thinking aloud

Re Cityhood Laws

2009-04-06T10:52:00.002+08:00

Since it was Congress which put the League of 16 into this kind of trouble, they also have to solve the problems that the League of 16 will have to face now that the Supreme Court decided with finality in favor of the League of Cities of the Philippines.

Congress was supposed to shield the municipalities which have already filed for cityhood from the provisions of RA 9009 which increased the income requirements from just P 20 M to P 100 M. But it did not do what was proper. Instead Congress passed the amendment without giving those who have already filed for cityhood the necessary "immunity" as a sign of respect for their having already qualified for cityhood as per old requirement.

Now the League of 16 will have to face many problems due to decreased IRA with most of them even have to squeeze everything into only a fourth of their supposed to be "city" IRA. What will happen now to the programs, projects and activities of these poor LGUs?

For just one year, they enjoyed the privilege of not begging for funds from the national government and so being independent from political attachments to funds from Senators and Congressmen. But now they have to beg on their knees again in order to sustain their PPAs.

The worst to be affected will be the poor people of these "citylings". Where will the LGUs get their funds now for medicines, assistance to indigents, support for senior citizens, persons with disabilities and women and children in trouble? And so many other ...

Congress must wake up and do something before everything else goes out of hand - before these LGUs go bankrupt and unable to sustain their operations and become mere "barangays" instead of municipalities.

November is so just around the Corner

2009-03-23T14:35:00.002+08:00

As per latest Comelec decision, the deadline for the filing of the Certificate of Candidacy (COC) of a person who will be running for public office in the 2010 National and Local Elections will be on November 30, 2009.

This means that interested individuals will have to face a very "merry" Christmas especially in areas where people look up to public officials - and candidates to public office - as "Santa Clauses". People and groups of people would surely be flocking to houses of candidates during the carolling season. It could be occasions of premature "corruption" and "vote-buying". And see just who and what groups would be there to take advantage of the situation.

Candidates who will try to "escape" will surely find themselves having a lot of "explanining" to do during the campaign period. Candidates who will not give as much as "expected" will also carry the burden of negative feedbacks.

The Comelec may benefit from such decision for early filing of COCs but candidates will surely have less to be happy about it particularly in areas where "vote-buying" is rampant and people "believe" that only during election do they really receive something from the government or from public officials.

The DILG and the Supreme Court

2009-01-21T13:01:00.006+08:00

Functionaries of the City of Borongan listen to LGA Executive Director Marivel C. Sacendoncillo as she explained the purpose of the DILG initiative to prepare the League of 16 for the worst case scenario with regards to their status as cities. To her right is DILG Regional Director William C. Paler.

DILG is trying to prepare the League of 16 for the worst case scenario, that is, if the Supreme Court decides with finality that the 16 cityhood laws are unconstitutional.

But instead of being warmly received as a form of assistance, it is being questioned and being thought of as a ploy to condition the affected LGUs to accept "defeat" and willingly bow down to a negative Supreme Court decision even though it has not yet decided. Some see the consultation dialogues as pre-mature and that attending it or providing the DILG the data it is asking is not good.

Instead the LGUs seems to be asking the DILG to help them influence the Supreme Court in deciding a favorable one for them.

Looks like some form of inconsistency.

We look up at the Supreme Court as an independent branch of government co-equal with the Executive and the Legislative branches. As such they are supposed to be an independent body whose decision have to be free from any pressure or influence from another co-equal branch of government.

But now we seem to be hoping that the DILG, a department under the Executive Department or perhaps the Executive Department itself, ought to help in asking the SC to decide in our favor. If it was possible and moral it would have been very welcome indeed. Yet it would somehow put the institution to question as to its status as an independent branch of government and that might lead to a Constitutional crisis.

The best way perhaps is to wait for the final decision of the SC. But while waiting for it, it won't probably hurt to prepare for the worst case scenario. We really don't know everything about the DILG initiative but for now it seems a mere move to prepare the League of 16 for any eventuality.

It's up to the League of 16 to accept the initiative of the DILG and be given the help in case of the Supreme Court retaining their initial decision or dump the offer and be caught offguard.

New Year's Resolution #7

2009-01-16T10:51:00.002+08:00

Another important resolution that we can make is to be more devoted and committed to our jobs. It is good to dream of being in another person's shoes especially when he or she is getting all those benefits and perhaps citations and accolades "because he or she is in a position that is better or more rewarding", etc.

But maybe we could be content with what we have for now and do our best to make it a more rewarding one. And maybe that's what we really lack in order to be noticed and be given something else which could respond to what we are hoping or aspiring for.

New Year's Resolution #6

2009-01-15T11:32:00.002+08:00

One of the best resolutions that we could make is to be deserving of every centavo that we receive from the government. Through the various fields, skills and capabilities we can do so. It is not right to be receiving benefits from the government without doing what you are supposed to do and without contributing what you can contribute in order to make your agency an efficient and effective arm of the government in the achievement of a better delivery of services to the people.

New Year's Resolution #5

2009-01-14T11:28:00.003+08:00

Another important resolution that we ought to make and do is to be what we are supposed to be: public servants.

Sometimes we seem to forget that we live out of the taxes paid by the people and supposedly we've got to give them our fullest respect, courtesy and efficient service. But sometimes it's the other way around. These people whom we have sworn to serve and who are supposed to be providing us with the benefits that we receive being the government's taxpayers are sometimes treated like they are the ones who owe us our precious time, and that they have to wait if they want to be served.

It might be true that not everyone of them religiously pay their taxes. But fact is that we are public servants and it is our foremost duty and responsibility to serve them and not to make them feel they are bothering us in whatever we are doing - especially those personal things that do not have direct relation to what we are in government service for.

Hence the next time these people come to our office, let us be more friendly and share those precious smiles, and be ready to serve them as efficiently as possible.

New Year's Resolution #4

2009-01-13T14:50:00.004+08:00

There are some of us who do not only violate punctuality but attendance itself. They would absent from office and yet they won't record their absence. This is complete disregard of public service and must not be done anymore.

Hence our next resolution should be to be present always or at least to be honest enough to record one's absence. Okay, you may not be able to receive an award or citation from the government for this because after all no one can nominate one self, and because your officemates or agencymates are so unfair they won't nominate you even if you probably deserve to earn an award.

But if you still believe in God probably it would suffice to be reminded about the truth about heaven and hell.

Or have the secular world already made you a virtual atheist though you still go to Church?

New Years' Resolution #3

2009-01-09T15:09:00.004+08:00

This is still connected to the theme of punctuality but perhaps more appropriately about proper attendance.

Many of us go in on time, and leave the office even a few minutes beyond the appointed time. But some steal government and people's money by being out of the office in between. In our office some casual employees gave the phrase "on travel" a new meaning: being out of the office for no reason at all.

Some of these people who go "on travel" do so without authorization and without official purpose. Many of them simply visit other offices just to exchange pleasantries, or even talk about someone else. Others go out of the office for extended period of time for the sake of enjoying the authorized 15-minute only coffee break in the morning and the afternoon.

Hence the next new year's resolution should be to avoid wasting and stealing government and people' s time and money by not leaving the office when there's no official or emergency reason at all. And when one has to make that coffee break, it better be within the authorized 15-minute period alone.

Or else, we could again compute how much we steal and waste from the government and the people in terms of official time which is convertible to public money.

New Year's Resolution #2

2009-01-08T16:38:00.004+08:00

The next new year's resolution that we probably need to make is related to punctuality. Many of us do come on time. But there are those who go out of the office even when it is not yet time to go. It is the opposite of those who come in late. These people on the other hand log out before 12 noon or 5 pm but write on the logbook the exact time for going out.

It is the same story as coming in late. And the same process of stealing precious time frpm the government and the people. Maybe we don't have to compute again. One only has to go back to our Resolution #1 and learn how one could steal from the government and the people by going out of the office when it's not yet time to leave.

Hence the resolution that we probably have to make is to leave the office on or if possible a little after the time to go. A seconds beyond the time won't hurt but a few seconds before would surely fall under violations with regards to office hours.

New Year's Resolution #1

2009-01-07T09:28:00.003+08:00

It's a new year and usually we make resolutions at the end of the previous year. As for me I guess there are very important resolutions to make that could spell some difference in the way we serve this country and the people.

The first resolution that I wish to discuss, and which I guess needs to be truly considered, is about punctuality. Punctuality, it is said, is one way of showing respect for someone else's time. We must consider this an important resolution to make therefore because it involves other people's precious time. Aside from that, there are among us who doesn't admit being late - yes we do! - because when we log in on that logbook we claim to have come on time - or even before the time!

And sad to say - if we are just honest to ourselves - it is a simple and direct theft!

Just imagine being late for ten minutes each time you report to office - ten minutes in the morning and ten minutes in the afternoon. That makes it twenty minutes. So what's twenty minutes compared to seven hours and forty minutes? Or you might say that after all you work beyond five o'clock without asking for overtime pay. But is it fair to others?

Is it fair to those who come on time and to those who need to be served on time as provided by the law? Could you still serve people beyond five o'clock when all the other offices are already closed and when these people are supposed to be in their homes already?

Twenty minutes may be too little time. But what if it is regularly done each day? In one week it would be one hour and forty minutes already. Let's say that because of so many holidays and special holidays, you are only supposed to report to office for fifty weeks. Then it would mean that for fifty weeks, you have stolen about 83 hours and twenty minutes of time from the government and the people.

Just imagine how much you steal from the government and the people if you are late for one hour in the morning and one hour in the afternoon! It would be like you're out of office for one day and two hours every week - and still claim full compensation - and for fifty weeks that would mean you've been stealing precious time - and government and people's money - for about 62 and a half days!

What if you're regularly late more than an hour in the morning and in the afternoon? And what if ten people - or more - do it regularly?

So it is time we become conscious of punctuality. Or in case we can't do so, probably we must at least be honest enough to admit being late and honestly record it on the logbook. It maybe hard but it's an effort that could be our contribution in making a difference in this country, and in this life.

Next: Resolution #2.

extra benefits, better services

2008-12-23T11:09:00.008+08:00

city government employees will be receiving another extra bonus.

this will make the total extra benefit to P 20,000.00. it is surely a very welcome development. before december, some employees are even saying that it was impossible for the city government employees to receive even just P 5,000.00 extra bonus each because of the many expenses the city government has incurred and was incurring then especially with the allocation of about P 1 M for the city athletic meet which was not included in the annual budget. the fund was thought to have been reverted from the lump sum amount in the annual budget for extra benefits to employees.

aside from the P 20,000.00 extra bonus, the employees also had an early Christmas gift when they were not asked to contribute anymore during the Christmas party. aside from that the employees - including casuals - were able to receive gifts: from the city government and the city officials including assistant heads of offices.

it's a truly great Christmas.

hopefully the benefits that we have received would inspire us to repay the city government with what it expects us to do - become true public servants and do our best to be able to serve the people efficiently, effectively and devotedly. it is not good to be receiving gifts and benefits alone. we also have to show we deserve them.

merry Christmas!

cockfights and derbies

2008-12-22T09:29:00.004+08:00

according to the provincial director of the DILG the Cockfighting Law has not been superceded by the Local Government Code. hence the provisions of the said law are still valid and until this very moment, the governing law which regulates cockfighting. according to the law, cockfights are only regularly allowed every Sunday and during some - not all - holidays of the year. a derby is only to be allowed once a year in one cockpit.

but some cockpits and cockpit owners and also some local government officials seem to be following a different law. they say that according to the Local Government Code the local sanggunian has been the power to make appropriate ordinances related to cockfights. because of this, some LGUs allow cockfighting on at most two Saturdays of the month. but then again, cockpits go beyond what is allowed to them by holding cockpits every Saturday - and when a derby is scheduled on that Saturday, they have extra cockfights on the previous day, which is Friday!

the problem in this country is that some legislators are also cockpit owners or cockfight patrons. even the fight for animal rights did not materialize very well because legislators didn't include cocks among the animals that need protection. then we have our local officials who even sponsor derbies and are even have the guts to go into the cockpit arena to let go of their prized cocks!

it is a very sad reality that in this country of "poor" people, we have so much money for gambling! and it is sadder to see that those whom we look up to as persons who would implement the law to "protect" the people from the abuses of gambling are the ones who encourage these people to gamble. and the saddest part is that the winnings of some becomes the tragedy of others who even try to gamble their little hard earned money hoping to win even when what's stake is their families food for the night!

talking about income, government employees are not allowed to patronize casinos because of delicadeza - you earn from the government and so it would mean you'll be gambling the people's money! but those who go into cockpits do not think of this value anymore!

it is a sickening game! i can't understand them perhaps because i don't do it. but if it is not necessary in order to live, why do i have to?

concretizing spiritual realities

2008-12-19T11:56:00.004+08:00

it's Christmas and many people hope they could have as much money as possible to spend for so many things. regular - and many casual- government employees reveled when they received their extra bonuses. some casual employees on the other hand still awaits for what they thought would be given to them as Christmas gift by their respective agencies. they are hoping that they would have money to be able to concretely celebrate the occasion by showing their love and concern through material gifts too.

yes, Christmas is supposed to be a season of hope, love, graces and other spiritual and non-material blessings. but we also have to admit that Christmas is an occasion of giving - not only love and blessings - but also of material things that symbolize such spiritual realities. yes it is also one big evidence of concretizing spiritual realities. God did not only say He loves mankind - He actually sent His Son to die upon the cross to show that He really cared for us.

however we must not forget that the material things that we give, and receive, are just symbols of the real thing: the gift of life, of love, of salvation which God the Father has shown by sending His only begotten Son to become our Savior. the thought really counts and the thought must be that every gift should be our concrete expression of love, of showing others that we are sharing God's love and concern, and of taking part in the saving works of Jesus our Lord.

and when we receive gifts, let it be our concrete manifestation of accepting God's gift of salvation and of committing ourselves to become worthy of such gift!

an honorable man among unhonorable ones

2008-12-18T10:04:00.004+08:00

according to an update, one of the justices who abstained from voting in the cityhood case is the father of one of the mayors of the 16 citylings. what an honorable decision to make - a sign of delicadeza since his own city would somehow directly benefit from his - probably, presumably, and understandably - pro-16 citylings stance. if he just considered the consequences for his own people it would have somehow put an end to the clamor of the LCP.

somehow we could show appreciation for his being honorable. when all the world are going the other way - of thinking of their own interests alone rather than that of the people they serve - here is someone who showed delicadeza, someone who manifested what it is to be an honorable person even when your very own people would suffer the consequence. it's very unlike the way the many Congressmen who chose to junk the impeachment complaint - they didn't even probably thought about their constituents - most must have been very concerned about their status, and possibly, their boss's status.

however, during the next voting, hopefully he would somehow show this time how he really cares for his people. he has already shown his being an honorable person. the next time hopefully he would on the other hand manifest a strong sense of concern for the future of his people and the people of the other citylings. after all, it is not so unhonorable to care for one's people and it is so very far from being concerned about one's own political future alone. God will surely understand. after all the issue is not a strict moral issue but more on a political and probably more of social since a lot of people depend so much on the final outcome of the SC decision.

may everyone else manifest true honorability on this issue.

Xmas Tree at the Capitol Grounds

2008-12-17T16:09:00.001+08:00

i'd rather pray for cityhood

2008-12-16T11:10:00.002+08:00

some people seem to be so used to "under the table transactions" that it would somehow be an option that has to be taken as the "other" camp must have done it too. but i refuse to believe that money did it. whatever happened though i am not amenable for the status of cityhood to be bought back!

why don't we pray instead?

perhaps God would enlighten the Justices to decide in favor of us. or if they decide in favor of the LCP, at least that would be more acceptable. but to use money? to buy cityhood? never, please.

i agree that the stakes are high and everything must be considered in trying to regain the cityhood of the 16 citylings. but even if this world is so corrupt already to deny that money could paly a part, i do believe that it would not be a good start of a journey towards development. we would be defeating the purpose of development in the first place because we could just say that money buys everything after all and that there is no room for justice, truth and fairness in this world anymore.

buying something that is not supposed to be bought or that which could be yours in the first place is bad. it is a really bad precedent and surely would be a seedbed of graft and corruption.

i just hope that the Supreme Court would really stand up for truth and justice and whatever happens to the motion for reconsideration regarding the cityhood status, i do hope that it's about truth, justuce and fairness and not because of money!

God bless us all.

child offenders

2008-12-15T10:59:00.004+08:00

how do we treat child offenders?

according to law, child offenders should be treated in a different way by the authorities. they cannot be treated the same way as we treat adult offenders.

last Friday three young boys harassed fellow youngsters who were going to school in one of the barangays of the city proper. the harassment was very fearful to the other pupils as the three threatened them by saying something like "we will kill you" in the dialect. but since the school authorities did not file a case against the youngsters they were set free.

the question now is this: whose responsibility is the youngsters actions since they are still minors? whose responsibility it would be if they repeat what they did or if they do something worse?

this is a serious problem especially that the persons involved are still minors. it is a problem that cannot be ignored because the future of the community is involved as the trouble involved not only minor perpetrators but also minor victims.

cityhood and politics

2008-12-12T09:56:00.004+08:00

when the news about the initial Supreme Court decision on the unconstitutionality of the cityhood of Borongan and 15 other citylings came out, opponents of the present city administration rejoiced. they considered it as a disgrace for the present dispensation not fully knowing that the consequences of the SC decision if it becomes final will not only affect the present administration. the worst effect of the return to the status of a municipality would be felt by the poor people of this locality.

on the other hand, the present set of officials seems to be doing all that they could do on their own. while other citylings are trying to get as much support from their constituents, the Boronganon officials seem to be trying to carry the load all on their own.

i hate to look at it in this way but it seems that politics is on again. of course, if the cityhood case positively closes, that could be additional "pogi points" for the present set of officials. and with the 2010 elections almost a year away, the salvation of the city could augment the political future and plans of these officials.

really.

but what they are forgetting is that if they just work with the people in this struggle, they might get more appreciation and support. as the famous San Miguel Beer ad states, "iba ang may pinagsamahan". it's a win-win solution really. if the SC finally turns down the motion for reconsideration, at least you'll have a lot of people mourning with you. if the SC reverses its decision then there would be more people who would rejoice with you which could overflow towards the 2010 elections!

i am not saying that it's what these officials are thinking. but if i were them, i would rally the people behind the cityhood cause. and afterwards, rally them behind whatever necessary actions to do next: if it's a return to the status of municipality, perhaps behind a program to make the LGU capable of reaching the P 100 M income requirement! and if it's a successful cityhood retention, then perhaps, behind a program of true development anchored on consultation, people empowerment and transparency!

God bless Borongan!

the problems of journalism

2008-12-11T11:33:00.003+08:00

journalism is a very laudable profession. it is a profession which gives information, imparts knowledge, provokes discussions, wields public opinion, and in part helps in decision-making. but it is somehow a profession which do not guarantee enough income especially to those who work with small publications.

for one, small publications are often dependent on advertisement from some people who could be the subject of the journalist's report, investigation or expose. how can a journalist write something against a patron? will the publisher gamble on a report that could mean the withdrawal of financial support from these people?

another thing is that are there enough interest among the readers? without readers who would shell out some pesos to buy a newspaper for example, how will the journalist pursue his or her trade especially when advertisers are not that many?

thirdly, after they labored on something, are they ensured that work would be published at least their? it is discouraging to be working so hard on something but then not seeing it published or reported.

then there is the problem on security. yes, of course, they say we live in a democratic republic and freedom of expression is guaranteed. but this guarantee does not guarantee journalists safety from harassment and even threats to their lives. just look at the statistics about how many journalists have already died - or found guilty of libel - in relation to their work?

there are other things that cause journalists some headache but they are just part of the trade. these are challenges which they have to face and overcome. but hopefully for the sske of true freedom of expression and the right of people to know, the concerned agencies and institution should make the necessary action to guarantee the security of journalists.

from personal to people's needs-based platform of government

2008-12-10T14:14:00.004+08:00

one of the most noticeable things during election time is the recitation of the so called platform of government. through this candidates try to outdo each other by speaking about what they intend to accomplish when elected to office through programs and projects. but only a very limited number ever talk about people empowerment, that is, that when elected they would listen to what the people really need and prioritize these needs above the personal platform of government.

hence we see projects and programs that sometimes aren't that appealing to the masses because these are not really responsive to their needs (probably like the joke about constructing a bridge where there is no water just to be able to make a project).

however, true leadership is not only about physical programs and projects. true leadership means bringing the people to where they ought to be just like what one writer said. sometimes leaders are overwhelmed by the power to make things happen that they eagerly implement their own programs and projects but forget to first ask whether these are the real needs of the people. because of this they end up frustrated because they do not get the expected appreciation from the people. how will you be able to appreciate something when it is not responsive to your needs?

i do believe that in the future those who wish to be true leaders must first of all consider feeling the needs of the people they wish to serve and see to it that they could measure up to the expectations of these people. of course it is important that a candidate should have a platform of government but this must be in conformity with the people's needs. unless they wish to just make their term of office a waste of time and a waste of the people's money, they ought to give more importance to what their prospective constituents really need before giving them whatever he could give more.

the fear of transparency

2008-12-09T13:52:00.004+08:00

transparency is a word that seems so nice to hear but very fearful to actually implement. it is actually one of the signs of good governance according to the DILG and one of the most sought after policy in the public sector.

but it seems that people are normally fearful of being transparent. somehow, secrecy is a much valued thing and any attempt to destroy this thing is tantamount to causing a personal attack on the person who is secretive. somehow, Filipinos also have that wrong sense of thinking that even such public transactions as projects and programs expenditures ought to be the concern alone of those directly involved and not the concern of the public at large.

it is a sad reality that one of the important points raised during the campaign for cityhood was about transparency and we did tell the people that one of the positive factors that cityhood would bring is transparency and still there seems to be a very noticeable lack of it.

as i see it, this city, province and country, could only truly progress if everything and everyone implements a transparent governance and even lifestyle. the image of this country as one of the most corrupt would never be erased unless everyone, from the top to bottom, that is from the one occupying the highest office in the land to the poorest person on the street, believes and commits to the value of transparency.

the roads of despair

2008-12-08T11:01:00.005+08:00

yesterday the Gospel reading was about preparing the way for the coming of the Lord. in the ancient times, when emperors and kings were scheduled to visit a place, the roads going there were paved to ensure a safe and smooth trip of the leader. the passage was very timely because of the fact that roads in Este is rough and even fit for agriculture as some claim.

but the real problem seems to be not the lack of funds but the unnecessary lack of cooperation and coordination between the congressional and the provincial leaders. it is so sad that due to the political and perhaps even personal differences between our legislator and our governor the roads and the people of Este are greatly and desperately affected.

perhaps the best way to solve the problem is to get rid of them both. perhaps they would do a great service to the people of Este if both of them would just resign from office (perhaps including the whole slate of the present provincial government) and let new faces lead the province.

and before we elect new faces, i suggest all sectors of the province would be represented to set the direction for the LGU so that the new leaders' accountability would be set against the new direction and their stay in office would be evaluated as to their performance vis-a-vis the set direction.

perhaps through this we shall be able to overcome the roads of despair and be able to pass through roads that would lead us to where we are going without so much bumps and blows!

when policies seem to matter no more

2008-12-05T13:44:00.000+08:00

One of the important things that I learned in my years of public service is that some policies may be strictly implemented or relaxed in accordance with the will of the implementor and not on the exigency of the policies themselves.

Perhaps this is one reason why this country does not really develop. And perhaps it is one of the signs of graft and corruption.

Until such time that we learn how to respect policies and truly implement them in accordance with its purpose and in accordance with equality, this country shall never attain progress!