“Couldn’t the government see that spending part of the taxes paid by these oil companies could be used to improve their access top their markets? Is that really so difficult or too complex to figure out?”
by Ducky Paredes
I cannot understand how it can happen that the country’s supply of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) is being held up because the route to the main suppliers – Total and Shell – is impassable. Two bridges on the route to Tabango, Batangas, where the LPG is warehoused, are out.
Yet, we spend billions on roads and bridges that have no economic significance but may be politically desirable. (One notes that Gloria Arroyo has just poured in a few millions for Capiz Province where one of her favored people – Jocjoc Bolante – is running for governor.)
Total president Ernst Wanten notes: “The alternative route is very difficult. Two to three hours extra. There was an issue on a bridge, so that route has been closed also at the moment. And it’s not only gas. There are also a lot of companies involved. So, there are conversations.
“There are now discussions being done with the mayor to see what can be done to reinforce the bridge. It means that it has been tougher to get some products out because we want to continue to serve our customers.”
Apparently, the repairs will take several months.
Was there no way for the government (local or national) to realize that a new bridge would be needed as the country grew more dependent on LPG for our cooking and even for automotive fuel? Was there no way that anyone could see that the old bridges would not hold up for several more years? Was there no concern at all on the part of the LGU and the national government (i.e., the Department of Energy) that the investment in Tabango would need their support so that this would not go to waste? Couldn’t the government see that spending part of the taxes paid by these oil companies could be used to improve their access top their markets? Is that really so difficult or too complex to figure out?
Our governments – LGUs and national — are plainly too taken up by politics.
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That the Ampatuans have been charged with rebellion is not really good news. One notes that former ARMM Governor Nur Misuari has just been found innocent of a similar charge after several years of court hearings. In fact, was there anyone ever convicted of the crime of rebellion?
The Supreme Court has also ruled that the crime of rebellion must include all of the other crimes committed – murder, arson, illegal possession and so on. Thus, once found innocent of rebellion, all those other acts, being parts of the crime of rebellion, can no longer be acted upon.
In 1951 (People vs. Amado Hernandez) and in 1990 (People vs. Enrile), the Supreme Court ruled that a charge of rebellion cannot be made into a complex crime by adding the individual acts that are already part of the crime of rebellion. Thus, no murder or other charges that can be classified as being part of the crime of rebellion can be filed along with the main charge of rebellion.
If the idea is to put the Ampatuans away, why not keep it simple and charge them with plain and simple murder? Too bad that Gloria and her congressmen have done away with the death penalty! But, if one can put them away with a more simple crime, why complicate matters?
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Here are one man’s thoughts on the elections. PeteandCel@aol.com writes:
“1. Aquino / Roxas — I see harmony and peace on this tandem…prosperity of the nation will be slow but steady. Food sufficiency through enhancement of agriculture will be first priority. Tourism, manufacturing and export will get a big boost through cooperation with the public sector. Corruption in the government will totally be eliminated. Peace in Mindanao will be attained through honest and fair dealings with the Moslems. All social services not provided during previous administrations will reach the remotest areas of the archipelago.
“2. Gordon / Fernando — I see a strong cooperation between this tandem…especially in the areas of environment and social services. There will be a complete realignment in government structures to minimize expenditures. Gordon will not tolerate corruption in government but could still persist in small scale. Food and peace and order will still be a problem although lessened.
“3. Villar / Legarda – I see employment will be the focus of this tandem, so that we will see the encouragement of new industries and entrepreneurs. The exodus of professionals and domestic labor will drop to a trickle and social services will extend to the remotest areas. Food sufficiency and peace in Mindanao will still be a burden.
“4 .Teodoro / Manzano – I see a dynamic activity in this tandem. Both will be working hard to improve the plight of most Filipinos. Peace in Mindanao will be pursued vigorously and corruption in government will slacken. Efforts will be exerted to make agriculture the primary industry in the country.
“5. Estrada / Binay – I don’t see a lasting harmony between this two. We have seen the performance of Estrada and cannot expect much more than pleasing a few poor for only a brief moment. What the lowest level of Filipinos need is a program that will alleviate their plight for a long, long time. We know Binay is an excellent executive as proven by him in Makati. My guess is that Binay cannot dictate on Erap and vice versa, so not much progress can be expected from these two.
“6. Madrigal – She has good intentions for the country. She is honest, dedicated, competent, and kind to the less fortunate. I really wish she could win, but I can’t see how.
“7. Villanueva — I love this guy, because like him I also love to read and listen to the words of God. But he is not an evangelist in a true sense. A true evangelist is one who does not live comfortably, lives a simple life, does not accept donations, does not stay long with any group but instead moves around in large circles to convert more people into Christianity. He should follow the example of Jesus Christ who has nothing but the only clothes he wore and the fervent faith in His Father. Anyway, I do not expect him to win.”
Whether you agree or disagree, share your thoughts. I promise to use those that are not too blatantly one-sided.
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hvp 12.10.09)
One Comment
Hi, Ducky. I read your Dec. 11 column that contained a reader’s predictions about how the leading presidential-VP candidates would perform and their priorities. I wonder what pete/cel@aol used as basis for their assessments. I have been waiting to read or know of the candidates’ governance agenda, but until now, I haven’t seen any clear platform of programs/policies and sectoral priorities that can help us voters make an informed choice. I wish our elections can be transformed from a competition of personalities and family names to one of philosophies of governance, with accompanying policies/programs to address the great challenges and contemporary problems of our society.
Gerry
Gerry
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