Winston is at it again!
Some local chief executives are trying to circumvent the law on nepotism.
Under this law, public officials are barred from appointing relatives within the 4th civil degree. Sons, daughters, in-laws and close relatives are covered.
So how do they do it?
They take leave of absence. So they avoid signing the appointment papers. Their subordinates who serve in an acting capacity are the ones who sign the papers.
When their leave is over, the illicit entry of a close relative is already accomplished.
Neat, right?
* * *
A municipal mayor of an interior town is doing this.
Sources told Longcuts that this is done so that the mayor’s relative can get the appointment minus the legal complication.
Of course, this would not have been possible without the collusion of the vice mayor.
And the sangguniang bayan members who know of the deal are just closing their eyes and mouth.
No need to rock the boat, as they say.
Everything is done hush-hush.
* * *
But there are some people who know of the deal. And they are complaining. But only among themselves.
They are still gathering their wits, and guts.
And when they have found the balls, we hope they will disclose what they know so that this pernicious practice will be stopped cold.
* * *
Former national treasurer Leonor Briones believes that the 4.1 trillion peso-budget proposed by GMA during her state of the nation address will be used for election purposes.
She said a big chunk of the budget would be used for infrastructure, for agriculture, among others.
Given the prevailing system of getting commissions for every infrastructure project on the drawing board, the amount that will trickle down the pockets of government officials is astonishing.
And of course, a lot of the budget will go to the presidential social fund the disposal of which is beyond the prying eyes of everybody.
* * *
Briones said this would give undue advantage to the president’s political allies.
With so many funds in their campaign kitty, reelection is guaranteed to a few chosen allies.
No wonder there is always an exodus to the admin party.
But many are wondering who will eventually get the go-signal to be the presidential and vice-presidential candidates.
Kabayan Noli de Castro does not appear as a strong contender. His stentorian voice has lost its appeal because beyond that which comes from his mouth, there is nothing more.
He is also perceived to be a “shadow man.”
He has refused to come out of his shell, opting to toe the administration line even on controversial issues when a lot of people expected him to act otherwise.
And many are in doubt if Kabayan can still get the enormous clout of ABS-CBN.
He is extra silent in the on-going problem of Meralco which is controlled by the Lopez Family.
But the one serious problem confronting Kabayan is that he’s not as “moneyed” as senators Manny Villar or Mar Roxas.
And he’s not popular either.
* * *
Among the contingents joining the street-dancing last Sunday, the delegation from Pamilacan was obviously the most “bongga.”
Understandable of course.
The Pamilacan contingent was fueled by Ayala money.
Unlike other delegations that were beset by money problems, the Pamilacan group was well funded.
Somebody told me that during the 2-month rehearsal period, each participant was “paid” a daily allowance of P250. And during their performance, at least 3 caterers fed them.
And if it was true that the Ayala group under Bea Zobel Jr. spent no less than 200,000 for that presentation, nobody should be surprised for their terrific appearance.
But business wise, it was lugi.
Ayala spent 200,000 and got 50,000 as prize money.
Of course, there was no competition.
* * *
City Mayor Dan Neri Lim said next year, the prizes for the street-dancing will be “bongga.”
He said mere participation alone would already entitle the delegation a substantial prize money, though he did not say how much.
That’s comforting for those who still have the balls to participate. It is common knowledge that it is no joke to sponsor a “decent” street-dancing team given the required number of minimum participants.
Minus the allowance, minus the food, minus the uniform and other frebbies for the participants and minus a seasoned trainer and choreographer, a team doesn’t stand a chance of winning.
Pride and honor alone do not wash.
After all, nowadays, everybody is on a survival mode.
* * *
Defeated senatorial bet Prospero Pichay already pledged 200,000 for next year’s street-dancing. Proof that he is still planning to make another try for the senate in 2010.
He lost miserably despite the much-vaunted political juggernaut of the admin party.
And he did not fare well in Bohol despite the extensive clout of his media handlers in
And his “itanim sa senado” yarn failed to gather enough steam to make it to the magic 12. Despite the fact that he’s one of the biggest spenders in the last elections.
His donation of 200,000 pesos is of course very welcome.
Well, the city mayor certainly knows that there are many “Prospero Pichay’s” out there who are willing to “donate” some cash for the street-dancing next year.
After all, next year is a “preparation year” for the election in 2010.
* * *
Fond of using Ajinomoto or vetsin?
Read this.
A 2-year old in
Suffering from head trauma, the boy’s CT scan results showed internal bleeding in the frontal area of his brain. He also has slight fever and is being fed through the nose to prevent seizures.
Due to poverty, the family eats rice flavored with salt. But instead of salt, Vetsin was added.
Doctors say the common reactions from eating MSG include burning sensation, numbness, tingling, warmth and weakness in some parts of the body, facial pressure or tightness, chest pain, headache, nausea, rapid heartbeat, difficulty breathing, and drowsiness.
* * *
Many people are of the view that MSG is harmful. So they stopped using Ajinomoto or Vetsin.
But they forgot that when they eat in restaurants or attend fiestas and other social occasions, Ajinomoto or Vetsin is regularly used to enhance the flavor.
Food nutritionists say there are no medical findings that support the view that it is harmful. Though, there is no dispute that anything taken in excess is harmful.
* * *
Meanwhile, Winston Garcia of GSIS is in deep s___t.
Leonor Boado of the Commission Audit has filed charges against him for misuse of government funds, abuse of authority and favoritism by choosing to give its business to Union Bank over other banks like Land Bank and BPI, which are arguably more qualified and unarguably better equipped with a larger branch and ATM network.
Recently, Garcia is facing another controversy, apart from his proxy war with MERALCO.
Garcia wants GSIS to be the sole insurer of the over five million motor vehicle owners in the country with respect to their Compulsory Third Party Liability (CTPL).
The CTPL, which is required by law, is insurance against bodily injury for pedestrians and other motorists from vehicular accidents, with maximum cover of P100,000 per accident, including a “no-fault” provision for claims ranging from P20,000 to P60,000.
CTPL is a very lucrative business.
Records say CTPL nets about P3 billion a year, given that premiums (as set by the Insurance Commission) paid are on the order of P560 a year for motor vehicles, P250 for motorcycles and tricycles, plus higher for buses and light trucks.
His latest antic places him squarely against the Philippine Insurers and Reinsurers Association, composed of about 90 agencies and where GSIS is itself a member.
He is aided in his design by Transportation and Communications
Secretary Leandro Mendoza.
But the public utility owners and operators staged a rally and did some concerted activity so he exempted them from coverage of the GSIS caper. Cases were also filed.
Damage control says only the private motor vehicle owners will be required, so that’s what he did.
What is their reason for the GSIS monopoly?
They said the scheme is actually for the benefit of the motor vehicle owners. They can pay for their insurance at the Land Transportation Office (LTO) itself, instead of having to look for a private insurer. As such, they will no longer be victims of scams by unscrupulous insurers who overcharge them and then do not answer for their liabilities. And the GSIS is not going to actually hog the entire P3-billion business—they will just get their 20 percent commission, and turn around and give the business to private reinsurers, so the private CTPL insurers will not lose their business. Everybody is happy, Garcia said. Comments, suggestions, write to salvadiputado@yahoo.com
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