Andanar’s shoe on the other foot

Last week, nearly a year after he joined President Duterte’s stable of trusted lieutenants, Secretary Martin M. Andanar of the Presidential Communications Operations Office took an evening off to dine with media girls at XO 46 Estancia, Pasig. He seemed unperturbed by the eager questioning of his companions as he nibbled at slices of crispy pata and fried rice. His hair had ringlets in front, because he no longer stiffened it with jelly. He looked good, tall and on the heavy side – this Surigao native who had been whisked away by the president from broadcasting to handling media affairs in Malacañang because he was reported during the presidential campaign to be saying good things about the former mayor of Davao City whom he had not met personally.

He said last year that his new role was like his shoe being on the other foot. While before he was fed with bits and pieces of newsy items and making comments on people and events, now he was feeding mainstream media and the public on what his boss was up to – for the good of the country.

In his first-year annual report he says, the PCOO has been the lead arm of the Philippine government and at the forefront in covering all bases on-ground, on-air, on-print, and online. He has revamped and revitalized several of his agencies “in order to bring the best coverage in the general tri-media and social media.” Through PTV 4, Radyo Pilipinas, Philippine Information Agency and Philippine News Agency, “We make sure to keep the Filipino people informed of the news that matters.” Added to the expansion has been the implementation of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Executive Order and the creation of the Presidential Task Force on Media Security.

Along the way, the secretary has had to keep some of his staff in check for erroneous reporting and unthinking use of wrong pictures to illustrate stories. He also had to come to the defense of those some sectors feel are not fit for the job. He must know that false and malicious (in other words, bastos) social media reporting carelessly propounded by Duterte followers does the President more harm than good.

Andanar’s media blitz covers a host of concerns, requiring sweat and tears to reach out to the public. Gaining currency is the term Dutertenomics, described as “the president’s blueprint for the country’s economic development and social progress.” This pragmatic economic strategy, according to Andanar, is as follows: ridding the streets nationwide of criminals, freeing people from the menace of drug abuse, bringing lasting peace to the southern islands, and neutralizing extremist and terrorist groups. The basic premise is that, “by restoring peace and order and the rule of law, everything else will follow, including economic and social development.”

Andanar positively declares that since the Duterte administration took over the reins of office, the economy is “on a roll” with gross domestic product (GDP) growing by 7.1 percent in the third quarter of 2016. Business, investor and consumer confidence are high. People feel safe and secure in the streets and at home.”

The proposed Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion Act (TRAIN) is touted to benefit 99 percent of Filipino taxpayers and help sustain the government’s accelerated spending on infrastructure, education, health and social protection programs.

TRAIN’s intended beneficiaries are the 99 per cent of taxpayers, including the working and middle class such as teachers, clerks, call center agents, police officers, soldiers and medical personnel – and the top one percent comprising the richest households who will help invest in the country’s future by paying higher taxes.

The proposed TRAIN or House Bill No. 5636 aims to slash personal income tax rates, lower donor’s and estate taxes, and at the same time adjust the excise taxes on fuel and automobiles, broaden the value-added tax base and implement a tax on sugar-sweetened beverages among other measures.

Andanar’s team will have its hands tied explaining through tri-media what the Tax Reform Package is all about. First, taxes are a fearsome word. If TRAIN benefits working and middle class workers, what about entrepreneurs in the underground economy? The poor, who live on hand-to-mouth existence? Already, the talk that consumer goods will cost higher, has even us journalists worrying about making both ends meet. The price of sardines and corned beef, cooking oil and soap will be higher. How about the lavanderas and street sweepers – how can they survive?

Andanar’s report on the campaign vs drugs and crime lists the number of drug abuse treatments and rehabilitation centers, how many severe drugs users have been admitted, and how many are drug surrenderees. It contains nothing about how many drug users have been killed – by the PNP, or by extra-judicial killing.

The good news is that the government’s unified campaign against illegal drugs has been launched under the name of REHABINASYON. The program has three components – real numbers, real solutions, and real stories. These components are based on the five pillars of action, namely, drug demand and supply reduction, civic awareness, treatment and rehabilitation, and alternative development. These components are designed to make sure that not one of the afflicted Filipinos will be left behind.

As to the raging war in Marawi, Andanar’ brief has no brief.

Andanar’s job is without a doubt a killing one. We should help him in ways we can, as we should help President Duterte make true his claim of improving the lives of all Filipinos.

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Congratulations to Ancheta K. Tan, president emeritus of the Employers Confederation of the Philippines, who was recently elected by the governing body of the International Labor Organization, to one of the seats representing employers of the Asia Pacific countries in the Geneva-based international body.

He will serve a term of three years from 2017 to 2020. The governing body, which is the policy making organ of the International Labor Organization, meets for its deliberations in Geneva during the months of March, June and November every year.

Before his election to the prestigious international body, Tan was elected president of the Asean Confederation of Employers (ACE) composed of employers’ federations of seven countries, namely, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and the Philippines. His assumption to the ACE presidency was formalized in a meeting among ACE members held in Phnom Penh, Cambodia last May 12.

Tan holds the distinction as the only Philippine business leader who was elected to the two positions twice. He was first elected ACE president in 1996 and as a Titular Member of the ILO Governing Body the same year.

He is a founding partner of Castillo Laman Tan Pantaleon & San Jose, a major law firm engaged in the general practice of law in the Philippines.

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I just learned that Bro. Armin of Dela Salle U is promoting contributions of lipstick to teachers of Marawi. I guess new and partly used lipstick will do. As we all know, nice-looking teachers help perk up students. To donate, log in to http://www.dlszobel.eu.phl?p:13407.

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