After a long journey of fighting their rights over a land of 144 hectares owned by San Miguel Corporation, 50 hectares of agricultural land was won by the Sumilao farmers.

Sumilao farmer have walked from Sumilao, Bukidnon to Manila to go directly to Department of Agriculture and to the Malacañang to ask for President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo about their right over the 144 hectares of land in Sumilao, Bukidnon. During their journey on foot, the farmers had gained sympathy because of their noble cause. Some of the sympathizers gave food and water along the way.

While they were in Manila, a Catholic Church cater the farmers for their shelter and food and a cause oriented student organization and other supportive organization had collected funds to support their needs.

The Sumilao farmers went home yesterday aboard the C130 of the Philippine Airforce.

The Broadband deal issue started around September last year when the deal allegedly did not materialize due some issues about the rival company of ZTE which is the Amsterdam Holdings Inc (AHI) represented by Joey de Venecia, son of former Speaker Rep. Jose De Venecia.

The deal came out of the open when Joey de Venecia reacted that there is something within the deal - an overprice to be received by former COMELEC Chairman Abalos and First Gentleman Atty. Mike Arroyo as commission or kickback. According to Joey, this deal is being manipulated by these two big political personalities.

The National Broadband Network (NBN) deal reaches $329 million. Chairman Abalos even resigned from office to give way to the ongoing investigation. The big issue started when Chairman Abalos allegedly want to protect his $130 million commission as part of the $329 million NBN project to be distributed some part of it to the First Gentleman Mike Arroyo and other Government officials involved.

Due to the amount involved, to be paid by the Philippine Government for 20 years if the project materialized has made the Senate to investigate the processes of the deal. That on the first Senate investigation, some rulings before the contract is signed, there are anomalies involved.

After the exposé of Joey de Venecia, star witness Rodolfo Noel “Jun” Lozada, a former Government Official too came out of the open to testify the alleged irregularity committed within the deal. Jun Lozada mentioned lots of things about the irregularities of the NBN deal. He also mentioned that there really are unusual processes being done in the procurement system of the Government.

The Senate Blue Ribbon committee is still investigating the deal. It became national concern that made some cause oriented organization pledge support to the star witness and to the issue itself to know what had happened on the NBN deal.

Father Fernando Suarez, a Chemical Engineering graduate has turned into a healing priest. He become famous especially for the sick people. Wherever he goes to conduct mass healing most if not all the people who he came to put over his hand was miraculously healed.

Recently, Fr. Suarez was aired again on tv news because of controversial issue. He is selling CDs and other things that have been blessed. According to the news, this things can heighten the faith of the believers and are also able to heal some of the sickness. The proceeds of this, will go to the development of a huge statue of St. Mary. in Batangas.

Farmers are claiming that this parcel of land should have been their own long time ago because they were already tilling the land for a couple of years or decades if I’m not mistaken. Allegedly, the farmer awake one morning and discovered that the land is not their own property, but owned by one of the biggest corporations in the Philippines - San Miguel Corporation.

Farmers at this moment are currently marching to Manila from their respective farms to shout to Malacañang and to invoke their rights to the land. Because of this dispute, DAR comes to the rescue. DAR will regulate this issue for sure. For the time being, let’s just sit, relax and watch the news about it.

DAR - Department of Agrarian Reform. It is a branch of the government who focuses on the arable lands (eg. farm) and the people who are living and getting their source of living from that land. DAR regulates all issues regarding lands. From the acronym itself, Department of Agrarian REFORM. This government agency had been long time reforming this farm lands into something else different from agrarian. Just like what had happened in the Lingayen Golf Course. Hundred of hectares of arable land had been REFORMED into recreation (golf course) for those who can afford only.

San Miguel Corporation - is one of the pride corporations of the Philippines. This corporation continue to progress. Their products are well patronized by Filipinos and even outside the Philippines. The rate of demands continue to incline, thus, an expansion is needed. If you notice the strategy of this corporation, they produce their own raw materials to make up a good output product.

They let the farmers plant mais or maize. They will buy this golden grain and milled and treated to their machineries to produce a quality foods to be fed to their piggery farm. Afterwards, the swine will then be processed to their plants to become food not only for the farmers, but to the whole Filipinjo people who have the capacity to afford the price of processed meat products. Isn’t it a nice company? Yes, it is. A very profitable company.

This farm land is just another way for them to increase a sale. Hopefully, these farmers to be displaced (I hope not) will be given priorities as their beneficiaries.

The stressful task of election is done, though counting of canvas for the senatorial race is not yet done. The COMELEC headed by Chairman Abalos is doing their best to maintain the the election and the counting of votes reliable.

As being aired by different TV networks and radio program, Senatorial candidates Chiz Ecudero, Panfilo Lacson, Loren Legarda were at the top. Thought this proclamations are not official the numbers posted on the TV screens are the real scores gathered in the election.

Before the filing of candidacy, all the candidates from senatorial race down to municipal councilors are aware of the rulings of the COMELEC. Like for example the sizes of the posters to be posted on public places and the money suppose to be spent for individual voter were laid out. But during the campaign period, most of the well-know candidates on the top level seems not to be aware about it. Large billboards hanged around Metro Manila, not to mention public places on provinces where oversized posters also hanged. In the Metro Manila, thanks to Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) headed by Chairman Fernando for removing this posters.

MMDA Bayani Fernando has gone along way with the streets of Manila. Though lots of people and their businesses signs were displaced due to unfavorable location and placement on the side walks (according MMDA) has made the sidewalk a pleasant for the busy and rushing mass.

These businesses and people that had been displaced accused Fernando of inhumane acts. In some some other way, the right of these people were jeopardized, but in some other way also the rushing public benefited. Actually it’s only the sidewalks of Manila are being occupied, but all the sidewalks of the urbanized community.

Businesses on the sidewalks really affects a lot, especially the general public where these businesses get their income. One of the Cities in Central Luzon, a rapidly growing city has also business establishments occupying the almost half of the sidewalk. Though the creation of the building include the sidewalk, on the proprietor’s side he thinks that he owns the sidewalk, thus, extending the business by installing additional table occupying the almost half the sidewalk giving only space for two persons to walk, not to mention the location of the establishment, it is exactly put on a elbow curve street.

These part of the sidewalk is one feet above the road the main intersection of th city. How ironic, most of the time I jump off the side just to give way other passersby. It would be good if this site will be spotted by MMDA, but this is only a dream. Mr Fernando will surely dismantle the extended part of the business. What comes next? That Fernando destroys and hampers the growth of the business and the owner as well.

The scenario is not new anymore. First and foremost, the owner knows that it is sidewalk and putting some extra tables and products will be an additional income. An idea that (not all) a business is created for profit, as long as it generates profit in a legal basis then it is correct. But by putting a business on the sidewalk will hamper the smooth flow of the walking public.

We could not blame the people doing this type of business. Everyone needs to be fed and this is only the most decent way to earn extra income. Hay…… since the number of unemployed Filipno are rapidly growing, most of the people on the provinces wanted to go to the city to look for a decent job, it means that this situation will be more to come. That the solution Mr. Fernando is implementing is useless. Another…. hay……, both parties are a victim of humanity.

We have three personalities in the community and one of them is the culprit.

Who is to be blamed? It’s NOBODY!

“Everybody is expecting that somebody will do it, but nobody did it.”

Our candidates in the national level have become busy this days. Some of them who are members of the same party that have agreed to meet once in while to conduct campaign together don’t have anymore time due to the hectic schedules. And they preferred to campaign individually.

But what is more striking is the idea that most of the candidates are offering services (if they win) that would uplift the life of Filipino people from the chaos. This is being shown regularly on TV. That this candidates are like superman, broadcasting to the world that they can do everything to satisfy and make life comfortable.

This is one of the facts that ordinary voters believed. Why? because the level of campaigning is done in a superstitious way. Candidates (not all) should be the first to upgrade or enhance the way they should campaign.

The dancing style, the singing style, the rampant use of unfortunates faces of children, faces of farmers and more are just an example that these future leaders are exaggerating the real scenario of the Republic of the Philippines.

Let me recap the things happened on the last 20 years when Juan started to struggle for a better life. (Correct me if I am wrong) Pres. Aquino won the presidency because of the late NINOY, followed by FVR, then Erap and GMA, and also some of the Senators that are still on the go mentioning exaggerated thing. The leader during these times had all expressed their desire to uplift the life of Filipino.

What had happened really is big. Juan’s once good life has turned out into a more harder life. Today, Juan is doubling his sacrifices just to maintain his life. Yet every election all of the candidates are shouting that they could ease some of the things that makes Juan’s life miserable. But the results are opposite. Juan doesn’t know anymore what is right from wrong.

Due to the fact that he (Juan) should work to earn a living, as long as he will be paid accordingly or be paid lower than the minimum wage, Juan is not thinking twice but grab the opportunity. That Juan knows, the riskier the job, the bigger the price at stake. Thus come up the rampant illegal activities.

Candidates waste too much during campaign period. Though the COMELEC (Commission on Election) has guiding rules on the money to be spent on the campaign, some of the campaign materials used could be easily declared that it was donated by a friend. It means that the money did not came from the candidate himself.

Anyway this is none sense. After all, Philippines is the number 2 most corrupt country worldwide.

Every candidates or the leaders of the State has all the ability and the capacity to serve the people. But it seems the change is far going to the benefit of the people but to the benefits of individual’s pocket.

Vote wisely! Vote wisely! Vote wisely! Vote wisely! Until your vote no more.

Choosing by casting our vote to our favored candidate to be the leader is a right.  Today, voter are becoming more aware of the capabilities and abilities of the candidates.  But on the other side of the election, business with potential market during campaign period boosts their profit in double.

“Gold Goons Guns” is a machinery that accompanies election.  As featured in the Reporter’s Notebook of GMA7, the backyard production of guns grew in double due to election.

The next issue to be heard by the unaware voters will be the vote buying and flying voters - a problem that are recurring every now and then.

After the election, the contents of all the newspapers will be cheating. If the a candidate wins, he/she cheated, but if a candidate losses, he/she was cheated.  This is the connotation of an ordinary citizen.

After proclamation, the candidate will then take the seat of governance.  This leader will then make a unique move disregarding the previous plan that ha been started by the unseated leader. Then again after, a new plan will be formulated, to be disregarded again afterwards.

This indicates somehow the idea that history repeat itself.  We are repeating again and again formulating plans that is not achievable because the range of action requires a time that lapses the period of office.

Long term plans are more reliable than shorter plans, yet nobody wants to be shadowed by another, unless a leader wins the next election then the plan will materialize.  But winning for the second time requires a double effort during the period of office.  And an excellent job should be done within the governance period - a factor that makes our leaders formulate a project of their own, belittling the first project left by the unseated leader.

In view of this events, history does repeat itself. Juan, as the ordinary citizen has nothing to do with it, but to wait his unnatural death.

At 4:30 p.m. President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo arrived at Villamor Air Base loaded with opportunities. Her meeting with the Presidents and CEOs from World Economic Forum (WEF) in Switzerland indeed a success because according to her, some of these big personalities pledge big investments in the country. Congratulations Madam!

One of the pledges that took my attention is pledge of British investment on power. The bast and only power source that could sustain power consumption is Nuclear Power Plant. Though some of our neighboring countries use Nuclear power for their power source, here in the Philippines had tried once and construct a nuclear power plant. The site was in Morong, Bataan. This had been conducted during the President Marcos regime.

During the construction of the said plant, people from nearby provinces benefited on the construction via daily wages. Yet after the construction was done when the plant was to be operated. A multitude came from different provinces, through mass media became hesitant on the utilization of the plant, most of them were questioning about the devastating waste on the coastal area, and the possible disastrous event that would arise. During these times, the Chernobyl nuclear power plant explosion was so intense due to the liabilities brought by radioactives contaminations. People of the Philippines didn’t want this to happen.

In addition, during the Aquino Administration, the plant was examined for reconsideration, but it was found that the plant had lots of defects. Thus, made them (the people) to react vehemently on the suspension to operate the Nuclear Power plant.

A fews years after, the area became a refugee camp of Vietnamese that crossed the boarder. Then the authority decided that these refugees be transfered to Palawan because they (authority) planned that the site be transformed into a tourist’s spot.

Once again, five years or more from now, a Nuclear Power plant will arise to sustain the growing power consumption of the country through the effort of PGMA. It is true that Nuclear power plant is beneficial, but the Filipino people, how broad do you think their intellectual knowledge about nuclear (plant)? Furthermore, the Philippines being one of top ten most corrupt country worldwide, how reliable will be the significance of constructing a Nuclear power plant? Does history repeat itself?

Abangan ang susunod na kabanata………

Since Madam President is broadcasting her successful meeting with foreign investors, and according her, this will come soon, then as soon as possible, the government should formulate a program that will enhance and broaden the awareness of her constituents about Nuclear power source and, as mentioned on the previous post, educate the people of all sectors on the possibilities both good and bad that will arise that needs to be treated accordingly. Just like fire drill, earthquake drill and any other drills are being conducted so as to react accordingly when an incident occurs.

Hep hep…………..Hurray!…………..

Due to the reason of mass lay-offs and the projected closure of medium and small industries, Malacanyang has decided to lay low about the wage hike. This is inconsonance with the House Representatives’ action on temporary shelving the bill proposing a P125 increase in the daily wage.  Both Malacanyang and House projected that the increase is disastrous.

This wage hike have been delayed for almost three year now. But before the recess of the House last December, a bill had been commenced for the P125 wage increase. Today, wage hike is postponed for another debate.  Since the debate in the House of Representatives consumes a lot time, and the election is fast approaching the possible increase would be implemented probably next year.

Labor Secretary Arturo Brion is questioning about where the P125 increase came from, “They probably took it from the air,” he said.

On the other hand, the Employee Confederation of the Philippines President Rene Soriano warned the disastrous chain reaction the wage increase could bring.

Side View of the Scenario

The never-ending distaste scenario between the companies (particularly manufacturing industries) and the labor sector had gone along way that even today it’s hard to visualize when or where or it will be done.  There are cases that labor sector or the Union of a particular company through the help of the labor federation had gained favorable benefits from the industry through Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), but there are more cases where more of the workers were displaced.

This situation is currently undergoing.  The authorities have done their part by pacifying both parties on view that the production should continue.  Then the same will be done again and again to the same cases.  What the authorities doing does not really solve the problem instead, prolonged it up to its maturity, and then the same arises again up to the closure of the company itself.  As a result, year after year the number of unemployed Filipino has ballooned into millions.  Many among us tried to seek stable job abroad and other seek refuge from other country.  A “brain drain” phenomenon that is no longer stoppable.

The government, as the one responsible in inviting these investors/corporations should relay the exact capability of its manpower; likewise, the government should educate the labor sector the real essence and purposes of these investors to know the adjustment to be done so that these investors would continue patronizing our services.  Well, this is easier said than done.  At the present situation, we don’t have a choice, but to wait and wait ‘til waiting no more.