A New Sad Low for Ratings

Nothing wakes me up in the morning like bad news. Since its verrrry early in the morning, I decided to check some news on the West - well, it's still the same: recession, Fort Hood incident and Kindle for PC is apparently for US based customers only (WTF?) and Windows 7.

Our tech guys here are also excited since a few days ago, Windows 7 was officially launched in the Philippines and the Ultimate Edition is "only" 15k. I'll just stick with my XP until it's ready for the vault, thank you.

But one news has actually got my attention and courage to write this. Apparently our country is a little less corrupt! Wow! From 39th to 33rd! Now that's something to be really happy. I'll go open my half-finished Tanduay 5-Years even though it's 5.35 in the morning to celebrate.

You know the best part? The low rating is on technicality! According to Sec. Alberto Romulo, we are rated along with better countries so there's a big chance that we might not be rated well. Now that's a relief.

What I don't understand is that they are happy that they are now less corrupt. Well here's a news flash: a stolen peso is still the same to the stolen billion pesos. It's not yours. Being less corrupt still makes you a corrupt politician or person.

If they are trying to impress the people by telling us that we are less poorer (sorry English teachers), then they are doing a terrible job.

(photo from wiki commons)

"Fuel Shortage" - Classic Example Why Deregulation Sucks

Everyone is in the helping mood for the past few months because of Ondoy and Pepeng. The devastation is not just a change in the government's pocket. Billions have to be spend to rehabilitate some parts of the country not to mention the lives ruined.

Apparently, the big oil companies are exempted from helping. They fought hard against the latest presidential order. The reluctantly agreed.

Now they have a new tool to press the government to lift the price shortage - fuel shortage. I think the fuel companies are selling the fuel that was purchased on a reasonable price. The new imported fuel are still kept somewhere in the country only to be released when the ban on price increase has been lifted.

Friends, this is where we need to stand-up against oil deregulation. I used to get confused and even angry at the protesters on what the heck they talk about but this is no longer the case. Oil deregulation has to be stopped as soon as possible so that we can survive for the next few days - with fuel.

For the government - never back out on what you believe for the price ban and for Pete's sake: push to lift oil deregulation law. They will run away but competition will always get them coming back. A little sacrifice on your end will never hurt.

For the oil companies - it's strange to think that you are actually human beings. Maybe you're born ticks. I don't know. Hopefully, you'll be identified as new specie since I don't want to be associated with you anymore.