Ominous start

2012 started badly for the nation. Greeting us the first week is the higher number of New Year’s Eve casualties reaching 1,010 with 29 cases of stray bullet injuries. The Pantukan disaster happened with a landslide killing 31 and 16 injured and 45 more missing.

The first week also registered the 1st media man killing of the year with editor and broadcaster Chris Guarin shot dead by 2 motorcycle gunmen in General Santos City. A leptospirosis outbreak was declared in Iligan, Cagayan de Oro and Tanjay, with 440 cases recorded.

The United States issued a list which included the Philippines as dangerous and unstable, retaining an advisory against travel to the Philippines.

DBM Sec. Butch Abad came under fire for issuing an erroneous list of pork barrel releases drawing complaints from Senators and Congressmen. Abad also proposed to buy a new jet plane for the President.

The oil companies increased prices again twice. Water rates are going up, too.

IMPEACHMENT UPDATE. . . Senators Vicente Sotto and Gregorio Honasan have joined Senators Ping Lacson, Jinggoy Estrada, Francis Escudero and Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile in condemning House prosecutors for conducting a trial by publicity of Chief Justice Renato Corona. The prosecutors' indiscretion may backfire and irritate Senators enough to rule against them.

Cong. Niel Tupas Jr. has relented and agreed to stop releasing pieces of his evidences to media.

But, Malacañang insists they are not covered by the Senate gag order. That's not correct. Everyone is covered. Malacañang by its pronouncements is a party in interest.

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READERS REACT. . . Some of our readers reacted favorably to our suggestion that the lifestyle checks be expanded to other offices. It was suggested that Land Registration Authority officials and Registers of Deeds be included in the list. Also, Bureau of Treasury officials and all Provincial, City and Municipal Treasurers were recommended. Still, one reader said all Judges should undergo lifestyle checks. These reactions show widespread perception of corruption in so many offices.

If government officials are to be deterred from corruption, fear of removal and graft charges must be instilled in them. That can only happen if the President starts firing some officials to begin with.

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NP CRUISE . . . Nacionalista Party President Manny Villar has invited 190 NP leaders led by 30 Congressmen and 10 Governors to a Middle East-Mediterranean cruise costing about P30 million.

It is a clear indication that Manny Villar, who lost in his presidential bid in 2010, is still not retiring from politics and would put up a NP slate for the 2013 and 2016 elections.

Manny himself is reportedly considering running for Congress in the 1st district of Manila (Tondo). For 2016, a Bongbong Marcos-Cayetano team up maybe the NP bets.

Manny Villar's 4-man Senate group of Bongbong Marcos, Alan and Pia Cayetano and himself will be the swing vote in the Corona impeachment.

With Senators Joker Arroyo and Miriam Santiago expected to vote against impeachment, the 4-man NP group can swing the tide for Corona.

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TOURISM TARGET. . . President Aquino, in his ABS-CBN interview, has set a target of drawing 10 million tourists to the country by 2016.

It's quite ambitious but can be attained provided the following conditions are met.

1. Improvement of NAIA 1, full operation of NAIA 3 and construction of a new international terminal at DMIA in Angeles;

Peace and order be greatly improved to a point where travel advisories such as the just issued by the United States are lifted. The New York Times reports a security breakdown in Mindanao;

That an effective promotions program be launched in China to draw part of the 100 Million Chinese tourists now visiting other countries;

That the accessibility of tourist destinations like the Rice Terraces and even Boracay be improved;

That hotel rates be reviewed in line with those charged by neighboring countries. Good hotels must be put up in tourist destinations;

That better cash incentives be given to big time charter companies to include the Philippines in their destinations;

That PAL and Cebu Pacific reopen new routes to Europe and the Middle East;

That Asean countries revive their cooperation in offering joint tourism packages.

It looks like DOT Secretary Ramon Jimenez knows what to do. Let's hope that for this year we reach the 4 million arrivals mark.

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TIDBITS . . . President Joseph Estrada and Senator Jinggoy Estrada arrived in Cagayan de Oro and Iligan yesterday to distribute aid to 4,000 families. For practicality, they decided to distribute cash assistance instead of goods. This is the 2nd time the Estradas are helping Sendong victims. Two weeks ago, Sen. Jinggoy Estrada and Cong. JV Ejercito distributed relief goods thereat. They were welcomed by Mayor Vicente Emano and Cong. Rufus Rodriguez.

Manila social circles are talking about the concubinage case filed by Susie Madrigal Bayot against her husband Francisco ‘Paqui’ Ortigas III, former Ambassador to Mexico for shacking up with her best friend.

Another Task Force has been ordered created by Malacañang to solve the murder of Gensan editor Chris Guarin. We have heard this before in previous media killings.

Cong. Salvador ‘Sonny’ Escudero, father of Senator Chiz Escudero is out of the hospital and is recovering well from a recent illness. God bless you, Sonny!

Greetings to our avid readers former Immigration Commissioner Nonoy Libanan, Mayor Carmelo Remollo of San Jose, Negros Oriental, Linda de Mesa of Pampanga, Mayor Annaliza G. Kwan of Guiuan, Eastern Samar and Syd Vasquez of Abra.

Condolence to the family of Cong. Leonardo ‘Nading’ Fugoso who passed away Sunday morning. The wake is at the Twin Heart of Jesus Church, West Triangle, QC.