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Names of Volunteers who are listed in the Volunteers' Shrine can be viewed here in alphabetical order:

A B C D E F G H I J KL M N O P Q R S TUV



A B C D E F G H I J KL M N O P Q R S TUV

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22 countries warm up to Filipino gas-saving device

By JONATHAN VICENTE, The Manila Times Reporter

Countries feeling the pinch of the unprecedented hikes in the pump prices of diesel, kerosene and gasoline in the world market have begun using a gas-saving gadget from the Philippines.

Inventionhaus International Corp., manufacturer of the Khaos Super Turbo Charger, an indigenous gas-saving gadget can cut fuel consumption by about 50 percent.

Isko Catibayan, spokesman and vice president for business development of IIC (www.khaos.ph), reported an increase in sales of KSTC. He said at least 22 countries, mostly from Europe and the Middle East, have placed their orders of Khaos.

"The Philippine economy stands to benefit from this situation by earning dollars from its sale to the world market," Catibayan pointed out.

Catibayan said Inventionhaus is negotiating distributorship contracts with companies in the United Kingdom, Scandinavia, Holland, Hungary, Switzerland, Portugal, France and Germany.

Catibayan said Khaos would soon be marketed in Canada, Vietnam and China whose growing economy results in an increase in the demand for fuel supply. Khaos was invented in 1973 by Pablo Planas and became available in the market in 2003.

On Saturday local oil companies announced anew an increase in the pump prices of diesel, kerosene and gasoline by P0.50 a liter.

The companies, Caltex (Philippines) Inc., Eastern Petroleum Corp., Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp. and Total (Philippines) Corp., adjusted the pump prices effective Saturday morning.

Other oil companies have yet to announce if they will increase their fuel prices as well.

Oil officials attributed the new increase to the continuous surge of oil prices in the world market.

According to the price monitoring of the Department of Energy, Dubai crude averaged $58.25 a barrel this month from $52.83 a barrel last month.

The price of finished products at the Mean of Platts Singapore (MOPS), continued to surge, averaging $76 a barrel for unleaded gasoline and $74.97 for diesel.

Last month unleaded gasoline and diesel averaged $64.70 and $71.38 a barrel.

On August 16 the price of unleaded gasoline and diesel at the pump ranged from P31.70 to P32.88 a liter and P29.29 to P30.95

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Battle for SBMA Chairmanship heats on

Gordon denies hand in Arreza’s appointment


By PATRICIA ESTEVES, The Manila Times Reporter

Administration Sen. Richard Gordon said the Magsaysays of Zambales are lobbying to clinch the chairmanship of Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority.

Last week Francisco Licuanan has quit his position amid rumors that he was let go by President Arroyo in exchange for the support of Senator Gordon to stave off the impeachment complaint against her.

Earlier, Sen. Joker Arroyo accused Gordon of trading off his vote in the impeachment in exchange for the appointment of Armand Arreza, his protégé, as a replacement for SBMA Administrator Alfredo Antonio. Gordon has denied allegations.

Gordon maintained that he has no vested interests in Subic and if there are people who are interested in the post, these are the Magsaysays.

Gordon said his sources told him that the Magsaysays’ are going to put up their own people in Subic.

"I first heard that it would be Jose Vicente Magsaysay, who wants to clinch the position. And now I heard it is going to be Zambales Governor Vic Magsaysay, who wants to take over. I understand that they are lobbying," Gordon said at a press conference.

Besides Vic and son JV Magsaysay, Gordon said Congress-woman Mitos Magsaysay, JV Magsaysay’s wife, Tony Diaz and another cousin, AVE Party-list Rep. Eulogio Magsaysay are lobbying for the SBMA chairmanship.

Gordon added that he received information that former congressman Rene Diaz also wants to be SBMA chairman.

Gordon cited that the Magsaysays have all the reason to pressure the President and give them "priority positions."

Asked why the Magsaysays were interested in coveting the position, Gordon said it was probably because they own a firm involved in selling of cars.

"I know that they have a car business, and they own the Subic Bay Motors," Gordon said, noting that smuggling in Subic has become so rampant in the last seven years and that the illegal activity has robbed Subic of investments.

Gordon defended Arreza’s appointment, saying Arreza is highly qualified.

"The appointment of Mr. Arreza should be inspirational. He has come full circle. You can’t say Arreza is not qualified because if he is not then he cannot be accepted in Wharton," Gordon said.

"I hope the President will stick to her guns in appointing Arreza."

 

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Importers of used vehicles move from Subic to Cagayan's Port Irene

Importers of used vehicles find haven in Cagayan’s Port Irene
By Charlie Lagasca, The Philippine Star

PORT IRENE, Santa Ana, Cagayan — Importers and dealers of used vehicles have found a new haven in this northernmost town.

Julian Gonzales, principal engineer of the Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (CEZA), said the slightly used vehicles arriving here mostly come from Japan, Taiwan and Korea.

Since last June 28, four shipments have arrived in this international seaport, with the first comprising of 249 slightly used vehicles.

At present, more than 700 vehicles, each costing P200,000 to P700,000, depending on the quality, brand and model, are up for sale.

Port Irene, named after one of the daughters of the late President Ferdinand Marcos, was established in the 1980s. The CEZA, created in 1992 during the administration of President Fidel Ramos, is managing it.

A number of used car importers from the Subic Bay Freeport have shifted their business here.

Belying reports of alleged smuggling here, Abe Peralta, port operations officer, said all imported vehicles arriving here are properly monitored and documented and have to pass through legal procedures before they are sold.

Peralta said they had to hire former Subic workers to convert the right-hand-drive vehicles to left-hand drives. He added, though, that they would hire locals in the future.

He said seven former Subic-based used car importers have found their way to Port Irene, with more expressing their desire to relocate here.

Port Irene is some three hours through a well-paved highway from Tuguegarao City, the provincial capital.

 

 

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Local governments urged to get tough on cybersex dens

By Erwin Lemuel Oliva, INQ7.net

FOLLOWING another police raid on an alleged cybersex operation in Angeles City in Pampanga last week, a lawmaker called on local governments to get tough on cybersex activities.

Catanduanes Representative Joseph Santiago said local governments should reinforce their supervision of Internet and computer shops to check establishments that could possibly be fronting for illicit cybersex operations.

Police raided yet another cybersex operation in Angeles City's Barangay (village) Balibago. At least six women employed as cybersex models were rescued.

American national James Paul Kelly, 66, was eventually arrested during the Aug. 22 raid. Kelly was the alleged operator of the cybersex den along with a Canadian accomplice, Dave Fischer, who evaded arrest.

Santiago said It was the second Angeles-based cybersex den raided this month. Police busted another one on August 10, which was allegedly run by an American couple, Tom and Virginia Deassy. The couple also eluded arrest.

"LGUs have direct and immediate oversight of all business establishments within their jurisdiction. So the burden is on them, to see to it that shops in their areas are not violating existing laws against obscenity, pornography and child abuse," Santiago said, as he reacted to the latest cybersex den raid.

The congressman bared earlier that over 200,000 Filipinos - women, men and possibly even children - have been lured by cybersex operators, according to the registry of adultfriendfinder.com, a popular web site peddling sexual activities on the Internet.

Santiago said local government surveillance should cover not just Internet cafes but also other shops that offer computer-related services, the sale of computers and peripherals as well as computer repair.

"There could possibly be computer shops out there, not necessarily Internet joints, that are engaged in cybersex activities. All that is needed to engage in the nefarious trade is a computer, a web camera and an Internet connection," he pointed out.

"So a shop supposedly selling computers by day could possibly be secretly into cybersex operations at night," he added.

Cybersex or cyber pornography refers to sexual acts performed by men, women, even children, on connected web cameras that stream images directly to the computers of paying Internet users.

Angeles City alone, Santiago said, has been classified a cybersex hotspot by the National Police since at least 10 dens have been busted there this year.

 

 

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Palace keeps mum on Licuanan resignation

Magsaysays eyeing the post, says Gordon

By Veronica Uy, Lira Dalangin-Fernandez, INQ7.net


MALACAÑANG has remained tight-lipped as it begged off Monday from dwelling further on the resignation of Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) chairman Francisco Licuanan III.

“The resignation has been accepted. We wish Mr. Licuanan all the best in his endeavors. I don’t think we should dwell further on this issue,” Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye said when asked to comment on allegations that Licuanan had been sacrificed by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in a bid to gather more allies in Congress to thwart the impeachment case against her.

Licuanan on Friday confirmed he had resigned as adviser for the Subic-Clark Growth Corridor and as chairman of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority. He said he preferred that Malacañang make the announcement on why he quit government.

Pro-administration Senator Richard Gordon also denied earlier that he had a hand in the resignation of Licuanan, an executive at Ayala Land before joining the Arroyo administration in September 2004.

President Arroyo’s appointment of SBMA Director Armand Arreza, a protégé of Gordon, instead of Licuanan’s nominee Roberto Garcia, hastened the SMBA chairman’s resignation, reports said.

But Gordon clarified Monday he was recommending Arreza only as member of board of directors, not chairman-administrator of SBMA as earlier reported.

Instead, Gordon was recommending Rodolfo “Inky” Reyes for the SBMA top post.

Bunye said the President has yet to appoint a replacement for Licuanan, adding there was no confirmation yet whether Arreza would take the top SBMA post.

At the peak of SBMA operations, investments reached four billion dollars and 70,000 jobs were created, Gordon said. “Now, it’s just pure promises…”

 

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Early passage of JDV measure on Clark tax incentives sought

Early passage of JDV measure on Clark tax incentives sought Business leaders fear transfer of investors to China or Vietnam

By FRED ROXAS, MB

SAN FERNANDO CITY, Pampanga — Members of the provincial board have endorsed the early passage by Congress of a bill seeking the retention of tax and duty-free incentives to locators and investors at the Clark Special Economic Zone.

Joint House Resolution No. 9, originally authored by Speaker Jose de Venecia and co-authored by 180 congressmen, was designed to assure the 375 foreign and local investors-locators in Clark zone that the tax incentives they had been enjoying would be retained.

The House resolution was filed after the Supreme Court nullified last July 29 the tax incentives granted by Clark zone locators through an executive order issued by former President Ramos in 1993.

The De Venecia measure was endorsed by Pampanga Gov. Mark T. Lapid, members of the provincial board, in a recently approved resolution authored by Tars Halili.

The Pampanga Mayors League also passed a similar resolution authored by Marino Morales of Mabalacat.

Halili said that based on the Supreme Court decision, Clark locators-investors are required to pay back taxes for the past several years.

De Venecia’s measure is entitled "Joint Resolution confirming the legislative intent of the Bases Conversion and Development Act of 1992 (RA 7227) to grant tax and duty-free incentives to the Clark Special Economic Zone and other special economic zones created under Section 15 of the said Act."

Victor Jose Luciano, executive vice president of the Clark Development Corp. (CDC), said that Clark executives have been working on the retention of duty-free incentives to the investors. He said that Sen. Ralph Recto has sponsored a resolution in the Senate on the rationalization of tax incentives.

Central Luzon business and civic leaders headed by Romy P. Yusi Sr., regional governor for Central Luzon of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. (PPCCII), have joined local officials in endorsing the De Venecia resolution.

Yusi said that if the Supreme Court decision is enforced, foreign and local investors-locators in the Clark zone would transfer their operations to other tax-friendly nations, such as China and Vietnam.

Yusi said that this would result in the dislocation of some 34,600 workers.

He added that Clark’s estimated annual exports of $869 million and the locator’s tax contributions of more than R272 million yearly and CDC’s income of R38 million would be lost.

 

 

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THE BETTER SIDE OF THE PHILIPPINES

The following was written by INTEL General Manager Robin Martin about the Philippines:

Filipinos (including the press, business people and myself) tend to dwell too much on the negative side, and this affects the perception of foreigners, even the ones who have lived here for a while.  The negative perception of the Philippines is way disproportionate to reality when compared to countries like Columbia, Egypt, Middle East, Africa, etc.

Let us all help our country by balancing the negative with the positive especially when we talk to foreigners, whether based here or abroad. Looking back and comparing the Philippines today and 1995 (the year I came back), I was struck by how much our country has progressed physically.

Consider the following:

1. The great telecom infrastructure that we have now did not exist in 1995. 1995 was the year the  telecom industry was deregulated.  Since then billions of dollars have been invested in both fixed line and cellular networks producing a system with over 5,000 kms of fiber optic backbone at a world competitive cost. From a fixed line capacity of about 900,000 in 1995 we now have over 7 million.  Cellular phones practically did not exist in 1995; now we have over 11 million line capacity.

2. The MRT, many of the EDSA flyovers (including the Ayala Avenue flyover), the SKYWAY, Rockwell and  Glorietta 4, the Fort, NAIA terminal 2 and most of the new skyscrapers were not yet built in 1995.

3. If you drive to the provinces, you will notice that national roads are now o f good quality (international quality asphalt roads). I just went to Iba, Zambales last week and I was impressed that even a not so frequently travelled road was of very good quality.

4. Philippine exports have increased by 600% over the past eight years. There are many, many more examples of progress over the last eight years. Philippine mangoes are now exported to the US and Europe.

Additional tidbits to make our people prouder:

1. INTEL has been in the Philippines for 28 years. The Philippines plant is where Intel's most  advanced products are launched, including the Pentium IV. By the end of 2002, Philippine operations are expected to be Intel's biggest assembly and testing operations worldwide.

2. TEXAS INSTRUMENTS has been operating in Baguio for; over 20 years. The Baguio plant is the largest producer of DSP chips in the world.  DSP chips are the brains behind cellphones. TI's Baguio plant produces the chip that powers 100% of all NOKIA cellphones and 80% of Erickson cellphones in the world.

3. TOSHIBA laptops are produced in Santa Rosa, Laguna.

4. If you drive a BENZ, BMW, or a VOLVO, there is a good chance that the ABS system in your car was made in the Philippines.

5. TREND-MICRO, makers of one of the top anti virus software PC-Cillin (I may have mispelled this)  develops its "cures" for viruses right here in Eastwood Libis, Quezon City.  When a virus breaks in any computer system in the world, they try to find a solution within 45 minutes of finding the virus.

6 . By the end of this year, it is expected that a majority of the top ten U.S. Call Center firms in the U.S. will have set up operations in the Philippines.  This is one area in which I believe we are the best in the world in terms of value for  money.

7. America Online (AOL) has 1,000 people in Clark answering 90% of AOL's global e-mail inquiries.

8. PROCTOR & GAMBLE has over 400 people right here in Makati (average age 23 years) doing back-up office work to their Asian operations including finance, accounting, Human Resources and payments processing.

9. Among many other things it does for its regional operations network in the Asia-Pacific region here in Manila, CITIBANK also does its global ATM programming locally.

10. This is the first year ever that the Philippines will be exporting cars in quantity courtesy of FORD Philippines.

11. The government is shedding off graft and corruption slowly but surely. This is the first time in our history that a former president is in jail and facing charges of plunder. Despite all odds, we  are still pursuing the ill-gotten wealth of Marcos now enjoyed by his unrepentant heirs.

Next time you travel abroad and meet business associates tell them the good news.  A big part of our problem is perception and one of the biggest battles can be won simply by believing and by making others believe.

This message is shared by good citizens of the Philippines who persevere to hope and work for our country.

 

 

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Subic Bay Tag Board contents

volunteer: according to the grapevine, God punished payumo for maltreating the volunteers. he suffered a stroke. if he does't show up anytime next week, the info may be true. let's wait and see.

JunK: Nasaan na po si Mr. Tong Payumo? Bigla yata siya nawala sa eksena?

mAx: 27Aug: see i told ya! . .

mAx: 25Aug, Licuanan resigned, Antonio to be relieved!

OSCUSN: Subic Bay still lags behind the real super ports in the far east. Too bad the government is more concerned about who is President then improving the economy.

mAx: kudos to DENR & SBMA for coming up with a win-win solution to the problem

Steve: That is what I mean by not being able to expand their operations not being able to land an A-380.

portx: ayan na nga ba cnasabi ko, ecology center ng SBMA nagmarunong kasi, ngayon nalagay pa sa alanganin mga locators. dapat may managot dyan!

SubicVolunteers: Happy Birthday Senator Richard Gordon. We love you sir!

camille: because people voted for her...... and so she did her part.. and what a surprise?!? she had lots of projects for olongapo..

Lin: Fedex decision to move to China is based on the length of the runway at Cubi Point. It's too short to land their new airbus cargo jets. Any other plane in the world can land their except the airbus.

maria: Ngiiii! sikat ba yang babaeng yan?

neg: hello senyo kung sino man kayo!! hehe!! taga subic din po ako,

Steve: Seems to me that the FedEx decision to move to China is based on the huge market potential in China and the inability to expand their operations due to limited space at the CUBI airport.

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nanding martinez: kumusta kna anna leah gusto ko sanang maki pag chat sayo im 24 year old kaw

gp: maybe because the voters trusted them?

golfer: helloooo.... bakit maraming corrupt na opisyal?

ed: cguradong may kinalaman yon, pati nga pag alis ng FedEx sa Subic, salarin din ang port project, pag tapos na yan, pati airport ay magsasara na

candy: d po kaya isan sa dahilan ng pagkamatay ng false killer whale sa subic bay ay dahil sa pollution created by reclamation ng port project?

 

 

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Santiago warns against cybersex operations

LEGAZPI CITY:  NPC Rep. Joseph Santiago of Catan-duanes has urged local governments nationwide to reinforce their supervision of Internet and computer shops to put in check establishments that could possibly be fronting for illicit cybersex operations. “Local governments have direct and immediate oversight of all business establishments within their jurisdiction.  So the burden is on them, to see to it that shops in their areas are not violating laws against obscenity, pornography and child abuse,” Santiago said. Santiago earlier bared that over 200,000 Filipinos—women, men and possibly even children—have been lured by cybersex operators based on the registry of one popular website peddling sexual activities via the Internet. Local government surveillance should cover not just Internet joints but also other shops that offer computer-related services, the sale of computers and peripherals as well as the repair of computers, said Santiago, former chief of the National Telecommunications Commission. “There could possibly be computer shops out there, not necessarily Internet joints, that are engaged in cybersex activities.  All that is needed to engage in the nefarious trade is a computer, a web camera and an Internet connection,” he pointed out. “So a shop supposedly selling computers by day could possibly be secretly into cybersex operations at night,” he added. In cybersex, or virtual sex, sexual acts are performed by men and women, and even children, before remotely connected web cameras that stream images directly to the computers of paying Internet users. In Angeles City, which the National Police has classified as a cybersex hotspot, at least 10 dens have been busted this year. Just last week, the police raided another den in the city’s Barangay Balibago, where six women employed as cybersex models were rescued. Nabbed in the August 22 raid was an American national, 66-year-old James Paul Kelly, the alleged maintainer of the den.  Kelly’s alleged accomplice, a Canadian named Dave Fischer, evaded arrest

 

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8% salary hike for gov't staff slated next year

8% salary hike for gov’t staff slated next year

By BEN R. ROSARIO, MB

A total of 980,000 government employees stand to benefit from an eight percent hike in salaries to be implemented next year by the Arroyo administration.

Aside from the R13.1-billion allocation for the salary adjustments, a total R4.8 billion has also been sought to be set aside in next year’s budget to cover the arrears in premium payments to the Government Service Insurance System and Employees Compensation Commission.

Funding for the two programs have been included in the R1.05-trillion budget proposal for 2006.

Albay Rep. Joey Salceda, chairman of the Committee on Economic Affairs of the House of Representatives, said the salary hike is imperative in view of the fact that incomes of government workers have been "stagnant" in the past four years.

Abra Rep. Luis Bersamin, a senior member of the House Committee on Appropriations, disclosed that the proposed eight percent wage hike and the payment of GSIS and ECC arrears are expected to get overwhelming support once budget hearings start.

"These two recommendations, together with much-needed programs in the education sector, are the best proposals in the proposed 2006 budget. Bipartisan support is expected," said Bersamin.

Arrears in premium payments to the GSIS and ECC have accumulated since 1997 when government started to bear the weight of the fiscal crisis in 1997.

Bersamin said government’s failure to complete payment of GSIS premiums can be partially blamed for the non-release of retirement and other benefits to its members.

Malacañang has aired hopes that the settling of the back payments would trigger improvement in public service.

Aside from these pro-worker items in the agenda, government has also proposed a R10-billion allocation for the implementation of Executive Order 366.

EO 366 is part of the program to "rationalize and rightsize" the bureaucracy. It offers redeployment for government workers who want to stay in the service and separation incentives for those who will leave.

Salceda said at least 30,000 employees are targeted for special retirement benefits under the EO 366 program.

Meanwhile, a total of 9,200 new teachers will be hired next year to partially solve the deficiency in public school tutors that stood at 49,000 two years ago.

Classroom shortage which stood at 44,716 some two years ago will partly be addressed with a proposed allocation of R2.9 billion

 

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8 steps to boost happiness

Word Alive, MB Fr. Bel San Luis, S V D
8 steps to boost happiness      IN her article published in the February 28, 2005 issue of Time magazine, University of California psychologist Sonja Lybomirsky cites the following practical suggestions on how to lift your level of happiness: * * * 1. Count your blessings. One way to do this is with a "gratitude journal" in which you write down three to five things for which you are thankfulfrom the mundane (your peonies are in bloom) to the magnificent (a child’s first steps). Do this once a week, say, on Sunday night. Keep it fresh by varying your entries as much as possible. * * * 2. Practice acts of kindness. These should be both random (let that harried mom go ahead of you in the check-out line) and systematic (bring Sunday supper to an elderly neighbor, visiting a sick friend). Being kind to others, whether friends or strangers, triggers a cascade of positive effects – it makes you feel generous and capable, gives you a greater sense of connection with others and wins you smiles, approval and reciprocated kindness – all happiness boosters. * * * 3. Savor life’s joys. Pay close attention to momentary pleasures and wonders. Focus on the sweetness of a ripe strawberry or the warmth of the sun when you step out from the shade. Some psychologists suggest taking "mental photographs" of pleasurable moments to review in less happy times. 4. Thank a mentor. If there’s someone whom you owe a debt of gratitude for guiding you at one of life’s crossroads, don’t wait to express your appreciation-in detail and, if possible, in person, To turbo charge your joy, Seligman says, is to make a "gratitude visit." That means writing a testimonial thanking a teacher, pastor or grandparent – anyone to whom you owe a debt of gratitude – and then visiting that person to read him or her the letter of appreciation. * * * 5. Learn to forgive. Let go of anger and resentment by writing a letter of forgiveness to a person who has hurt or wronged you. Inability to forgive is associated with persistent rumination or dwelling on revenge, while forgiving bolsters positive feelings about your past and gives you peace of mind. 6. Invest time and energy in friends and family. Where you live, how much money you make, your job title and even your health have surprisingly small effects on your satisfaction with life. The biggest factor appears to be strong personal relationships. * * * 7. Take care of your body. Getting plenty of sleep, exercising, stretching, smiling and laughing can all enhance your mood in the short term. Practiced regularly, they can help make your daily life more satisfying. 8. Develop strategies for coping with stress and hardships. There is no avoiding hard times. Religious faith has been shown to help people cope and genuinely lifts the spirit, but so do the secular beliefs enshrined in axioms like "This too shall pass" and "That which doesn’t kill me makes me stronger." The trick is that you have to believe them. * * * After working in the field for 25 years, Veenhoven has concluded that happiness is "how much you like the life you are living. People can live in paradise and still be unhappy because they screw up everything in their lives." * * * THE LIGHTER SIDE. A shapely young lady was leaving a charismatic meeting one evening when she slipped and fell, landing in a most embarrassing position with her skirt around her waist. To save her confusion, the priest shouted out, "Anyone who does not avert his eyes will be struck blind!" One old fellow turned to his friend and muttered, "I think I’ll risk one eye!"

 

 

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Lawyers and judges

Consider This Jesus Elbinias, MB
Lawyers and judges      IT should not be a surprise that the Social Weather Station survey reported that almost half of the country’s lawyers know of judges that are accepting bribes. Survey results in the past have shown that graft has been going on among the judges with no end to it. The lawyers interviewed in the surveys gave the SWS 11 main reasons why so. Among those reasons are the difficulty of proof, fear of reprisal, nothing would be done. it’s a "standard practice," whistle blowing on it entails much expenses in the ensuing legal battle, not knowing where to report to, not being involved in the matter is not their personal concern, etc. But what’s unethical is to include bribe money in charging fees to clients, on grounds that to win a case, grease money has to change hands. * * * The lawyers’ method of greasing the judge’s hands to win their cases for the clients is not a justifiable advocacy and ethical practice in the practice of law. One of the two protagonists in a court battle will certainly be the winner and other the loser. The two cannot be both winners nor both losers. If this happens, then the result of a court litigation will be decided not by law, facts, and trial skill of the lawyers, but by the highest bidder, meaning the lawyer who has handed the biggest grease money to the judge. In the process of adding the grease money to top that of the opponent, the judge will be compensated to decide the case not through judicial process based on law and facts but on that of auction favoring the higher bidder. Clearly, such judge’s decision is for sale. * * * If judges are perceived to be corrupt, as found through some surveys conducted by the Social Weather Station, this should be ascribed to the kind of lawyers we have today. Why should a lawyer give grease money to the judge to win his case if he has the law and facts as legal weapons for use in the court battle to defeat his opposing lawyer, unless he does not know or have no experience to use them. But by resorting to logical legal technicalities in applying the law, such that even if he does not have those weapons to win the case, he may yet be able to neutralize or diminish the loss that the client may have to bear legally. If that still does not work, with his experience and skill in court advocacy, the lawyer may use compromise or mediation to limit the client’s loss. * * * The final analysis here is that corruption in the judiciary remains as the status quo unless our present lawyers will be well immersed in the knowledge of the law and more so well trained and experienced in trying cases in court. In fact for the judiciary not to be corrupt, the lawyers should be better prepared than the judges in all aspects of the judicial career. One reason judges are prone to be corrupt is they believe they know better than the lawyers appearing in their court. Of course many of them are truly as the way they think and act. During the interaction between the judges and the lawyers, who may not have enough knowledge of the Rules of Court nor adequate training in court trial are terrorized by the judges. So lawyers have to bribe the judges to win their case. That’s it.

 

 

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Australia to scour for skilled workers

CANBERRA, Aug. 28 (Reuters) — Welders, plumbers, accountants and nurses — Australia needs you, about 100,000 of you.

The country has begun its most aggressive campaign to attract skilled workers since the great wave of post-World War Two immigration, when tens of thousands of Europeans and Britons were given free passage in the 1950s and 60s.

A nation on the fringe of Southeast Asia but built on waves of mostly European migration, Australia accepts 120,000 migrants a year, mostly skilled workers, but also people joining families already in the country and refugees.

Last year 80,000 skilled workers arrived, but a continuing shortage and an ageing population has spurred the government to launch an advertising campaign in Britain, the Netherlands, Germany and India to fill an extra 20,000 places in its skilled migration program.

"We really haven’t done this sort of aggressive recruiting since the 1950s and 60s," Immigration Department deputy secretary Abul Rizvi told Reuters.

The campaign will end in roadshows in London, Amsterdam, Berlin and the Indian city of Chennai, formerly known as Madras, where potential migrants will talk to Australian officials and employers and then put their applications on a fast track.

With unemployment currently at 28-year lows at 5.0 percent, many Australian companies have been struggling to find enough workers to fill job vacancies, particularly in the mining and building sectors.

Rizvi told Reuters that Australia has a strong demand for welders, carpenters, electricians and plumbers, as well as engineers, accountants, doctors and nurses.

On-line job agency Seek.com.au lists more than 3,100 vacancies for qualified tradesmen and women, more than 12,000 vacancies for a range of accounting jobs, almost 6,000 engineering jobs and more than 4,700 healthcare jobs.

"It is tough to get people. We’ve had a chronic problem in terms of metallurgists, mining engineers and geologists since the mid 1990s," said Mitchell Hooke, chief executive of the Australian Minerals Council.

The Western Australian state Chamber of Minerals and Energy will take part in the roadshow in Chennai, where it hopes to recruit engineers, metallurgists and geologists to work in the state’s booming resource sector.

"The shortages are serious today and is likely to be serious for the next 10 years," said chamber director Reg Howard-Smith

 

 

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NTC wants to open 3G to new players

By EMMIE V. ABADILLA, MB

Telecom regulators threw out the prior operator rule and refused to require new players applying for Third Generation (3G) technology licenses to roll out wirelines in the outrageously expensive way that existing providers did.

With the low demand for wirelines or Local Exchange (LEC), the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) insisted it cannot subject new 3G operators to" the same obligations for universal service imposed on current Cellular Mobile Telephone System (CMTS) operators employing the Second Generation (2G) system."

Instead of individual telephone land lines, new 3G players can put up public calling offices (PCOs) and telecenters in unserved municipalities and barangays. Their rollout obligation will not be "as financially taxing as before," NTC stated in the latest draft of its 3G allocation guidelines.

Existing operators cannot say "there is no uniformity on vying CMTS entities," according to NTC.

The guideline for universal access requires establishing PCOs in unserved areas. The Department of Transportation and Communications approved the guideline when NTC was still its attached agency and continues to be in effect, Commissioner Ronald Olivar Solis pointed out.

NTC also believes that P400 million would be enough to cover the initial cost of a prospective 3G operator. Imposing higher capital requirements would be too financially burdensome for applicants. Earlier, a CMTS operator estimated that one needs to invest US$1.2 billion to get into 3G.

Furthermore, the commission maintains that "there is absolutely no basis for the continued insistence of current CMTS operators on the applicability of the prior operator rule in the award of 3G licenses and frequencies."

While regulators require proof of track record in the operation of mobile telecommunications systems, particularly of 3G networks, present 2G operators are not necessarily at a disadvantage, according to NTC.

The requirement does not necessarily exclude experience in operating 2G networks. Current CMTS providers may also form strategic partnerships with foreign 3G operators.

Existing CMTS players fear that the provisions on mandatory network sharing and roaming may allow 3G operators who have not fully complied with their network rollout to hook up with the network of 2G operators as well as that of a 3G operator which has successfully rolled out its own 3G network.

NTC is requiring 3G networks to have mandatory interconnection with all public networks, including trunk radio networks.

However, NTC’s requiring 3G licensees to "begin the installation and construction of the 3G network and facilities not later that 12 months from date of award," "start commercial operation not later than thirty (30) months from date of award," and "cover at least 80% of the provincial capital cities and towns and 80% of the chartered cities within sixty (60) months from the date of award" should be sufficient safeguards to this kind of mischief.

NTC has also revised its guideline so that before an operator can have mandatory network sharing and roaming, he should first construct his 3G network. The latter is a condition for the former.

The Commission likewise shortened the time frame for operators to submit their schedule of rates from five years to two years.

Assessment of the spectrum user fees (SUF) will be based on profitability of each 3G operator, based on the number of their subscribers

 

 

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Gordon: No politics in Subic shake-up

Gordon: No politics in Subic shake-up
Senator says he's not after SBMA post

By Tonette Orejas, TJ Burgonio, Inquirer News Service



Editor's Note: Published on page A1 of the Aug. 29, 2005 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer


SENATOR RICHARD Gordon yesterday scoffed at reports that he had a hand in the sudden resignation of Francisco Licuanan III as chair of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA).

Gordon branded as unfair insinuations that he influenced the appointment of SBMA director Armand Arreza, a protégé of the senator, as a replacement for SBMA administrator Alfredo Antonio.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's decision to appoint Arreza, instead of Licuanan's nominee Roberto Garcia, hastened the SBMA chairman's resignation, according to sources. Garcia is the president of automotive battery maker Ramcar.

"Why are we being blamed for the resignation of one who already made money at Ayala?" Gordon said in a phone interview, referring to Licuanan, former president of Ayala Land Inc.

"We are not after his job," said the senator, a former SBMA chair.

Maverick administration Senator Joker Arroyo and Inquirer sources said Saturday that Licuanan was sacrificed by the President in a bid to muster more allies to fend off the impeachment case against her. Three impeachment complaints accuse the President of vote-rigging and other illegal acts.

Gordon denied reports that Arreza's appointment was a tradeoff for his vote against the impeachment of Ms Arroyo if the complaint gets transmitted from the House of Representatives to the Senate for trial.

"Do you think I will vote against the impeachment case? Am I a robot who can't think for myself?" he said.


Unfair

Asked if he had dangled support for the President in the impeachment issue as a condition for the appointment of his nominees to the SBMA, Gordon said that was "very, very unfair" to the President.

"I'm shocked," he said of his reaction to Senator Arroyo's statements.

Gordon said that if he were pro-Ms Arroyo, he would not have asked the President's son Pampanga Representative Juan Miguel Arroyo to go on leave at the height of calls for the President to resign.

Ms Arroyo has neither become hostage to the impeachment case "nor to any political interest groups," her political adviser said.

"Normal or cyclical organizational movements in the government bureaucracy are just given more political color and meaning where there are none," the President's political adviser Gabriel Claudio said in a text message.

Contrary to the reports, Gordon said he had neither recommended Arreza for Antonio's post nor planned to use him to regain control of the free port, which he had administered in the 1990s.

Pichay's first cousin

"Is that how low the Inquirer thinks of me?" he said, unable to hide his disgust over the paper's banner story yesterday, which quoted several sources as saying that Gordon had pushed for Arreza's appointment for his personal interest. "I got the raw end of the deal here."

The senator reiterated that it was Inky Reyes, a former SBMA volunteer like Arreza, whom he had recommended for the administrator's post, which Antonio left following his transfer to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas' Monetary Board.

Reyes was deputy administrator and chief of staff of Gordon when the latter served as SBMA chairman from 1992 to 1998.

Gordon said he had recommended Arreza, his finance manager at the SBMA, to the SBMA board of directors and got the position.

Gordon also defended Arreza from insinuations that he clinched his appointment because he had the right connections in government. Arreza is a first cousin (not brother-in-law as earlier reported) of staunch presidential ally Surigao del Sur Representative Prospero Pichay.

"That is very unfair to the guy. Armand is a very decent man. I practically raised this guy. When nobody was interested in Subic, young people with a good education like him took the risk by volunteering for Subic," he said, recalling the collective effort of volunteers to rebuild the free port in the aftermath of the Mt. Pinatubo eruptions and the departure of the American military in 1991.

"We got jobs, we got Subic going. What's wrong with that?"

Arreza, who graduated from the Ateneo de Manila University in 1993 with a degree in industrial engineering, served as Gordon's finance director, and later attended the Wharton School in the United States. He also served as Gordon's undersecretary at the Department of Tourism.


Smuggling

Instead of airing criticisms, Senator Arroyo should look into the reports of smuggling in the free port, a former United States military base covering the provinces of Zambales and Bataan, Gordon told the Inquirer in a telephone interview.

"He always criticizes. He better look into what (former SBMA chair Felicito) Payumo did in Subic. Much of it was about smuggling," Gordon said.

Payumo, who was installed in July 1998 by then President Joseph Estrada after almost three months of a standoff with Gordon, said the senator was sidetracking the issue.

"[Gordon] wants to corner the top posts there by pressuring the President, knowing how vulnerable she is now," Payumo told the Inquirer.

Payumo said it was during Gordon's term as SBMA chair that the auction of used vehicles and the importation of sport utility vehicles (SUVs) began. The latter was done without payment of the ad valorem tax.

"There was also smuggling during [Gordon's] time," he said.

Disallowed expenditures

"I thought the issue is Gordon trying to get back Subic by holding the President hostage with his impeachment threat. He wants to divert the issue. Why does he not answer his P854-million disallowed expenditures?" Payumo said in a text message to the Inquirer.

He said it was during the time of Gordon that smuggling began, with more than 300 vehicles avoiding P300 million in ad valorem taxes by merely adding jump seats.

"He started the used vehicles auction by the Ritchie brothers. At least during my term, conversion to left-hand was declared legal by the Office of the Government Corporate Counsel, Office of the President and the House committee on transportation," Payumo said.

Gordon also appealed to his critics to "keep my wife out" of the controversy.

Former Olongapo Mayor Katherine Gordon, he said, had no plans to run for any elective position or join the SBMA.

He scored Inquirer sources for portraying the couple in a bad light by claiming they had political plans and that they were out to use Subic to wield such powers.

"Binastos kaming mag-asawa (We were insulted)," Gordon said.

Gordon said it was his "duty to make sure [the Subic free port] succeeds." That, he said, was his only agenda.

Gordon's concern for Subic stemmed from the pullout of Federal Express and, much earlier, several companies like Acer. He voiced this out to some 300 Rotarians gathered in Olongapo City on Saturday.

"That is why I want to have a direct role in the development of Subic. If not, we are all going to suffer," he said.

Gordon said he found it a "weak excuse" for Licuanan to resign because he found it improper that a senator would be lobbying for posts or if he disapproved of the senator's nominees.

"I don't think it's the only reason. There may have been other reasons," Gordon said.

Governor Magsaysay

Zambales Governor Vicente Magsaysay was reportedly among the politicians who also lobbied Ms Arroyo to accept the resignation of Licuanan.

Last week, according to a top Zambales official, Magsaysay wrote Ms Arroyo to complain about the SBMA policy against the auction of used vehicles imported via the free port.

Magsaysay, according to the source, facilitated the meeting between the President and Zambales Representative Milagros "Mitos" Magsaysay, the governor's daughter-in-law.

Representative Magsaysay reportedly supports the impeachment case against the President.

Governor Magsaysay confirmed he met with Ms Arroyo last week but denied that he had sought the resignation of either Licuanan or Antonio.

"I told the President that I support Mr. Antonio as administrator," Magsaysay told the Inquirer in a telephone interview yesterday.

He said his daughter-in-law was not at the meeting. The governor also said he did not discuss with the President where his daughter-in-law stood in the impeachment issue.

With a report from Christine O. Avendaño

 

 

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An Original Volunteer is the new SBMA Administrator

Volunteers are all-out in support of the President's appointment of the new SBMA Administrator Armand Areza who will replace Freddie Antonio who resigned in order to transfer to Philippine Monetary Board.  Areza is one of the 8,000 original Subic Volunteers who have shown his dedication to ensure the success of Subic.

 

The resignation of Licuanan with some quarter's insinuation that Gordon (who is known to be close to Areza) will gain control over Subic Freeport is baseless and unfair, according to Balikatan Ladies.  It is only proper for the President to appoint to a position somebody who really cares and is knowledgable of the institution.

 

Olongapo residents supports the President's appointment of Areza and is grateful in her recognition and appreciation  of the volunteers' sacrifices.

 

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Visit SubicBay, Philippines website for latest developments in Subic Bay and Olongapo City

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SBMA in the headlines

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Information Society summit slated in Manila

By Erwin Lemuel Oliva, INQ7.net

THE COMMISSION on Information and Communications Technology (CICT) will host a Philippine summit on the Information Society next month in Manila.

The summit hopes to gather inputs to create a strategic national consensus on Internet Governance, which will be presented at the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) in Tunis on November 2005, the CICT said.

It also seeks to generate an action plan for building a sustainable Philippine Information Society.

The summit is supported by the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), Philippine Electronics and Telecommunications Federation, and Information Technology Foundation of the Philippines.

The summit is scheduled on September 9, 2005 at the Grand Ballroom of the Manila Hotel. About 300 participants from government, academe, private sector, and civil society from 16 regions are expected to attend

 

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;-)

Agency handling Pinatubo resettlements dissolved

By Ding Cervantes, The Philippine Star

CLARK FIELD, Pampanga — Confusion now besets 16 resettlement sites across Central Luzon, where some 46,000 families displaced by the 1991 eruption of Mt. Pinatubo now live, after the Pinatubo Project Management Office (PPMO) was ordered dissolved effective Sept. 1.

With the order, the 105 personnel of the PPMO, including the site managers who virtually act as "mayors" in the resettlement sites, were all ordered terminated.

The move to dissolve the agency is expected to derail its plans to generate some P600 million from the payments of thousands of families found to be illegally occupying housing units intended for legitimate beneficiaries.

"The order to scrap the PPMO was so sudden. Local government units hosting the resettlement sites are not prepared and do not have the resources to assume responsibility over these communities," said Mabalacat Mayor Marino Morales.

Mabalacat town hosts the Madapdap resettlement site where thousands of Pinatubo-displaced families now live permanently.

Morales cited reports that the order to dissolve the PPMO has prompted syndicates to demand various fees from the resettlement dwellers, particularly those who merely bought the house-and-lot packages of original beneficiaries.

Morales appealed to President Arroyo to extend the term of the PPMO "until preparations have been made for the turnover of the communities to the local governments (concerned)."

The PPMO employees, who have mostly been involved in resettlement projects for Pinatubo victims since 1992 under the defunct Mt. Pinatubo Commission, said they were surprised by the order issued by Undersecretary Lucille Ortille of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC).

The order reportedly did not give the PPMO personnel any assurances that they would be getting their salaries unpaid since last February.

Virtual ‘mayors’

In the absence of any clear policy as to which local government has jurisdiction over the resettlement sites, the site managers virtually serve as "mayors," looking after the peace and order, health, medical and other basic concerns of the resettled folk.

Earlier, Vice President Noli de Castro, concurrent head of the HUDCC, assured PPMO employees of continuing employment once the President signs a proposed executive order extending the agency’s term to finish its job in five more years.

The National Housing Authority (NHA) is expected to endorse the proposed order.

Morales also cited reports that employees of other government agencies have been visiting the PPMO office here in an apparent move to lay claim to the latter’s vehicles and other properties.

Morales fears that "anarchy" might rein in the resettlement sites should there be no "clear delineation as to who should be primarily responsible in taking care of them."

The NHA is reportedly taking over the PPMO’s functions, but the leaders of the resettlement areas bewailed that it lacks the experience in running the affairs of their communities.

PPMO executive director Flor Arrozal said the political jurisdiction of most of the resettlement sites has remained unclear.

She cited the case of the Bulaon resettlement in the City of San Fernando where resettled families from lahar-devastated Bacolor town refuse to be considered city residents and still continue to vote in their hometown in local elections.

Because of this, the issue as to which local government the resettled folk should pay taxes has not been resolved.

Arrozal said the PPMO has distributed only 9,400 land titles to about 46,000 families who were given free house-and-lot packages in the 16 resettlement sites.

"It’s not an easy thing to issue titles since surveys and other requirements slow down the process. Five more years would be needed to finish this task," she said.

She also cited the need to resolve the cases of some 18,000 illegal occupants of housing units.

"Some of them are not the actual beneficiaries, but are also victims of the Mt. Pinatubo eruption so the properties could also be awarded to them for free. The others, however, are not qualified at all under our terms so they will have to pay for the cost of the properties," she said.

Arrozal said the proposed executive order, which her office prepared last April, would authorize the PPMO to collect payments from these unqualified occupants.

"We could collect some P600 million from them in five years to legitimize their occupancy of the properties. Part of this amount could be used for the operational expenses of the PPMO without relying on any budgetary support from the government, while enabling our office to finish all the needs of the resettlement projects," she said.

Arrozal said the executive order was supposed to make the PPMO an attached agency of the NHA

 

 

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Gordon back in power in Subic through his boy, Areza?

BY THE WAY By Max V. Soliven, The Philippine Star

Fantastic and dismaying things are happening in the Save-Me-From-Impeachment World of Presidenta GMA.

First, Senator Dick Gordon has finessed himself back into power in Subic (SBMA) by getting his nominee, his former Department of Tourism Undersecretary Armand Areza appointed Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority "boss."

In short, La Gloria caved in to Gordon’s pressure and will, I’m informed, swear Areza in next Wednesday (he’s an incumbent SBMA Director) as SBMA Administrator.

And what about exiting Chairman Francisco Licuanan – and SBMA Administrator Alfredo Antonio – who both "resigned"? It’s amazing that Licuanan, a real gutsy man of principle whom I know well, and whose praises La Presidenta was fulsomely singing when she appointed him barely 10 months ago, is out. By golly. I bumped into Licuanan himself last Friday and he confirmed he was quitting irrevocably.

Yesterday, Malacañang factotum Tom Alcantara was seen meeting Licuanan in the Tower Club to tell him to keep quiet – please. The Palace is trying to prevail on Kiko L. not to raise a howl until it manages to put together a "cover story" as to why he resigned. Whatta disgusting situation.

The truth is that Licuanan had been strongly objecting to Gordon’s meddling. First Dick wanted to push his wife, Kate as SBMA chief, then his former deputy, Inky Reyes – but finally got his wish, with GMA (desperate for his support on the "impeachment" issue?) agreeing to designate his boy, Areza.

Not content with this, Alikabok tells me, Gordon wants another of his men (a certain Arman, or Armin Raquel Santos?) appointed Chairman to replace Licuanan.

If we had hoped GMA was going to let professionals do the job in her Administration, and pull our country out of the mess we’re in, I’m afraid we may have to adopt that phrase from the archway to the Infierno: "Abandon Hope All Ye Who Enter Here!"

Of course, Licuanan (the former president of Ayala Land) and Freddy Antonio, who both assumed office in October 2004 did not resign simultaneously. Antonio did not work well Licuanan, and had been poised to quit earlier hoping to be appointed to the Monetary Board. He was expected to have been sworn into the MB together with Ms. Nellie Villafuerte and former Finance Secretary Nits Amatong last July 4. He was, however, prevailed upon to remain in the SBMA until the appointment papers of his supposed successor, Mr. Roberto Garcia (Licuanan’s nominee) were signed. To Licuanan’s disappointment and frustration, GMA did not sign the appointment.

Having been pledged full support by the President when he hesitantly took the job, Licuanan was appalled. He had planned to work with Bobby Garcia whom he trusted and respected, but never with a perceived lackey of Gordon.

Licuanan also painfully lost face with Garcia who had not volunteered for the position, but was finally persuaded to move to Subic despite the inconvenience of having to transfer his daughter to another school! Thus, there was no alternative for a honorable man like Licuanan but to resign.

I got a call from former SBMA Chairman and CEO, former Congressman Felicito "Tong" Payumo, and he said he, too, was plumb disgusted. He had, Tong affirmed, welcomed turning over Subic to Licuanan and Antonio because he felt that professionals would efficiently and successfully run that vital freeport and metropolitan authority. He may now join the fray, seeing that his old enemies and political nemesis, the Gordons, are on the verge of taking over SBMA.

The problem for GMA will not end there. I also bumped into the Magsaysays (by gosh, this is my weekend of bumping into everybody) and they were fuming, declaring they will not take this sitting down. The Magsaysays, plus Payumo, are the foes of the Gordons.

If GMA has reverted, in her desperation, to playing politics, her arithmetic must be pretty bad. There are three Magsaysays in the House of Representatives and one in the Senate. True, one of them, Party List Rep. Amang, has been tweaked in the press for switching his support to the President. But he now says he could change his mind again.

On the Gordon side, there is only Dick Gordon in the Senate. His wife, former Subic City Mayor Kate lost miserably to Mitos Magsaysay, Zambales Governor Vice’s daughter-in-law, in the last congressional race. I spotted Vic and Amang having lunch with Licuanan in "Circles," the coffee shop of the Makati Shangri-la Hotel. I hear that if the position of Chairman is vacated, the Magsaysays want the Chairmanship to be given to them or their nominee. It’s only logical. The Magsaysays know that the "impeachment" battle, although the Opposition has managed to muster thus far too few votes (but counting) is in the House, not the upper chamber. If the pro-impeachment congressmen muster the 79 votes needed to push the process up into the Senate, then PGMA’s goose might (would?) be cooked – and a lone Gordon cannot help her there. Will she risk prompting three more signatures (the Magsaysays) to be added to the growing list in the House?

Once more, may I exclaim in surprise: for a political "survivor," over-eager to please everybody, GMA’s arithmetic is astonishingly faulty

 

 

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LICUANAN EXIT

By Juliet Labog-Javellana, Tonette Orejas, Inquirer News Service

Editor's Note: Published on page A1 of the August 28, 2005 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer

THE RESIGNATION of Francisco Licuanan III as chair of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) shows how President Macapagal-Arroyo has become hostage to the impeachment issue, Sen. Joker Arroyo said yesterday.

The senator said Licuanan, retired president of Ayala Land Inc. when he was tapped to head the SBMA less than a year ago, was an excellent choice and was respected and well-liked by Ms Arroyo as a professional with a vision for Subic.

"Unfortunately, some persons high up wanted control of Subic and were waving the flag of impeachment. The President yielded to effectively dilute Licuanan's powers as [SBMA chair]," Senator Arroyo said, adding:

"The President has become hostage to impeachment demands."

The maverick administration senator declined to name the persons who supposedly want to control Subic, but Inquirer sources said political horse-trading had caused Licuanan's unexpected resignation.

A source said Licuanan quit when Ms Arroyo decided to appoint Armand Arreza, an SBMA director identified with Sen. Richard Gordon, as the replacement of SBMA Administrator Alfredo Antonio.

Another source close to Licuanan said he did not take it too well when Ms Arroyo bypassed his nominee, Roberto Garcia, president of automotive battery-maker Ramcar, and chose Arreza.

Yet another source confirmed that Arreza's appointment had caused Licuanan's departure, and said the turnover to Antonio would take place next week.

According to this source, Arreza is a brother-in-law of Surigao del Sur Rep. Prospero Pichay, one of Ms Arroyo's staunchest defenders in the House.

As administrator, Arreza would be technically subordinate to Licuanan, but the latter felt that Arreza would "follow Gordon's orders" and not his, according to the first source.

The source said Licuanan had learned from Tom Alcantara, a close adviser of the President, that Gordon pushed for Arreza's appointment so he could regain "control" of the free port.

"Gordon said he needs Subic because he needs money for the next election [for mayor of Olongapo] to defeat [Zambales Gov. Vicente] Magsaysay," Alcantara reportedly said.

Not running

Gordon, who served as the first chair of the SBMA, vehemently denied the allegation that he needed funds to run for mayor of Olongapo.

"What election? I'm not running in the next election," said Gordon, who was elected senator in 2004 and whose term will last up to 2010. "We've always ran in Olongapo and we never needed money for that."

He said not even his wife Kate wanted to run for any post: "In fact, the President wants Kate to be chair [of SBMA] but she doesn't want it."

Gordon said Arreza was his finance director in the SBMA during his term. But he said he had recommended Inky Reyes, not Arreza, to the post of SBMA administrator.

The source said Licuanan had been told that Arreza would "follow" his, and not Gordon's, orders.

But Licuanan was reportedly unconvinced, and felt that his plan for the SBMA and the Subic-Clark development program would be put in peril with Arreza's appointment.

When Licuanan's concerns were conveyed to the President, she reportedly said: "Because of the impeachment, I have to give way."

"Can you imagine giving Subic to Gordon because his vote is needed [in case the impeachment case reaches the Senate]?" the source said.

'Leaking falsehoods'

Joker Arroyo assailed the Palace for the earlier statement of an unnamed top official that Licuanan quit because he "did not have a taste for bureaucratic life," that he could not handle the heavy workload at the SBMA, and that its setting was just "too stressful" for him.

"Malacanang must learn to be prudent and just keep quiet when [it] cannot tell the truth instead of leaking, through so-called sources, falsehoods about why Francisco Licuanan resigned," the senator said.

He said Licuanan was "too decent a man to state the true reason for his resignation."

"He won't do a Hyatt 10," Senator Arroyo said, referring to the economic managers and Cabinet officials who quit last month and demanded Ms Arroyo's resignation.

"But this episode, with the President faced with impeachment, is being replicated with such frequency. This messy impeachment should be put to an end one way or the other before it ruins the country," the senator said.

'Wrong impressions'

In an interview with the Inquirer yesterday in Pampanga, all Licuanan wanted to talk about were the "wrong impressions" that he did not like the bureaucratic setup and that he couldn't stand up to the pressures of being SBMA chair.

"I was quite happy with my job," he declared. "In fact, I was exhilarated by the accomplishments we've made. We've been gaining momentum and embarking on new initiatives."

These include starting the budget flights at the Clark Special Economic Zone, restructuring the joint-venture project with a Taiwanese group, and getting more investments, he said.

"I was not born to a rich life, so I can take pressure and hard work," Licuanan said, adding that he would return to the private sector.

A top SBMA official close to Licuanan said Gordon's "insistence to put his trusted guy there, one who was not acceptable" to Licuanan, caused the latter's resignation.

"He believes that appointments should be made on the basis of qualifications, not political connections or considerations," the official said.

Clark Development Corp. (CDC) president Antonio Ng described Licuanan as an "honorable and professional executive whose primary interest is the common good," and said he was a "great loss."

CDC vice president Victor Jose Luciano called Licuanan a "vital, credible and respected link" of the CDC to the Arroyo Cabinet.

Control of SBMA

Gordon reportedly wanted control of SBMA to protect his hold on Olongapo.

His brother, Olongapo Mayor James Gordon, is reportedly threatened by the plan of Governor Magsaysay to run for mayor in 2007.

Magsaysay's daughter-in-law, Ma. Milagros "Mitos" Magsaysay, defeated Kate Gordon in the last election in the first congressional district of Zambales.

Gordon was not amused by the accusations.

"I gave the best years of my life to Subic and I suffered so much pain. I haven't returned to my house there in seven years," he said, recalling how then President Joseph Estrada forcibly ousted him from the SBMA and replaced him with Felicito Payumo in 1998.

But Gordon said he was happy with the choice of Arreza as new SBMA administrator.

Arreza was tourism undersecretary when Gordon was secretary, but he resigned after Gordon quit to run for the Senate.

Gordon said Arreza had solid credentials; was among the first volunteers at Subic, joining him as his finance director right after graduating from the Ateneo in 1993 with a degree in industrial engineering, and studied at the prestigious Wharton School in the United States.

"Who better to put there than someone who had sacrificed for Subic right from the start?" he said in a phone interview with the Inquirer.

Inky Reyes

But for all that, Gordon said he had nominated Inky Reyes who, according to sources, was related to someone close to Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile.

Gordon said that when Alfredo Antonio said he would resign as SBMA administrator to join the Monetary Board, he asked that Reyes be named to replace him.

"And I did not recommend that [Licuanan] be removed," Gordon said.

He said he phoned Licuanan when he learned about the latter's resignation.

He quoted Licuanan as saying that he (Gordon) would have control of the SBMA through Arreza.

"I think he (Licuanan) does not want someone to challenge him," Gordon said.

With a report from Gil Cabacungan Jr.

 

 

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Monday a special holiday for schools, govt offices only

Malacañan on Saturday announced that August 29, Monday, has been declared a special holiday in observance of National Heroes Day, which falls on a Sunday.

Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said there will be no classes in all levels of public and private schools. Government offices will also have no work.

Private companies, on the other hand, are not included in the directive and will have work on that day, Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye clarified.

Ermita's directive corrected an earlier announcement by Bunye that Monday would be an ordinary working day.

The National Heroes Day is celebrated on the last Sunday of August every year.

 

 

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Licuanan resigns as SBMA chair, adviser for Subic-Clark

By Allan Macatuno, Tonette Orejas, Inquirer News Service

(UPDATE) SUBIC BAY FREEPORT -- Francisco Licuanan III on Friday confirmed he has resigned as adviser for the Subic-Clark Growth Corridor and as chairman of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority. Licuanan, in a telephone interview with the Inquirer, said his resignation would take effect on August 31.

Asked for his reasons for leaving the government, Licuanan said it would be better that Malacañang make the announcement.

The former Ayala Land executive joined the administration of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in September 2004.

Presidential Spokesperson Ignacio Bunye confirmed Friday Licuanan had submitted his resignation letter dated August 25.

"President Arroyo has accepted the resignation with regret [but with] sincere appreciation for his valuable service to the country," said Bunye.

Presidential adviser for Central Luzon Renato Diaz said SBMA administrator Alfredo Antonio would also leave his post to join the monetary board of the Bangko Sentral ng  Pilipinas (central bank of the Philippines).

 

 

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