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Sunday, October 18, 2009

Attempted Greenbelt Robbery in Makati

10/18/2009 02:46:00 PM freemindonline

Somebody is testing the security of Ayala for sure. Doing a robbery attempt on a Sunday is a bold one. Or are the robbers looking at making the loads of people on weekends as an advantage?.

But looking around, the rest of Greenbelt is business as usual with people going around as if nothing happened nearby. This maybe that the people around the Ayala area where Greenbelt is feels secure of Ayala management security setup. And closing part of the Greenbelt area for the day where the robbery attempt happened just shows that Ayala and the Makati Police are doing their job.

I can only hope that the rest of Metro Manila at the least have good response team to counter bad elements -- dont forget a good investigative team also. If this kind of security setup can be mimicked in all cities for starters, confidence to the Philippines will shoot up the scale...

Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Ondoy, a reality of a state

9/30/2009 11:57:00 PM freemindonline

The Philippine government was and is still overwhelemd by the devastation of Ondoy. Looking at an after effect, the government is trying it's usual best that it see fit. But as always it's the private sector to the rescue, it's the private sector through its NGO who are better organized. Some will disagree but its a simple chain reaction that basically trickles down to what should have and not have been. No clear cut resources, logistics, vision. A good ingredients for inneficiency especially in time of need. Without logistics and proper equiptment to meet the changing times, people can only do so much!.

Whatever immediate solution to the current predicament will be more expensive than prevention and preparation. The good thing this time is that people with political agandas are very calculative now as evident of their silence on this great opportunity to take the limelight through the guise of a savior. Even the TESDA anomaly is taking a back, way back seat. Obvoiusly Filipinos like being an underdog are being taken not just as an audience but as lead actors to a reality of nothingness, the result of taking life lightly.

Friday, September 18, 2009

US Financial Market -- The Source!

9/18/2009 11:18:00 PM freemindonline

Everybody are watching how the US handles the financial meltdown. And this week the US financial market is doing really good. Basically this is a greed driven expectation of a rebound. With all of the positive prospects being seen at the US stock market I just wonder what the Philippine government had been doing during this economic crisis other than protecting an economy that is already below standards if not without standards at all -- thanks for the many years of neglect. We are looking at western financial sector as a more stable and policy policed organization that our local counterparts are just joining the bandwagon without making concrete move in making sure that the fundamentals are in place. But then again, who cares about the fundamentals of our local financial market -- it's just a dot compared to Wall Street. Anyway, from my understanding, our local stock market is not even dynamic enough to make people shiver. They're just boys playing a mans game in comparison.

Do I understand what I'm saying?. Well, this may or may not as an example of a Dick and Tom leaving an ordinary life who got caught up by an economic crisis that he or she doesn't really understand or even care about. Why this few people who sits at a very comfy and expensive chairs inside a controlled environment create this much trouble to majority of people who really sweat it out just to eat three times a day.

If the financial sector is serving only a few specific group then it is a financial sector against the economy.

Friday, September 11, 2009

Smart Communications and 8947

9/11/2009 12:34:00 AM freemindonline

Have anyone noticed the 8947 of Smart?. I am receiving at least 3 messages from this number a day that I noticed receiving weeks back. I don't mind receiving as long as it's FREE!. But the thing is my paid load or airtime amount is being deducted PhP2 per received text message and I can't do anything to stop it promptly!!!!. This is like robbing or stealing something from you. I feel, no I am sure my rights as a consumer is totally being violated, I am paying for something I don't want, need or authorized.

Here is the text coming from 8947 that deducts PhP2.00 per text message received:
-----------

TRIVIA: Ilan ang odd numbers between 1 and 33, kasama yung numbers 1 at 33?
17
18
19
Reply w A, B or C.

-----------
THIS IS PREPOSTEROUS!...

Saturday, September 5, 2009

Noynoy Aquino and the 2010 Election

9/05/2009 03:20:00 PM freemindonline

Winning the presidential election at all cost is the bottom line. We Filipinos never learn or we just don't care if proper process is done as long as we believe its for a good cause. And what is the good cause about?, is it for me and you?, is the cause to make sure that we and succeding generations will have a better life?, is it just for a drastic measure to rid what is current?, are we getting paid to think as such?.

Where are the list of achievements?, who had accomplised the greater impact for our country?. Choosing Noynoy because of the "tie a yellow ribbon" belief is not enough to justify his selection as presidential candidate the land. Like corruption, you look the other way around if you are a part of it. Fighting a supposed evil, tyrant, corrupt government does not justify also to look the other way in selecting the supposed right leader to lead. If the Filipinos see how the current government circumvent due process as an evil deed then good deeds should and must follow due process or else doing good will be no different from the wrong doings of people we are persecuting. Rules should apply to either good or bad.

As an employee before, I see things done in a corporate manner that exempt certain actions that will result to favorable results for the company. But if things turn out bad then somebody will surely take the blame, and then process will be in question. Due process is needed to make sure that we will not falter on our work but the same due process is only as good as the rules set, the policies and procedures being followed. Popularity is a major plus factor for a short time frame but as time passes it's always the achievements and expereince that will dictate the outcome of our objectives.

Sunday, August 30, 2009

Smartmatic's Comelec

8/30/2009 06:20:00 PM freemindonline

I watched TalkBack (ANC channel). I admire the dedications of the Comelect and other govenment agencies working to get the Automated Election for 2010 up and running. But as I am surprised which I shouldn't be, we Filipinos always have something that will always brings us down. Then it came to me, why do we have so much laws that we and even our government can't follow?. It seems that the Comelec and other government agancies helping in the automation are taking it upon themselves which part of the law governing the preparation of the automated election to be valid and practical. Again a dangerous and a common move to circumvent the law to the people's disadvantage. This is again a sign that some of our rights will be denied.

I think the Comelec and other support agancies are just acting 'smart alec'. From what I see from the talk show, one guy is trying to defend the Comelec's shortcut process while another is taking advantage of the laws ambiguity. All in all, the representative of Smartmatic as I see it is amused at how Filipinos bicker over things either they dont fully understand or just plain and simple has no clear planning from the start. In the end, the Comelec will be so reliant of Smartmatic that it becomes a dog waiting for the master's instructions.

It's always the same problem again and again. Why can't the policy makers in government coordinate with all government agencies to make sure that whatever laws be made or guidelines to be realistic and can be followed accordingly?. Come election time, one way or the other the results will be contested and I will not be surprised AGAIN if they use the shortcuts made by Comelec to get the Automated Election null and void. Here goes again the tax payers money in flames!.

Saturday, August 29, 2009

Political Goodness and the 2010 Election

8/29/2009 12:40:00 AM freemindonline

I wont be surprised if the winner of the Philippine's 2010 presidential election be another fruitless effort other than "I told you so!". Filipinos not admitting it but are just easy prey to political sales pitch. We want change but does a different thing when selecting a leader. Overall we are a sucker for dole outs by exploiting the poor. We have tendencies expecting that all around us will understand and give a lending hand, worse exempt us at our benefit. We even expect that a good political leader is exceptionally good with no grey areas of being, all good like saints.

With all those presidentiables, had anyone of them asked what the working Filipinos really want?, I mean the working class and not the so called poor who either has no earnings or just rides along where the tide brings them. If all those presidentiables are pro-poor, who will protect the interest of the rich. Let's admit it, all poor and no rich people will get us to just planting camote -- no development here. But all rich and no poor will be useless because nobody will move -- the same here no development. Coming from the working class, it's insulting to hear that all presidentiables are pro-poor when we all know that there candidacy are supported by the rich and marketing is money intensive. Those presidentiables are talking about the poor and how to alleviate who has less in life. But what we have in the Philippines are the few rich who controls the economy. NOBODY TALKS ABOUT HOW TO DISTRIBUTE ECONOMIC CONTROL OF THE FEW TO MORE OF US WORKING CLASSES. How to give more people the opportunity not just to stand above the rest but get a piece of the economy.

Sunday, August 16, 2009

Basketball and the Filipinos

8/16/2009 01:57:00 PM freemindonline

The Jones Cup was televised on ESPN but the FIBA Asia basketball tournament was shown by CS9, a local channel. Again as before we cant make it in basketball internationally. This is one sporting decipline wherein professional players like ours is not competitive plain and simple. I run across a cable channel hosted by Freddie Webb and this Nathaniel guy. Well Mr Webb noted in his time that some basketball players were originally volleyball players. If they were tall and can spike, these tall vollyball guys were recruited for basketball, I think its still being done today.

The thing is we Filipinos are still trying to reach something that we cant through basketball when we can be better in volleyball, swimming, soccer, golf, baseball, tennis, etc, where height is not a major factor when expereince are leveled. In the 2016 Olympics if I'm not mistaken, Rugby (http://www.rugbyinasia.com/)and Golf will be included. Now what will the Philippine sports commission do about this? -- a golden opportunity especially for golf. The Filipinos love for basketball is a birds eye view about the Filipino outward character. How Filipinos are to change and adoptation is embodied in basketball, the reaction to defeat, self-esteem, motivation, or will to continue. But this is basketball, I am not a fan of this sport but as I see it, if the Philippine team can just win a 3rd place in FIBA or any world respected tournament in this discipline, it will go a long way for the Filipino's self-esteem internationally because lets admit it, government wise is no place to be proud of as of now.

Cabinet Officials Infomercials

8/16/2009 11:49:00 AM freemindonline

As chair of the Senate economic affairs committee, Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago is in a position that must be respected by cabinet officials (http://www.senate.gov.ph/press_release/2009/0810_santiago1.asp). It goes for all senate committe!. Whenever a senate hearing or investigation on live TV is shown, I always try to watch but not finishing though. What I dont understand is when a cabinet official is in the hot seat, he or she becomes protected by some kind of priviledge or on some other appointment when summoned to a hearing or investigation by the senate...

Why are these cabinet officials so keen to serve the public but hides themselves when questioned?.

Why are these cabinet officials trying to portray that what they are doing is for public interest when we all know that every goodness in government is politically motivated intentionally or not?.

Why are these cabinet officials demanding respect from the populace when we all know its there job to produce results and we the people are here to demand?

Why are these cabinet officials thinking that popularity and accomplishment is above the law?

Why are these cabinet officials doing what they do and not think if what they are doing is within the context of the law?

Perceived goodness does not always constitute a lawful act. The bottom line here is that infomercials done by cabinet officials always serve a popularity rating may it be for good deeds or self interest. This is so true if the person in the infomercials will be running for a post in government.

Serving the public is both resposibility and accountability. You dont serve to escape accountability!. And accountability is a BIG responsibility!. If they can do this now what will stop them from doing the same thing when elected to a juicy post.

But then again, in government, goodness has a painful aftermath...

Friday, August 7, 2009

Discount on prescribed drugs

8/07/2009 07:46:00 AM freemindonline

An opinion by John Aspinall at http://opinion.inquirer.net/inquireropinion/letterstotheeditor/view/20090807-219076/Discount-on-prescribed-drugs.

Now lets see..... Discounting some or discount of all medicinal drugs, very beneficial but why not make it obligatory in nature. We all know that discounts are based on supply and demand but in the Philippine's case it's supply and how high the market can bear. Discounts are come-ons, very good in attracting new patronage, getting a good share of the market at a short span of time. But in the long run we all have to bear the brute force of economics.

We have to look at the bigger picture as one government official said. I say we must look at the biggest picture and not just a bigger picture of how will this government retain the support of big multinational pharmaceutical companies. The biggest picture is the well being of the Filipinos. Lets just push for the ANTI-TRUST Law, in this way the government has a rule of law to implement and not just leave our grievances to humanitarians. We will be striking at the heart of the issue.

Sunday, August 2, 2009

Crossroads

8/02/2009 02:43:00 AM freemindonline

I was watching this talk show hosted by Tony Velasquez last Friday. The guests were Energy Secretary Angelo Reyes, a lame lawyer who represents a whatever organization, and a representative from a Jeepney organization. I will only name Secretary Reyes because he's the star, the man of the hour. Thanks to the other two guests, Mr Reyes became more credible in protecting or rather defending current local fuel prices and how the big three oil companies operates. Let's start with the lame lawyer, this guy is so much referencing the law in pinning down Mr Reyes to a point of being to technical unlike Mr Reyes countering in laymans term and with authority, it's technical against practical reasoning. This lawyer is just being eaten alive by Mr Reyes so to speak, maybe Mr lawyer you are good in court but not in the limelight of a camera where you are judged as you speak. And how about this person representing the jeepney organization and most obvious he's the masses voice. This representative is barking on the wrong tree, he's way behind on the issues, looking at the current issues in a single dimension point of view. Pushing about the plight of his fellow jeepney drivers. The issue is not the predicament of the people but the prices of fuel, gasoline, diesel. Is the big three oil companies within the contex of the law or the law is not in tuned to the people it should protect?

If the government is the forefront of breaking the law. Is the masses, the poor, also doing the same trying to break or circumvent the law by using their current predicament to achieve their own objectives may it be self serving or not?. Luckily we have lawyers to protect the quilty and the not.

Saturday, July 25, 2009

Where's our cheap medicine?

7/25/2009 08:35:00 PM freemindonline

According to the deputy presidential spokesperson of Malacañang Gary Olivar, “The implications for economic health go beyond just the issue of cheaper medicines at hand”. Well noted, a valid and logical call. But why did we get to this situation of exorbitant medicine prices?. Who made the deal to let these pharmaceutical companies set up shop in the Philippines without setting controls against possible opportunistic business practices?. Will this be a learning lesson to prepare and plan an escape or stop this kind of binding?. Malacañang can and able to implement Martial Law for the right reasons, legally if you may call it. But what will be the basis of malacañang to declare that these multinational drug companies are just robbing the Filipino people of their rights for cheaper medicines. Had the government done their math of how much these multinationals are earning. For sure these companies will still earn with the Cheaper Medicine Act, it will hurt their pockets but they will still earn and earn good. The Philippine government just called their bluff!.

The government is portraying that they are in control. But we can see they are in no position to do anything but to submit to blackmail left and right, defending their decisions that should have been pro Filipino from the start. I don't think thats in control.

Friday, July 24, 2009

Melissa Roxas

7/24/2009 09:29:00 AM freemindonline

In a general sense her supposed military abduction enhances the Filipinos distrust in government. It will fuel more hatred and false situation that will chain react in the future. Government must make the people feel that they are in full control through lawful and good governance. We are all getting frustrated of what we think should be right for our country. Threatening or worse killing your way to righteous beliefs will only be countered by the same manner, but then again are we sure of the facts?. Even the type of leadership of the deposed Ferdinand Marcos didn't last.

Somebody is running the government other than the government that we are seeing for this situation to happen. We have a government within a government. Think about it, who are the people to benefit from this?............And what will they benefit?, How much?...........

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Medicines moves government

7/22/2009 10:56:00 PM freemindonline

The US is also having problems with the clout of the pharmaceutical companies. I won't be surprised if the Philippines government make this as an excuse -- if big brother can't do anything, small brother can't as well...

Here's a scenario:
a) President Arroya having problems implementing the Cheaper Medicine Act. Thanks to the lobbying of the foreign pharmaceutical companies, not to mention advisers of the president from these companies with conflict of interest!.
b) Philippine president (GMA) goes to the US to meet with President Obama.
c) US government advices GMA to just let the foreign pharmaceutical companies be or suffer the consequences. As if the Philippines has no other options to choose from.
d) The Philippine government gives in to the foreign pharmaceuticals posturing but pushes for the GENERIC MEDICINES as an alternative.
e) Philippine government leaves alone local producers of generic medicines to fend on their own. Implementing new policies to cater to foreign pharmaceuticals.
f) Foreign pharmaceutical companies compete with local drug producers on prices.
g) Local drug producers suffer heavy losses from the price competitiveness of foreign pharma products.
h) Local drug producers close shop.
i) Foreign pharmaceutical companies increase the prices of their medicines as the market can bear.

Plain and simple -- The policies that will govern the land (Philippines) must be a policy that will be formulated and conceptualized for the Filipinos by the Filipinos. Foreign advice must be "advices" and not to be the rule of the land.

We the paying public, the tax payers, deserve more and demand more!...

consumer / politics

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Powerade Team Pilipinas

7/21/2009 06:01:00 PM freemindonline

I am not supposed to comment about our national basketball team but the Powerade Team Pilipinas is a joke!. I am not a fan of basketball but I watch Filipino players if they fight against foreign nationals as much as I can. I saw the national basketball team since the time with their tall slow man EJ Feihl. The Filipino game play doesn't really change then and had not changed now. We need to ADOPT-ADOPT-ADOPT!!!. The commentator who saw the national team before and now says the same thing!. Adopt, the Filipino needs to adopt and not play how they play in the local scene - fundamentals!. THE BOTTOM LINE IS THAT THE FILIPINO BASKETBALL GAMEPLAY IS NOT COMPETETIVE IN THE INTERNATIONAL SCENE, PLANE AND SIMPLE...

We need a team and most importantly a coach who has experience in the international game play who are not stars in the Philippines. It's a bigger psychological effect for star players in professional leagues to be a loosing team in international plays. They won't have the drive to continue with full intensity all the way -- that's how I've seen them before and now.

Thursday, July 16, 2009

Cheap Medicines and the Pharmaceuticals

7/16/2009 06:54:00 AM freemindonline

Our Cheaper Medicines Act at the hands of big pharmaceutical companies!.

Pharmaceutical companies would prefer a better option, something is wrong in this scenario. Since when did price control not a better scenario for the buying public?.

Changing the rules in the middle of the game does not give a positive signal to investors. But what kind of game is it when there is one and only one winner again and again. Even in the game of boxing (but I prefer the UFC), if the opponent is beaten black and blue, the fight is stopped. If the buying public is paying for medicines as high as the market will bear, something is really wrong...

Open market and fair competition for the betterment of the buying public. Yes the buying public, this is the basics where business revolves around. The government must make sure that the public welfare are first and foremost.

A LAW WILL MAKE SURE THAT ALL ARE KEPT IN LINE AND NOT JUST FOLLOW AT WILL!

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Italian hostage freed

7/15/2009 07:04:00 PM freemindonline

Italian hostage Vagni freed!. The Philippine military did it under pressure. Is this a jump for joy or just face-saving that will keep repeating itself...

What is the real agenda that made the hostage taking drag for six months!. Better yet, what blunder will the military result to or the government it serves because of this sudden release of the hostage?.

It is a matter of fact that the Philippine government are good at fixes of their own doing that results to new headaches and shameful actions just to get things done.

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Smart Prepaid

7/14/2009 09:51:00 PM freemindonline

I've noticed that my Smart prepaid load of PhP100 is taking me longer to consume or is Smart just being good today. Usually when I load an amount to my mobile phone I consume only around half until the remaining balance expires...

The NTC must craft telecommunication policies based on protection from "opportunistic intent " in mind. It's the NTC's job! to protect the people and not the other way around. If the telecommunication companies suggest at their own detriment, something is wrong. Somebody is seeing a better end of the stick but it is not the public for sure.

Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Work Priority and Ideas

6/30/2009 07:26:00 AM freemindonline

As an employee you only have one work priority and that is to work to keep yourself employed!. How you do it depends on your work ethics. I am amazed at people who are employed but also working for their own businesses, juggling time and priorities without sacrificing either is no easy job. If you are self employed with a couple of clients for starters, good for you!. But time will come good ideas will present itself and you have to choose between maintaining and growing your base clientele or give them away for a good idea to work on. Let's just say good ideas are good future investments...

As a person in the IT industry I am now working on projects that are promising -- good ideas from others that I had a chance to be a part of. This time I am juggling time working for these good ideas and satisfying the needs of my current clients. This way, I can invest in my future by working on it at present and at the same working for my daily needs. Its not an easy task though, commitments in two fronts creates priority issues if not handled correctly will affect either or both. The worse case scenario is I loose clients or loose trust from my peers working on a good idea with me.

Thursday, June 18, 2009

The business of having your own business

6/18/2009 03:04:00 AM freemindonline

It is most interesting how the government is giving much support to small enterprise startups. Basically I am trying my hand into running my own business and at the same time being employed. Nope!, not into selling or part time work. I want a full grown own type of business that I can say my own.

The Department Of Trade and Industry is a good source of information on this matter. But the thing is, when I started doing the nitty-gritty stuff of processing the needed requirements to have my own business is totally a different story. While the government itself through it's departments are trying to organize and support small buzzing entrepreneurs, going to the local government units (LGU) which is handling the core business application processes are not that enticing. These city government offices are lagging behind if not bureaucratic in dealing with first time entrepreneurs to be. I was advised to get my papers done by experts and I didn't know that there are experts in processing startup businesses -- it's a small business and not a top 1000 corporation!. But what if I am those people who wants to know the ins and outs of starting a business, from conceptualization to operation. I want to do it myself, filling up application forms, going to LGUs, processing my compliance requirements, and other things. The bottom line is talking to local government representatives to have a feel if my taxes are used to my satisfaction.

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Macho Image

3/17/2009 01:02:00 AM freemindonline

For a government that instill to its populace the values of being less while the people in government wants more in life is very disturbing. How can we defend our land if the government cannot defend itself from its own demise.

The Philippine government is claiming what it say is "integrity of our national sovereignty" by reaffirming Philippine sovereignty over a part of the Spratly Islands and Scarborough Shoal. I never thought that our government has the backbone to take action that might complicate the dispute over these islands.

As I see it as an ordinary worker, if the Philippine government can't even act decisively on workers issues and whatever affects the local populace daily survival life should be morally prepared to fail. It can't even solve the conflict in Mindanao!. The Philippine government is dealing with foreign policy as if they are dealing with its own populace. We all know in the end that this government will be innovative in protecting its mistakes at the expense of the Filipino dignity.

We are just giving ourselves a reason to rely more on our much loving American partner.

Sunday, February 8, 2009

Starting the new year

2/08/2009 01:28:00 PM freemindonline

Last year the government are all in control of the financial crisis, they are prepared but no details of contingencies. Well that is what they want us to think. Maybe the Philippine government knows something that developed countries don't know. This year is the year of reckoning as the Philippine government officials are just riding the flow of whatever the private sector (business community) are trying to do to survive. The Philippine government are so much in control of the financial crisis that they even bloated out that call centers will cushion the lay-offs. As if these kind business service community can cope with the influx of out-of-work individuals not to mention that more than half are not cut out for call center work. The bulk of out-off-work are the blue collar workers from electronics and other manufacturing industries. Who will give the additional training for call center work?. The government financial capability can only do so much coupled with their self denial syndrome is a sure formula for success. But let’s be fare, our beloved president are acquiring the job title and even the responsibility of her government officials to make sure all are served accordingly. We love you so much our president, we thank you for taking over other top government positions. Now we can sleep well thinking you are on top of all situation. Wow! are you the unseen member of the Justice League?. One starts to think how good our government officials are.

So what's my problem?, As a taxpayer I am suppose to get the big picture from the government as early as last year so I can have a fair plan if not a good one this year and onwards to get through this economic meltdown. But I am left with myself to fend to whatever contingencies I can muster. Am I asking to much as an employee and willing taxpayer?

Happy are those who don't rely on government help and support!

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