Issue # 16

Megaworld used Landbank’s P1 billion to build Hyatt Hotel? MEGAWORLD Properties Holdings, Inc. was awarded in 1995 the contract to build the 35-story Landbank Plaza without public bidding, but on mere invitations to possible proponents. The deal was denomi-

VOL. I

nated as “Property Development Contract,” which calls for the construction of the said building on a 4,000-square-meter portion of Landbank’s 12,739.30-square-meter property known then as Pistang Pilipino Complex.

The contract said that the rest of the entire land of the bank shall be given to Megaworld where it was to build a first class, mixed-use complex. This

OCTOBER 5-11, 2009

NO. 17

is now the Hyatt Hotel at the corner of Pedro Gil St. corners M.H. Del Pilar and Mabini Sts., Malate, Manila. It now houses a Casino Filipino branch.

Records show that Megaworld, owned by the country’s No. 4 richest man, Andrew L. Tan, started the construction of Landbank Plaza in 1997, although the contract was signed in 1995. The Landbank, the

government’s top depository bank and the one tasked by law to pay for lands seized for agrarian reform distribution, transferred to this building as its own headquarters only in 2001. To page 7

Ordeal at the hands of Ondoy

A Letter From The Grave

NPC prexy voted veep of CAJ

By REPORTORIAL TEAM

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60% MSU ALUMNI FOR NOYNOY!

BEYOND RESCUE --- Volunteer rescuers came too late to save Ian Colagon. Ian, his six siblings and a cousin died when their house in Bgy.San Jose, Antipolo City was burried by mud during a landslide triggered by heavy rains from typhoon Ondoy. Photo by Ver Noveno (taken from his Facebook account.)

By TOTO CAUSING IN a week old polling conducted by the Global MSUans Network asking all about 10,000 alumni of Mindanao State University, 60% of the 511 who have voted will vote for Noynoy Aquino for President in the 2010 elections. Noynoy garnered 307 votes to top the poll of graduates from the institution that was once dubbed as the “University of the Philippines of Mindanao.” Those who voted came from almost all parts of the world, including those overseas absentee voters in the Americas, Canada, Europe and Middle East. The trend has never changed since Day 1 of the

polling initiated by GMN webmaster Ashary Tamano, a man who came from a proud Maranao family having a long story of professionalism that includes handsome “senatoriable” Adel Tamano. In far second is Senator Manny Villar who clinched only 15% or 78 votes. Next to him is Senator Chiz Escudero who got 12% or 63 votes. In fourth is Defense Secretary Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro Jr. at 9% or 47 votes. The fifth place went to former President Joseph “Erap” Estrada at 3% or 16 votes. Almost all who voted for Noynoy justified their votes by saying he is the only candidate out there who can be trusted the most that he will not steal money from the government because he cannot afford to destroy the legacies of his father Ninoy

Aquino and mother Cory Aquino. Ninoy, a former senator, offered his life because he said: “The Filipino is worth dying for.” His death at the tarmac of what is now named in his honor sparked the outrage that culminated in People Power in February of 1986, resulting in the unseating of the dictatorship of then President Ferdinand E. Marcos. Cory became president and restored democracy. She served and showed the virtue of unselfishness and lack of greed. She was egged on to run for another term because she could still qualify under the Constitution, but she graciously refused and quietly left the presidency. This act of Cory is a complete contrast of what Gloria Arroyo did who pledged by the grave of Jose Rizal not

to run for president only to renege and cheat Fernando Poe Jr. of the win that belonged to him. Voter Freddie C. Mero said of his vote: “Noynoy

is honest. We have tested a lot of presidents and we had our experience. It is leadership that makes the nation great. We can only do it with the right choice.”

Jesus Amores explained his vote: “My vote is for Noynoy and Mar Roxas. If this pair will be eaten by our traditional brand of politics, To page 2

Noynoy, Mar told volunteers not to tell relief goods came from them THE giving of relief goods for the victims of Ondoy flood has been so exploited to the hilt by the spin games of politicians. The mouthpieces of several “presidentiables” are mouthing out that they have seen only former President Joseph Estrada, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and Senator Manny Villar. In addition, these mouthpieces spun out to say that Senator Noynoy Aquino, Senator Mar Roxas and Senator Chiz Escudero were nowhere to be found. Has this become a contest of who should be seen giving relief foods and clothes to the flood victims? Yes, it is. This is what the spinners of politicians want to

project their client-politicians. An email message by a certain Robin Tong was forwarded to the Yahoo group of Worldwide Filipino Alliance (WFA), stating that his children volunteered to go out to the flood victims to hand out relief goods His children, whose names he did not mention, told him that they were strictly instructed by Noynoy and Mar not to mention that the goods they

were giving came from them. Mr. Tong wrote in his email message: “With reference to Noynoy/Mar camp working quietly, my kids attest to that on first hand account. “The day after calamity struck Metro Manila, my two kids went to a couple of relief centers to help out. Because they wanted to be on ground zero, and they saw that they will not have the chance to do so near the Ateneo, Pisay, and ICA relief centers, they tried out

the Noy/Mar relief center near Araneta Coliseum in Cubao. “They were luckier this time as they were able to get an assignment to go with relief trucks with Marikina as destination. “Volunteers noticed that apart from their wearing yellow shirts, there were no identifying marks on the trucks much less on the goods. When they asked why, the response given to them was that To page 7

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OCTOBER 5-11, 2009

Brain Drain: A blessing in disguise? By JAMALODEN M. ABUAT

for his obviously self-serving statement, the greater the exodus, the better for the business of his travel agency, the truckload of dollars to the national coffers will follow suit. Yet the facts are hard and embarrassing, just as we take pride in proclaiming that we have cheap labor as a means of attracting foreign investors, that we have beautiful and exotic women to entice tourists. Just for the green buck, the mighty dollar! We made our women as our sources of incomes and revenues. They are put in a sad plight. How many of them are maltreated by their respective employers? We do not know the figure for many of the cases involving our women are untold and undocumented, or concealed. Sad to hear that our women are being branded by other nationalities as the “international household

Personnel of San Miguel Brewery plant recovered a 10 inches long python inside RGE compound while they were cleaning mess created by Typhoon Ondoy in McArthur Hiway, Barangay Marulas, Valenzuela City yesterday afternoon. Photo: Nick Galino

because of my young age that time. But I cannot forget the story because during the childhood days, whenever my father went to his corn crops with me we always drop by their house for a drink of water. Like migratory birds, due to tight financial difficulty, we used to fly around the world just to sustain the educational needs of our children, brothers and sisters or be able to build a house for our families and or capital investments to begin with. In relation to this, the prophet of Islam says: “A meager income earned at home is better than a great one gained at the foreign soil.” However, He (Allah) gave a great emphasis on knowledge that enjoined upon all Muslims, men and women, to give more importance on it as He said: “Seek knowledge from the cradle to the grave.” “Knowledge and wisdom are what the Muslim is looking for — however he finds it, he should get it, even if they had to go to China.” “The ink of a scholar is better than the blood of a martyr.” As a matter of fact, He even said that if knowledge can be found on the mouth of a camel, get it according to him. This is one of the reasons why we see your Muslims are reading all books, including the Bible. Insofar as the quest for economic venture, maybe the reasons why the Prophet preferred the meager income we earned at home than the great one earned at the foreign soil are the difficulties and the embarrassment one has to face and experience from the people (employer) who treat their employees not of their nationality with alienation

Constitution into a parliamentary form to pave the road for Gloria to become a prime minister. “Neither do I need the experience of a rags-toriches, the wheeling and dealing are all that he mastered to get the wealth. One of them is using the power as Speaker and Senate President to impose an obligation upon the SSS, GSIS and NHMFC to extend loans to his real estate empire and compel them to buy the houses he made. “Cheese is bad to health. It’s deceptive. He will only be a puppet of Danding Cojuangco, one of the suspects in the killing of Ninoy Aquino. “Lastly: HONESTY IS THE ONLY POLICY.” Ma. Glenna D. Digol, for her part, said why he chose Noynoy: “Gibo is aggressive... VERY AGREESIVE (nakakatakot ang pagiging

aggressive niya). “Noynoy is very humble and shows no greed of power. We could not really tell that the strong personality of a person is the best qualification for the topmost leadership position... I would still go for an HONEST, DEDICATED, and SINCERE Filipino to lead the country... FOR CHANGEAND UNITY - VOTE NOYNOY-MAR in 2010...” A voter identifying self as MGD, said: “Yes, Villar is known to be the “rags-to-riches” man. But he is more “oportunista” than Noynoy... at least, Nonoy is only riding on the emotions...” “But Villar is taking advantage of his position as senator, being the senate president... mas nakakatakot siya... marami siyang “questionable transactions...” To page 3

IT would be the most unusual if we were to laugh or shout in glee when we lose a close friend or a person upon whom we greatly depended on. That should properly be a time for weeping, mourning especially when the loss is not just of one man but of thousands of brothers who abandon the Philippines yearly in search for a better life. But to a certain travel executive, the brain drain is a blessing in disguise and a glorious happening, a great asset which should be given impetus by the Philippine government. More than five thousand or more talented professionals, he proudly proclaimed in a news story, leave the country every year, earning dollars for the national coffers. Today, they are called “Modern Heroes,” the Palace exclaimed. We do not blame the travel executive

60% MSU alumni ... From page 1 that remains to be seen. But I’ll give them my votes. Huwag na yang mga recycled na mga politicians.. Erap? Give me a break! Common guys, we want change, right?” Willy Gomez said of his vote: “I’m fed up with the way our government leaders are running our country. The politicians are so disgusting the way they behave that I am already bored hearing them speak about their concern for the country. The present crop of government leaders are so greedy and arrogant that I am becoming to lose hope that our country will have better future for our children and children’s children. But I am thankful that there are still decent men who can provide change and reforms in our

government and country. So I vote for change and reforms. I vote for Noynoy.” Berteni Cataluña Causing (this author), explained his vote in this wise: “It’s Honesty, Stupid! It is the only issue in this election. If you have parents being held loftily by the citizenry, I don’t think you can afford to destroy that. The legacies left by Cory and Ninoy cannot be bought even for P200 billion. “Never mind the platform for the government machineries will run whoever is the president. “I don’t need intelligence for it has been experienced that the smarter the president, the murkier is the result. Gibo will only serve the interest of Danding, a suspect in Ninoy’s killing. He promised to change the

maid or household slave.” More regrettably, there were Filipinos whose whereabouts we cannot trace since they left here to the foreign countries for a greener pasture. We can just remember their names or their faces and their close families at home are yearning deeply to see their loved ones in life. But we do not know if they are still alive or not. When I was a child at Grade 2, a distant relative journeyed to the Middle East, probably at KSA. Since then she has not returned home. Her father and mother died already and they failed to see once more their daughter before they departed to the abode of final place from which you cannot return anymore. I can just remember the story but not the name and the face of the woman because of the long, long years that she vanished or

of affection as well as the neglect of duties to his family it has resulted along with. In quest of their dreams, they sometimes give up their lifetime savings, sell their property, or borrow money

from loan sharks to pay as much as twenty five thousand pesos for placement fee besides the recruiter’s fee, even if their contracts contain dubious and disadvanTo page 3

NPC prexy voted as veep of Confederation of ASEAN Journalists THE Philippines got another international honor. This came after National Press Club of the Philippines (NPC) President Benny Antiporda was voted as vice president of the Confederation of ASEAN Journalists during its 16th General Assembly in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia held last October 1-5. Antiporda became the third Filipino to be elected as a CAJ official. Antonio Nieva was elected in 1985 and Fred Lobo got his post in 1996. The Philippines founded the CAJ in Jakarta, Indonesia on March 11, 1975 along with Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. The CAJ was founded to advance the cause of journalism, promote free and responsible press, forge closer relations among journalists in ASEAN and other regions, promote greater understanding among ASEAN people for cooperation in attaining prosperity, social justice and peace, and articulating ASEAN people’s aspirations, sentiments, affairs,

and interests so that the ASEAN nations would be better understood and appreciated by people worldwide. CAJ also aims to safeguard the journalists’ common interests in the legitimate pursuit of the profession, pursuant to generally accepted journalistic codes of ethical conduct, and in harmony with prevailing national policies, rules and regulations of countries in ASEAN, and to Improve professional standards of journalists through training, research and development programs, seminars, greater flow and exchanges of views, information and knowledge of technical skills, inter-visitations, and other professional activities. The NPC, under the leadership of Antiporda, has been consistent and active in promoting the welfare of Filipino journalists. “It is an honor for me to be elected as vice president of the CAJ. This only means that our Asean counterparts strongly believe in what Filipino journalists can do,” Antiporda said.

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MAGDIWANG PUBLICATIONS Publisher: RONALDO E. RENTA Editorial: TOTO CAUSING Editor-In-Chief RONALD B. HERICO Associate Editor Disclaimer: All news articles and opinions expressed by the writers are entirely their own and do not reflect the opinion of the publisher, the management or the editor of this publication. All Rights Reserved: No part of this publication may be copied or reproduced nor translated in any language or form for commercial purposes without prior written permission from the publisher and its writers or columnists.

3

OCTOBER 5-11, 2009

A LETTER FROM THE GRAVE

MR. Ireneo Goce and his family are commemorating the 12th death anniversary of his only son, Maj. Laong Laan P. Goce, a principled man who refused corruption by his PMA “mistahs” and by his principle for honesty he was suspected to have been killed in a feigned accident. To celebrate the triumph of idealism and honesty, Dyaryo Magdalo is publishing this epistle from his father, made unique by appearance that as if it was written by his dead son. This is the letter:

Brain Drain ... From page 2 tageous stipulations. It was a saddening sight, just as it is to think that every year some five thousand or more of our best professionals leave their country and people just to satisfy the lust for the mighty dollars. And the saddest part of it all that we seem totally helpless—and even proud of it. These best professionals include some of ours “MSUans” who spent all their efforts to land a job in the country, and at last, the only remedy is getting out of the country for a noble cause. Always bear in mind, you’re the real heroes of your family and loved ones and not as “modern heroes” of the government just to

satisfy OFWs’ dollar remittances for the prey of the national personalities whose greed for wealth and power made all, especially those who have less in life, suffer. There is no longer a time for weeping. There is only a time for an honest-to-goodness effort to stem the brain drain. Unless we can offer incentives that will enable the best of our people to live a fairly decent life, we may someday find ourselves bereft of the talent needed to push the country to greater progress. Crying over your wounded knee is not the cure. Honesty and right decision in choosing our leaders is the balm for the injury.

60% MSU alumni ... From page 2 “I still go for an HONEST, DEDICATED, and SINCERE person to run this country... a person that shows no greed of power... Vote Noynoy-Mar for 2010...” Isauro Salvador Jr. said of his vote: “No matter how knowledgeable, smart, intellect, etc, a leader is, but if the true intention is personal favor to get fame, power & wealth then the ultimate result is graft & corruption from the top brass down its line.

“Immoral leader followed by immoral supporters. Immorality then becomes a way of normal living for them whose mission is to gather innumerable wealth for their families. “Majority of aspiring politicians are aiming to serve only their vested interest (Mangurakot). “Let us select politician with “TRUE VALUE of SERVICE” to the Filipino nation. “Family background is a significant influence.”

welcomes your comments and suggestions. Send us your feedback at:

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Grave/Lot No. 85 LIBINGAN NG MGA BAYANI, Fort Bonifacio, Metro Manila 04 October 2005 THRU The Editor-inChief, The C A V A L I E R, PMA Alumni Center Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City Dear Fellow Cavaliers: Kindly hearken to these deafening shouts (in whispers) from the grave where my corporeal self was interred twelve years ago, on 12 October 1997. I belonged to PMA Matikas Class of 1983. My spirit hovers aimlessly through the ether, over the multitudes of Cavaliers, many among whom I can hardly recognize or recall, but a score among them are very distinct in my memory. My special remembrance is for then Col Samson Ramos Tucay who signed the order directing me to return to the 4th Special Action Battalion, Special Action Force, Philippine National Police at Camp Aniceto Lacson in Victorias, Negros Occidental sometime in early 1997; and of course, our CO at the time, (then) Col Marcelo Navarro. Kindly bear patience on my inability to give specific dates because all my papers and records had been lost, or might have been systematically destroyed, following the deliberate “accident” which resulted in my inevitable demise before or after midnight (I’m not quite sure) of 3 (or 4th?), October 1997. Following are the occurrences, as much as I can recall: Sometime in mid-1996 I was relieved as Bn Cmdr

of 4th SAB, SAF and then designated Comptroller at SAF Hqtrs in Camp Bagong Diwa in Bicutan. I felt elated with the thought that it could be indicative of a forthcoming professional advancement. Moreover, I saw the opportunity and found the chance to enroll at the Jose Rizal University College of Law, because for me it was very important to know the law, being a police officer. My wife, Ms. Almina (nee Navarro), sacrificed her savings to pay for my tuition and buy my books. In my short stint as SAF Comptroller, I discovered past anomalies which involved about more than five million pesos, and attempts to cajole me into allowing further anomalies could not prosper. Then I was informed that my former command, the 4th SAB was ostensibly rendered disorganized and of low morale following my departure, and therefore I was relieved as Comptroller and ordered to return and reassume command of the 4th SAB. Mindful of my duty to obey orders I returned to Victorias on 08 March 1997, and found out that two comrades had taken brief stints as Bn Cmdr during my absence. I endeavored to rejuvenate the 4th SAB and restore personnel morale, with Capt. Jerry Bartolome as my deputy. In July that year Capt. Bartolome married a local Barangay Councilwoman, the former Ms. Letty Sta. Ana, and at whose wedding I stood as a Ninong. That fateful evening of October 3, two DIs who had been previously introduced to me by the Bartolomes waited long and cooled their heels at my Bn Hqtrs office and insisted that we practise modern tango which, courtesy of the Bartolomes, they had heard I was very eager to learn. I did not like to go practising that evening, and felt I should rest and was about to retire, as I was too tired preparing the props for a series of Battalion activities the following day. Besides, I had a very early appointment for a radio interview the next morning. But Capt Jerry Bartolome

insistently encouraged me to go. I asked him to join us, but he said: “Mauna na lang kayo, sir. Susunod na kami ng inaanak ninyo (my goddaughter, meaning his wife).” With me driving my personal car, a Mitsubishi Lancer, I brought along two of my junior officers whom I was also encouraging to learn and enjoy the dancing art, at my personal expense. Lt. Cresenciano Landicho sat on my right, with Capt. Rommie Estepa at the rear right, and to his left were the two DIs, Ms Teresita Villarez and Mrs. Roseca Parcon. We took off about 8:30 that evening and proceeded towards Cadiz City where there was a public dancing hall. About 15 minutes later, while driving uphill, a big truck emerged from a curve above, with blinding high beam lights that forced me to swerve and stop at the right shoulder of the highway. Then there was the heavy crash! For a while I was unconscious. Very soon, rescue teams came to the “accident” site. Lt Landicho, with minor bruises, could still move around. I heard Ms. Parcon crying at the seat behind me. I even encouraged her, “Hwag ka nang umiyak, Rose. Mabubuhay ka…” But I could not move my legs, having been pinned in the wreakage. My four passengers were variously brought to Cadiz City and Bacolod City Hospitals. And while the rescue crew tried to extricate me from behind the steering wheel, I appealed and entreated them: “Tumawag kayo ng Pastor… Itawag n’yo ako ng Pastor…” Any simple mind could ask why, although the most seriously injured, I was just brought to the Caayong Lawas Emergency Clinic of the Victorias Milling Corporation. My severely injured body was merely dumped and left unattended on the concrete floor at a corner of the clinic. I felt conscious enough to hear the laughter and bantering of persons around. I also discerned the arrival of a junior officer of mine whom I recognized as Lt Bonard Briton who yelled, enraged at the sight of my injured body lying unattended on the concrete

floor. Later, a mistah of mine also came, whom I recognized as Cav Prudencio “Tom” Bañas from Bacolod City, and was trying to be of help. I overheard Capt Jerry Bartolome telling Major Bañas: “Hwag ka na lang makialam, sir. Affair ito ng SAF.” The most excruciating pain I felt when I was hastily cut up for autopsy by a Dr. Danilo Alit of the Caayong Lawas Clinic, without the consent of my nearest of kin, although still clinically alive… and then I finally passed out! ***** During the week-long wake at my residence on Lot 3 Blk I in Malacañang Village, Parañaque, while my body lay lifeless, my spirit found occasion to be possessed by my younger sister-in-law, Clarisa, a psychic who took turns to dance with every member of my nearest of kin and in-laws around, to the tune of “Kapag maputi na ang buhok ko,” by Rey Valera, and whispered to them my message: “Ihanap ninyo ako ng katarungan, sapagka’t ako ay pinaslang. Magpa– kaingat lang po kayo. Napakalakas ng mga kalaban.” (Please seek justice for me, because I was murdered. But be very careful. The adversaries are too strong.” ***** I should be especially thankful to my Brother Perlans, of Freemasons from Lodge Perla del Oriente No. 1034 under the Grand Lodge of Scotland, Antient Free and Accepted Masons, for their very solemn graveside ceremony at the time of my interment, presided by Bro. Julio M. Cabali, the Lodge Secretary. ***** What pains me no end in spiritual anguish is that my aged parents now suffer in abject poverty. When my father retired compulsorily from the government (civilian) service on 30 June 1991 he collected all retirement gratuity and purchased a house and lot in Lipa City where my parents hoped to spend their remaining years. To page 7

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OCTOBER 5-11, 2009

TRAILBLAZER By RONALDO E. RENTA

ONE of the greatest catastrophes that happened in this benighted country of ours is not the assumption to presidency of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, although her dispensation has brought down and corrupted major government institutions. The recent disasters in Luzon brought by successive typhoons of Ondoy and Pepeng pale in comparison with this catastrophe I am referring to. True, we have witnessed the loss of life and destruction of property caused by the wrath of nature. But these are miniscule to the tempest that has lingered in our Philippine area of responsibility for more than a decade now. I am referring to the Super Typhoon of the Decade cutely named “Business Process Outsourcing (BPO).” What is BPO? The standard definition of business process outsourcing (BPO) is that it is an act of giving a third party the responsibility of running what would otherwise be an internal system or service. BPO started with IT (Information Technology). Companies are happy to give out the handling of their IT processes to other entities. As outsourcing proved to be cost-efficient, companies tried and succeeded in outsourcing almost all facets of their business activities. A good example of BPO is that of an insurance company outsourcing their claims pro-

cessing program or a bank outsourcing their loan processing system to third party. Other companies outsource the job of payroll processing. The most popular BPOs are the call centers. Call centers are where jobs are often done in graveyard shifts but with better take-home pay. Typically, companies that are looking at business process outsourcing are hoping to achieve cost savings by handing out the work to a third party that can take advantage of the economies of scale by doing the same work for many companies. Many American companies dissolved their respective call centers in the US and contracted call centers here in the Philippines to do the job of attending to their customers’ concern. Although the costs of telecommunications are higher because these are long-distance calls, US companies save much because they only pay smaller amounts for indirect labor costs now being handled by call center companies here in RP. The lower labor cost is due to the fact that minimum wage law here in RP is many times smaller than in the US. Ideally, the aspects of the business of a company that may be outsourced are the non-essentials and non-core. Those call centers function basically by receiving long-distance calls of customers of US companies and attending to the concerns of these customers with these companies.

Jerry’s Blogs By JERRY S. YAP LAST Thursday (October 1), China celebrated its 60th anniversary under the communist rule. Just like before, they held their parade at the historic TIANANMEN (gate of Heavenly Peace) SQUARE. In this place can be seen the Imperial Palace, better known as the Forbidden City. From the times of the emperors until today, Tiananmen Square has been known as the POLITICAL CENTER of China. In their celebration, People’s Republic of China President HU JINTAO spoke to the nation while aboard his hitech LIMO car that served as his rostrum. During this celebration, China paraded their modern military equipment like helicopters, jets, armored vans, missiles, communication equipment and many others. For 60 years under the communist rule, so big has changed and progressed for China. Many predicted that China will fall because many have been sabotaging them. But it remained determined and dedicated to their government’s strategy to make their country rich, where the rich individuals number to HUNDRED MILLIONS. The Chinese used their citizens useful until CHINA has registered achievement in economy, politics and military strength. When can the Philippines reach that status? Can Philippines achieve that? The answer of JERRY’S BLOG boys: SUSMARYOSEP! ADDED LOSSES TO PAL (ATTN: CHAIRMAN LUCIO TAN) One more thing that is believed to have added to the losses of Philippine Airlines is a PAL official who has blood relation to EL KAPITAN. This official is fond of accommodating his CLOSE FRIENDS. We know that when tickets are accommodations, it is non-revenue; meaning, it is free. Well, it could have been alright if the accommodated persons get contented with the accommodation tickets. However, while the tickets are non-revenue, they even had the gall to upgrade it to business or first class!

PAL’s anti-labor device: BPO You can see that attending to concerns of customers are not really essential to the business of a company. Mostly, these concerns range from how to fix the products they bought and call center agents are trained on these matters before they are allowed to sit on board. For the past decade, we have seen unprecedented growth of the BPO industry in our country. Given the pool of talents of English speakers and our amiable culture, we have given India, the queen in BPO industry, a run for their money. But wait. Is BPO good for whom? Is it good for company? How about workers? No doubt, the surges of BPO in India and also in the Philippines are good for the host countries but bad for American workers, millions of whom lost their jobs in the process. This BPO idea brought to us by the US has been embraced by local companies that many are now resorting to this evil. Filipino capitalists found BPO as a good tool against unionism and of reducing their liabilities to labor benefits. Before the advent of the BPO idea, Filipino capitalists who are usually greedy resorted to contracting workers for five months only and replace them with another set of employees for five months also. Why five months? This is because they avoid the compulsory nature of the labor law that makes a worker a regular employee if he has worked for more than six months, the maximum period that an employee

can be placed under a probationary status. This five-month contract was struck down by the Supreme Court in a Purefoods case. The contracted workers were declared as regular employees on the reasoning that they actually perform works of making hotdogs that are usually necessary and desirable to the business of the company. When this scheme became unpalatable, local companies found another means of circumventing labor laws. They then resorted to contracting manpower agencies to provide them with workers as employees of independent contractors. The works performed by these people of “independent contractors” are actually usually necessary and desirable to the business of these companies. But because the Department of Labor and Employment issued a rule allowing independent contractors, this has become popular among capitalists. They justify this by saying that the manner of doing the work is controlled by independent contractors, that the companies for whom the works were performed were merely interested in the result of the job, that the tools used in the performance of the works owned by the independent contractors, that the independent contractors have their own capital to pay for their workers, among others. Now, I do not see a realistic difference between workers controlled as to how they do the job and workers controlled

only as to the result of the job. Many workers of “independent contractors” are fired whenever the companies they actually work for do not like the result of their job. And to circumvent the law, it is the “independent contractor” that shall do the actual work of dismissing the hapless employee upon the request of the company. Is this act actually a disguised control of the manner of doing the job? Under Department Order No. 3, Series of 2001, the DOLE said in Section 2 thereof that labor-only contracting is prohibited. Now, local companies have found a new tool in BPO. If you would examine this, it is actually not so different from “independent contracting.” Companies now resort to BPO in order to evade and avoid responsibilities of maintaining a labor force. BPO also weakens unionism. Corporate entities would herald that BPO as something that is inevitable and it is the only way to survive in a competitive global market. Cost-efficient is the often-heard reason but the victims are the poor, marginalized and powerless workers. Like those victims of flash floods, mud flows and landslides, Filipino workers are in dire need of rescue. If your hearts bleed with those people who stayed several hours on top of their roofs, you must also cry for our workers who were mercilessly left without protection and relief by those companies resorting to BPO as a labor-saving device.

The government is often in cahoots with capitalists who implement BPO as mechanism to get rid of workers and unions. The government is helpless and incompetent in the same way they deal with victims of recent typhoons. We read from my neighbor columnist Jerry S. Yap that Philippine Airlines is about to or in the process of implementing a labor-saving known as BPO. Obviously, this move would benefit El Capitan Lucio Tan, the Titan of all Titans in Philippine Capitalist Society. There are thousands of workers who would be displaced and affected. But DOLE executives seem to be looking the other way around. The Secretary of Labor should implement the letter and spirit of the Labor Code, a piece of social legislations deemed bias in favor of the workers, who are powerless and weak compared to capitalists. It is incumbent upon the DOLE to afford protection to the weak side of the negotiating table. The Secretary of Labor should tilt the balance in favor of the workers who cannot withhold and repel marching armies of capitalists. If we will allow PAL to implement its own BPO, it will render our laws on protection of labor inutile and ineffectual. Relationship between labor and capital is impressed with public interest.

CHINA’S 60 YEARS UNDER COMMUNIST RULE Moreover, they do not pay EXCESS BAGGAGE. This happens always for his friends flying from Hong Kong. Is this grave abuse, El Kapitan? Yet this is okay for this PAL official because he would be popular to the friends he accommodated. I am 100% sure that this is not known by Kapitan Lucio. This is because whenever Kapitan Lucio travels, he has no check-in baggage and when the business class is full he sits at the economy section. Anyway, Mr. Lucio Tan, if you want to know this PAL official, just ask the PAL Official Escort named CARDING! CHAIRMAN BAYANI, SECRETARY ATIENZA, YOU RESIGN! Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman BAYANI FERNANDO admitted that he is one to blame for the flooding that went berserk in Metro Manila. Pwes, if you are amenable and you owned up the blame, what do you do there, leche ka? You RESIGN now! You go with your friend, DENR Secretary LITO ‘Bulaklak’ ATIENZA because he has not done as the secretary of that department tasked to protect the environment, particularly in Rizal province. Look at this. When Marilao River overflowed, plastic garbage appeared! Many fences collapsed in Marilao. Until now, you can see these plastics trapped in the trees and collapsed fences as well as on the road. While in Pasig and Cainta, mountain of mud inundated even the inside of all the houses there. Tsk tsk tsk … In TAIWAN, its president and cabinet officials RESIGNED when they were hit by flood tragedy last month, killing about 700 people there. That’s why, if you still have DELICADEZA left in you, Secretary ATIENZA and Chairman BAYANI, it is much better that you RESIGN now! NATIONAL DISASTER COORDINATING COUNCIL

(ND-SISI ‘este’ NDCC), WHEN WILL YOU EVER LEARN? It would be easy now for our countrymen to decide come the 2010 elections. This is because of typhoon ONDOY, that wreaked open the “PORMA ng PORMA” “presidentiables,” “senatoriables,” congressman, mayor, and others. This is the only thing that we can thank ONDOY for. She exposed the “PRESIDENTIABLES” who only talked and who do not walk the talk. First, Secretary Gilbert “GIBO” Teodoro even used a TV AD INFOMERCIAL about disaster preparedness and made his family name as an acronym of what should be done during disaster time. Yet, he did nothing during the height of raging flood. Susmaryosep! Okay, let’s say it is a NATURAL CALAMITY. But the calamity is the rain and not the RAGING FLOOD. Floodwaters should always have a way out. The problem is that all our creeks and rivers are clogged and narrow. They filled up those creeks with soil and constructed buildings there, like Isetann Cinerama; the reason why waters proceeded to the underpass and made it a giant swimming pool. Like what I said, this is a NATURAL CALAMITY. But we can avoid disaster if the concerned agencies were prepared for this kind of problem. What is sickening, the MMDA and the DPWH did no preparation after the announcement of an incoming typhoon. Only after the tragedy of monumental proportion that they rushed to do work and they even competed against each other! Now, do you still want GIBO, BAYANI and EBDANE to become the president of our country? Kayo ang sumagot, BAYAN! *** For your comments, reactions & suggestions please email [email protected] or call/text 09178318537.

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If I were the President IF only I were the President of the Philippines, what should I do to stop people from dying in the flood as big as what Typhoon Ondoy brought? The answer to this is simple. But before stating what I should do, let us begin from the simple beginning. I premise on two points: (a) if there were no people residing on those areas ravaged by flood, nobody could have died; and (b) if storms only brought lesser amount of rains, nobody could have died. Now, the problem is there have already been millions of residents and houses built in the areas where storm waters passed through. Imagine a Manggahan floodway in Pasig has been called a “floodway” since time immemorial. This means that at least once upon a time flood naturally flowed here such that this should be a natural floodway. As such, the biggest mistake of our policy makers was they approved these to be converted into residential

zones. If they could have only studied the 100-year history of floods, they could have discovered that 46 years ago flood of Ondoy’s size occurred in Metro Manila; as such they could have not approved the conversion of these lands to housing zones. On almost many parts of the banks of the river coming from San Mateo, Rizal, passing through Marikina City and Pasig before emptying out to Manila Bay in Manila, you can see houses, squatters and subdivisions, including Provident Village. Provident village is located at the corner of the zigzag point of Marikina River, which draws water from as far as Rodriguez town through Wawa Dam. So that it is easy to see that like most villages and houses by the banks of Marikina River, Provident Village is sitting on the natural path of the river in flooded times. True enough, its soil level is just a little above the normal water level of Marikina River. Residents of Provident Village, including actress

Police Posts By JOEY GALICIA VENANCIO THE 2010 “presidentiables” and others who are running in the coming election should show now their intention to help the people and the country. They should not resort to politics and criticisms. Of those who have declared to run for president, only Senator Manny Villar is visible to us in helping the victims of typhoon Ondoy. He built his relief and rescue center. He personally distributes relief goods in almost all of the areas submerged by floods. “Kung tutulong ka,

ngayon na…. walang halong pamumulitika ito. Tulong ito mula sa puso. Sobrang naawa ako sa mga kababayan nating nalubog sa baha. Kaya nananawagan tayo sa mga politiko na tigilan na muna ang pamumulitika at pambabatikos. Tulungan muna natin itong mga biktima ni Ondoy,” said Villar who only slept for five hours a day since Saturday due to visits in Marikina, Pasig, Rizal, Laguna, Valenzuela, Malabon, Bulacan and other areas gravely hit by flood. To the contrary, Sen.

The Last Mohican By TOTO FETALINO SOONER or later, members of a hard-to-crack syndicate inside the Philippine Overseas Employment Authority (POEA) are going down. They must go down for their lucrative business is “sucking blood” from our poor countrymen who want jobs abroad. These modern-day vampires easily make a million in a month by selling overseas employment certificates (OECs) to our would-be OFWs. An OEC is a proof that the POEA is allowing an over-

seas job applicant to work abroad. Without this, one cannot depart the country. For P18,000, they give OECs to those who do not deserve to have one. To legally have an OEC, one must have a verified working contract, a valid visa and Philhealth certificate. If you have these papers, you only pay P2,000 for this document. But the catch is not really what the syndicate collects from their “willing victims.” The real concern here is the risk that their victims are facing the

Cristine Reyes, claimed that the rampaging water level quickly rose. Lucky for them that they were able to climb the roofs of second story houses. Now, why did our government allow these natural floodways to be converted to housing areas is its biggest sin. Given this magnitude of problems, the most that can be done now for me as the President is to certify to the Congress that there is emergency to pass a law giving the Office of the President the authority to convert public lands in higher places into residential areas, subdivide them into small lots and give it for free to all squatters living by the river banks, and authorize me to put in place electrical, water and telephone lines, and build communities complete with public markets, schools and hospitals. Interest-free loans shall be provided to those who would resettle there so that they can immediately build their own houses. I will also ask congressmen and senators to part with only three million pesos of their pork barrels to

be spent for the construction of good roads there. Then, I will also put in place interest-free loans to those who want to become tricycle and jeepney drivers. This, so that their vehicles provide an instant system of transport with the view that those relocated there can easily go to their original workplaces. Then all business entities that would risk in the new community shall be given ten-year tax-free incentives and interest-free loans to encourage them to set up their enterprises there. And when the communities can live on its own, that is the time that the government let it progress by itself. Returns to the government can be had by means of the repayment of interestfree loans, taxes that may be collected after the ten-year moratorium, the jobs that would be created for the people, and the multiplier effects to the rest who would find endeavors to provide for the needs and wants of the people in the new community. So you can see here how an economy can be stirred up, similar to the One Tril-

Privileged Spits By TOTO CAUSING lion Dollars aid given by Obama to the companies that were in the brink of collapse as a result of the fall of Lehman Brothers, which, in turn, resulted from the collapse of the land mortgage industry. These are matters that only a government can do so that it must be the will of the President that is the only solution. If this is done simultaneously, I am now sure that there will be no more people who would die by flooding among the ranks of the informal settlers or squatters by the rivers. My basis for this proposition is the program done by then President Magsaysay when he gave lands in Mindanao and Palawan to people of Visayas and Luzon who would be willing to resettle there. In the case of Magsaysay, what he gave were only lands, free boat rides, and initial provisions for foods. There were lack of money support to till the lands yet Mindanao and Palawan have progressed far more than ex-

pected on its own. The same offer for the squatters shall also be offered to homeowners of the posh villages by the rivers, like those in Provident Village. And if they would agree, I shall convert their lands to forest parks. But if they would not leave, they shall be required to build their houses at least in three stories so that when flooding occurs after 40 years everyone is assured of safety. Why I say 40 years? This is because floods occur in cycles. The last flood before Ondoy occurred 46 years ago. At the same time, I will also engage in massive tree planting on all the banks of the rivers. This massive treeplanting is necessary to lessen the evaporation of water to the atmosphere and, in effect, ensure the reduced volume of rain water. This I will do if I were the President.

‘PRESIDENTIABLES,’ LET US HELP ONDOY VICTIMS Jamby Madrigal is babbling again in the Senate, destroying Villar in the rotten issue of C-5 Extension Road. With this, Kuya Germs smacked Madrigal in his radio program, saying that Madrigal has been prioritizing the throwing of mud instead of helping the victims of typhoon. Tsk tsk tsk… For his part, Sen Chiz Escudero is nowhere to be found when we looked for him in flooded areas to see whether he distributes relief goods. I have not seen even his shadow. What I heard from him was his voice from the radio, smashing the ad-

ministration. The impeached President Erap, who declared to run again in 2010, could not be able to go to flood due to his rheumatic feet. But he sent relief goods. Long live, Mr. ex-President! Sen. Noynoy Aquino prioritized the meeting with Erap instead of sharing to the flood victims. (It seems he is asking for an alliance with Erap for 2010). And about his sister, Kris, she is constantly babbling in TV just to make him look handsome for 2010. By the way, instead of babbling in TV, why she did

not personally manage the distribution of relief goods? Is she afraid that her smooth and white skin may get mud? He he he… His cousin, Sec. Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro, the standard bearer of the administration for 2010, was awake 24 hours in commanding his personnel for the relief and rescue operations. Long live, Gibo! Long live for those who tirelessly help our fellows victimized by Ondoy! For those who do nothing but babbling, cease your fire in politics. We prioritize our countrymen who are until

now still submerged in flood and has no food. Let us help each other. *** We are saluting the soldiers of the Philippine Army and policemen cleaning the areas flooded by Ondoy. They were armed with shovels and other cleaning paraphernalia when they trooped to the areas of calamity. The NPA rebels also declared ceasefire to help the victims of flood. Long live to all of you!

DAYS OF POEA VAMPIRES NUMBERED moment they reach their destinations as illegal workers. Illegal workers in hostile foreign lands are not paid, raped and killed. They get crazy and even take their own life if their miserable plight gets unbearable. This is the real catch. For this, these vampires at the POEA should be crucified and burned to death as soon as they get arrested. The Task Force Against Illegal Recruitment (TFAIR) said it is just a matter of time before it arrests members of the POEA syndicate. The group has been the subject of a surveillance operation for months now. Col. Gilbert Sosa, TFAIR chief, said the syndicate is well

entrenched and covered at the POEA, making it difficult for the Task Force to crack them. Luck however gave the needed break last September 22. The Task Force caught two men said to be runners of the syndicate. The two, identified as Roy Paman and Benedicto Gonzales, were collared after accepting marked money from a complainant during an entrapment operation in Manila. The TFAIR said the arrest of these persons will hasten its operation against the syndicate since the two have already dropped names. As such, it is going to be just a matter of time and the sun shall burn these vampires.

GETTING EVEN I had the chance to participate in government relief operations in Laguna and Bulacan. Once in a while, I feel pity deep inside for people I don’t know. How can you not pity men, women and children when they looked tired and hungry. Ondoy left them naked and confused as to whether they are human beings or just living things. My drinking buddies would definitely laugh at me if I confess that I almost cried when I saw mothers and grandmothers begging for food. I cannot imagine the women in my life

in the same situation. I was at my home last Friday night drinking brandy and enjoying the cold temperature brought by Ondoy. I even sang on a “magic sing” until the wee hours of the morning. I sipped hot coffee after than and ate “bangsilog” when I got up. I was really enjoying the sound of the rain. There was no flood in the place where I live. Refusing to turn on the TV and radio, I did not know that people were already dying. Brod, my tears fell when I saw what happened to our brothers and sisters. Mother nature really got mad. She really got even with us.

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OCTOBER 5-11, 2009

JENNICA GARCIA

Ordeal

in the hands of Ondoy

GMA Kapuso teenstar Jennica Garcia experienced the fury of Mother Nature when typhoon Ondoy ravaged the metropolis. Dyaryo Magdalo has monitored the phonepatched interview by Startalk hosts Butch Francisco and Lolit Solis, Saturday, September 26, 2009. She was very emotional while narrating her ordeal from the life-threatening situation inside their house in Marikina near Commonwealth, Quezon City. She actually witnessed how the brown water rose to swallow up houses in the neighborhood. People climbed their roof, some carrying their babies and children while battling the storm just to save whatever they could, including their own lives. “Hindi ko na po alam kung kanino hihingi ng tulong pero sana po makapagpadala po ng tulong dito, ng mga rubber boats, hindi lang po para sa amin. Nakikita ko po kasi yung mga kapitbahay namin may dalang bata,” she said. She was with her mother Jean, her little brother, her uncle and their driver at their residence in Queensland St., Vista Real Classica One, Marikina City when floodwaters engulfed the first floor of their house. She was worried about her brother who does not know how to swim. Her father Jigo, a barangay chairman of Barangay Josefa, Quezon City, could not rescue them because his hands were also also full rescuing his constituents. He could only send text messages to Jennica. “Nagre-rescue rin po kasi yung papa ko. Sabi po niya sa akin, ‘Anak, pasensiya ka na, ang dami ko nang taong natutulungan dito, nare-rescue’ng mga bata... Pero ikaw na anak ko, hindi ko ma-rescue. Pasensiya ka na,’ kasi hindi raw po siya makadaan.” She recounted tearfully. The interview with Jennica Garcia was not seen live due to the brownout. Meralco deliberately turned off the power in the area to prevent people from being electrocuted. It was a standard procedure being observed by the power company during calamaties of this magnitude. However, it ws known by the public on Sunday afternoon September 27, during an emotional inverview together with her mother aired live in Showbiz Central Show. According to her, it was 2:00 am Sunday September 27, 2009 when the rains went into a drizzle. Fearing for another burst of heavy rains, Jennica together with her family, bravely left their house and waded through chest-high water on what could be their desperate effort to save their lives. They rushed to the house of her fellow Kapuso contract star Jennylyn Mercado. They where accommodated and given temporary shelter. “Yung tubig, mataas po siya. In a span of ten minutes, ‘yong tubig na hanggang tuhod, masyadong lumaki na,”

Jennica recalled in her interview from the morning show Unang Hirit. Jennica was clearly in trauma when she narrated her bad experiece. In an inverview by Lhar Santiago in Chika Minute segment of 24 Oras, she thanked Jennylyn Mercado and Mrs. Lydia Mercado, mother of Jennylyn, for the kindness they gave to her as they opened their door and helped them, including their neighbors who also seek refuge from Jennylyn’s residence. “May dala rin po kaming mga kapitbahay. Si Mama, hiyang-hiya po. Una sabi niya, ‘Jennylyn, this is my neighbor, I’m sorry, ganyan.’ Maya-maya po, limang ganun na, limang balik na. ‘Jennylyn, this is my neighbor.’ Tapos wala, wala pong reklamo sina Jennylyn,” she said in an interview. Jennica learned a valuable lesson from the said tragedy “Ma-a-appreciate mo ang bawat minuto, bawat segundo na kasama mo ‘yung mga mahal mo sa buhay kasi hindi mo alam kung ano ang (maaring) mangyari,” she added. The floodwater caused by typhoon “Ondoy” which resulted in the destruction of their properties including their cars is the second misfortune that struck the family of Jennica. On September 11, 2003, fire razed to the ground their house in Greenhills, San Juan and their expensive vehicle. She was then thirteen years old. The Garcias were helpless and depressed during those times until help came from Fernando Poe Jr.. to start anew. They moved to Manila and later to Marikina where the second incident occurred. Notwithstanding the traumatic incidents, Jennica still thanked the Lord. Like her mother who started zero after the fire incident, she is looking forward on her career to help her mother to live life anew. They now live in Gilmore Heights Condominium in Quezon City. After she played Dennis Trillo’s leading lady in the recent highly-rated GMA-7 primetime soap “Adik Sa Yo,” Jennica is now in the cast of the newest episode of SRO Cinemaserye: Reunion together with Sheena Halili and her rumored boy-

friend Mart Escudero, also a contract star of GMA who won in the reality-based contest, StarStruck. Jennica Alexis Ignacio Garcia or popularly known as Jennica, she was born on December 26, 1989 in Quezon City. She is the only daughter of actress Jean Garcia and then matinee actor Jigo Garcia. According to Wikepedia, she started in showbiz when she got the role of Karen Manansala in “Impostora” together with her mother Jean and Mart Escudero, She got her biggest break in “Ako si Kim Samsoon” where she played the role of Eliza. Thereafter, she joined the cast of “Gagambino” which was Jennica’s first telefantasya break. She is now on Dear Friend Presents: The 3 Bachelors was recently aired on GMA Channel 7. She is a GMA Network Artist conract and one of the Regal Babies of Mother Lily today. Jennica Garcia was also featured in “Boy Nxt Door,” Sine Novela: “Pasan Ko Ang Daigdig” and “Babangon Ako’t Dudurugin Kita.” Her first movie was “Hide and Seek” 2007, “One True Love” in 2008 and “Shake Rattle & Roll X,” also in 2008. Now, she is doing “Shake Rattle & Roll XI,” however, the shooting was cancelled due to the after-

math made by typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng. Until this writing, she is volunteering herself as repacker in the relief goods of GMA Kapuso Foundation which will be given to the families affected by the calamity.

Jennica with ‘Reunion’ co-star Sheena Halili

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OCTOBER 5-11, 2009

Megaworld used Landbank’s P1 billion to build Hyatt Hotel? From page 1 Despite the contract clause stating that Megaworld shall use its own money for the construction of the building, it appears more from the records that the construction of the said building was financed by Landbank’s own money— to the tune of P1.8 billion. While the building was being constructed, records showed that on July 30, 1998, Megaworld Properties Holdings, Inc. and Empire East Land Holdings, Inc. had an outstanding loan with Landbank in total combined amount of P2.422 billion, one billion pesos was outstanding in the name of EALHI. EALHI, the developer of Eastwood City in Libis, Quezon City, is the other holding corporation of Tan. So that the question here is clear: Why should Megaworld obtain a loan of P1.422 billion if it had the money to spend for the construction of what is now the Landbank Center? And why should Tan’s other company, EALHI, obtain a loan of P1 billion from Landbank if indeed the country’s fourth richest man had the money to spend for what he contracted? It is to be noted that Tan was the one who signed for Megaworld in the said PDC for the construction of the Landbank Center. Then Landbank president Jesli A. Lapuz, now Education secretary, was the one who signed for the government and it was witnessed by a bank’s top official, Gilda A. Pico. So that if the total amount of the Landbank Center as completed is P1.8 billion, where did Megaworld and EALHI spend the balance of P2,422 billion which is P622 million?

It is very much possible that the amount of P622 million, which is a part of the proceeds of the P2.422 billion loan, was used in building the Hyatt Hotel and Casinos. Now, considering the contract’s stipulation that said that the 8,739.30 square meters of lot that remained after the construction of the Landbank Center was to be given to Megaworld as part, it is just like saying that the amount equivalent to the value of the said land was also given on top of the P622 million. In the PDC deal, the said portion of the land was valued at P367,050,600.00. So that it is just like a situation where Landbank gave Megaworld a total of P989,050,600.00 for it to build Hyatt Hotel and Casino. In other words, it looks like Megaworld used about P1 billion of Landbank’s property to build its own five-star hotel. This appears to be unjust enrichment on the part of Megaworld and Andrew Tan. To the contrary, it appears that Tan can afford to use all his money to build the Landbank Center and the Hyatt Hotel. Tan is no doubt very rich. Forbes Magazine’s 2009 edition shows him having a clean asset of $850 million. His holding company, Alliance Global Group, reported a jump in first-quarter earnings owing to strong showing in food and beverage businesses. He owns the country’s McDonald’s franchise. He also owns Emperador brandy, reported to be the current world’s top seller liquor. In fact it was reported that his sales from this brand helped his companies afloat in the face of

IN THE NICK OF TIME -- A mother and child hurrying to get out of their house that tilted due to a landslide. She narrowly escaped from getting buried alive when loosened soil and mud crumbled down at the height of Typhoon Ondoy in Antipolo City. Photo taken from a Facebook account of VER NOVENO.

global crisis. His other companies also reported improving real estate sales, including Eastwood in Libis. He has investments in Resort World Manila. He has a $1.35-billion casino joint venture with Malaysia’s Star Cruises that opened last month.

His is an incredible but exciting story of rag to riches. A son of a factory worker who migrated to the Philippines at a young age, he made his first fortune in brandy. He later expanded to property development through Megaworld.

Noynoy-Mar told ... From page 1 ‘this is not a time for politics, we are doing this to help our countrymen who are in need.’ “And so they went, a bit chastised perhaps, but proud to be in the right group with the right focus. “While at ground zero in Marikina with mud ankle high still (luckily my son had the sense of wearing his CAT combat boots), a huge truck with ‘MANNY

VILLAR’ in shouting orange and green colors arrived at the scene. “By then my kids’ group were almost done distributing their goods and so they quietly left after. “My opinion is that, indeed NOYNOY is working in silence, without too much FANFARE — the type of attitude of a GOOD L E A D E R ! HEEEEHEHEHEH.”

A letter from the grave From page 3 His only income now is the Old Age Pension from the PVAO for having served in the army for ten years. Being the only son, I worked out mortgaging in July 1997 my parents’ house and lot with the RSBS and invested the loan proceeds in a tilapia-andbangus fish-pen project of eight cages at Taal Lake in Laurel town. The project started operating in September 1997. I had occasion to visit it only once due to my far away assignment. I had looked up to the project as my parents’ means of sustenance in old age. However, after my interment, the project investment was augmented by my widow with some money realized from the pakandila donations during my wake, and twelve (12) more cages were purchased as an additional “investment for the orphans,” making a total of 20 fish-cages. Because my parents were not in a position to make a hands-on supervision and monitoring of the project, and moreover, I was already outside of the picture and restlessly agonizing in my grave, it was only during the first six months of 1998 that some profits were realized. During the year 1999 heavy losses were suffered, and in January 2000 the project was completely swallowed up by the lake, reportedly as an aftermath of the violent amihan phenomenon that year, render-

ing all investments totally lost. Another family catastrophe! What remained of my parents’ resources were utilized to amortize on the RSBS loan until December 2000; and they had no more money to pay further amortizations. My aging parents, in their twilight years, are in dire penury, subsisting merely on the PVAO’s P5,000.00 monthly stipend. And I am utterly helpless to render any relief! This is my continuing spiritual tribulation and agony in the grave. To the rest of the Cavaliers, particularly to what still remain among my mistahs from the ranks of Matikas ’83, my continuing plaint is, “Please seek justice for me, because I was MURDERED! By justice, I do not mean avenging, or any violent acts of vengeance. I shall be at peace, and justice shall be served and done merely by your deducing or finding out the TRUTH about my death, that the consciences of those who plotted it, those who executed it and those who deliberately contributed to the cover-up, be conscience-stricken . Only then, shall I be able to REST IN PEACE.” A cavalierly salute to all of you! Affectionately, (Invisible Ghost’s Signature) Cav LAONG LAAN P. GOCE, P/MAJ 0-8824 PNP, PMA CL 83

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OCTOBER 5-11, 2009

MANNY HAS CHANGED RP NAME TO ‘PACLAND’ IN boxing world, call Philippines a “Pacland.” The World’s Pound-4-Pound King, Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao, is what Filipino boxing is all about. Many countries have produced great ring warriors. Count America, Mexico and Puerto Rico in. They have produced greatest boxing heroes. America reigned in the heavyweight division through Ali, Frazier, Norton, Holmes, Foreman, Marciano, Holyfield, and more. Mexico had the lighter divisions locked in as its exclusive zone with names such as Morales, Barrera, Chavez, Dela Hoya and the list goes on. Puerto Rico had greats like Camacho, Trinidad and more recently Cotto. These were the great names who reigned supreme in their respective turfs. These were the great boxers who made the sport of boxing worth super-watching. Now it seems to be the turn of the Philippines. It is emerging as a giant in boxing. We have produced some of the world’s great fighters who recently joined the fray. Of course we love to begin the count from the greatest fighter to have ever graced the Philippines. Pacquiao is a kid from General Santos City who rose from selling cigarettes on the streets to international fame in the level of Tiger Woods, Michael Jordan – or even US President Barack Hussein Obama.

Through his success, he has paved the way for an exciting group of prizefighters coming out of their shell to carve a name in the international boxing scene. As if Pacquiao towed so many countrymen to his baton. His examples have inspired many other Filipino boxers to excel – and go bigtime. The list is growing – and growing fast. This is all because of Pacquiao, who has changed the name of the Philippines to “Pacland” in the boxing world. One reason is: he is the only boxer to win title in the highest ever weight category any Filipino prizefighter has. He is a welterweight title holder. While Philippines now have six incumbent world champions, there are mushrooming contenders and champions who are very impressive and only need good exposure to dominate their class. Obviously, Pacquiao had shown the way for the other Filipinos: that pure determination can have it all. In 2007, another boy from Dadiangas, Nonito Donaire, Jr. put his name on the boxing map when he blasted the arrogant and cocky Vic Darchinyan with a left hook to the chin. With that fight, Donaire forced everyone to believe and take notice of him as another Filipino on the block. Another Filipino name

By RONALD HERICO

The cream of the crop of Philippine boxing (clockwise) flyweight Nonito Donaire, Jr., lightweight Manny Pacquiao and super flyweight Marvin Sonsona. emerged in the superflyweight class. He is Marvin “Marvelous” Sonsona, who is dubbed by some experts as the next Pacquiao. Marvelous Marvin grabbed his first world title with a unanimous decision over Jose Lopez. Marvin proved to every-

one he is a no pushover and may well be the next Filipino boxer that could penetrate into theAmerican boxing mainstream. Although age is still fast catching up, Gerry Peñalosa is still at it since doing his own thing in the ring in 1989. Fearless as his moniker, Gerry had been overshadowed by Pacquiao’s immense popularity. Filipino fans, once upon a time, were treated to his display of ring savvy, warrior mentality and grit.

There are many more Filipinos contending for world titles. Many are very bright prospects. Recently, Rodel Mayol made two efforts to grab a world title, but he came up short against Ivan Calderon. Back to back head clashes made both fights abbreviated and prevented him from becoming a world class title holder. It looks as if he has gotten another shot for the WBC light flyweight belt against Edgar Sosa in No-

vember. Brian Viloria has been keeping it up. He successfully defended his crown in Hawaii last month to give another pride and joy for the Filipinos. These are just a few examples of how the Philippines has really grown as boxing powerhouse. Manny Pacquiao has opened up the doors for some very exciting and gifted fighters. Slowly but surely, “Pacland” is emerging as a new boxing nation.

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