‘No way to treat a lady’

In case you didn’t know, there is now a long stretch of road that has been renamed after a feisty, controversial, feared but admired senator. The road formerly known as Agham Road that stretches from North Avenue, traversing through Quezon Avenue all the way to East Avenue, will now be called Senator Miriam P. Defensor Santiago Avenue.

Given how larger than life “Tita Miriam” was, you would think that they could have found a less non-descript road that constantly reminds Filipinos of tax obligations while passing in front of the BIR building. But then again, who would want their name and memory attached to a traffic infested road or one where corrupt individuals entrap motorists. I think she would have preferred to have a building in UP Diliman named after her than some unknown foreigner from the 1900s.

In any case, it was the thought that counts. Sadly, the effort to honor the late senator was not the noble workings of the current administration or legislators. Certain congressmen and senators may have affixed their signatures on the proposed bill, but most of the leg work, phone calls and persuasion came from family, friends and supporters of Tita Miriam. Given the length of time it took to pass the bill, you almost got the impression that some people gave their approval grudgingly.

In fact, there is a tinge of resentment from some because the proposed bill was not signed into law by President Bongbong Marcos but was simply allowed to lapse into law by the office of the Executive Secretary. Some are even wondering if President Bongbong Marcos ever got to see the proposed bill for his consideration.

For those of you who may not realize the distinction or fine points, signing the bill into law officially and formally completes the recognition and honor being extended in memory of the late senator. By merely letting the bill lapse into law gives the impression that the process was done in a half-hearted manner or done as a ministerial necessity, void of honor and respect.

How tragic that in life she was robbed of certain victories and now in death she is still robbed of the minute honor and recognition given for a lifetime of public service and contributions. As the song goes, it’s “no way to treat a lady.”

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After the series of hackings and cyber attacks on four major government institutions (PhilHealth, Phil. Statistics Authority, Congress, Senate), we simply had to inquire from the Department of Information and Communication Technology (DICT) if there is a law, rule or official policy that requires all government agencies to enlist, hire or subscribe to cyber security protection or apps. There is none.

The fact of life in the Philippine government is that unless it is required by law or executive order, government officials treat certain necessities as mere suggestions. As it turns out, there is no law that specifically states that all government offices or agencies utilizing computers and the like should enroll in cyber security protection services. Any normal person who owns a laptop, desktop computer, iPad or cell phone automatically does everything to secure their equipment from hackers and scammers.

From what we have learned in recent interviews, the hacking and extortion try from the Medusa group was a result of someone in PhilHealth not renewing the cyber security protection coverage for their computers which costs approximately P2,000 for each computer per annum. If the national government finds the charges stiff, then there is the alternative of equipping and funding the national computer center to hire Filipino app designers.

Given that the “I Love You” virus that hit the world was created by a young Filipino back then, I’m sure the government can hire a bunch of wizards to defend and protect the government. The only thing is, they have to be hired outside of government mandated pay scales because app developers earn a ton of money making and selling their own products or taking on projects from tech companies.

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A number of senior citizens might take offense on this last piece, but it has come to my attention that there are more and more elderly bored and cantankerous Filipinos who are stuck home with their cellphones and behaving like Marites and Marianos passing their time away in chat groups, being critical of things around their neighborhood, their families or government, both national and local.

Some even spend their days arguing with city hall or the barangay over a multitude of issues, from garbage and health care to security or parking. Sadly, there are a number of elderly people who are still physically able, mobile and highly intelligent that have fallen into the “retiree state of mind.” If you suspect that these details apply to you, I suggest that you watch the Netflix documentary “Live to 100 – The Blue Zones.”

The documentary focuses on people and places who have the distinction of higher-than-normal numbers of people living beyond 100 years old, happy, active, spiritual and HEALTHY! They don’t stay home all day; they don’t spend ruinous hours sitting in rocking chairs or binge watching. Last but not least, they don’t commiserate and waste time picking fights or being critical of their community or surrounding. They actually go out and do something about it or have carried on being productive beyond their retirement years.

They surround themselves with small groups of people they like, are comfortable with and do things together. They eat, drink, dance, worship and work on projects together and go outdoors regularly. They support each other in spite of themselves and, last but not least, they have a life and are enjoying it!