Big step forward

Twenty-one million students are back to school this week with big questions being raised about the implementation of K+12 program.

Admittedly there are shortages of 66,000 classrooms, 47,000 teachers, 120,000 desks, sanitation facilities and lack of textbooks, training modules and instructional materials.

The Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) expressed opposition to the K+12 program implementation pointing out that there was yet no law authorizing the same and insufficient funds allocated for DepEd for the new program.

While there are still shortages as pointed out, it is correct for Bro. Armin Luistro to start implementing the new program and curriculum on a 5-year graduated basis with the first students graduating by 2016.

We have to start now and Sec. Luistro is creative enough to decide to start the program with 1.8 million kindergarten students.

That alone is a big step forward putting public school students at far with private school students who have preschool classes.

Those opposing the K+12 program however are correct to demand that the Administration provide enough funds to support the program. About 50,000 qualified Kindergarten teachers must be hired. More than 400,000 teachers must be given retraining courses in the new curriculum and the new instructional materials prepared.

The bottomline: we are finally out of the 10-year basic education program. We have caught up with other countries and can only result in producing better trained elementary and high school graduates.

The implementation of the K+12 educational program is the biggest accomplishment of the two years of the Aquino Administration.

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MORE POST MORTEM . . Most of the senators admit that the prosecution presented a very weak case for the conviction of Chief Justice Renato Corona but they are unanimous that the defense lost the case, especially when they called Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales to be a witness. In addition, the Corona walkout and the subsequent admission of $2.4 million deposits clinched the conviction vote. The 20-3 vote was unexpected.

Sen. Miriam Santiago said history will be the judge as to who is right.

Five senators have asked for compassion for Chief Justice Corona, but two senators want criminal charges filed against CJ Corona, while 2 have no opinion on the matter.

President Aquino issued a statement rejecting the senators’ plea for mercy.

Sen. Edgardo Angara said that means a policy of vindictiveness.

People are now clamoring that the same hardline policy be applied to Aquino appointees who have been charged with graft instead of just allowing them to resign.

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READY . . PNP Gen. Nick Bartolome assured parents and school authorities that the PNP is prepared to deal with bullies and neighborhood toughies that victimize students in and outside of school premises.

He directed PNP commanders to coordinate with school authorities on the issue of bullying in and out of the schools.

He promised to increase police visibility near the schools.

Gen. Bartolome also announced that since January, they have arrested 96 riding in tandem criminals.

He promised to step up further the campaign against riding in tandem killers.

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ELECTION LEADERS . . With the 2013 elections getting nearer, prospective candidates are starting to solicit the support of big religious groups. Among those who were being approached are the Iglesia ni Cristo, Brother Mike Velarde’s El Shaddai congregation, Eddie Villanueva and Jesus is Lord Movement, the Aglipayan Church and Pastor Apollo Quiboloy’s Davao-based flock.

Brother Mike Velarde announced he is going to look into a candidate’s SALN. Some candidates announced they are signing waivers.

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PRESIDENT’S TRIP . . President Benigno Aquino III left last Monday for a seven-day trip to the United Kingdom and United States. His official visit to Great Britain is schedule June 4-6 after which he proceeds to Washington DC, USA for a June 6-8 official visit. He will be received by President Barack Obama at the Oval Office at the White House.

This is quite a feat for President Aquino to be able to meet with the US President 4 times in two years time. Queen Elizabeth, however, did not receive the President.

The meeting with Obama is quite significant in view of the present conflict with China on the West Philippine Sea territories.

When DFA Sec. Albert del Rosario and DND Sec. Voltaire Gazmin travelled to Washington 2 months ago, to meet with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Defense Sec. Leon Panetta, no expressions of support for the Philippine position in the China-Philippine conflict was given to the great disappointment of everybody.

President Aquino is expected to pass Los Angeles to meet with local Filipino groups.

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TIDBITS . . . National University (NU) is this year’s host of the UAAP. They will be holding their games at the New Arena of the Mall of Asia with a 20,000 seating capacity. The Henry Sy/SM family owns 70% of NU.

There was an exciting Ateneo-La Salle game at the San Juan Flying V Arena with La Salle winning in overtime. Boss Danding Cojuangco who now oversees the La Salle team was in attendance with Sec. Titoy Pardo.

Former President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt has been sentenced to life imprisonment.

Vice President Jojo Binay who just arrived from Washington is visiting Capiz, Aklan, Iloilo and Antique for the next 3 days.

Congratulations to Fr. Herminio Dagohoy, OP on his installation as 96th rector of the University of Sto. Tomas.

PO1 Roberto Cruz of the Manila Police Dept. was charged with leading 3 men who robbed the house of Carlo Marc Bagui, 36, an SM sales manager at Sta. Mesa, Manila.

Senate seargent-at-arms, Gen. Jose Balajadia, has done a good job for ten years. He is now 68 years old.