RP Slow Growth Due to Perceived Unleveled Business Playing Field

President Aquino just retained his economic team for a dismal 4.9% first quarter GDP growth. An influential business group will issue a statement saying that the reason why there is a slower influx of investments is the perception that there is now an unequal playing field in business. There is no improvement in the business climate. Foreign investors still think that the economy is not leveled enough for new, robust business investments to pour in. 


There are certain business groups claiming that they "own" segments of the economy, that new entrants are "unwelcome". The economy is not liberal enough, says foreign business groups. 


Graft and corruption continues unabated, and smuggling remains very strong. Customs chief Angelito Alvarez reasons that it will take him time to curb smuggling. The fault of Alvarez is the fact that he is, allegedly, dipping his fingers in the game. He should be out by July.


Consumer confidence, based on the Bangko Sentral statistics, remains in the negative. Domestic demand is low. Production has also slowed down. 

MMDA running after smokers instead of killer drivers. WTF!

Look at how mucked up priorities are at the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA).


INstead of improving the deteriorating state of our traffic situation and running after erring KILLER bus driver freaks, here comes the MMDA targetting unknown smokers.


This is not only ridiculous but it gave these MMDA enforcers another means to do corruption. Imagine, their victims are now thousands of unknowing smokers out there. Woe to us.


This is what you call a desperate attempt at deflecting the very serious issues hounding the MMDA--inefficiency, graft and corruption, complete anarchy.


Mr. Tolentino should better shape up or ship out. He probably thinks that his problem is media when the problem really is he's not doing anything to improve the MMDA system. 


He must be fired.

Gil Scott-Heron

Gil Scott-Heron, the one who changed the face of music and brought it from the ground up, is dead. He's 62.


My poem for Gil


" The Revolution was, indeed, televised."

and.he.faces.the music.like a babe tryin to reach for that handof his motheror like an old manreachin for another old man's cane.

after a life of strugglehis life always un-televisednow his revolution hasturned in coldwith the massesstill livin like ghosts.

yep, his revolution will now be televisedhis death a cause of concernwas it drugs that did him inor melancholy has set doubts in?

by and by, the revolution was, indeed, televisedand became part of the system.the revolution has not changed anything.it just been televised.

Salon de Ning, Manila Peninsula

XXTRARICE with FH

UFO's?

Me and the team

UFO...again?

The boxer's room

Noemi Dado, the indefatigable mommy blogger knows that I have a new hobby--photography. I bought a Nikon D-3100 and I just kept on shooting and shooting photos. I love photos. I love taking photos. 


That's why for those who want me to cover their events, just email me. You can email me at mangubat.patricio@gmail.com. Just make sure that you have meals, hehehe. That's another thing I love.


I covered Bounty Fresh launch of their chic moms club, an online community of moms. It was held at the Salon de Ning at Manila Peninsula.


For those who still don't know or has'nt visited the Pen lately, come, visit the Ning. It's very beautiful. 


Just look at the photos I took at the Salon de Ning. By the way, what's the name? Well, it's the name of the wife of the owner of the Pen, they say.


The event by the way is absolutely fun. (Hindi nga lang ako nakakain. Oh well. Never mind. I enjoyed the company. )


Photos here are just some of the things I took. You can find others at my Picasa web album. 


Thinking of launching a photoblog over at Wordpress.com. Wait for it, okey?




The thing about photography is you capture life as it unfolds. 


That's not the same way as RH advocates want. They want to capture life before it unfolds. :-)


I'm fascinated with light. When I was teaching electronic newsroom to a bunch of hopefuls at the Dela Salle University, I emphasized on using light. Fact is, I'm an expert at lighting.:-)




Nikon 3100 is an entry level camera. But, hey, I don't need those fancy ones (right now perhaps).


I just need good lens.


If there's someone out there who'll lend me his, I'll definitely appreciate it. 


By the way, Salon de NIng, they say, is an expression of the multi-sided life of the owner. The boxer's room, they say, is a tribute to the owner's former boyfriend, who loves to box. Was it the reason why they separated? The boxing went out of the ring and unto the matrimonial or couple's bed?

Mar Roxas flexes muscles: Reason why Nereus Acosta's appointment as DENR secretary did'nt push thru

After so many meetings with President Aquino and after visiting the Department of Environment and Natural Resources offices for so many times during the past six weeks, former Bukidnon Congressman Nereus Acosta will not succeed or replace Ernesto Paje as DENR secretary afterall.

This surprised many who really thought that Acosta is a "shoo-in" for the post since Aquino himself told and even promised Acosta last year that the Liberal party member will get the post once the one-year election ban has been lifted. 

Fact is, Acosta has even prepared himself for the post and already tasked his men to be appointed in sensitive posts at the DENR. Reportedly, he even offered the undersecretary position to a friend, who happens to be a director of another government agency.

what happened? 

sources say, the reason why Acosta's appointment did not push thru is he being a part of the block of Senator Kiko Pangilinan in the Liberal Party. Remember that it was Kiko who opposed and paved the way for Roxas's exclusion as the party's official presidential candidate and replaced him with Senator Aquino.

Kiko controls the SLAMMAT LORRD group, a group composed of Liberals and Leftist members including Akbayan and some volunteer groups.

a source says that Mar reportedly blocked Acosta's appointment since Acosta belonged to the wing that opposed his candidacy for the presidency. Mar's group reportedly vowed not to allow members of the SLAMMAT LORRD group to assume sensitive government posts.

How true? Read this entry for more information at http://philippine360.com.

RH Bill: Lower Prices of Condoms Now!

A high quality condom for five pesos, is it possible? Yes, it is. Don't tell me that the poor folks out there do not even have five pesos to buy a decent condom?


Don't tell me that poverty hinders someone from protecting himself from unwanted pregnancy. Poor folks have the money to pay for a few hours in a motel, don't even tell me that a 5-peso condom is not entirely possible for him to buy?


A friend of mine says that children or kids who were taught about sex education can actually protect herself from abuse. What?


So, a kid knowledgeable about sex can protect herself from her abuser, by what? BY telling her abuser that he must use a condom before abusing her? Or telling her abuser, that, hey, its her "period"--don't abuse me now.


Sexual abuse is not about sex--it's about power. 


If rich folks of the middle class want to curb population, ask condom makers to lower the prices of their goods, so that the poor would be able to buy them by themselves.


It is definitely not right to tolerate sex by the government buying all those condoms and distributing them to the public. It sends a wrong message. The message is this---just go ahead do it. You're not responsible. You're protected. Go ahead. Sige lang ng sige.


BUt if you educate the poor and let them buy their own condoms, you make them realize that their every sexual act has its consequences that they must face...even if they're "protected."

Bounty Fresh--every Pinoy should be extremely proud

Tennyson Chen, 2010 Entrepreneur of the Year
awardee

Tennyson Chen, president of Bounty Fresh Food Incorporated is one helluva Pinoy. 


IMAGINE, building a chicken empire out of practically nothing a decade ago. That's probably why Mr. Chen was adjudged the 2010 Pinoy Entrepreneur of the Year, and for good reason.


Bounty Fresh is the leading brand when it comes to vacuum-packed dressed chickens. It is the only hermetically sealed chicken brand in the market today. That's why many, including this writer, buys Bounty Fresh products, especially their Primeros--they're plump, right on the weight and truly tasty because their chickens are grown the right way. 

Fleishman Hillard winning team with Ms. Lea Salonga

Think about serving your loved ones with honey-coated grilled chickens, with its skin ripe for the plucking and the juices come out of that immaculately white meat. Yummy. 


Anyway, Tennyson's story is one fantastic one that every single Pinoy should be proud sharing. He started his company with just one idea---innovating and revolutionizing the broiler chicken production industry.


Bounty Fresh is the first large-scale broiler farm to use environmentally controlled houses in the Philippines. The company is set to construct two additional 720,000 broiler capacity farms supplied by Hired Hand structure and poultry system.

FH people with their favorite chefs

Their Pulilan dressing plant has the capability of producing 6,000 bph capacity utilizing the latest technology. That's why, it is not surprising that Bounty Fresh is a 3-time winner of the Best Poultry Processing Plant in the Philippines for 3 successive years.

And everything here just started with a vision.


He had a vision--serving the right kind of tasty chicken to every Pinoy home. From a very small parent stock and commercial layer operation, Bounty Fresh is now the second largest broiler integration with production of approximately 2.5 million day old broilers per week throughout the Philippines. 


Tennyson Chen must be very proud of his hardworking marketing team led by Tracy Cheng, Dondi, Kay Gomez and Raya. 

Bounty Fresh hardworking
marketing team led by Dondi and Tracy Cheng

Their launch last week of the Chic Mom's Club at the Salon de Ning, Manila Peninsula was such a smash, it was the most talked about event ever.


Lea Salonga was there, Cesce Litton hosted the show and I saw some of Manila's most beautiful people.


It was a fitting place to launch such a highly prized product--vacuum packed dressed chickens right on the weight, plump, and ever so tasty. Best for chic moms throughout the country. Lifestyle editors were there along with other media people. It was very nice.

Chic Mom's Club--Bounty Fresh Grand Launch at Salon de Ning

Lea Salonga hosts the biggest
gathering of lifestyle and fashion
journalists ever staged in Manila

My readers know that I only write relevant pieces here, mostly political commentaries. Pardon me for writing lifetyle now, I just can't help myself. Really, it's my job of informing you guys that Bounty Fresh, one of the country's biggest chicken company, has just launched their Chic Mom's club---the grandest way ever.


Yep. I've been invited and I enjoyed it. The Bountry Fresh guys namely Dondi, Kat and Raya were the most gracious hosts. Of course, I will not fail to mention Edwin, Ram Bucoy and Christine Tria of Fleishman-Hillard. They made this event a success. Imagine, me and Noemi Dado were there to witness this one of a kind blast of an event.

The hippest crowd 

And who will not forget Ms. Cosette Romero, the legend in the PR business here in the Philippines. She looked wonderful and surely at ease, chatting and talking with most of the industry's titans in the lifestyle print section.


There are also many bloggers that attended the event. 


This event is actually the launching of the Chic mom's club. The Chic Mom's Club is an online community of Filipina mothers who try to share their success stories, their secret recipes and recipes for life. Members of the Chic Mom's club were also there at Salon de Ning. Some of them even won prizes for encouraging other moms to be part of the growing community. 


At present, Chic Mom's Club is the fastest growing online community for mothers. You'll find it as a wonderful resource.


The beautiful Cesce Litton hosted the show. Lea Salonga was amazed at the turnout--65 print journalists and I think two dozen bloggers went there to witness this grand launching.


Kudos to Edwin for making those calls, including mine. I had a blast. 


Wait for my next installment of this launch. I gotta go. 

Why pay for someone else's condom?

The RH bill seeks to spend close to 3 billion pesos for buying contraceptives and condoms. These condoms will be given freely to those who want it. 


Question---how about those with money? Will they be entitled to a condom if they feel the urge to do it with their partner even outside of marriage? According to the bill, yes, the State is mandated to give them free condoms if they feel the urge to do the thing right that moment.


Pro-RH bill advocates say they are for responsible parenthood. Right. That's good. We all believe that the term "responsible" means being "enlightened" or "educated" in the things one must do or accomplish.


So, if I'm educated and I want to exercise my right to "procreate", is it not my personal responsibility to face the consequences of such an exercise of an inherent right? Yes, it is, right?


I am personally responsible for whatever may happen if I exercise my right to procreate, or have sex. It is not the State's. The State is nowhere there in the matrimonial bed or in some bed in Victoria Court right?


When you exercise your right to have sex, the State is actually physically not there. Ideally, the State is in the mind of those who want to exercise that right. Meaning, the person who exercises that right must have heard those family control lessons during his stay in school. He knows that when he uses that free condom, he's safe. There is no responsibility. He will do it with his partner without having that feeling of being responsible shortly thereafter.


That's the problem. When a state interferes with an inherent and inalienable right, the State lifts that responsibility from the individual and the individual now feels not responsible for the consequences of such an act, that is procreation. 


What happens is that the individual perceives procreation as something ordinary, something which he feels not responsible in case of pregnancy and will do it for as many times as he feels the urge to do it, simply because there's contraceptives, it absolves him from all responsibility.


That is a most serious problem. Sex, protected or not, is supposed to have responsibilities. Every right has an inherent responsibility. You, alone, must bear it, not the State. Why is the Philippine government so desirous of bearing that responsibility?


Sex is a right, with an attendant responsibility. It is not merely procreation. When you lift that aspect of responsibility and assures the individual that you are absolved from that responsibility simply by using a contraceptive, you are giving false assurances and promoting irresponsibility. 


Fact is, the State thru the RH bill, will inevitably cause more social problems. Sex will not be as special nor as sacred as what Filipinos see it to be, traditionally. Sex will just be another right among thousands. 


If you do "it", you must be ready of the consequences. You must pay for your own condom, not the State. The State's duty is to ask condom makers to lessen the price of their products, not to be a party to an act which will turn into an irresponsible one just because the State will not make it a policy to tolerate irresponsible sex.


Answer---there is a price tag of 3 billion pesos. Many government officials will earn from this RH bill. This bill will not only promote corruption among Filipinos, it would surely lead to more corruption at the DOH. 


Fact is, millions of pesos worth of lobby money from condom makers are going the rounds.


Really, when you read this bill, even the amended versions, you'll not support it.


I doubt those surveys saying that majority of the Filipinos support that bill. I was privy to another survey which says that 98% of Filipinos do not support the bill.

Why is the Left supporting RH Bill?

The reproductive health bill is one of the measures being promoted and actively supported by funds by the United States government. U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton supports RH. And I understand that the Philippine Left is traditionally anti-imperialist. Why am I seeing cadres of the Left  in active support of a very clear imperialist program?


The United States is the world's biggest manufacturer of condoms and other contraceptives. 


Akbayan and I think, even Bayan Muna, support the passage of this bill, seen as a "main "anti-poverty measure". Really now. So, what happened to the argument that the system is the problem, and not the people?


The thing about the RH bill is really quite simple: the State blames the people for producing more than the State can actually support thru government. 


Why blame the people when it is government that mismanages the resources of a country. 


Listen to the arguments of the pro-RH bill advocates, and you'll always find them blaming the poor people for having five or ten kids. 


They don't know why people, especially those living in the rural areas and even in some urban slums, see having a big family as a plus rather than a bad thing.


For poor people, the more kids you sire, the more chances you have of getting a better life. Poor people have this "lotto mentality"---more kids, means more helpers in the field. In urban areas, more kids means more chances of getting economic opportunities.


Fact is---why not do a survey to find out if large Filipino families really are unable to survive in this harsh economic environment? 


In my family alone, my grandparents sired ten kids--now all successful people.


In rural areas, young girls marry early because of the lack of economic opportunities for them in the provinces. Marriage is seen as an escape from poverty. 


It is not because they don't know about condoms, oh no. Filipinos know about condoms. Filipinos are not ignorant of contraceptives. 


It is not really wise to pass this RH bill. Let us grow our economy first. Let us expand or widen the economic opportunities in the provinces and in our cities. Fix our economy first. Then let's see if our population is really the root cause why many of us are poor. 

Lagman says unemployment connected with RH bill: Really?

Okey, its like this. Albay Congressman Edcel Lagman says rising unemployment is reason why Congress should pass the Reproductive Health bill. Lagman cites a SWS survey which reveals that 11.3% million Filipinos are unemployed.

Lagman also cites two studies made by Professors Feria and Orbeta which essentially says that:

"rapid population growth expands the labor supply and will translate into either a decline in wages or an increase in unemployment if there is no commensurate increase in employment opportunities. He also cited a World Bank study that shows that rapid population growth is likely to depress wages at the bottom end of the pay scale in developing countries where there are disproportionately high levels of fertility among the lowest income groups."

Is a ballooning population the real cause of the high unemployment rate? Look at his quotes: it says that "a decline in wages or an increase in unemployment (will occur) if there is no commensurate increase in employment opportunities. Meaning, unemployment does not really depend on the rise or fall of the population--it is dependent on an increase or decrease of employment opportunities.

Reason why unemployment is high is the inability of the economy to grow. If there are no economic opportunities for individuals, then, there will definitely be unemployed people.

Reason why many are jobless? Because investors have not invested enough, the economy has not performed enough or that government is being mismanaged.

China has a billion people. Why is it that unemployment is low? Because the economy is performing above par and opportunities for employment are being created every minute. 

so, if the government will just do its act together and lessen graft and corruption and spend some money levelling the economic playing field, then, unemployment will definitely be not a problem at all.

again, don't blame the people for poverty or unemployment. Its all government.

Spratlys Island Dispute: Have we no shame left

Shortly after being discovered like a child with a neighbour's candy in his hand, Chinese defense minister Liang Guanglie immediately went here and paid Philippine president Noynoy Aquino a visit. The visit came shortly after news reached the Philippines that six out of the seven islands which form part of the Kalayaan Group of Islands have already been garrisoned by the Chinese. 


Our nincoompoop of a president welcomed the Chinese envoy with open arms, probably oblivious why this important Chinese general is now in the country shaking hands with him.


Noynoy probably did not read the intelligence reports showing that the Chinese already built garrisons and infrastructures in six of the seven islands being claimed by the Philippines.


Meaning,the Chinese government already claimed those islands as their own, in defiance of Philippine laws and sovereignty.


Noynoy does not know perhaps that instead of welcoming this Chinese envoy like an important guest, he should have used the occasion to berate the Chinese over these illegal moves at the Spratlys islands.


Look at what the Taiwanese did to Mar Roxas. They showed their anger at him. 


Read the following news article published at the Philippine Star today:

Documents show that of the seven Chinese-occupied islands, six are located well within the Kalayaan Island Group. The military garrisons and outposts were located at Kagitingan (Fiery Cross) Reef, Calderon (Cuarteron) Reef, Gaven Reef, Zamora (Subi) Reef, Chigua (Dong Men Jiao) Reef and Panganiban reef, better known as Mischief Reef.

At Kagitingan Reef, China built a permanent communications and maritime observatory garrison that can house 200 troops. China built a helicopter landing pad, a 300-meter long wharf allowing supply ships and patrol boats to dock, a two-storey barracks and a 500-square meter plantation area. Beijing designated the Kagitingan Reef as its main command headquarters as it is equipped with satellite data transmission, surface and air search radars. This garrison is armed with at least four high-powered naval guns and several gun emplacements.

China built permanent reef fortresses and supply platforms at the Calderon, Gaven and Chigua reefs. These supply platforms can resist winds up to 71 knots and are equipped with VHF / UHF communications equipment, search radars as well as naval guns and anti-aircraft guns. These three supply platforms can also serve as docks for Chinese navy patrol boats.

At Zamora Reef, China has built a permanent reef fortress and supply platform that can house 160 troops. This garrison has a helipad and is armed with four twin barrel 37-millimeter naval guns.

Panganiban Reef now has four building complexes with 13 multi-storey buildings. Fifty Chinese Marines are permanently stationed there and are equipped with satellite communications equipment. China has undertaken several lagoon construction activities at Panganiban Reef. The construction of additional facilities at Panganiban Reef is apparently aimed at establishing pre-positioned bases in the South China Sea, enabling Beijing to project its influence and power in the disputed islands.

Documents also show that apart from the military garrisons and outposts, China is aggressively pursuing large-scale maritime projects aimed at cementing its claim on the Spratlys. These projects include construction of port facilities, airports, navigation buoys, lighthouses, ocean observatories and maritime meteorology networks.

Documents also show that China has built up its facilities at Panganiban Reef. In 1995, Manila and Beijing had a diplomatic dispute when China started building structures on the reef. At that time, China said the structures were shelters for its fishermen but questions were raised as the “shelters” were equipped with satellite communications and radars.

For other countries, this is enough reason to sound the alarm. But, no. 


The Philippine government continues to show weakness, even at the point of overwhelming evidence of Chinese intrusions over Philippine territory. 


Someone has to do something to at least take our pride and our shame back.

Diokno goes on leave--is it enough?

Bureau of Corrections chief Ernesto Diokno, a presidential appointee, tendered his leave of absence, not his resignation. In other countries, an official shamed by his own appointing power, leaves office and even commits harakiri.


Not, in these parts, though. Government officials here are as tough skinned as a rhino.


Diokno should have been fired by President Aquino. But no. He just berated him in public, like what Aquino did to his bosom buddy, DILG undersecretary Rico Puno. Puno left the country and went into self-imposed exile, and was never seen in public again. Yet, he retained his post, and possibly the perks attached to it.


In the case of Diokno, it was clear that he is guilty of command responsibility. How would you trust somebody with a very delicate job such as guarding society's scums and criminals, when he was caught with his pants down with this one?


Imagine, a convicted felon, who happens to be a former governor, caught outside the prison's walls, while he enjoyed the high life? Batangas governor Tony Leviste is supposed to be sweating it out along with the rest of the Bilibid population. Yet, the NBI found him resting in his LPL mansion condominium in Makati. 


Leviste reasons that he's a living out inmate. Why was he treated as such? Because he planted trees. Is that it? A convicted and hard-core murderer could actually be declared a living in prisoner just because he planted ten trees? Wow. 


That's the problem with this administration---whenever the people catch one of its members doing something extremely out of tune with the popular policy of "straight road", the obvious escape out was just tender a leave of absence and let the public outroar die out. No head was cut off, and no one hurt. It's time somebody gets hurt because, I don't know if this administration already realised it--that Leviste caper just mocked the Philippine penal and justice system. If that is not a concern, then, there is something extremely wrong with this administration.

May 21, 2011--when things began to change

Harold Camping, an 89 year old civil engineer turned bible preacher, predicted several decades ago that May 21, that was yesterday, was the start of the apocalypse. He was quite sure of it that he convinced several hundreds of bible-believing Christians to sponsor various ads predicting the end of the world. Those ads spread throughout the world, as far as Russia, the Middle East and even here in the Philippines. 

May 21 came without any fireball. Thousands camped before Family Radio International headquarters in California to wait for the rapture. Nothing happened.

Harold Camping may have forgotten one thing--that God the Father is the only one who knows when the entire world would burn. And second thing of course, is the fact that everything in the bible is spiritual, therefore, it must also be interpreted using the very language of bible.

The bible is simply not literature. It contains very specific scientific or universal laws. When you apply those laws correctly, you'll surely get a result.

For example, Jesus Christ told his disciples that the day of reckoning began when they see the abomination in the temple. That abomination, predicted by Christ, happened in 70AD.

Mat 24:15  When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)  Mat 24:16  Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains:  Mat 24:17  Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house:  Mat 24:18  Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes.  Mat 24:19  And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days!  Mat 24:20  But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day:  Mat 24:21  For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. 

Meaning, you have to count from that date, not from the date when the Great Flood came. Why is it erroneous to count from that date? Because God desired in his heart back then that he will never destroy humankind anymore:

Gen 8:21  And the LORD smelled a sweet savour; and the LORD said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man's sake; for the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more every thing living, as I have done.  Gen 8:22  While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.  

These verses recorded by the Ancients as God's words, were actually a covenant between God and men--this time between Noah and his relatives. This covenant remains. Why? Because God does not change. He honors his covenants.

What happened shortly after the tribulation? There will be regime changes in the world.

Mat 24:29  Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:

Meaning, before the end, there shall be numerous political-social and economic transformations that will cause the fall of several regimes and powers throughout the world.

There will be a power struggle between nations and men, between countries such ferocity, never seen in the history of humankind.

The coming of the son of man shall occur when these things happen: (Mat 24:32  Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: 

Mat 24:33  So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors)

1.     1.  A catastrophic global war between civilizations

2.    2.  When the entire world is celebrating their feasts possibly Christmas

Mat 24:38  For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, Mat 24:39  And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 

Then the Son of Man, who is Christ will appear before all the world to see.

Mat 24:30  And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. Mat 24:31  And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. 

The elect will be gathered and those who are blessed shall be separated from those who are unfortunately, not.

Mat 24:40  Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Mat 24:41  Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left. 

When will all these happen?

Mat 24:34  Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled. Mat 24:35  Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. Mat 24:36  But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. Mat 24:42  Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. Mat 24:43  But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. Mat 24:44  Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh. 

PCSO Scandal, part 3: Margie Juico's defense Against Manoling Morato

I was'nt able to attend the Blogwatch interview with embattled PCSO chairman Margie Juico. I read the statement she gave and in the interest of fairness, I will publish it here (with permission of course from Blogwatch).


What I read is such a PR-tsy statement that really did not answer Manoling Morato's point-by-point  allegations, meaning, it must be entirely true.


Really, Margie Juico is really in deep s...t. She tries to picture this as a personal attack against her by no less than her friend, Manoling.


For one, Manoling and Margie Juico have been colleagues since the Ramos era. She did propound an answer about the hasty sale of the QI which, she says was a result of the findings of engineers.


Let me just point you to a Daily Tribune article which says that the sale should have gone through channels. It did not. see link.


The statement below is obviously a veiled attempt to obfuscate the issues hurled by former Chairman Manoling Morato against the Juicos.


Margie failed to impress the bloggers (some of those who went there told me that she was flip-flapping and every single time, she contradicted herself). Judging from what I read just now, I am definitely not convinced.


As a strategic communications professional, with years of involvement in crisis PR, this statement is clearly the handiwork of a publicist, not really something worth of a defense.


Yet, you decide my dear friends if really the Juicos had nothing to hide.

Statement by PCSO Chairman Margie Juico

Let me go straight to the point. I’ve decided to break my silence on the false and malicious accusations being peddled by a sourgraping individual that fancies himself as a crusader. I hope this will be my last statement on matters that only feed someone’s ego no end.

I will confine my comments to the more relevant issues he raised against the PCSO officials, my husband Philip and myself. Ordinarily, spouses protect and defend each other against the malevolence of our detractors. But this is not one of those instances. There is nothing to defend against.

I will not stoop to his level of ignorance nor dignify the accusations that might exacerbate his childlike behavior and narcissism. It is enough for me to say that his charges are full of hot air, self-serving , and reeking with hate. Nonetheless, I will address the issues for the umpteenth time more for the benefit of the general public or of the greater audience whom I may have failed to reach.

We were accused of causing the transfer of the PCSO offices from the Quezon Institute compound in Quezon City to the PICC in Manila for personal gain. Mayroon daw kaming commission at tatlong (3) condominium units sa itatayong condominiums sa pag-aahente ng QI. Our detractor dismissed the findings of the structural engineers from the DPWH and the Quezon City government that the buildings might collapose should a major earthquake occur.

Ang Quezon Institute compound ay hindi pag-aari ng PCSO o ng gobyerno. Ang mayari nito ay ang Philippine Tuberculosis Society, Inc (PTSI) na pinamumunuan bg kagalang-galang na si Nini Quezon Avanceno, butihing anak ng nasirang President Manuel L. Quezon.

Kung ito man ay ibinebenta sa isang pribadong kumpanya, hindi ko alam at wala rin akong pakialam. Sabi ng mamang tumutuligasa sa amin, kaibigan daw niya si Mrs. Quezon Avancena. Ganoon pala, why doesn’t he ask Mrs. Avancena whether the QI is for sale or not and if it is , may nangungumisyon ba ? At kung mayroon, sino? Madali naming malaman ang katotohanan. Instead of indulging in fantasies and weaving malicious stories, he should just ask Mrs. Avencena for the truth. But I guess that would be asking too much of a person who has a long history of weaving yarns and engaging in malicious speculations against those whom he couldn’t influence or those who dare disagree with him.

On the PCSO transfer. Who should I rather believe, the licensed structural engineers or the perennial detractor who is neither an authority nor an engineer at all? Am I to disregard the findings and recommendations of the licenses structural engineers merely on the say so of our detractor? What are his qualifications ? Is he a licensed structural engineer? If he thinks he is right and the structural engineers were wrong in their assessments, why doesn’t he formally certify the soundness of the PCSO’s building structures in the QI compound? Weird, isn’t ?

The other issues he raised last week and weeks before that do not deserve a comment except to say that in many of his statements he refers to his illustrious father. Yes, his late father was an honorable man. However to paraphrase a famous saying, “Unlike Father, unlike son” What a shame.

Thank you.

Bachelor President presents big national security problem

President Noynoy Aquino probably does not know it and he seems to relish the idea of him being touted as the country's most eligible bachelor but, really, he must be extremely concerned. 


For one, being without a steady serious date or relationship is harmful not just for Noynoy's reputation but also for the security of this country.


One, Noynoy is vulnerable to temptations. Yes, he is. Look at him. He changes dates and women like he's changing his clothes, a bad example. 


A President who is a slave of his passions or emotions is easily swayed, and trapped by bad karma.


What if a big businessman with a very bad plan for the country creates a trap for Noynoy? Or, someone with a multi-billion peso project waiting for his signature just suddenly thinks of entrapping him by introducing Noynoy to a woman?


We all know his weakness--beautiful, mestiza-looking, slim, big breasted and simply dressed Filipinas. What if somebody lays a trap to this President, introduces Noynoy to a "Matahari", kills her and blames her death to Noynoy?


Or what if one of the dates just suddenly cries rape, what now, Mr. President? Possible? Of course it is. Or a date just suddenly cries harassment or blackmails the President? Have you dumbwits from the Palace Communications team ever thought of this possibility?


Just look at that picture of the President and his aides enjoying a Hotdog concert while millions of Filipinos wallow in hunger and extreme poverty.


This bunch of nitwits are really not that mindful of the public's feelings. While their president barhops with his "latest date", millions of Filipinos suffer from mismanagement and ill governance. 


Is this the price we pay for supporting a pseudo-leader?