Editorial
Sibulan policymakers
have yet to mature
in taking criticisms
The test of credible leadership is for policymakers to be able to takeconstructive criticismslightheartedly, professionallyanddevoidof
hard feelings.
More...

Dateline Manila
Poverty: A Political Time Bomb
by Bingo P. Dejaresco
The War against Poverty (a political bomb) is a race against time.
Unfortunately, the sand in the hourglass is depleting fast – and the pangs of
hunger cannot be borne interminably. Ulcers could set inevitably – and men with
such condition usually have bad temper.
More...

THINKING FREE
BY SALETO J. ERAMES
“Sakit sa Libog”
There is too much politics in our country and it is not doing us any good!
Too much politics is the virus that causes a political disease called “SAKIT SA LIBOG”, which presently infects our country. It is very difficult to translate “SAKIT SA LIBOG” to English.
We can only describe some symptoms, to wit: we have lost our sense of direction; too many proposed solutions which do not solve; dealing with spiritual problems in political terms; enriching in public office is more paramount than public service; surrendering to the allures of money, etc.
The Abueva commission is proposing what it calls a parliamentary system. However, I believe that what is being considered to be proposed is the “dual-executive” system, in which there is a President directly elected by the people, who is vested with immense political power.
There is another executive called the Prime Minister who is chosen by parliament, also vested with vast political power. This is a Marcosian proposal, a manifestation of SAKIT SA LIBOG.
SAKIT SA LIBOG has become very serious with the entry of church men into the pernicious fracas which has attained a scandalous proportion. Our only consolation is Bishops know how to pray. Heaven watch the Philippines!

Customs Foils Int’l carnapping syndicate

Another Joke?
Mayor Perdices’ jokes never fail to make me laugh
and I have always admired his sense of humor of
which he has plenty. Anybody who knows him
personally knows what I mean. I suppose that is what endears him to many people. I just came across a news item which said and I quote, “Perdices said the coming in of big malls will not kill the small businesses because competition is always for the benefit of the
consumers.*JG “ as quoted by cable TV newsman Choy Gallarde.
I can’t help but treat this as another of his jokes as we know pretty well that large malls like SM, Robinson’s and Lee Plaza will eventually kill the small businesses around it. We know of course that these malls can always sell cheaper thereby killing the small business. That’s what competition is all about. But
progress does have its casualties. What we really should be happy about is that at last we are now seeing our city expand its horizons, in spite of our brand of city government. Have a nice day!*

Pity the Little Children
by Art Umbac
T here is no sight as beautiful as that of a happy
child – sparkling with life, full of laughter, beam
ing with innocence.
More...

MUMBAKI
The power of opinion
Opinion writing is indeed a great and wonderful experience as one reaches a plateau in his writ ing career and is able to see through and live in the lives of others as the opportunity likewise allows him to embrace a very complex evil world, and yet learn to mature in beliefs and faith.
More...

Copyright© 2005 Negros Chronicle. All Rights Reserved