Category: transparency

NO to BBM’s Maharlika Wealth Fund!

“Honorable Senators of the Republic” by Diwa C. Guinigundo https://www.bworldonline.com/opinion/2023/02/16/505267/honorable-senators-of-the-republic/

“Investing a mountain of debt?” by  Diwa C. Guinigundo https://www.bworldonline.com/opinion/2023/01/12/498061/investing-a-mountain-of-debt/

“In the bag, ho ho ho!” by Manuel L. Quezon III
https://opinion.inquirer.net/159692/in-the-bag-ho-ho-ho

“More critical than Maharlika” by Cielito F. Habito
https://opinion.inquirer.net/159649/more-critical-than-maharlika

“Maharlika is the new government” by Ma. Lourdes Tiquia https://www.manilatimes.net/2022/12/20/opinion/columns/maharlika-is-the-new-government/1870966

“Will Marcos Jr. take up Maharlika Fund at Davos?” by Satur C. Ocampo  https://www.philstar.com/opinion/2022/12/17/2231329/will-marcos-jr-take-maharlika-fund-davos

“Maharlika muddle” by Stephen CuUnjieng https://www.manilatimes.net/2022/12/16/opinion/columns/maharlika-muddle/1870530

“Maharlika foolish, corrupt – critics” by Jarius Bondoc
https://www.philstar.com/opinion/2022/12/14/2230635/maharlika-foolish-corrupt-critics

“ENRILE URGES MARCOS: Review Maharlika bill” https://www.manilatimes.net/2022/12/14/news/review-maharlika-bill/1870127

“Upping the ante by doubling down” by Manuel L. Quezon III
https://opinion.inquirer.net/159500/upping-the-ante-by-doubling-down

“Why the Sovereign Wealth Fund is still problematic on many levels” by Andrew J. Masigan
https://www.philstar.com/opinion/2022/12/14/2230636/why-sovereign-wealth-fund-still-problematic-many-levels

“Decorative” by Alex Magno
https://www.philstar.com/opinion/2022/12/13/2230386/decorative

“Maharlika Wealth Fund: Devil is in the details” by Teresa S. Abesamis
https://www.bworldonline.com/opinion/2022/12/13/492801/maharlika-wealth-fund-devil-is-in-the-details/

“Imploding” by Alex Magno https://www.philstar.com/opinion/2022/12/10/2229774/imploding

“Who Wants the Maharlika Wealth Fund?” by Solita Monsod https://marengwinniemonsod.ph/2022/12/10/maharlika-wealth-fund/

Maharlika Investment Fund ‘beyond repair,’ says Economist & National Scientist  Raul Fabella https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1703562/mif-beyond-repair-says-natl-scientist-in-economics

Economist Winnie Monsod reacts to Maharlika Fund proposal [“Ridiculous!”] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=919ww8jbzBk

“Fumble” by Boo Chanco https://www.philstar.com/business/2022/12/09/2229496/fumble

“Maharlika conundrum” by Stephen CuUnjieng https://www.manilatimes.net/2022/12/09/opinion/columns/maharlika-conundrum/1869617

“Death blow for a dumb idea” by Ben Kritz https://www.manilatimes.net/2022/12/08/opinion/columns/death-blow-for-a-dumb-idea/1869481

“Blink thrice if you don’t mean it” by Manuel L. Quezon III https://opinion.inquirer.net/159368/blink-thrice-if-you-dont-mean-it

“Defeat” by Alex Magno https://www.philstar.com/opinion/2022/12/06/2228787/defeat

“Drop the Maharlika fund” by Cielito F. Habito https://opinion.inquirer.net/159331/drop-the-maharlika-fund

“Maharlika Fund idea is incredibly obtuse like, ‘what are we in power for?'” by Yen Makabenta  https://www.manilatimes.net/2022/12/06/opinion/columns/maharlika-fund-idea-is-incredibly-obtuse-like-what-are-we-in-power-for/1869196

“Business groups, economists issue joint statement on ‘Maharlika’” by Ma. Stella F. Arnaldo https://businessmirror.com.ph/2022/12/06/business-groups-economists-issue-joint-statement-on-maharlika/

“Are we ready for a sovereign wealth fund?” by Randy David https://opinion.inquirer.net/159282/are-we-ready-for-a-sovereign-wealth-fund

“Cronies wealth fund?” by Boo Chanco  https://www.philstar.com/business/2022/12/05/2228516/cronies-wealth-fund

“The Maharlika Fund: A Pricey Stud Or A Milking Cow?” by Heneral Lunacy https://heneralunacy.wordpress.com/2022/12/05/the-maharlika-fund-a-pricey-stud-or-a-milking-cow/

“Keep your hands off our SSS, GSIS money” by Jarius Bondoc https://www.philstar.com/opinion/2022/12/02/2227919/keep-your-hands-our-sss-gsis-money

“Maharlika Fund: Dubious, pretentious and self-serving” by Sonny Africa https://www.ibon.org/maharlika-fund-dubious-pretentious-self-serving/

“The Maharlika Wealth Fund” by Filomeno S. Sta. Ana https://www.bworldonline.com/opinion/2022/12/04/490838/the-maharlika-wealth-fund/

“13 reasons why WE OPPOSE House Bill 6398 (Maharlika Investment Fund/PH Sovereign Wealth Fund)” by David Michael San Juan https://www.facebook.com/lastrepublic/posts/pfbid0scC3HnBcZyvpdS1fr7ZP1j1ZH2jyUW1vcYgnBAk6mmUoWnmLC1Pxp4iUcdBfUengl

“Galawang Marcos. Another Corruption Scheme in the Making!” by Ed Lingao https://www.facebook.com/100083035164368/videos/679806213550044/

“More fun(d) in the Phl” by Ana Marie Pamintuan https://www.philstar.com/opinion/2022/12/05/2228532/more-fund-phl

Bongbong Marcos should apologize for his father

ANTONIO CONTRERAS

INDEED, children should not inherit their parents’ sins. But in reality, we do. In a culture where debt of gratitude is inherited, even debts, whether financial or moral, are bequeathed by deceased parents to their offspring. We cannot take pride in the accomplishments of our parents, without balancing it with a sense of remorse, and the duty to ask forgiveness from those they may have offended.

I once argued against the act of asking for forgiveness for our parents’ actions, simply because I was a firm believer of a kind of ethics where you can only be held liable or responsible for the things that you had control over, or that in which you had an active participation. But upon much deeper reflection, I soon realized that this is a very Western construct, where responsibility and rights are very much defined within an individualistic ethos.

This is not what happens in our communitarian culture where family honor is considered to be a well-revered institution, that in some cultural groups, clan wars erupt to defend it. Thus, preserving honor is not a mere individual construct, and becomes a family duty.

It is in this context that former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. should apologize for the sins of his father, the late President Ferdinand Marcos Sr.

At the outset, it must be emphasized that the Marcos family has always been pleading for a fair and objective treatment. They appeal to our sense of balance as we pass judgment on the complex period which Marcos Sr. had presided over, including the dark years of martial law. In fact, it is precisely because of such fairness and objectivity that Bongbong Marcos should not gloss over such complexity, by denying that everything was bright and sunny.

I lived through that period, and while I know that there were benefits that came out, there were also black memories that darkened the period of his father’s rule. To be objective is to take stock of both the positive and the negative. Bongbong Marcos cannot remind us of the good things that his father did without recognizing the bad things that happened during his term in office. After all, Marcos Sr. was not perfect as he was human, and he had his flaws. He was also not in total control of the actions of his people, but as president he bore the responsibility of being in command.

I know of people who disappeared in the dark of night, brothers in the student organization I joined. I have been told stories of torture. Indeed, these are people who may have rebelled against the state and joined the communist insurgency that threatened to make the Philippines into one of the Asian dominoes that faced the risk of falling, as the communist ideology was wreaking havoc and bringing death and destruction as it engaged in its expansionist project.

Nevertheless, there are rules of war which state parties are duty bound to uphold. While I do not expect rebels to uphold the law, what distinguished the state agents from them is the commitment to act within the boundaries of civilized combat, that inhuman punishments are prohibited, and that rights even of people who committed crimes against the government should be respected and protected. Thus, when state agents commit these atrocities, government leaders are duty bound to apologize and take responsibility.

There have been allegations of corruption, and the amassing of hidden wealth. I have always depended on the courts to adjudicate and determine the veracity of such allegations, and it is a given fact that sans the partisan agenda of those who hounded the Marcos family, independent courts both here and abroad have made judicial determination of the veracity of some of those claims.

If only for these, then it is in order for Bongbong to act honorably by recognizing that there were instances where laws of reasonable engagement against dissidents were violated and that there were instances where the courts established that indeed there were economic crimes committed. There is a preponderance of things that warrant, at the very least, a display of sincere remorse and contrition.

But instead, Bongbong has doubled down by refusing to apologize. He boldly declared that he is thankful that he is a Marcos, even congratulating himself for choosing his parents very well. Of course, no one is telling him not to be thankful for having been born into a very privileged family. And while he actually didn’t choose his parents, he can actually choose how to honor them.

As children, we do not control the actions of our parents. And while we owe so much to them, there are many parts of their lives that we are not familiar with or that were probably hidden from us. We are not privy to all the lies they told, every transgression they made, and every sin they committed. There is nothing dishonorable if we apologize for these. And it becomes a duty when we somewhat knew, and we tolerated it, and worse, we benefited from it.

For me, that is the biggest honor a son can perform on behalf of an imperfectly human parent — to bear the burden of an apology which the parents were denied of asking when they were still alive.

There is one other compelling reason why Bongbong should sincerely apologize. He is a presidential candidate offering himself to the people. If we believe surveys, scientific and otherwise, he has a chance of being the next president of the Republic. He has a solid base of support. He has nothing to lose if he apologizes. He may not convince many of those who have an intense dislike for him and his family, but he may just create more space to unify this toxically divided country by changing his narrative and redeem it in the eyes of those who are still open to changing their minds.

 

andy bautista wins? who loses?

interesting that it is pro-duterte peeps who are protesting, questioning, criticizing the dismissal of the impeachment complaint vs comelec chief andy bautista, yet it is also the pro-duterte majority in the house of reps justice committee that dismissed the complaint on mere technicalities re sufficiency in “form” because, you know, they have to be strict and follow the rules daw; and yet they refused to entertain a correction of the form (which is NOT disallowed) and at once dismissed the complaint even when the rules entertain a dismissal only upon a finding of insufficiency in “substance.”  check out rules of procedure in impeachment complaints, rule iii, section 4, 17th congress.

the big surprise, however, is representative edcel lagman, who is known to be an oppositionist — he is against the drug war, voted against the death penalty, martial law in mindanao, and the CHR budget cut — but who belongs to the super majority pala. he voted, too, to dismiss the case.

Opposition Rep. Edcel Lagman, one of those who supported the dismissal of the case against Bautista, said there is no rule allowing a complainant to amend his verification and his complaint.

He said the attempt of Paras and Topacio to present an amended verification “clearly shows that the original was defective.”

to think that rep. edcel is a member (for the majority) of the committee on suffrage and electoral reform.  is this a portent of things to come?  we will never know if our votes are being counted correctly?  we will always be under the thumb of the likes of bautista (and smartmatic and their cohorts in congress) whose integrity and love of country are under such heavy clouds of doubt?

the andy bautista issue is a unique one that divides the body politic along different lines from the drug war.

the dilawans, of course, are happy about the junked impeachment complaint.  it means that leni is safe.  imagine nga naman:  if, when, andy is impeached, who knows what evil magic a duterte-appointed comelec chief might wreak in aid of bongbong’s claim to the vp seat.  kahit pa sabihing nasa supreme court na ang kaso, we all know how the system works for ones who are powerful enough.

the duterte diehard supporters in congress, of course, are also happy about the junked impeachment complaint.  it means that andy owes them big, and it means that the very crucial plebiscite on charter change for term extensions and economic liberalization, not to speak of federalism, would happen under andy’s watch, with smartmatic pa rin kaya?

which is to say that the duterte camp is clearly divided.  baka wala pang memo from the palace?  or is this one issue on which they will remain divided.  right now it’s social media ka-DDS vs. the house of reps ka-DDS.  the lines are drawn, the battle is joined.

but wait, there’s hope.  rep harry roque says that the House plenary can still override the justice committee’s decision.  hmm.  kailan iyan?  automatic ba iyan, magaganap within a certain number of days?  or will it be the call of majority leader dear rudy fariñas who is said to be, like the dilawans, afraid that impeaching andy means that leni will likely be replaced by bongbong.  he is also said to be of the belief that if not impeached, andy will resign of his own accord.  magugulat naman ako masyado.

a plenary would be good.  and when the reps vote, dapat ay nominal voting, one by one, let the records show who is for what!  itigil na iyang hiding behind viva voce!

and just in case fariñas won’t do a plenary…  if he does, then just in case the plenary lets andy off the hook…  ngayon pa lang, i’m thinking civil disobedience.  why should we vote when we don’t trust the people behind the machines that will be counting our votes?  what if they held elections and nobody came?

national artist award: transparency vs. confidentiality

on facebook yesterday, dr. isagani cruz posted this status and link re nick tiongson‘s objection to dolphy’s portrayal of gay roles:

I was there, but could not reveal this due to confidentiality. Ex-CCP top official opposed Dolphy’s National Artist Award, says Guidote-Alvarez 

which generated this exchange between danny arao and joel david in the comment thread.

Danilo Arao Thanks for sharing, sir. I was surprised [by] this “disclosure.” It sets a bad precedent. Future deliberations could be compromised as supposedly confidential matters could be disclosed in the future.

Joel David Actually transparency should be part of the process. It’s a recognition with the designation “national.” All this secrecy can be regarded as a large part of the reason for the dagdag-bawas scandal that resulted in Carlo Caparas’s “selection.”

Danilo Arao Hi, Joel. Yes, transparency is absolutely necessary and I think even minutes of the meeting could be made public. But specific comments, especially those deemed inconsequential, should be made confidential or off-the-record. In our own college, we don’t publicly disclose those nominated for Gawad Plaridel. We only announce the winners so that we don’t unnecessarily embarrass those who did not get it (and I think they’re equally deserving if evaluated by a different set of judges)…

Joel David I really must differ. The Gawad Plaridel is an award given by an institution that doesn’t claim to be public, although it is. So its process should be open to members of the public if any member is interested. Both institutions (UP and NCCA) use public funds. GP doesn’t need to “publicize” its process because the public isn’t interested. But at this point, there is interest in the National Artist awards.

Danilo Arao Yes, I see where you’re coming from and that’s also a valid point. But I think our difference of opinion has to do with transparency. It may be absolutely necessary but it’s not necessarily absolute, if you get my drift. At any rate, this deserves further discussion and it may be imperative for NCCA to review its rules and selection processes.

Joel David Here’s my point. If I were in an NA decision-making process, I would also object to the idea of Dolphy being declared a winner. That’s my personal, subjective position. But I would not want to hide in any confidentiality arrangement. It’s not a national security issue. If I wouldn’t want to be embarrassed by taking that position, I’d just recuse myself from participating. Simple as pie.

Danilo Arao  Quick rejoinder: The issue here is not Dolphy but Guidote-Alvarez breaching the confidentiality agreement. Is it ethical and professional for her to do so? Did she break the trust given to her by her peers who participated in the selection process? (In the context of the controversy surrounding the selection of NAs in 2009, we should also consider the fact that her controversial selection as NA is pending in the Supreme Court, alongside that of Carlo J. Caparas.

Joel David  It’s disturbing to even think that just because Cecile may have been a dagdag-bawas beneficiary, her credibility has been compromised. That’s not how a democracy works. If one day GMA claims to have evidence of wrongdoing by Pnoy, it’s in everyone’s interest to check her claim before judging her motives. As to a prior agreement by the NA committee to observe confidentiality – that’s an arrangement that could have worked given a few assumptions: that collegiality existed among the members, and that they’d be careful enough with the process so that no controversy will arise. In short, it’s purely for their benefit, not the interested public’s. Once that implicit agreement is ruptured, then all bets are off.

i agree with joel david re transparency but not regarding his objection to dolphy being declared a national artist.  like direk peque gallaga, whose thoughts i’ll be sharing in my next post, i think dolphy deserves it, and deserved it 10 years ago. 

i get where danny arao is coming from.  until the rule on confidentiality is dropped, there can be no condoning guidote-alvarez’s disclosure.  however, her controversial selection as NA in 2009 does not render what she disclosed in-credible.  and now that it’s out in the open, there is no ignoring or pooh-poohing the information.  tiongson’s “comment” cannot be rated “inconsequential,” considering that it cost dolphy the national artist award.

if the selection process had been transparent, and the minutes of meetings made public, nothing off-the-record, would tiongson have dared, or gotten away with it?  would someone not have dared in turn, nay, been obliged, to take up the cudgels for dolphy?  tiongson’s position is defensible but only on the level of gay portrayals.  no matter how “violent” or impassioned tiongson’s disapproval, surely there were even more powerful arguments in favor of dolphy.  it’s not as if kabaklaan were all that dolphy’s body of work is about.

confidentiality is elitist, and it sucks.  public deliberations would be highly educational and raise discourse and consciousness on what it takes to be a national artist.

also, what does it take ba to be a panelist in such deliberations.  kailangan ba talaga ng sangkatutak na academic credentials?  baka dapat meron ding psychological screening to determine kung may hang-ups about this or that.  time for the ncca and ccp to level up.