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| ON THE OTHER HAND |
| Competing with Japan 2
By Antonio C. Abaya Written Sept. 05, 2007 For the Standard Today, September 06 issue In his essay The Philippines and Japan � The Great Divergence, Robert H. Nelson makes the preposterous claim that the Philippines and Japan �contended for the leadership of Asia in the first half of the 20th century.� In my critique of this claim, Competing with Japan (Aug. 30), I pointed out that it did not make any sense to compare the two countries because, even as early as 1902 � Nelson�s starting point � Japan was already a mature industrialized country and a global expansionist power. The Philippines, on the other hand, was just another backward colony in the tropics, without any industrial base to speak of, and certainly without any ambition to invade, attack or forcibly annex any other country, as Japan had been doing since 1894. Nelson, an economics professor at the University of Maryland and a visiting professor at the UP School of Economics, used a curious yardstick in measuring the comparative economic development of Japan and the Philippines: their per capita incomes vis-�-vis that of the US�.in 1902, in 1935, in 1946, in 1952, in 1991 � without at all taking into consideration how those incomes were being earned - and comes to the earth-shaking conclusion that the Philippines has indeed been left behind by Japan. And he blames all this on the Philippine oligarchic elite �that had captured the political power of the state for their own purposes.� That is pure hogwash. The political power of the Philippine state had been in the hands of the American colonial government and the American president since the US paid Spain the princely sum of $20 million for ownership of these islands, through the Treaty of Paris of 1898, long before the Philippine oligarchic elite wielded effective control of the economy. If it had been the intent of the American leadership since 1898 to groom the Philippines into an industrial power to rival Japan, it would have built an industrial base as early as 1902 � Nelson�s starting point � and Nelson would have had some rational basis for comparing the two countries� per capita incomes vis-�-vis the US,� through 1902, 1935, 1946, etc. But, of course, the Americans had no intentions of grooming the Philippines into an industrial power to rival Japan , for that would have made the Philippines an industrial rival of the US as well. The Americans merely wanted the Philippines as a depot for American manufactures for trans-shipment to China , and as a coaling station for American ships transporting those manufactures to China . And so the Philippines remained a feudal economy all throughout the American Occupation and long after nominal independence in 1946 The Filipino landed aristocracy, joined by American carpetbaggers, was allowed by the American leadership to continue the feudal plantation economy inherited from the Spanish era. And that was the conventional wisdom of the day, practiced also by the Dutch in the East Indies, the French in Indo-China, the British in the Straits Settlements, and the Japanese in Korea and Formosa . The transformation and modernization of East Asia began in the 1970s when South Korea , Taiwan , Singapore and Hong Kong (then still a British colony) � but not the Philippines - geared their economies toward the export of manufactured goods, which was the beginning of their industrialization. In the 1980s, the four original tigers were followed by Malaysia , Thailand and Suharto�s Indonesia , but not by the Philippines which, under President Marcos, remained focused on its domestic market and continued to export mostly commodities.. Even the few import-substitution industries that were started under Marcos were geared for domestic consumption, not for the global market, except for a few such as the garments and furniture sectors. Of all the presidents who have occupied Malacanang Palace , only President Elpidio Quirino had a concept of industrialization as a national economic strategy, but even he did not think globally. Ramon Magsaysay was focused on the Hukbalahap insurgency in Central Luzon , which he defeated with a combination of hot military pursuit and social amelioration. Carlos Garcia floated a �Filipino First� policy but it remained a disembodied slogan without any anchor in concrete economic initiatives. Diosdado Macapagal, the �Poor Boy from Lubao,� ended up in Forbes Park after initiating agrarian reform. It was Ferdinand Marcos who had the biggest opportunity to re-engineer the Philippine economy. After declaring martial law in 1972, he had the authoritarian powers to dictate a paradigm shift towards industrialization. But - unlike the other authoritarians in South Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia - Marcos did no such thing, using his authoritarian powers merely to perpetuate himself and his family in power and, instead, giving his relatives and cronies monopolies in the domestic market. Whatever export industries Marcos set up in the Bataan export processing zone were deliberately wrecked by the communist KMU. This was really the turning point in Philippine economic history, which Nelson is/was apparently ignorant about, during which this country was overtaken by one neighbor after another as they ventured boldly into the global marketplace, while the Filipinos contemplated their collective domestic navel. Under President Quirino�s Total Economic Mobilization, there was an earnest attempt to build an industrial infrastructure. I recall that in the early 1950s, President Quirino appointed my father, an engineer, to the board of directors of a government corporation (NASSCO) with a mandate to set up the country�s first steel mill and first shipyard. These projects were successfully completed, but succeeding presidents � from Magsaysay onward to Marcos and beyond � had little or no interest in industrialization and these projects were left to seed. The steel mill went bankrupt, was sold to a Malaysian company, went bankrupt again, and was sold to an Indian company. By contrast, decades AFTER we started our first steel mill, South Korea built its Pohang steel works, Indonesia its Krakatoa steel mill, Malaysia its Heavy Industries of Malayasia, Thailand its own steel complex in its Eastern Seabord industrial corridor. As far as I know, these enterprises are prospering and are integral parts of their ongoing industrialization. Let me cite another sad example. More than 50 years after the Philippines established the first automotive industry in East Asia outside Japan , the Philippines still merely assembles components fabricated and pre-formed in other countries and imported into the country as CKDs or completely knocked down kits. After 50 years of assembling imported components,, we never graduated into actual car anufacturing. . By contrast again, decades AFTER we started the first Asian car industry outside Japan, South Korea has become one of the biggest car manufacturers in the world, Malaysia successfully launched its national car, the Proton, more than ten years ago and it has been exported globally. Thailand has become the Detroit of Southeast Asia, and is now the biggest manufacturer and exporter of pick-up trucks in the world�.while we have remained content merely assembling imported components. Don�t we have any national ambitions at all? I am sure we do. But we do not seem to know how to translate those ambitions into reality. I recall that in the 1980s, ex-Foreign Affairs Secretary Raul Manglapus joined up with several prominent Filipinos in a project to build Filcar, the first Filipino-designed and Filipino-built car. Raul went on a road show in the US , speaking eloquently before gatherings of prominent Fil-Ams in several cities, and firing up their emotional patriotism to cause them to pompously announce that they were contributing x-thousands of dollars to the project. I do not recall how many tens of thousands of dollars Raul was able raise, but he was clearly short by several billion dollars of the capital needed to jump-start an automotive industry. Needless to say, Filcar never even got to the drawing boards. By contrast, Malaysia started its Proton national car by setting up a joint venture: 70 percent from the state-owned Heavy Industries of Malaysia Corp. or HIMCO, 30% from Mitsubishi of Japan. The project had a rational timetable in which local content was increased every year, until the entire car, including its engine and transmission, was fabricated totally in Malaysia . You cannot build an industry on patriotism alone. You also cannot truly build a car industry by merely assembling imported components forever. Even the highly touted $1 billion investment of Hanjin in Subic to build the super-tankers of the future is just another assembly operation, with the steel plates fabricated in and imported from South Korea �s steel mills, to be riveted and welded together here into the ships� hulls, decks and structures, using cheaper Filipino labor. While we benefit from the jobs that will be created and the taxes that will be paid, this is not true industrialization. It can be argued that the failure of the Philippines to create millions of jobs � forcing millions of Filipinos to seek employment overseas and keeping local wages depressed in dollar terms � is a direct result of our failure to industrialize-for-export in the 1970s and 1980s, when our neighbors did. A depressing situation made worse by a runaway population growth rate, and a foolish embrace of accelerated free trade and globalization in the 1990s (under President Ramos and then. Sen. Gloria Arroyo) that decimated our incipient manufacturing base. Given such an enormous handicap, how could the Philippines have �contended (with Japan ) for the leadership of Asia in the first half of the 20th century?� Much less, in the rest of that century. ***** Reactions to [email protected]. Other articles in www.tapatt.org and in acabaya.blogspot.com OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO Reactions to �Competing with Japan 2� Reactions to Dr. Nelson�s Answer More Reactions to �Fr. Ed�s Pampanga� On a Hydrogen Economy On Gawad Kalinga Mr Abaya --- I've always thought that the claim that the Philippines stood second only to Japan in the 1950s has been a long-standing canard generated by certain clueless sectors. I've often wondered why so many folks keep trotting out that cliche. Is it a kind of clutching at straws to try and gain some respect for the country which has long been a source of disappointment, dismay and pity [not to mention a laughing-stock, thanks to Imelda] to ourselves and the outside world ? Would you agree with the theory once posited by Lee Kuan Yew (though he didn't say it specifically about the Philippines ) that our lack of economic and social progress can be attributed to ethnic differences? He had pointed to the contrast between the peoples of Northern and Southeast Asia --- with the former being disciplined, purposeful types and the latter, lakadaisical and happy-go-lucky. That, I think, plus the heavy-handedness of the Church is what keeps us, as the Americans would say, "in the pits." Isabel Escoda, (by e-mail), Hong Kong , Sept. 07, 2007 (Not quite correct. Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam and Thailand are �southern� countries. Yet they have managed to perform well. India is also a �southern� country, but it is one of the fastest growing economies in the world. The most important element in economic success is the right economic strategy, implemented by good leadership. There is still hope for us. ACA) wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Dear Tony, What has happened is that the Philippines has become a trading center where part of OFW funds that are earned in other countries, are spent on products that are in turn made in yet other countries and even smuggled in. That is why the "Mall culture" is all over us. Even car salesmen are proud to promote their cars as "made in Thailand " and even try to hide those that are "assembled/made in the Philippines ". I often find myself scolding these young salesmen as to why they are ashamed to promote cars that are made or assembled in the country! Our problems are so deep down into our souls... Nonoy Yulo, (by email), Sept. 07, 2007 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Maybe, just maybe, we can start with our local transport system. 1. Convert the idle and bald mountains east of Antipolo into Jojoba plantations. Then establish a manufacturing facility to process this into fuel. (note: I�ve seen in Indonesia how the converted their mountains into tea plantations). 2. Design and manufacture locally an engine suited for this fuel. 3. Pass a law requiring all public transport vehicles to use this engine. This may even require standardizing the vehicles used in our public transport, and the eventual phasing out of the obnoxious jeepneys. (the private vehicles will come later) 4. Revive the local steel industry. Among its first products could be steel rails for our rail transport system, and steel reinforcing bars for our civil works/construction industries. Manong Tony, I also firmly believe that for our country to really take of, we have to develop and grow our manufacturing sector. What I�ve stated above may be a bit grandiose, but what the heck, better to have a crazy idea that may work than to have none at all. Best regards and more power!!! Bong L. Alba, (by email), Sept. 07, 2007 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Dear Antonio, Regarding your article �Competing with Japan 2� For the Standard Today, September 06 issue, Written Sept. 05, 2007 Your comment �..� Philippines remained a feudal economy all throughout the American Occupation and long after nominal independence in 1946, and that the Filipino landed aristocracy, joined by American carpetbaggers, was allowed by the American leadership to continue the feudal plantation economy inherited from the Spanish era,� is right on! Also to be considered is that Japan post-war benefited from high agricultural protectionism, and an electoral system that heavily favored rural voters plus the fact that the farmers were well organized politically, which resulted in the fact that the rural sector had the purchasing power to obtain the goods produced by the industrial sector. These factors produced the foundation upon which the Japanese export industry flourished. If the example of Japan were to be followed it would require Philippine farmers be also well organized politically and fairly recompensed which is the exact opposite to the Philippine experience... It is hard to imagine how the Philippines could enter foreign markets, with all their vagaries and pitfalls, without having first developed a domestic market with tried and tested products. This of course can only be predicated on giving the average Filipino more money to spend. Unfortunately the IMF and the World Bank pursue policies militate against this happening. Add to this the idea that wages and salaries should be kept low and you have a recipe for the continued grinding poverty of the majority of the population. (South Korea started manufacturing cars, for the global market, when most of its population could not yet afford to buy cars. Wages and salaries stay low when the pool of unemployed and underemployed is large, not because they are dictated to stay low by the IMF and the World Bank. ACA) It is interesting to note an article that recently appeared in the Xinhua News Agency and republished in <peopledaily.com.cn> entitled � CHINA�S NEW BASIS FOR ECONOMIC EXPANSION: DOMESTIC CONSUMPTION,� in which Zhang Xiaoqiang, deputy director of the National Development and Reform Commission, had announced at the International Investment Forum being held in Xiamen that the �expansion of domestic consumption� will be the �fundamental basis of economic development over the next five years. The article went on, �Therefore, the net result of the expansion of the exports is the impoverishment of the Chinese people and the suppression of the domestic economy while dangerously relying on foreign trade to provide only a small number of jobs that command only the lowest pay in the world in dollar terms.� Your opinions in regard to the �Globalisation� policies being joined by Gloria Macapagal to the detriment of the Philippines are apt and on the money, but surely the statements now emanating from China should be given at least some food for thought here? The trick is how to persuade the, in your words, �.. �Philippine oligarchic elite that had captured the political power of the state for their own purposes,� to eschew corruption and become suddenly altruistic as far the good of the country is concerned. Suggestions anyone? Thank you once again for your thought provoking articles, may they long continue, Regards Doug Adam, (by email), Sept. 07, 2007 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Dear Sir Tony, You are right with your assessment of what every President did during their term of office. Everyone focused their Medium Term Development Plan on improving Infrastructure Projects particularly building bridges, farm to market roads, irrigation, power plants, school buildings, etc... only for us to find out only 35% of the budget were spent actually the rest of the 65% goes to elected officials and shrewd contractors and suppliers. The worst thing is some of those projects are non-existent. Where does the blame lies? At the national level, policies were laid down supposedly for a vision what will be the Philippines in the next 3-5 years before they end in office or what our country will look like in the next decade(s). Development should be sustainable in nature. This do not happen. The problems now lies with our Administrators, who had no clear sense of purpose, or advocacy. Many are just party-oriented since they are appointed out of political patronage. Many of the political activist that run and won for office and those that were appointed also lost their sense of nationalist purpose. they conferred to me that they were eaten up by the system. Many of the visionary political activists who were products of the martial law days are all getting older but never tire being pushed and clubbed in the front lines. Only few got a chance to run government and also enriched themselves. On the other side, so many activist like them had died of sickness and poverty. Me, if I did not work hard to earn a living, I could have been be one of them. Rodolfo Cada, (by email), Sept. 07, 2007 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Hi Tony, Here is some 'oral history' from my wife Alcestis "Thetis" Abrera-Mangahas. Her father Bernardo P. Abrera was the general manager of NASSCO -- to this day a brass marker in front of the Iligan mill commemorates the opening of the mill by President Magsaysay when Bernardo Abrera was manager. Your mother was Thetis's ninang. Federico Mangahas, my father, had Albert Abaya the architect (of our 1952 house in UP Diliman) and Hernan Abaya the writer (author of Betrayal in the Philippines ) as very close friends. Thetis wrote this for Mangahas-family info, but I convinced her to let me show it to you also. Regards, Mahar (Mangahas), (by email), Sept. 07, 2007 President, Social Weather Stations (Of course, I remember your father-in-law, Jack Abrera. I met him several times in the social functions of NASSCO. And I know of your dad, Mr. Mangahas, from my uncles Tio Hernan and Tio Albert. And thank you, Thetis, for the reminiscences below. Tony) Hey you guys, Just a footnote on this Abaya article. When he refers to the Quirino time and the attempt to build an industrial infrastructure, he talked about the government corporation to set up the country's first steel mill and first shipyard (NASSCO). He speaks of his dad, an engineer (Gonzalo Abaya) to the Board of Directors. My dad was the general manager of the corporation, designed the steel plant and the shipyard, as he was the country's first naval architect, courtesy of Boston 's MIT. A lot of work on the shipyards and a lot of frustration. (I remember one particular day he was telling me about having to plead the case of the steel industry to what he then already considered corrupt Congressmen). Eventually one of the Romualdez brothers, I think a Commodore, "grabbed" it - this became the BASECO. The Iligan steel mills (then making money, btw because of the relationship with the shipyards and the processing mills in Camarines Norte, also eventually sold separately) but then privatized to the Jacintos and then sold to the Malaysians. My dad went on to work for ESCAP in Bangkok , becoming the regional adviser for industrial projects, with lots of missions to South Korea and Japan , advising on steel mills and shipyards. The relationship between the Abayas and the Abreras was strong - Mrs. Abaya was my godmother in baptism (and boy, she was a great one, never forgot my birthdays and Christmases were always something to look forward too). Interesting too about the parallel relationships of the Mangahas and Abaya families (through Tony's uncle, I think). Of course, Federico Mangahas ' role in the Quirino government. When my Dad got his Outstanding Silimanian Award in the 60's (he went to Silliman before U.P.), it was during the Calderon presidency (and Federico Mangahas was VP). My father died of a heart attack on a golf course (Wack Wack), December 1972, almost as soon as he retired. I was sophomore in college then. My cousins always tell me that I missed the opportunities of a deeper intellectual relationship which they had with him. My conversations with him in the last year of his life were very much about my boyfriends (Angelica, pay heed) - wish I had more insight on how he saw Philippine development. This is almost a blog entry! Thetis Maria Alcestis A. Mangahas Chief Technical Adviser/Programme Manager Mekong Sub-regional Project to Combat Trafficking in Children and Women International Programme on the Elimination of Child Labour International Labour Organization UN Building, Bangkok, Thailand wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Dear Mr. Abaya, Sir, I salute you for exposing the truth about the true status of our country- both politically and economically . You are one of the few who really understand the weakness of our government and its public officials. . It is a continuous sad story to hear over and over again how corrupt we are, as a people and as a nation. Being branded as the "most corrupt nation" is nothing new. They could have said that phrase years ago. Historically compared, we are probably better off and prosperous before 1521 when Magellan exploited us for Spain than today-- year 2007. Before his arrival, we have laws (Code of Kalintiaw) and corruption is punishable by death. We traded with the rest of Asia for goods and services. That is almost five centuries ago. Are we better off 500 years ago than today? Christianity is a blessing but then Spain took our land in exchange for the cross. To the delight of my parents, I left the Philippine in 1970 for USA as a very young man against my will because I love my country. I have no choice, its either I will be branded a radical activist, a communist, in prison or a dead young man. Besides what is there to gain at that time by staying?. The government was under Martial Law, poor and corrupt. Marcos, his wife, and their cronies controlled the government and its treasury. Economically, the prospect of getting a decent job is almost zero-- unless of course you know somebody in the government. I was going to college but was truly disappointed when I found out that anybody can get a college degree/diploma by bribing the college registrar. In my opinion, this government is beyond repair. This type of government made by the Americans does not adhere to the needs of our people. The system is full of loopholes. Why waste the time to fix it when it�s been broken for many years. It is like a decaying fruit tree. You can throw the rotten fruits but if the root is bad, rotten fruits will come back. The solution, kill the bad tree and plant a new one. It was also a sad story to hear the conflict of GK with the other religious organizations. This is typical of many Filipino organization when leaders are obsessed with power and glory. This is also common here in USA . We have thousand of FILAM organizations with a well written constitution. It is only good in witting but does not mean a damn thing after the big gala night Induction Ball. This is one reason my family took upon ourselves to help in some small way, thru our family foundation, (lojocharityphilippines.org) our people without involving or bothering anybody. We do not solicit donations unless it is wholeheartedly offered. This is to avoid bureaucracy, conflicts, useless meetings, arguments, elections, induction ball, and all kind of BS. This is our small token of our gratitude to our land of birth. Maybe the day will come that our foundation is no longer needed. Filipinos are God fearing people and we always hope for the best. Very soon justice will prevail and we will weep no more for the tears of happiness will flow with laughter. Please continue your service to our people. Again we salute you and God Bless your foundation. Chico Lojo, (by email), Sept. 07, 2007 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Dear Mr. Abaya; I just read with great interest your article on the comparisons of economic growth between the Philippines and Japan . I agree with you completely. I would like to inquire for my curiosity what ever happened to the "Progressive Manufacturing Car Plan" (PCMP) for the local automotive industry. This was a project of Marcos during the pre-martial law days. Five automotive companies were selected and the plan was to increase the local content of the locally assembled cars with the goal of eventually producing a 100% Filipino product. I would appreciate your discussion on this matter. Many thanks: Ramon H. Legarda, (by email), Sept. 07, 2007 (I think that by the time Raul Manglapus came up with his Filcar project in the 1980s, the PCMP was already dead. I am not sure, but it may have died because the domestic market was too small to sustain it. Unlike the car industries in South Korea , Malaysia and Thailand , which aimed for the global market, aside from the domestic markets, of course. ACA) wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww I hope and pray that appropriate and responsive persons can read this and think about it seriously. We really need to industrialize and globalize in the strict sense of those words. How do you think we can reach and touch these people? I am only a retired UP faculty member who does not know these important target people. Pura Flor Isleta, (by email), Sept. 08, 2007 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Tony, Indeed, we missed the boat towards industrialization and exports. Well, as NEDA loves to put it, something like a "balanced agro-industrial economy!" I will check but I think this flawed strategy is even enshrined in our Philippine Constitution! Anyway, the Good News is in our place in Sta. Rosa, Laguna dubbed as the " Detroit of the Philippines ." A subsidiary of Toyota Motors Philipines Corporation (TMPC) exports automotives spare parts. Last year, total exports reached over US$500 Million! Early this year, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo was Guest of Honor in the ground-breaking of the expansion project worth over US$100 Million or at least P5 Billion. Likewise, TMPC exports their Innova and Altis models to ASEAN and other countries. The Vios model is now being manufactured in the Philippines and will also be exported. They just started production last August. TMPC has a huge operations in Sta. Rosa, Laguna with over 80 hectares in total area that includes a nature-park of over 10 hectares. If you are interested, I may able to arrange a tour for us. I have not gone inside myself. By the way, our friend Ely Ouano did the design and construction of their waste-water treatment plant in the early 90s as he did for Ayala's Laguna Techno Park just across our village. Next time, i will tell you the story how the Philippines lost the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) to Thailand , as told to me by Ely who finished his Masters & Doctorate degrees in Environmental Engineering from AIT. Incidentally, he is getting his second PHD in Environmental Law in Australia this Sept. 20. Regards. Rick Ramos, (by email), Santa Rosa , Laguna, Sept. 09, 2007 (I do not want to belittle the operations of the Japanese car makers in Laguna. They generate jobs, pay taxes and earn dollars for the country. But these are all assembly operations in which the components all come from abroad and are just put together here to take advantage of the cheap labor, and to allow the finished products to enter the domestic market with minimal customs levies. Aside from Japan, the only East Asian countries with 100% or near-100% local content car manufacturing industries are South Korea, China, Malaysia (for the Proton line) and Thailand (for pick-ups.) wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Reactions to Dr. Nelson�s Answer Mr. Abaya, I read Mr. Nelson's answer and your reply. I totally agree with you. I did say many times that the Philippines was second to Japan at a certain point in history, but for all practical purposes, it was a poor or far second and only considering South East Asian neighbors. I think we should stop propagating this condescending idea of being second to Japan because there is no way we can equal, let alone compete with Japan . It does not motivate Filipinos. Mr. Nelson is doing a disservice even with all his good intention. The idea does not educate us, yours makes us think and find ways, Mr. Nelson's rationalizes the sheer failure and idiocy of Philippine leadership over the years; yours makes us angry and challenges us, Mr. Nelson's blinds us into acceptance. Again, Mr. Nelson is doing a disservice. Sincerely, Jess Diaz, (by email), Sept. 10, 2007 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Dear Mr. Abaya, Indeed, Professor Nelson (an economist at that!) was very careless in his comparisons. But I would like to believe that the elite (and up to now) has captured the powers of the state and are using it for their own purposes. That is one of the theories I learned in my graduate class in public policy development and analysis. Nicole Paterno, (by email), Sept. 10, 2007 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Hahaha. I read Mr. Nelson�s reply, and your point-by-point dissection only proves that Mr. Nelson is very detached from reality. You can�t lie with numbers, but numbers only give a partial picture. I agree that engineers are the key to economic growth. It is quite alarming nowadays that majority of the college population are into medical and service-oriented courses, while engineering students (CE, ME, EE, ECE, Agricultural Engg, Aeronautical, Geodetic) are getting fewer. In fact, I encouraged my eldest son to take engineering next year (he is 4th year HS now), against the wishes of my relatives who wanted him to take up Nursing. Thanks and more power. Bong L. Alba, (by email), Sept. 11, 2007 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Tony: I can imagine about 100 trucks moving lahar from the quarry...but I cannot imagine 300 - 400 trucks. That will be too much for a traffic jam across or into the small roads and highways in the Philippines . Aside from the trucks, consider the number of backhoes that load-up the trucks, plus bulldozers that dig the lahar and more backhoes/bulldozers to move the loosen lahar into the loading area. To imagine this type of big operation, I cannot believe the Philippine government failed to monitor or said nothing about it. As a former OSHA inspector, I cannot imagine these complex activities going on in the Philippines , much more in Pampanga. I honestly believe that all the numbers being mentioned in this posting are imaginary or journalistic over exaggeration. Rudy Hermosa, (by email), Sept. 09, 2007 (So how do you account for P29.4 million in income from quarrying fees for the first working 28 days of Fr. Ed�s provincial government, starting July 02, at P300 per truckload? ACA) wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Dear Tony. I hope you can name a first- time politician in the Philippines who ran for governorship and higher, who completed his/her term, and ended up much poorer than when he/she first "served" If you could name me one, let's submit that name to the Guinness Book of Record. I am dying to see who that unique person is. Dr. Nestor P. Baylan, (by email), New York City , Sept. 09, 2007 (Arsenio Lacson, who was mayor of Manila in the 1950s, may have died poorer than when he began his term. When he died, his house on M. Earnshaw St. in Sampaloc, was repossessed by the creditor bank as his widow could not afford to pay the monthly amortizations. ACA) wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww The quarry scandal is definitely a task for the Blue Ribbon Committee to determine. But it seems the honorable senators and congressmen are lukewarm to dig into this mess and come out with a report. The disclosure of Fr. Ed demands a thorough investigation even right there in lahar site by the senate as what Gloria Macapagal Arroyo did in 1993 in the Pepsi 349 scam that exploited the poverty of the Filipino people. An official act of the senate with a conclusive senate report can be taken as a judicial notice under Rule no. 129 of the Rules of Court. That was my strategy to going to the bottom of the Pepsi scam fiasco. ( But Pepsi magicians employed so many technical barriers to deny us access to the judicial courts since that was part of my game plan. The "precedent cases of Gerson Mendoza-Romulo" was elevated to the Supreme Court. A mere asistant clerk of court said the justices approved it, with out disclosing the identity of the justices. Only a minute resolution, without any remarks or comments. The records are still with the Supreme Court of this "precedent cases" well cited by the justices and quoted in subsequent Pepsi cases where this strange mysterious"precedent" was lengthy discussed as "stare decis" by Justice Leo Quisumbing in all subsequent Pepsi 349 cases (see www.pepsi349.com). If a senate investigation on the Fr. Ed disclosue is conducted by the Blue Ribbon Committee headed by Sen.Alan Cayetano, he may be able to arrived at startling conclusion that may link Cayetano's favorite target. With the conclusion of a senate report, this may be used in a complaint before our judicial court against the lahar culprits and recognized as a "judicial notice" under Rule no.129 of the Philippine Rules of Court. Once this is done the authors of the Lahar scum would be meted out their due justice behnd bars in the company of the scoundrels and scalawags.MarkLapid would of course opted to lives elsewhere to escape the probe the senate. But the main stumbling block is that this issue involves no lobby money that will pass the hands of the Senators. There is no incentive from them, so nobody even at this point, has taken interest to initiate an investigation. Its seems that the Willyonaryo glitch and the Joey de Leon transparency is more important than unearthng and pinpointing the accountability of public officials. The Senate is also silent about the Abalos- ZTE broadband multi-billion scandal. Is there a lobby fund going on? Should we just take ita a matter of fact in the Philippines ? I have long given up on the Philippines and I am panning to migrate to another country for the sake of my immediate siblings. They wont have any future here with a government built on corruption. We wont see the day when a revolutionary government can change the Phiippine landscape. Vicente T. Del Fierro Jr, (by email), Sept. 09, 2007 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww. Hi Tony: Cesar Sarino's suggestion is valid. Somebody as a Filipino citizen can. but it will be better if the complainant is from San Fernando or any town in Pampanga. Cheers Gil Santos, (by email), Sept. Forwarded message attached. THEN WHY CANT A PAMPANGUENO FILE A TAXPAYER SUIT? NOW? OR HAS THAT BEEN DONE? IF NO ONE IN PAMPANGA WOULD FILE A SUIT, THEN WHY DON'T WE, AS FILIPINO CITIZENS, FILE THE CASE? Cesar Sarino wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Dear Mr. Abaya, Arithmetic has a very great and elevating effect, compelling the soul to reason about abstract number, and rebelling against the introduction of visible or tangible objects into the argument. (The Republic) Thank you for writing about this issue, Mr. Abaya. Regards, Lito Basilio, (by email), Dubai , UAE, Sept 10, 2007 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Good Morning! I happened to read the various responses regarding Fr. Ed's good works. I'm really curious on knowing more about his works. Will you be kind enough, to tell me where i can get more information about him? Thank you. Josie E. Morgan, (by email), Sept 12, 2007 (I get all my information about Fr. Ed from the Philippine Daily Inquirer. ACA) wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww This article should lead our senators to investigate religiously regarding this volcanic-ash hidden corruptions. I think these politicians had "ninja" skills to make themselves invisible using volcanic ash. For all media institutions should give their attentions for this issue. We are not talking hundreds of pesos but billions of pesos which can help a lot to our people. Thanks, Ceasar O. Lim, (by email), PEZA, Rosario , Cavite , Sept. 12, 2007 Product Development Engineer Ju-Young Electronics Phils. Inc. wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Hi, Now that this secret (corruption in quarrying) has been revealed to the country, will there be a follow up to be made and will the people involved be questioned? The problem in our country is that, we know someone did it but no one has the REAL GUT to front up involved individuals and prosecute. I'll keep an eye on this issue and see if you guys can come up with something different. I am not surprised if nothing will happen. Regards, mabuhay po tayong lahat.... Pedro Cura, (by email), Takapuna, Auckland , New Zealand , Sept 14, 2007 Planogramming Supervisor wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww On a Hydrogen Economy Dear Mr. Abaya, I want to take this opportunity to thank you for your timely articles that I enjoy reading but I just have no time to respond or comment. I think I suggested before to you that you should run for President of our country. At least, you should be a presidential adviser that may you the opportunity to implement your good ideas. I remember one of your articles in which you mentioned your interest in developing Hydrogen as a source of energy. I wonder if you have any plan of promoting its development in our country. If you do I would like to join you and make a national project in which I can invite OFW and Filipino expatriates to help. Please continue the good work that you are doing. Bart Saucelo, MD, (by email), South Bend , Indiana , Sept. 12, 2007 (I am still pursuing the idea of a Hydrogen Economy. I am in contact with two experiments in the US which use hydrogen to energize the houses and cars of the owners. I am also in touch with the Icelandic government that has an official policy of shifting from a carbon to a hydrogen economy. The costs are still higher than carbon fuels, but with oil now at $80 a barrel and climbing, hydrogen may be the energy of the future. ACA) wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww On the Gawad Kalinga On a face value, the approach use by is very noble, building homes for the poor, out of the money of perhaps taxpayers, or more blessed individuals and organization. However, to my personal understanding, this is a short term solution for a long term problem. The homelessness and poverty in the country actually increased at least what i can read from newspapers and some statistics. Even the religious organizations feeding the malnoursished children by the millions, still the undernourished children maybe doubled inspite of all the efforts. Therefore, the problem is really lack of education from school and from the parents. promotion of industry and self sufficiency must be taught, I think. I am not saying we do not give to charity, or help those really in need, but if one look broader the approach of many NGO's religious groups may not be correct. They are just collecting free money pay themselves first and then give them the rest to the poor which most often than not will remain poor for the rest of their lives. Some people are very complacent and just ignores small but important things Ernie Dellosa, (by email), Sept.. 10, 2007 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Tony, As a member of one of its sub-units, I support the CFC as an organization that promotes spreading the WORD and with members that encourage teaching people about Christ, our Lord and Savior. I feel that their work reaches out to those that could not be reached by regular Church ministers. They have reached out to teens and youngsters, besides. But just like other Filipino church-supported organizations, if leaders and members are not careful, they become exclusionary and with HOUSEHOLD activities, the members with financial limitations later find themselves displaced or excluded. So, there is no one organization that could do all the things that a good Church organization should be doing. As a one-time (minimal) contributor I support the works of the Gawad Kalinga. They made doable the Lord's desire for us to tend His sheep but caring for the homeless. Maybe the split between the two is a change for the better. GK can cooperate with local CFC's or other local Catholic organizations, to continue with its work. In various communities, people see which organization is the best involved in serving the poorer members. In some parishes, I see the Cathechists to be the best involved. Why can't GK continue working through other church organizations, whichever is appropriate is various localities? Thus, rather than the CBCP getting involved in playing favorites of leaders, politicizing as it were these organizations, it would seem that the Bishop in each diocese who has the best view of the needs of Catholic Parishioners should determine what organization needs to work with GK. If their diocese mission includes housing for the homeless among the faithful, the Bishop should encourage the cooperation between the GK and the selected Church organizations, not necessarily CFC, so the two are not deemed inseparable. We have millions of homeless people. GK cannot afford to provide for all of them and I can see why the church would want to give preference to the Faithful. If GK in fact receives donations from non-Catholics, either the donors should be appraised of the preference for Catholics. Or, GK for social justice's sake better provide for separate communities that are intended for non-Catholics. Separate, because the Church cannot presume to "convert the Non-Catholics" and expect them to uphold the Catholic teaching. Yet, the Church should avoid scandalizing the Catholic children, which is a more important mission of the Church than providing material needs for the people. Mother Teresa did not ask the poor, Are they Catholics? Are they Christians? before she served them. But building communities of mixed creed can create a moral dilemma of greater magnitude than solving certain lack of material things of the people. So, I would say, let CFC do the best thing that it does or what it is supposed to do. Let the GK do what it is best at doing. They do not have to be like Siamese Twins. Even this congenital condition has been medically remedied. CFC/GK combination is a mere human invention that is easier to dismantle. And, please, let's discourage the CBCP from politicizing anything anymore than they had done. They have done more irreparable damage than anyone else in this country through politics and the duplicity that goes with it. They were absent when the Lord distinguished between God and Caesar. They really should do more individual Ora at Labore and more shepherding than politicization as did Father Panlilio. Their Council has demeaned the individual Bishop's capability to make the proper discernment of the Lord's Way and Truth that are diametrically opposed to the GMA cheating, lying, and stealing ways. May we see the CFC/GK separation as a good sign of people's recognition of the TRUTH about individual and organizational imperfections and limitations. The anomaly is in our failure or unwillingness to recognize such TRUTH. Aurora Riel, (by email), Murfreesboro , North Carolina , Sept. 14, 2007 OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO |