Ingat po sa smuggled goods at botcha

Malapit na naman po ang Kapaskuhan kaya kailangan ng kaunting ingat sa pamimili ng mga karne, gulay, at iba pang bilihing pang-noche buena.

Kapag masyadong mababa ang presyo ng mga bilihin sa merkado, kailangan nating tingnan kung saan ba ito nanggagaling at baka smuggled ang mga ito. Kapag hindi natin maseguro ang source ng mga bilihin, may posibilidad na ang iba rito ay delikado sa kalusugan ng mga mamamayan.

Mag-ingat rin po tayo sa "botcha" o "double-dead" na karne na minsa'y binebenta sa mga palengke kapag ganitong mataas ang demand para sa mga ganitong produkto.

Kailangan po nating protektahan ang kapakanan ng mga mamamayan, lalung-lalo na sa mga gahamang negosyante na ang nais lang ay kumita sa iligal na paraan. Baka mura nga ang bilihin, e sa ospital naman ang tuloy ng mga bumibili. Kung ano ang natipid sa pamamalengke, mababawi naman sa panggamot.

Bukod pa rito, kailangan rin nating pangalagaan ang kita at kabuhayan ng mga magsasaka. Kapag smuggled ang bilihin at bagsak-presyo ang mga ito, nasisira ang kabuhayan ng ating mga magsasaka. Wala na nga silang Christmas bonus, mawawalan pa sila ng kita ngayong Kapaskuhan.

Hinihingi po natin ang tulong ng lahat ng mga sangay ng gobyerno na maging mas mapagmatyag ngayong mga panahong ito. Bigyan natin ng ligtas at masaganang Pasko ang ating mga kababayan.

My statement on the Jolo bombing

The Jolo bombing, which happened on Christmas Day of all days, should serve as a stern reminder to government that the path to peace, even if fraught with danger, should nevertheless be pursued with greater intensity and aggressiveness. It should tell us that we must relentlessly confront the root causes of armed conflict and violence, which are poverty and discrimination.

The peace initiatives of the government must not be sidetracked by these acts of senseless violence. It must, in fact, strengthen our resolve to bring peace negotiations to a higher level and end decades of armed conflict and social unrest in the South.

With inspiring and determined leadership and a people inspired to get involved and see an end to war and violence in their respective communities, there is no reason why we cannot succeed in silencing the guns of war for all time.

My 2010 Christmas message

2010 was a year of change for our country. President Noynoy Aquino’s victory in the elections was the catalyst our nation, aspiring for something better, needed most. Several months hence, we saw and felt these changes happening around us, albeit in a pace that would leave a lot of people wanting. Through sheer determination, we all fought against corruption, even if it meant just starting with not using wang-wangs and respecting traffic laws. With steely resolve, we were able to expose corruption in several government corporations and were able to institute much needed reforms to curb such practices.

But with every victory, there were setbacks. This yuletide season, my wish is we all use this break to gather our wits, reinvigorate our spirits, and realize that we as a nation must all come together in the New Year if we are to realize our dreams for our country.

Real changes are forthcoming, but each and everyone of us must be a part of instituting these reforms. PNoy’s victory in the elections is a great example of how we as a nation can turn the tide and become one in influencing how our future should be played out. The election is just the start. Let us all continue to work together with audacity to the day when we can indulge in the benefits of genuine reform and change.


Have a merry Christmas everyone!