Federalism Anyone?

First, the news: the remains of Corporal Angelo Abeto, the Philippine Marine who died in an encounter with MILF rebels in Basilan, has been flown to Iloilo City where he will be given a hero's burial (see GMA video here):


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The Abeto family reside in Sitio Calubihan, Mandurriao, Iloilo City (not far from the old Iloilo airport) and Corporal Abeto studied at the University of Iloilo before poverty forced him to enlist in the Philippine Marines. An interesting sidelight is Abeto's sister, Anne Grace, won 2 bronze medals in the Southeast Asian Para Games (read more here). I am fascinated because despite being poor, this has not stopped the Abeto family from contributing something to the country - Cpl. Angelo laid down his life defending the Republic, Anne Grace although blind brought honor and won medals for the country. The government should do its utmost to reward their selfless acts and help uplift their family from poverty. These are the types of people government should help.

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I have yet to form an opinion on the proposal to federalize the Philippines but reading Senator Nene Pimentel's press release, I have to admit that I am attracted to the idea. Autonomy has indeed been good for the country and it has resulted to countryside development so why not take it further by granting the provinces total autonomy in running their affairs? (read Pimentel's entire press release here. I also found a soft copy of Joint Resolution No. 10 here).

I am currently studying Joint Resolution No. 10 (thank God for the long weekend) and I am about half way through. Under his 63-page resolution, Senator Pimentel proposes the creation of 11 federal states out of the existing political subdivisions of the country, and one federal administrative region namely; the federal states of Northern Luzon, Central Luzon, Bicol and Southern Tagalog in Luzon; the federal states of Minparom (the island provinces of Mindoro, Palawan, Romblon, Marinduque), Eastern Visayas, Central Visayas and Western Visayas in the Visayas and the federal states Northern Mindanao, Southern Mindanao and Bangsamoro in Mindanao. Metro Manila will be converted into a federal administrative region along the lines of Washington D.C. in the United States, New Delhi in India or Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia.

There are several provisions in the resolution which I find objectionable. One is the provision proposing to transfer the Senate and the House of Representatives to Tagbilaran, Bohol and the Supreme Court to Cagayan de Oro in Misamis Oriental. The proposal of transferring Congress to Tagbilaran alone could prove to be problematic and could spawn a myriad of problems. For one, there are no direct flights from Iloilo to Tagbilaran (or anywhere for that matter) and I can already picture our legislators and their staff scrambling on ferries or ro-ro just to get to their sessions. Congressmen will have to sell their houses in Fairview and buy new ones in Bohol (but come to think of it, since Malacañang will still be in Manila, the political elite will have to decide to maintain three homes now: one in Manila, one in their bailiwicks and another one in Bohol). The pressure to acquire a house in Bohol will become another excuse for politicians to steal money from government and I pity the Boholanos once the politicians "invade" their province - land prices will surely rise beyond their reach and they will have to contend with numerous protocol-plated vehicles careening around their roads.

The resolution provides for a bicameral Federal Legislature comprised of an Upper and Lower House. Each federal state are allocated six senators, jacking up the total membership of the Senate to seventy five. It also puts a cap on the number of members the House of Representatives could have, which is 350 members broken down into 300 district representatives and 50 party list. I have misgivings on this because I feel this is too many. There will be far too many senators and congressmen (with protocol "7" and "8" car plates) running around the country and abroad (I pity our foreign service officers who usually act as their tour guides during their foreign junkets).

Another provision which I find objectionable is the provision on State Legislatures. Under the resolution, each federal state will have a State Legislature on top of the municipal council, and the city or provincial board and below the National Legislature. My main objection is that delegates to the State Legislature will not be elected via a general election but only chosen by the provincial or city council members from among their ranks. Even the sectoral delegates to the State Legislature will be appointed, not elected, by the State Governor. The Pimentel resolution also stipulates that the State Legislature cannot meet more than twice a month, which I think is not enough for it to deliberate and achieve anything worthwhile. The State Legislature in effect will just be another bureaucratic, "do-nothing" layer which will add to the expenses of the state. Rich federal states like Metro Manila and Central Visayas may be able to afford it but I don't think the proposed Bangsamoro or Minparom states will have the money to fund its operation.

I also think the resolution's proposal to abolish the Judicial and Bar Council is not a good idea. Under the resolution, all appointments to the judiciary will be made by the President from a list of at least three nominees to be submitted by the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) upon approval by the Commission on Appointments. I think the current set-up is fine. Under the current set-up, the IBP is just one of the members of the JBC the others being the Supreme Court, a senator, a congressman, the DOJ secretary, and a representative from the academe (usually a law school dean).

Since Iloilo City is currently the regional government center, it is more than likely that it will be made the capital of the proposed "Federal State of Western Visayas." The only problem is the city is already very crowded and if they propose to build a State Legislature I don't know if there will be a site big enough to accommodate it in the city (the only remaining open areas in the city is in the flood-prone Jaro).

But all in all, I still believe in diffusing power away from Imperial Manila. We really need to disperse development in other parts of the country simply because Metro Manila is already busting in the seams. Although past experience shows that autonomy has been good for countryside development, I still have misgivings about totally federalizing our archipelago. Maybe we should just grant the LGUs more autonomy and not give them absolute federal power. I am fearful because federalism tends only to rich provinces richer, poor provinces poorer and at the same time suspicious of the timing. But then talks of Cha Cha always surface everytime elections loom on the horizon and each president has been accused of plotting to extend his or her term. I agree that the best time to amend the Constitution is immediately after elections but the problem is, each newly-elected administration doesn't want anything to do with anything that will cut short its term. Nothing really happens in the end.

Some Management Lessons

Lesson 1:

A man is getting into the shower just as his wife is finishing up her shower, when the doorbell rings.

The wife quickly wraps herself in a towel and runs downstairs.

When she opens the door, there stands Bob , the next-door neighbor.

Before she says a word, Bob says, 'I'll give you $800 to drop that towel.'


After thinking for a moment, the woman drops her towel and stands naked in front of Bob , after a few seconds, Bob hands her $800 and leaves.


The woman wraps back up in the towel and goes back upstairs.

When she gets to the bathroom, her husband asks, 'Who was that?'

'It was Bob the next door neighbor,' she replies.

'Great,' the husband says, 'did he say anything about the $800 he owes me?'



Moral of the story:

If you share critical information pertaining to credit and risk with your shareholders in time, you may be in a position to prevent avoidable exposure.



Lesson 2:


A priest offered a Nun a lift.

She got in and crossed her legs, forcing her gown to reveal a leg.

The priest nearly had an accident.

After controlling the car, he stealthily slid his hand up her leg.

The nun said, 'Father, remember Psalm 129?'

The priest removed his hand. But, changing gears, he let his hand slide up her leg again.
The nun once again said, 'Father, remember Psalm 129?'

The priest apologized 'Sorry sister but the flesh is weak.'

Arriving at the convent, the nun sighed heavily and went on her way.

On his arrival at the church, the priest rushed to look up Psalm 129. It said, 'Go forth and seek, further up, you will find glory.'

Moral of the story:
If you are not well informed in your job, you might miss a great opportunity.



Lesson 3:

A sales rep, an administration clerk, and the manager are walking to lunch when they find an antique oil lamp.

They rub it and a Genie comes out.
The Genie says, 'I'll give each of you just one wish.'
'Me first! Me first!' says the admin clerk 'I want to be in the Bahamas , driving a speedboat, without a care in the world.'
Puff! She's gone.

'Me next! Me next!' says the sales rep. 'I want to be in Hawaii , relaxing on the beach with my personal masseuse, an endless supply of Pina Coladas and the love of my life.'

Puff! He's gone.

'OK, you're up,' the Genie says to the manager.
The manager says, 'I want those two back in the office after lunch'


Moral of the story:
Always let your boss have the first say.

Lesson 4


An eagle was sitting on a tree resting, doing nothing.

A small rabbit saw the eagle and asked him, 'Can I also sit like you and do nothing?'
The eagle answered: 'Sure, why not.'

So, the rabbit sat on the ground below the eagle and rested. All of a sudden, a fox appeared, jumped on the rabbit and ate it.

Moral of the story:
To be sitting and doing nothing, you must be sitting very, very high up.




Lesson 5

A turkey was chatting with a bull.

'I would love to be able to get to the top of that tree' sighed the turkey, 'but I haven't got the energy.'
'Well, why don't you nibble on some of my droppings?' replied the bull. They're packed with nutrients.'

The turkey pecked at a lump of dung, and found it actually gave him enough strength to reach the lowest branch of the tree.

The next day, after eating some more dung, he reached the second branch.

Finally after a fourth night, the turkey was proudly perched at the top of the tree.

He was promptly spotted by a farmer, who shot him out of the tree.


Moral of the story:
Bull Shit might get you to the top, but it won't keep you there..



Lesson 6


A little bird was flying south for the winter. It was so cold the bird froze and fell to the ground into a large field.

While he was lying there, a cow came by and dropped some dung on him.

As the frozen bird lay there in the pile of cow dung, he began to realize how warm he was.

The dung was actually thawing him out!

He lay there all warm and happy, and soon began to sing for joy.
A passing cat heard the bird singing and came to investigate.

Following the sound, the cat discovered the bird under the pile of cow dung, and promptly dug him out and ate him.


Morals of the story:
(1) Not everyone who shits on you is your enemy.

(2) Not everyone who gets you out of shit is your
friend.

(3) And when you're in deep shit, it's best to keep
your mouth shut!


THUS ENDS THE FIVE MINUTE MANAGEMENT COURSE

Dismal Performance at the Olympics

It has been more than 12 years since a Filipino last won a medal in the Olympics. That honor I believe belongs to an Ilonggo, Mansueto "Onyok" Velasco, who won the silver medal for boxing at the 1996 Olympics held in Atlanta. His twin brother, Roel Velasco, likewise won the bronze medal during the 1992 Olympics. The Velasco brothers hail from Bago City, Negros Occidental. Before them, records show that the last Olympic medal won by the Philippines was at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics by another boxer, Anthony Villanueva. Villanueva's father Jose in turn won a bronze medal during the 1932 Los Angeles Olympics (read more here).

For the 2008 Beijing Olympics the Philippines is sending only 15 athletes supposedly because they are the only ones with a fighting chance to break into the medal round. So far, the performance of our athletes can only be described as dismal. I am especially disappointed in Eric Ang who, by finishing dead last in the trap shooting event, did not even give our journalists a window to write some bs story about how he fought a good fight, how he had "heart" etc. etc . I did not expect him to win the gold medal but I also did not expect him to be dead last. Instead of bringing honor and recognition for our country, he brought us shame - "Filipino finishes dead last in Olympics" - that's what they're writing about us in the Olympics right now. Contrast this to what they've been saying about Ang weeks before the games (read here). Sports pundits have been building up and pinning their hopes on another boxer, Harry Tañamor, to bring home the medal but looks like he's also out of the game. "Tañamor was completely outfought and outsmarted by Mangyo Plange, the Afican light flyweight champion who moved to the round of 16 with a clear-cut 6-3 decision at the Beijing Workers Stadium" - this is what the Inquirer is reporting about him here (read it and weep).

For those who are not disheartened enough or still interested to know about our athletes's performance in Beijing, Wikipedia has a running tally board here.

They Now Serve Batchoy at Jolibee

Last Sunday on the way to the Manila Airport, I stopped by at the Jolibee branch along MIA Road to grab a quick lunch and I was pleasantly surprised to see that they were serving La Paz Batchoy. I thought of ordering their "Jolibee-style" batchoy but as I was already craving for their chicken beforehand I just made a mental note to try it next time. Now I wish I tried it so I could have given my verdict and shared it in this blog. But on the other hand, considering that my taste buds are used to the authentic, "real deal" batchoy at the La Paz Market, Jolibee's concoction might pale in comparison and I may end up disappointed. So I may end up not ordering it each time for fear of being disappointed. I remember testing Lucky Me's batchoy instant noodles and it was atrocious. There is also a Ted's Batchoyan in Ali Mall, Cubao but after several visits their batchoy somehow falls short of my expectations.

Batchoy for Ilonggos is a comfort food, an acquired taste. I have been eating batchoy way back when it was sold for just five pesos a bowl (with "one-to-sawa" caldo or broth) and back in my college days, no semestral break can be complete without a trip to the nearest batchoyan in Iloilo before going back to Manila. To me batchoy is not batchoy without chicharon (pork skin cracklings) and atay (liver). I always eat mine with pan de sal and Mountain Dew, with usually a request to the cook to add a little extra chicharon. I always slurp the broth first, ordering an extra bowl of caldo if I'm really famished, and I would then proceed to eat the noodles, meat and other ingredients. Broth first, laman later - this I am told is how real Ilonggos eat their batchoys. Ilonggos usually judge how good a batchoy is by how tasty the broth, by how good the timpla sang kaldo is. Aside from bulalo (bone marrow), I am told that they put a special kind of bagoong (shrimp paste) in the broth and that's the secret formula for making the soup so rich and tasty. Atay, pork innards, chicharon, bone marrow and bagoong - batchoy is a real bahala ka sa buhay mo, "cardiac delight" - this is the reason why it is so delicious - and one cannot really have this bowl of pure cholesterol everyday unless you aspire for a "near death experience" (or unless you work as a kargador at the La Paz wet market).

The beauty of batchoy is that it is uncomplicated to make and it could be eaten at any time of the day. There is no "proper" time for eating it and for many Ilonggos, batchoy is not merely a soup but an all-in-one meal. For the kargadors of La Paz public market, batchoy is their version of the "power breakfast." For penny-pinching college students in Jaro, it is a good substitute for lunch or dinner. Batchoy is the merienda of choice of many office workers and the batchoyan is a mandatory pit stop for balikbayans and OFWs in Iloilo City. And batchoy is neither only for the poor nor people who are trying to save money. I have seen doctors, lawyers and politicians at batchoyan restaurants. A trip to a batchoyan is also a customary last stop for people on a spending spree - after an all-night drinking binge around town, a steaming hot bowl of batchoy is the best way to cap the night (or early morning as the case may be). Since different kinds of people crave batchoy at different times of the day, batchoyan restaurants in Iloilo are usually open round the clock. As for me, the best time to eat batchoy is during rainy days when the cold weather seemingly gives the warm and tasty broth additional taste.

I am sure the people at Jolibee had put in a lot of time and money studying the feasibility of putting batchoy on their menu. I suspect that their real target market for their batchoy are not really the Ilonggos (who like me might put off ordering it for fear of disappointment) but the people at large. This must mean that the batchoy has gained nationwide acceptance and no longer limited to the Ilonggo palate. Now it can be said that the once-humble batchoy has gone mainstream. It is no longer the humble, "poor man's soup" eaten by the kargadors at the public market but has gained a place in the nation's largest fastfood chain no less. People all over the country (or wherever there is a Jolibee branch, which is pretty much all over the country) can now enjoy it and I am happy that this original Ilonggo concoction has gained such widespread acceptance throughout the country.