AlDub sweethearts Alden Richards and Maine ‘Yaya Dub’ Mendoza. This a big coup for GMA-7, eclipsing ABS-CBN’s noontime show, ‘Showtime.’

Rich Hong Kong businessmen raised P90 million to help the “ultrapoor” in the Philippines who live on P13 or less a day. This is a clear proof of how extreme poverty exists in the country. Thank you HK businessmen! How about the 15 richest Filipinos reported by Forbes, donating 10 percent of their income for a well-run antipoverty program?

Ateneo High School will accept female students for grades 11 and 12 for schoolyear 2016-2017.

SM Prime opened its 55th mall in Sangandaan, Caloocan last Friday, Oct. 23. It opened SM City Mall on Oct. 19 in Cabanatuan.

Dr. Jesus Comedido, a pediatrician of San Mateo, Rizal, was found dead in the septic tank of his house. Two teenage brothers, 17 and 13, were arrested for the gruesome killing.

The Ombudsman has filed graft charges against former Camarines Norte Gov. Jesus Typoco for his alleged involvement in the multi-million peso fertilizer fund scam.

High haze-forming pollution has been noted in Metro Cebu, urging the public to wear goggles, dust mask respirators, and other protective gear by Environmental Management Bureau-Central Visayas.

Condolence to businessman Charlie Gonzales of Davao City on the death of his brother, Raul Sonny.