Thursday, August 6, 2009

Arroyo announces P500M for repair of schools

By Tonette Orejas
Philippine Daily Inquirer

MACABEBE, PAMPANGA — President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo yesterday announced the allocation of P500 million to repair school buildings that were destroyed or damaged by floods and typhoons in the country.

Of the amount, P110 million will go to the second district, where the President’s elder son Juan Miguel or “Mikey” is congressman, and to the fourth district.

Ms Arroyo made known the fund allocation in a program at Macabebe East Central School in Barangay San Roque here. It was her 21st visit to Pampanga since February and her first out-of-town trip after arriving from a working visit to the United States. She also visited Pampanga a few hours before leaving for the US.

As in her previous visits, Ms Arroyo did not announce her political plans after her term ends in June 2010. At least 19 of the 21 visits were to Pampanga’s second district, fueling the belief that she might run for its congressional seat next year.

Rep. Anna York Bondoc (fourth district) thanked the President for approving the allotment and Representative Arroyo for sharing at least P50.43 million with her district.

Bondoc said she would use the money to repair 45 flooded schools in Apalit, Masantol, Macabebe, Sto. Tomas, San Simon, San Luis and Candaba towns.

At the same school, Ms Arroyo inspected the repair of two buildings submerged under two feet of water.

In Sasmuan town, Ms Arroyo awarded 40 certificates of lots to families relocated to a housing site in Barangay San Antonio.

Despite the strong rain, the President proceeded to Barangay Sta. Monica to lead groundbreaking rites for a bridge, inspected a road in Barangay San Pedro, observed the cleanup of a creek in Barangay San Nicolas I, and opened a road in San Nicolas II.

In Barangay Sto. Tomas, she inspected the repair of a school and witnessed a government service caravan.

(Comment: Why only now? Kasi malapit na ang 2010? Ang tagal na nitong kailangan hindi lamang sa lugar nila kundi sa buong bansa!)

Kris, Noynoy now critical force in 2010

By Leila Salaverria, Marinel Cruz
Philippine Daily Inquirer

MANILA, Philippines — When Kris Aquino and her brother Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III take up where their parents left off, they could be a force to reckon with, according to a lawmaker.

The way former President Corazon Aquino’s children comported themselves after her death, coupled with the overwhelming outpouring of affection and gratitude for her, boosted the family’s political stock, ParaƱaque Rep. Roilo Golez said yesterday.

“They have ascended to a higher plane as far as the political climate is concerned. Because of this, Sen. Noynoy Aquino is going to play a critical role in the 2010 elections. Inevitably, the Aquino family is going to play a critical role because of the great outpouring of love and affection for the former President and the Aquino family,” Golez said.

The Aquino children are also the logical heirs to the legacy that the former President left behind.

“The bigger question now is who would be the heir to the Cory legacy. Of course, the first claimants to that are those who are part of the bloodline,” Golez said at the Serye forum.

As she bade farewell to her mother on Wednesday, Kris, Aquino’s youngest daughter and a well-known show biz personality, indicated that she might join her brother in politics to continue their parents’ work.

“Like the promise left by dad and mom to our country, Noy, you and I are in the position to continue what they have started,” Kris said Wednesday after the Requiem Mass at Manila Cathedral.

Loud applause greeted Kris’ statement. She also promised to support her brother, the only Aquino child to have embarked on a political career so far.

Thousands, if not millions, have commiserated with the former President’s children and loved ones after her death on Aug. 1 following a bout with colon cancer.

Many have showed up for her wake and funeral, invoking memories of the massive turnout that also marked the funeral of her assassinated husband, Sen. Benigno Aquino Jr.

(Comment: There goes another trapo trying to giving a food-for-thought (a typical makalumang style na naman ng lumang politiko) that the Aquino kids may run and win in 2010. If this happens, it will be the same thing all over again for Filipinos. With respect to Ninoy and Cory Aquino, Kris has no political agenda for the poor masses of Filipinos and neither Nonoy III. This is a typical Filipino style political cycle that should now be stopped in Philippine politics. Dahil mga anak ng dating politiko pwede nang tumakbo. Bilangin natin ang mga politikong anak ng mga dating politiko at sabihin natin kung me nagawa nga ang mga ito sa more than 50 years nang kahirapan sa bansa?? Aber?? We need new politicians. New minds. New energy and strategies to alleviate and change the lives of more than 90 million poor Filipinos! Not some emotional statements from old politicians who have nothing for us but old, outdated and unsuccessful strategies for the poor) Dapat tumahimik na lang 'tong si Rep. Golez at magretire na. Period.

Monday, August 3, 2009

FAMILY FEUDS

Again, we are witnessing feuds from the small families running the Philippine politics. I suggest these people respect the wake of former President Cory Aquino and say their differences after the Mother of Philippine Democracy has been buried.

The Aquinos, Arroyos, Estradads, Enriles, Marcoses and a few other political players in Philippine politics are trying to show that the lives and future of more than 90 million Filipinos "depend" on them. Para bang nasa kanila na lamang ang pag-asa ng Pilipinas. Parang sila na lang ang tama.

Even the rich families in the country are but a handful. The whole 1,701 islands are owned or being ran by few families. The economy seems "dependent" on them too, while more than 12% of the population are out of the country trying to find a confortable living.

This is the grim scenario that our country now has. This has got to change. Politics should change. Politicians should be changed. The rich has to share their wealth by creating more opportunities to the poor majority of the people. Politicial dynasties should be abolished all together while the people should be brave enough to choose honest and responsible leaders. Leaders that mind its people. Leaders that think nothing but the good of its constituents and not for themselves only and their cronies. Oras na para wasakin natin ang ganitong kaisipan. Panahon na para baguhin nating lahat ang kaisipang ang ilang pamilya lang na ito at mayayamang ito nakasalalay ang ating kinabukasan.

Again, the obvious is being highlighted because of Tita Cory's passing. Panahon na! Sobra na! Palitan na! Battlecries that toppled the Marcoses to power. This time let justice be done.

Again, Ninoy was right; the Filipino is worth dying for.

Let go of corruption. Jail the corrupt. Let justice and equality reign.

Sa darating na election, piliin natin ang may malasakit sa atin, sa ating mga kapatid, kapinsanan, kamag-anakan at kaibigan.

A successful leader is not always the one that is the strongest, but the one that cares for his people.