Impulses
Survey shows
It seems that GMA needs more Hello Garci's for next year's senatorial elections. According to the latest IBON Foundation survey, if elections will be held today, the political opposition has better chances of being elected.
From the result, it appears that the following will end up as new legislative pains of Malacañang: Ex-senator Loren Legarda (45.2 percent chances), followed by Francisco Pangilinan (37.2 percent) and Imee Marcos (31.3 percent), all associated with the opposition.
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The survey, conducted on October 2 to 12 with 1,481 respondents nationwide also showed the following winnables: Taguig-Pateros Rep. Allan Peter Cayetano (30.7 percent) ranked fourth on the list followed by Sen. Ralph Recto (29.9 percent) and Sorsogon Rep. Francis Escudero (28.8 percent), house minority leader.
Other opposition members who made it to the list of possible senatoriables were Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III (21.6 percent), ex-senator Gregorio "Gringo" Honasan (21.5 percent), Bayan Muna Rep. Satur Ocampo (21.1 percent), Anakpawis Rep. Crispin "Ka Bel" Beltran (20.3 precent) ex-senator John Henry Osmeña (19.5 percent), Sen. Luisa Estrada, Cavite Rep. Gilbert Remulla (17.6 percent) and Sen. Eduardo Angara (17.1 percent).
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Aquino was among the Liberal Party members who bolted from the administration's "rainbow coalition." Honasan, Ocampo and Beltran have been linked to the failed February coup plot against Mrs Arroyo.
I'm sure the Administration folks, as shrewd as they are, have already started picking up all the puzzle pieces to solve this apparent electoral blow that they are about to face next year.
Perhaps, the resurrection of another Bolante or Duque is in the offing.
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Unbearable noise and foul smell are said to be conquering the town of New Washington, Aklan courtesy of a 5-MW diesel-fired power plant.
Reports say that people living near the power plant claim of suffering from headaches, restlessness, coughs and respiratory problems.
The said inconvenience, I believe, warrants the cancellation of the Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) of the concerned Independent Power Producer, Global Business Power Corporation. We hope that people's complaints will not fall in government's deaf ears.
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The Solar I sank on August 11 with 2.1 million liters of Petron bunker fuel and caused an oil spill that has polluted the coasts of Guimaras and Iloilo. Very minuscule initiatives were done by government agencies to remedy the situation so far.
Adding insult to injury, some aids went not to the affected families but to the dirty pockets of few local government officials and their allies. What a shame!
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Good news is almost two months later, the International Oil Pollution Compensation Fund (IOPC) executive committee has just approved the funding for pumping the remaining bunker fuel out of the sunken tanker Solar I.
However, since typhoons are still expected to pass through the Philippines right through December, the operation to retrieve the oil remaining in the tanker would have to be undertaken early next year. The operation would require between 20 and 30 days of calm seas since the hardware that will be deployed cannot operate in foul weather.
That's another three to four months more to wait.
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A hoard of cops in full battle gear will be painting the Metro Manila in seven colors next week for the All Saints' Day.
What's this, a state of civil war?
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GMA has asked for the passage of more environmental laws after being surprised that there are still smokestacks polluting the air in most urbanized cities in the country.
Let's have a reality check. At present, we already have the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act, the Clean Air Act and the Clean Water Act, among others. Aren't they enough?
Has she even heard of strict implementation of the law?
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Gloria has already officially recognized the interim government of the coup-inspired Thailand. She said that the Thai coup plotters have "very strong commitment to undertake a roadmap to constitutional democracy."
If I remember it right, our local coup plotters have the same commitment, even stronger, for the country. Well, maybe the great GMA needs to be reminded sometimes of her dichotomized regime.
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Reports have it that should the government proceed with the 2007 elections to push for the people's initiative method to achieve Charter change through a referendum, 14,000 teachers or so from the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) will be forced to boycott the electoral initiative.
"If the Supreme Court favors Sigaw ng Bayan's so-called people's initiative and a plebiscite becomes inevitable, then our members will refuse to serve as Comelec deputies," ACT chairman Antonio Tinio chided.
Surely this will cause a domino-effect among teachers. Hence, 14,000 boycotteers can easily increase geometrically in numbers—a possibility that is nightmarish for the pro-ConAss people.
Civil disobedience! This, I think, is the right dose of The Palace's medicine.
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The first weeklong tourism assembly is now held in the metropolis.
Surely Region 6 has a lot to throw in to the booming tourism industry in the country. We have our delicacies, nationally-acclaimed schools and institutions, our crispy smiles, rich culture, the nightlife, the Boracay and other sultry beaches, and the different excellent festivals in the region.
For whatever it's worth, let me enumerate some of our festivals in Western Visayas: Hilaonahay (Sigma, Capiz), Manggahan (Guimaras), Dinagyang (Iloilo City), Hinugyaw-Suguidadonay (Calinog, Iloilo), Binanog (Lambunao, Iloilo), Salakayan (Miag-ao, Iloilo), Tultugan (Maasin, Iloilo), Binirayan (San Jose, Antique), Carabao-Carroza (Pavia, Iloilo), Katagman (Oton, Iloilo), and Masskara (Bacolod City).
If you have been to all these events, you know why Western Visayas is everyone's tourist destination.
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The deployment of OFWs to Lebanon will resume soon.
Get set.
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Despite the legalization of Small Town Lottery, illegal gambling still proliferates in the city.
According to a bet collector, the perks for "last two" and other jueteng-like games are still more lucrative than that of the STL or sweepstakes. But when asked if they are happy of what they are doing, the cobrador says "we don't have a choice."
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The laminated picture of Jesus Christ in Purok 1, Brgy. Libas, Roxas City is said to be miraculously "bleeding."
Is this another hoax in the making?
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Good news for the Administration. The net satisfaction rating of GMA has improved from 68.7% in July to 54.9% in October. This is thought to be due to improved economic conditions in the country, an IBON Foundation survey revealed. This was also confirmed by another independent research firm Social Weather Station (SWS).
Although a majority of Filipinos are still dissatisfied with the President's performance, the improved net satisfaction rating is a positive development for her administration.
Call this a statistical anomaly, but surely the President's approval rating could suffer if the administration fails to address the poverty situation in the country
Note this: 70.6 percent of Pinoys think they're still poor with only 7.6 percent saying that they are not.
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Fake P5 and P10 coins are now in the Iloilo market.
How to check them? Physics 101: Use a magnet and if the coin is magnetized, they are surely a counterfeit.
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Engr. Herman Lagon may be reached through h_lagon@yahoo.com.