How do you view Sen. Mar Roxas' allegation re: a possible collusion between drug firms and the Palace to 'circumvent the Cheaper Medicines law'?

Lucas Banzon Madamba Ii, Laguna: The Cheaper Medicines Law should be allowed to take effect since this is already mandatory and constitutionally required in the law.

Renato Taylan, Ilocos Norte: Sen. Mar Roxas’s allegation isn’t at all baseless in the light of the Palace’s usual callousness to be transparent in its dealings with big business.

He has every right to question

Sahlee Reyes, Las Piñas City: Knowing Sen. Mar Roxas to be a no-nonsense, hard-hitting man of principle, I believe he is armed to the teeth and can deliver the goods to substantiate his allegation on possible collusion between drug firms and Malacañang to circumvent the Cheaper Medicines Law. Being the author of the said bill, Sen. Roxas has every right to question the cause of delay for the DOH to release the price regulation, as it has been taking a long time now. The bill would guarantee tremendous help for the poor.

Germi Sison, Cabanatuan City: Sen. Mar Roxas really smelled something fishy in the delay of Pres. Arroyo’s signing of the Cheaper Medicines Law after her closed-door meeting with pharmaceutical companies. After the passage of the bill by both chambers of Congress, people, who are in need of cheaper medicines, expect its enactment. Being the author of the bill and with his presidential bid, Sen. Roxas is far from politicking, because if he had not spoken up, someone else would have done so.

Roxas should get solid evidence

Juan Deveraturda, Zambales: If the allegation is true, it is condemnable! PGMA should uphold and implement the law, not circumvent or violate it. As this is a serious accusation, Sen. Roxas should get the facts and pieces of evidence to prove his allegation. If he cannot do that, he had better shut up and apologize to the President!

Pedro Alagano Sr., Vigan City: It’s a preemptive measure of Roxas to discourage any possible collusion from happening. Hence, this will remain mere allegation until proven otherwise.

Cris Rivera, Rizal: An allegation remains as such unless verified. It sounds illogical to insinuate a probe on the ground of a flimsy report. Sen. Roxas needs solid proof. Circumventing the law is not alien to some government officials and they have done it with gusto. It’s as if the law must follow them, and not the other way around.

There must be a hidden agenda

Rex Earlou Calmerin, Iligan City: Either they’re planning to reprimand or revise the Cheaper Medicine Law due to a secret agenda or they want to trigger another move for drastic change or, worse, remove the President and all Cabinet members.

Joe Nacilla, Quezon City: Sen. Roxas’ allegation is a shallow speculation in aid of a hidden agenda. He even asked that the President be summoned to a Senate inquiry. The speculation is a great insult to Filipino intelligence. Recalling the utterances of Mother Teresa, I can say that Sen. Roxas is one of those people Mother Teresa refers to in saying, “People are often unreasonable, illogical and self-centered. If you are kind, people will accuse you of being selfish and with ulterior motives. If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies. If you are honest and frank, people will cheat you. What you spend building, people will destroy overnight. If you find serenity and happiness, people are jealous. The good you do today, people often forget tomorrow. Give the people the best you have, and it will never be enough.”

Lolong Rejano, Marinduque: The Cheaper Medicine Law, or Republic Act 9502, which was passed in 2008, requires the President to issue a maximum retail price (MRP). It so happens that some Palace officials think that the acronym, MRP, is part of the political propaganda by Sen. Mar Roxas (Mar Roxas for President). Pardon me if I am wrong, but I have a strong feeling that political motives have something to do with the issue. No doubt, there is collusion in the making. Again, the poor are the virtual casualties.

C.K. Yeo, Iloilo City: Sen. Roxas has come out with an allegation on why the Cheaper Medicines Law has not been passed, while Sen. Enrile alleges that the rate of electricity can be drastically reduced. Some senators want to extend the expiry date of their prepaid cell phone loads. Expect more of them to come out with different “advocacies”. Some have been in the Senate for two terms. Don’t you wonder why they have not passed bills on these during all those years? Why wait until election time?

He’s likely to lose votes

Armando Tavera, Las Piñas City: If Mar Roxas wants to be president, he better stay humble. His latest pronouncements against the president make him a kontrabida in the eyes of the public.

Aldo Apostol, Quezon City: Mar Roxas’ allegation, sarcastic comments, and his upcoming wedding to Korina Sanchez have hindered his chances of becoming the next president. He used to be my no. 1 choice among the presidentiables but lumabas ang tunay na pagkatao niya and he lost my vote.

Josh Pacatang, Dipolog City: Mar Roxas is a weak, mean-spirited potential candidate for president. For him to charge the Palace of collusion with drug companies is childish. Sorry, Mr. Roxas, you shouldn’t have alienated PGMA.

This could be true

Edwin Monares, Rizal: So what else is new? For a government with negative credibility, all allegations are believable. This is disastrous to a democracy. Allegations on possible collusion should be backed by solid evidence, though, so that it will be seen more as a serious matter than a mere stunt for publicity. I do believe that this government is open to all collusion, as it is founded on cheating, lying and stealing.

Ruel Bautista, Laguna: Almost all Filipinos know how business is done when dealing with any branch of government. What Sen. Mar Roxas alleges has been done as part of SOP long before he even became a senator.

James Gaw, Quezon City: There may be truth in his allegation. Why is she taking her time in signing it?

Jose Parco, Aklan: There is no “possible” collusion; there is collusion, period. They are so sneaky. They do not only circumvent the law, they are also experts in tweaking it to favor some of their donkeys. It’s just right for Sen. Roxas to be fuming mad about it; he worked his ass off to author the Cheaper Medicine Law and make it work, only to find out that Malacañang is screwing it. Sometimes, a crocodile is a lot more civil creature compared to some inhabitants of the Palace, because when a crocodile is satiated, it stops.

We have the right to know

Johann Lucas, Quezon City: The public has the right to know the truth about what transpired in the meeting. The public also wants to know if the government failed to protect public interest in this matter.

Jose Fabello Jr., Cagayan de Oro City: It’s a genuine Rated K scoop, and one such story most likely comes after a hard day of pedaling. Tell us the real story.

Politicking at GMA’s expense

Luisito Vallo, Pangasinan: It’s hearsay and mere politicking; he has no solid evidence to prove it. 2010 is just around the corner, so he is grabbing every chance he can get to project an image as a savior of the masses.

Benjamin Nillo, Las Piñas City: I will just let it pass because I do not believe in Sen. Roxas anymore. His traysikad ads and his kissing Korina on a TV talk show have turned me off. I’d rather not comment on this new exposé because Sen. Roxas is obviously hell-bent on enhancing his popularity at the expense of PGMA’s unpopularity. 

Rodolfo Talledo, Angeles City:  Sen. Roxas is too engrossed in finding fault to batter GMA with, believing that it will boost his ratings. However, GMA is no longer a candidate and his efforts might go to naught because he is neglecting more important concerns. Most of his accusations were blank anyway and never did any real harm.

Norberto Robles, Taguig: It’s dumb for a senator to have the cheek to serve the President a notice to appear before a Senate inquiry into alleged connivance with drug firms as alleged by an unnamed source. Ang hirap kay Sen. Roxas, wala siya sa ayos pumadyak.

Erwin Espinosa, Pangasinan: Sen. Mar Roxas is a political enemy of PGMA; besides, his allegation could give him pogi points and a lot of media access for trying hard.

Testo Reyes, Aklan: It’s a pity that my kababayan Mar Roxas appears to have lost his sense of judgment since he embarked on his presidential quest.

Vir Lauzon, General Santos City: It’s nothing more than Mar Roxas’ overeagerness to be mabango to the voters without verifying some facts. Nakuryente tuloy!

Rene Fuentes, Quezon City: Pure politics; pa-pogi points for his candidacy. Mag-padyak na lang sana. It’s a cheap shot to prop up his low survey ratings indeed.

Roxas can’t be wrong

Alexander Raquepo, Ilocos Sur: The collusion is highly probable. We hold the record of having the highest cost of medicine in all of Asia, so the Cheaper Medicines Law will definitely affect the exorbitant net income of some greedy drug companies.

Elpidio Que, Vigan: Mr. Palengke, our presidential bet, cannot possibly be wrong in his allegation. We are in the reign of immorality and corruption, so much so that any unthinkable thing can happen in our country.

Geeann Rivera, Laguna: I think that the allegation of Sen. Roxas is absolutely true. Eh lagi naman nasasangkot sa anomalya yang administration ni Ginang Arroyo, di ba?

Edgar Artates, Parañaque: It is possible.

He should back his allegation with action

Imee Aglibot, USA: So in case there is a collusion, as alleged by Sen. Roxas, what are we, the public, to benefit from it? Instead, why doesn’t he and the others do something about it to save us from double trouble? First, he broke the news. Second, he’s taking points out of it for his upcoming presidential bid. Isn’t it shallow speculation? But, in fairness, anything is negotiable with the Palace. Still, the senator better walk the talk.

Manny Cordeta, Marikina City: He simply lacks hard evidence to support his allegation. How lucky can the future bridegroom from the elite Araneta-Roxas clan be? He was able to snare pogi points from screaming headlines, toll-free, to add to his scorecard for his lofty presidential ambitions in the 2010 elections. This may be an unsolicited piece of advice from me, but the good senator, known for his economic brilliance, should back up his allegation with action. He should spearhead a probe into this alleged conspiracy between drug firms and Malacañang relevant to the Cheaper Medicines Law. I’m sure he will, for he’s not an Upper Chamber occupant for nothing. And, please, no repetition of the invectives and unprintables hurled in one of the Makati rallies. Not all members of the electorate have short memories, Mr. Senator. Just a friendly reminder.

Dong Franco, Metro Manila: It’s interesting to know whether drug firms, with the Palace, are the ones circumventing laws to put a lot of money in their bank accounts. I guess it is better to be a person who can do a lot without the power the position of a President brings than to be a person who got powerful only because of the position. I’m sure it is not only the senator who is thinking about the Cheaper Medicines Law. I think it will be better for everybody to know what the good senator will do and what his development plans will be if he would be given the chance to be at the helm of government. His allegation is hollow, yet controversial and attractive to people. Court conviction, I think, is much better than mere allegation. I only hope the loud waters are not shallow.

I wouldn’t be surprised

Leonard Villa, Batac City: I view it as more of a reality than just mere allegation, knowing the financial capability and clout of big drug firms. That’s one of the abuses of capitalism.

 L.C. Fiel, Quezon City: I wouldn’t be surprised at all, should there be truth to the allegation of collusion between the two like-minded groups. Napakalaki kasi ng mawawala sa kanila.

Jim Veneracion, Naga City: The drug business is a billion-dollar industry, thus it’s easy for me to believe that’s Sen. Roxas allegations are true. GMA’s government is capable of such a sinister thing.

Tony Gomez, Parañaque City: While Roxas might be politicking, we cannot just discount his statement because it seems that the present norm of this administration is to make money from the government.

Robert Young Jr., San Juan: I wouldn’t be surprised if Sen. Roxas’ allegation is found to be true. Congress has been delaying the passage of an effective Cheaper Medicines Law for years. I suspect that it’s because lobbyists are blocking it and solons are in no hurry to pass the law for personal reasons. It’s not just the Cheaper Medicines Law; there are numerous pending bills that have become milking cows of solons for years; foremost of which are sin taxes, which have not been adjusted despite our perennial budget deficit. Our cigarette and liquor taxes are absurdly low. Cigarette and liquor prices are only a fifth of what they cost in other countries.

William Gonzaga, Marikina City: PGMA’s regime has been always more protective of big business’ interest rather than the people’s welfare. We’ve long suffered at exorbitant prices of life-saving medicines. As such, it’s sad to see once again her anti-poor actuations.

GMA wouldn’t block cheaper medicines

C.B. Manalastas, Manila: Who would believe a tsismoso like Mar Roxas? I don’t think GMA would sacrifice the benefits of cheaper medicine by conniving with drug manufacturers.

It’s all mere speculation

Dennis Acop, Baguio City: Our answers here would be mere speculation. The bottomline is that there has to be a balance between the quality and quantity of pharmaceuticals made available to the public relative to their costs and the Cheaper Medicines Law is supposed to achieve this. There should be wider choices of drugs to buy to benefit the poor. At the same time, pharmaceutical companies need to recover their R&D costs, thus their more expensive products. This is also needed for the production of future more effective drugs.

He only has himself to blame

C.B. Fundales, Bulacan: The Cheaper Medicines Law can only be as effective as its embodied provision. It’s flawed if it can be circumvented and Sen. Roxas as co-author must share the censure.

Leandro Tolentino, Batangas City: If Sen. Roxas doubts the implementation of a bill he allegedly authored, he could only blame himself for not including safety nets in the said bill.

An act of betrayal

Ricardo Tolentino, Laoag city: It’s like Judas selling Jesus Christ. If the allegation is true, it’s a tyrannical act of the highest degree.

Waiting for cheaper medicines

Lydia Reyes, Bataan: I’m waiting for the Cheaper Medicines Law to progress. My insulin and medicine for my diabetes are too expensive. It will be a great help for me.

Col. Ben Paguirigan Jr. Ret., Zamboanga City: We senior citizens were elated when the Cheaper Medicines bill was approved. We were hoping that cheaper medicines would be within our reach.

The Way I See It

Ryan Pahimulin, Rizal: Whoever planted the bombs in Mindanao apparently wanted to stir up religious conflict. It’s good that Christians and Muslims didn’t bite.

Leandro Tolentino, Batangas City: The biggest burden of any president in governing our country has always been the “independence” of the Senate. A shift to parliamentary is needed.

Reactions

Rodolfo Talledo, Angeles City: The July 13 column of Cito Beltran must have a chilling effect on Sen. Roxas who is noted to jump swiftly on just any negative issue without first checking his sources and facts thoroughly. His impulsiveness is always an issue in various circles, defining his behavior as a leader.

Nito Aquino, Makati City: Why should freaks from the PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) be featured on the front page of Phil. STAR? They’re only pang-perya.

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