Let’s give GMA a chance as we brace for a big storm

Many businessmen I talked too recently after the President’s pronouncements of no longer having any intentions of running for election in 2004 expressed some hope for the country’s possible economic turnaround, which many feel is abated chiefly by too much politics in the government. But there are more who would rather play the role of doubting Thomases who see the move as a mere political gimmickry.

The cynics see the masterstroke for a win-win situation made by GMA wherein her options are kept open. She could be more effective in running the government with less flak from the opposition (it would be unlikely not to have any) and really cause an economic turnaround (it need not be a major advance considering that we seem to be in the pits presently and any movement can’t be anything but an improvement) and by such, prove to be what the country needs for a leader after all.

In such a scenario, who’s the best person for the position other than the one who has produced tangible results? There would logically be a clamor for her to stay and with such public demand, who’s she to fail the dictates of the nation. A real masterstroke!

But those whose unflinching goal is to see a better Philippines than what we have presently would most probably just say, So what if it was a masterstroke? So what if she changed her mind? What matters is that we are in a better state than we were before and if it would mean that she would renege on what she promised, so be it? If that’s going to be a problem with her, let her have the problem. That comes with the territory known as leadership. What’s paramount is the country’s well-being.

Whatever, let’s give our President a chance. As a businessman myself I join many who see dark clouds in the horizon, what with an inevitable big middle-east conflict up ahead and world recession expected by many to come for a tandem. This is the time to lock arms and together brace for a storm. If it comes we could have been better protected, if it does not we could have performed better as one.

Barking up the wrong tree

Why the heck do we always worry so much more about how much we won’t be able to collect rather than what we shouldn't have spent?

Take the latest declaration of Finance Secretary Jose Isidro Camacho on the possible extension of the exemption of professionals from the payment of value-added tax. He said that if this pushes through the government stands to lose P8.5 billion in revenue. And according to newspaper reports the Department of Finance vows to block the move.

Why is it that there are so much efforts to squeeze Juan dela Cruz drier than how dry he already is with almost every imaginable tax on his burden, than initiatives to reduce government spending by going after the grafters who cause such spending to go higher by a minimum of 30 percent for kick backs and what have you?

I do not blame Secretary Camacho, he’s just doing what he is tasked. But there must be somebody who’s not up to his job of stopping the government’s hemorrhaging due to super jacked up spending caused by too much graft and corruption. Or maybe there’s no somebody to be blamed. Probably it is the present system altogether.

Take this story I gathered in one of the parties I attended during the holiday season wherein a known contractor for government road projects was approached by a group regarding a particular project he was interested in. According to the story, the group told the contractor that the project that he was interested in was already begotten, however he may still bid just to make it legal but only make sure that the bid comes late so that it would be disqualified. With honor among thieves, the contractor submitted a bid of P400 million, which was way, way above what he thought would already be a profitable one, after all it was going to be disqualified for being late anyway. But lo and behold, at the end of the day he found out that the winning bid, which was beforehand begotten, was at P900 million.

It is a story that I cannot stand for as bible truth, but hearing many similar stories, can make one start to wonder if all of them were fabricated.

Whatever it is, it’s high time we look somewhere else than at poor Juan dela Cruz for squeezing, as he is already emaciated and bone-dry.

Let’s go after the crooks first before we go for Juan’s neck for another wringing. Pity naman him, it just might turn out to be the final "piga."

Pre-need industry to be under micro scrutiny

Should the passage of the Pre-need Industry Code be snag-free the sector would then be under the close scrutiny of the Insurance Commission, a prospect that reportedly many in the business would much rather not see its realization.

But what’s added good news for those planholders who are still nail biting due to the industry’s volatile status is the move of the Securities and Exchange Commission to make its regulation one of its top priorities despite the eminent transfer of jurisdiction.

However, many are still hard at prayer to see the health care companies to be also under the micro scrutiny of the Insurance Commission. Presently, these health care firms have only the Department of Health to think of should any subscriber come out in the open to divulge any wrongdoing, like refusal to pay claims or indiscriminate open ended increase of rates. As of my last research no health care company has been sanctioned by the Health Department for any complaints raised by subscribers, if ever there were any formally filed. The thing is, the aggrieved subscribers don't know where to bring their case, as the industry is really ill regulated.

I remember having read a few days ago a plight of a subscriber of Blue Cross (remember the libel case pending it filed against me when I wrote about some complaints of its subscribers?) graphically reflected in the column of Ms. Belinda Cunanan of the Inquirer. If I remember right the subscriber was pleading that she be paid what Blue Cross committed to her in their contract. It only goes to show that aggrieved clients have no place to go but the media to air their grievances against health care companies.

This is one sector our solons should also start looking into with the acceptance of health care insurance in the country.

B&L is back on the air

After more than two months of not being watched by its loyal viewers all over the country, the TV show Business & Leisure (Saturday, 11 p.m., Channel 4 Manila and nationwide via satellite on NBN, National Broadcasting Network) returns on the air tonight.

My recent bout with Bell’s Palsy prevented me from going on-cam on all my TV shows. I had to ask my Kristine Patricia to squeeze into her tight school schedule a weekly taping session in my stead with my co-host Pocholo Ramirez for Motoring Today (Sunday, 11:30 a.m., Channel 4 Manila and nationwide on NBN) while the out and out automobile buffs had to settle for replays of Auto Focus (Tuesday, 11 p.m. Channel 4 and NBN).

The venue for tonight’s show is Charlie Leobrera’s Vistamar Resort and Beach Hotel in Anilao, Batangas, a top of the list destination for corporate outings, family sojourns and of scuba diving enthusiasts who prefer more comfortable after-dive accommodations. Don’t fail to watch!

Mabuhay!!! Be proud to be a Filipino.

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