Ricky don't care

“Boo-hoo-hoo!” was the reaction of a number of media practitioners who were appalled and aghast at the “don’t care” attitude of Communications Secretary (for some other function) Ricky Carandang to the YouTube video of actress Mae Paner (alias “Juana Change”) spoofing President Noynoy’s purchase of a P4.5 million Porsche Turbo Carrera. “I haven’t seen it and I don’t care” was Ricky’s patronizing comment, referring to Paner’s satirical dig at the seeming insensitivity of P-Noy in purchasing a luxury car in the midst of grinding poverty afflicting many Filipinos.

To many, Carandang’s remark reeked of arrogance and insensitivity – two traits that are absolutely a big no-no if you are in a Palace position dealing with the press. In the first place, Carandang himself has admitted that he had not seen the video and people feel it would have been more prudent for him to say he has yet to watch it, instead of giving the dismissively haughty comment, even implying that there’s something wrong with the mental state of Paner who, using her Juana Change character, campaigned for P-Noy during the 2010 presidential elections.

Malacañang insiders told us about the growing unpopularity of the inexperienced neophyte “Ricky Boy” Carandang even among former colleagues at ANC and ABS-CBN, some of whom have taken to calling him Secretary “Ringing” Carandang allegedly for his newfound talent of ignoring cellphone calls. We’ve been told that Juana Change is coming out with another video titled “We Care.” But as Ricky says, “He don’t care!”

Not all wealth is health

The Farm in San Benito, Batangas has developed a reputation as a healing and wellness center that helps people recharge mentally and physically getting rid of all the stress-inducing poisons they inhale working in big cities. Virtually everyone who has spent a few days in The Farm swear by the detox diet, the rejuvenating massages and other relaxing and therapeutic activities available at the 48-hectare resort. The place was conceptualized by German Eckard Rempe and his Filipina wife Perla Espino some eight years ago and it has since become a favorite destination for those seeking to have that “healthy mind, healthy body” feeling.

Wanting to retire still healthy and enjoy their little nest egg wealth, Eckard and Perla sold their health farm to two Indian nationals who promptly paid them the required down payment for the wellness resort. However, it seems all did not turn out well when the Rempe couple failed to spot the fine print clause in the contract stipulating that they will only get the full payment when the new owners start making a profit – which according to a CPA lawyer can take forever if the buyers stack up the company with expenses. In this case, it would seem that not all health can turn to wealth or vice versa.

Tobacco paradox

The Philippine Tobacco Institute is claiming that government revenues from cigars and cigarette products will continue to do well this year following the recent tax rate hike via Republic Act 9334, with figures even presented claiming that excise tax collections from tobacco products have reached P27.8 billion – supposedly much higher than the projected P25.8 billion collection target. However, industry observers are asking why there is no explanation for revenue collection drops during the years when tax hikes on tobacco products were implemented, pointing out that RA 9334 – wherein locally manufactured cigarettes are classified as low, medium, high and premium class are taxed per pack depending on whether they were manufactured by hand or by machine – is an even more complicated system that runs counter to government’s goal to simplify the tax structure.

 Those in the know say that one simple way to increase tax collection on tobacco and cigarette products would be to adopt the proposal of Sicpa Security Solutions to employ an electronic tracking system that has been proven in other countries and is reputedly difficult, if not impossible, to counterfeit. Information we received shows that the Swiss-based company was successful in its projects in California, Brazil and Turkey, with revenues significantly increased by hundreds of millions of dollars on the first year of project implementation. If a more simplified system with tamper-proof technology is available such as the one proposed by Sicpa, then why go for something that is not only complicated but would allow tax cheats and smugglers to continue their trade and deprive the government of much needed revenues?

Alabang shoot out

Spy Bits sources informed us that two Korean nationals engaged in a shootout in Cuenca Street at Ayala Alabang for reasons that are still unknown as of this writing. Residents were shocked at the violence that has come to the very doorstep of the exclusive enclave which boasts of having former president Fidel V. Ramos as its top resident – shattering the safe image that the subdivision has long enjoyed.

It seems the “Korean invasion” has not been limited to “Koreanovelas” and boy bands like SS501. A substantial number of Koreans have taken residence in many parts of the country. According to the Department of Tourism, the influx of tourists into the country was led by South Koreans who account for almost 50 percent of the 3.5 million visitors last year – not so surprising since they don’t need a visa to visit the Philippines – some of whom have decided to stay legally or otherwise.

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