Erin Tanada pushes hard for passage of bill amending Philippine Mining Act of 1995

Yesterday's Ratsada sa Inquirer was a blast. Co-host Erin Tanada and Den Macaranas talked about the issue of mining. Mining is a hot issue right now shortly after President Aquino drew first blood with the release of Executive Order 79. 


Executive Order 79 intends to change the present rules of the game in mining. It seeks to establish certain parameters for government to fully benefit from the gains of mining. The present Philippine Mining Act of 1995, several analysts said, is ripe for a modification or eventual destruction. That mining act, says Sonny Melencio, a stanch responsible mining advocate is responsible for delimiting government's ability to extract revenues from this industry. It is also partial to foreign mining interests.


Under the Mining act, government stands to gain just 2% of mining revenues. Of course, mining firms also pay income taxes, but compared with other countries, the Philippines gets a miniscule amount from the billions gained from mining. 


Executive Order 79, though seeking several substantial changes in the mining rules, is still a mestiso measure. It is too accommodating for pro-environmental groups and too soft for foreign and local mining companies especially those breaking the law on ecology. Credit that to an administration that is seeking to maintain its political dominance come 2013. 


Erin Tanada's consolidated mining bill now filed in Congress, seeks to introduce a more pro-people and a more efficient minerals management process.


The bill not just takes away the infirmities of the Mining Act of 1995---it radically shifts the focus of government, from merely regulating the industry, to fully or somewhat nationalizing it. 


Tanada's bill is a step towards the right direction. The People should support it. The People should start discussing its fine points. 

Ratsada sa Inquirer featured Fred Mison and Erin Tanada,some of the best and most progressive leaders of our time

Yesterday's show, Ratsada sa Inquirer was fun and highly entertaining. We have as guest, Bureau of Immigration Commissioner Fred Mison and a representative from Megaworld. Our co-hosts Deputy speaker Erin Tanada and social media maven Noemi Dado were in their element yesterday, asking guests and putting relevant and highly important questions. 


Mison is one of the most promising public servants around. Having graduated at the top of his class at West Point, the US military academy and likewise, became a lawyer shortly after his graduation from the academy, Mison is one of the most principled men in government. 


We asked several questions to Mison, including one about uploading posted by our co-host Erin Tanada. By the way, Erin just came from a climate change summit in Rio de Janeiro. He also reported his accomplishments.


Like Mison, Erin Tanada is one of the most idealistic and most promising legislators of our generation. Tanada is the deputy speaker of the 15th Congress and by far, the most energetic and the most dynamic legislator in our history.


The show was exciting and fun because we had a dynamic group that discussed things in gusto. Social media advocates Juanxi and Tonyo Cruz took turns asking questions to Mison and Erin, and even convinced the Deputy Speaker to actively promote and advocate the passage of the Freedom of Information act.


Tonyo Cruz even pointed out that among countries in Asia, it is only in the Philippines where there is no FOI. Tanada said that he will continue advocating for its passage.


Next show we will be focusing our discussion on the Freedom of Information bill.

Erin Tanada pushes for passage of Freedom of Information bill

In my interview with Congressman Erin Tanada, he said that it would have been different if The Freedom of Information bill was passed prior to the impeachment. The impeachment would have been immaterial, since under the FOI bill, all government officials would have been required to post the SALNs in their respective websites. Anybody who is interested on studying the SALN would have gained access into it and would have been satisfied.


The interview came during my show yesterday over at Radio Inquirer 990 khz. In the first episode of Ratsada sa Inquirer, we guested Erin Tanada who happens to be one of the lead prosecutors during the impeachment of the Chief Justice.


Tanada admitted publicly for the first time that they only expect 16 guilty votes. What really tilted the outcome in their favor was when Chief Justice "walked" out of the impeachment trial. That really convinced some of the senators to render a strong verdict.


Tanada also said that the Chief Justice impeachment trial taught us all a lesson--that is transparency in governance applies to all government officials, regardless of rank and status.


Tanada is currently advocating for the passage of the FOI since this will institutionalize calls for transparency in all governmental actions.

New Philippine Revolution now at Radio Inquirer 990 KHZ

Since yesterday, I began hosting a regular weekly show entitled, "Ratsada sa Radyo Inquirer". You can now listen to the latest news, indepth insights and public service with a twist that only the New Philippine Revolution can offer. 


I am hosting the show together with Den Macaranas, a veteran newscaster and radio announcer. On the public service side, we will have Erin Tanada as a partner.


There will be surprise guests and resource persons on the show. I have asked my fellow colleague in the social media sphere to give some insights on the topics and trends in the net every week. 


What's so good about the show is it is also being beamed live via internet, and thru the Inquirer.net channels. Juicy tidbits of the show are also open for publishing at the Inquirer.


So, if you want to discuss hot issues with me every fine Saturday morning, tune in at Ratsada sa Radyo Inquirer every Saturday, 8-9 in the morning. 

Cabinet revamp, political maneuverings and changes in government this season

Indications are rife of a succession of cabinet revamps in the Aquino administration. Energy secretary Jose Almendras is expected to assume the Presidential Management Staff (PMS) role. Julie Abad is expected to vacate the post as PMS head to follow her husband who will be posted abroad. A trusted undersecretary of the finance department, Emilie Bonoan, and reportedly a very close associate of Finance secretary Cesar Purisima is poised to replace Almendras as Energy secretary. Months ago, it was rumoured that Purisima was the one to replace Almendras as Energy and the Finance post to be given to BIR commissioner Kim Henares. Henares has been officially made a candidate for the Chief Justice post, same goes to Justice secretary Leila de Lima. 


De Lima, it is rumored, will stay as Justice secretary, since she enjoys the very high trust of the President. 


Should Henares be appointed Chief Justice, she will be replaced by her trusted associate commissioner in the BIR.


The Department of Agriculture is soon to be vacated by its secretary, Proceso Alcala. Alcala is set to challenge the Suarez's clan in the governorship of Quezon province. Quezon politics is really getting to be very interesting. There are talks that Betty Nantes, wife of former Quezon governor Raffy Nantes, will be given a mayoral post or is being asked to stay put as PCSO director. Nantes will not contest the governorship since this is now being promised to Alcala, a closer ally to the President than Nantes.


Danilo Suarez, a close Arroyo ally, is slated to re-assume his Congressional post. Mark Enverga, according to reports, is eyeing his second term as Congressman. 


Deputy speaker Erin Tanada is gunning for a Senatorial post. He is being endorsed by the President. He will serve as spokesperson of the Liberal Party.


With the DA post soon to become vacant, talks are rife that Senator Kiko Pangilinan is the one chosen by the President to replace Alcala. Pangilinan has big shoes to fill, since Alcala did some great wonders in the department. If Pangilinan accepts the post, this will be his first time as a Cabinet secretary.


Bert Lina, a former Customs chief, is also being asked to fill the post to be vacated by Ruffy Biazon once he decides to run either as Senator or Congressman of Muntinlupa. His father, Congressman and former general Rodolfo Biazon is reportedly eyeing another comeback at the Senate, making it quite difficult for Ruffy to really decide where he will really run.


Deputy Customs commissioner Danny Lim is expected to run against the Biazons this senatorial race. So, there will be two posts which will remain vacant at the Bureau once these two personalities decide to run for an elective posts again.


There were talks that Bureau of Immigration Commissioner David will soon leave his post for an undersecretary-ship at the Department of Defense. David is being offered, according to talks, the chance to lead in the AFP modernization efforts. There are talks that one of the BI associate commissioners will replace David.


At the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC), there are rumors that say that Mar Roxas is actually thinking of running for a senatorial post, something which people are expecting, but the President is not agreeing. Roxas wants to run for the Senate, but the President himself asked him to stay in his cabinet and wait for 2016. 


Other possible changes:


1. TESDA head Joel Villanueva will leave his post and run for a Senatorial post. His replacement will also come from the civil society ranks.


2. Jesse Robredo, it was rumored, wants to go back to his former post as mayor of Naga. If he leaves, the DILG post will be offered to a former general.

Erin Tanada---The Soft-Spoken Nationalist

One of the things I find very encouraging is this---familiar names that once shaped the nationalist history of this country are again, taking part in its re-birth. And I am talking about the likes of the Rasuls, the Oples, the Dioknos and of course, the Tanadas.

Amina Rasul, daughter of former senator Santanina Rasul continues on her advocacy to strengthen the role of Muslim women in Moro society. She is one of the most active promoters of peace and development in Mindanao. She now heads the Philippine Council for Islam and Democracy (PCID) whose primary goal is to strengthen the involvement of ulamas in the promotion of peace in Filipino Muslim community.

Another is, of course, Susan "Toots" Ople, daughter of Ka Blas Ople. Her advocacy is fighting for the welfare and rights of local workers and Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW). She continues the legacy of her father.

Maria Serena Diokno, daughter of nationalist senator Jose Diokno, teaches still at the University of the Philippines in Diliman. You know, the very first job that I took when I was still in college is being a researcher over at the Jose Diokno Foundation. Nice one.

Of course, who will forget Cong. Erin Tanada? Erin is the grandson of the late Senator Lorenzo " Ka Tanny" Tanada.

Like his forebears, Erin continues to work to uplift the quality of life of his fellow Filipinos. He serves as Congressman of Quezon province. He is now on his second term.

The question really is---when will Erin make the leap to the big leagues? I mean, the Senate needs someone like him and had I known that he is running, I would have included him in my Magic 12.

Anyway, let's support Erin Tanada's advocacies and pray that God gives him the strength and bless him always so that he will always serve the People.