I am glad that the Senate is investigating the unusual volume of foreign trips of Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) Chairman Camilo Sabio. It has been observed that Sabio always travels accompanied by his wife, his secretary, and favorite Commissioner Bautista, a former ambassador.

Fingerprints psp There was this foreign trip of Sabio to Brazil or Argentina which was not official PCGG business per se, but to attend a conference of the International Law Association, of which Sabio was an elected president of the Philippine branch. Records will show that I questioned this particular trip as justice secretary who has supervisory jurisdiction over PCGG, and many succeeding trips ostensibly for the purpose of conferring with PCGG’s foreign lawyers. But despite my objections, Sabio and Bautista always seemed to get away with their junkets anyway. Indeed, I believe it’s about time that a proper accounting and report be made about these trips and what has been accomplished for the PCGG and the country, how much the PCGG spent for these trips. If the funds came from sources other than PCGG, then Sabio’s sources should be revealed. We expect this investigation to be fruitful and informative and I am willing to be a resource person to help the Senate with my own experience with the PCGG chairman’s frequent junkets.

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I take this occasion to congratulate Foreign Secretary and Mrs. Bert Romulo on their 48th wedding anniversary on June 30. No one can deny that Secretary Romulo and his wife, Lovely, have led very successful lives and their 48 years of married bliss is, I am sure, one of the major factors why he has established a sterling record and a brilliant career. To Secretary Bert and Lovely Romulo, we wish you more happiness and joy in your life.

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I believe the Commission on Elections (Comelec) should not be too sensitive about criticisms regarding its rather hasty resolutions on the automation of the 2010 election. It would be best for the Comelec to listen to advice, especially that coming from senators, because there are really quite a number of questions that need to be answered, starting with the reported under-capitalization of the winning bidder and its reported link to what happened in Venezuela during the election of Hugo Chavez. Chairman Jose Melo should not be too quick to blame the losing bidders as their concerns are legitimate, or ignore the issues raised by members of the Senate and the House. The Comelec has been countering criticisms with warnings of a “doomsday” scenario should we implement automation and it fails. I fully disagree that if we resort to the Australian ballot system which we have been using since the Commonwealth days, we can never have free and orderly elections. The fact is we have enough laws with enough teeth to safeguard our balloting process. But it is the political will of those in the Comelec as well as the voters which can give us the election that we want, and the election that we deserve. By all means, the Comelec should heed warnings and criticisms from senators, and not bellyache, as this is counter-productive.

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I did not realize that there are many braggarts in Pampanga. Suddenly these clowns are drumbeating their imagined edge to beat President Arroyo should she decide to run for a congressional seat in Pampanga. I am reminded of a person walking by the cemetery in the dead of night who suddenly starts whistling and singing to cover up for his fear because his heart is already in his throat. I pity these loudmouth politicos who present no credible platforms but threaten us instead with their hatred and twisted political beliefs. Without doubt, the President will beat the daylights out of them any day.

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Last week, Korina Sanchez visited Iloilo City in the company of a city councilor, particularly Barangay San Juan in the district of Molo. Korina seems to have a fetish for rubber slippers, which she distributed to some kids in the crowd. I am surprised that the usually noisy media gave the Korina visit only a passing comment. I think the local media either did not think the visit newsworthy or they refused to offer a free ride to one of their own.

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Good news! Although the Philippines ranked second in Asia for having the most number of confirmed A (H1N1) cases after Thailand, we are happy because of the large percentage of recoveries from the dreaded virus. We must thank the Department of Health for its excellent surveillance system, which has given our medical practitioners a better chance to treat the pandemic effectively.

4 Responses to “Junkets and slippers”

• 1
  Chit
  July 3rd, 2009 14:51

  If Raul Gonzalez wants to talk about braggarts, he should start with the man in the mirror, just like Michael Jackson’s song.
  Nobody can brag like Raul Gonzalez, and he is the only one in the whole Philippines that refuses to acknowledge that!
  The gall to talk about the braggarts in Pampanga, when he is the worst braggart of all!!!
• 2
  Vic Esguerra
  July 4th, 2009 14:23

  The most frequent junkets are that of GMA and her whole family, using the taxpayers’ money to tour the world, pretending the trips are official when they are actually just shopping sprees and tours for GMA, her husband, and her kids and their wives.
  I bet you the shopping were also charged to the govt of the Philippines.
  But Raul Gonzalez will never question these excessive trips because Gloria Arroyo is his god. She says jump, and Raul Gonzalez barks, “how high?”
• 3
  Sebio
  July 6th, 2009 20:03

  Do you ever wonder why the Philippines has not changed despite our efforts and those of the journalists?
• 4
  Nick
  July 7th, 2009 17:03

  From 2001 to 2010, Gloria Arroyo would be the second longest serving president next only to the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos.
  Arroyo however leaves Marcos in the dust in terms of corruption and violation of human rights.
  That’s why the Philippines is worst off today than it was during the Marcos era.

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