A ‘thank you’ would be nice

I just saw a video posted on Facebook page of Visor, the online motoring magazine that featured Mr. Ramon Ang of San Miguel Corporation that was captioned: “Let this man solve our flooding problems.”

In a rare moment of candidness laced with humor in the end, Ang shared his sentiments with members of the media, particularly those that have made him the scapegoat regarding flooding: “Wala ng baha ang Roxas district, wala ring baha ang Rizal dahil nilinis natin up to Laguna Bay. Yung Napindan channel intersection ng Marikina at ng Mangahan floodway di ba wala ring baha, kasi inalis natin ang bara doon. Pero sir napansin niyo ba South Luzon expressway-Alaska-San Pedro taon-taon nagbabaha, bakit ngayon walang baha, kasi ginawan namin ng bagong drainage, bagong pipeline, yung bagong pipeline going to San Pedro river.”

“Yung Bicutan nakita mo three weeks ago grabe ang baha, galit na galit lahat ng tao. Hindi naman kami ang may kasalanan noon. Hindi ko na ituturo kung sino may kasalanan, pero sinolve namin, naggawa kami ng bagong tubo. O meron pa bang baha ang Bicutan? O bakit hindi niyo naalala ako pasalamatan doon eh libre kong ginawa yun? Bakit lagi niyo akong sinisisi?”

Knowing RSA and the San Miguel Corporate philosophy of shying away from publicity, it is safe to say that they are not asking for public recognition or acknowledgement but, on the other hand, RSA is setting the record straight that they (SMC) have voluntarily done more to clear clogged waterways, dredge shallow rivers and placed engineering solutions to solve flooding in and around Metro Manila, all for free.

Yes, a “Thank You” would be nice.

*      *      *

No one may have noticed it, but Chinese officials are clearly playing us for fools and toying with the Philippines regarding their attacks on Philippine boats. For instance, consider the offer of certain Chinese officials to conduct joint patrols in the West Philippine Sea and to sit down to find ways to resolve the conflict in the area.

In the first place, if China did not illegally lay claim to the West Philippine Sea, there would be no conflict. If Chinese militia vessels and Chinese Coast Guard ships did not attack or harass Filipino and foreign vessels in the area, there would be no conflict. If China simply honored their participation in UNCLOS and the arbitral ruling there would be no conflict.

But to add insult to injury, phantom Chinese officials offer joint patrols in order to keep us away from dancing with western nations, Japan and Australia. How do we participate or keep up with the Chinese side given our very few watercraft, patrol boats and limited fuel? It’s a proposal laced with sarcasm and insult.

If China were sincere or serious about its offer to work towards cooperation, then the least they should do is ban Chinese militia ships from the area and sternly instruct their Coast Guard vessels to distance themselves from civilian boats and fishing vessels. But they won’t.

On the other hand, Filipinos, the Philippine media and government officials should impose a voluntary news blackout on any and all ridiculous statements and proposals from China, like propaganda statements from Beijing or the Chinese embassy. The point is to counter or invalidate any and all false claims, false statements or fake news being sent out to local and international media.

Instead of focusing on fake news affecting the administration, PBBM and his communications team should work on preventing officials from reacting, commenting or responding to any statement that is self-serving for the China side or is false, inaccurate or insulting. Now more than ever President Bongbong Marcos should put his campaign slogan about “UNITY” to use.

*      *      *

Given the over P9 billion that the administration has requested for confidential intelligence funds, President Marcos Jr. should consider calling in the NICA or National Intelligence Coordinating Agency, ISAFP or Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the DOJ-NBI and Bureau of Immigration to seriously assess the existence of foreign or domestic agents who work for a foreign state or are threats to our national security.

After hearing the pushback of Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson Jay Tarriela against UNPATRIOTIC TRAITORS, it only follows that the national government and the intelligence community should look into the matter seriously. During pre-pandemic times, I remember a bunch of pro-China locals parading down Roxas Boulevard waving the flag of China. Lest we forget, there were also those banners that were displayed on a few overpasses declaring the Philippines as a province of China.

I will leave the diplomacy and regional politics to the experts, but let’s not ignore the serious need to manage potential threats to our peace and stability.

*      *      *

After the high impact attack of president Rodrigo Duterte on the chaos on Boracay Island, it would be safe to say that it has all turned out to be ningas cogon or a flash in the pan in terms of fixing the problems of the island.

Figuratively speaking, the main beach has become a real tourist trap in many ways, most especially after the Duterte forces demolished so many structures but did not do a good job of clearing the debris. Time and again you will see tourists tripping over leftover steel bars, hollow block chips and PVC pipes. For all the money the island generates you would think that a wheelchair-, PWD-friendly path could be constructed. But there’s none.

Of course, my pet peeve remains to be the Third World quality of internet and mobile connectivity on the island! Forget a scam- and spam-free Philippines since the SIM card registration law has apparently failed to stop criminals, but can the DICT and the DOT at least make sure that tourist destinations such as Boracay etc., has world class LTE-5G signals and internet so we can at least access online reservations!

*      *      *

E-mail: [email protected]