Jose Mujica - the poorest President, of Uruguay in an interview with Al Jazeera

Social and political criticisms

October 29, 2013

                           



Pres Jose Mujica interview at Al Jazeera

I watched the interview of President Jose Mujica last night at Al Jazeera.  And he is an admireable and outstanding man and leader. He is more than a leader - as the hostess said, he is a philosopher.  By all means, he is described to be outstanding.

He is described as the world's poorest President. He says that he has more than enough.  Those are poor are those who want too much.  He gives 90% of his salary to charities, like housing for the unwed mothers. 

He surprised the whole world by having his country legalise marijuana (in some parts of USA, in some states, sale of marijuana is legal.  It considered a cure for many diseases)  He says he did it because other strategies do not work.

He used to be a member of Tupamoro in 1960s  which later created the MLN (Movimiento Liberacion Nacional) which did a Robin Hood style of armed propaganda.  He was a man of few words and disliked explosives and other inhumane war tactics.  Tupamoro was the first insurgent organization that fought fellow men rather than foreigners.

Other observations:

1.  He is not against consumption per se but the waste that goes with it.  Why have four cars to sit out the traffic, when the rest of the country can not survive;

2.  USA, and USA is not alone, is a policeman to the rest of the world and that has led the country in many trouble by having too many enemies.

3.  USA will be conquered by the rest of America through the wombs of the women of Latin America, albeit slowly

4.  If we live and consume like the rest of Americans, we will need three planet earth to provide for everyone

5.  When he retires as a President (and it will in one year) he will return to agriculture, and even convert his farm into an agri school

6.  You must live like the rest of the world, not like a king.

7.  He respects the current Pope because of the language and the Christian tradition and his heart goes for the Pope because of the humility and honesty of the Pope Francis who hails from South America. He says that the Catholic church is the last of the court yard of the Medieval tradition

8.  He calls himself a republican that of being equal to the others and no one is above the rest (hence the deep sense of humility)

                                    
                                 He disdains luxury and still drives this old VW

                                         

Prof Emeritus Gerardo P. Sicat on minimum wage at Business Inside

       

                                                 

Gerardo P Sicat UP Professor Emeritus on Economics

Professor Gerardo P. Sicat, Professor Emeritus on Economics at UP, was the guest of Coco Alcuaz at Business Inside at ANC channel last night October 23 where he introduced his latest book:   Weighing In: On Philippine and Economic and Social Progress. Professor Sicat was the first head of NEDA during the Marcos regime and he has a wide  and remarkable knowledge on economics.  He is from San Fernando Pampanga and a graduate of MIT in US.  He is now 78.

He writes a column at Philstar: Crossroads  (cross roads is an ideal business location)

One of his insights last night was on minimum wage.  He said that minimum wage should be set in such a manner so as to provide jobs to many and not to protect the wage and employment of those with jobs.  It is noted that our minimum wage settings, while coping up with the consumer prices, tended to make many people out of jobs or under employed.  This has been due to political pressure from labor groups, unions and politicians, rather than making social or economic sense.

In reality, for small entrepreneurs, or other informal businesses, wages are just a fraction of the minimum wage and many accept them just to have a job.

Do you agree with Prof Sicat? Was he a good economic planner during Marcos era?  Could he have done better?

                    

Revamp in Bureau of Customs delays logistics of businessmen and exporters

Social and political criticisms

From Interaksyon | October 3, 2013

                         

The repost mentions that the problem at the appointment/transfer of collectors at the Bureau of Customs is delaying the shipment of goods of businessmen. (and possibly affecting their production, sales and export.)

Our installation of a renewable energy package has been delayed for two weeks now and when we confronted the contractor, he gave us this news, that his shipment of the major components could not be shipped from China because of the current difficulties at the Bureau of Customs:   transfer of collectors, TRO vs the transfer.  There were also changes in the acceditation/licensing of importers from BOC to BIR

We had the same problem with low energy LED lamps:  they have no stocks because of the problem with BOC

How can these public servants make the "tuwid na daan ni Pinoy bako bako at putol-putol"   How can they upset the progress we have made so far in the economy.  How selfish can these collectors get?

From Manila Standard - Custom revamp affecting importers

Major Shift in US Saudi Relations?

Social and political criticisms

 
 KSA intel chief Bandar Bin Sultan


Repost from Reuters | October 22, 2013

From Al Jazeera | October 23, 2013

There could be a major shift in the US Saudi relations, its lowest in years, KSA intelligence chief Bandar Bin Sultan,  on what the kingdom perceives as its inaction over the Syrian civil war and the Israel - Palestinian peace talks.  KSA rejected a two year seat at the UN Security Council lately.  The recent overtures to Iran was also displeased the Arabs.

In an unusual public attack, Prince Turki Al Faisal called Pres Obama's foreign policy in ME "lamentable"

The low point in US KSA relations started in 2001 9/11 attack in NYC, where most the terrorists involved were Arabs.

How would this affect the oil supply?

What happens next?  Would Pres. Obama change its current foreign policy towards Syria, Iran, and Israel?

                         
                    With whom will the Arabs will be friendly with next?  Pres Putin of USSR at right

New name for PHILVOLCS - faultfinder

Social and political criticisms

 


Inabanga is at upper left hand

From Philstar | October 23, 2013


There seems to be a new fault line in Bohol as evidenced by ground rupture in Inabanga Bohol. Ground rapture in Barangay Anunang Inabanga Bohol.  Such rupture occurs every 100 years.  The other side (the south side) by almost three meters. Thus says Director Renato Solidum at ANC interview with Karen Davila and at Philstar

I am familiar with Bohol as I was assigned as a detailman there by a large Filipino pharma.  I did round Bohol 3x a month going clockwise and covered Carmen (site of Choco late hills - now powder?)

There are also sinkholes and this is expected as the most of Bohol is limestone.

Bohol was a result of earthquake upliftment, as was Zambales which used to be underwater, further explained Solidum

Philvolcs has recorded has recorded a total of 2278 after shocks  since October 15 earthquake of which 49 were felt including the Monday 5.1 magnitude early Monday aftershock

Meanwhile, Mines and Geosciences Bureau Chief  LeoJasareno warns of sinkholes as a result of the earthquake.  One such confirmed sinkhole is in Lapu Lapu City  (From Phil Inquirer Oct 22, 2013)

                             
   
                             


                      

                                


From Earthquake Report

The earthquake report says  195 are confirmed dead,  12 missing, 600 injured,  P400 billion worth of damage and P600 billion reconstruction costs. About 3 million people have been affected and 300,000 were displaced.






The real epicenter does not seem to be at Carmen but a northwest of Bohol (Inabanga?)

Brewing conflict between refugees and host countries

Social and political criticisms




A CNN feature story suggests growing conflict between refugees from Syria in Lebanon.   Refugees who subsist from donations from relatives have to pay $100 rental per site in refugee site.  And they compete with jobs for local.  The rich refugees on the other hand compete for scarce housing by paying more on apartments.

Is the compassion shown by Italian citizens and  govt to the dead of Lampedussa is just because the refugees died.  Would it be different;  would there be conflict.

Just look at how US treats illegal, who are in effect refugees seeking better life in US, to escape hardship in Mexico.

Bohol and Cebu lose tourists due to earthquake

Death toll from the Cebu Bohol earthquake (which struck last October 15) reached 185;  what is more lamentable is the death of tourist industry in Bohol. Panglao is now a dead town after cancellation of bookings.

Two type of deaths arrived  in Bohol?

What is going to be the future of Bohol.   Bohol is an agricultural economy depending of few produce from its rocky terrain and fishing.  The eco tourism:  from Panglao island and Carmen, church visits, brought new vigor into the Bohol economy.  But with the destroyed churches, and even defaced Chocolate hills coupled with cancellation at Panglao island bookings (Panglao has become a virtual dead town) what lies ahead for Bohol?

What are the alternatives for Bohol?

Tour cancellations hits Bohol - from Rappler

Tourist cancelleations in Cebu and Bohol - Business Mirror

                              

Sultan Kiram died today October 20 2013, end of Sabah Claim?

From Inquirer | Sunday October 20, 2013

 Sultan Jamalul III Kiram, the patriarach of the Kiram family claiming ownership of Sabah, died today of multi organ failure at Philippine Heart Center.  He was 75 years old.  This was announced by his daugher Princes Jacel Kiram to Radio Inquirer

The Sultan's security forces, it should be remembered landed in Sabah to claim the land for the sultanate.  The Malaysian security forces however killed 60 his men.  The leader Sultan Rajah Mudah Kiram his brother is in hiding and no one knows his whereabouts.

KIram claims that the island has been merely leased to the British North Borneo.  The lease was merely transferred to Malaysia after Malaysia gained independence from the British.  Up to this date, Malaysia still pays 5,330 ringgit to the Sultanate heirs.   Malaysia calls it cession fees. 

What do you think?

Does Sabah really belong to the PHL?

Should we support Kiram's to support their claim so that Muslim Filipinos shall not be considered illegals in Sabah (their home country?)

Or his death signals the claim will die with him

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Use of Drones for Journalism at University Nebraska

Social and political criticisms



From Drone Journalism Lab

University of Nebraska Lincoln Journalism Lab

We know of the uses of military drones being used in conflicts for reconnaisance, bombings and support for manned aircraft.  I know of an umanned aircraft being used for aerial survey and mapping.  Hence large surveying companies business are on the declinel.

A new use is the use of mini drones for journalism.  The University of Nebraska Journalism lab is developing such drones for journalism.  They can be used to do aerial shots of protest, accidents, of disasters, fires.But will their use be legal?  Their version uses propeller and called quadcopter.  Their Git Hub is obtaining Certifcate of Authorization from FAA to make such drones legal

What will be future of mass communication/journalism with drones?   Well it is cheaper compared to the regular helicopter.  A quadcopter might just cost $l,500.00.  It can be deployed fast adn through out during the day.  But the concern is intrusion into privacy and civil rights.   Will paparazzi have new tool?

US Senate passes bill on the 11th hour (Wednesday) to avert financial crisis

From NY times

The US Senate, largely dominate by Democrats, passed a bill with a vote of 81-18 to avert the budget and debt limit impasse at the 11th hour.  (Wednesday evening) Failure to act on the issue would have meant credit downgrade by rating agencies, and debt default  The deal was hammered by Senators MacDonnel  and Reid.  The deal would finance the govt through Jan l5, and raise the debt limit till February 7.

The Congress, largely controlled by GOP conservatives, did not object.  The Obamacare defunding is not included in the deal. It was seen as a defeat for the conservative  Republicans

There was a lady who said that there would be no default,  since the US Fed can print money and there is unlimited amount of funds the Fed can print. The lady forgot to think that the US Fed Central Bank is independent of the rest of US govt.  And precisely there is the debt limit law to prevent the US treasury from dipping its hand into the body that deals with the currency. Even with such separation, the debt limit  was breached several times during Obama administration.


                           

Is MM prepared for a 7.2 magnitude earthquake that shook Bohol? Are you?

Social and political criticisms


                                  

                                        

 
 3/18 scenarios
Primer on Bohol Earthquake last October 15 2013

Is Metro Manila prepared for an earthquake for an intensity as what hit Bohol last Tuesday.  There has been various estimates but they all agree that casualties and damages especially to buildings will be great.  We all know that MM lies along a major fault (the Marikina fault and its extends all the way to Rizal and even Alabang)  It is difficult to understand why despite this knowledge building officials gave permits to high rise (approaching and beyond 50 stories)  I hope they have been designed to withstand earthquakes of 7 or more in magnitude.

As early as June 8, 2013 an article was written in Inquirer which says that 38,000 will be killed and 100,000 will be injured, roads will be impassable, there will be fires, and the MoA area will be a mass grave.  This was what MM Chair Francis Tolentino told PMA President Leo Olarte in a closed meeting as MMDA prepares for MM earthquake which goes through a 200 year cycle (it is due).  The preparation is called OMY (oplan metro yakal).  This is due to the proximity to West Valley fault which has a story of powerful quakes in the past

It will damage 13% of the 170,000 residential buildings and render more 1.2 million people homeless.  It can damage 20% of the govt hospitals, building and facilities.

 The earthquake will divide MM into four regions

 


Are we prepared;  are we ready.  As the Bible says, we do not know the time and hour of the day.



The Philstar article yesterday on the other hand, basing on the 2004 study made by JICA entitled MMEIR (Metro Manila Earthquake Impact Reduction) said 50,000 will be killed.  It also said 40% of the residential buildings will be affected:  170,000 houses will collapse and 340,000 will be damaged. JICA painted 18 scenarios

Are you afraid?  Are you prepared?

                                

823 aftershocks recorded 24 hours after earthquake

Social and political criticisms



From Philstar

The Philvolcs has recorded 823 aftershocks after the earthquake Tuesday (wow this plenty) as of 8 am this morning.  This was according to Defense Usec and Executive Director of NDRMMC Eduardo del Rosario.

These were not strong and serious aftershocks and is normal after an earthquake.  These will diminish in due time according to Philvolcs. Executive Director Renato Solidum
          

                 




 



             

Bohol earthquake the strongest in Visayas in 23 years and had the power of 32 Hiroshima A bombs?

Social and political criticisms

From Inquirer News | October 16, 2013



The earthquake yesterday in Bohol was the strongest in Visayas for the last 23 years and had the power of 32 A bombs dropped in Hiroshima Japan in l945. The A bomb dropped there had the power of 20,000 tons of TNT .  The earthquake destroyed centuries old churches, even modern buildings, disrupted power (no electricity but the wireless telecom held on) and destroyed roads.

Philvolcs said that the earthquake was due to movement of East Bohol fault (First time I heard about this;  guys be careful of the very tall buildings you put up because there is the Marikina fault.  When it moves after decades, we could just imagine the damages and number of fatalities)

The fatalities were few since offices and schools were closed being a holiday for Muslim holiday Eid al Adha.  Otherwise, there would have been more fatalities.

Old Churches in Cebu and Bohol destroyed; chocolate hills affected; 67 now confirmed dead

Social and political criticisms



                                                    
                                The earthquake collapsed sides of the chocolate hills


67 people were killed in the Magnitude 7.2 earthquake that hit Central Visayas at 8:12 am today.  The Loboc and Baclayon churces were damaged as well as the Sto Nino church.  Even the chocolate hills in Carmen, Bohol, the epicenter were damaged.
                     

              

                 
                    One of the towers in Chocolate Hills collapsed

Strong quake hits Visayas at 8:12 am today, 20 confirmed dead

Social and political criticisms

From Rappler   October 15, 2013

 

An intensity 7.2 eathquake hit Bohol at 8:12 today;  20 have been confirmed dead in the Visayas.  The epicenter as 2 km SE of Carmen Bohol (the site of Chocolate Hills ) and 33 km deep and tectonic in origin.

The rappler headline picture showed the Loboc church destroyed by the earthquake?

Is this earthquake a karma to the PDAF misappropiation?

Is it a warning to our politicians and public leaders?  Ha6