News with Good Idea but Worst Implications this Week

This week, we take a look at three recent news that seemed good but has a bigger chance that it's just be another bust.

Bacolod asking for Exemption from Donation
News Link: http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/247308/bacolod-seeks-exemption-elections-ban

The logic is simple: COMELEC has to exclude Bacolod City with the ruling of donations during election period because it could disrupt certain spending as they are regarded as donation. The recipients of the donation and assistance are the teachers, the police and the poor people who need help.

While the reason for exemption is noble, it is quite impossible that it'll never be part of politics. This is especially true in Bacolod City since politics is way muddier than an unkempt road in the sugarcane fields during the rainy season.

Gibo's Plan for Pork Barrel for Local Government Unit
Link: http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/247186/gibo-push-pork-barrel-lgus

While reading the article, I was thinking: this is actually a great plan because it will cut down middle-men (AKA Congressmen) in distributing funds. But then I remembered the danger of money when given to politician located in a very far and unknown area. I mean, just look at the Ampatuans. I'm sure they have billions everywhere because of the power they wield. Since they are in Mindanao, no one can easily check what they do. This is also true in other towns in Visayas and Northern Luzon. No one is there to audit what they do with the money.

Speaking of Mindanao:

Mindanao Now in the State of Calamity
Link: http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/247343/mindanao-under-state-calamity

If there's a specific part of the country that needs more help than anyone - it's the folks in Mindanao. Nature is under heat, literally, and its destroying crops. To deal with the problem, they declared a state of calamity.

Now, I fully support this decision because this will allow farmers or just about anyone in Mindanao access to the needed funds. But, how are they going to get these funds? Of course, they will have to approach a politician and these funds will be used to gain advantage in the election.

Any stories like these? Add the news in comments :)

(Image: trap door spider from Wikicommons)

The Mud Slinging in Bacolod City

I'm not from Bacolod City but I am living in the 5th district of Iloilo. From where I live, the reception of Iloilo city radio stations are not as powerful compared to Roxas and Bacolod City radio stations. As a result, most of my news comes from these cities.

The news right now in Bacolod CIty is the mud slinging between the current city mayor (Leonardia) and the congressman (Puentevella). The mud slinging have been going on since the last election. These politicians are aiming to become the next Bacolod City mayor. Puentevella wants to be back as mayor and Leonardia wants to be back as mayor as well.

Each of these politicians seemed to hire radio personalities to support them. You can even hear some of them on TV which sucks since they cover the airtime for my favorite cartoons in the morning. Frank, get out of my cartoon time in CS9 and concentrate on radio. No one is watching except the kids.

The beef of those who attack Leonardia is this: the newly built city center is over priced. The table of the city mayor is more than PHP 200,000.

The beef of those who attack Puentevella is this: he has been in position for years but have done almost nothing except to attack the mayor.His proposed heart, lung and kidney center is almost non-existent.

I have never seen such vicious attacks. Even the war of Tupas and Suplico could not measure to the attacks. Block timers in any station in Bacolod city have been going on for years and the topic is the same: one of these guys are not good.

Who are the losers? The people of Bacolod City and the Negros. Instead of focusing on crime and poverty, they all debate on who is wrong and right. The call center industry is getting really big in Bacolod but they cannot protect the employees. Peopel are getting stabbed, robbed and killed but nothing since politics has been the focus since year the 2007 elections.

I love to listen a good mud sling but too much of a good thing is nauseating. Stop it!!!

(Image from Wikipedia)