First the Spratlys, Next Palawan?
I have written that according to my sources, the China-Philippines Spratly deal was an explicit precondition to the $2 billion a year in loans that the Chinese government committed to the Philippines. This item from no less than the Office of the Press Secretary shows that the Northrail loan was granted at the same time that the Spratly deal was signed, in September 2004.
Don’t take my word for it check: www.ops.gov.ph/chinavisit2004/news3.htm
My sources add further that some people in government who knew about the deal–in particular former acting Justice Secretary Merceditas Gutierrez and officials of the Foreign Affairs Department like the late Alice Ramos–were worried that that the Spratly deal was violating the Constitution.
They were particularly concerned that the agreement for the joint seismic undertaking granted China the right to explore for oil and gas in waters that we consider our own.
The Constitutional articles concerned are reproduced below, with the problematic provisions highlighted:
Article 12:
National Economy and Patrimony
SEC 1.
The goals of the national economy are a more equitable distribution of opportunities, income, and wealth; a sustained increase in the amount of goods and services produced by the nation for the benefit of the people; and an expanding productivity as the key raising the quality of life for all, especially the underprivileged.
The State shall promote industrialization and full employment based on sound agricultural development and agrarian reform, through industries that make full and efficient use of human and natural resources, and which are competitive in both domestic and foreign markets. However, the State shall protect Filipino enterprises against unfair foreign competition and trade practices.
In the pursuit of these goals, all sectors of the economy and all regions of the country shall be given optimum opportunity to develop. Private enterprises, including corporations, cooperatives, and similar collective organizations, shall be encouraged to broaden the base of their ownership.
SEC. 2.
All lands of the public domain, waters, minerals, coal, petroleum, and other mineral oils, all forces of potential energy, fisheries, forests or timber, wildlife, flora and fauna, and other natural resources are owned by the State. With the exception of agricultural lands, all other natural resources shall not be alienated. The exploration, development, and utilization of natural resources shall be under the full control and supervision of the State. The State may directly undertake such activities, or it may enter into co-production, joint venture, or production-sharing agreements with Filipino citizens, or corporations or associations at least sixty per centum of whose capital is owned by such citizens. Such agreements may be for a period not exceeding twenty-five years, renewable for not more than twenty-five years, and under such terms and conditions as may be provided by law. In cases of water rights for irrigation, water supply, fisheries, or industrial uses other than the development of water power, beneficial use may be the measure and limit of the grant.
The State shall protect the nation’s marine wealth in its archipelagic waters, territorial sea, and exclusive economic zone, and reserve its use and enjoyment exclusively to Filipino citizens.
The Congress may, by law, allow small-scale utilization of natural resources by Filipino citizens, as well as cooperative fish farming, with priority to subsistence fishermen and fishworkers in rivers, lakes, bays, and lagoons.
The President may enter into agreements with foreign-owned corporations involving either technical of financial assistance for large-scale exploration, development, and utilization of minerals, petroleum, and other mineral oils according to the general terms and conditions provided by law, based on real contributions to the economic growth and general welfare of the country. In such agreements, the State shall promote the development and use of local scientific and technical resources.
The President shall notify the Congress of every contract entered into in accordance with this provision, within thirty days from its execution.
Note that the President is allowed to enter into agreements with foreign corporations to explore for oil, provided this is done in accordance with the law and provided Congress is notified of the agreements within 30 days of its execution.
Congress was never notified of the agreement and the Palace had no intention of doing so. In fact, the agreement has never been released to the public. So how did the Palace lawyers get around this?
By simply referring to the agreement as a pre-exploration activity.
The palace geniuses and their allies pushing for the deal argued that by labelling the seismic study as a pre-exploration activity, it did not constitute exploration per se, and therefore they had no obligation to notify Congress. But others raised the issue that seismic mapping was in fact already part of the process of exploration. In their eagerness to sign the deal, they said by simply referring to it as a pre-exploration agreement that would be enough to circumvent the constitution. The problem is simply declaring it as pre-exploration doesn’t necessarily make it so. But that’s why the text of the agreement refers to it as a pre-exploration activity. And that’s why the Palalce press release above made it a point to say that the agreement was not an exploration agreement, but merely a study.
The problem is that any oil industry expert will tell you that seismic mapping is in fact, part and parcel of exploration activity. In the oil exploration business, pre-exploration activity consists of mostly of studying the regulations, lining up the financing, and obtaining the licenses and the other government approvals necessary to begin exploration. Again, don’t take my word for it. Do the research. Talk to oil industry experts. Google “oil exploration” or “seismic exploration” and you’ll see ample literature out there on seismic studies and how they constitute part of exploration.
Case in point: In 2002 the Department of Energy granted an oil exploration company called Forum Energy a license to explore for oil and gas in the Reed bank of Western Palawan. The license was called Geophysical Survey and Exploration Contract (GSEC) 101. A GSEC, as its name implies, is a license to explore for oil or gas in our territorial waters. As you can see, seismic surveys are part and parcel of exploration activities. Their exploration gave them enough reason to believe that GSEC 101 contained oil and gas in commerical quantities, so Forum applied to convert their GSEC into a Service Contract (SC). Normally, having given a company a GSEC, the DOE would grant the SC as a matter of course. After all, if you let them explore, you would also let them drill. But unexpetedly, te DOE balked at convefting Forum’s GSEC into a SC, something that almost never happens.
The problem with Forum was that after the Philippines and China (and later Vietnam), signed the Spratly deal the Chinese government began to apply pressure on the Philippine government not to convert Forum’s GSEC into a SC, because GSEC 101 was part of the area included in the joint exploration deal. In asserting its rights under the Spratly deal, China is now questioning the granting of exploration licenses in an area where we were already granting drilling licenses to private companies. As far as I know, China did not contest the granting of the GSEC to Forum in 2002, but the Spratly deal has emboldened China to do that now. Forum saw the writing on the wall and sold its stake in GSEC 101 to Monte Oro Resources and Energy, a local firm partly owned by Walter Brown of Philex and and reportedly, Enrique Razon of ICTSI (yes, there’s a story here which I will save for a later date).
As we can see from this example, the Spratly deal has already weakened our claim on certain territories we claim as our own, like Palawan.
March 9th, 2008 18:24
Hi Ricky. Great research.
(by the way, please correct the link you published to OPS’s website.)
March 9th, 2008 18:28
Ricky:
Philippine investigative reporting at its best!
“Bravery,like cowardice,is contagious!”
March 9th, 2008 18:51
Brian,
Looks like they’ve erased the link. I was afraid they’d do that. But the text was lifted word-for-word from there.
March 9th, 2008 19:37
Ricky C. : Kudos!
First the Spratlys, next Palawan and then….
All the remaining agricultural land not included in the original 1.48 million hectares already leased to CHINA. Paging Secretary YAP to the rescue!
I said it in jest never realizing it will come to fruition….
Republic of the Philippines - a subsidiary
of the People’s Republic of CHINA
We need patriots ASAP and not pinheads who believe TREASON is a good thing!
Meantime, I look forward to more CHINA trips by GMA like a thief in the night……..
March 9th, 2008 19:55
Hi, Ricky. The webpage is still up, i don’t think they got wind of this post yet. Just replace the “/” after www with “.”. Ie, http://www.ops.gov.ph/chinavisit2004/news3.htm.
Thanks for your work, bai.
March 9th, 2008 19:58
Ricky,
More power to you. You are doing great.
March 9th, 2008 20:12
hi, ricky. you’ve been pretty busy, i see… The Big Picture episode this past week was quite a follow through to your previous post–that just about clinched and cleared what the talk (or should i say, uproar) is all about here–with drillon, roque and medalla, no less, pitching in their opinion and/or knowledge on the issue more extensively.
with the way the bigger picture on the spratly deal is being taken up mainstream or so it appears (as i see in primetime news, various channels) vis-a-vis your initial docu on The Correspondents, your work is definitely hot item these days–but, of course, that is no news…
. . . you must love your job and/or our country, huh? your job/work (the assignments you choose to take on, not the cushy type–no, di ka bagay sa ganon so don’t even think of leaving media work
at all, risky… i meant, ricky.
great work. as usual… a beacon. brave. mighty brave–(what better way to take up a contentious issue than pursue it without let up… until we put it to light)–and more: a jack ryan, sir ;)… people like you are what we need in this day and age… it’s great to be on stand by in this blogsite. informative… ‘m out of breathe polishing on my research skills catching up on you–quite a pace you have here. diligent.
. . . on this one… seems like as days pass we’re bound to see a clearer picture yet. can’t wait, sir… this is like reading a thriller/suspense bestseller… yeah, i’d say clear and present danger ;)… and i can’t wait to follow your lead… this is HOT stuff, ricky. watch your back. we pray for you. good evening!Ü
March 9th, 2008 20:14
correction:
Paragrapg 3, Line 3… leaving media work”)” [close parenthesis] at all.
March 9th, 2008 20:19
Hi Ricky,
Am just new in this discussion, though I am following what’s is happening there in our country from the very 1st day Jun Lozada exposed about personalities involved in the alleged ZTE anomalies & the kidnapping happened to him. I must admit that i wasn’t that interested anymore on what was going on in the Phils. while Arroyo is still in Malacanang as I’ve already lost hope for this administration. I must admit that i am glued on tv esp. ANC kaya alam ko ang nangyayari sa ating bansa. Pero nong lumabas na c Jun Lozada at nakita ko kung papano naapektohan kung hindi man lahat ay nakararaming tao. Lumabas sila at dinaing nila ang karahasan ng gobyerno at ang mga katiwalian.
Ricky, I would like to congratulate you for doing your job well, for exposing everything you know that your sources relaying on you. You’re such a courages man & an example to so many if not to all people to come out in the open who have knowledge sa mga nangyayaring hindi karapat dapat na ginagawa ng gobyerno. Though we all know na napaka dangerous ito para syo, because some are already insinuating na isa ka sa mga tao na ayaw sa gobyerno, but then kanya-kanyang opinion yan…
Hindi ako makapaniwala na magagawa pala ito ni Gloria Arroyo sa knayang sariling bansa. No wonder kailan lang bumyahe na nman c Mike Arroyo sa HongKong daw for medical reason. Who knows baka my kinatagpo cya na taga China para pag usapan ang mga nangyayari sa ating bansa. Remember 3 men have been accusing him on brokering or having kickbacks…
Ricky, I just hope na hindi ka madadala na maglabas ng kung ano man na nalalaman mo, bilang mamamahayag…
MABUHAY KA RICKY CARANDANG!!!!
March 9th, 2008 20:20
. . . oopsie… again:
i meant, “Paragraph 3, Line 3″ i.e…. and “at all… (dot. dot. dot :).”
sorry, havin’ double vision na here. lots amiss. tired =).
March 9th, 2008 21:30
. . . as i see it, even at this point, with what you have here vis-a-vis previous info available from various sources, one can pretty much triangulate and see if what we have in front of us is indeed, as they say, a deal or no deal… but then, of course, in the spirit of justice, we would rather have the dots connected, so to speak… this is why, for now, the mantra still is: “abangan ang susunod na kabanata”…
you never fail to amaze… brilliant! if ninoy and pepe were alive, they’d be proud… but then again that would be leaning on the dramatic… after all, you’re just doing your job, right? [one hell of a mighty job ;)... anderson cooper-ish :]
keep on it…you’ve got an audience here. we’re waiting for your own version of 360… “but then again” again… you’ve already The Big PictÜre… you deserve it.
March 9th, 2008 21:34
… and yet more correction on #6: P4, L5: “of breath” minus E… what was it thinking? sorry.
March 9th, 2008 21:34
… and yet more correction on #6: P4, L5: “of breath” minus E… what was i thinking? sorry.
March 9th, 2008 21:41
PS… so sorry. my appendage was faster than my thought. lots of typo errs… errors, i.e. i promise to proofread muna next time. promise.Ü good night.
March 9th, 2008 21:49
Got it Brian. Thanks.
March 9th, 2008 21:49
This GMA is simply practising the principle…”what you don’t know, won’t hurt you!”. As far as Gloria is concerned, GMA is the Philippines and the country is her to give!
March 9th, 2008 21:57
marc1a, Jun F, Irene,
Thanks but its not me. Its the people in government who are beginning to talk about what they know.
For a long time it was very difficult for whistleblowers to talk. The danger to them and their families is real. The possibility of being charged in court, fired from their jobs, and losing their incomes is real. For those reasons, many people who have come forward with information have declined to be identified.
But somehow more and more of them are talking, giving us bits and pieces that we can piece together.
March 9th, 2008 22:03
. . . but it’s you (one of the few) they go to–need we wonder why? ;)… great work, regardless. mabÜhay!
March 9th, 2008 22:03
By the way everyone,
For those of you who want to read the actual Joint Seismic Agreement between RP and China and the Tripartite Agreement which includes Vietnam, I’ve e-mailed them to Manolo Quezon who will put them up on his blog. Newsbreak.com also has the agreements somewhere on their website.
March 9th, 2008 22:07
Ricky: Watch your back! Err on the side of caution. Protect yourself as you protect your sources!
March 9th, 2008 22:21
thanks for the cue… we’ll be trailing… if we keep at this at this pace… who knows, maybe the gods will take pity and have mercy =)… i believe the summit is not farfetched. may the view at the top be worth the hike however tortuous.
March 9th, 2008 23:28
Hi Ricky,
Brilliant, brilliant work. More power!
March 10th, 2008 00:07
Hi Ricky,
Is the senate hearing for ZTE on tuesday push through? Bakit sinabi nya ky Arroyo na: If you resign, you’ll be dead! Itong senador na ito na wala pa nagagawa at wala pa napapatunayan sa bansa natin ay balimbing! Natuloy ba ang pag assign nila sa asawa nya as ambassador sa Vatican? He’s really nothing compare to Sen. Lacson. Pngpagulo lang cy sa senado! I really beleive & admire Sen. Lacson, sa lahat na mga senators if not isa cy sa mga pinakamasipag na senator. Hindi cy napapagod humanap ng katotohanan. As he said to the senate na: marahil mas masipag cy kesa sa iba. If he indeed running for President come 2010, I will make sure na makakapag register na ako para bomoto. Nand2 ksi ako sa abroad pero simula nong nakaalis na ako dyan sa atin hindi na ako, bumoto pa.
Sana manalo na ang taga opposition sa darating na 2010 presidential election. Kahit na sino mula sa taga opposition basta huwag lang taga administration, dahil sigurado ko susunod sa mga yapak nyan ni arroyo. At kung sakali man manalo ang taga administration, baka kapag my kaso c arroyo sa mga ginagawa nya ngayon, baka i-pardon pa nya si arroyo. Kaya sana sa darating na 2010 election, lahat sana ay maging vigilant dahil alam ko mas mas higit pa ang gagawin nilang pandadaya kesa sa nakaraan para lang masigurado ang panalo ng taga administration para sa ganon, pakakawalan nila si arroyo at ang ibang cabinete nya sakaling my maparusahan o maikukulong sa mga pinag-gagawa nila ngayon sa ating bansa. Pang aaboso sa kapangyarihan!
To you Ricky, keep up the good work. You’re relly working hard para maipaabot sa mga tao ang lahat ng mga nangyayari sa atin bansa, na karamihan hindi nalalaman. I want to say thank you very much syo dahil d2 sa discussion na ito ay naipararating nmin ang saloobin nmin. Take care of yourself & may God bless you always….
March 10th, 2008 00:11
boy, are we in big trouble!!!!
so, what do we we do with a sociopath for a president? we could all bang our heads against the wall, scream, wail, plead….. and i don’t think she’s even going to budge.
i wonder what it is, or who it is she prays to whenever the cameras are at her, eyes closed, hands clasped and mumbling…
would her prayer sound something like….”Dear god, please protect me, my family and cohorts so that the 90 million filipinos will never get wind of how vast my loot is…..”
March 10th, 2008 00:14
Ricky ang tinutukoy ko ay si Enrile, sa bakit sinabi nya ky Arroyo. Na erase ko ksi habang ini-edit ko ang. Siguro dla na ito ng galit at inis ko sa mga taga administration dahil na rin sa mga pinag gagagawa nila sa ating bansa. I’m an OFW at narinig at napanood ko lahat na testimony ni Jun Lozada at pati mga remittances ng OFW ginagapang din nila….
MABUHAY KA RICKY…. TAKE CARE….
March 10th, 2008 00:31
oh, and while i’m at it, let me just say, you are brilliant! it can’t be just hard work, must be the genes too! after all, parents are both on top of the game too. Top neurosurgeon and top psychologist. Wow!!!
take care,you make us proud.
March 10th, 2008 01:06
was able to access the following link as provided:
http://www.ops.gov.ph/chinavisit2004/news3.htm
wow, nakakagalet naman yun!
with what is (info) out there now… and reading the press releases… ‘m not sure if maiinis nga ba ko lalo o matatawa…
let’s take the first entry: President Hu accepts invitation to visit Manila
says somewhere there… “The President said China obviously loves the Philippines because Filipinos in China are lovable.” (…?!).
–man, talagang may ganito na ba press statements Malacañan (no less)? =). tsk! tsk!
Entry #2: New accords boost RP-China ties
“…Significant gains in cooperation are also expected in agriculture, tourism and even defense, Afable said.”…
– this is scary. with what’s been said about the 1M has to be leased was it to China in one of the links in the previous post vis-a-vis news on food shortage in the here and now, aba, ang mga poor sa bansa natin ay totoong magiging extinct na… not because of some grandiose solution on poverty alleviation but rather -elimination. if there’s no more land to till and no money either to buy food… well, we can just imagine… i bet mauuso na din sa atin cremation–la na lot mapaglibingan… as HappySlips dad pÜts it: “disaster”.
Entry 3: GMA ends 3-day China state visit
“BEIJING (via PLDT) – President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo ends today her three-day fruitful state visit to China that further strengthened bilateral ties between China and the Philippines…
Before her departure from Beijing, she will hold bilateral talks with other foreign leaders attending the 3rd International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP) here.
The President is set to meet with Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra at the State Guest House here early this afternoon.”
– if my regional history serves me right… this axed/ex-prime minister has had various and grave scandals, as well, under his belt and was… hmmmn, closely familiar, don’t i think? what a talkshop that was, i suppose… [background music/musical score: i remember some of our kiddie songs back in the day… “pagsama-samahin ang parepareho…” ;).
Entry 4: Chinese Premier assures GMA of further trade and economic cooperation
–oh please, have mercy. haven’t we learned our lesson yet (but of course, 2004 pa nga pala ‘to)… so now, kaya pala… kawawa naman tayo pag nagkataon. we have no land to till kung sakali matuloy 10% lease out to China, and little money to spend… plus: Chinese products are rather cheap… what do you think? may alternative pa nga ba? let’s just pray they’ll get their acts together and export us standard quality goods… bÜt then again, this is me wishful thinking. presently, as I take it: as some would put it, asa pa ko!
Entry 5: Jiang Zemin hails RP-China cooperation
“BEIJING – Chinese Central Military Commission chairman Jiang Zemin Thursday called for more efforts to further develop the bilateral relations between China and the Philippines, the official Chinese news agency Xinhua reported…
The Philippines and China have enjoyed good coordination and cooperation in international and regional affairs with the continued strengthening of political thrust and deepening of the cooperation, Jiang said.”
– katakot naman eto! syempre they’ll make sure di tayo makaka-angal kaya dapat pati military dapat may say din sila?… hmn… ;).magaling-magaling!
ENTRY 6: GMA lauds ICAPP leaders’ efforts to bring peace and prosperity in Asia
“Mrs. Arroyo urged the other Asian political leaders to give way and stress to party programs and consultations with the people, and bring governance and diplomacy into the realm of “party to party, state to state and people to people.”
– ah, yun pala yun… party to party… state to state… people to people ;)… hmmmn, consultation . . . hmmmn… ;)… here’s politics for us dÜmmies.
ENTRY 6: China, RP sign media cooperation accord
“BEIJING (via PLDT) - China and the Philippines today signed a media cooperation agreement that seeks to further enhance friendly cooperation between information agencies and media organizations of the two countries…
Both sides likewise agreed to promote exchanges between their respective media organizations and encourage wider coverage of political, economic, cultural and related events in the two countries.
The accord also said both parties will encourage the conduct of seminars and workshops with the participation of mainstream media practitioners, and to exchange periodicals, books, electronic video and audio products and other publications.”
– makakatipid nga naman sila. no need for espionage… oo nga pala, nadadaan naman pala sa diplomacia ;).
ENTRY 7: GMA witnesses signing of $30-M joint venture on iron ore facility, other business pacts
“BEIJING—President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today witnessed the signing of a joint venture agreement between a local subsidiary and two Chinese companies for the setting up of an iron ore processing plant in Panganiban, Camarines Norte.”
– e di ba somewhere there yun kasalukuyan landslides as a result of continuous rains? i-add pa eto. 1+1. paano na? madame, kaya pala naggagalit-galitan ;). si gov. salceda sa inyo, yung kapitbahay nya ni-lamb offer nyo na…
ENTRY 8: Thai Premier donates US$40,000 for Central Luzon flood victims
– goes to show “likethis” si madame at si axed-PM Thaksin ;).
ENTRY 9: GMA to bring home RP-China business contracts worth $1 billion
– wait, medyo slow ako… ah, eto yun dati… with the spratlys kaya ba nag-balloon into $20B? hmmmn, talaga nga pala… magaling-magaling! ;).
“The 105-strong Philippine business contingent that accompanied President Macapagal-Arroyo in the China visit was briefed on Guangdong’s investment promotion program.”
– hmmmn, kasama kaya dito si Razon at Dee?
ENTRY 10: Joint press statement of the government of the Republic of the Philippines and the government of the People’s Republic of China
“In the interest of expanding mutual investment, they agreed to encourage entrepreneurs to invest in each other’s countries, particularly in the fields of infrastructure, agriculture, resources, information and communications technology, among others. The Philippine side expressed appreciation for China’s support for the agricultural development program and the Northrail project of the Philippine government.”
– given most manufacturing ay nasa China, ano naman kaya ang iinvest natin sa kanila para truly maging “mutual” ang deal… pwede intellectual na lang po?–pwede, brain drain uli… of course, on and for their side, lookout nila syempre, as usual, sila upperhand–otherwise, bakit pa?
…”President Arroyo expressed appreciation for the warm hospitality and friendship extended to her and her delegation during her visit to China”
– now, we have a hÜnch . . . ; ). . . kaya pala.
. . . haay, bÜhay nga naman sa ‘pinas’—minsan parang sarswela… nakakaaliw… nakakabaliw ;).
PS… was browin’ earlier on axed-PM ;). Thaksin… when i chanced upon this:
http://www.politicalfriendster.com/showConnection.php?id1=201&id2=3190
– o di ba, kaloca?! ;).
March 10th, 2008 01:11
. . . [on PS]: that was “browsin” (with “s”), err-rrr ;).
March 10th, 2008 01:14
on #24 . . . and there i went again: that’s HappySlip (minus “s” at the end)–this is my slip…there somehwre in the middle
March 10th, 2008 07:04
@marc1a,
It’s OK to commit typo errors online… we actually should expect it, since we are not creating or publishing research papers or résumés here but just expressing our thoughts on the fly. As we all know, our thoughts are usually faster than our fingers… even Ricky commits typo errors on his blog posts.
So take a break, just relax, don’t punish yourself too much. It’s OK, you don’t have to correct yourself. We get your point.
(sorry Ricky, off-topic. But I’d like to echo J. Cruz’s sentiments… please take extra caution! The Philippine nation can’t afford to lose someone as brilliant as Ricky Carandang!)
March 10th, 2008 08:50
The EQ Polls:Feeling The Public Pulse on National Concerns.Make a Stand.Cast Your Vote Now!
Current EQ Polls:
1)Do you believe Gloria’s promise to step down in 2010?
2)Which TV News do you Trust the most?
3)Which Philippine Newspaper do you Trust the most?
4)Who is the most Credible Filipino Leader today?
5)Who should be the NEXT President of the Philippines?
6)Which are the most Trusted Philippine Institutions?
7)Who are the Ten Best Senators?
9)What is the public pulse on the “Jun Lozada” expose?
10)What is the best way to resolve the current political crisis of Gloria Arroyo?
11)What is the legacy of Gloria Arroyo after 7 years in office?
12)If and when GMA resigns,what kind of New Leader must we have?
13)What is the EXTENT of the current “SEARCH FOR TRUTH”?
14)Have reached the “THE TIPPING POINT” in the current political crisis?
15)Kayo,ramdam ba ninyo ang pag-asenso pagkaraan ng pitong taon?
16)Are you in favor of Gloria’s Charter change(CHA-CHA) again?
March 10th, 2008 09:05
1. No
2. ANC
3. Inquirer - most of the time
4. Can;t think of one but if I may, I vote Doy Romero as the country’s primo pundit
5. He’s somewhere out there still evolving
6. Supreme Court, Finex
7. Ping, Dick, Mar, Nene, Cayetano (frere), JPE, Miriam . . .
8. No
9. He’s not lying although at the rate he is going his 15 minutes of fame might start to decay faster than planned
10.Let the situation evolve. It will fix itself
11. Severely damaged institutions
12. Will come from the same dominant leader class. Not much change but more public scrutiny but not necessarily more discernment. Erap vindicated.
13. It stops when people find the pieces they want.
14. No.
15. Hindi. Kung meron man ay nanggaling sa sariling kayod. The state has become irrelevant as a proactive force for advancing quality of life across the board. When the government takes credit for economic progress it is all just gratuitous self-congratulation - like taking credit for the results of natural phenomena like climate and the tides. I do not believe a single word this admin says, including “and” and “the.” (a quip used to describe Bill Clinton, GMA’s fellow Hoya)
El Bucho
16. No
March 10th, 2008 10:22
Ricky –
Many thanks for the unrelenting stream of articles that unmask the ’sociopath’ and her ilk. Utang na loob — kahit bansa natin isasanla just to ensure their (and their scion’s) lifestyle after their term of office. Truly, greed and avarice at its worst.
Your entries are helping build towards a tipping point. Let us all soldier on and take heart from Burke: “all that’s necessary for the forces of evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing”.
March 10th, 2008 10:36
1. Only if people will allow her.
2. I don’t have Philippine TV. I watch American idol. lol. I just follow Ricky for now.
3. Wall Street, Orlando Sentinel.
4. Each politicians must have a RESUME with key qualifications and accomplishments. Must be interviewed one by one.
5. Not a current businessman.Maybe a senator who is God fearing with strong leadership background. Anyone who can create employment and attract FDI’s to create more jobs. Able to project and predict future risk. Someone who can understand how global economy affects our own economy. Someone who can change our banking system and accounting principles especially this code…
Code: Section 26 (B) Book 6 of the Revised Administrative Code of 1987 is the mother of all these debt-creating laws.
Because of the automatic debt servicing provisions, payments for both principal and interest on public debt are automatically appropriated. This is done without the benefit of a comprehensive review or at least public scrutiny, which resulted in paying dubious if not illegitimate debts while sacrificing social spending.
6. Do we have one?
7. Do we have 10 best senators? Anyone with a track record of increasing employment to their respective region. Anyone who provided educational budgets and subsidies to our farmers for food production.
8. ZTE is a corporation with stockholders from US and CHINA. Boycott… No, we need new bids for new broadband providers who can service the 7000 islands. Another company will do but must be implemented as soon as we can.
9. He’s not that popular. People are too concern about inflation for now.
10. There’s no best way. The damage has been done. Senate must decide but majority are corrupt too. They are baggage we carry during our journey. It’s getting heavy. We must unload some of them.
11. What legacy?
12.
a.must be able to reverse price inflation to acceptable level according to per capita income all across the island in his/her first year.
b. must utilize its own people for maximum employment at 95% all throughout the region during his/her first term.
c. must be able to negotiate interest rates and reversed or change the code: Section 26 (B) Book 6 of the Revised Administrative Code of 1987 ASAP.
d. must disqualify anyone who buy votes to win.
More to follow, I am focused on inflation and employment.
13. almost there…
14. we are always at the tip of poverty.
15. “treason” my reply # 213: “In addition…our economic growth is not constitutional. It is not because of her leadership. It is not because she knows what she’s doing. Our current economy is simply a ripple effect of what the others are doing. It’s globalization. “
But be aware folks: as the dollar starts to slide upward and the oil starts to slide downward, interest rates on borrowing may increase. This can result to higher payment of our debt service to countries we owed to. We may not be able to use leverage for economic progress. Cash flow might fall and budget for economic progress may decrease. This speculation is only good for full economic activity without graft and corruption.
16. She could have done a better job if she has used her heart or maybe she doesn’t know any better.
March 10th, 2008 10:48
about palawan: it is a must see place before you die according to global tourism. we must protect our land.
March 10th, 2008 11:03
this situation presents a defining moment for the legislative, judiciary and military to come to the defense of the republic.
please do not let us down.
March 10th, 2008 11:36
“A mere scientific or technical cooperation agreement, which does not diminish or threaten Philippine sovereignty or jurisdiction, is constitutional,” (Daily Tribune, March 10, 2008)… concludes Miriam Santiago, chairperson of the senate Foreign Relations Committee who said she would investigate the constitutional and legal aspects of the agreement. Coming from a servile self-seeker, what can the poor and hapless Filipinos expect from her proposed investigation?
March 10th, 2008 11:42
Ricky,
“The problem is, simply declaring it as pre-exploration doesn’t necessarily make it so.”
Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States, was also an accomplished lawyer. In arguing a case one day, he asked the question “If you call a dog’s tail a leg, how many legs would the dog have?” “The answer”, he said, “is still 4. Just calling a tail a leg doesn’t make it a leg.”
Appropo.
March 10th, 2008 11:49
You are a great journalist, Ricky. Is there a way that you can get your investigative report published in some of our dailies? That way this could diffuse to a wider readership and understanding of issues among our countrymen. It is time that most Filipinos know that our territorial sovereignty is at stake here.
March 10th, 2008 12:15
[...] his entry yesterday, Ricky Carandang continues his ongoing investigations into what, really, the Spratleys deal is all about, and its [...]
March 10th, 2008 14:07
Ricky Carandang
I know you have a brilliant mind.Our country need like your.You are Hope for the future.Don’t intimidate for those people thinking about their pocket or greedy people.Be brave what you are!.Expose what is truth.I know our almighty God .Guided you on the right pathway.Even thou I am a KAPAMPANGA.I will always pray your safety.GODSPEED thank you.
March 10th, 2008 14:57
TypoGod,
thanks for that… but still… i should’ve known better.
browse lang sana ko when i saw may bago post… before i realized, i was typing away my emotion and take on the issue at syempre ang lakas ng loob ko (not really; in hindsight i really didn’t think about it na…if i ever thought, at all–’seems naka-autopilot dÜmmy here :). i-press ang (submit) button w/o the benefit of edit… and so later sa sobrang kahihiyan, ‘have to correct myself… pero sa dami faÜx pas, lalo yata ako nahiya ;). haha!–bÜti nga sa kin! talagang ganyan karma, mabilis ang balik =)… lesson ko yan para next time careful.Ü
[ayoko na magsorry kay ricky sawa na yan sa kin (hi ricky!... 'm a work in progress :)... my mantra now: temperance.Ü ]
March 10th, 2008 15:00
President Gloria Pidal announced today several major cabinet appointments involving some poltical heavyweights in the country.
According to Palace sources,who have requested anonymity,this strategic move is intended to placate critics who have complained about the dire lack of men and women of probity in her Cabinet.
The new appointees,all with cabinet rank,are:
1)Former General Jovito Palparan: Secretary of Human Rights
2) Senator Lito Lapid:Secretary of Education
3)Imelda Marcos: Ambassador To Switzerland
4)Senator Bong Revilla:Department of Public Highways
5)Senator Joker Arroyo:Secretary of Youth Affairs.
6)Senator Juan Ponce Enrile:Secretary of Religious Affairs
7)Chairman Romy Ner:Truth Commission
9)Ex-Comelec Commissioner Garcillano: Presidential Adviser on Electoral Reforms
10)Senator Miguel Zubiri:Presidential Adviser for Maguindanao.
Do you agree with these moves?
March 10th, 2008 15:20
glimpsed ed mañalac’s presscon… hmmmn, i wonder about that policy difference between him and GMA/government–his stated reason for resignation… does it relate kaya to the controversial issue on the spratlys (project)?… notable and quite interesting statement in view of what is currently happening… can’t wait for his interrogation at the senate
March 10th, 2008 15:23
The Equalizer, OK yan!
Hahahaha!!!! so genius….
March 10th, 2008 18:14
Time to vote…
1) NO, ksi alam nya na marami pa siyang makukurakot.
2) ANC
3) ABS/CBN-Interactive
4) Can’t think of 1
5) Someone who has a big heart & God fearing
6) None…
7) Ping, Allan, Chiz, Nene, Roxas, Villar….Jingoy?
9) Lots of people beleive him. Although his popularity now will not be for long, at least he’ve done his part already & it’s really up to us (people) to do our part.
10) The best way is for her to GO! bec. she doesn’t even know how to resolve his own family from corruption.
11) There’s NOTHING!!!!!SHAME!!!!!
12) W/ a good heart, ready to help people, good lister to the plight of the people, someone who has a very strong advocacy to fight corruption. Kasi dyan mag uumpisa ang pagbagsak ng isang bansa kapag ang mga nakaupo sa gobyerno ay mga kurakot! Ping Lacson has that advocacy right from the start. TO FIGHT AGAINST CORRUPTION….
13) XXXX
14) XXXXX
15) HINDI!!!! LALONG LUMUBOG! Mga katiwalian at mga elite family na mga friends nya ang nakakaramdam ng pag asinso ksi lahat sila kasali sa pangungurakot nya….
16) MAG CHA-CHA CYA MAG ISA, O KAYA TAWAGAN NYA SI SATAN PARA PARTNER NYA….
March 10th, 2008 21:42
A Letter From Diosdado Macapagal to His Daughter
“I have sat at the sumptuous tables of power, but I have not run away with the silverware.”Diosdado Macapagal
Dearest Hija,
It is with much pain that I write this letter from Heaven .
I heard that things are not going too well down there . As your father who loves you very much ,I will always try to give you the benefit of the doubt.
But having been a President ,I also can feel the anguish and the pain of our people as they suffer from the widespread corruption under your administration.
Hija,I know that it is not 100% your fault.But as a President,”the buck stops with you!”
I have no plans to do any sermonizing.(We have too much of that here.)
I will just suggest that you reflect on these relevant points from my autobiography:
“Among my stronger points are my upright character and my highly broadening extensive education. Among my weak points is my unconcern for money beyond my elemental needs, which is not wrong in itself but a handicap in the maintenance of political power and leadership.”
Modesty aside,I left a good legacy for your two brothers,your sister and and especially for you.
Please do not allow anyone to destroy the “MACAPAGAL” name in Philippine history.
In the long continuum of time,what really matters is the good we leave behind.Tell Mike,he can’t take it with him (not even one cent) when he finally meets our Creator!
Your time in office is running out.But do not despair! It is not too late to to do what is right.Do it now, hija.
Your mother and I will always pray for you.
We love you very much.
Your Papa
March 10th, 2008 22:08
Congrats, Ricky, for your ruthlessness in getiing to the root of this stinking scandal.
A YouTube entry captures what most Filipinos feel about this deal…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WQoPox-Gc5A
Amen.
March 10th, 2008 22:43
lg moses:
Pardon me for intruding…. I do not think Ricky is ruthless, relentless in pursuing the facts? Yes!
March 11th, 2008 07:14
Hi Ricky,
Yesterday, I heard the Spratly story of Mr. Ed Manalac, then, it struck me. I wondered:
1. why is it that among the three countries involved in the JMSU agreement it was only the Philippines that included a portion of its territory as part of the coverage area of the agreement
2. Why was the agreement not limited to the contested areas of the Spratly?
3. Why did China and Vietnam not include a portion of their own uncontested territories in the coverage areas of the agreement, anyway the agreement is only a “study?”
There are still so many unanswered questions in the minds of the public.
March 11th, 2008 08:48
Ricky,
All these talks about seismic survey being a pre-exploration activity and therefore not yet a part of oil exploration are all crap. From Wikepedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reflection_seismology) we can read a good description of what seismic exploration is for the layman. At the moment, the three companies, PNOC, CNOOC and PetroVietnam are doing SEISMIC SURVEY within the JMSU block using a Chinese vessel.
Reflection seismology (or seismic reflection) is a method of exploration geophysics that uses the principles of seismology to estimate the properties of the Earth’s subsurface from reflected seismic waves.
Applications
Reflection seismology is extensively used in exploration for hydrocarbons (i.e., petroleum, natural gas) and such other resources as coal, ores, minerals, and geothermal energy. Reflection seismology is also used for basic research into the nature and origin of the rocks making up the Earth’s crust. Reflection Seismology is also used in shallow application for engineering, groundwater and environmental surveying. A method similar to reflection seismology which uses electromagnetic instead of elastic waves is known as Ground-penetrating radar or GPR.
Hydrocarbon exploration
Reflection seismology, or ’seismic’ as it is more commonly referred to by the oil industry, is used to map the subsurface structure of rock formations. Seismic technology is used by geologists and geophysicists who interpret the data to map structural traps that could potentially contain hydrocarbons. Seismic exploration is the primary method of exploring for hydrocarbon deposits, on land, under the sea and in the transition zone (the interface area between the sea and land). Although the technology of exploration activities has improved exponentially in the past 20 years, the basic principles for acquiring seismic data have remained the same.
March 11th, 2008 11:10
Ricky,
As an avid fan of your shows on ANC, I am grateful that I found y’all on my Direct TV Premium Service. I am a Filipino-American, very much at home with my wife and two kids in the Great Lone Star State of Texas. My Philippines visit in November 2007 after 20 years rekindled my love for the Philippines. I sure hope that Filipinos will finally learn that corruption is a menace that destroys an otherwise promising society.I had my own aweful experience last November when a taxi driver attempted to extort money from me. It was a sad thing indeed! It reminded me of a sad fact that elected leaders are only a reflection of the general populace. May you continue to bravely and responsibly exercise “freedom of the press” and change the Philippines for the better! In a democracy, free and responsible press can change a country for good.
I appreciate your “American accent”, as well as David Celdran’s(Business Nightly). That’s why I love watching you both on ANC. Could you teach those Senators, specially Senator Panfilo Lacson to speak better English, or at the least good English? Just kidding :)!Those senators are so difficult to understand! Seriously though, for Filipinos to compete in the world, mastery of the English language is indispensable.
You are an outstanding news anchorman! Among the world’s best, in my humble opinion.
The Philippines is fortunate to have you!Did you study/live in the US?
Respectfully,
Willy
Dallas, Texas
March 11th, 2008 12:46
Ricky,
Will you feature this in the Correspondents?
Fight the good fight!
Seph~
March 11th, 2008 18:09
Ricky,
Your site is one of the lucky ones wherein access remains feasible as of this writing. Sites like MLQ3, Manuel Buencamino, Ellen Tordesillas & others were “sequestered”.
We live in a great democracy! We have all kinds of freedom especially freedom of expression, suppression & coercion are some of the most cherished ones!
March 11th, 2008 18:33
1)Kailangan pa bang i-memorize ‘yan? Siyempre naman. May isang salita ‘yan e.
2)PTV, RPN, at IBC. Sobrang patas ng pagbabalita. Halatang-halatang walang kiling sa gobyerno. Sobra nga ang pagtuligsa sa gobyerno ni GMA e. Kulang na lang himurin ‘yung dumi sa mga kuko ng paa ni Gloria.
3) Manila Standard at People’s Journal. Obhektibo talaga. Halatang walang pinapanigan.
4)Duh! GMA
5)Lito Lapid. English translator niya si Pacquiao.
6)Walang duda, DOJ at Ombudsman. Ang sisipag ng mga kalihim. Sa pamamalakad pa lang, talagang maipagmamalaki ng bawat Pilipino.
7) Kap, Leon Guerrero, Jajajajamby. Sila lang talaga ang karapat-dapat sa Senado. Tunay na modelo sa kabataang Pilipino.
9)Si Jun Lozada ay isang malaking sinungaling dahil parte siya ng korupsyon sa gobyerno, may kabit daw siya, at mas kapani-paniwala sila Abalos, FG, Formoso, Bautista, Razon, Atutubo, Gaite, Defensor, Favila, Mendoza, atbp. Bukod pa diyan, itinaya niya ‘yung buhay ng pamilya niya, seguridad niya, trabaho niya, at katahimikan niya para magsinungaling lang at ibunyag ‘yung nalalaman niya sa Senado. Sino ba naman ang gagawa niyan kundi isang malaking sinungaling lang, tama?
10)Kapag may mga nagra-rally, bugahan na lang lahat ng Malabanan ng tatche. Kaya naman nagra-rally ang mga tao kasi matuwid, tama, tapat, at epektibo ang pamamalakad ni GMA, walang korupsyon at nakawan sa gobyerno, maganda ang pamumuhay, natatanggap ng mga tao ang mga pangunahing serbisyo at pangangailangan, tiwala sila sa gobyerno nila, at walang pagngaabuso sa mga karapatang pantao.
11)Sa sobrang dami wala akong maisip ni isa.
12)Sana maiba naman. Sana kurakot, magnanakaw, mandaraya, sinungaling, traydor, at ganid ang maging susunod na lider. Kung tutuusin kasi, halos pare-pareho ‘yung mga lider ngayon e. Tapat, matino, tinutupad ang kanilang sinumpaang tungkulin, hindi nagnanakaw, hindi sinungaling, inuuna ang kapakanan ng mga taong pinagsisilbihan nila bago ang kanilang sarili, at may integridad. Kaya nga wala tayong mga problema ngayon at ang unlad ng bansa natin e.
13)Sobrang lawak na. Salamat na rin sa pananahimik ni Neri atbp. na may kinalaman sa ZTE. Isa pa, lahat ng mga nagsalita na patungkol sa isyu ay nagsasabi ng pawang katotohanan lamang. Kaya nga tuloy pa rin ang imbestigasyon ng Senado kasi nahalukay na natin ang buong katotothanan e.
14)Oo naman. Kaya nga bumaba na si GMA at may giyera sibil na e.
15)Habang nakikita ko ang naggagaraang sasakyan ng mga kongresista na papasok sa mababang kapulungan, ang mga gumagawa pa ng bangkang papel sa Payatas at sa iba pang lugar na kasing sagana nito, ang pagtaas ng presyo ng mga bilihin habang pareho pa rin ang sweldo, ang pagtupad ng Pangulo sa lahat ng mga pinangako niya sa mga SONA niya, ang pagtanggal kay yoda at pagtalaga kay Chewbacca sa kongreso, ang pagkakapantay ng yaman sa bansa, ang pagiging first world natin, at ang lalong pagtatag ng ating mga institusyon na pinagkakatiwalaan nating lahat, kitang-kita at ramdam na ramdam ko ang pag-asenso natin sa loob ng pamumuno ni GMA.
16) Basta si Leon Guerrero ang magsusulong kasi siguradong alam niya kung ano ang mga probisyon na dapat amiyendahan o i-rebisa.
March 11th, 2008 18:47
dear ricky,
i think congratulations are in order because your report on the Spratley’s rocked the boat hard enough for malacanang to ‘consider’ cancelling the deal. i know it’s far from over, but with all the ‘noise’ generated in the media,(with you as leader of the pack as far as this project is concerned)there is now dynamic discussions everywhere.
we should be vigilant though as i noticed that malacanang has seemingly learned how to appease the public. suspension and cancellation are two different things. as of this time, the gov’t.has ’suspended’ the $1 B loan package from Japan. So does that mean that at a future time when people are no longer watching, they will restart negotiations once again? and this is what i am afraid of, that this government will tire us away until most of us have become skeptics.
i am watching the senate hearings right now and my eyes are bulging at how they are now talking not just about hundreds of millions of dollars but billlions of dollars in possible kickbacks!!!
March 11th, 2008 19:23
J. Cruz
freedom to lie, cheat, steal, censor, kill….what can i say???
March 11th, 2008 19:30
Dear PERHAPS,
Theses are serious times …. and serious times call for serious introspection. this is not the time to mock a respectable site such this. i would suggest that you take your business somewhere else where your comments will be best appreciated.
March 11th, 2008 20:02
chris,
Thanks for defending the blog. I do appreciate where you’re coming from but in fairness to PERHAPS, I think he (or she) was merely being sarcastic or ironic.
Personally I thought it was funny.
March 11th, 2008 23:13
ricky,
Is this really how senate hearings go? Is there a way for me to find out how senate hearings go abroad kasi here napaka showbiz! They don’t listen to each other’s questions, they ask the same thing over and over again, they are hostile to one witness and friendly to another, NO RESPECT AT ALL (except if you’re anti-GMA). It’s very disappointing that they claim they know who is telling the truth based on what? By the number of people who tell one story? I am not saying I believe San Miguel but it is very interesting that they uphold Lozada, De Venecia and Madriaga’s testimonies as whole truth and nothing but the truth even if they have not shown any hard evidence. Why? Because they corroborate each other? So anyone who goes against them is already lying?
Napaka obvious na the reason why this ZTE thing is never ending is because hindi pa nila naririnig yung magic word, na GMA is directly linked to this whole mess. Funny that despite San Miguel’s testimony that Speaker de Venecia intervened for his son, not one of the Senators jumped on that and instead focused on Abalos’ participation. And if totoo na iba sinabi ni San Miguel kay Lacson why can’t he charge him with contempt? Why can’t they jsut stop and make the law, charge those who need to be charged and move on to issues na mas important like this Spratlys thing!
It’s really sickening. I have lost faith in our government and I can’t wait to work abroad because I am tired of all the talk but no action mentality here. And am sorry Ricky but ABS (but weird na slightly ANC isn’t) and most media outlets has been biased in what they report. One example is when Lozada and Aquino attended the mass for truth at UST, most media people failed to report the fact that the priest’s homily was against people power. And the tapes Enrile was talking about (www.patriots4truth.blogspot.com), it’s been in the web for quite some time but not once did I hear it become news. What happened to fair reporting? Kaya nga mas interested pa ko sa Democratic race of Obama vs. Hilary (am pro-Obama btw :D) and I prefer CNN than local news kasi pare-pareho lang, paulit-ulit.
Sigh, I hope this is a lesson for all Filipinos to be very wise on who to choose in the next elections, yung may credentials and not only kasi inendorse ng artista or madalas makita sa TV, yung may alam sa ginagawa nila. Yung may utak and purity to simply work for the country and not for themselves. Our government, the senate most especially, is a laughing stock to the whole world. It’s really sad and disappointing.
March 11th, 2008 23:21
. . . speaking of today’s hearing… in the game of cloak and dagger, that leo san miguel character was some “suppressed witness”. sure got us surprised… ‘gave a whole new twist to the term “surprise witness” ;).
March 12th, 2008 00:04
sounds like we are in a roller coaster ride. if money could only talk.. lol
March 12th, 2008 00:29
Dear Marie,
If you only watch ABS or ANC 24/7 you wouldn’t ask that question to Ricky. It’s unfair to say they’ve been biased in what they report…
If you missed some news on tv esp. ANC just go to their internet site, ABS-CBN Interactive…
God bless Ricky & ABS-CBN….
March 12th, 2008 01:43
Dear CHRIS,
To be honest, I find it hard to grapple with your statement “this is not the time to mock a respectable site such [as] this.” Could you please tell me exactly how I mocked this site?
Last time I checked, under our existing constitution, freedom of speech is still guaranteed. It doesn’t necessarily follow that just because the way I express myself is different from yours, my expressions or sentiments are any less valid. After all, we are not clones of each other.
Next time, please learn how to fully understand the context of a post before making unfounded claims. Otherwise, “i would suggest that you take your business somewhere else where your comments will be best appreciated.” By the way, kindly read Ricky’s comment (#59) to gather a thing or two.
March 12th, 2008 01:53
Ricky,
Thanks for your comment. I really do appreciate it. Evidently, not many share your gift of understanding. By the way, I’m a he.
March 12th, 2008 01:53
Ricky,
Thanks for your comment. I really do appreciate it. Evidently, not many share your gift of understanding. By the way, I’m a he. More power!
March 12th, 2008 03:31
it’s getting hot in here but Ricky please allow me to share this article to everyone. Article sent by Dr. Arsenio Martin of
Fort Arthur, Texas ..
here it goes:
Why Is The Philippines Poor?
Dear Friends,
THE DIFFERENCE
The difference between the poor countries and the rich ones is not the age of the country:
This can be shown by countries like India & Egypt , that are more than 2000 years old, but are poor.
On the other hand, Canada , Australia & New Zealand ,that 150 years ago were inexpressive, today are developed countries, and are rich.
The difference between poor & rich countries does not reside in the available natural resources.
Japan has a limited territory, 80% mountainous,
inadequate for agriculture & cattle raising, but it is the second world economy. The country is like an immense floating factory, importing raw materials from the whole world and exporting manufactured products.
Another example is Switzerland , which does not
plant cocoa but has the best chocolate in the world. In its little territory they raise animals and plant the soil during 4 months per year. Not enough, they produce dairy products of the best quality! It is a small country that transmits an image of security, order & labor, which made it the world’s strongest, safest place.
Executives from rich countries who communicate with their counterparts in poor countries show that there is no significant intellectual difference.
Race or skin color are also not important:
immigrants labeled lazy in their countries of origin are the productive power in rich European countries.
What is the difference then? The difference is the attitude of the people, framed along the years by the education & the culture & flawed tradition.
On analyzing the behavior of the people in rich & developed countries, we find that the great majority follow the following principles in their lives:
1. Ethics, as a basic principle.
2. Integrity.
3. R esponsibility.
4. Respect to the laws & rules.
5. Respect to the rights of other citizens.
6. Work loving.
7. Strive for savings & investment.
8. Will of super action.
9. Punctuality.
10. and of course…Discipline
In poor countries, only a minority follow these
basic principles in their daily life. The Philippines is not poor because we lack natural
resources or because nature was cruel to us. In
fact, we are supposedly rich in natural resources.
We are poor because we lack the correct attitude. We lack the will to comply with and teach these functional principles of rich & developed societies.
On my previous reply to Ricky’s Blog Treason, reply 160. I have specifically shared my conservative views of how can we help each other. I mentioned that Education is the KEY.. But no one seems to bother to agree with me except attacking me. (smiling)hahaha.
We do needto evolve as one. Our politicians will need continuing education on how to run our country. They need to learn what’s new out there globally so that they better manage our country.
If you know any senator ormaybe the president that needs my lecturing, they can contact Ricky for an initial interview. lol.
March 12th, 2008 07:30
ricky,
All issues considered, is the JMSU detrimental or beneficial for RP?
March 12th, 2008 07:50
Ricky, this is a great post!!
March 12th, 2008 08:17
We should be vigilant guys! Baka naman the entire country is open for exploration already at di lang natin alam… Sobra na talaga!!
Ricky, thanks for opening our eyes on these issues!
March 12th, 2008 08:18
sunny,
I obviously think that on the balance its detrimental.
March 12th, 2008 08:57
it seems hopeless.. corrupt officials everywhere.
may I call for a funding to assassinate those people at the high seats!?
March 12th, 2008 08:58
Ricky,
According to Malacanang, they are likely not to continue with the next phase of the JMSU. Reportedly, China wants to pursue it. Where would that leave the Philippines if China and Vietnam decide to proceed considering that the area includes undisputed Philippine territory?
March 12th, 2008 09:10
Ysmael,
I would assume that if the deal were to be cancelled we would not allow them to explore in our territory anymore.
March 12th, 2008 09:54
After all is said and done, San Miguel CORROBORATED the testimonies of the 3 other witnesses (and Neri’s) that Abalos was involved in the ZTE meetings/discussions. Even if San Miguel says that he does not know if actual bribery took place, I think that this is a very important piece of information that people are not giving the proper attention…the attention is on the that fact that the surprise witness was a dud, etc. which plays into Malacanang’s “telenovela” spin.
March 12th, 2008 10:47
@tony
i agree I think malacanang is hoping it will go away. Gonzales even said PGMA is past the crisis already. We cannot be cancelling deals everytime someone unearths irregularities. It is tantamount to saying “catch us if you can” and if you do we will just cancel the deal. When will they learn? And just a comment about Sen Jamby and Sen Lacson. Please try to minimize the sarcasm coz it just turns the people off and takes the issues out and it becomes a matter of credibility and you cannot win going this way. There is a perception among significant number of filipinos that PGMA is doing her best but people around her are just uncontrollable and of course knows too much. A simple matter of If I go down we all go down philosophy.
March 12th, 2008 10:54
San Miguel is an absolute liar! Ilang milyon na naman kaya ang kapalit ng pagbaliktad?! Hmm..
March 12th, 2008 11:10
Mr San Miguel is a breath of fresh air in this hearing. Regardless of what everybody think of his testimony in the senate, for me, it is reassuring that not everyone that is involved in the NBN thing is in it for the kickbacks. At least he represented someone who will earn money out of it because he is rendering a service. It is interesting to note that some senators were unhappy that while he corroborated some of the claims of the other witnesses, there were some salient aspects that he did not.
March 12th, 2008 11:29
EQ POLLS results to-date
Do you believe Gloria’s promise to step down in 2010?
88% said NO!
(52 votes so far)
Which TV News do you Trust the most?
55% said ABS-CBN 2
(29 votes so far)
Which Philippine Newspaper do you Trust the most?
56% said Philippine Daily Inquirer
(25 votes so far)
Who is the most Credible Filipino Leader today?
20% said Ping Lacson
18% said Mar Roxas
(93 votes so far)
Who should be the NEXT President of the Philippines?
37% said Chiz Escudero
(91 votes so far)
Which are the most Trusted Philippine Institutions?
41% said The Senate
(90 votes so far)
March 12th, 2008 13:08
Great research and presentation! More power!
Perhaps, a blow-by-blow, time-line presentation of how the “deals” evolved will provide an anatomy of how the corruption was “conceptualized, designed, developed and contracted”. Just a suggestion.
March 12th, 2008 15:06
Perhaps,
Thanks for a good laugh — we need it these days. The negative reaction you got just shows how some people are losing their sense of humor from all the serious stuff that’s been going around lately, which I do agree ain’t funny no more.
March 12th, 2008 15:21
ricky,
your ed manalac interview was very cool. Ed was objective, businesslike and totslly objective. THe fault lies in the venal administration. At this stage everything it touches turns to lead.
A geophysical survey will not progress into anything commercial without proper consent from the parties concerned.
The cost of these things is humongous. The Chinese are long term thinkers. Regardless of the immediate situation more knowledge about the area’s geophysics will be good for all. We cannot afford to do the research of the sort the Chinese are offering to undertake. How much worse is this than if the thing were funded by a US or British Corporate aided and abbetted by their own governments?
OK I accept the caveat that nearly all Chinese Companies are really organs of sovereign money - just like Temasek.
When all the smoke has cleared and we are done with GMA maybe we will come to our senses and work toward a North Sea type of consortium.
Meanwhile the administration decays.
El Bucho
March 12th, 2008 16:39
caught this morning’s telecast of the mañalac interview. what a follow-through!–but that is your usual… i may be mistaken but i kind of see that coming after i noticed you approach mr. ed postcon… ‘m not sure either but it seems like there’s more to watch out for–that last question thrown mr. ed may well have opened pandora’s box.
March 12th, 2008 21:41
great research, ricky. actually as i wrote this i still feel my hairs standing… no, not because there are no chairs.
it’s just that some actions of the Arroyo administration also raises some blood temperatures.
http://philippinepage.blogspot.com/2008/03/bitch.html
March 13th, 2008 08:51
Hi Ricky;
I don’t want to fill your blog with useless rambling but I must ID myself. A natural born American citizen, long time married to a Filopina and choosing to live in Ilocos Sur. Your investigating skills are superb. I am an avid watcher of ANC as I am not proficient enough in the ‘local lingo’ to understand the news broadcasts of other channels. I personally am worried that we are experiencing another incursion of dominance by a foreign power such as was experienced in the early 1940’s. You can’t remember that as you are too young. Then it was by military might and the dominance lasted until the mid to late 1940’s. Going further back in history to the 18′th and 19′th century you will find another incursion of dominance by a then super power. This was promulgated in the name of “The Church”. But dominance non the less. This time the incursion is masked in the form of financial assistance.
“BEWARE OF GREEKS(Chinese) BARING GIFTS”. Indebtedness, be it personal or governmental requires re-reimbursement. The public debt is already at a staggering 750 Billion USD. Think what the government is saddling our future generations with. What has happened to ‘cash and carry’? enough for now. Keep up the good work.
March 13th, 2008 19:48
Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is ONE HELL A PHENOMENON, she does anything she wishes and gets away with it. She’s a brilliant economist, smart cheat and liar, tricky manipulator. And most of all A VERY LUCKY BITCH..
Here’s why… According to intelligence report, “A TEAM OF ALQEIDA WAS SENT TO LIQUIDATE HER, BUT WHEN THE GROUP LEARNED THAT THE FILIPINOS WILL CELEBRATE INSTEAD OF MOURN,THEY ABORTED THE MISSION.” hehehehehehhe
March 13th, 2008 21:28
Hi Ricky,
Is anyone in the media focus on the financial aspect of every agreement our government make with other countries?
Even if Malacanang admits that the agreement is for exploration, we need to know the financial aspect that comes with this agreement. What’s admin’s economic plan for progress. What are the projects they have in mind. It is her responsibility to make the public aware of why we need to borrow and for what?
If China had loaned us money, it will be deposited to our central bank. What happen next?
My point is… we have flaws in our existing laws.
Article for everyone to consider. http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2008/jan/20/yehey/top_stories/20080120top2.html
April 1st, 2008 13:31
[...] One of them is described in detail by Ricky Carandang in his blog. [...]
April 4th, 2008 12:43
Mr.Carandang from time to time should you have the chance to interview these people in government would you please remind them that this Is our land! not the Chinese!. Thanks! and GOD Bless you!.
April 22nd, 2008 11:20
Dear Mr. Carandang:
In view of the letter from Rep. Arthur F. Celeste, Chairman of the Committee on National Defense and Security and Rep. Juan Miguel Macapagal-Arroyo, Chairman of the Committee on Energy, requesting for a reschedule of the meeting of the Committee of Foreign Affairs, National Defense and Security and Energy on April 23, 2008 on the Tripartite Agreement for Joint Marine Seismic Undertaking among China National Offshore Corporation, Vietnam Oil and Gas Corporation and the Philippine National Company, we would like to inform you that the said meeting has been re-scheduled.
We will inform you of the new schedule of the meeting at the soonest possible time.
Thank you very much.
Very truly yours,
Antonio V. Cuenco
Chairman
For the Chairman:
Imelda Apostol
Committee Secretary
December 2nd, 2008 02:54
Dear Mr. Carandang,
Good day!
As I raed your letter and others comments on the issue of Spratly Island, Is it true that China is very far from our country as well as Spratly Island. How come that the Chinese is eager to occupy some island and put up some stations or what you called a base for their people and stay their so that nobody can get a hold to their island. And why in the hell that some or most of those politician are eager to sell the Spratly Islands? We know that exploration is finding what is something down there. Therefore if there is exploration there is interest in their part.
Rep. Juan Miguel Macapagal-Arroyo, Chairman of the Committee on Energy, is a relatiive of PGMA and what does he know about exploration? Maybe he knows “only” that there is cash on this exploration.
On my part, I am always oppose on this project of exploration especially that “they” award this project to them.
Remember that those Chinese are “TUSO”.
Please make a noise on this issue again and again that our kababayans may know what is going on in our country as well as our good friends from the government.
December 2nd, 2008 03:43
Dear Mr. Carandang,
I just want to express my opinion on this issue and if there is a way that this project be awarded to another company that is sensible and experienced in oil and gas exploration that will be ok. May we have what is for the country for the next generation to make use of this natural resources that we have and help build up again our country that was use to be on the top list in Asia.