Kinakarma na talaga itong si Gloria Arroyo. Ang nakakalungkot lang, taumbayan naman ang nasasakrispisyo.
Noong Huwebes, inu-utos niya na pauwiin raw ang lahat-lahat na natirang sobra 30,000 na Pilipino sa Lebanon. Kailan raw kasi “zero casualty” . Ibig sabihin, dapat walang Pilipinong mamatay doon sa Lebanon.
Habang pinaglandakan niya ang zero casualty, pumasok ang balita na dalawang Pilipina ang namatay dahil tumalon sa building para makatakas dahil ayaw sila payagan ng kanilang mga among Lebanese na umuwi kahit nagkaka-giyera na doon.
Ang mga namatay ay sina Mary Jane Pangilinan at Michelle Tomagan. Si Mary Jane ay namatay noong July 26 at si Michelle naman ay noong July 28.
Alam ng Malacañang ang dalawang namatay bago lumabas sa media. Kaya ang utos ni Arroyo na iuwi ang lahat na Pilipino sa Lebanon ay pang damage control lang.
Para mabenta pa rin nila ang pantasya ni Arroyo na “zero casualty” ang mga Pilipino sa Lebanon, pinagpilitan ng opisyal ng Department of Foreign Affairs na hindi raw war-related o wala raw koneksyun sa giyera sa Lebanon ang pagkamatay ng dalawa.
Talaga naman, ano. Basta lang hindi masupalpal ang kanilang amo, hindi na baleng magmukha tanga sila.
Paano naman hindi maging war-related ang pagkamatay ng dalawa. Bakit ba gusto nilang tumakas? Maliban sa mina-maltrato sila ng kanilang mga amo, lalo sigurong tensyunado na ang buhay para sa dalawa doon dahil sa walang tigil na pambobomba ng Israel sa Lebanon. Kaya tumalon na sila.
Hindi war-related? Zero casualty pa rin?
Akala naman ni Arroyo bibilib ang taumbayan sa kanyang utos.Pangatlong linggo na ngayon ng giyera. Halos lahat na mga foreigners, kasama nga ang maraming Lebanese, ay naka-alis na sa Lebanon noong unang linggo pa lamang ng giyera.
Maala-ala natin na habang nage-evacuate ang lahat, sinabi nina special envoy Roy Cimatu na hindi naman raw kailangan mag-evacuate at safe raw sila doon sa Our Lady of Miraculous Medal sa Berut. Hidi naman raw binubomba ang simbahan Katoliko. Para bang namimili ang bomba ng klase ng simbahan bago pasabugin.
Nabuking na kaya pala usad pagong ang evacuation dahil wala palang pera. Nahalungkat na naman tuloy ang paggamit ng pera ng OWWA sa kampanya ni Arroyo noong 2004 elections.
Nagpasikat naman itong si Foreign Undersecretary Esteban Conejos. Sabi niya, para raw maipatupad ang utos ni Arroyo na iuwi lahat ang mga Pilipino sa Lebanon, susuyurin raw niya ang Lebanon.
Magdadala raw siya ng posas para kapag may mga amo raw na Lebanese haharang sa mga kanilan Pilipinang katulong, pupusasan raw niya ng Lebanese.
Akala nila nakakatuwa sila, ano. Hindi kaya nila alam na mukha silang gago at gaga?
Email from Marcelino Francisco:
KAMING MGA TAWID-DAGAT
Tawagin ninyo kaming mga “Tawid-Dagat”
Mga “Tawid-gutom”, mga “ Tawid Hirap.”
Kahit na ano man ang inyong ibansag,
Ang hangarin namin ay kaunting pag-unlad.
May luha ang mata ng aming lisanin
Ang aming pamilyang naiwang luhaan din.
Masakit sa loob at mga damdamin
Ang aming pasiyang di dapat na gawin.
Nilisan ang Bayan at naging dayuhan
At sa ibang bansa’y inapuhap naman
Ang kaunting pag-unlad nitong kabuhayan
Sa bayan kong mahal di ko matagpuan.
Ang tanging lunggati ay kumita lamang
Ng pang-agdong-buhay sa mga iniwan
Na kung ang dolyar ay hindi daratal
Ang mga iniwa’y gutom aabutan.
Kami’y mga taong kung hindi lilisan
Madilim, maunos ang kinabukasan.
Walang kaunlarang kami‘y natatanaw
Na sa aming Bayan ay maaasahan.
Sino nga ba kaming mga “Tawid-Dagat”?
At “Bagong Bayani” ang aming pamagat
Bansag ng Gobyernong kay laki ng galak
Nagpapasok kami ng ginto at pilak.
Bakit ba Bayani ang sa ami’y tawag?
Ito’y alam namin at alam ng lahat
Nakatulong kaming ang Baya’y umusad
Pagpasok ng dolyar sa Bayay’ laganap.
Mangmang at marunong, kaming lahat iyan,
May titulo’t wala kami’y nagsilisan.
Kung mananatili sa sariling Bayan
Walang pag-unlad kaming maasahan.
Saan mang sulok ng sang-sinukuban
Sa lahat ng nasyon at banyagang lugar
Mga “OFW” kaming binansagan
Na nangagsi-siugit ng mahal kong Bayan.
Handog sa lahat ng (OFW) Overseas Filipino Workers
Katha ni Jose S. Monzon
April 30, 2006
How I wish I could respond to this article. If I request for translation again, I may provoke more “ahhh…” just like the last time.
Gloria Arroyo talks about zero casualty but here she is again this time coming out with the so called “Super Maids”.
She’s adding insult to injury to the already sufferings of our OFWs. Instead of helping project a better image for our OFWs, she’s selling them as “Super Maids”.
Paano naman matutulungan ang mga OFWs eh pera muna ang nasa utak ng mga gunggong na iyan sa pamahalaan ni unano? Imbes na makaalis agad ang mga OFWs, pinag-awayan muna ang pondo. Anong zero casualty? Baka ang ibig sabihin ni tiyanak eh zero credibility siya!
Ellen,
Tama ka sa iyong mga sapantaha. Walang lalabas na katotohanan sa bibig ng mga alipores ni Pandak. Hindi ba’t sa bawat pagyayabang ng nagpapanggap na pangulo ay puro sampal sa mukha ang kanyang inabot? Sa tuwing siya’y may sinasambit na kasinungalingan ay parati siyang napapahiya. Ganyan talaga ang sinasapit ng mga sinungaling, kahihiyan ang inaabot. Mas mamarapatin ko pang makinig sa hangal kaysa pakinggan ang mga salita ng isang huwad.
Our OFWs in Lebanon is in great danger. While Israel has given the go signal to use some secure routes; they at the same time bomb these routes. That only shows how lowly Israel regards the Filipinos. To them, the OFWs’ lives are worth less than the bombs they drop. Please read:
“Israeli choppers were seen conducting surveillance in the area. They might be looking for suspicious movement (from the Hezbollah),” Conejos said.
Conejos said he was stunned that the Israelis had bombed the bridges on the OFWs’ escape route because they were the same bridges pointed out by Israelis to Filipino diplomats as secure routes.
Nakaka-antig-damdamin naman ang tula ng ating mga OFW.
Bakit nga ba nagsisialisan ang ating mga Kababayan, kundi para makakita ng kaunting kabuhayan para sa pamilya….
RE: zero
Zero talaga si glue! Nabuking!! Kaya pala ayaw pang kumilos, eh, hahagilap pa muna ng kadatungan sa ibang paraan…
Yan ang nangyayari sa gumagalaw ng hindi kanila.
Mahilig si glue ng ganyang paraan. Super kurakutera!
Why is Conejos “stunned that the Israelis had bombed the bridges on the OFWs’ escape route because they were the same bridges pointed out by Israelis to Filipino diplomats as secure routes”? It seems that the Jews do not have high regard for Filipinos…why did Conejos trust the Jews in the first place? Kung TONTA si Pandak, TONTO naman ito si Conejos.
Look at her smile. Nakakaloka.
Ang kapal talaga ng mukha! Wow, zero casualty akala mo naman tunay na kaya niya ang mga naglalaban sa Lebanon. Akala niya makukuha niya sa pa-cute-cute at palandi-landi ang mga nag-aaway doon at makikipagharotan na lang sila sa mga supermaids niya! Hibang! Puede ba patalsikin na ang boba na iyan na wala nang ginawa kundi magyabang! PATALSIKIN NA, NOW NA!
When the Pandak makes such declaration as making the OFWs in Lebanon supermaids if they can make it home, it only shows the insensitivity of this woman.
In other words, bastos na bobo pa! What she should have been doing is she could have mobilized the government to make it imperative to save them on day one she heard of the bombing of Lebanon by the Israelis, and making it imperative that Filipinos there are accounted for, but no, she had to wait for three weeks when almost all the other foreigners there are gone and safely evacuated before she even tried to order their immediate evacuation, and while she did that she was likewise ecstatically announcing that she would make them supermaids!!! And for what? And how?
Is she planning to give them all some kyrptonite formula to enable them to fly on their own when they are caught in similar situation when they are redeployed to Lebanon? Tarantado talaga!
What she apparently does not seem to realize is how stupid she does sound making all those crazy announcements that you can’t help wonder if she is making her own declarations or just reading some statements her ghost writers have written for her to look more stupid and crazy!
Frankly, I related those things to my foreign friends in Japan, and they thought I was pulling their legs and trying to make them laugh since by nature I am actually a happy person and I do love to make jokes except when I talk of my advocacies for the Philippines. I had to make copies of the news on her statements in Tribune and Malaya to convince them that I did not invent those things I told them she was telling Filipinos. Their next question had been, “Why are Filipinos allowing her to say all those crazy things?”
Frankly, what we see is someone who has no brains aside from not having a heart. Such insensibility to not think of the feelings, anxieties and worries of the relatives of these OFWs who must be agonizing and suffering thinking of their relatives still out there in Lebanon getting probably hit by the bombs the Israelis and Hezbollahs hurl at each other and their becoming the collateral damages, wondering if they can ever come back home!
And here we hear of this insensitive fake president insisting on redeploying them back to Lebanon, etc. this time as Super-Maids even before they reach home. We would be equally insensitive if we can stay nodding our heads instead of saying the expletive, “Tangnang Pandak na ito!”
glue may be saying she deserves a ZERO for her performance rating as presidentita.
Baka naman kaya, ZERO na ang Kaban ng OWWA?
Naubos na nila nung eleksyon pa…..
No doubt about that there is not much fund anymore left in the coffers for the OFWs. I was in fact a signatory to some petition being passed around by OFWs on cyberspace when one or two of them asked for financial help to cure them of cancer, etc. maladies and not getting any from the OWWA fund.
I will sign any petition that will lead to the conviction of this crook as a criminal who has committed not just one but several crimes against the people of the Republic of the Philippines, and she becomes the precedent of all the other abusive partners of hers and people like hers in the Philippine government. Maybe, then, I will have the desire to settle on my property right there at Alabang, and die there because I would not like to be cremated.
May I request Ms. Ellen to lessen the posting of this woman’s photo in this blog. It makes my blood boil up and makes me sick. If I wake up and see her pic, it ruins my whole day.
May I request Ms. Ellen to lessen the posting of this woman’s photo in this blog. It makes my BP goes up and makes me sick. When I wake up in the morning and see her picture, it ruins my whole day!
Alam ninyo kung ano ang kulang sa picture ni Tiyanak.
Ang “SUNGAY at BUNTOT” iyan na lang ang kulang sa litrato niya. Lahat na yatang galamay ni Magnanakaw ay puro “TANGA” at itong dakilang lider nila ay “NAPAKA TANGA” rin kung ano ang sabihin ng galamay niya ay siya rin niya sasabihin sa MEDIA at hindi muna pag aralan kung tama or mali. Sabagay sa ngayon batas natin ay ang “Mali ang kanilang ginagawa nila at ang “TAMA” ay kanilang kinukulong. Sa PAGNANAKAW lang naman sila napaka galing at napaka talino eh. Iyan lang ang puwedeng ipagmalaki ni Reynang Magnanakaw.
“ZERO” iyang ang alam nila dahil “ZERO or BUKYA na ang pondo ng OWWA at ngayon ay nag iisip sila kung papaano or kung saan na naman Ahensiya ng gobyerno sila makakapagnakaw. “ZERO” lahat ang kanilang utak. Isa pa pinag tataka ko sa mga “OPOSISYON” kung bakit hanggang ngayon ay tinatawag nilang presidente itong si Magnanakaw eh. Dapat sabihin na lang nila ang Mrs. Pero ang titulong presidente ay hindi na dapat nila banggitin pa. Tutal ang paniniwala nila at ng buong pilipinas ay hindi naman siya binoto or nanalo. Kailan kaya magigising ang buong pilipinas para sama sama tayong lumusob at baguhin ang mga pekeng naka upo sa gobyerno natin.
Kayong mga OWWA na nasa ibang bansa gusto ba ninyo tawagan or banssagan na “SUPER MAIDS”. SA akin ay napaka pangit pakinggan iyan. Gusto niya maraming maids ang maka alis sa tin dahil mararami silang perang makukurakot.
Ano ang Kulang sa picture ni Tiyanak “ANO PA KUNDI SUNGAY AT BUNTOT”…………
But we have Shahani in the Philippines, Mike.
After Senator Pimentel, et al, told the government to act now to save the OFWs in Lebanon, at last, the Pandak told her alipores to send two ferry boats to Lebanon that will take 15 days to travel one way and can only load 300 each of the Filipinos.
Hopefully, by the time they reach the sea route likewise will not be closed by the Israelis who are likely to do so with rumors of operations against Israel being carried out even under and on the sea.
They should make sure they are not taken for one of Hezbollah’s operation and/or pirated by the terrorists!!!
Now, the problem is when are these boats leaving to rescue the Filipinos? Talaga naman ang kupad! Ang please, pakisabi kay Pandak na tama na ang pasikat niya. The damage is done and cannot be repaired.
No matter how much she tries to make amends, she remains the incompetent and inefficient magnanakaw na sinungaling pa. She should quit now!!! PATALSIKIN NA, NOW NA!
offtopic: ellen, did you get my email re the poverty line?
The two boats being sent by Gloria are not even ships. They are small Coast Guard Patrol boats. This early, the government is complaining about the high cost of gas. That means they are still looking for funds to buy gas. That means the boats have not taken off yet. They say it takes 15 days to reach the OFWs. I bet you it takes as long as 30 days given the very slow response this government makes. By then, the Lebanon crisis could have ended or escalated. God forbids, by then our OFWs might already be dead.
By appointing VP de Castro to head the “Lebanon Taskforce” to take care of the evacuation of the OFWs, will not give ARROVO zero casualty. How can an IDIOT being lead by ARROVO succeed–does this mean that VP de Castro is smarter than anyone in the DFA? It seems that when ARROVO is in damage control mode, she calls for VP de Castro. It’s just like Pacquiao running in the Vice-Mayoralty race in Manila, VP de Castro is, simply put, “…stupid is as stupid does.”
Arroyo was smart in appointing Noli to head the Lebanon Task Force. If the project fails, she can blame Noli and the Task Force. Arroyo has the habit and history of doing a project that has great potential all by herself so she can claim credit for the success. But if the project is doubtful and has a slim chance to succeed, she passes it to another idiot by appointing the guy.
It’s too late the hero-”SUPER PANDAK” to send a naval rescue. There’s no guarantee that two ferries will arrive to its destination “in good shape” after 6,568-nautical miles and 15-day voyage to Lebanon. The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) estimated to spend about 93 million pesos courtesy of Gloriang Aksaya. There’s lots of incident occurs in 15 days waiting time in a war zone. Kabayang OFW’s mag-tiis kayo sa mga palpak ni Ate Glue. What if a friendly fire hits one of the PCG ships? It will be another rescue operation. I hope it won’t happen.
The probability of the two boats being fired even if by mistake while on its way to Lebanon is great. Will other countries respect the Philippine flag even if it’s raised up flying for them to see? What if the boats are fired like what happened to one Cambodian commercial vessel? Will the Philippines retaliate and send her Navy and Air Force to the Mid-East? If she does, these are like toys which the enemies don’t even want to target and play with. It is best if Gloria Arroyo or Noli lead the two boats and fetch those OFWs. So if anything bad happens they can be also eaten by the sharks in the sea.
John, I didn’t get your email on poverty line.
Wasn’t there a presidential ship that can accomodate a thousand or more and renovated for the partying on sea by Erap (or was it the Pandak who did it?) Why is this ship not being sent to Lebanon para mas marami ang maisasakay.
And why is the Pandak not forcing her friends, the Aboitizes, to offer their services now to transport those OFWs from Lebanon for free.
Ano palibre na lang itong mga amiga niya?
Perhaps the reason why GMA sent two Navy Patrol ships is to show the world that RP also has Navy boats. Yes, there is a Presidential yacht that could accommodate hundreds of people. Unfortunately, it’s only reserved for GMA amigos y amigas, her Assumption classmates.
E-mail from Amado Pascua:
Si Esteban Conejos ng Foreign Affairs ay napakayabang. Tama ang sabi mo na parang gago siya. Pag napapanood ko siya sa TFC sa Saudi kapag siya ay ini-interview, lipat agad ako ng channel dahil nakakabuwisit ang pagmumukha niya sa kayabangan. Ampaw ang mga pinagsasabi, kung baga walang laman kundi hangin.
“And why is the Pandak not forcing her friends, the Aboitizes, to offer their services now to transport those OFWs from Lebanon for free”? That is a good question, Ystakei.
If I may add, how about PAL? Why doesn’t LUCIO TAN lend his planes for free and help the OFWs–maybe because he’s chinese and has no loyalty in a country he corrupts and makes money. OFWs SHOULD BOYCOTT PAL, avoid sending remmitances through ALLIED BANK, PNB, PBCOM, and all other related LUCIO TAN COMPANIES.
How about CEBU PACIFIC? Why doesn’t JOHN GOKONGWEI lend his planes for free and help the OFWs–maybe because he’s also chinese and has no loyalty in a country he corrupts and makes money. OFWs SHOULD BOYCOTT CEBU PACIFIC, and all other GOKONGWEI related COMPANIES.
And how about the ABOITIZES? OFWs SHOULD BOYCOTT all ABOITIZ related COMPANIES.
ARROVO likes to say that our OFWs are our “heroes.” The OWWA fund scandal is an eye-opener for our Heroes. OFWs should just care for those who care for them.
Chabeli: Yes, where are these Tsinoy tycoons? Lucio Tan, Henry Sy, Gokongwei and even Danding? Where are the drug lords and gambling lords? Where is Bong Pineda and Chavit Singson (he even has a submarine)?
I’m no fan of columnist Max Soliven who’s closely identified with GMA. But I like this recent column of his:
Those flimsy Coast Guard ‘tugboats’ will never reach Lebanon: Stop that comedy, Madam President!
BY THE WAY By Max V. Soliven
La Presidenta GMA isn’t supposed to be that gullible. But who sold her on the baloney that our two flimsy inshore-type Coast Guard patrol vessels, the BRP Batangas and the BRP Pampanga could reach Lebanon, thousands of miles away over storm-tossed seas?
I hope it was not Coast Guard Commandant, Vice-Admiral Arthur Gosingan. If it was, by gosh, I’d recommend that he be sent back to the Naval Academy or the Merchant Marine school for a real education in ship capability and seamanship.
When I saw those banner headlines (like ours in The STAR yesterday, in the Manila Bulletin and The Manila Times – even the PDI mentioned it on page one) stating that the two ships were going to be sent to Lebanon to ferry OFWs to safety, I almost choked on my coffee.
Just look at the photographs of those two small vessels. They’re not much bigger than glorified “tugboats” or ordinary off-shore patrol craft. I know quite a bit about them because a few years ago, when former Coast Guard Commandant, Vice-Admiral Lising procured them from Tenex (I believe that was the name of the West Australian shipyard which built them), I had calculated the vessels – mere hulls, for that matter – had been overpriced. Yet, this is neither here nor there in the current context. Can they sail into blue water, which is the naval term for the deep blue sea and the turbulent oceans which separate us from war-wrecked Lebanon?
Sanamagan, they’ll be swamped.
If he believes they can get to Lebanon then I suggest that Vice-Admiral Gosingan personally “captain” one of those ships himself – over the perilous long journey – instead of flying over in comfort to Cyprus (with the Coast Guard comptroller who must okay the fund releases) for the photo opportunity at journey’s end.
To begin with, whoever estimated the trip to Lebanon would take only 15 days? A number of naval experts I conferred with yesterday, as well as a leading international ships architect who designs vessels from patrol craft to huge freighters, tankers, and military dreadnoughts (basing himself in Tokyo, London, Seoul, and jetting to other shipbuilding capitals) estimated the trip would take no less than 45 (yes, forty-five days). By that time, either the war would be over, or our 30,000 OFWs ferried or brought by land to safety some other way.
The two BRPs, if they can do 16 knots in clear waters, would chug along at only 11 knots in heaving seas. And just consider the two ships’ limited fuel capacities. The BRP Batangas and BRP Pampanga (what a filip to La Gloria who hails from Lubao) would have to refuel repeatedly, first in Cebu, then in either Zamboanga or Brunei Darussalam. Then on to Bangkok to refuel once more (you know the song, One Night in Bangkok makes the proud man humble – gee, what a sailorman’s dream of a junket).
Could those small ships negotiate the Straits of Malacca without being attacked by pirates? The worst would yet be to come. They would have to cross the Indian Ocean and the Arabian Gulf at the height of the monsoon season – which is right now! I’m a landlubber but I’ve travelled thousands of miles on freighters from my youth as a passenger, or US naval vessels from the USS Enterprise to smaller warships. Have you ever been caught in a storm like the movie, The Perfect Storm? I kid thee not. Those towering waves are no less than ten stories high, and the two tiny Coast Guard ships will be going through the storm-tossed Indian Ocean, even the turbulent Bay of Bengal.
In short, instead of rescuing any OFWs, we might have to rescue the crew of those two ships – and stand the risk of losing both ships and crew. Gaddamit, what a screwy plan!
Another piece of B.S. is the announced plan for the ships to set sail tomorrow (Wednesday). Any Admiral or ship’s officer who is a “seadog” not a “seacat” knows that it takes time to prepare a ship for a long ocean voyage. In navy parlance, a “seacat” is an officer who rose to the top without ever commanding a ship – merely steering a desk and pen-pushing. A “seadog” is an officer who has actually officered on and then commanded a ship, earning his star on the sea, even perhaps in combat action.
It is doubtful that the vessels can get sea-ready in less than three days or more. They must stock up for a prolonged sea voyage with spares, victuals, charts, and nautical publications. Since the Batangas and Pampanga are inshore vessels, it is doubtful, too, that they are equipped with “blue water” navigational capabilities, i.e. GPS (Global Positioning System), long-range radio. In fact, it was for the lack of such modern systems that this writer had originally criticized them when the vessels were being procured from Australia.
I don’t wish to denigrate the personal skills of the seamen who man the two ships, but will they have what they call “sea legs” for such an arduous sea journey? Mind you, the Coast Guard is under the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC), not the Philippine Navy. * * *
The worst aspect of all is that the voyage of the two ships will be very expensive, costing our government no less, I estimate, than three million dollars – yes, dollars.
Don’t you think it is far cheaper and speedier to charter some old passenger vessel of bigger tonnage and ocean-going experience – from Greece, Turkey or the Panamanian fleet – which are already near Lebanon and can carry as many as 3,000 OFWs per voyage of extraction? Such chartered vessels are berthed in nearby ports and could be off Beirut or Tyre within three days, not 45 days. And they could extract 3,000 OFWs per trip very easily.
I don’t know, neither did my experts know, what the current “wartime” rates may be, but probably such high-tonnage vessels could be chartered at only $100,000 per day. What a huge savings for the GMA government! Anyway, Greek or Panamanian ships are largely manned by Filipino seamen (200,000 of them on Panama-flag vessels alone) therefore the evacuating OFWs and the crew would find instant empathy with each other.
Let’s say the two BRPs of the Coast Guard after several weeks of journey managed to reach Lebanon – hallelujah! Their operation would be very slow. If their capacity is 300 OFWs per trip to Cyprus, the nearest “refugee” port of Larnaca, at the rate of 600 OFWs per trip, it would take 50 round-trips to get all of our kids out! By golly, at that pace, the rescue operation would take almost a year! And for every round-trip we would have to secure the approval of the Israeli Navy which is blockading Lebanon.
Consider the monstrous cost of the entire operation. The ships would be burning marine diesel, the most expensive fuel imaginable. We would have to spend for victualling, emergency services on board, repairs, winter gear, the service of international agencies, tolls, fees, and overseas pay for the seamen, even perilous-duty pay.
Haven’t the Greeks, through the efforts of our Ambassador Rigoberto “Bobby” Tiglao who’s in Athens, already offered us vessels? Or several companies, even local, offered jet aircraft? The long voyage of those Coast Guard ships is not least exorbitant in price, but useless.
I hope there isn’t a scam embedded in the idea somewhere. Old seamen used to call tall tales about the sea, big “windies.” Here, the wind is blowing smoke into the face of La Presidenta, our Commander-in-Chief. Now that the tale of the projected “long voyage” of the mariners of the Coast Guard has been told around the world, most of the maritime world must be laughing at our silly enterprise.
Give us a break. GMA must stop those ships and tell them to keep safely in port, or patrol our inland waters. That’s all they are good for.
Incidentally, every country has been dumping its evacuees on Cyprus, prior to flying them off somewhere, either back home or some safer country. Our “refugees” landing in Cyprus have already discovered we have no Embassy in that island republic, whose real national name is Kypriaki Dimokratia/Kibris Cumhuriyeti. (Those are the Greek and Turkish Cypriot names of that politically “divided” island.) The population there is only 800,000, but it is the third-largest island in the Mediterranean (one and a half times the size of Delaware in the USA).
Who’ll take care then of our refugees? We have energetic honorary Consuls, but they haven’t been given the funds with which to process, house, feed and send off our OFWs.
A great deal more government effort is necessary. So, why waste our limited taxpayers’ money on the voyage of the BRPs Batangas and Pampanga. Keep them moored in Batangas, or some shipyard like Subic near Pampanga.
Sus, Ulysees (Odysseus) must have had a better ship when he tried to sail home from the burning city of Troy to his native Ithaca in Greece. Yet, his vessel never made it. It took an adventure and quest of many years, through many troubles, perils and seductive detours, before the Greek king’s terrible odyssey was ended and he was reunited – barely in time to strike down her vicious, demanding suitors – with his wife Penelope and his son Telemachus. The odyssey of the two Coast Guard vessels would be more boring – and, in financial terms, mystifying.
Ellen, sorry, pasensiya ka na, medyo nawala sa loob ko si “Mang Teban” ng Abante. Noong mabasa ko kasi yong pagyayabang ni Esteban Conejo, na poposasan daw niya yong mga Lebanese employers, biglang kumulo ang dugo ko at nangati ang mga daliri ko para mag comment at natawag ko tuloy siyang Mang Teban. Gusto ko ring ipaabot kay Mang Teban ng Abante-I’m sorry.
Ang Zero Casualty na sinasabi ni Gloria ay isa lamang sa kanyang mga pagyayabang at tulad ng mga nakaraan, kabaligtaran lamang ito sa kanyang inaasahan. Hindi ba ninyo napapansin na parang siyang isang propeta na alam na niya ang mangyayari. Kung lagi mo siyang papakinggan, isipin mo lang agad ang kabaligtaran ng kanyang mga sinasabi at yun na nga ang nangyayari o mangyayari.
Mula sa panahon ng election hanggang sa ngayon ganyan ang nangyayari. Di ba kamakailan ay parang nasabi niya na siya ay The Chosen One ng Panginoon.
Baligtaran natin yan dahil yun ang totoo. Kahit sa pangalan niya ay baligtan din. “The beast will be numbered 666…” Gloria – 6 letters, Macapagal – 9 letters Arroyo – 6 letters. She’s not numbered 666, but 696. O Baligtad lang and six, di ba? Nakakatakot po talaga.
What? Jinggoy, et al, after hearing the Auditor now says they will wait till the Lebanon Crisis is over before they continue with their investigation on the OWWA fund. Why? What is the connection? Why can they not continue asking for the Pandak to make an accounting of her loots now?
Are they being told that if they continue with the investigation, Pandak will sulk and refuse to order the further evacuation of Filipinos even when the bulk of the job is in fact now being undertaken by some international organizations that have nothing to do with her government but she shamelessly take credit for their achievements!!!
Talaga naman, ang tindi! Kawawang mga OFWs! I hope they will not fall prey to the Super Atsay fraud! Madala naman na sila, please!
The policy of this fake government is to harass, intimidate, bribe and blackmail. It’s most likely Gloria threatened not to continue the evacuation of the OFWs if the hearing continued. This evil fake leader can do anything at her command. Everything is under her control. She has surpassed the records of Marcos. That’s why I hate people making comparison between Marcos and GMA when in fact the difference is a mile away.
Now who says the two RP Navy boats have left for Lebanon? They’re still arguing about it and now is even junking it. In the meantime, the poor OFWs are suffering from extreme anxieties and uncertainties…
Plan to send 2 Coast Guard
boats to Lebanon junked
By Sam Mediavilla, Reporter
Task Force Lebanon on Tuesday is likely to turn down the plan to send two Philippine Coast Guard cutters to bring home Filipino evacuees in Lebanon.
Vice President Noli de Castro, the task force leader, said the plan was impractical because the trip from Manila to Lebanon would take as long as 20 days.
Moreover, he said, the plan was too expensive since the fuel alone for the two boats would cost at least P93 million.
Foreign Affairs spokesman Gilbert Asuque in a radio interview on Tuesday said there is also a $150,000 fee for the passage through the Suez Canal.
Itong mga kamag-anak ng mga pilipino sa Pilipinas, huwag nang maghintay ng tulong ni Pandak na hindi darating. Kalampagin na nila si Gordon para makiusap sa IRC o sa IOM na sila na ang bahalang magligtas sa mga pilipino.
Paki-announce sa dyaryo na huwag nang asahan si Pandak. Patalsikin na lang nila ang palpak na Super Stupid na ito para tapos ang kuwento. Baka pa nga sinasadya ang pagbibinbing ito sa mga pilipino para makakuha ng claim balang araw gaya ng nangyari doon sa mga nabiktima ng Gulf War sa Kuwait at Iraq. Nandoon ang bayad na naghihintay sa mga magkle-claim ng damage sa totoo lang. 😡
Just sharing this note from a friend in the KSA, he being one of the duped members of the OWWA fund:
Subject: Re: OWWA funds public funds!!!!
To: julie.javellanasantos@gmail.com
Comments:
We thank the sensitivity of the Philippine Senate by allocating sufficient
budget to evacuate our compatriots in Lebanon, primarily sourcing it out from
our OWWA funds.
However,this should not compromise the principled stand of the real
stakeholders or owners of these funds which are the OFWs (land and sea based
workers) as to why we are pleading to the Supreme Court to decide whether the
mandatory USD 25.00 imposed on us is illegal and unconstitutional.
OWWA as a public fund, defined by our good Senator Frank Drilon, and the power
to disburse public funds solely rest with the Congress is a constitutional
mandate to be respected as a balance mechanism and co-equals of the executive
and judiciary in a democratic government like us.
Lowly OFWs like us may not be well versed with the workings of the government
especially in sourcing out public funds, but I would like to point out with
Senator F. Drilon and the Committee of Finance of the Philippine Senate to make
a distinction
whether those mandatory contributions imposed on each OFW leaving the country
in the amount of USD 25.00 per head under the so called “OWWA Omnibus Law
which came into effect February 2004 is still a public fund?
Why and how come?
Going back to the source of these welfare funds-when LOI 537 dated May 1977,
under Marcos rule-charging the agency or the employer and not a single centavo
from any OFW leaving the country, thus becomes a public fund in compliance with
Section 15 of our OFW Magna Carta Law RA 8042.
In the years following the enactment of RA 8042 and the omnibus rules and
regulations implementing it (Section 37) was there any compliance from Congress
and the Executive for every year that the General Appropriations Act is passed?
The legal and economic component of the mandatory USD 25.00 charged for every
departing OFW, as trustors of these OWWA funds under the OWWA Omnibus Policy for
the last three years, must be looked into by Congress ensuring that the more
than 8M OFWs and their families are not short changed for every act of war,
calamity
or terrorism that befalls on us in any part of the globe.
Rashid Fabricante
Action Officer-PMTF
V-team KSA
LOI 537 dtd May 1977 REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8042 June 7, 1995 Migrant
Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995 AN ACT TO INSTITUTE THE POLICIES
OF OVERSEAS EMPLOYMENT AND ESTABLISH A HIGHER STANDARD OF PROTECTION AND
PROMOTION OF THE WELFARE OF MIGRANT WORKERS, THEIR FAMILIES AND OVERSEAS
FILIPINOS IN DISTRESS, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
Section 15. Repatriation of Workers; Emergency Repatriation Fund. – The
repatriation of the worker and the transport of his personal belongings shall be
the primary responsibility of the agency which recruited or deployed the worker
overseas. All costs attendant to repatriation shall be borne by or charged to
the agency concerned and/or its principal. Likewise, the repatriation of remains
and transport of the personal belongings of a deceased worker and all costs
attendant thereto shall be borne by the principal and/or the local agency.
However, in cases where the termination of employment in due solely to the fault
of the worker, the principal/employer or agency shall not in any manner be
responsible for the repatriation of the former and/or his belongings. The
Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), in coordination with appropriate
international agencies, shall undertake the repatriation of workers in cases of
war, epidemic, disaster or calamities, natural
or man-made, and other similar events without prejudice to reimbursement by the
responsible principal or agency. However, in cases where the principal or
recruitment agency cannot be identified, all costs attendant to repatriation
shall be borne by the OWWA. For this purpose, there is hereby created and
established an emergency repatriation fund under the administration, control and
supervision of the OWWA, initially to consist of One hundred million pesos
(P100,000,000.00), which shall be taken from the existing fund controlled and
administered by the OWWA. Thereafter, such fund shall be provided for in the
General Appropriations Act from year to year: Provided, That the amount
appropriated shall in no case be less than One hundred million pesos
(P100,000,000.00), inclusive of outstanding balances.
Omnibus Rules & Regulations Implementing the Migrant Workers & Overseas
Filipinos Act of 1995 Republic Act No. 8042 June 7, 1995 Section 37.
Sources of Fund. – The initial seed Fund of Two hundred million pesos
(P200,000,000.00) shall be constituted from the following sources: (a)
Fifty million pesos (P50,000,000.00) from the unexpended Countrywide Development
Fund for 1995 in equal sharing by all Members of Congress; and (b) The
remaining One hundred fifty million pesos (P 50,000,000.00) shall be funded from
the proceeds of Lotto draws.
Section 43. Legal Assistance Fund. – The Legal Assistance Fund
created under the Act shall be used exclusively to provide legal services for
Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos in distress in accordance with approved
guidelines, criteria and procedures. It shall be used inter alia for
the following specific purposes: (a) Payment of attorney’s fees to
foreign lawyers for their services in representing migrant workers facing
criminal and other charges; (b) Bail bonds to secure the temporary
release of workers under detention when so recommended by the lawyer; (c)
Court fees, charges and other litigation expenses when so recommended by their
lawyers.
Section 56. Emergency Repatriation. – The OWWA, in coordination with
DFA, and in appropriate situations, with international agencies, shall undertake
the repatriation of workers in cases of war, epidemic, disasters or calamities,
natural or man-made, and other similar events without prejudice to reimbursement
by the responsible principal or agency within sixty (60) days of notice. In such
case, POEA will simultaneously identify and give notice to the agencies
concerned.
Section 59. Emergency Repatriation Fund. – When repatriation becomes
immediate and necessary, the OWWA shall advance the needed costs from the
Emergency Repatriation Fund without prejudice to reimbursement by the deploying
agency and/or principal, or the worker in appropriate cases. Simultaneously, the
POEA shall ask the concerned agency to work towards reimbursement of costs
advanced by the OWWA. In cases where the cost of repatriation shall exceed One
Hundred Million (P100,000,000.00) Pesos, the OWWA shall make representation with
the Office of the President for immediate funding in excess of said amount.
Senate to approve P500M for Lebanon evacuation — Angara
By Veronica Uy
INQ7.net
Last updated 05:29pm (Mla time) 08/09/2006
THE Senate will fast-track approval by Wednesday night of the 500-million-peso
calamity fund intended for the evacuation of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs)
from Lebanon ahead of the rest of the 46-billion peso proposed supplemental
budget requested by government, Senator Edgardo Angara said.
Angara, at a press conference, said the all-senators・caucus Monday night
agreed on this so the repatriation of the estimated 30,000 OFWs in Lebanon,
where fighting between Israeli forces and Hezbollah guerrillas continues to
worsen, can be completed as soon as possible.
展e have agreed to get it from OWWA (Overseas Workers Welfare Administration)
as there are free OWWA funds. It is a trust fund so no one can use it without
authorization of Congress. Otherwise it would be technical malversation,・he
said.
He made no mention of an earlier proposal by Senator Ralph Recto to earmark
part of the calamity fund for the evacuation of residents around restive Mayon
Volcano in Albay province.
鄭fter all, that amount is being sought as a calamity fund and one exists in
Mayon now, whether it erupts or not, due to the mass evacuation of people,・br> Recto said Tuesday.
Angara also said he foresees the passage of the rest of the supplemental
budget in a week痴 time as none of the requested items are controversial.
典he items [in the supplemental budget] have all been justified before.
Magdedebate na lang sa peripheral issues (We値l just debate on the peripheral
issue),・he said.
The biggest item in mid-year appropriation is almost 15 billion pesos for
local government units; followed by 8.5 billion pesos for the Department of
Education to hire more teachers and fund its school feeding program; salary
adjustments for government employees worth some five billion pesos; and another
five billion pesos for veterans・pensions and benefits.
The Senate finance committee is set to be briefed by Budget Secretary Rolando
Andaya on the supplemental budget.
Copyright 2006 INQ7.net. All rights reserved. This material may not be
published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Julie Javellana-Santos wrote:
Gentlemen — please comment ASAP!
Transcript of Liberal Party President Sen. Franklin M. Drilon’s
press conference today, August 9, 2006
Q: The OWWA administrator said he doubts the validity of sourcing
P500 million from the OWWA funds・br>
SFMD: During the caucus of the senators a few days ago, the
consensus was that we should look at the OWWA funds as the source of
the repatriation fund. In this consensus of the Senate, my
understanding is that the administrator has expressed some doubts.
The administrator should review the Migrant Workers’ Act of 1995.
Under Section 15, OWWA funds were already tapped as a repatriation
fund. P100 million was taken out of OWWA and placed under the
repatriation fund. There is a precedent insofar as this proposed
sourcing of funds is concerned. Moreover, over the years, OWWA
Board, has in fact, appropriated funds for the repatriation of
workers. Even before or after the Migrant Workers’ Act, funds were
appropriated from the OWWA funds for the repatriation of workers.
There is absolutely no basis for the apprehension that this may not
be allowed. These are public funds. Certainly, Congress is the one
who will authorize the disbursement of public funds has the
authority to allocate certain funds as it has done in the past.
Q: He said there should be a national government counterpart fund.
He said OWWA already spent P500 million so the next P500 million
should come from the national government・br>
SFMD: I dispute the statement that OWWA has spent P500 million. I
don’t think so. As far as I know, they have allocated and spent
approximately $2.5 million or about P140 million.
Q: In any case, OWWA cannot impose on the national government to
provide counterpart funding?
SFMD: That is the role of Congress, not of OWWA. The matter of which
funds can be tapped is a primary role of Congress. The power of
appropriation belongs to Congress.
Q: Do you have an understanding with Secretary Andaya because he
said the P500 million will come from the national government?
SFMD: We haven’t discussed it extensively yet because we have not
focused our attention yet on the P500 million supplemental budget
requested to augment the President’s calamity fund.
Q: How soon do you expect the P500 million to be acted upon by the
plenary?
SFMD: We will act on it as soon as possible. As of this time, I
cannot give a timetable because it is still pending in the House. We
cannot act on it until we receive it from the other chamber.
Q: What is your timetable upon submission by the House?
SFMD: As soon as we get it and as soon as senators have an
opportunity to raise some questions on the OWWA administrator. We
will immediately submit it to the chamber.
Q: One week is fine?
SFMD: One week is enough time from the time we receive it from the
House.
Q: Mauuna muna ang OWWA sa supplemental budget?
SFMD: We do not know.
Q: Hindi ba iyon ang agreement sa caucus ninyo?
SFMD: The agreement in the caucus was that we will pass the
supplemental budget on the repatriation as soon as possible. There
was no consensus as to whether we do it together or one after the
other.
Q: Since the cabinet members are in full attendance, should the
Senate ease up on Malacang?
SFMD: I cannot speak for the entire Senate. I can only speak for the
Committee on Finance. As you have noted, the entire cabinet, which
was involved in the supplemental budget attended.
Q: Na-clarify ba ang mga discrepancies raised kanina?
SFMD: It was not totally clarified. Because of lack of time, we have
requested the secretaries to submit to us a written explanation on
the discrepancies.
Now Gloria brags about zero casualty in Mayon volcano eruption. She has the same power as God. Over history, whenever a volcano errupted there were always
casualties. But Gloria has the power to stop death in a natural disaster. Wow……Amazing.
Also, we all know that 8 Km. is more than enough to evacuate in an erruption scenario. Volcanos don’t cover more than 8 Km? Maybe if a bomb goes off it would clear the surrounding 10 feet?
Here’s a new prayer for Gloria’s devoted fans:
Our Gloria thou art in Manila
Hollowed be thy name.
Thy Kingdom come
Thy will be done
On earth as it is in Malacanang.
Give us this day left over bread
And forgive us for living
A we forgive those that switched back to Gloria
And lead us not unto great riches
But deliver us from unemployment.
For thine is the kingdom, the honor and the Gloria now and forever.
Amen.