“I don’t know about you but I’m glad to have this congresswoman as a Filipina.”

by Ducky Paredes

Why are such elementary questions even asked when the answers are so clear.

Congresswoman Jocelyn Sy Limkaichong (1^st District, Negros Oriental) may not have a Pinoy sounding family name but she is a natural-born Filipina! Under the 1935 Constitution, which defines a Filipino as (Article IV, Section 1 (4) “those whose mothers are citizens of the Philippines and, upon reaching the age of majority, elect Philippine citizenship.”

Congresswoman Josy’s mother – Anecia Uyguanco Dy — was a natural-born Filipina; she married Julio Sy, a Chinese citizen and thus lost her citizenship. When her husband was naturalized, she re-acquired her Filipino citizenship. At that time, Josy was nine days away from being born.

As for her choosing to be Filipino, a formal declaration is really not necessary. Doing things  that only a citizen can do is already proof of choice. Thus, when she voted in an election, Josy already manifested her choice to be a Filipino. When she took her board exam in accountancy and was given a Professional Regulation Commission license (No. 02047184), this was another manifestation of her choice.

This congresswoman is an admirable person. She was a one-term mayor of La Libertad, Negros Oriental, a fourth class municipality, where most folks are either farmers or fishermen. As Josy tells it, “As mayor of La Libertad, I have witnessed first hand the lack of progress and development our district has. For example, no major investors. There are a lot of opportunities for investment in the district but in the past years no major investor has been enticed to invest therefore depriving the district of more employment and livelihood.”

She was elected mayor in 2004 to succeed her husband, Mayor, Lawrence Dy Limkaichong (who is again the current mayor). As mayor, she wangled a donation of two Soya milk machines. She then encouraged farmers to plant soya beans which were purchased by the municipality at good prices. These fed the machines and the milk produced was used in a nutrition program for malnourished children.

She also encouraged the La Libertad Weavers Association which now regularly produces mats, bags, baskets and various accessories. Composed of women at the grassroots, the members have developed into entrepreneurs and businesswomen. Talk of women empowerment!

La Libertad also started planting solo papayas and supplies the local mall; it is also now producing papaya for the larger Bacolod market. The enterprise gives participating farmers a share in the enterprise’s annual profit of more than P250,000.

She also encouraged the La Libertad School of Music, a project of her husband. Children interested in learning music are assigned musical instruments. Music teachers from Siliman University and UCCP come to Libertad to teach the children. From this, an award-winning La Libertad Rondalla has emerged.

Under mayor Josy, La Libertad  was the first municipality to launch a Barangay ID System which gave identification cards to all La Libertad residents over 18. These IDs have all of their personal data, picture, fingerprint and signature and are free. The one requirement is  that one pays for a cedula.

I don’t know about you but I’m glad to have this congresswoman as a Filipina.

Private citizens also went to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to bring up alleged procedural errors in the naturalization of her father, Julio Sy, who was born in Dumaguete on April 22, 1933 of Chinese parents.

On July 28, 1955, he filed a petition for naturalization before the Negros Oriental Court of First  Instance which granted the petition on July 9, 1957. The next day, the Court ordered a rehearing and, after two years, oon September 21, 1959, the court declared Julio Sy a naturalized Filipino citizen. On October 21, 1959, Julio took his Oath of Allegiance to the Republic of the Philippines and was finally issued his Certificate of Naturalization. Imagine that, after all that, and 49 years later, questions can still be brought up about Julio Sy’s naturalization!

Of course, even if her father remained Chinese, Josy would still be Filipino since her citizenship derives from her mother. Besides, questions on naturalization of should be brought not before the Comelec or other bodies but before the Solicitor General or the provincial fiscal, who would then go to court to ask for the cancellation of the naturalization certificate.

Without the cancellation of the certificate of naturalization, one must presume that the same is valid and lawful. Besides the Comelec, by law, has a limited jurisdiction “as the sole judge of all contests relating to the elections, returns, and qualifications of all members of the Batasang Pambansa. Elective regional, provincial and city official.”

Since the father is not any of these, how can the Comelec disqualify him as a citizen of the Philippines?

 One supposes that losers in an election will do anything to stop the winner from enjoying her win, which, the case of Josy was by a mile. The local papers in Negros Oriental, at the time of her election called Josy the underdog against entrenched rivals. She beat her closest rival, Olivia P. Paras 65,798 to 57,962. Perhaps, if former Congressman Jerome Paras had not run against his own sister-in-law, his 25,717 votes may have gone to Olivia but that possibility is for the Paras family to figure.

Olivia Paras filed before the Supreme Court a Petition to annul the proclamation of Jocelyn Sy Limkaichong based on a pre-election decision of the Comelec to set aside Josy’s candidacy which the Comelec later reversed. The Supreme Court is asked to disqualify Josy for being a Chinese national.

# # # #

hvp 07.25.08)

“Having less children means having enough to feed them; having more children means not giving one’s children a chance to live!”

by Ducky Paredes

There is no question that the larger one’s family or household is, the larger one’s daily expense for food, fuel and whatever else. Do we need population control?

There is no question that the poorer one is, the larger his family tends to be. There is also no question that Catholics make up only 80 percent of our population and that, of the 80%, only some 80% (or 60% or less of the total population) are practicing Catholics in that they go to mass regularly. Even among those who hear mass on a regular basis, how many actually agree with or follow what the bishops tell them? So, why do we force 100% of our population to live as the Catholic Church wants them to live?

Is this fair?

Senator Francis Escudero urges the Catholic church to step out of population management concerns, saying the church leaders are not exactly the authority to speak on this issue.

Says Chiz: “The Church has the right to express its profession, stand and opinion with regard to population management and reproductive health policy, but the Church and priests are not experts in this field.” Without necessarily agreeing with Chiz that one must be married with children to know how babies are made, I do agree that the less we hear from those who misunderstand the problem, the better we will all be.

Chiz said the answer to the growing population is not “population control” but one where the government should design an “Affirmative Action on the Rights to Information” program.

This “right to information” would give the people accurate and timely information that would help them make the right decisions.

The Social Weather Station (SWS) survey indicates the rise in the incidence of hunger in the country. Some lawmakers say the problem should be blamed on poor population management and not entirely on the government. But, isn’t it the Gloria Arroyo government that disallows us citizens our “right to information” on population control and reproductive health when it allows only information on Church-approved population control methods? Shouldn’t the government give out the correct information and allow the people to use that information as they please rather than keeping information from us because the bishop may not like people to know everything?

The fact is that poor families (who have more children) are more affected by the soaring prices. This naturally results in these families’ skipping more meals and experiencing more hunger than those with smaller families.

“It has already been established that poor families with lots of children tend to get hit hard by soaring prices,” says Rep. Ruffy Biazon.

An administration solon, Iloilo Rep. Jane Garin says “As population increases, especially in the face of unplanned pregnancies, more burden is placed on the parents. Thus, we end up with a government challenged by disasters and increasing fuel costs. It will then be a cycle of survival, ultimately draining us and all of us ending as losers — all because we failed to act when it was still possible.”

Garin says that the people should open their minds on the reproductive health bill they are espousing which has met stiff opposition not only from the Church but as well as from the administration.

Of course, what ought to happen is that officials at the local level (who can win their mayorship, congressional seats and posts as councilor’s with or without the help of the Church) should just unilaterally give out the needed information on Reproductive Health (also known as Population Control).

I cannot believe that our right path is what the Catholic bishops are telling us because, as we have all seen, this only leads to poorer families, less food for all and a country without a future. The God who allowed the Filipino to be born in this world cannot have done so with the thought that the Filipino will become the worst of all beings on His earth – without hope and without a future – all because unlike other nations, his is the one that espouses population explosion as a State policy.

Having less children means having enough to feed them; having more children means not giving one’s children a chance to live!

Why do we still belabor this point?

* * *

When Malacanang proposes that the elections in the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) scheduled for August 11, 2008 be postponed so late in the day because it is on the verge of signing an agreement with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), this only shows that the government has no control over the situation in the ARMM.

It is obviously the MILF that is the real power in that part of the Philippines. Thus, whatever it wants, the government will grant, in an effort to seem like it is still a factor in the area. This also encourages the MILF to become bolder and insist on what it wants. Everyone knows that the only possible way to peace in that area is if the armed Muslim elements – primarily the MILF, the MNLF (Moro National Liberation Front) and the various bandit groups) will agree to lay down their arms.

And the only time they will do that is when the government surrenders the area to them. Otherwise, no deal!

* * *

We have a reaction on our column on a parliamentary system:

“If the Philippines had a parliament, the problems would continue because the Philippine politician is inherently corrupt. Most of them would still protect their party mates to keep the party in control and to save the face of the party. I don’t believe there is one congressman or senator in the Philippines who put the country ahead of personal ambition and pursuit of wealth and power. The parliamentary system will not change anything unless the country is able to change the mentality of those who are elected into power.” -Jake

* * *

I believe that the reason it is that way is that the quality of our senators and congressmen has fallen (as with our whole bureaucracy). Would a President like her get her way in a Senate composed of our storied senators of lore, such as Recto, Laurel, Tanada, Puyat, Tolentino, Paredes, Salonga, Aquino, Pelaez Marcos, Manglapus, etc.? 

In a parliamentary system –- where the power will be in Parliament, rather than in the executive department – while politics will still prevail, it will be more enlightened party politics and not the politics of today where position is used only to parlay oneself into more wealth and more personal power.

Under our present system, however, to improve what we need are persons of quality and with the way Pinoys have become, there are just less Pinoys of quality.

# # # #

hvp 07.23.08)

Deretsahan

ni Horacio Paredes

Hindi ko babanggitin ang pangalan ng taong sumulat kahit na binigay niya ang buo niyang pangalan at cellphone. Basahin ninyo upang maintindihan kung bakit ko tinatago ang kaniyang pangalan:

“Noong 29th June 2008, bilang isang OFW, bumalik ako biyaheng Qatar pagkalipas ng dalawang linggong bakasyon. Bago ako nakapagtrabaho sa Qatar , noong Agosto 2007, mula sa Saudi, may nagalok sa akin ng trabaho nga sa Qatar.

“Isa sa requirements ng agency na kumuha sa akin, kailangan muna akong magpakita sa Qatar sa kumpanyang papasukan ko sa pamamagitan ng visit visa at magtraining sa loob ng tatlong buwan. At sa loob ng tatlong buwan, kapag ako ay pumasa sa panlasa ng kumpanyang pagtatrabahuhan ko, saka ako pababalikin sa Pinas para sa working visa.

“Noong una akong umalis na may dalang visit visa pa-Qatar, wala akong naging problema dahil puro legal naman ang aking papeles pati na ang visit visa. At sa kasalukuyan ako nga ay narito na sa Qatar bilang isang OFW. At nang bumalik nga ako noong 29 ng Hunyo, marami akong nakasabay na kababayan na may papeles na visit visa. Ang procedure sa airport para sa mga mag-che-checkin, ang lahat ay dadaan sa tinatawag na visa check at may kaunting tanong sa counter ng airline kapag ang visa mo ay visit. Sa maikling salita, ang aking mga kababayang may dalang visit visa ay walang naging problema.

Pagdating sa pila ng immigration, may napansin akong isang immigration officer (ba yon) na nasa counter na nagtatatak ng passport na sa kanyang hanay ay may ilan na rin siyang ni-reject na mga kababayan na may visit visa at itinuro sa kung saan — at hindi ko na alam kung saan nagpunta ang taong ni reject — na makalagpas sa immigration. Isa sa mga taong kanyang nireject ay kasabay ko mismo sa tabing counter at ganito ang eksantong mga salita ang kanyang sinabi sa aroganteng pananalita:

“’Tapatan tayo, anong trabaho sa Abu Dabi?’ Sagot ng lalaki; “Sir, visit pa lang po.”  Sagot ni Arogante, ‘Puwes pimento ka room at bumalik ka sa akin kapag alam mo na kung anong trabaho mo sa Abu Dabi.’  Sabay kind at pa sa akin. At sinabi pa ‘Wala namang visit sa Abu Dabi.’

“Umalis ang lalaki ng thiamin at maligo at nakakaya na lulugo-lugong lumakad sa kung saan ay pupunta ay hindi naman tinukoy ng immigration officer (ba yon?) ang eksaktong lugar o taong pupuntahan.

“Pag lagpas ko sa immigration upang isuot ang mga bagay na tinanggal sa aking katawan, may dalawang lalaki akong nakausap na may pareho ding visit visa (Abu Dabi) ang dala at wala naman silang naging problema; Marahil ay dahil hindi sila doon kay Arogante dumaan.

“Ang aking concern ay, bakit may mga taong tulad ni Arogante. (Sayang lang at hindi ko nakuha ang kanyang pangalan, pero hinding-hindi ko makakalimutan ang kanyang anyo: slim na may katangkaran at medyo kantuhan ang mukha.) Alam natin kung gaano kahirap humanap ng trabaho sa ibang bansa at lalo na sa atin. Kaya naman ito ang nagiging trend ngayon, na bibisita sa ibang bansa at doon mag hahanap ng trabaho. Ito ba ay talagang ipinagbabawal?

“Magkaganon man, bakit hindi pare-pareho ang pakikitungo sa mga lalabas ng bansa na may visit visa? Illegal ba ang visit visa sa ibang bansa mula sa atin? At bakit pararatingin pa ang ating mga kababayan na makapila sa immigration at pagkatapos ay rerejekin lang pala? Paano na ang bagahe niya na naka-check-in na. Ito kaya ay isang uri ng pamamaraan para makakotong, sila?

“Pakisuyo lang, sana ay may isang taga media ang magimbistiga nito. Alam na natin ang hirap ng buhay sa atin, huwag naman sanang masyadong samantalahin ng mga taong gobyerno ang ating mga kababayan na gumagawa ng paraan para magkaroon ng pagkakakitaan.

“Makikinabang din naman ang gobyerno kapag ang mga kababayan natin ang nakapagtrabaho abroad dahil sa remittance hindi ba? Tulad ko ngayon na nasa Qatar, buwan-buwan ay nagpapadala ako ng pera sa Mrs. Concern lang po sa ating mga naghihirap na kababayan.”

* * *

Kung anuman ang nangyayaring iyan sa NAIA, tiyak kong wala itong pahintulot ni Commissioner Marcelino Libanan ng Immigration. Sana naman ay mabasa niya ang liham mo at hindi na ito maulit pa. Salamat sa iyong concern sa mga kapwa Pinoy.

# # # #

hvp (07.23.08)

“’Give us a break!’ Napocor president Cyril del Callar asks.”

by Ducky Paredes

Imagine this: The National Power Corporation (Napocor) has a contract to buy coal from a joint venture company composed of Indonesian firm PT Marsitero and its local partner Transpacific Consolidated Resources, Inc. (TCRI) which is capitalized at only P62,500 (paid-up) and, among whose incorporators are identified as Leslie and Ressie Ducut.

The contract with Napocor is worth P956 million! And, the new Energy Regulatory Commission Chairperson is Zenaida Ducut from the hometown of Gloria Arroyo! Wow!

“Give us a break!” Napocor president Cyril del Callar asks.

Del Callar dismisses the coal purchase issue as “recycled”: “We are not buying overpriced coal. We’ve bought nothing higher than what’s priced in the market. We’ve even asked some of the independent power producers (who are supplied by the joint venture through Napocor) to buy coal for themselves to see if they could get a supply that costs lower than what we got.

“The coal contracts we awarded to them were for coal priced at around $109 per metric ton. That’s already the price on delivery, which include freight costs and taxes. The selling price at the market now is around $165 per MT, and that’s for the coal alone and doesn’t include any other charges.”

Some persons keep bringing up this issue in the press, probably at the prodding of persons who have a beef with Napocor. Who are these? If you are thinking who I am thinking, you’re right!

The brickbats that Napocor had been getting rests mainly on the low paid-up capital of local partner TCRI. Additional fuel was thrown onto the fire when it was disclosed that two incorporators of TCRI had the same surname as the husband of former Rep. Zenaida Ducut, recently appointed ERC head. Zeny’s husband has declared that he is not at all related to Leslie and Ressie.

As far as the contract goes, it must be considered however that, as Napocor points out, the award was given not to TCRI itself but to the joint venture which is capitalized at $42.2 million (roughly P1.876 billion). PT Marsitero  has an annual sales of $50 million. This Indonesian firm has a track record in the coal industry and, for 2006, its gross profits hit $15.58 million.

Thus, the joint venture has the capability to meet its contractual obligations to Napocor.

Is there anything wrong with the coal purchases of Napocor from the joint venture?

Let us ask the necessary questions: Did the award pass through public bidding and comply with all the requirements of law, including the government’s electronic procurement system as stated in Rep. Act 9184 or the Government Procurement Act?

Does the joint venture have the financial capability to deliver, at the required quantity, with the specified quality, at the agreed competitive price and at the indicated time line?

Del Callar says that the joint venture was the lowest bidder for two coal shipments worth almost P1 billion. The Feb. 12, 2008 bidding was won at $109 per metric ton. The March 5, 2008 winning bid was for $109.50 per metric ton. The awards were for a total of four shipments, each one involving 65,000 metric tons.

The Napocor president also points out that the contract provisions protected the interests of the government. The bid winner was required to put up a performance bond amounting to five percent of the total contract if in cash, 10 percent if in bank guaranty and 30 percent if in surety bond;

         If the winning bidder failed to deliver, Napocor would have confiscated the performance bond, and the joint venture firm would have been blacklisted from participating in any future government biddings.

Napocor pays only once the first coal delivery reaches the Philippines within the period August 5-15. No delivery, no payment.

Del Callar points out that the two firms that compose the joint venture submitted all the required documents, properly authenticated by the appropriate government agencies.

The fact is that the price of coal has been tracking the price of oil, and this is one of the many major factors for the continuing increase in the price of the commodity. The manager of Napocor’s Fuel Management Department, Marilou dela Cruz, said that as of July 15, 2008 Chinese coal is priced at $200 per MT; Australian coal, $187.65 per MT and Indonesian coal $165 per Mt. These quotations do not include cost of freight and other charges.

Another relevant information disclosed is that the cost of freight to the Philippines is about 20 percent to 30 percent of the C&F price of coal.

* * *

The official policy is  that the Philippines should not be dependent on any one country for more than fifty percent of our coal supply requirements, as embodied in Department Order No. 002003-12-017 of the Department of Energy (DOE).

Napocor is also mandated (Under NP Board Resolution No. 2003-107) to secure 50 percent of its coal requirement through a long-term contract, which means two years, with option to renew for another year. The other 50 percent is done via spot purchases.

# # # #

hvp 07.22.08)

“Choosing a leader ought to be done on the basis of what the country needs rather than the good looks, voice quality or entertainment value of the candidates.”

by Ducky Paredes

If what we had were a parliamentary rather than a presidential system of government, someone who has become as unpopular as you-know-who would not last another minute.

Of course, in a parliamentary form of government, the leader of the nation – the Prime Minister – can be booted out because of politics. But, at least, when the PM has already become more of a burden on the people, rather than the leader that the nation needs, the PM can be very easily changed. In fact, there is no need to call for snap elections. When the parties within parliament are unable to agree on a government that will rule the nation, a general election is scheduled.

In most parliamentary systems, there is no rigid schedule for when elections will take place. Thus, those who aspire for positions in the government cannot plan ahead of time; thus, prospective candidates cannot endorse products as a guise for putting their faces on billboards that will help them become more popular in preparation for the general election.

Also, another advantage is that no one runs for national office and elections become more localized and thus more easily understood and meaningful to the voter. Voter protest on the conduct of a local election can affect the results more easily than voter protest in a national election.

As we approach 2010 when a presidential election ought to take place, we all realize that we have very limited choices. Who among our leaders and just plain politicians have the clout and the drawing power and the excess funds to throw at an election with the hope of winning. Or choices are so limited and the small crop of persons who have both the popularity and the wherewithal are really not as competent as many purely local leaders (who cannot possibly win a national contest) to lead this country.

Thus, if we do have an  election in 2010 — some pundits are betting against it –  we will probably end up choosing someone who would not be as good as someone who can win an election in a district and is chosen by his peers as the national leader because he can perform well as the PM.

Certainly, the choice of a parliament will be superior to the choice of all of us voting together. When we elect our leaders in a national election, the eventual choice is almost always a disappointment because the choice is based on the lowest common denominator such as the candidate’s looks or his singing prowess or his ability to entertain the crowd.

Certainly, the capability to lead the nation, which sometimes means having to do things that may not be popular acts or which go against the interests of large groups of persons such as squatters and church leaders, would not convince an unthinking voter to choose such a candidate.

Choosing a leader ought to be done on the basis of what the country needs rather than the good looks, voice quality or entertainment value of the candidates.

* * *

“No doubt about Mr. Neri’s qualifications to head the SSS.  The question is where does his loyalty really belong, to Gloria Arroyo or the members of the SSS?  If Arroyo tells Neri to give her some SSS money for her so-called ‘projects,’ do you think Neri can say no?

“Filipinos know very well that Neri is willing to ignore public ridicule and sacrifice his integrity just to be loyal to Arroyo.  What a waste!” — Tony Reyes, Brea, California

* * *

“Again, you miss the point, Neri may have the most impressive qualifications. But his refusal to tell all he knew about a huge corruption scandal - not because he refused to cooperate with the opposition to bring down a corrupt and incompetent government - but because he had much more to lose if he did, proves beyond the shadow of a doubt that he has all the integrity and moral sense of a flea.

“You say he is honest because he refused a P200 million bribe. What possible reason, morally justified, that is, can you offer for him to thwart the people’s right to know all the sordid details of a crime that directly affects the Filipino taxpayer? He may not be a thief, but he is much worse: a shameless toady who will do whatever his boss wants him to do, no matter the enormity of the crime, no matter the cost to the Filipino people. I may not be a lawyer, but I do understand that somebody who has knowledge of a crime but refuses to testify about it is liable for criminal prosecution, just as much as if he were an accomplice.

“How can you trust a man like that with the people’s hard-earned money?” – Alex Menez

* * *

“Sangayon po ako sa analysis ninyo sa appointment ni G. Neri sa SSS. At lalong tama ang sinabi ni G. Apostol sa mga naglalait kay G. Neri. Maraming problema ang bansa natin ngayon. Ano na ba ang nagawa nang mga oposisyonistang ito bilang tulong sa paglutas ng mga problema ng ating bayan? Malalaki lang ang mga bibig nila kaya ang ibang parte ng katawan nila ay napakaliliit, lalo na iyong parting itaas ng ulo nila. Ang mga leftist kagaya ni Casino, sila-sila nagaaway, iniinsulto ang kapareho nilang leftist. Ano ang mapapala ng ating bayan sa mga politikong ganito?

“Sana magbago na nga bayan at sa susunod, hindi na nila iboboto ang mga politikong kagaya nilang dada lang ng dada at walang nagagawa para sa kapakanan ng ating bayan.” — Dan Pena

* * *

The issue is not Neri’s qualification.  The issue is his credibility. – Noel Pongco

* * *

One out of four is not bad for such an unpopular column as I wrote on Mulong Neri. At least, one out of four understood the column. Too bad that Dan Pena had to write in Tagalog which would lead the Ingliseros to dismiss him as not having understood the column thoroughly.

* * *

On Thursday, July 24, 2008, the Rotary Club of Pasig which usually meets at the Valle Verde Country Club will be meeting instead at FAB Restaurant (Private Room) - 4th Floor Holiday Inn Manila Galleria, One Asian Development Bank Avenue, Ortigas Center, Pasig City.

San Miguel Corporation will hold its annual stockholders’ meeting at Valle Verde on that day. There is no room for us and no parking.

Our guest speaker will be Jonathan Ravelas.

# # # #

hvp 07.21.08)

Deretsahan

ni Horacio Parede

Mayroong sulat ang isang dating nangingisda sa Laguna de Bay sa isa nating kolum: “Ako po ay tagasubaybay ng mga editorial na sinusulat ninyo. Nakatawag po ng pansin sa kin ang kolum nyo na may pamagat na ‘Ang Laguna de Bay’.

“Ako po at ang mga kapatid ko ay dati pong mangingisda sa lawa ng Laguna–dito po kami kumuha ng ikabubuhay namin (taong 1970’s hanggang mid 80’s). Labing-isa po kaming magkakapatid at ang hanap-buhay po ng Tatay ay isang welder sa isang paaralang pang-gobyerno. Napakaliit po ng sweldo ng Tatay kung ikukumpara sa bilang namin sa aming pamilya, subalit sa tulong ng Lawa ng Laguna ay nabuhay kami at nakatapos ng pag-aaral.

“Ang mga kapatid ko po ay nangingisda sa gabi at nag-aaral sa araw; ang nahuhuli naming magkakapatid ay ibinebenta naman ng Nanay sa palengke at ang natitirang di naipagbili ay siya po naming inuulam. Noon pong mga panahong iyon (1970 at 1980’s) ay medyo malusog pa po ang lawa at magsipag ka lang ay di ka magugutom.

“Noon po ay di na namin kailangang magpunta sa mga swimming resort para malibang at mag-swimming, sapat na po na mamangka kaming magkakaibigan, tumalon sa lawa at lumangoy. Ngayon po ay wala pong maglalakas-loob na basta na lang lumangoy at maligo dito.

“Sa akin pong obserbasyon at palagay, isa sa mga naging dahilan upang unti-unting mamatay ang Laguna de Bay ay ang di pagpasok ng tubig-alat tuwing tag-araw. Noong mga taon na binanggit ko, tuwing tag-araw po ay bumababa ang level ng tubig sa Lawa ng Laguna kumpara sa level ng tubig sa Manila Bay. Ito ang nagiging dahilan upang dumaloy at pumasok ang tubig-alat mula sa Manila Bay papuntang Laguna de Bay sa pamamagitan ng ilog-Pasig. Kapag nakapasok na po ang tubig-alat, ito po ang nagsisilbing “disinfectant” at pataba sa lawa. Disinfectant sapagkat na-neutralize ng salt ang ibang mga impurities na dulot ng polusyon. Pataba naman sapagkat pinapatay ng saltwater ang ilang porsiyento ng water lily na nagiging organic food ng mga isda.

“Kaya po noon, kapag buwan na ng Marso/Abril/Mayo ay inaasahan na po namin ang pagpasok ng tubig alat at kasabay nito ang masaganang hula ng isda. At kapag pumasok na ang ulna sa buwan ng Huynh ay naglalabasan na ang matatabang ayungin, biya, dalag, at hito.

“Nakakalungkot po ngayon panahong ito sapagkat hindi na po pumapasok ang tubig-alat sa lawa. Hindi ko po alam kung sino ang nagpasyang pigilin ang pagpasok ng tubig-alat sa pamamagitan ng Napindan gateway. Ang disenyo po ng kalikasan ay kailangang pumasok ang tubig alat sa Laguna Bay mula Manila Bay upang mapangalagaan ang eco-system nito (ang cycle pong ito ay mula pa noong unang panahon).

“Tuwing nagbabakasyon po ako sa Pilipinas, ako po ay nagtutungo sa baybayin ng lawa upang bumili ng sariwang isda (sapagkat hinahanap-hanap po ng aking panlasa ang sinigang na ayungin sa bayabas at ang ginataang biya). Madalas po akong umuwing bigo sapagkat wala pong mahuli ang mga mangingisda, kung meron man ay sobrang liliit.

Isa din po sa nakasira sa buhay sa lawa ay ang pag-introduce ng bagong species ng isda at kuhol. Ngayon po ay marami nang ‘janitor fish’ sa lawa, maging ang native na kuhol ay napalitan na ng ‘giant kuhol’. Bangka-bangka po kung hulihin ng mga mangingisda ang ‘janitor fish.’

“Napakaliit po ang perwisyong dulot ng mga baklad at fishpen kung ikukumpara sa pinsalang dulot ng mga dahilang nabanggit ko po sa itaas. Di ko na po babanggitin ang polusyon sapagkat alam na po ng lahat na ito ang numero unong dahilan ng pagkamatay ng lawa. Siguro, kung kasalukuyang sinusulat ni Rizal ang kanyang nobela, mahihirapan siyang isalarawan ang Lawa ng Laguna sa ngayon. — E. Luzon, Jr.

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hvp (07.21.08)

“(T)here must be those who are hanging around the LTO offices for legitimate reasons. Should they just be left out in the cold with the actual CTPL pirates and buccaneers?”

by Ducky Paredes

 My column wholeheartedly backing the new system for the issuance of CTPL policies for motor vehicles produced several responses. Here are two letters from the general public:

“Baket yung mga may trabaho ang inaalisan nila ng trabaho? Baket di yung mga walang trabaho ang bigyan nyo ng trabaho? Diba sabi ni PGMA bibigyan niya ng trabaho ang mga walang trabaho? Di niya sinabing yung mga may trabaho ay aalisan ng hanap-buhay!

“At saka bakit po nakikialam ang gobyerno sa mga private sector? Baket di na lang po yung problema ng ating bansa ang pagtuunan nila ng pansin?. –Winnie Regua

“Be considerate! It’s all I can say. Can they imagine how many families ang magugutom when they get the insurance from the private insurer? Are they sure na mabibigay nila ang claims ng tao? Kung ang mga retirees nga ng gobyerno eh hindi mabigay ang kanilang pay!

“Honestly, I am a student. I brought myself to school because of this job. Kay Madam President po, eh pano na po ang mawawalan ng job?

“Kay Suansing don’t be selfish huwag ang mga bulsa lang natin ang intindihin kung hindi ang mga sikmura din ng mga tao.

“Madam President, you know how hard our lives now; huwag sana ipagkait sa mga nagtatrabaho ng maayos ang trabaho. Hopefully you do an action regarding this matter. Pls publish this comment. Lovely Ann Cristobal

* * *

A small-time insurance agent (who wants to remain anonymous) adversely affected by the move to clean up the CTPL mess at the LTO came up with the following observation:

“On 5 July 2007, the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) issued Order No. 2007-08. This effectively takes away from the private sector the business of issuing Compulsory Third Party Liability (CTPL) for all vehicles required to register with the Land Transportation Office (LTO) in favor of a monopoly by the Government Service Insurance system (GSIS).

“On 26 July 2008, the Philippine Insurers and Reinsurers Associating, Inc. (PIRA) filed a Petition for Certiorari and Prohibition (with Prayer for Issuance of a Temporary Restraining Order and Write of Preliminary Injunction) with the Makati Regional Trial Court.

“A Writ of Preliminary Injunction was issued by the Court.

“Vast reforms in the CTPL  Industry have already been implemented. The justification for the issuance of DOTC D.O. 2007-08 such as the .unabated profusion of fake and/or fraudulent Certificates of Cover for CTPL Insurance policies’ are already being addressed by the interim system set in place in August 2007 and has been proven effective in weeding the unscrupulous entities from the ranks of the legitimate CTPL Companies. Through the use of the latest technology, dishonest operators have been put out of business.

“The order of the Makati RTC dismissing the Petition for Certiorari and Prohibition filed by PIRA was based on mere technicalities and, hence, should not be dismissed merely on technicalities. The Court did not rule on the merits of the case. Even as the Order of dismissal has yet to become final in light of the Motion for Reconsideration seasonably filed by PIRA, the President should step in and make the decisive move to put a stop to DOTC D.O. No. 2007-28 to save the CTPL Industry and the countless employees who are dependent on its continued existence.”

* * *

According to a motor vehicle dealer, the DOTC has allowed public utility vehicles to use CTPLs coming from the usual sources and are not bound to accept the GSIS CTPLs. If this is true, then , the DOTC may be writing its own ticket for the industry’s widespread non-compliance of its DOTC D. O. No. 2007-28.

If the idea is to assure the general public – pedestrians, as well as vehicle owners and divers and passengers – that they will be able to collect on CTPLs in the event of any injuries, then, the DOTC’s allowing PU vehicles to use private insurers instead of the GSIS may mean that the CTPLs of PU vehicles may not be as easy to collect from as those issued by the GSIS.

If the idea is to force the CTPL Industry to reform itself before, perhaps, at some future time, allowing the private insurers to return to the business of issuing CTPLs, then, the reported order of the DOTC that allows private insurers to continue to issue policies for PU vehicles diminishes the impact of the changes that the LTO has instituted.

* * *

What I would advise the private CTPL insurers to do would be to go to court and test the government’s resolve on this issue. If a private individual were to test this decision of the LTO by insisting that he uses a particular insurance company and not the GSIS for his CTPL under the concept of the LTO being a proper body to evaluate whether that company’s CTPL is acceptable or not, there might be a chance that he could actually choose his own CTPL issuer, instead of the GSIS. After all, the whole issue actually came about because the LTO, which should have been the office that would vet CTPL-issuing companies before accepting their policies, did not do its job.

Instead, the LTO went ahead and did as the GSIS wanted, without giving the private insurers a chance to prove the worth of their policies. Thus, there is room to question the LTO’s decision to change the manner in which it was doing its business.

* * *

Another CTPL dealer asked whether he could apply to become the issuer of GSIS retirement benefits since, according to him, a lot of government retirees are complaining about not getting their retirement checks. He gave his name but it may be best not to let this out since one can imagine what the GSIS can do to this CTPL dealer. At any rate, my own judgment is that the number of retirees who may be complaining about their retirement checks are probably few ad far between.

If this is not so, do please someone let me know.

* * *

There must be agencies for whom the bulk of their business is CTPLs. These are the owes who can be found in and around the LTO offices. What happens to them now that the whole business has been given to the GSIS? Is there a role for them in the new system or should they be treated (as the GSIS seems to suggest) as the pirates and buccaneers who gave CTPL a bad name. Surely, though, even if the LTO hangers-on are the main suspects, there must be those who are hanging around the LTO offices for legitimate reasons. Should they just be left out in the cold with the actual CTPL pirates and buccaneers?

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hvp 07.20.08)

“Compared to the record 30 bills approved during the first regular session under Villar, there were only 16 bills approved in the First Regular Session of the 12th Congress only eight in the same period of the 13th Congress.”

by Ducky Paredes

The Senate, under the leadership of Senate President Manny Villar is known for two things that seem contradictory: constant and unending very public investigations of stinky deals that the government seems so prone to and the great number of Senate bills passed under Villar’s leadership. The first has to be very irritating to Malacanang; the second – the fact that its legislative work is done with dispatch –  has to be greatly appreciated by all.

In fact, unlike as in past Senates, the first regular session under Villar even passed several important bills that await the still pending counterpart version from  the House of Representatives. The majority of these important measures have already been signed into law by President Arroyo.

Senate President Manny Villar observes that the Senate passed a record number of more than 30 bills on second and third reading. Of these, nine key measures address the plight of the Filipino masses during these difficult economic times.

Past congresses frittered away the first regular session and only went for bill approval during the succeeding second and third regular sessions. Thus, this is a first for the Senate! 

Compared to the record 30 bills approved during the first regular session under Villar, there were only 16 bills approved in the First Regular Session of the 12th Congress only eight in the same period of the 13th Congress.

From July 2007 to May 31 this year, the Senate and its various committees conducted a total of 342 public hearings, 22 of which were related to the oversight functions of Congress to investigate allegations of graft and corruption in government.  During the same period, the Office of the Senate President filed 333 bills and resolutions.

Villar said, “We believe these bills will play an important role in our campaign to improve the lives of the Filipino people in the face of widespread poverty and high prices of food and other basic commodities. I am happy to report to the nation, that despite the unwarranted criticisms, the Senate labored on and fulfilled its mandate to legislate measures designed to alleviate the plight of the masses.”

Of the more than 30 approved bills, the nine measures considered important were:

- R. A. No 9501 (S. B. No. 1646) – Promotes Entrepreneurship by Strengthening the Development and Assistance Programs to Micro, Small and Medium Scale Enterprises. The new law encourages the establishments of micro, small and medium enterprises and ensures their continuing viability through entrepreneurship and skills development programs.

- R. A. No. 9502 (S. B. 1658) – Provides for Quality Affordable Medicines, which effectively aims to lower the medicine prices in the country and make it within the reach of poor Filipinos.

- S. B. No. 1662 – Provides for Additional Benefits and Protection to Housekeepers (Kasambahay). Employers must provide a written employment contract in a language known to the housekeepers, which shall include their fixed number of working hours, regular days off, sleeping quarter arrangements, and their annual salary increase.

- S. B. No. 1882 – Establishes a Provident Personal Savings Plan, Known as the Personal Equity and Retirement Account (PERA). This promotes capital market development and savings mobilization by establishing a legal and mandatory framework of retirement plans for persons, comprised of voluntary personal savings and investments.

- S. B. No 1648 – Extends the Agricultural Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (ACEF). This bill extends the ACEF program which provides funds for irrigation, farm to market roads, post harvest equipment, and other farming facilities to enhance the competitiveness of Philippine agriculture.

- R. A. No 9499 (S. B. 1659) – Allows Filipino World War II veterans to Continue Receiving Philippine Government Pensions and Benefits even when Similar Pensions and Benefits are Provided by the U.S. government.

- S.B. No 2293 – An Act Amending Sections 22, 24, 34, 35, 51, and 79 of Republic Act No. 8424, as Amended, Otherwise Known as the National Revenue Code of 1997. This bill seeks to increase the take home pay of the minimum wage earners by providing them more tax exemptions.

- S. B. No 2408 – Providing for Additional Support and Compensation for Educators in Basic Education; and,

- R. A. 9504 – An Act Amending Sections 22, 24, 34, 35, and 79 of Republic Act 8424, as Amended, otherwise known as the National Internal Revenue Code of 1987. The law exempts minimum wage earners in the private sector and their counterparts in the public sector from paying income tax.

By proving that the Senate can multi-task: do its legislative work even as various Senate committees delve into noisy and very public newsy and noisy investigations, Senate President Manny Villar has shown that the Senate works!

In a typical Villar gesture, the Senate President commended his colleagues for the fortitude and commitment they displayed amid the numerous Senate investigations in connection with questionable transactions by the executive branch. The reality, though, may be that without Manny Villar at the helm, the Senate might not have done its main job as well.

* * *

 “There isn’t a man in the Senate who doesn’t think he is better suited to be President than the President, and thinks he might have been President except for luck.” - Calvin Coolidge, former U.S. President

* * *

“What are we in power for? Why should we pretend to be saints when in reality we are not? We are not angels. When we die we will all go to hell. It is better to be in hell because in that place there are no investigations, no Secretary of Justice, no Secretary of the Interior to go after us. When Jesus Christ died on the cross, He made a distinction between the good crook and the bad crook. We can aspire to be good crooks.” Senate President Jose Avelino, lecturing President Elpidio Quirino on the realities of Philippine Politics.

President Quirino replied:  “I am no saint … but when public opinion demands an investigation, we have to go through the formality of ordering one.”

Avelino was investigated by the Senate, found guilty of tax evasion and was suspended for one year. – January 1949

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hvp 07.18.08)

“If he was offended at the offer of ‘may 200 ka diyan,’ wouldn’t he be as offended if ordered to take millions from the workers’ trust fund for political purposes?”

by Ducky Paredes

         If you had a curriculum vitae that includes a rich background in fiscal and monetary policies, finance, budget planning, management of corporate investments, corporate trouble shooting, risk management, financial and cash planning, negotiations on loans and money placements, preparation of project studies, and corporate financial analysis and job experiences that, among others, includes having been Director General of the National Economic & Development Authority (NEDA) and concurrent Secretary of Economic Planning, Director-General of the Congressional Planning and Budget Office for 12 years under six different Speakers of the House, associate professor of the Asian Institute of Management (AIM), Corporate Planning Manager of  Canlubang Sugar Estate, Canlubang Pulp and Manufacturing Corp. and CJ Yulo and Sons, Planning Coordinator of the Luzon Stevedoring Corporation and of the Philippine National Oil Company (PNOC) as Assistant Treasurer and Assistant Finance Manager and Financial Analyst of Mobil Oil Philippines, tell me, would you qualify to head the Social Security System (SSS) of the Philippines?

On top of all these, the new appointee — Romulo Neri — holds an MBA, Major in Finance and International Management from the University of California in Los Angeles (UCLA). He is a BSBA (marketing) Magna Cum Laude graduate from U.P.

Yet, a lot of people (congressmen and senators who are less qualified and with less impressive CVs) are kicking him around, simply because he has been appointed as new Administrator of the Social Security System.

         Bayan Muna party list Rep. Teodoro Casiño says that Neri’s appointment “assures GMA that she has an SSS head that will look the other way and keep silent as she and her minions plunder the pension fund of the private sector workers.”

Another party list congressman, Rep. Rafael Mariano of Anakpawis said that “Neri’s tendency to conceal details of the NBN-ZTE scandal for the benefit of Mrs. Arroyo is a strong basis for the working class not to entrust their hard-earned money to him.” This is a statement that virtually accuses Neri of thievery, when what got him into trouble was precisely that he was offended at being offered “may 200 ka diyan” if he agreed to approving the ZTE-NBN deal.

         Other opposition figures who lambasted Neri’s appointment are Senators Jamby Madrigal, Nene Pimentel, Mar Roxas, Francis Escudero, Alan Peter Cayetano and Panfilo Lacson.

They all aired their displeasure over Neri’s refusal to reveal details of his conversation with President Arroyo on the aborted NBN-ZTE contract. Cayetano, said that “Neri’s credibility is under a cloud of doubt because he did not spill the beans on President Arroyo and her allies in connection with the controversial national broadband network deal.” Yet, as head of SSS, what Neri needs is not his political credibility but his capabilities to run a trust fund.

The criticisms against Neri stem  from the fact that, under intense pressure, he still refused to bring down the government by doing what the opposition hoped he would give them — explosive revelations that would help further discredit the already beleaguered Arroyo administration.

In all of this, Neri’s critics, Mar Roxas in particular, seem to be unaware or have chosen to ignore Neri’s work experience, background and qualifications.  Roxas characterized the incoming SSS head as “someone with minimal, real life work experience in the marketplace to sit atop the SSS which has nearly 30 million members.” Tsk, tsk. That has to be the unkindest cut of all!

Clearly, the SSS position is right along Neri’s alley. And all these should belie Senator Roxas’ claim that Neri has “minimal, real life work experience in the marketplace.”  Mulong Neri ought to do well as head of the SSS. All he has to watch for is if Malacanang actually has plans to raid the SSS treasury. If he was offended at the offer of “may 200 ka diyan,” wouldn’t he be as offended if ordered to take millions from the workers’ trust fund for political purposes?

What got Neri into trouble was when the word went around that he had been offered 200 whatever while in a golf cart at Wack-Wack. Had he accepted that 200 whatever, there would have been no talk at all and not even the Senate would have noticed him. The fact was that his sense of propriety caused him to tell a few friends about the offer. This is what brought him before the Senate. That he would not help the opposition senators bring down the government also shows that he is the man for the SSS. Would you rather have a political adventurer in charge of our workers’ trust funds?

         In fairness to outgoing SSS chief Corazon dela Paz-Bernardo, she refused to be stampeded into contributing to the attacks on Neri’s character and, instead, only had good words for him. She appealed to all of us to give that Neri a chance to show what he can do at the SSS.

         Predictably, administration allies came to Neri’s defense. Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said Neri is well qualified, a sentiment shared by Senator Edgardo Angara who also urged that “the appointee should be judged on the basis of merit and qualification.”

The most glowing words came from Presidential Legal Counsel Sergio Apostol who invites those in the opposition to question Neri’s new designation as SSS president “till kingdom come, but none of them can match, much less surpass his impressive credentials.”

* * *

“Our system here is called pay-as-you-go. You pay into the system through your payroll taxes, and the government spends it. It spends the money on the current retirees, and with the money left over, it funds other government programs. And all that’s left behind is file cabinets full of IOUs.” – President George W. Bush on the state of the U.S. Social Security Administration.

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hvp 07.17.08)

“If all of the 15 million Filipino households . . . shift to CFLs . . . the country can forego the construction of one 50-megawatt power plant costing US$50 million.”

by Ducky Paredes

About five years ago, I already switched – from incandescent bulbs to CFLs. Thus, it was with a sense of smugness that I watched the ceremonies yesterday whereby the President made official the shift from incandescents and 80-watt fluorescents to CFLs and T-8s.

Filipino households could save at least 80 percent in their electric lighting cost by switching to energy-saving CFLs (compact fluorescent lights) or T-8 fluorescent lights, according to proponents of a multi-sectoral initiative to conserve energy that they have called SWITCH. CFLs are those bulbs that fit in regular sockets but can look strange. They cost more than incandescent bubs but an 13-watt CFL gives as much light as a 60 watt incandescent.

SWITCH concretizes the most strategic social mobilization plans and activities arising from the Jan. 28-Feb. 5 Energy Summit organized by Energy Secretary Angelo T. Reyes to find solutions to the skyrocketing prices of oil and other petroleum products in the world and local markets.

Yesterday, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Secretary Reyes presided over the ceremonial SWITCH to CFLs and T-8s of 16 Metro Manila cities and one municipality.

Reyes said: “What we have here is a movement that would demonstrate how ordinary people and all sectors of our society can help address the dire consequences of skyrocketing oil prices and climate change.

“What needs to be done is for people to make fundamental changes in lifestyle and energy consumption habits. The switch to CFLs is one such fundamental change we Filipinos can effect to realize big savings in fuel and in the cost of constructing power plants.”

If all of the 15 million Filipino households (with each household using at least three light bulbs) shift to CFLs, according to data from the Asian Development Bank (ADB), we would all together save at least 47 megawatts. The 47-megawatt difference in the power requirement of 15 million households would mean that the country can forego the construction of one 50-megawatt power plant costing US$50 million.

A former environment secretary, Reyes points out that by reducing power consumption CFLs will reduce the country’s overall energy consumption, especially energy derived from highly polluting petroleum products.

SWITCH has brought together critical players in the social mobilization for energy security, including those from the national and local governments, non-government organizations, civil society, business, transportation, church, youth and the academe.

The movement urges us all to switch from:

Inefficient to efficient energy practices – starting with lighting, in workplaces, buildings, homes, public places;

Petroleum-based fuels to alternative fuels and cleaner technologies in the transport sector;

Kerosene to renewable energy sources for lighting and basic electricity in remote rural areas;

Fossil fuel-based technologies to renewable energy technologies in power generation, where feasible at the local level;

Vestiges of centralized consultative energy planning to more participative bottom-up energy planning at the local level

The main ceremonial venue for the launch yesterday was the PICC where President Arroyo pulled the ceremonial switch, that signified our commitment to switch to CFLs and thus also cut down on our use of fossil fuels.

Activities in the city halls of four of participating Metro Manila cities were projected on screens set up at the PICC.

Simultaneously, the cities led by the mayors will change incandescent bulbs and 40-watt fluorescent bulbs to CFLs and T-8s in their city halls, while the vice mayors and councilors will make the switch at designated public schools and public markets.

* * *

If I have a favorite hospital, it has to be St. Luke’s Medical Center. I am not a sickly person but I do have a complete medical yearly. For the last five years, this has been at St. Luke’s and so far it has always been a pleasant experience despite the fact that there are always uncomfortable probes and tests that one is subjected to.

Thus, the P9-billion St. Luke’s Medical Center project at the Fort in Taguig, which is also apparently the Philippines’ biggest single-construction hospital undertaking to date that held a “topping-off” ceremony last Monday was a welcome one.

The new St. Luke’s will be completed by October 2009. This will be a a state-of-the-art medical facility.

St. Luke’s chairman Robert F. Kuan relates: “In 1903, St. Luke’s first opened its doors with a nine-bed ward. Today, 105 years later, we continue our tradition of caring and excellent customer service, with a second hospital that will have the same world-class expertise, state-of-the-art technology and customer service as St. Luke’s Medical Center in Quezon City.”

St. Luke’s-Global City is in 1.6 hectares of prime space, which is accessible from all points of Metro Manila and neighboring provinces. It can accommodate 600 patient beds and will have a medical arts building with well-appointed doctors and administrative staff offices.

Seventy percent of the funding for the P9-billion project was sourced from internal corporate funding; additional funds wil come from loans and philanthropic donations.

When finished, St. Luke’s-Global City will have parking space for 1,400 vehicles and a helipad that is large enough for even Huey helicopters to land.

“We are challenged by our continuing success. Modesty aside, our biggest competition is ourselves. St. Luke’s-Global City is a tangible symbol of our commitment to deliver the highest quality care to Filipinos, our neighbors in Asia, and now the world,” said Joe Ledesma, St. Luke’s President and CEO.

Surely, St. Luke’s-Global City will maintain the standards of excellence that have earned for St. Luke’s-Quezon City the prestigious Joint Commission International (JCI) accreditation.

St. Luke’s is the first hospital in the Philippines to be accredited by JCI, a subsidiary of the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCHAO) in the United States.

JCHAO is the oldest and largest healthcare accrediting body in the US, which was set up to ensure that the quality of medical service in American hospitals are improved continuously.

But, you don’t have to look them up. Take my word for it: St. Luke’s whether in QC or GC is tops in its field!

* * *

Gilbert Arenas, the NBA Star who visited Manila recently had nothing but good things to say about the country. Go to Arenas’ blog at http://my.nba.com. Where it says in the text “Agent Zero posters” click and this will take you to the blog of my nephew Sandro Paredes who put up a picture of Arenas decked out in really cool clothes. Apparently, too, he scrapped his retirement coming back from his trip where, in Manila, he says we made him feel that he was an NBA Star. He also mentions Gawad Kalinga and is in awe of what GK does! Gilbert Arenas is one really nice guy!

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hvp 07.16.08)