October 2013: Pork Barrel, Zamboanga, and More

It's been a long time since I updated this blog. A lot has happened and I guess the Philippines is still alive and kicking. Janet Napoles happened and no politician has admitted of being of guilty. No politico has been arrested either in connection with the scam of the ages.  It is quiet funny that a couple of months ago we are debating about buying a billion worth of condoms because they say that overpopulation is the cause of poverty. Heck, how much of the billions worth of contraceptives would end up in a Napoles-type NGO or in the pockets of the corrupt.  We have a lot of money but I do not know where it goes. 

Photo from pinoyrepublic.net

If I were one of the politicians with Napoles scam exposure, I would take a leave of absence and prepare a very good defense. I should hire the best lawyer and make an explanation not based on mere legal technicality because people are furious and they do not want a BS story. 

From GMAnews

If I were a lawmaker, I will not prioritize soft projects. Maybe I could live some funds in the local hospitals or give Philhealth membership to some of my constituents but other than that PDAF should be spent on hard projects. Something that can been seen and used. Not a bridge to nowhere or waiting sheds or basketball courts. How about lighting, roads, irrigation, sea walls, dikes, or reforestation. 

If I were P-Noy and other powers that be, I will also use my DAP to help Zamboanga and other deprived areas in Mindanao. They could have funded power generation projects than just think about RH Bill and contraceptives. 

If I were Napoles, I would spill the beans on who are the ones who pocketed the millions of money wasted by having projects coursed through her bogus NGOs.  Although this would highly unlikely because it is not easy to double cross powerful people. 

If I were a voter in this coming election (which I am), I make sure that I will vote for someone new.  A lot of politicos have been in position for too long and many have been brainwashed in the system of patronage and corruption. Voting someone new and someone without any ties with a sitting politician would be a start. I know these candidates will be long shots but if it takes a ling shot to improve this country, I will surely glad to let my vote speak. 

March 6, 2013: If I were Sabah Edition

If I were President Aquino, I would keep talking as if I am Malaysia's friend but secretly appease the Royal Sultanate of Sulu. I know he is not in a position to try to start a war with our Southeast Asian neighbor but if the claim succeeds, it will be the people of Mindanao who will benefit from it the most. ;)

If I were running for Senate in the May 2013 elections, I would ride on the issue and try to fan the flames of nationalism. It's better to fight against a common enemy than fight each other.

If I were the Kirams, I would keep on gathering support from fellow Filipinos and other states like Indonesia. The more powerful support, the better bargaining position.

If I were a writer of P-Noy, I would ease on the language.  Using words like "hopeless case" creates an impression that we cannot even protect our sovereignty against equals like Malaysia.  How much more a world power like China?

If I were one of the 800,000 Filipinos in Sabah, I would fear for my job and safety but I should be open to an option of helping my Filipino brothers who are being hunted by the Malaysian army.  It is a tough choice that hopefully, they would not have to make.

If I were the DOJ, I would stop talking about filing cases on the Sabah "liberators".  They will not be able to file a case since those people are there to fight till death.

If I were the Malaysians, I would try to end this swiftly but be prepared for a long war.  It can take years to resolve.  Look at Mindanao, the Philippines cannot even flush out the rebels. After some peace with one group, another group comes out.  Malaysia has been "brokering" peace but they will understand the meaning of "war" and get a small dose of reality.

The Sabah issue has reached its tipping point. Eventually, the issue should be raised at a higher forum like International Court of Justice or the United Nations. Without a higher authority that can act on the claims, all parties involved will be firm in their positions. Someone needs to act quickly or else it could escalate into a war and stunting the economic progress of both the Philippines and Malaysia and also making both countries vulnerable to external threats. I really pray that issues will be resolved soon without further bloodshed.

June 8, 2012 If I were...

If I were BAYO, I would highlight more about being Filipino rather than saying mixed Filipino is an almost "sure formula" for success.  The BUY FILIPINO statement somewhat contradicts their opening line and the "Buy Filipino" phrase would appear directed to a foreigner who would want to have a child who will gain fame and a fighting chance to be world class. It could be misconstrued that way and the tourism goes up lol.  And it could be part of the It's more fun in the Philipines campaign with a byline of It's more fun in the Philippines because you can create world-class babies. It becomes like an ad to have children with Filipinos rather than buying BAYO. With that joke, my unsolicited advise to Bayo is that there are surely a million better ways to promote Filipino products so go back to the drawing board and make a new concept.  Good thing, they apologized and took down the ads. If it is all about mix and match then they should hire Americans, Australians, and Africans and say that Bayo makes you look good regardless of your race, class, ethnicity, social status, etc.

If I were the sole winner of the 87.7 million pesos prize in tonight's PCSO 6/49 Lotto Draw, I would sell my ticket for 90 million to a politician or government official who is having a hard time in making his SALN. Winning the lottery is a good excuse for sudden enrichment. ;)

If I  were the Oklahoma Thunder, I would postpone any parties for winning the Western Conference Finals because the real prize is winning the Larry O'Brien Trophy.  They definitely have what it takes to start a major title run. They are young and hungry and they could probably win many titles in the next couple of years.

If I were President P-noy, I would definitely pick a new Chief Justice from outside the current roster of Supreme Court justices. The Supreme Court was a collegial body when it made some controversial decisions while impeached Renato Corona was sitting as CJ.  A good candidate could be someone a bit old and has no history of corruption. Though it may be hard to find that. ;)

If I were in Baguio or in nearby towns, I would watch and support the Ronda Pilipinas 2012. Cycling is probably one of the sports that we can excel. Since our cyclists cannot afford the expensive drugs that world class cyclists use, we can probably claim that we have the "cleanest" tour in the world. ;)

If I were for 1st Week of March

If I were Senator Miriam Santiago, I would just calm down and make my VOTE as my ultimate message in the CJ Corona impeachment trial. If the prosecution is mediocre, so be it.

If I were Manny Pangilinan, I would definitely buy GMA 7. Hopefully, it would not make Philippine TV viewing boring hehehe.

If I were Floyd Mayweather, Jr., I would stop bashing Asians. He should fight Pacquiao instead after his jail time.

If I were to study medicine, I would study in Cebu. Well, Cebu Med Schools are quiet good.

If I were someone who failed in the past bar exams, I would take the 2012 exams. New exam format, multiple choice. ;)

If I were the Azkals, I will say sorry to Ms. Cristy Ramos. Stop fooling around and start winning, instead.

If I were P-Noy, I would start reform with new laws and hire the best lawyers to prosecute the corrupt. It's time to stop talking and start doing but it is really hard when your opponents have better lawyers. ;)

How about you? Do you have any unsolicited advise?