A credible Congress

Speaker Feliciano “Sonny” Belmonte is probably the first head of the House of Representatives to counsel his colleagues against “fantastic insertions” in the national budget. In so doing, the Speaker translated the “straight road” philosophy of President Noynoy Aquino into actual practice within the institution that holds the virtual “power of the purse”.

Speaker Belmonte’s gesture is important. This sends correct signals to both international and local investors who have been waiting for clear indicators that the government is serious with reforms, particularly in fiscal management. This also assures the international community, including donors and organizations helping us in our development efforts, that the government is bent in ensuring that every peso in the budget is actually spent for the purpose for which they have been earmarked.

The consistency between the President’s philosophy of governance and Congress’ approach to budget preparation makes for credibility. And if there is one important accomplishment in the President’s first 100 days, it is the transformation of Congress into a credible body that looks at itself as the steward of the people’s money, rather than lord over taxpayers’ money.

We are sure some of his colleagues were not pleased with Speaker Belmonte’s strong stance against “fantastic insertions.” But the public definitely welcomes this pronouncement. A credible Congress is good, even for the overall business climate.

Speaking of a credible Congress, we hope the Speaker’s colleagues do not neutralize his efforts at building this credibility with the apparent imprudence with which the impeachment moves against Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez is being handled.

The issue raised against House justice committee chair Niel Tupas Jr. appears to have caught public attention. It will be recalled that his colleagues have been urging Tupas to inhibit himself from taking part in the impeachment process because he and his father, former Iloilo governor Niel Tupas Sr., are both perceived as having axes to grind against the Ombudsman.

Tupas Sr. was found guilty by the Ombudsman of violating the Anti-graft and Corrupt Practices Act. Tupas Jr., it was recently disclosed, is facing charges of corruption in connection with allegations that he spent public funds for what former Iloilo Vice Governor Rolex Suplico said were “ghost seminars”.

The call of his colleagues for Tupas Jr. to inhibit makes sense. According to his colleagues, Tupas Jr. can no longer be expected to discharge his functions with fairness and objectivity. There is logic in this – how can one who has once spoken about being disadvantaged by the Ombudsman deal with her with sober objectivity?

The bottom line is clear – his own colleagues want to protect the credibility of Congress.

It is unfortunate that the snowballing public perception is that Tupas Jr. may not be too keen to heed his colleagues’ call. And that being the case, the sad conclusion is that the solon from Iloilo may be using his chairmanship in the Justice Committee simply to get back at Gutierrez.

Gutierrez may have been associated with the previous administration. But that does not mean she should not be given fair treatment.

If this perception persists, then this would be a setback in the Speaker’s unrelenting efforts to build up the credibility of the House.

We hope his colleagues realize that an impeachment process that has no credibility may not augur well for the image of the House.

For entertainment’s sake

Showbiz and non-showbiz observers are eagerly awaiting the outcome of the current legal tussle between giant television network ABS-CBN and television host Willie Revillame, not only because of the popularity of the personalities involved but also because it involves a business contract, plain and simple.

Both claim breach of contract by the other party. ABS-CBN claims that Revillame, the former host of the now-cancelled noontime program, Wowowee, violated his contract by taking an unauthorized leave after he had publicly demanded that the network take action against another network talent who had aired unsavory remarks against the program.

The three-year contract between Revillame and ABS-CBN was signed on September 11, 2008, and should have remained valid until September 11, 2011.  

For his part, Revillame cites various “unfair, unjust and unwarranted treatment” from ABS-CBN, such as suspension without pay, being placed on probation to a weekly program without assurance of reinstatement to daily three-hour programming; unilateral downgrading of his appearance from a “live” to a “pre-recorded” program which he claims constitutes prior restraint and censorship, and deprivation of earnings from “in-show” product endorsements which have become part of his compensation package.

Revillame has filed an P11-million civil suit before the Quezon City Regional Trial Court for judicial rescission of his contract with the network.

ABS-CBN, in turn, has filed a countersuit asking a total of P486 million in actual damages, moral and exemplary damages and attorney’s fees from him.

And just like a telenovela, the plot thickens especially after Revillame reportedly signed a contract with TV 5 last September 7 to host two shows: “Willing Willie”, a noontime game show, and a primetime star search show, for an unspecified amount.

What ABS-CBN wants at this point is for Revillame to desist from finding employment in any other networks while his contract subsists.

Thus, ABS-CBN asked the court for a temporary restraining order and writ of preliminary injunction to prevent Revillame from launching his new show on TV 5 on October 23.

According to Revillame’s lawyers, the attempt to prevent him from contracting with another network is “ill-motivated, cruel and oppressive.”

The issue which the court needs to decide upon is whether or not the contract between ABS-CBN and Revillame is still subsisting.

Revillame’s lawyer claim that ABS-CBN unilaterally terminated their contract with Revillame the moment they pulled the plug on Wowowee. Thus, Revillame has been freed from his contractual obligations with the network and can seek employment elsewhere.

They have also denied reports there was a “gentleman’s agreement” between Revillame and one of ABS-CBN’s lawyers to hold in abeyance the airing of his new shows with TV 5.

We understand the predicament of both parties. ABS-CBN is set to lose one of its biggest, if not its biggest talent to a rival network, and it has to assert the subsistence of its contract with Revillame. He on the other hand has been put on the freezer so to speaker but he has to earn his living. The longer he stays away from the public eye, the more his market value diminishes. The viewing public just hopes that all ends well between the parties for entertainment’s sake.

Not so hidden agenda

Having trouble with your vision? Is it blurred, hazy, snowy and smoky, while lights from oncoming vehicles at night cause a glare that block your vision?  You may have a cataract.

According to Dr. Noel Chua, director of St. Luke’s International Eye Institute at the Fort Bonifacio Global City, most individuals aged 50 and above will develop a cataract in time as most cataracts are related to aging.

But there’s good news. Cataract operation is among the procedures covered by a 20 percent discount being offered by St. Luke’s Global City in connection with its first anniversary celebration from October 11 to 17.

Meanwhile, a 50 percent discount is available on selected diagnostic procedures except nucleic Acid testing for blood screening, capsule endoscopy, therapeutic procedures and diagnostic procedures with existing packages like coronary angiogram.

St. Luke’s International Eye’s medical staff is composed of both foreign and locally trained ophthalmologists, assisted by competent and specially trained ophthalmic nurses, assistants, medical photographers and optometrists.  It is equipped with the most cutting edge equipment and top-of-the-line treatment modalities along with exclusive operating room suites dedicated to ophthalmic surgery and boasts of the most comprehensive range of eye care facilities and services that meet the highest international standards.   

According to Dr. Chua, although most cataracts are related to aging, there are other types of cataracts, including congenital cataracts, or those present at birth, traumatic cataracts, which may develop after an eye injury, and secondary cataracts that form in people who have other health problems such as diabetes.

Exposure to ultra violet (UV) light can help develop cataract. As such, the use of sunglasses or a hat can limit UV exposure. Smoking can also lead to cataract formation.

Common symptoms of cataracts include cloudy or blurry vision, dull colors, glare and halos around lights, poor night vision, double vision, or frequent changes in prescription eyewear or contact lenses.

Most cataract surgeries today are performed using phacoemulsification to remove the cloudy lens. This is what is errantly known as “laser” by the general public. But technology has now reached a point where in some parts of the cataract surgery can now be performed using a femtosecond laser which some researchers say make some of the more difficult and unreliable parts of cataract surgery more precise and dependable. Due to the use of the femto laser, incisions will become smaller and more precise, lens fragmentation and lens removal will use little or no ultrasound power, thus protecting the cornea.  The surgery itself will be faster and less painful, thus necessitating less down time for recovery, Chua said.

Early detection is crucial hence a yearly comprehensive eye exam is a must.

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