P-Noy “Crossed the Line”

What President Aquino did in threatening the Supreme Court during a policy speech to the nation earlier this week was  reckless and uncalled for.   It would have been okay if he  raised his issues and arguments to counter  the ruling on the DAP in support  of his motion for reconsideration. But he crossed the line. The president  is expected to be the first one to uphold and respect the Constitution.  Unfortunately, he   is putting Malacanang in a collision course with the Supreme Court. This  is tragic.

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BRIBING CONGRESS —Let us now shift from presidential to parliamentary system where both the executive and the legislative branches are one.    The prime minister is elected by the legislative assembly from among themselves.  Under our present presidential system, Malacanang will still have to BUY  legislative support– the price being in the form of projects, benefits, or plain  bribery using c’mons like the PDAF or  DAP to get them to cooperate. In a parliamentary set-up, both the executive and legislative are ONE. There’s no need to bribe them. Let’s amendment our Constitution asap!

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WRONG MOVE ON PLASTICS — During the   Philippine Press Institute seminars  on “green technology”  for journalists in Baguio and Cebu, I got convinced that the campaign for a shift to paper bags to replace plastic bags  is a mistake. Paper bags are made from trees   and they are not re-usable. We will further  deplete our forests if we continue to promote widespread use of paper bags. Plastics, if properly disposed can be recycled many times over into many forms. So, the campaign should not be to ban plastics but how to dispose of them properly.

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SUSTAINABLE MINING– During a policy forum on mining at the DAP (not the notorious unconstitutional one but the Development Academy of the Philippines) in Makati a few days ago, the president of the Canadian Business Chamber Mr. Julian Payne  pointed out that the proposed fiscal and tax proposals that are being considered by Malacanang will effectively  kill the mining industry in the country. It will be a pity because 30% of land in the Philippines are mineralized or replete with precious metals that can help improve the lives, especially of those in remote, far-flung areas where mine sites are usually found. We should support sustainable and responsible mining even as we advocate for risk mitigation measures to protect the environment. To kill the industry is a big mistake.

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RAMADHAN —The month-long fasting for the Muslims world-wide is halfway over. It will end on July 29 , called  Ed’l Fitre which has been declared a national holiday.  For the benefit of the non-Muslims,  the fasting and the worship during RAMADHAN is to commemorate the time when   the holy book, KORAN was revealed to Prophet Muhammad. During the 30-day period, Muslims voluntarily refrain from food, including water  and other normal activities from dawn till sunset. It is only after sunset that they break their fast. It  is called “iftar”,an Arabic word.