Clarifications: From GMA and Erap

For our topic tonight on Straight from the Sky, we bring you a timely discussion on issues which are usually discussed within the circles of the Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants especially with regards the Laws on Accountancy and the still in Supreme Court limbo Expanded Value Added Tax and its effects on our economy and our people and of course, what PICPA is doing these days.

With us tonight is PICPA President for 2005 Juanito "Jing" Cubos who is also the managing partner of Diaz, Murillo, Dalupan & Company and former PICPA president for 2003 and Vice Dean of the College of Commerce and Accountancy at the University of Southern Philippines and Atty. Jonathan "Jon" Capanas, Dean of the University of San Jose-Recoletos Law School and a former RDO of the Large Taxpayers District Office in the Bureau of Internal Revenue. With such an illustrious team of guests, I'm sure we'll get to understand certain issues regarding accountants and their role towards giving us good governance, whether in public or private office. See them tonight on SkyCable's channel 15 at 8:00 p.m.

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So no less than Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo called Philippine STAR Publisher Max Soliven to deny the Star story last Thursday that she was amenable to have the late Pres. Ferdinand Marcos buried at the Libingan ng mga Bayani...that more importantly, she didn't strike any deals with the Marcoses in return for supporting her beleaguered government.

Yes, we wrote last Friday questioning that move because we heard more than our share of the so-called fake medals of the Real Macoy. In the end, it will never be known whether Marcos was a genuine hero or not. But anyway, the clarification of the President gives us a respite...that at least under her watch, the remains of Macoy will remain in his ancestral home in Batac, Ilocos Norte. At least the President knows that this subject is very touchy to many Filipinos...as the old saying goes, it is best to let sleeping dogs lie and no one will get hurt.

Meanwhile we read another clarification, this time coming from deposed president Joseph "Erap" Estrada who asked the Sandiganbayan to free him on bail...something that seems impossible because he is charged with a non-bailable crime. Erap's clarification...was that, he wasn't making any deals with the Arroyo government for his temporary freedom.

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We wrote about that public hearing that would map out the future of the Municipality of Carcar especially with regards their proposal to preserve those historic homes, which have already become a part of the tourist destination. My only feedback on that public hearing was a report last Friday by The FREEMAN's Ferliza Contratista...who wrote that Carcar residents were worried about the cost of making Carcar a heritage town.

My friend, Poblacion Dos barangay captain Edgardo Paras also aired this problem during the public hearing and I'm glad that Manny Castro of the Carcar Heritage Conservation Society and Archt. Melva Java President of the Committee on History, Sites and Relics and a member of the National Historical and Cultural Commission assured the Carcar residents that it really won't cost much to preserve those old homes.

Actually, when Carcar is dubbed as a Heritage Town, developers or planners would be told to design their buildings in line with Carcar's Spanish or old American heritage...that isn't really difficult to do as long as these architects know what they are doing. As we've said, we saw this happen in the City of Vigan and believe me...their tourism business has flourished...some old homes were even converted into small hotels and they are always full. If there is anything that Carcaranons ought to be worried about...it is when they lose those old homes to wear and tear and then, the only thing for tourists to drop by Carcar is their ampao or chicharon.

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We couldn't help but notice the "Notice to the Public" advertisement by Globe Telecom and Innove Communications which apparently revealed that PLDT and Smart Communications wasn't giving the "same preferential access charge treatment" to Globe and Innove subscribers in their P10.00 Unlimited NDD Call Promo. Hence, the National Telecommunications Commission directed last June 14, 2005 to include Globe's Handyphone and Globelines during the effectivity or duration of their promo. Wait, I thought those PLDT and Smart guys were all out for good governance? Well, the NTC just accused them of doing unfair and discriminatory practices, which really doesn't sit well with good corporate governance practices.

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For email responses to this article, write to [email protected]. Bobit Avila's columns can also be accessed through www.thefreeman.com