Ate Glo is serious about Strong Republic

Take it from me, Ate Glo is serious about leaving her mark as the President who made the Strong Republic possible. That’s why she made her ultimate political sacrifice in the first place. Over lunch with a group of columnists last Friday, I got the impression that she is dead set on moving this country out of its abyss of seemingly never ending crisis even if it means establishing her reputation as Taray Queen for good.

Relieving herself of the burden of 2004 has done her good. She seemed more relaxed, yet more determined to see her programs through. She was also more open, more ready to give direct responses to questions than she was the last time I was at the Palace for dinner sometime last year. This was a good productive session with her. Going through Sta. Mesa traffic was worth it this time.

I was happy she expressed a strong impatience with the bureaucracy. This is why, she said, she appointed Bobi Tiglao as her chief of staff. His job is to make sure that the important stuff are not forgotten or lost in the bureaucratic shuffle. And she is not ready to wait forever. Case in point is the long pending tax credit scam case. She said she was ready to pull it out of the Department of Finance but Lito Camacho asked her to give him one last chance to act on it.

Ate Glo said she was also disappointed that the Anti Money Laundering Council has not moved fast enough on the cases of the syndicates that diverted hundreds of millions of tax payments made through some Land Bank branches. She said, and rightly so, that more forceful action is needed if the tax collection effort of government is to have any credibility. She was told that the judge assigned to the case wasn’t moving fast enough. The explanation was not good enough for her. She wants a disciplinary case filed against the judge if warranted.

On still another case, Ate Glo revealed that Bayani Fernando presented a comprehensive traffic management plan that she approved. But when the cooperation of the public works department was sought, the bureaucracy there responded that Bayani Fernando was wrong. So, she said, she decided to name Fernando as the acting Public Works Secretary. One of his main tasks is to see to it that the flood and traffic problems of Metro Manila, solutions to both being dependent on DPWH, are addressed. No excuses.

Ate Glo is also hot about needed policy reforms. She said a lot of her time is being devoted to seeing these reforms through in the bureaucracy. That isn’t easy to do even for the President. We have so many studies, so many plans but few get to see the light of day. Her job is to move those reform proposals from the discussion table (or filing cabinets) into the big wide world out there.

She will get that railway from Malolos and from Cabuyao done before she leaves office. She will interconnect the MRTs in Metro Manila. She will open NAIA 3 under her terms, if she has to use the limits of her powers to do it. She will work to spark the housing market with the provision of a secondary mortgage market for houses below P4 million. She agrees with Sen. Manny Villar that getting the housing sector moving will have a positive impact on the rest of the economy, specially the job market.

She also reiterated her decision to abolish the Public Estates Authority. Her appointment of a new general manager is only by way of making sure no more hanky panky happens between now and the time Congress has passed the administration bill abolishing it. She really sounded disappointed with the PEA officials she appointed. They can expect to feel the full effect of her administration’s anti graft program.

I asked her what she plans to do after 2004. She declined to answer that one, saying that she has not given that much thought. I can understand why she wants to remain inscrutable on her future plans beyond 2004. Allowing some room for doubt to keep politicians guessing is good for her political leverage.

But she is happy she did what she did. She says her 12/30 speech has given her laser sharp focus on the things she wants to do so that she would at least be remembered as a good transition President. She said she does not care if it is her successor who will get the credit for the work she has begun. It is enough for her to have started the process for the country’s sake.

I came out of the Palace with the clear image of one helluva impatient lady there. I wouldn’t want to be in the shoes of her Cabinet members. I think there may even be a few more firings before the 18 months are over. She will take no excuses from anyone of them. Maybe this is wishful thinking on my part, but I can’t help welcoming the Taray Queen back. We are culturally attuned to the strict maestra. The bureaucracy and some pesky politicians need one if the people are to be served well.

Shopping

Good news at long last. They are finally getting it. The Department of Tourism recently launched a campaign to highlight Makati as a shopping haven in this part of the world. This is indeed, one strong selling point we ought to capitalize on. Some of the best shopping hereabouts can be done in Metro Manila. Of course Bangkok has its sidewalks full of fake goods, but if you know where to go, you can also buy those things in Metro Manila – even cheaper.

What surprised me however, pleasantly surprised me, is that they launched the campaign with corresponding cheap tour package that competes with packages for Hong Kong, Bangkok and Singapore. Dick Gordon said that a group comprising of 157 Taiwanese and 90 Koreans are already in town shopping. They have availed of the four-day/three-nights shopping package for as low as $165 tagged as "More Than The Usual Shopping Experience" inclusive of various activities such as bar-hopping or musical entertainment, dinner at Kamayan restaurant and lunch at the trendy Makati restaurants.

That’s the way to fight this battle for tourism growth. Even domestic tourists shouldn’t be forced to go abroad because the packages for Hong Kong and Bangkok are cheaper than Cebu or Laoag. If the airlines and tour operators can make good packages for foreign cities they should be able to work out similar ones for Philippine destinations.

Q and A

Dr. Ernie E said doctors are frequently asked questions that just make your day. Here are some examples.

Q. How can I be pregnant when I am using birth control?

A. It’s a misconception.

Q. I’m two months pregnant now. When will my baby move?

A. With any luck, right after he finishes college.

Q. How will I know if my vomiting is morning sickness or the flu?

A. If it’s the flu, you’ll get better.

Q. My blood type is O-positive and my husband’s is A-negative. What if my baby is born, say, type AB-positive?

A. Then the jig is up.

Q. My brother tells me that since my husband has a big nose, and genes for big noses are dominant, my baby will have a big nose as well. Is this true?

A. The odds are greater that your brother will have a fat lip.

Boo Chanco’s e-mail address is: [email protected]