Monday, July 20, 2009

AIRTIME ROBBERY

The smart way to do business is to steal, is it? I call it a large scale estafa when millions of users unwittingly are being robbed with their eyes wide open. An example like in this instant case is when the expiration time of sim loads just disappear or shortened by the telecommunication companies acting as servers; this is stealing, plain and simple. I presume the people in the national telecommunication commission are receiving a rebate of their airtime loss, since there was no or unsatisfactory action whatsoever to curb these Mal practices of the rich telecoms companies.It has been for many years until now. Their technical capability to monitor compliance is ever doubtful.
Just imagine one million users who bought loads worth one hundred pesos, before it is all used up, suddenly there appears a message that sending has failed or a voice recording informing the cell phone owner that there is not enough balance left. But honest to goodness I for one knew I have still twenty five pesos left and I believe others who are similarly situated have the same amount lost in thin air too. Those balance that were taken if totaled can come up to roughly twenty-five million in just a few seconds multiply that in repetitions and you get ten to twelve digits in cash, again multiply it to seconds, minutes, hours, days, months and years. Surely you will lose tract of the figures. Literally it’s raining money at the main offices of these telecoms companies and they are getting away with it. Probably the national telecoms is helping them knowingly or unknowingly. The people keep spending more on these communication needs while sacrificing others that ought to be given equal attention. These acts of the telecoms companies is an economic sabotage that must be dealt with, wise or otherwise.

Friday, July 17, 2009

Why the Igorot Governor got very rich

When a country is ruled by good men prosperity abounds. But when tyrants and vampires occupy elective and public positions the country mourns.
Allow me to relate to you a few truths I came across with my little adventure among some politicians and their underdogs. How they manipulate and channel public funds to suit their personal needs.
Before an election the incumbent Governor will gather his cohorts and leaders from the capitol, Municipalities and barrios. The purpose of the meeting is to assess their logistics and capabilities. Employees who owe their employment to the governor are obliged to provide their contribution some are even pressured to obtain a loan to provide him more campaign funds. Contractors and business men who will support him are promised they will partake of the internal revenue allotment of the province amounting to several millions. This is the beginning of a string of corruption a public official commits.
During the campaign period huge cash is spent and much labor is contributed to the governor. Public employees campaign secretly in his favor. This is the second stage of corruption.
When the votes are cast and the incumbent governor wins, not unusual especially if there is a massive vote buying. This tge third stage of corruption.
Upon assumption of office the governor will meet with his executive committee composed of the Provincial accountant, Budget officer, treasurer and others whose interest are at stake. In this meeting the usual agenda is how and where to spend the internal revenue allotment of the province. Usually most of the suggestions that crop up are the juicy projects that are very profitable such as pathways, gyms, daycare centers, waiting sheds widening of existing roads and ripraps. All of these people work in unison to achieve their hideous plans. The provincial accountant justifies the expenditures to make all of them appear legal, accepting spurious receipts to liquidate certain transactions. While the budget officer advices the governor the many source of funds and how to spend them profitably. Meanwhile the treasurer will release with ease the pet project payments. This is the fourth stage of corruption.
The day starts with the bidding of projects as planned by the governor and his henchmen. The processes seemed legal since all the requirements were fulfilled. There are a million and one ways to go around the law specially the local government code. Loopholes are always available since most law makers are connected in one way or the other in these questionable dealings. You see the law allows as many bidders as possible to undertake certain projects but in the end only the people connected to the governor wins the bids. This is already a done deal you know, its payback time. I call this the fifth stage in corruption.
The moment projects are paid, twenty to thirty percent of the gross cost of the project is remitted to the governor, a time honored tradition among thieves and corrupt people. How about the provincial board a body that approves the budget ordinance, they should check these projects whether or not they are beneficial to the people? Actually some of those projects included by the governor to be accomplished are funded by the pork barrel of the board members so that they are more interested in pleasing their adherents just like the governor and of course their percentages too! This is the final stage of the corruption that completes the cycle.
I concentrated on the governor since his irresponsible and uncalled for acts are the same in every respect to all public officials even to the smallest unit of the government, the barrio.

Thursday, July 9, 2009

Freedom….. Of tyrants and corruption?

Talk about being free, not everyone have the same outlook do they? Invaders come and go freedom snatched as our forefathers watched; pent up anger and tears swell yet deeper they were pushed to hell. How I wish freedom is like the sunshine, bright and warm, a smile and an embrace of a mothers arm. Shall I compare it to a soft blowing wind, cold yet refreshing my dreary face? Or to a gentle falling rain that washes my sadness and pain? Oh freedom what a grotesque definition they made out of you…. man made and unnatural. Raging waves smashing the shore creating white sand beaches lined with smooth glittering pebbles. It is like a ravaging storm that drives away the smog. Should the citizens mourn before they are allowed to dance, cry before being joyful, be in the bosom of the long dark night before seeing the morning light or beaten before given a morsel of bread? Where does freedom take its side? the ordinary citizen who toil the soil, work in the deep recesses of the earth, run the toxic industries, raise food for all, and pay taxes for the government to spend? Freedom is on the side of the rulers. They pass, interpret and implement the laws promoting or limiting freedom even converting a right into a privilege. Only the moneyed people are benefited by the bills that guarantee freedom. What an irony to drive away the invaders from outside that trampled our freedom but greater are the conquerors that enslave from within, neither bullets, canons nor the most sophisticated weaponry can harm. Corruption controlling the legislators, magistrates and executives is now the tyrant that rules. In its hands they are but fools. They are fed with greed, pampered with pride while hypocrisy is their guide. Like lycanthropes they live among humans deceiving and preying on their innocence. A tyranny of rulers stealing freedom from the commoners…….