Showing posts with label corruption. Show all posts

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GREED AND THE CIVILIZED SOCIETY (With Filipino Translation) by Apolinario Villalobos

Posted on Saturday, 10 October 2020

 

GREED AND THE CIVILIZED SOCIETY

By Apolinario Villalobos

ANG KASAKIMAN AT SIBILISADONG LIPUNAN

Ni Apolinario Villalobos

 

Transforming from the practices of various barbarian societies, the execution of justice based on actual commitment of misdeed, has evolved into one that has become founded on supposedly intelligent reasons and fairness, hence, the symbol of the Lady Justice as a blindfolded woman holding a perfectly- balanced scale.

(Mula sa mga ginagawa ng mga barbaro na naging bahagi ng kanilang lipunan, ang pagpataw ng hustisya ay batay sa aktwal na pagkakita ng krimen o kasalanan ay ibinatay sa inaasahang matalinong paliwanagan, kaya ang simbolo ng Hustisya ay isang babaeng may piring ang mga mata at may hawak na timbangang nagpapakita ng pantay na bigat ang dalawang pinggan sa magkabilang dulo.)

 

Unfortunately, the intelligence of man is such that he has developed the propensity of circumventing written laws for his advantage. And, since the Lady Justice is blindfolded, she has no way of knowing about the deceitful effort. The Lady Justice leaves everything to the exchanges of  “legal” justifications that paid lawyers let out in court….and further leaves everything to the judge who makes the decision. The problem here is when the innocent has no money for an intelligent lawyer, while on the other hand the perpetrator of the offense can afford to hire an intelligent Bar topnotcher. Still, worst, is when the judge is also caught in the web of payoffs.

(Sa kasamaang palad, sa sobrang talino ng tao ay nakagawa siya ng paraan kung paanong maikutan ang mga batas para sa kanyang kapakanan o bentaha. At, dahil may piring ang mga mata ng babaeng simbolo ng hustisya, he niya nakikita ang mga pangyayari panloloko. Hinahayaan ng babaeng simbolo ang pagpapalitan ng mga legal na paliwanag ng mga bayarang abogado sa bulwagan ng hustisya…na ang desisyon sa bandang huli ay mula sa huwes o judge. Ang problema lang kung may pera ang kriminal at kayang magbayad ng malaking halaga sa matalinong abogado para pagtakpan ang kanyang pagkakasala…at ang inosente naman ay walang pambayad maski sa abogadong pulpol. Ang pinakamatindi ay kung masasangkot din ang huwes sa “palusutan” dahil sa pera!)

Oftentimes, we hear the line, “for every rule, there is an exception” which means that even the best Law of the land can be circumvented by excuses to give exemptions to misdeeds. Oftentimes, exemptions are based on the thickness of the wads of crisp bills. With this situation, where does “justice” come in?

(Kadalasan ay nakakarinig tayo ng “sa bawat alituntunin ay may dapat bigyan ng pang-unawa at konsiderasyon”, kaya kahit ang pinakamagandang batas ay maaaring palusutan…at, ang “konsiderasyon” ay depende sa kapal sa dami ng perang papel Dahil sa ganitong kalagayan, paano na ang “hustisya”?)

Another popular adage is, “if a misdeed has no complainant, there is no offense”. Oftentimes, this kind of unwritten rule always puts the poor in the disadvantage, because unless he files a complaint against an offender, he could not expect justice. But since the poor victim cannot afford an intelligent lawyer, no case is filed, except a simple police report in the precinct blotter. Also, if a rich offender wants to go scot-free from a misdeed, he can even hire a “fall guy” to take his place.

 

(Ang isa pang kasabihan ay, “kung walang magrereklamo, ibig sabihin ay walang nangyaring masama”. Kalimitan, itong kasabihan ay lalong nagpapalugmok sa mga mahihirap na hindi nagrereklamo sa paniwalang wala ring mangyayari. Ang mahirap ay walang kakayahang magbayad ng “matalinong abogado” kaya hanggang pa-blotter sa barangay o sa presinto ng pulis ang kaya niyang gawin. ANG MATINDI PA, KUNG MAYAMAN ANG GUMAWA NG KASALANAN, PWEDE SIYANG MAGBAYAD SA MAGIGING “FALL GUY” NA PAPALIT SA KANYA…AAKO NG KASALANAN!)

 

The Law of the civilized society is supposed to protect the constituents and much effort on the part of the government should be exerted toward this end. Unfortunately, the modern-day barbarians – corrupt officials and wealthy criminals have spoiled everything that put practically all societies on earth in a mishmash jumble! So, it does not matter whether a country belongs to a third world or highly-advanced, as offenses are founded on just one single desire – GREED!

 

(Ang batas ng sibilisadong lipunan ay inaasahang magpoprotekta ng mga mamamayan at inaasahang gagawin ito ng gobyerno ng ano mang bansa. Sa Pilipinas ay may libreng serbisyo ng mga abogado na binibigay ang gobyerno sa pamamagitan ng PAO…at, may mga grupo ring nagbibigay ng kahalintulad na libreng serbisyo. Sa kasamaang palad, personal na obserbasyon ko lang na kung hindi sensational ang kaso, hindi pinapansin…KALIMITAN AY INAABOT NG SIYAM-SIYAM….HIGIT SA LAHAT, ANDIYAN PA RIN ANG MGA MATATALINONG ABOGADONG KAYANG BAYARAN NG MGA KRIMINAL…KAYA BALIK NA NAMAN SA DAHILAN KUNG BAKIT NASA BALAG NG ALANGANIN ANG HUSTISYA SA PILIPINAS…..DAHIL SA PAGKASAKIM NG ILAN!)

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Sa Pag-unlad ng mga Bayan, Uunlad din ang Buong Bansa...pero, maayos na sistema ang kailangan

Posted on Thursday, 11 July 2019


SA PAG-UNLAD NG MGA BAYAN, UUNLAD DIN ANG BUONG BANSA
…pero, maayos na sistema ang kailangan
Ni Apolinario Villalobos

Upang mapaunlad ang mga bayan, ang unang dapat bigyan ng pansin ay ang “purchasing power” ng mamamayan o kakayaha nilang bumili. Paano silang magkaroon nito?...dapat ay may pinagkikitaan sila kahit paano sa anumang malinis na paraan – pagtinda sa palengke na may puwesto o sa bangketa man lang kung market day, pagtulak ng karitong may paninda, paglibot ng mga paninda gamit ang “topdown”. Kapag  kumikita ng maayos ang mga mamamayan, sisigla ang malalaking grocery, mga mall, mga kainan, etc. Kapag nakita ito ng mga investors, magtatayo sila ng mga negosyo, ng mga building na magiging opisina. Kapag lalo pang sumigla ang negosyo, lalo pang lalaki ang kikitain ng mga LGu sa pamamagitan ng buwis. Kapag malaki ang buwis ng mga LGU marami na silang magagawang project….basta hindi lang mahaluan ng corruption.

Hindi dahil “malinis” sa paningin ang isang bayan ay maganda na itong palatandaan na umuunlad ito. Ang ibig kong sabihin sa “malinis” ay ang RESULTA NG WALANG PATUMANGGANG PAGTANGGAL SA MALILIIT NA NEGOSYANTE SA KANILANG KINALALAGYAN KUNG WALA SILANG MALILIPATAN….YAN ANG DAPAT NA ISAALANG-ALANG NG LGU. HINDI DAPAT BASTA  MAGTANGGAL KUNG WALANG MAPAGLILIPATAN SA KANILA. ANO ANG GAGAWIN NITO SA MGA MAGUGUTOM DAHIL WALA NANG MAPAGKIKITAAN?

Kapag nawalan ng mapagkikitaan ang mga dislocated na maliliit na mga negosyante, istambay ang labas nila dahil walang ginagawa at dahil ayaw nilang magutom ang pamilya may mag-iisip na gagawa ng masama – magnakaw, magtulak ng shabu, ang mga anak na babaeng tumigil sa pag-aaral ay papasok sa mga beer house, ang mga anak na lalaki na tumigil sa pag-aaral ay magiging call boy o batang holdaper o runner ng mga nagbebenta ng shabu. Marami akong nakausap na ganyan sa Manila slum areas kaya ko sini-share. Yong walang ganyang karanasan na napagdaanan ko, huwag mamilosopo. May kasabihang “kapit sa patalim” at ganyan ang nangyayari kapag ang tao ay hindi na makatiis ng gutom.

KAPAG MAUNLAD ANG MGA BAYAN, SIGURADONG UUNLAD ANG BUONG BANSA…PERO DAPAT AY MAY MAAYOS NA SISTEMANG PAGBATAYAN…HINDI PABARA-BARANG PERSONAL NA KAGUSTUHAN LANG NG MGA OPISYAL UPANG MAGING SIKAT.



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Ang Kalagayan ng Pilipinas Ngayon

Posted on Friday, 22 June 2018


ANG KALAGAYAN NG PILIPINAS NGAYON
Ni Apolinario Villalobos

HINDI KAILANGANG MAGING PANTAS O WISE ANG ISANG PILIPINO UPANG MAUNAWAAN ANG MGA NANGYAYARI SA PILIPINAS MULA PA NOON NA NAGDULOT NG PAGHIHIRAP NG NAPAKALAKING BAHAGI NG SAMBAYANAN, TULAD NG:

·        ----Hilaw ang demokrasya ng Pilipinas. Noon pa man ay ayaw pa ng ilang Amerikanong mambabatas na bigyan agad ng kalayaan ang bansa subalit nagpilit ang mga apuradong pulitiko na may pansariling layunin kaya nagkaroon agad ng Commonwealth.

·       ---- Hindi lahat ng naging presidente mula pa noon ay 100% na malinis at pwedeng masabing “modelo” ng ugaling Pilipino. Si Quezon ay matinding magmura pero sa Kastila nga lang…si Qurino ay sinasabing may “golden arenola”, etc.

·        ---Panahon pa lang ng Amerikano, may mga iskwater nang naninirahan sa loob ng Intramuros at baybayin ng Tondo na bandang huli ay umabot sa tinawag na Isla Puting Bato at Baseco Compound. Hind sila nakontrol ng mga umupong presidente noon kaya dumami nang dumami…lalo pa at ginamit sila ng mga tiwaling pulitiko bilang mga “boto” na kailangan nila tuwing eleksiyon. Sila din ang mga hinahakot ng gobyerno at ng leftist groups tuwing may rally….mga bayarang makabayan kuno.

·        ---May nagpapagalaw sa mga grupong “makabayan” kuno na halatang walang direksiyon. Tuwing may uupong bagong presidente ay kinakalaban nila…tinatawag na tuta ng Amerika. NGAYON KAY DUTERTE AY HINDI NILA MAGAWA YAN…LALONG HINDI NILA MATAWAG NA TUTA SIYA NG AMERIKA.  Nagkaroon ng problema ang bansa laban sa Tsina dahil sa West Philippine Sea or South China Sea pero sa harap sila ng US embassy nagra-rally hindi sa labas ng Chinese embassy. Maraming alam ang mga grupong ito pero ang nakakapagtaka ay parang wala silang alam tungkol sa CIA ng Amerika.

·        ----Ginagamit na stepping stone ng mga ambisyoso ang mga grupong makabayan upang maabot ang mas mataas na “puwesto” sa senado o kongreso kaya napapaghalata ang makasarili nilang layunin dahil kahit nasa bulwagan na sila ng mga batasan ay wala pa rin silang nagawang tulong sa masa….lalong lumawak ang saklaw ng squatting sa Manila at malalaking lunsod….may unemployment pa rin, yon nga lang ay seasonal dahil sa contractualization, kaya gutom pa rin ang inaabot ng maraming pamilya kapag “finished contract” na ang kumakayod para sa pamilya.

·        ---Hindi nawawala ang cartel sa bigas dahil hindi na bumalik sa dating presyo ang staple food na ito ng mga Pilipino….halatang may nagkokontrol na grupo. Ang nakakabahala ay ang hindi napapansing pagmahal ng mga de-boteng tubig na baka sa bandang huli ay magiging mas mahal pa kaysa kurudo o gasoline.

·        MAY MGA NAKAUPO PA RING MGA LINTA  AT TAMAD SA MARAMING PUWESTO NG IBA’T IBANG ANTAS NG GOBYERNO AT MGA AHENSIYA….MGA  WALANG PAKIALAM SA MGA DAPAT NILANG AKSYUNAN AYON SA KANILANG JOB DESCRIPTION. MGA NAGHIHINTAY NG UTOS NI PRESIDENTE, O NI GOVERNOR, O NI MAYOR….MGA WALANG PAGKUKUSA AT KAPAG PUMUTOK ANG MGA KAPALPAKAN AY SAKA MAGTUTURUAN AT MAGSISIHAN. SI KAWAWANG “BADYET” ANG PALAGING NASISISI….NA PARA BANG LAHAT NG MAY KINALAMAN SA IKAGAGANDA HALIMBAWA NG PALIGID AY KAILANGANG GASTUSAN NG MALAKI, GANOONG PWEDE NAMANG MAGTANIM NG MGA HALAMAN AT PUNO AT MAY GAGAWA NAMAN DAHIL KASAMA SA TRABAHO NILA.

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HOW SOME PHILIPPINE GOVERNMENT AGENCIES HAVE NEGLECTED OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE BENEFIT OF FILIPINOS

Posted on Sunday, 3 June 2018


HOW SOME PHILIPPINE GOVERNMENT HAVE NEGLECTED 
OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE BENEFIT OF FILIPINOS
By Apolinario Villalobos

First of all, it is a fact that the Philippines is lagging behind the neighboring Southeast Asian countries, especially, Thailand on the areas that cover exportation of dried products and fruit juices that can be processed into vinegar or “cider”. It is funny to note that it seems the government has no definite direction as regards the surplus bananas, mangoes, avocados, yams, sweet potato, leafy vegetables and medicinal herbs. It is funnier to note that when available locally, the processed products tend to carry tags with prohibitive prices due to their EXPENSIVE PACKAGING!...and worst, the country is way behind other southeast Asian nations as regards rice production!

In banana growing provinces of Mindanao, “reject” bananas due to their “over” and “under”  sizes are heaped in roadsides to be fed to hogs. What Filipinos know about the banana is to eat it as an after meal repast, fry into fritters or mix it with flour to be baked into cake. Many home-based entrepreneurs come up with “banana crackling” but a small pack that can’t even fill a small cup is priced sky-high. If ever banana products come out in the market, their prices become “unfit” for Filipinos. I was lucky to have found banana vinegar one day in a grocery inside a mall, but stylishly tagged as “cider” to justify the expensive price due to the “foreign sounding” brand. My elation was immediately transformed into frustration so I did not buy a single bottle of “cider”.

On the other hand, westerners love to eat dried mango that come in chips or strips, but small entrepreneurs cannot cope up with the demand because of outdated processing that they use. If they want a high-tech equipment, they are supposed to browse the internet for them. What is commendable is the resourcefulness of private individuals and groups in promoting this tropical fruit such as holding a mango festival just like what Guimaras is doing. The province is famous for its “sweetest” variety of mango. In Mindanao, many towns produce mangoes but most dried products, ironically, comes from Cebu. The mango juice that is packed in Davao is not promoted well.

The Philippines is a tropical country and as a popular adage goes, “one may throw the seed of any fruit anywhere and not long afterwards, a fragile teeny-weeny leaf will peek to great the sun!”. The same goes with the vegetables with stalks that can just be left in a corner of the yard and roots will sprout. DESPITE THIS, THERE IS NO TANGIBLE SUPPORT FROM THE GOVERNMENT AS REGARDS THEIR FULL UTILIZATION AS EXPORTABLE PRODUCTS IN DRIED OR JUICE. Assistance always comes from the LGUs despite their limited resources and a manifestation of this effort is the mango festival of Guimaras. As can be noticed, the assistance is limited to information dissemination and promotion.

This is the sad situation in the Philippines….national agencies that are supposed to be concerned with matters regarding agricultural products have no tangible output on the aspect of technological assistance. Accordingly, a certain bill on this issue is still pending in Congress for several years now.

Here is a classic ironic situation. Foreign rice specialists come to the Philippines to learn everything possible at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) in Laguna. After accomplishing their “mission”, they go back to their countries…put what they learned into practice with the help of course of their respective government…AND, SELL RICE TO THE PHILIPPINES!...BECAUSE THE PHILIPPIN E’S BELOVED NATIONAL FOOD AUTHORITY (NFA) SAYS, THE FILIPINOS WILL DIE OF HUNGER IF THE COUNTRY WILL NOT IMPORT RICE BECAUSE THE LOCAL PRODUCE IS NOT ENOUGH!

Concerned government agencies always mention the lack of budget when it comes to the need for their assistance on certain relevant projects, BUT THERE IS ALWAYS A BIG BUDGET WHEN IT COMES TO PURCHASES!...AND RICE IMPORTATION IS AMONG THEM!

There is not even a very EFFECTIVE effort  to CONTROL the conversion of rice fields into subdivisions…despite the fact that even before the creation of the Rice and Corn Administration (RCA) that metamorphosed into National Grains Authority (NGA), and today, has become the National Food Authority (NFA), rice has been identified as the most crucial need of the country. Today, the NFA is unfortunately viewed as a corruption-riddled agency.

Lately, resourceful farmers whose fruit orchards started as a hobby are into exportation of their products…still the government has not given them the much needed technological assistance, as shown by the pending bill that should have benefited them years ago, yet. If approved and becomes a law, my apprehension is that the implementation will again be hampered by the LACK OF BUDGET as what happened to the rest…so, as expected, there will be finger-pointing as to who’s to blame again!

My big question is…are the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) and the National Food Authority (NFA) still RELEVANT today? It seems that the BPI is only good for “information dissemination” or giving out of brochures during agri-trade fairs, as well as, seeds/seedling dispersal….things that can be done by LGUs that are already with nurseries of their own.  And, worse, the NFA is only good for rice importation as it cannot even do anything about the obvious rice cartel in the country.

MY CALL IS FOR THE TWO AGENCIES TO BE DEMOLISHED.

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Unsolicited na mga Payo sa mga Nanalo sa Barangay Election

Posted on Tuesday, 15 May 2018


UNSOLICITED NA MGA PAYO SA MGA NANALO SA BARANGAY ELECTION
Ni Apolinario Villalobos

Para sa mga nanalo na naman:

·       1.  Kung nanalo kayo uli sa kabila ng kawalan ninyo ng ginawa, at dahil sa pagbili ng botodapat ay makonsiyensiya kayo nang sa ganoon ay magawa na ninyo ang nararapat dahil nabigyan uli kayo ng chance.

·       2. Huwag nang magnakaw sa kaban ng barangay upang hindi madagdagan ang mga ginawa ninyong kasalanan dahil mabubulgar din naman talaga ang inyong pagkabalasubas kaya habang buhay na masisira ang dangal at pangalan ng inyong angkan.


Para sa mga bagong nanalo:

·       1.  Huwag maging “bara-bara” sa pagpapatupad ng mga ipinangako. May mga patakarang dapat sundin na galing sa iba’t ibang ahensiya g gobyerno tulad ng Commission on Audit, DILG at ang mga opisina ng mayor at ang konseho ng sangguniang bayan o panlunsod. Ang barangay ay nakapaloob sa isang bayan o lunsod kaya lahat ng mga kilos at desisyon ng Barangay administration para sa mga constituents ay dapat dumaan sa tamang proseso.

·        2. Huwag pairalin ang pagka-idealistic. Unang-una, imposible ito dahil sa mga sistemang umiiral. Hindi pwede na kung ano ang gusto ay masusunod para lang magpa-impress. Kung napapansing masama ang ginagawa ng mayor, saka ito salungatin para sa kapakanan ng mga constituents.

·       3.  Huwag maging swapang sa credit. Kung ano ang magandang nagawa ng natalo na dating barangay chairman ay dapat i-maintain at kung ano ang hindi natapos dapat ay ipagpatuloy…..purihin din ang natalo dahil sa mga magagandang ginawa niya.

·        4. Sa pagpapatupad ng mga programa lalo na ang mgay mga kinalaman sa kalinisan at pagpaganda ng kapaligiran, palaging unahin ang karapatang pantao lalo na ang karapatang mamuhay nang tapat o honest kahit sa pagbenta sa bangketa…huwag silang bugawin na parang langaw.

·        Gawing batayan ang mga pagkakamali ng nakaraang administrasyon para sa gagawing mga pagbabago. Marami ang nangakong gawing malinis o maganda ang barangay…subalit dapat alalahaning may maaapektahang mga tao. Mag-ingat sa gagawing mga hakbang…huwag gumawa ng “short cut” tulad ng pagbubugaw sa mga iskwater o mga vendors na nasa tabi-tabi KUNG WALANG NAKAHANDANG MALILIPATAN NILA.

·        Alalahanin ang mga paninirang narinig mula sa mga kalaban ng natalo noong ito ay nakaupo pa…ITO AY MANGYAYARI RIN SA IYO BILANG BAGONG OPISYAL KUNG HINDI KA MAG-IINGAT.           HIGIT SA LAHAT, HUWAG MAGING BINGI DAHIL SA NATAMONG KARANGALAN….MAKINIG SA MGA PAYO.

Hindi madali ang mamuno sa Pilipinas dahil sa malalim na pagkakaugat ng masamang kultura na may kinalaman sa eleksiyon tulad ng vote buying at karahasan na umaabot sa patayan. Kapag nasa puwesto na, ang dating mga malinis at may magandang layunin ay may pagkakataong mabahiran ng dumi dahil sa hindi pag-ingat o paninira ng mga kalabang ayaw tumanggap ng pagkatalo.



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The Neglected Adavantage of "Internet" and the "Infinite" Promise of Improved Cyber Services in the Philippines

Posted on Monday, 19 March 2018


The Neglected Advantage of “Internet” And the
“Infinite” Promise of Improved Cyber Services in the Philippines
By Apolinario Villalobos

In the Philippines, it is obvious that the IT (information technology) is generally limited to the use of cellphone and facebook. The national government keeps on promising about the modernization of the “internet system” for the Philippines to be at par with other Asian countries with fast and cheap cost of cyber service providers, but the pronouncements have remained a promise because of greed and corruption. There is news about the entry of a “third party” but when will the Filipinos feel its presence?  As with commodities and other services, especially, the basic ones such as rice, tobacco, electricity and water, the field of information technology has also gone into the basket of greed called “monopoly” encouraged by the seemingly innate corrupt character of many government officials.

The Philippines, despite her being a “third world country”, is already technologically equipped, even how meager these equipment may be. But due to corruption, in some LGUs, while documents show that computer units have been purchased, they are nowhere to be found. Worse, if ever some Barangays are lucky to have been provided with them, they become “typewriters” ONLY due to the absence of signal, hence, not fully utilized.

Another issue is on the lack of proper orientation of the concerned on how the “internet” can be fully utilized for the benefit of the LGUs and interested parties. The “internet” is the system that keeps the cyberspace alive. The world has practically become dependent on it for just anything from show business gossips to sensitive and supposedly confidential securityswinformation of nations. Travelers browse through its travel pages for information about places, food, hotels, etc. Students download information from it for their projects and thesis. 

The “internet” is the world’s archival system of information… the web of information highways connecting peoples and nations. This glaring fact has been neglected by many Philippine LGUs as again, their computers have become “typewriters”…not connected to the cyber world, part of which is their “head office” or their Municipal or City Hall . Many  LGus are already contented for having an  “internal archive” in their offices, as instead of hard copies of memos, reports, being printed and filed in the filing cabinet, all that the clerk does is push the “save” on the keyboard  and the work is done!

Another oversight is on the lack of important information on the LGU’s total scope of coverage, especially, historical data. For instance, although, all the barangays are listed in the internet site of their town or city, many of them do not have a site of their own. And worse, although listed, there are no historical data…just current statistics on the area, population and list of officials without accompanying photos of these personalities. How can those be informative?  The LGUs are supposed to have “information offices”, but the question is..are they conducting researches to collect information  right from the field to establish an historical archive?

My suggestion is for these information offices to gather first-hand information by taking photos of anything interesting in their community, conduct interview of old folks for historical information, etc.,  and upload these for archiving in their computers ready for downloading or quick access of visiting researchers and tourists.

The towns and cities should have their own archive for each barangay, and the information shared with the sites of the latter which are technologically ill-equipped.  Information should not be limited to visuals or photos of fiestas and social gatherings, oath taking, etc., as well as, mere statistics which are required of them in the first place, but also extensively written dissertations….essays, studies, gathered proposals, etc. It is not duplication of job, but “enhancement” to what the other offices are doing. This effort shall indicate COOPERATION which many LGUs lack as this expectation is oftentimes overshadowed by COMPETITION among offices which from all angles can be viewed as very unhealthy and viciously unproductive to the detriment of the LGU as a whole.



 

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The Problem with Some Philippine Government Agencies and the People Behind Them

Posted on Tuesday, 13 March 2018




The Problem With Some Philippine Government Agencies
and the People Behind Them
By Apolinario Villalobos

The Philippines can be perceived as taking steps forward, though with difficulty, and there are indications that some of the agencies don’t just seem to be effectively doing their job. For one thing, guys behind these agencies always blame the lack of budget when in fact, what they lack is the skill in being resourceful and the drive….but, most especially, the “intelligence” and common sense.

On the social service which before was encompassing to include sports and the welfare of the human sector, today, it has been decentralized with the functions distributed among local governments and newly-created “Commissions” or “Offices”. So we find today “offices” for senior citizens, disaster management and relief distribution, rehabilitation; the sports concerns handled by “Commissions”, the family, women and child welfare given to the PNP that came up with “Desks” and the overall “social services” going to the LGUs, and so on. What happened to the DSWD and their Social Workers who earned their Social Work degree from colleges and universities? Many LGUs do not even have facilities to temporarily accommodate abused children and women.

On tourism service, its information and promotion efforts have been made inutile by the fast-growing cyber industry and technology. All that one needs to do if he wants to know about a tourist destination or facility is open his smart phone and presto!...he gets all that he wants, complete with directions and suggested packages. On the other hand, the salaried guys who are supposed to work for better ideas to drum up  interests, come up with copied ones from those of other countries’ and still worse, they chose what they thought could make the Philippines “different” or above the highly-attractive  nations around. The result is a big flop!

Some of these “wise guys” in the tourism industry thought that a once-a-year festival is enough to sustain the attraction of localities…or that a beauty pageant is all that matters to make the whole country, or a province, or a city, or a town, or even a barangay popular. They also practically “bundle” a region into “one destination” without giving regard to the clamor of specific LGUs to be identified with their respective tourist spots which is the right and honest “marketing” of a tourist destination. They misconceived the idea of “one” which just implies “united effort”, but must maintain the “specific locations” of what are being promoted.

Putting in the forefront of promotion the name of a region for instance can sow confusion because it affects the elements of travel and time in packaging…and definitely, disappointment. The regional location can just be mentioned as a “by the way”, with the specific destinations given the rightful and appropriate priority so that the tourists are HONESTLY informed of their destination. I will mention here again the case of the underground river in Palawan which  before was known as ST. PAUL SUBTERRANEAN PARK and whose promotion included its specific location which is too far away from Puerto Princesa City where the airport is located, to prepare the tourists of what to expect along the way. Today, the destination has become PUERTO PRINCESA UNDERGROUND RIVER!..when did the city have an underground river?

In Mindanao, there is a “region” with an acronym, SOCSKSARGEN, that supposedly refers to the provinces and cities that compose it such as South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani and General Santos. The big question is…. why is Koronadal City and Tacurong City not specifically mentioned in the banner name in fairness to them because General Santos City is mentioned?...are the people behind the idea worried in coming up a longer acronym? General Santos City need not be spelled out and instead can just be included in “South Cotabato” just like Koronadal City, as Tacurong City is in “Sultan Kudarat”. With that, what can be referred to as components of the region are simply South Cotabato, Sarangani, and Sultan Kudarat. Much worst is the further contracting of the acronym into “SOX” which is the name of a very popular baseball team in America!...aside from being homonymous to SUCKS which is among the worst cussing word in the American language.

The office of these people is located in General Santos City which is already called by many travel writers as “filthy” with a “hellish traffic” and neglected landmarks. All that the guys should do is go out of their office and visit the TUNA QUEEN PARK and the park in the heart of the city, but most specially, walk their way around the city to end right at the downtown area. They should also visit the deteriorating Bula Public Market. They can cap their check for the day with a visit to the supposedly international airport. They should do that as General Santos is their “yard”, before going out of it to check on the others.

How can they present their “home” to visiting tourism officials from neighboring nations with pride if they have nothing to show as an honest-to-goodness park for instance? How can they show the wasteland that has become of the Tuna Queen Park?...and worst, the confusion at the supposedly international airport without even a simple canopy to protect departing and arriving passengers who cross the street to and from the parking lot to the terminal…and the mess worsened by the SOX right in front of the terminal! How can these guys look far beyond their “yard” when right under their nose, so many things are waiting to be done?

In the meantime, they should release the budget for the LGUs that need it to develop their respective touristic attractions. They should release the money without directing the LGUs to hire Consultants to work on their tourism plan as they are supposedly staffed with knowledgeable people who know better than the highly-paid guys who come from somewhere else. The budget is intended for the LGUs anyway and are subject to auditing, so what is the problem? …if the LGU officials do something about the money other that what it is intended for…Duterte has something for them!




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Mahirap Palang Maging Idealistic Para Sana sa Mga Dapat Mangyari

Posted on Friday, 2 March 2018


MAHIRAP PALANG MAGING “IDEALISTIC”
PARA SANA SA MGA DAPAT MANGYARI
Ni Apolinario Villalobos

Madaling mangarap ng magagandang bagay na sana ay mangyari. Pero kung talagang “idealistic” ang isang Pilipino, mahirap pala talaga. Nadadanasan ko yan bilang isang manunulat sa cyberspace o “blogger”. Hindi ako “perfectionist” na gustong palabasin ng mga humahadlang o ayaw umunawa sa akin. Pakialamero daw ako. Ang gusto ko lang naman sanang gawin ay tumulong sa pamamagitan ng paglahad ng mga nakakaligtaang bagay na dapat gawin ng mga kAbabayan o di kaya ay pagpitik sa kanila kung sila ay nagbubulag-bulagan. Sa kalilibot ko at pakikipag-usap sa maraming tao, dalawang bagay ang nakikita kong mga dahilan kung bakit may mga hindi ginagawa o ayaw gawin….at ito ay dahil sa KATAMARAN AT KAWALAN NG PERA. KATAMARAN DAHIL TALAGANG TAMAD. WALANG PERA DAHIL TAMAD DING KUMILOS AT BOBO KAYA HINDI NAKAKAISIP NG DISKARTE. AT, KUNG SA PANIG NAMAN NG BAYAN NA WALANG NAKIKITANG PROYEKTO PARA SA MAMAMAYAN, AY DAHIL NAKURAKOT ANG BUDGET.

May mga government officials na ang hangad lang sa pagtakbo sa puwesto ay upang makilala ng taong bayan at ang iba naman ay upang mangurakot. Hindi lang ako ang nakakaalam niyan…buong sambayanang Pilipino. Noon pa mang panahon ni Quezon ay nangyayari na ito.  SUBALIT MAYROON NAMANG TALAGANG TAPAT SA TUNGKULIN…IILAN NGA LANG SILA. Dahil sa kalagayang yan, tila nakagapos ang mga kamay ng mga government officials na gustong kumilos para sa kapakanan ng taong bayan…wala kasing pakikipagtulungan mula sa mga inutil na inihalal sa puwesto o mga napoprotektahang ng “civil service eligibility”.

Sa isang barangay naman na napuntahan ko na napeste ng black bug, ang mga patay na kulisap ay hinayaang nakatambak sa isang sulok ng basketball court. Ang kabuuhan ng compound ng barangay ay tila junk shop dahil sa dami ng mga nakatambak na mga kung anu-anong bagay. Ang mga damo ay nagpipista sa pagtubo sa lahat ng panig ng maruming compound. Sa isang sulok ng compound ay may mga CVO na nag-uumpukan. May isang kagawad akong tinanong kung ano ang plano nila sa nakatambak na black bug na nangangamoy na. Ang sagot sa akin ay “lilipas din yan”, na ang tinutukoy ay ang pagdagsa nila dahil sa kabilugan ng buwan…ibig sabihin ay hindi na sila dadagsa kapag hindi na kabilugan ng buwan. Inulit ko ang tanong ko kung ano ang gagawin nila sa nakatambak na patay na black bug…hiindi na siya sumagot. MALINAW NA NAGHIHINTAYAN SILA KUNG SINO ANG UNANG KUMILOS SA PAGBAON MAN LANG NG MGA PATAY NA KULISAP. DAhil sa resulta ng usapan namin, parang gusto kong kausapin ang barangay chairman na noon ay umaatend daw ng seminar (na naman) upang i-suggest na gamitin ang mga nagkakapalang damo sa livelihood project nila…tirahan ng mga ahas na pambenta sa mga restoran ng Intsik.

Ang nabanggit na barangay ay potential na tourist spot dahil sa isang magandang resort sa teritoryo nito, subalit paano akong makakapagsulat ng maayos na blog kung ang maliit na palengke na dapat sana ay mapupuntahan ng mga turista upang bumili ng mga souvenir ay madamo at marumi? ….wala rin akong napansin na  kahit isang tindahan na malinis na nagbebenta ng mga bagay na mabibili bilang souvenir. Ang mismong landmark ng barangay na nasa bukana ng palengke ay marumi at madamo rin…daanan pa mandin ng barangay chairman tuwing uuwi siya. May eskwelahan din na maganda sanang pasyalan ng mga bumibisitang estudyante subalit hanggang doon na lang sila siguro…huwag na lang pumunta sa sentro ng barangay.

Marami a akong sinabihang mga government officials na upang gumanda ang kanilang lugar, dapat ay malinis lang ito at may mga tanim…hindi kailangang may mga makabagong structures na bandang huli ay manlilimahid lang din dahil hindi mami-maintain. Minatyagan o inobserbahan ko kung may gagawin sila..SA AWA NG DIYOS – WALA!

Pagdating naman sa pagkain…dahil sa nagsisiritang presyo ng lahat ng bilihin sa palengke, nag-suggest ako sa mga kaibigan ko na magtanim ng mga gulay sa kani-kanlang bakuran….wala ring nangyari. Ang nakakatawa pa ay maski kangkong, papaya o saluyot, binibili sa palengke! …pero kung makareklamo sila ay abot-langit ang pag-iingay!

Yong pinasyalan kong kaibigan, habang nagkakape kami sa kusina, ang misis naman ay naghahanda ng mga biniling gulay upang mailutong pinakbet, pero ang bunganga ay rumeretekada sa pagreklamo dahil sa kamahalan ng presyo. Parang gusto kong pag-untugin ang mga ulo ng mag-asawa dahil ang buong paligid ng bahay nila ay bakante, tinutubuan ng mga damo, at ni isang pirasong puno ng gulay ay wala akong makitang nakatanim! Sa inis ko ay umalis na lang ako pagkaubos ko ng kape…hindi ko na hinintay na maluto ang pinakbet dahil baka maempatso lang ako.

Mga simpleng bagay ang binanggit ko…kayang gawin. Subalit dahil hindi nagagawa, masisisi ba ako kung uulitin ko ang pagbanggit ng mga salitang KATAMARAN, KABOBOHAN, AT PANGUNGURAKOT?




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The Dear Price of Promised Progress from the Mining Industry in the Philippines

Posted on Monday, 19 February 2018


The Dear Price of Promised Progress
From the Mining Industry In the Philippines
By Apolinario Villalobos

Once mined, a particular parcel of land can never recover lost yields – minerals in various forms that sustain life and top soil that enforce the earth’s crust. And, that is what is happening to the archipelagic Philippines which is being eaten up by the industry. Today, the tumultuous political atmosphere of the country is further jittered by the decision of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to cancel the permit of many mining firms, a decision which is not to the delight of some sectors, especially, those that have been directly and financially affected due to their stakes. A big howl also comes from the purported human rights advocates who use loss of job as their tool for protest, as if only mining offers the opportunity to earn and nothing else.

The root cause of the swarming of mining ventures in the country, mostly foreign-based, is the Philippine Mining Act of 1995 which was authored by Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo when she was yet, a senator. It allowed foreigners to have a 100% ownership of land areas that they have claimed for mining. The blanket authority eventually paved the way towards the virgin mountains and forests of the country for any foreigner who was willing to invest in mining ventures. Rainforests were cleared, hills and agricultural lands were excavated, and chemicals polluted rivers, streams that flowed to the estuaries and coastal waters…and farmers lost their farms. At the rate abuse of the country’s natural resources are going, this law needs to be revoked.

During the presidential incumbency of Benigno Aquino III, the issuance of mining permits multiplied which enriched even local government officials. Although, some of the farmers were employed by the mining firms, their pay was meager compared to the former yields of their farm. The mushrooming of temporary mining communities resulted to the proliferation of crimes and prostitutions that literally eroded the values of the once sedate villagers and scandalized their once laid back way of life. The polluted air and water brought about diseases that emaciated the once healthy locals and the prices of basic commodities, especially, food, soared. Practically, the industry that has been hoped to bring progress, instead, devastated communities and their inhabitants.

Although, the financial effect to the country’s economy by the move to stop the mining operation can be recovered from other ventures, the recovery from its effects to the people and community could definitely be felt for a long time, as it involves cleansing of the polluted soil, the water beneath it and what flows on the surface. The government would definitely be helpless, in fact, more helpless, as shown by its inutile effort in tackling other problems that pester the country. This unfortunate fact leaves Mother Nature to do some kind of a self-healing. The eroded moral values and culture of the people may take generations to recoup. On the other hand, those who have been physically suffering and wasting due to the onset of diseases could just gasp for short breaths of the polluted air while holding on to their dear life!

At the outset, even without mentioning figures to show its devastation, the effects of the ABUSED OPPORTUNITY in mining the natural resources of the Philippines are very obvious. However, if the government decides to put a stop to it to give Mother Nature some respite, it must have READY FALLBACK PROGRAMS, NOT JUST PLANS for the displaced miners, considering that this problem has been plaguing the country for decades. Farming and fishing in the same devastated areas is out of the question because of the polluted land, rivers and coastal waters.

The most realistic move is to relocate the affected people to ANY RURAL AREA of their own choice, an option which means reasonable and realistic compensation. However, this problem could be aggravated if the concerned mining firms would also ask for compensation due to the cessation of their highly-financed operation….a suggestion is to use the confiscated money from drug operations.

The mining industry in the Philippines is proof that progress has a dear price. It glaringly shows that any venture that has got to do with Nature’s exploitation can be devastating…even with promises of proper management, as there is an innate tendency of man to deviate from the proper course due to greed!





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Instead of Totally Relying on the Government, We Should Also Do Our Share of Action

Posted on Sunday, 21 January 2018

Instead of Totally Relying on the Government,
We Should Also Do Our Share of Action
By Apolinario Villalobos

The Philippine government in general, is corrupt. Even with Duterte, known for his abhorrence of corruption is around, the grime that for long has soiled the image of the country still sticks. This is because those who are being used as instruments in the perpetration of this hideous anomaly are still in place, “licensed” by the civil service eligibility. And, that is the sad reality….

The aforementioned fact should make us realize that it is futile to be always blaming the government for everything that we find not pleasing to our eyes. It is true that the government should take care of our needs as tax payers….short of saying that we pay ALL government employees from the topmost down to the lowest rank to serve us using the tax we pay. But, are we doing our share of action FOR SOME MATTERS THAT WE CAN DO AT OUR END?

We blame the government for the obnoxious public market and uncollected garbage…but are we cleaning our backyard of the long-abandoned and rotting garbage or ridding our front yard of the waist-high grasses that for long have grown thick or cleaning the street in front of our home or planting flowers or shrubs to help prettify our community or reporting to the police anomalies that we observe around us? Have we tried segregating our garbage and keep the recyclables and bury for composting those that should be, to lessen what are collected for dumping at the garbage site? Etc. etc. etc. Some of us even put fish scales and entrails in the garbage instead of burying them outright…simple act, yet, intentionally disregarded.

We blame the government for the drug problem in our community..but have we disciplined our children enough to veer them away from bad barkadas that introduce them to drinking, smoking, and finally, drugs? We blame the government for the internet cafes that are frequented by students who skip classes….but have we ever thought that such addiction started when we gave in to their whims to have expensive  “touch phones” that developed their fanatical adherence to this woeful technology?

We should realize that every time we point our forefinger to somebody as an act of accusation, our three fingers are pointing at us. There is a need to take a second look at ourselves…there is a need for a reflection to know, if at least, we have been or are….GOOD FILIPINOS! IF NOT, WE SHOULD STOP CALLING OUR GOVERNMENT BAD, BECAUSE WE ARE PART OF IT…INSTEAD, WE SHOULD DO OUR PART OF ACTION!

WE ARE THE PHILIPPINES. IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT IN INTERNATIONAL COMPETITIONS, PARTICIPANTS ARE CALLED BY THEIR COUNTRY’S NAME.






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The Philippines and the Local Government Units (LGUs)

Posted on Tuesday, 9 January 2018

THE PHILIPPINES AND THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS (LGU)
By Apolinario Villalobos

Local Government Units (LGUs) need not send their employees to expensive seminars to become effective in implementing programs. All they need to do is come up with a checklist of WORDS as reminders…these are simple words that should tell them if they are taking the right direction in fulfilling their Mission and having the right focus towards their Vision. A seminar is not needed for the LGU leadership to know if his or her barangay, town, city, or province is clean or beautiful enough to entice tourists….or to know if peace and order are prevalent to entice investors and more residents, etc.

A TEAM BUILDING seminar is not needed to know if ALL units of an LGU are HARMONIOUSLY COORDINATING WITH EACH OTHER. It is not also necessary to develop COOPERATION among the offices of the LGU because it is supposed to be required among all employees, being part and parcel of their respective mandate in order to EFFECTIVELY SERVE the constituents properly.

A seminar on VALUES AND ATTITUDE is not needed for the employees to become POLITE towards each other, especially, the clients. They are mandated to act in such a way otherwise they lose their job if they fail or adamantly refuse. This simple requirement is in the Civil Service Code.

NEEDED ARE SENSITIVITY, CONCERN AND SERIOUSNESS IN CARRYING OUT THE ASSIGNED JOB OF EACH EMPLOYEE, WHETHER HE OR SHE IS A BOSS OR A MERE STAFF.

A SINGLE MISTAKE IN CARRYING OUT THE OVERALL MANDATE OF AN LGU CAN SPELL DISASTER AND COULD TRAGICALLY AFFECT THE IMAGE OF THE LEADERSHIP. FOR A SIMPLE CONSTITUENT, ANY BAD OCCURENCE IN THEIR COMMUNITY IS THE FAULT OF THE BARANGAY CHAIRMAN, MAYOR OR GOVERNOR. IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT NOT ALL MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY ARE AWARE OR KNOWLEDGEABLE OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE DIFFERENT OFFICES IN A MUNICIPAL OR CITY HALL, OR PROVINCIAL CAPITOL FOR THAT MATTER. ALL THEY KNOW IS THAT THEIR COMMUNITY IS  ADMINISTERED BY THE BARANGAY CHAIRMAN, MAYOR OR GOVERNOR. IT MAY NOT ALWAYS BE THE FAULT OF THE LEADERSHIP IF THERE ARE FLAWS IN HIS OR HER ADMINISTRATION. BUT THEN, HE OR SHE MUST BE ON THE LOOK OUT FOR SHENANIGANS OR DUMB HEADS WHO REFUSE TO COOPERATE NECESSATING  THE IMPOSITION OF THE APPROPRIATE SANCTION INCLUDING DISMISSAL DUE TO INCOMPETENCE.

IT IS A UNIVERSAL EXPECTATION THAT EVERY ORGANIZATION, INCLUDING THE LGU SHOULD OPERATE LIKE A CLOCK WITH ALL THE PARTS HARMONIOUSLY FUNCTIONING PROPERLY, OTHERWISE, IT STOPS, OR IF FORCED TO FUNCTION BY ALL MEANS, BECOMES INEFFECTIVE AS IT COULD FALTER INTERMITTENTLY.


A SINGLE MALFUNCTIONING AND INEFFECTIVE LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNIT BECOMES AN EYE SORE IN THE IMAGE OF THE WHOLE COUNTRY.


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The Termites in Our Society

Posted on Saturday, 11 November 2017

The Termites in Our Society
By Apolinario Villalobos

The current administration of Rodrigo Duterte has no doubt, inherited a sorely- weakened government due to the piled up unsolved cases of corruption with more undetected commissions added as days go by. Duterte has practically entered a home heavily infested with termites!

Some of these termites are plain citizens who just love to ride on issues. The others are attention-hungry and highly-entrenched government officials who are obviously blind to the consequences of their detractions. These termites paint a harrowing picture of the Philippines, as if they belong to another nation and with the intention of taking over the reign from Duterte. These nincompoops thought they are doing a favor to the country by trying to pull down a guy whose efforts are geared toward the healing of a sick society.


While leaders of powerful nations have finally recognized and supported Duterte in his campaigns, these pea-brained Filipinos act like deranged dogs with rabbis-infected saliva foaming down their mouth snarling at him, giving credence to what has long been suspected as their being financed by a powerful group or groups. Now, that is what I call selfishness and greed to the max!  

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Panawagan sa Mga Naghahasik ng Pangamba

Posted on Wednesday, 18 October 2017

Panawagan sa Mga Naghahasik ng Pangamba…
Ni Apolinario Villalobos

Ang panawagan na ito isang simpleng tangka upang mabuksan ang inyong isip at maantig ang inyong damdamin tungkol sa mga ginagawa ninyong paghasik ng pangamba sa mga kababayang namumuhay ng mapayapa…silang mga nagtatrabaho ng marangal at mga kabataang nag-aaral upang balang araw ay makatulong sa bayan.

Sa ginagawa ninyong panghoholdap at pangri-rape, sana ay maisip din ninyo na kayo ay may mga mahal sa buhay na maaaring gawan din ng ginagawa ninyo…maliban na lang kung kayo ay nag-iisa sa buhay. Kawawa ang mga biktima ninyo na ang hangad lang ay kumayod nang maayos upang may maipakain sa pamilya. Ang mga kabataang nilalakasan ang loob sa pag-uwi mula sa eskwela kahit mahirap sumakay ay may mga pangarap sa buhay tulad ng pagtulong sa pamilya at bayan.

Masakit para sa mga mahal sa buhay ng mga biktima ninyo ang makita silang kalunus-lunos ang kalagayan pagkatapos pagnakawan at saksakin o di kaya ay gahasain pagkatapos pa ring pagnakawan. Hindi madaling tanggapin ng mga anak ang mawalan ng amang naging biktima ng panghoholdap, na maliban sa nawalan na ng perang pambili ng bigas, ay nasaksak pa!

Alam kong may mga pangangailangan kayo at ang iba sa inyo ay tinuturing na kapit sa patalim ang panghoholdap. Subalit may paraan para kayo ay kumita sa marangal na paraan…nang hindi nakakaperhuwisyo ng kapwa. May mga pilay o lumpo na nakakayang magtinda o di kaya ay mga kabataang nagtatrabaho bilang crew sa mga fast food chains upang kumita ng pang-tuition…. Ilan lang silang kumakayod ng marangal…bakit hindi ninyo gayahin ang kanilang pagsisikap?

Nang dahil sa ginagawa ninyong panghoholdap pagkatapos magkunwaring namamasada ng traysikel sa gabi, ang mga lehitimong mga traysikel drayber ay hindi na tuloy pinagkakatiwalaan…pati mga naghahabal-habal sa ibang barangay at bayan. Malaki ang epekto sa kabuuhan ng isang bayan ang ginagawa ninyong paghahasik ng pangamba. Paano pang uusad ng pasulong ang isang barangay, bayan o lunsod kung pinipigilan ninyo dahil sa inyong ginagawa? Kung kayo ay nakatira sa isang maliit lang namang bayan, dapat ay makipagtulugan na lang kayo sa lokal na pamahalaan para na rin sa kapakanan at kapakinabangan ng inyong pamilya ng .

Kung wala kayong hinahasik na pangamba sa inyong kapwa, ang ating bansang nakalugmok na sa kahirapan, kahit paano ay makakaraos kahit bahagya. Lahat tayo ay Pilipino kaya walang ibang dapat na nagtutulungan sa isa’t  isa kundi tayo….para sa katiwasayan ng kasalukuyan at kaginhawahan ng ating hinaharap.  Sana ay magbago na kayo….



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On What People Should Be by Doing Things Expected of Them

Posted on Saturday, 14 October 2017

On What People Should Be
By Doing Things Expected Of Them
By Apolinario Villalobos


One cannot be a Christian, Muslim, Catholic, Protestant unless what he or she learns from the Bible or Koran are not given substance by acting them out, otherwise, he or she is just a hollow breathing creature who speaks, and thinks but without a heart.

All creations on Earth have a purpose…not only humans, just because they are supposed to be the image of the Creator. Lifeless objects have their own purpose, too…to give support to the live ones. Sands, rocks, stones are components of a sturdy home. The air has oxygen which is among the basic element of life. How much more for the trees, rivers, wildlife and the rest of living lesser creatures that are being misused and abused?

The intelligence of man made him invent things that eventually become tools for his self-annihilation. He invented insecticides, guns, drugs, synthetic foods and drinks, gadgets, etc….abused and misused. The factories belch out fumes that contaminate the air and their poisonous residues flow into streams, rivers and finally into the sea and further on towards the bigger bodies of oceans. Fertilizers that boost agricultural yields practically destroy the natural elements in the soil….all misuse abuse of intelligence!

Mountains and hills are bulldozed, flattened, to give way to housing projects. Canals are filled and coastal areas are “reclaimed” to give way to skyscrapers, business and commercial establishments. Oftentimes ill-planned, the projects result to floods….all misuse and abuse of nature!

The idiotic acts of man are killing him, instead of sustaining his life. He misused and abused the blessings with good purposes. His selfish discontent has made him blind to what are supposed to be emulated and acted out. The houses of worships have become useless as they seem to have become like cages of parrots! MANY listen to the Words read from the Books of Life but they do the contrary as they step out of the structures where they congregate. They kill fellowmen using religious belief as an excuse. They exploit the vulnerability of the poor to enrich themselves.


THE FACT IS, CORRUPT GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS AND DRUG LORDS ATTEND THEIR RESPECTIVE SPIRITUAL SERVICES AND EVEN GIVE DONATIONS TO COVER UP THEIR ACTS. MANY SPIRITUAL LEADERS HAVE DEVIATED FROM WHAT THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO DO, AND INSTEAD, MEDDLE IN POLITICS!

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Anything That We Do Has a Purpose

Posted on Sunday, 1 October 2017

Anything That We Do Has a Purpose
By Apolinario Villalobos


Anything that we do has a purpose… a reason. We do not just do anything for nothing. Our heavenly mandate is to do good.  We eat to sustain our life so that even a morsel of food could be enough which is good, but if we go into binges of food tripping that could ruin our health, that is bad.

Students exert effort to finish their studies, with the financial support of course, of their parents. And, the reason for such is for them to earn later on, but in an honest way aside from making use of what they have learned for the good of their community and fellowmen.

Teachers are supposed to guide their students as their sole purpose and not just to earn. Dissertations of students in the form of thesis, a requirement in college and high school should have clearly cut objectives, especially, those that are supposed to be for the alleviation of communities. Along this line, professors should come up with topics for their students to work on, about community-centered endeavors. Employees of private entities are supposed to help their companies grow as their taxes are needed for the development of the nation.

Government officials are supposed to work FOR their constituents, and not exploit them for their own gainful interest because as viewed from different perspectives…THAT IS CORRUPTION!


Those are my SIMPLE views on why we live in this world…SIMPLY STATED, TOO.

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September 21...the day democracy died in the Philippines

Posted on Wednesday, 20 September 2017

September 21
…the day democracy died in the Philippines
By Apolinario Villalobos

Indeed, September 21 gained prominence in the history of the Philippines as the day democracy died because of the Martial Law declared by the late Ferdinand Marcos. Among the reasons cited for signing the declaration were insurgency, Communism, corruption in the government…all of which were deterrent to the advancement of the country’s economy. After the declaration, the Marcos government became a beehive of activities founded on “Bagong Lipunan” or New Society.

Slogans and songs were composed, projects were implemented, infrastructures to support various industries, particularly tourism, mushroomed. In addition to those, permits for logging and mining were issued to hasten the exploit of the natural resources, purportedly to give additional support to the quest of the dictator to put the country ahead of the rest of the Southeast Asian nations. Marcos succeeded as he gained prominence and looked up to with awe and admiration by the rest of ASEAN nations. He inspired Lee Kwan Yew to transform Singapore into what it is today.

Along with the so-called progress, military and police abuse also gained prominence resulting to the incessant rallies. The notoriety of “METROCOM” was the talk of the town, as well as, the disappearance of prominent student leaders. Political personages who belonged to the opposition were dragged out of session halls and their homes to be locked up, including Benigno S. Aquino.

What has the country gained? Obviously, Manila became the cultural center of Asia, what with the springing up of the Cultural Center Complex along Roxas Boulevard that included, The Cultural Center of the Philippines, Folk Arts Theater, Philippine International Convention Center, the former Philippine Plaza Hotel (today, Sofitel), the cluster of squat buildings for agro-industrial exhibit and shows. Marcos became the new “tiger of Asia”. The Philippines soared as the new leader of Southeast Asian nations. Thankfully, there was no suppression of religion. The illegal drug “industry” was somewhat controlled with the execution of a Chinese drug lord in Rizal Park.

On the other hand, the Marcos take-over and control of various corporations was overwhelming. The act was decently dubbed “sequestration” to give it a legal impression….nothing personal. But the book written by Jovito R. Salonga, “Presidential Plunder…The Quest for the Marcos Ill-Gotten Wealth”, tells all about the staggering number of sequestered corporations controlled by the family and their allies. The book also tells how money is transferred from Manila to the banks in America for spending during their trips, as well as, the acquired properties in the land of Uncle Sam. The author was the first Commissioner of the Philippine Commission on Good Government, a misnomer, as the agency was supposed to concentrate on the ill-gotten wealth and not the issues on good governance.

During the time of their prominence, Imelda was quoted, “WE PRACTICALLY OWN EVERYTHING IN THE PHILIPPINES, FROM ELECTRICITY, TELECOMMUNICATIONS, AIRLINE, BANKING, BEER AND TOBACCO, NEWSPAPER PUBLISHING, TELEVISION STATIONS, SHIPPING, OIL AND MINING, HOTELS AND BEACH RESORTS, DOWN TO COCONUT MILLING, SMALL FARMS, REAL ESTATE AND INSURANCE”. This is the caption in the photo showing Imelda and Ferdinand Marcos in the same aforementioned book written by Salonga.

But the big question now is…HAD IT NOT BEEN FOR THE MARCOSES, WOULD THERE BE CULTURAL CENTER COMPLEX, PHILIPPINE HEART CENTER, PHILIPPINE KIDNEY CENTER, THE BETTER LRT (COMPARED TO THE NEW ONE), EXPANSION OF THE PHILIPPINE GENERAL HOSPITAL, ETC, AT THE RATE PLUNDERING IN THE GOVERNMENT IS GOING?

TODAY, EVEN A FEW KILOMETERS OF HIGHWAYS ARE SHODDILY CONSTRUCTED, BRIDGES ARE BUILT OF INFERIOR MATERIALS, PROJECTS ARE LEFT UNFINISHED, EVEN THE SHELTERS FOR THE DISASTER VICTIMS ARE BUILT OF INFERIOR MATERIALS. AFTER MARCOS, ILLEGAL DRUGS HAD AND ARE STILL HAVING A HEYDAY…ALTHOUGH, DUTERTE IS DOING HIS BEST TO CONTROL IT.

Finally, my advice as a mere “chirp in the wilderness” to President Duterte, is to tone down his praises to the Marcoses as the more praises he utter, the more supporters he losses. It is enough that he has let the whole world know that his family owes a lot to the Marcoses…with such pronouncement, he has already shown his gratitude more than enough.








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Ang Baha at Kapalpakan ng Gobyerno

Posted on Tuesday, 19 September 2017

Ang Baha at Kapalpakan ng Gobyerno
Ni Apolinario Villalobos

Ang nararanasang baha tuwing tag-ulan ay nangyayari sa buong kapuluan ng Pilipinas. Ang isa sa mga dahilan nito ay ang kalumaan ng mga drainage – maliit at puno na ng latak o sediments….yan ang sitwasyon ng Manila at mga lumang lunsod tulad ng Bacoor City, Imus City, Cainta, Taytay, Makati, at marami pang iba. Subalit maraming mga bagong barangay, bayan at lunsod ang binabaha dahil sa KAWALAN NG DRAINAGE SYSTEM.

Sa mapa at blueprint na batayan ng mga proposal sa pag-approve ng status ng local units upang maging barangay, bayan o lunsod, walang naka-indicate na drainage system. Ang nakalagay lang ay mga “zones”.  Dapat ay kasama sa blueprint ng barangay, bayan at lunsod ang sketch ng  DRAINAGE SYSTEM NA GAWA NA, HINDI DROWING LANG. Kung wala nito, dapat ay hindi aprubahan ng Kongreso ang pino-propose na status. Dahil sa kapalpakan na yan, maraming lunsod na palaging lubog sa baha, at kung magpagawa man ay wala pang effective na direction kung saan dadalhin ang waste water. Ang kapalpakan na yan ay hindi dapat isisi sa kasalukuyang nakaupong mga namumuno dahil minana lang nila ang problema.

Dapat ay gayahin ang sistema ng mga subdivision developers batay sa requirement ng mga ahensiyang may kinalaman sa housing program.  Bago sila makapagbenta ng mga lote, ang subdivision ay dapat kumpleto sa mga facilities tulad ng drainage system, electric posts, plaza, multi-purpose hall, basketball court at ang iba ay mayroon pa ngang chapel.

Kung magpo-propose naman sana ng isang sitio na gagawing barangay, dapat ay kasama ang territorial blueprint na nagpapakita ng mga kanal, manhole, at direksiyon na patutunguhan ng tubig – kung sa ilog man o sa lawa.  

Kapag ipinanukalang gawing lunsod ang isang bayan at inaasahan ang pagdagsa ng mga investors na magtatayo ng restaurants, malls, hotels, at condo buildings, dapat ay mahigpit na ipatupad ang pagkakaroon nila ng malaking septic tank na siyang magsasala (strain) muna ng maruming tubig bago ito padaluyin sa drainage system.


Sa simpleng salita…KAPABAYAAN ANG DAHILAN NG MGA BAHA, NA LALO PANG PINATINDI NG MGA NAKATIWANGWANG NA MGA PROYEKTO, NA KARAMIHAN AY BASTA NA LANG INIWAN NG MGA CONTRACTORS DAHIL SA KAKULANGAN NG BUDGET.

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Ang Pulitika bilang Balakid o Harang sa Pag-usad o Pag-asenso ng Bansa

Posted on Saturday, 16 September 2017

ANG PULITIKA BILANG BALAKID O HARANG SA PAG-USAD O PAG-ASENSO NG BANSA
NI Apolinario Villalobos

PULITIKA ANG PINAKAMALAKING BALAKID O OBSTACLE KAYA HINDI MAKAUSAD TUNGO SA KAUNLARAN ANG PILIPINAS SA KABUUHAN NITO, DAHIL KASAMA SA NAHAHARANGAN ANG MGA LALAWIGAN, LUNSOD, BAYAN AT BARANGAY.

MGA HALIMBAWA:

  • PAGKATAPOS NG ELEKSIYON, KAHIT MAGAGANDA ANG PROYEKTO NG NATALONG BARANGAY CHAIRMAN, MAYOR, O GOVERNOR, IPAPASIRA ITO UPANG MAPALITAN NG BAGONG NAHALAL NA OPISYAL. PAPALITAN ANG KULAY SCHEME NG ADMINISTRATION AT GAGAWA NG BAGONG SLOGAN.

  • NAKATATAK ANG SLOGAN NG LOCAL OFFICIAL PATI PICTURE SA MGA FORMS NG OPISINA KAYA KAPAG MAY NAUPONG BAGONG OPISYAL LAHAT NG MGA FORMS AY PAPALITAN….MALAKING GASTOS!

  • ANG MGA NANALONG MAGKAKALABAN SA PULITIKA AY HINDI NAGTUTULUNGAN KAHIT PAREHONG KAGAWAD. HINDI LALAPIT ANG KALABANG KONTRA-PARTIDO NA MAYOR SA GOVERNOR O CONGRESSMAN.

  • HINDI TUTULUNGAN SA BUDGET NG CONGRESSMAN ANG KONTRA-PARTIDONG MAYOR O GOVERNOR.

  • HINDI MAKIKIPAGTULUNGAN ANG TAONG-BAYAN SA NAKAUPONG BARANGAY CHAIRMAN O MAYOR DAHIL KALABAN NILA SA PULITIKA.

  • HINDI TUTULUNGAN NG BARANGAY CHAIRMAN, MAYOR O GOVERNOR ANG MGA CONSTITUENTS NA NABISTO NILANG HINDI BOMOTO SA KANILA.

  • KAPAG TODO-TODO ANG KAMALASAN NG NANALONG OPISYAL, MGA BALA MULA SA BARIL NG MGA BAYARANG  “RIDING-IN-TANDEM” ANG AABUTIN NILA!






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Ang Pulitika sa Pilipinas

Posted on Friday, 15 September 2017

Ang Pulitika sa Pilipinas
Ni Apolinario Villalobos

Walang permanenteng kaibigan sa larangan ng pulitika. Sa larangang ito ay umiiral ang tinatawag sa Ingles na, “survival of the toughest”, o sa Tagalog ay “matira ang matibay” dahil sa makapal na mukha at matibay na sikmura. Ibig kong sabihin sa “makapal na mukha” ay matapang humarap kanino man, hindi nahihiya o nangingimi kung may pinaglalaban. Ang may matibay namang sikmura ay hindi nasusuka sa nakakasulasok na amoy sa loob ng larangang ito. Kung mahina ang fighting spirit mo, huwag kang sumabak sa pulitika. Kung wala kang financial machinery, ibig sabihin ay wala kang “financier” o “investor”, huwag ka nang pumil-ap ng candidacy form sa COMELEC. Sa kabila ng mga nabanggit ko, mayroon pa rin namang mga pulitikong pagkatapos manalo ay nagpapairal ng prinsipyo, subalit, iilan lang sila.

Hindi lang sa Pilipinas umiiral ang bilihan ng boto tuwing panahon ng eleksiyon. Matindi nga lang sa Pilipinas dahil sa tagal ng panahon na pag-iral ng ganitong gawi, nagkaugat na ng napakalalim sa kultura ng mga Pilipino. Tanga lang ang mag-iisip na ang mga sumasama sa mga rally at bumabatikos sa corruption ay “malinis”. Hindi magbibilad sa init at magpakapaos ang mga raleyista sa panahon ngayon kung wala silang natatanggap na benepisyo sa ano mang paraan mula sa ma pulitiko. Huwag nilang sabihing ipinaglalaban nila ang idealism at kapakanan ng bansa at mga Pilipino dahil ang iwinawagayway nila ay BANDILANG PULA o KULAY NG KANILANG FINANCIERS! Kaya malinaw na ginagamit sila ng mg taong naghahangad na hindi magkaroon ng katahimikan ang bansa.

Hindi lang karunungan at yaman ang namamana ngayon kundi pati na rin puwesto sa gobyerno. Okey lang sana ito kung matitino ang mga nagmamana tulad ng ilang mga kilala ko. Subalit karamihan sa mga napaluklok sa puwesto ay gahaman. Negosyo ang turing sa pulitika sa Pilipinas dahil marami ang namumuhunan upang makapasok sa larangang ito. Kapag nanalo, gusto nilang makuha agad ang “return of investment” nila o ROI at ang pinakamadaling paraan ay mangurakot.

Ang 10% na pabiro kung banggitin sa mga usapan, na komisyon daw ng ILANG mga pulitikong nakaupo sa puwesto ay “standard” at “tolerable” kung totoo man. Ang ibang sumisipsip, sa halip na pera ang ibigay sa mga pulitiko ay idinadaan sa regalo….standard practice din yan, maski saang bansa. Subalit ang hindi maganda ay kapag lumampas na sa 10% na umaabot kung minsan sa 70%! Ang malalaking komisyon ay gumimbal sa buong bansa nang isiwalat ni Napoles noong siya ay imbestigahan sa senado. Nasa kulungan na siya ngayon at may mga pulitikong nakakulong din…at kung maaabsuwelto sila, panahon lang at kung sinong presidenteng nakaupo ang makakapagsabi.

Ang nakakabahala ngayon, sa kabila ng katapangan ni Duterte ay napapalusutan pa rin siya ng mga tiwaling opisyal ng gobyerno na naiimpluwensiyahan pa rin ng mga pulitiko….silang mga naghihintay sa pagbagsak o pagbaba niya, kung alin man ang mauna. Dahil may lahi yata ng hunyango ang mga karamihang ungas na pulitiko, papalit-palit sila ng kulay upang umangkop sa kung sinong presidente ang nakaupo sa Malakanyang.

Sa uulitin….ang pulitika sa Pilipinas ay para lamang sa may makapal na mukha at matibay na sikmura.