Dime a dozen analyst

Tomorrow, March 11, transport groups will try to paralyze the entire country. Various transport groups have joined forces to demand for the end of corruption in the streets. They are fighting for the revocation of the OVR or the Official Violation Receipt. Leaders say its a source of corruption. And, like other groups calling for the resignation of Gloria, they are also after the eradication of graft and corruption. I will be praying for their success.

Dime a dozen analyst

What I would like to write today is not about this rally. I would like to ask the people not to believe so-called security analysts like "Prof." Rommel Banlaoi who continues to defend the anomalous Spratlys deal.

I read the document and clearly, it is violative of the 1987 Constitution. Under the Constitution, it is only the Philippine government that can exploit the natural resources of this country. Government may allow private companies to explore these resources but the use of these resources, particularly oil, should be for the benefit of the People.

Under this agreement, no such provisions exist. Banlaoi says what's the big fuss about this agreement--it's a deal likened to the Military Bases Agreement (MBA) where China will act as a "renter" "occupier" or "lessor" while the Philippines will act as "lessee". How stupid!

This deal is different my former comrade because it involves the exploitation of our resources. We cannot allow a foreign government to "study, explore and exploit" natural resources there. It's like telling them to go rent our land and if you find a treasure there, keep it. Under our Civil Code, treasures or resources found in one's property is its own (of course, giving a portion to the government). So, we cannot allow another foreign occupier to have an "MBA-like" agreement.

Banlaoi does not know what he's talking about. Like his other erroneous prognoses and researches about terrorism and security issues in this country, Banlaoi is not fit to be called "security analyst". I have been part of a government think tank before, and I fully understand the security implications of this deal, which, unfortunately, "security analysts" like Banlaoi deems "unimportant". Banlaoi just wants to courtsey to the powers-that-be in the palace, while doing a great disservice to the Filipino People in turn.