High hopes for 2012

SEARCH FOR TRUTH 

By Ernest M. Maceda
The Philippine Star

President Aquino has issued Administrative Order No. 25 creating an interagency task force that would monitor and check on the performance of national government agencies. Good idea, but will he fire people if they don’t rate well, especially if they belong to the KKK group?

As shown by the inefficient handling of disaster management of four typhoons, the dismal 3.2 percent GDP growth rate, by the shortfall in government revenues, the slow pace of infrastructure development, the high poverty and hunger figures, many agencies are falling on the job. And, after the initial euphoria, many appointees are starting to downslide.

To be fair, we can credit P-Noy for good intentions, but that is not enough. The AO 25 will help determine incompetence and inefficiency. But, it is his job to motivate the two million employees of the Executive department to do their jobs well.

Cut off a few heads, sir. Even without an AO 25 Task Force, the non-performing assets are well known, considering one and a half years have passed. There is no more excuse left. As you said, the learning curve is over.

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NEW YEAR’S WISHES:

• For President Noynoy — to find your true love;

• VP Jojo Binay — 300,000 new housing units and more assignments from P-Noy;

• Senate Pres. Johnny Ponce Enrile — independence of the Senate, decide impeachment on the merits;

• ­­Speaker Sonny Belmonte — a new wife;

• Chief Justice Renato Corona — a good defense team;

• Speaker Jose de Venecia — 20 more years;

• President Joseph Estrada — good health, good wine, the best things in life;

• President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo — house arrest, resignation;

• President Fidel V. Ramos — light your tobacco;

• Deputy Speaker Arnulfo Fuentebella — passage of the bill creating the province of Nueva Camarines;

• Deputy Speaker Erin Tañada — an LP senatorial slot;

• Deputy Speaker Crispin “Boying” Remulla — continued independence of mind and judgement;

• Kris Aquino — another baby, another TV show;

• KC Concepcion — a real he-man

• Sen. Jinggoy Estrada — a new imported SUV;

• Sen. Chiz Escudero — a new political party;

• Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano — more exposes;

• Sen. Gringo Honasan — a good hair dye; roses for Jane;

• Sen. Koko Pimentel — Migz Zubiri as a senatorial teammate;

• Sen. Migz Zubiri — a 6-year term;

• Sen. Loren Legarda — more trees to plant;

• Sen. Ping Lacson — rejection of Sec. Leila de Lima’s appointment;

• Cong. Toby Tiangco — more awards and congratulations;

• Cong. Rodolfo Biazon — 2 more terms in the House of Representatives;

• Cong. Roilo Golez — the Mayorship of Parañaque;

• Cong. Ted Haresco — more charitable work and donation to the poor;

• Mayor Recom Echiverri — no new cases;

• Mayor Jun Jun Binay — a new first lady of Makati;

• Mayor Herbert Bautista — more relocation sites;

• Mayor Sherwin Gatchalian — more awareness and favorable ratings;

• Governor Amado Espino Jr. of Pangasinan — more awards and more satisfied constituents;

• General Nick Bartolome — 50,000 additional policemen;

• DOJ Sec. Leila de Lima — acquittal from contempt charges by the Supreme Court;

• Executive Secretary Jojo Ochoa — one more year in Malacañang;

• DOTC Sec. Mar Roxas — P300 million for his election protest fees;

• DA Sec. Proceso Alcala — 300,000 hectares more irrigated rice fields;

• DepEd Sec. Armin Luistro — 15,000 nurses, 100,000 computers for his schools;

• DSWD Sec. Dinky Soliman — less typhoons, more donations;

• Pagcor Chairman Bong Naguiat — Ephraim Genuino’s head;

• Ramon Ang — more major acquisitions;

• Manuel V. Pangilinan — more Lepanto shares;

• Tessie Sy Coson — a bigger BDO and more SM Malls.

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SHORT LIST. . . In an interview with Lynda Jumilla of ABS-CBN, President Aquino admitted he has asked his legal advisers to prepare a short list of possible replacements for Chief Justice Renato Corona in case he is impeached by the Senate. Yes, he is that confident. Why?

We are not ready to predict a conviction. 16 Senators is a big number to convince to convict.

Even now, there is a debate as to strength or weakness of the 8 Articles of Impeachment. The Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) said the case is weak.

Chief Justice Corona has put together a good defense team headed by retired Supreme Court Justice Serafin Cuevas assisted by Professor Jose Jude Roy, lawyers Ernesto Francisco Jr., Jacinto Jimenez, German Lichauco II, Dennis Manalo and Dexter Corpus.

Chief Justice Corona has submitted to the Senate 33 verified copies of a 79-page answer to the Articles of Impeachment asking the Senate to dismiss the case.

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CHINESE FIRECRACKERS. . .As in previous years, thousands of boxes of firecrackers from China have been smuggled this season. The firecrackers carry a “made in Bulacan” label. True, there was an announced interception of one shipment but, many others were allowed in. And confiscated firecracker are usually recycled and resold by Customs officials.

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IMPRESSIVE GUEST LIST. . .Foreign VIPs headed the guest list of Speaker Jose de Venecia’s 75th birthday celebration held at Golden Bay Restaurant. They were: Sokan, Deputy Prime Minister of Cambodia, Mandav K. Nepal, former Prime Minister of Nepal, Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed of Pakistan, Asaf Hajivev, Member of Parliament of Azerbaijan, Gustavo Carvajal of Mexico and 10 Ambassadors headed by US Amb. Harry Thomas.

Local VIPs included Senate President Johnny Ponce Enrile, Speaker Sonny Belmonte, former President Fidel V. Ramos, Senator Tito Sotto, Congw. Lilibeth Villarica, Congw. Cutie del Mar, Cong. Eric Singson, Congw. Emily Lopez and Cong. Leopoldo Bataoil.

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TIDBITS. . .Greetings to Dr. Alfredo Valdez, Mayor and the good people of San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte on the occasion of their town fiesta.

Also to Mayor Joy Pinson Merin and the people of Bangar, La Union also on the occasion of their town fiesta.

Happy New Year to Tessie Sy Coson, Ramon Ang, Meynardo Jimenez, Cong. Leopoldo Bataoil, Mary Jane Ortega, Putch Puyat, Thelma Maceda and Onie Nakpil.