Stradcom’s failed strategy

One email sender raised specific issues about Stradcom and what was written in this column last week. Here are some vital points raised: (1) The Stradcom consortium has not finished Phase 1 of the project where the contractor was supposed to provide proof of concept. Reportedly, the consortium has not even converted the land titles in the RD’s of Manila. In short, nothing has happened even after Stradcom was awarded the project in 2000. If the RFP was followed, the project would have been over in six months. Why the LRA has not moved to cancel the project remains a mystery; (2) After winning the DFA Machine Readable Passport and Visa Project nearly four years ago, BCA International (which stands for B-onifacio Alentajan, C-ezar Quiambao and A-derito Yujuico), still it has not left the ground. The Philippines, apparently, is still paying a fat fine for every non-machine readable passport it produces despite the approved project. Our ear-spies overheard that PhilPass has only two employees working on this gargantuan project that would supposedly install passport/visa systems in all embassies and consulates around the world; and (3) it appears that Stradcom’s system often bogs down within a day, making it extra difficult for LTO Regional Directors to finish their transactions since they now have to do it manually. When the system is running, allegedly, it takes a whole day to finish a transaction. But when it is on manual, it only takes 30 minutes. Worse, the public has to pay P52 for the "privilege" to wait a whole day. Our email sender can only say one thing: Que Barbaridad!

Body language at the Senate

During the closing days of the legislature, our Senate eye-spies observed the body language of Senators in the Session Hall, which reminds one of archetypal characters in the classroom. The "stars" who have their sights set for higher positions like Senator de Castro and Senator Legarda are calculatingly conscious of their moves and are aware of the people in the gallery. Those aspiring to be "teacher’s pet" like newly-installed Majority Floor Leader Kiko Pangilinan are showing hustle and vitality to prove themselves (as if competence can be projected merely on the basis of physical motion). The "antagonists" – Senator Ed Angara and Senator Ping Lacson keep their distance from one another. Senator Lacson just keeps to himself; no one approaches him for small talk. The "candidates for graduation" like Senator Juan Flavier are inactive, just savoring the last moments of office. The "repeaters" like Senator Revilla is conspicuously dozing off in the last row. Finally, the "class president" like Senate President Franklin Drilon is making sure that this colleagues remain productive and attend sessions in order to achieve the legislative agenda. And of course, there are the naughty ones who run to the john to get a smoke or two.

The blind leading the blind?

According to our ear-spies, numerous homeowners and residential groups in Parañaque, Las Piñas and Muntinlupa are banding together to file a formal complaint against Mike Velarde and El Shaddai members for causing massive traffic jams in Sucat Road every Saturday evening. The traffic jams, according to one of our eye-spieces, extend from Palanyag down to Nayong Pilipino. The other side, which goes to Baclaran, stretches sometimes up to Valley Two subdivision. On some occasions, it takes two hours for one vehicle just to squeeze out of the gridlock. The mammoth traffic jams are the result of a mass of people coming in and out of the El Shaddai prayer rallies being held every Saturday evening in that area. The El Shaddai "faithful", according to our eye-spies, show no respect to law and order in the area whatsoever. It is also noticeable that there is no police visibly during these XXX. One other problem is that a string of more than 30 rented jeeps and buses line Sucat Road, leaving only one of the three lanes to be used by private and public motorists. If the truth will set us free, then why is Parañaque City Mayor Joey Marquez and MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando blind to all these?

Roco’s fundraising activities

Staff from the British Club in Manila disclosed that the fundraising dinner organized for Raul Roco had a low turnout. Of the 20 plus tables in the club, only three tables were occupied. In effect, the P5,000 per plate dinner raised only around P75,000. The attendees were mostly from COPA members. Other fundraising activities are being planned out by civil society groups.

To Say is to believe

One Cavite eye-spy spotted "Big Boy" Sy, the son of taipan Henry Sy, last Sunday afternoon strolling with a cotene of engineers, architects and business staff members along the coastline of Papaya Cove in Limbones, Cavite. They were obviously doing an ocular inspection of Sy’s 10,000 hectares of coastline real estate in the area. The estate was reportedly bought by Henry Sy’s son-in-law, the late Louie Coson Rumor has it that "Big Boy" is ready to dish out billions of pesos to develop the coastline area into an exclusive residential resort.

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