By REY O. ARCILLA
MALAYA
MALAYA
‘Surely, there must be an awful lot of deserving non-trapos among the 32 senatorial candidates who do not belong to political dynasties to fill up the 12 posts.’
PALACE: No stand on dynasty bill
Naturally! The present occupant belongs to a political dynasty himself. He cannot say he is for an anti-dynasty law after having his nephew included in the administration’s senatorial slate. Neither can he say he is against it, for that would not sit well with his bosses, the people.
Without a doubt, an endorsement by President Noynoy Aquino will be a big boost to the passing of an enabling law that would implement the constitutional provision against political dynasties that lawmakers have been ignoring for the last 25 years. But will he do it? Not likely. For one, an anti-dynasty bill will prevent his sister, Kris, from running for public office when she decides to quit the entertainment business.
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A couple of petitions have been filed before the Supreme Court – one, to mandate the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to implement the constitutional provision and two, for Congress to pass the enabling legislation.
The Comelec chairman said the Commission cannot implement the constitutional provision without an enabling law. On the other hand, assuming the tribunal agrees to ask Congress to enact the enabling law, realistically it cannot be done in time for the 2013 elections.
So what can we, the people, do in the meantime to manifest our abhorrence of political dynasties?
According to the Comelec, there will most likely be 32 candidates for 12 Senate seats next year. Let us demand that the Commission make public the names of those candidates, together with their biodata, in its website and other information outlets, particularly the mass media. The latter, along with the Comelec, must try to make the playing field even for all the aspirants.
Surely, there must be an awful lot of deserving candidates who do not belong to political dynasties to fill up the 12 posts. Let us give them a chance… let us give ourselves a chance… by voting for them.
As to the election of congressmen and other local officials, the media can also play a crucial role in “educating” the people of the disadvantages to them of having only a few families ruling the country.
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The heads of state/government of the Asean countries and those of China, Japan and South Korea will have their annual summit meetings in Phnom Penh, Cambodia next month.
The question uppermost in the mind of many is how Cambodia will behave as Asean chairman this time. Will she repeat what she did last July that resulted in no joint communiqué being issued by the Asean foreign ministers? Cambodia refused to include in the communique any mention of the West Philippine Sea dispute which sadly left the reputation of the Association as an effective organization in tatters.
My fearful (as opposed to fearless, because I fear it will happen again) forecast is that Cambodia will behave in the same manner as last time. I cannot imagine her changing her stance.
As I wrote last September 11:
“Reuters reported that for what Cambodia did in Phnom Penh last month, China immediately gave her over $500 million grants and loans, plus $25 million as a “gift” to use as she pleases. (That is more than the $21 million additional US aid to us next year that Del Rosario had been harping about.)
“China also gave “positive” consideration to Cambodia’s proposal for the former to provide $300 to $500 million new loans per year for the next five years, repeat, five years, for yet unspecified projects.
“On top of all that, a Chinese company planned to invest $2 billion to build a steel plant in Cambodia that would employ about 10,000 people. The plant will produce 3 million tons of steel a year.
“Reuters further said that last year, China invested in Cambodia $1.9 billion, more than double the combined investment by Asean countries and 10 times more than that of the US.
“Now, if you were in Cambodia’s shoes, would you change stance? Put another way, can Asean or the US match or surpass China’s ‘generosity’?”
I do not foresee China’s present leadership or the one that’s supposed to come in next month reneging on the promises made to Cambodia.
Then again, my crystal ball could be wrong.
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I have been hearing all kinds of horror stories about protocolar lapses in Malacañang. I think it’s about time Noynoy had a closer look at the Palace’s protocol office. More serious embarrassments to the government may come about if he didn’t.
The Palace’s chief protocol officer has been the object of criticism not only among insiders but also DFA professionals who have been assigned to his office. It is further alleged that if they could help it, DFA officials would no longer want to be assigned there.
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I noticed that Noynoy is very fond of using the phrase “point in time”. If memory serves, the phrase gained currency during the (US) presidency of John F. Kennedy.
I personally would not use it because I find it redundant. I would either say “at this/that point” or “at this/that time”.
But, as they say… different strokes for different folks.
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Reminders (for Noynoy’s action):
1) Filing of charges against officials of the National Food Administration (NFA) during Arroyo’s illegitimate regime. Noynoy himself said on several occasions that there is documentary evidence to prove the venalities in the past in that agency.
Noynoy once again referred to this anomaly in his remarks in Sydney, Australia last week. Yet, he hasn’t done anything about it two and a half years into his presidency. His appointee as NFA administrator has already resigned to run for Congress.
2) Investigation of reported anomalies in the GSIS during the watch of Winston Garcia.
3) Facilitating the investigation of rampant corruption in the military and police establishments.
4) Expeditious action by the AFP on the case of Jonas Burgos.
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Today is the 177th day of the sixth year of Jonas Burgos’ disappearance.
What is keeping Noynoy from signing the newly enacted law against enforced disappearances?
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From an internet friend:
She watched him pray and after about 45 minutes, when he turned to leave, using a cane and moving very slowly, she approached him for an interview.
“Pardon me, sir, I’m Rebecca Smith from CNN. What’s your name?”
“Morris Fishbein,” he replied.
“Sir, how long have you been coming to the Wailing Wall and praying?”
“For about 60 years.”
“60 years! That’s amazing! What do you pray for?”
“I pray for peace between the Christians, Jews and the Muslims. I pray for all the wars and all the hatred to stop. I pray for all our children to grow up safely as responsible adults, and to love their fellow man.”
“And how do you feel after doing this for 60 years?”
“Like I’m talking to a freaking brick wall!” he replied.
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Email: roacrosshairs@yahoo.com
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