On the live coverage of the Maguindanao massacre trial

We laud the Supreme Court in making public the Maguindanao massacre court proceedings. Last November 2010, we filed Resolution 186 in the Senate calling for such action saying "that it would be in the best interest of our judiciary to have transparency in the judicial process, especially in such an unprecedented case of brutality."

We believe that having live coverage would help in the process of speedy dispensation of justice as the whole world will be watching. Such transparency will help uphold the reputation of our courts and will eliminate doubts in the minds of our countrymen. The trial has dragged on for more than a year and the victims and their families are hungry for justice. This is a step towards the right direction.

A delightful play time and conversation with Miel

Child experts say that playing is essential to a child's development as a human being. I make it a point to spend play time with my two little ones. It is also a wonderful opportunity to experience
delightful conversation with them.

Miel and I were pretend playing that we were secret agents:


Miel: Dad, pretending I am the smart agent and that I know all the
secret codes.

Dad: Huh? What about me? I am not smart?

Miel: No I am just smarter because my brain is half human and half
robot.


Hmmm...

Create inter-agency task force to address smuggling

We are calling on the Department of Finance to create an inter-agency task force to address smuggling and help increase the incomes of local farmers while assuring food security.

Smuggling is one of the top concerns of both farmers and agri-businessmen around the country. Reports show that at least P100 billion of potential government revenues are lost with the continuous entry of smuggled goods and agricultural products, such as onions, rice, garlic, carrots, poultry, pork, and sugar.

According to field data, a conservative average of ten 14-footer container vans, with around 350,000 kilos of smuggled onions, enter the Cagayan de Oro and Davao ports per week.

The task force should be the vehicle that will mobilize the stakeholders and government in sharing information on smuggling activities and alerting the Bureau of Customs. It will also look into marshalling legal support for case buildup, evidence gathering, and the filing of cases against erring customs officials.

Kapag hindi natin nasolusyonan ang iligal na pag-aangkat ng mga produktong agrikultural sa bansa, hindi lang ang gobyerno ang tatamaan. Mas tatamaan ang magsasakang nagbabanat ng buto para pakainin ang sambayanan. Nawawalan sila ng kita at lumiliit ang kakayahan nilang makapagbigay ng sapat na pagkain para sa taumbayan.

Kung walang iligal na pag-aangkat, magsasaka’y aangat at lahat kakain nang sapat.

Smuggling is an urgent problem that the Bureau of Customs cannot solve on its own. We need the support of other government agencies and especially the private sector to ensure that our local producers are protected against the illegal entry of foreign commodities. We need to take care of our people, especially those who tirelessly work to put food on our tables.

Among others, we should build a united front against smuggling. Across sub-sectors—be it vegetables or meat, or rice, corn, or sugar. Smuggling hurts our farmers and the local industry. It must be met with forceful intervention. We should unleash People Power and defeat ‘smuggling power.’

We must send the signal to the smugglers that we will not simply watch and stand idly by as they wreak havoc on an industry we consider vital for national progress.

Create a new generation of 'farmtreneurs'

The government’s plan to relocate some 500,000 informal settlers in the metro to agricultural lands should extend to those who are jobless and unemployed who are willing to work yet do not have the opportunities.

Nearly three million are jobless. Our farmers’ average age is 57. We need to encourage a new generation of Filipinos to go into farming and agribusiness.

We are working closely with the Department of Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala. Along with the private sector, we convened the Agriculture and Fisheries 2025 (AF2025). AF2025 ‘s goal is to craft a long-term program that would address issues hounding the country’s agricultural and fisheries sector.

We need to create a core of young people and turn them into ‘farmtreneurs’ willing to go into farming and agribusiness and boost rural development and create jobs in the agriculture and fisheries sector. Instead of leaving the country to be employed abroad, we should encourage the jobless and unemployed to leave the urban centers and go into farming in the rural areas.

Creating a new generation of ‘farmtreneurs’ is key to achieving food security. Without a new generation of young farmers, we undermine the nation’s goal of ensuring adequate food supply for our people.

At an average age of 57, our farmers are an endangered species needing immediate government intervention. When we lose our farmers to call centers or jobs overseas, we lose our capacity to secure our food requirements.

Investigate the controversial NICA report of looming food shortage in the country

We will file a resolution calling for an investigation on the controversial report purportedly released by the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA) of a looming food shortage in the country.

Hindi biro ang usaping ito at lubhang napaka-sensitibo para gamitin ng ilang mapagpangahas na grupo o indibidwal para sa sariling interes. If it’s true that this issue is being manipulated to drive prices high, then it’s a matter that needs our serious attention.

We are working closely with the Department of Agriculture in monitoring the state of the nation’s food supply. Together with the COCAFM and the private sector, we created a task force whose mandate is to ensure food security. The task force, named Agriculture and Fisheries 2025 (AF2025), includes all the major players in the food supply chain in the country and aims to provide long-term, sustainable solutions to the various problems that continue to plague the agricultural sector.

Speculation is one of the problems we’ve identified and this needs to be addressed. In this particular case, if we find out that it is manufactured and that unscrupulous traders are behind this, then they should be punished.

Preparation can avert rice crisis

The country’s shrinking “rice supply” has become a matter of “national concern.”

We are not surprised with the results of the NICA report. The trend in higher food process did not begin February—not even this year. The United Nations’ Food & Agriculture Organization (FAO) started reporting about the trend in 2010 and so the increase is not going to be sudden.

This ongoing trend shows the need for the country to prepare in order to avert an impending rice crisis.

If we ignore the signs, a ‘crisis’ will creep up slowly, catching us unaware. On the other hand, we can use this time to prepare and ensure food security and stable prices. There will be no destabilization or crisis if we prepare now and focus on solutions.

That is why we have tried to work way ahead by convening AF 2025 as a means to focus on food security. AF 2025 is an agriculture summit that convened, in February this year, some of the key agriculture stakeholders from government, the farming sector, the private sector, and other related groups. Its objective was to draw up a road map that would address key agriculture issues.

Below are some solutions gleaned from the experiences I had on the field:

First: Aggressively promote the use of new rice varieties—including inbred and hybrid rice that are known to increase per-hectare yield. We learned through our field visits that the average yield per hectare is 3.8 metric tons. Inbred and hybrid varieties increase the yield per hectare to as much as 15 metric tons—three times more than the current yield.

In my recent trip to Barangay Tondod, San Jose, Nueva Ecija, an inventor named Alfonso Puyat developed a variety of inbred rice that is now tested by a rice farmer, Fernando Gabuya. The new variety was said that have yielded three times old rice variety used by Gabuya.

We’ve seen for ourselves how inventors and farmers are working together to develop innovations that increase productivity and the chances for profitability. Imagine if we were to test this out in other areas and eventually roll it out. The potentials for success are huge.


Second, Government needs to focus on increasing the hectarage of irrigated land. We now have 1.4 million hectares of irrigated land. The remaining 3.2 million hectares of Riceland remain raid-fed. The per-hectare yield can be doubled if irrigation will allow these lands two croppings instead of one.


Cooperatives and associations need to be organized in order to better maximize government assistance by way of ACEF grants and soft loans from GIFs (Government Financial Institutions). There's also a need to beef up the country’s investments in and capacity for research and development to come up with better solutions addressing food security.

Investments in R&D will have exponential benefits that could help many of our farmers from all over the country. These developments could not only boost the productivity and income of our agricultural sector. They could, in time, make us self-sufficient so that we won’t have to reply on imports any more.

The national government, together with the local governments, farmers’ groups, the academe, traders, millers, small and medium enterprises should come together at the grassroots level and help boost rice supply. Let’s mobilize people power to boost rice supply and ensure food sufficiency.

Bitbitin na palabas si Gonzalez

The presumption of regularity must prevail on the issue of Deputy Ombudsman Emilio Gonzales III. In this instance, unless constrained by the courts, the decision must be respected and the dismissal enforced. Kung walang legal na balakid sa pagpapatupad ng utos ng presidente, dapat ay tanggalin na 'yan sa puwesto. Kung kailangan mang bitbitin 'yan palabas ay dapat aksyonan na kaagad ng kinauukulang ahensiya ng pulis.

Unless they have forgotten we are under a new administration now, it is time we put an end to the wanton disregard for the rule of law so characteristic of the Arroyo administration. We need to exorcise the nation from the ghosts of the past regime wherein the constitution and the rule of law were upheld only when it served the purpose of the incumbent.

Huwag na nating hintayin pang magkaroon ng isa pang Luneta. Tama na! Sundin niyo na ang batas!

Blue Ribbon Committee can be the truth commission

The truth has a way of coming out, especially where the anomalies of the past administration is concerned.

It looks like now that the Senate’s Blue Ribbon Committee may possibly play the role of the Truth Commission of the Aquino administration. The country now has a chance to dig deeper and know more about the indiscretions of the past administration should Rebusa pushes through with the statements linking former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo with the alleged anomalies within the military.

Retired Lt. Col. George Rebusa is a credible witness. Nilalagay niya ang pamilya niya sa alanganin. Sakit lang ng ulo ang aabutin niya dito, pero nakonsiyensiya siya kaya niya ginagawa ito.

The Senate should provide Rebusa all the security he needs to protect him as a witness. It is the least we can do given the situation he is currently in.

Death penalty not the answer to brazen acts of criminality

The brazen acts of criminality highlighted by the twin carnappings with the victims even burnt by their captors give a foreboding sense of lawlessness. I agree that this requires immediate action. The government should put its foot down, so to speak. Perhaps a crime czar should be appointed—someone who is resolute and results-driven. This person must be on top of coordinating the efforts of the PNP and the DOJ.

We sympathize with the victims’ families and condone these heinous crimes, but strict enforcement of the law is what’s needed, not the death penalty.

We do not support this. It is the certainty, not the severity, of punishment that brings fear in the hearts of would-be criminals. No matter how severe the penalty imposed, if convictions are few and far between, or cases drag on for years on end without punishment, then criminality will remain rampant. It is the swiftness of punishment regardless of the penalty involved that will ensure respect for our laws and instill fear in the hearts of would-be criminals in our criminal justice system.

Chacha is not a magic wand that will solve our country's problems

We should not look at ChaCha as the magic wand that will solve our country's problems. We are still struggling to implement our laws as they are, what makes them think that when a new set of laws under a new constitution is put in place these new laws will then be effectively and fully implemented? Even under a new constitution it will still be political will and genuine leadership that will ensure that the laws are implemented in full. Changing our constitution doesn't guarantee anything. In the end, what we need is determined and effective leadership that will vigorously implement our laws in full without fear or favor.

I am willing to debate but I must caution the public not too look at the ChaCha as a magic wand that will solve the serious problems facing the nation. If we cannot implement our existing laws in full what makes us think that we will be able to implement the laws in full under a new constitution? Full and effective implementation of our laws by public sector leaders with the support of citizens who are equally determined and resolute in effecting real change will bring about the change we seek with or without ChaCha.

My statement on Comptroller Garcia's plea bargain: What a mockery!

On February 25, 2010, on the day we were supposed to be celebrating the anniversary of People Power, another midnight deal was being hatched by the office of the Ombudsman, government prosecutors (under the Arroyo regime), and the camp of comptroller Carlos Garcia for a plea bargain that would allow the plunderer to take home half of what he stole from the public coffers.

And, as former Ombudsman Simeon Marcelo has pointed out, there’s another court handling Garcia’s case that has ordered the forfeiture of P175M in assets of the former general and that this would be nullified with the precedence of the plea bargain. That is already a difference of P40M, and yet we know that Garcia took for himself at least P303M.

Garcia should not be allowed to go away scot-free and enjoy the rest of his loot. He should not be allowed to take home even a cent of what he stole. He should rot in jail and serve as an example to all would-be plunderers. That would be a good example of a bad deed getting punished instead of setting a bad example of a court not doing its mandate.

Letting Garcia escape with this is a real mockery of our system and our laws—with the robber literally laughing his way to the bank! This is a mockery of the very ideals we fought for in EDSA!

Image Source: AFP

My New Year's wish for PNoy and our nation

I pray and hope that through his leadership he is able to inspire our people to act and by doing so unleash our collective capacity to undo the wrongs of the past and
bring real change for our nation.

We are an extremely talented, hardworking and creative people. We have proven resiliency and tenacity to endure hardships for the sake of our families and loved ones. With President Aquino inspiring our people to give their all for family and country there is no way for us to fail.

Under his leadership and together with those who will continue with the work he has begun, we look forward to that dream of a progressive and prosperous nation realized in our lifetime. Happy New Year to Team PNoy!

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!

My statement on court's release of Senator Trillanes

Nagpapasalamat kami sa korte na pinaboran ang kahilingan ng senado. Kinilala ng senado at nirespeto nito ang hurisdiksyon ng korte at bilang kurtesiya ay kinilala rin ng hukom ang aming hurisdiksyon kay Senador Trillanes bilang kapwa senador. Ito ay isang magandang ehemplo ng parliamentary courtesy sa pagitan ng dalawang co-equal branches na nagpapalakas sa ating demokrasya

My 12 Christmas wishes for our country and our leader

1. For peace talks to start: “An end to the armed conflict around the country could lead to the emergence of cities such as General Santos, Cagayan de Oro, and Davao city.”


2. A new image for the country’s tourism industry: “We must attract tourists; not criticisms. Our people are by nature extremely friendly and hospitable. We are only doing/achieving some 3M tourist arrivals annually while our neighbors are doing four or five time more with 12 to 15 Million tourist visits annually. It has been said that other countries in the ASEAN are doing so much more with so little in terms of natural wonders and beautiful sites while we are doing so little with so much.”


3. For the CCT to be implemented ASAP: “I share the President’s fervor in lifting our countrymen out of poverty. We would like to see the CCT be implemented the soonest so we can assess right away its impact on our nation’s marginalized sector and tweak the system as necessary.”


4. A girlfriend for PNoy: “I hope all the best for our President, but more than that, I wish for him to finally find that special someone so that the media can focus their stories on the more substantiative aspects of being the leader of a nation.”

5. A united Malacanang: “We would like to see A more disciplined and cohesive team working towards achieving progress in the country. Let us be rid of the factions within. Filipinos are naturally resilient and love to laugh. But it does us no good to laugh at the follies of those who represent PNoy.”


6. Stable gasoline prices: “We make an appeal to those controlling the prices of this very important commodity: Let us give our countrymen a chance to rise above subsistence. Let us find a compromise wherein your business can still thrive without the poor suffering at the end of the consumer chain.”


7. For Filipinos to start thinking of fishing as a viable industry: “There is more to the country than agricultural farming. We have one of the longest coastlines in the world and a treasure trove of aquamarine resources. The Philippines can easily be the aquamarine resource powerhouse of the world.”


8. To be rid of garbage: “The tragedy of Ondoy should serve as a powerful lesson to us all. Cleaning up the environment also gives one a sense of pride and dignity, no matter what social class he or she belongs to.”


9. For families to be informed of their choices on family planning: “The fact remains that unless we are able to address the issue of population management, we can never realize our true potential as a nation. The government can only provide for so much of its citizen before there is chaos. An informed choice is what Filipinos need to manage the booming population.”


10. More private-public participation in worthy projects: “ The Gawad Kalinga is an exemplary example of how the synergy of government and private sector partnerships can bring about sustainable reforms for our communities and indeed, the whole nation. We all hope for a better nation, and as a people we will collectively realize these hopes only when more of us are willing to make a stand, take the risk, move out of our comfort zones and pledge to commit to doing our share in helping shape our communities and in helping move our nation towards a new direction.”


11. For smugglers to go to jail: “Smuggling affects the sustainability and profitability of our trade industry. It has been pervasive for far too long. We would like to see these unscrupulous traders finally put to jail. Smuggling is an indication of pervasive corruption in the country. We hope to stamp out all forms of corruption in the Philippines, and we need to make examples of them by punishing them.”


12. For our staple to have price stability: “Rice has been the cultural staple of Filipinos. And yet not all of our countrymen are able to afford to have them on their tables. For us to have economic stability, we will need to have food security. Addressing the gaps that affect the prices of rice will greatly improve the lives of our impoverished people. One cannot dream of prosperity after all if one has an empty stomach.”

Put smugglers behind bars

It must be stressed that food security is national security—a public interest of the highest order. Government should find solutions to stop illegal smuggling of agricultural products before we totally cripple our farmers.

When smuggled goods find their way into our markets, our farmers are robbed of their profits. Smuggled products sell at a much lower price in the market. Smuggled pork are sold for as low as P70 a kilo, while our own local pork is sold at P170 a kilo. Consumers will not pick a more costly produce, even if they are not assured of the quality. These products have not gone through quality control processing; as such they pose as health hazards to our consumers.

Even if the Philippines is an agricultural country, we are unable to feed our people properly and cannot provide for the hands that feed us.

We need sustained and relentless efforts at going after smugglers, and it should not end with the seizure of goods smuggled: It must ultimately end up in placing smugglers behind bars.

100% from the heart, no plagiarism added :)

My thoughts on SC's decision that the Truth Commission is unconstitutional: This is a sad day for our judiciary

We are deeply saddened by the decision. Considering the numerous corruption scandals that hounded the previous regime, the ruling may unwittingly create the public perception that the former president cannot be investigated and cannot be held accountable for her actions. I am afraid that this ruling may further harm the image and reputation of the Supreme Court.

President Aquino ran on the campaign promise of addressing corruption and poverty. We hope that by way of a motion for reconsideration on this adverse ruling, the Supreme court will reconsider its position and allow the President to fulfill his campaign promises. With all due respect, the
supreme court should be a partner and not a stumbling block in the Aquino administration's anti corruption efforts.

We welcome Alfredo Pascual's appointment as the new UP President

We welcome the appointment of international banker and finance expert Alfredo Pascual as the University of the Philippines’ new president. We believe that Pascual’s background in the business sector will serve the state university well in addressing its financial problems.

Pascual himself promised to address the financial needs of UP in light of the budget cuts for 2011. I have expressed my reservations on this matter, and having a financial expert as UP president will certainly help matters.

Education is an extremely important pillar of the country’s goal of becoming a developed nation. With Pascual and his extensive economic background, there is a chance that the financial woes of UP will be addressed and remedied.

Senator Lacson must take Senator Trillanes' lead and face the music

We call on our colleague Senator Panfilo Lacson to face the accusations made against him.

If he is innocent, then he has nothing to fear. We have a new administration whose mandate is to serve best interest of the people.

Kahit nga naging senador si senador Trillanes, patuloy pa rin siyang humarap sa kasong isinampa laban sa kaniya. Ganun din ang nararapat gawin ni senador Lacson. Kailangan niyang harapin ang kaso at mapasailalim sa sistema ng katarungan sa ating bansa.