I remain with Lakas-Kampi-CMD

This morning I attended the National Convention of the Lakas-Kampi-CMD party at PICC. I twitted it on Facebook. My best friend asked me why I was still with Lakas, when to be linked with Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's party would mean the 'kiss of death' to any aspiring politician.

His question reminded me of the answer of one former cabinet secretary on why he joined an opposition party as its senatorial candidate. The guy said he and his showbiz wife scoured their province and asked for the pulse of the people. Allegedly, their constituents wanted them to support Noynoy Aquino because he gave them hope. Noynoy was the standard bearer of the Liberal Party. And that's why the former lawmaker jumped ship to LP. To run under the party of Noynoy.

In a sense, the LP has become Noynoy's Party.

And this is precisely the reason why I remain with Lakas-Kampi-CMD. Not because of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. Not because of Gilbert Teodoro. Not because of any person, past or present.

I am with Lakas-Kampi-CMD the same way Al Gore was with the Democratic Party. The same way John McCain stuck it out with the Republicans. The same way Gordon Brown is with the Labour Party. And the same way why Angela Merkel is with the Christian Democrat Union.

Because we believe in our party.

We believe in its principles and ideology.

Lakas-Kampi-CMD is not about GMA or Gibo.

It's about respecting the rights and dignity of every person.

It's about advocating for policies rooted with Christian values.

it's all about the attainment of the common good as the objective of political society.

it's not being too liberal, and it's not being too conservative. It's being at the center.

it's adhering to Aristotle's teachings on balance and obtaining what Ateneo Prof. Ibana taught me in Philo. class as the 'medyo-medyo'--the mean.

To be specific, to believe in Lakas means to be liberal enough to believe in the free market economy. Let the market decide for itself. But at the same time to also be conservative enough to believe in some regulation, so that incidents like Lehman Brothers and the Sub-Prime Crisis could be avoided.

This, in a nut shell, is what Lakas means to me.

And I remain loyal to it--GMA's kiss notwithstanding.

Because the party, like i said, should be about ideology. Not about personality.

Eh kung hindi rin lang, eh 'wag na tayo maglokohan. Abolish the Nacionalista Party and call it Villar's Team. Abolish the Liberal Party and name it Noynoy's Posse. And abolish Lakas-Kampi-CMD and rename it to Gloria's Group.

Herdy Yumul writes about me in Ilocos Times. Thanks, Herdy!

by: HERDY LA. YUMUL


IT’S BEEN five weeks since I did an interviewee with the young man, but I have been dilly-dallying on writing about him.

And it’s not because the congressional-son-cum-Sangguniang-Panlalawigan-member is uninteresting.

In fact, Kris is any journalist’s ideal interviewee. He is brilliant, conversant, open, candid, reflexive, and, above all, sincere. He is also sensitive. You can talk to him for hours (in my case three) without hohum. But then you may say that I am an academician, and, being such, I can stand long conversations even with the nerd of nerds with the thickest spectacles ranting with nosebleed- inducing jargon. Maybe so, but not quite.

I first met Kris when he ran as chair of the UP Diliman Student Council in 2004. “He is the son of Congressman Ablan,” said my friend, pointing at Kris who was then doing the “otso-otso” routine during a campaign activity in a student dormitory inside the campus. Surprisingly, Kris, then a virtually unknown at UP, won over Atom Araullo (now with ABS-CBN), standard-bearer of STAND-UP, the more popular political party.

You would expect, dear karikna, that I voted for Kris. After all, he is our kailian, and Ilocanos are known to be a tight group. Nope, I voted for Atom, and for good reason. He was a brother in the struggle. In the streets, I had locked arms with Atom a couple of times fighting a regime Kris’ father so ardently supports.

Three years after, I would meet Kris again in front of my house at Ablan Avenue, Laoag City. He was then campaigning for a seat in the provincial board. Warm and convivial he was, but, he did not, yet again, earn my vote. Let me explain to you why. Roquito Ablan is known to be a skilful politician, you would think that his son Kris’ venture into local politics is part of the former’s political master plan. Having served the maximum number of consecutive terms, the old Ablan could just be fielding his son as a dummy (like one mayor in the second district is perceived by many).

“Not really,” says Kris, who explains that he, the youngest among nine siblings, is the only one drawn to law and politics. Thus, their family does not constitute a political dynasty, unlike many other known clans in the country. Kris says his father never pressured him to take up law, but that he was happy, no doubt, when he followed his footsteps. He adds that when he was growing up, his dad was already “just an ordinary congressman,” no longer the force he was during the Marcos dictatorship.

That Kris is the first district congressman’s son is a doubleedged sword. On one hand, having an institution for a father means the political infrastructure is laid out on a red carpet for him, which could prove helpful as Kris is now a hundred percent bent on running for the post his father will be vacating next year. On the other hand, a lot of people I know are not inclined to vote for Kris simply because he is his father’s son.

Remember that Teteng Sales, a lightweight, almost beat the reelectionist congressman in 2007. In fact, Ablan’s win is even under protest as Sales challenges the veracity of poll results. Sales almost won not because he had sterling credentials, but simply because the people have grown tired and weary of the old Ablan. Many would say, “Ubingak pay lang ket Ablan idin, awan met mapaspasamak.” (It’s been Ablan since I was a child, but nothing is happening.)

Kris agrees that his father is not much into doing landmark legislation nowadays but it is because he allows the younger ones to carry out that role. He further defends his father by saying, “It is not in the mould of an Ablan (he speaks of the name, fully cognizant of its prestige) to brag about his accomplishments.”
But a colleague in media texted me this when he learned that I was going to write about the bokal, “Kris is in a bind. He’s sincere but he’s still the son of the prince of darkness. If only you know how much damage the father has and is doing to our Ilocos Norte.”

Methinks Roquito Ablan may, by all measures, be a traditional politician, but mainly because it was the game of his time. He served his province by playing politics in ways he saw fit, which include swaying loyalties from one power to the other, and just by simply being the typical congressman who savors receiving his share of the pork barrel fund, a fuel for corruption disguised as support for countryside development. He may not have been a spectacular legislator, yes, but he was not terrible either. At 78, he will soon take a bow from politics, without getting himself and our province embroiled in any major controversy.

But, Kris is his own man. In spite of (or is it because of?) his father, Kris consciously packages himself as politician of a new breed. He first got my approval when, last January, he released calendars that featured beautiful scenery here in Ilocos Norte. Kris thought well not to include his face in the calendar. He only had his name on a small corner. The print was so miniscule, most people would need a magnifying glass to read it.

In his blog, window to his ruminant mind, Kris wrote, “The project was actually conceptualized many, many years ago when my dad came out with calendars with his face as the main picture (like all politicians with calendar giveaways). I thought to myself, ‘What if people didn’t want to look at your face every day?’ ‘What if they just wanted to see scenery?’” From then on, he got my attention.

While opposing parties engaged in a media war at the height of the proposed Laoag mall controversy, Kris worked swiftly, bringing in Ivan Henares of the Heritage Conservation Society to drum up support in the fight to save a rare architectural beauty which the city government and the Diocese of Laoag wanted torn down in the name of profit. He would later sponsor a resolution imposing a moratorium on tearing down or renovating school properties at least fifty years of age, thus saving the majestic Laoag Central Elementary School. It is a breath of fresh air that Kris performs his duties fully cognizant that the power he bears I not a birthright, but a mandate emanating from a people he is duty bound to serve. For instance, even if it’s not required by law, he distributes an annual accomplishment report which details his legislative accomplishments, and his disbursements of public funds for programs and projects.

At one point during the interview, Kris was even teary-eyed (or so it appeared to me). The struggle he faces is real, and I could feel it. He has to win an election, but our rotten and immature political system makes it very hard for decent people to claim victory without sacrificing ideals, without being desensitized. Still he is unafraid to make decisions his jaded colleagues consider as political suicide. Also, Kris refuses to engage in tried-but-tired political propaganda, unlike his potential opponent who has cluttered public spaces with “Happy Graduation,” “Happy Fiesta,” and other happy greetings. Likewise, he refuses to have his name bannered prominently in any project, big or small.

The moment I saw some of my students and colleagues at the state university silently shed tears while the bespectacled young man, in a well-attended forum, detailed his sojourn as a young politician crying for reform, I knew, Kris Ablan is an antidote to politics-as-usual. But, while showing qualities that run counter from those of his father, he may eventually have to take advantage of the perks of being an incumbent’s son. That is why he has been seen lately in inauguration and turnover ceremonies of his father’s projects funded by the pork barrel fund. Kris can be a noble congressman, but first he has to win.

There are many other interesting things Kris told me “off the record,” but I assure you, dear karikna, that they are all good, and they but heightened my respect for the young man.

I dilly-dallied on writing about him but only because I did not want to be so hasty in saying: Let’s support Kris, in spite of, not because of, his father. If you are a decent, mature, forward-looking citizen, there is no way you cannot like him. Unless he gets desensitized too soon, Kris may yet be the Ablan family’s biggest contribution to the nation.

www.riknakem.wordpress.com

What we at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan are doing to improve the services at the Gov. Roque B. Ablan Sr Memorial Hospital

I haven't blogged in Multiply for the longest time. Parang napabayaan ko na ito sa Facebook.

Starting today, I will update my contacts here in Multiply and Facebook on what's been happening at the Provincial Capitol.

For my first entry, I will talk about the Gov. Roque B. Ablan Sr. Memorial Hospital (GRBASMH).

GRBASMH is the Provincial Hospital of Ilocos Norte. It was a project of my late grandfather when he was still governor in 1939. That's the reason why it was named after him. For the record, the Ablan family does NOT own GRBASMH, the same way the Aquino family does not own the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. GRBASMH is PGIN property. It is located in Laoag City and is a tertiary level hospital.

I don't know the quality of service at GRBASMH or ownership thereof prior to 1991, but I know after the passage of the Local Government Code, HEALTH CARE was devolved from the National Government (DOH) to the LGUs. And since that time, I've heard, the quality of service rendered in GRBASMH has deteriorated.

From my studies, the reason why service is bad is because the PGIN was not prepared or trained to operate a hospital. This problem is not unique to Ilocos Norte--there are dozens of public tertiary hospitals out there that are poorly managed by local governments.

At present, the GRBASMH is handled like a typical gov't office. It submits a yearly budget along with other offices to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan at around September-October and then we scrutinize it. We approve their budget in November and the Governor signs the Annual Budget in December.

The problem with this set-up is that unlike other local gov't offices that can be sustained with a fixed annual budget, a hospital can't. For example, there may be medicines/supplies available in January (since it's the start of Quarter 1), but come February and March, the hospital would run out of these supplies. It has to wait for Quarter 2 (April) to come in for the 2nd release of funds. The same problem appears at the end of Q2, Q3 and Q4.

Another setback is that what the hospital earns in a year does not necessarily mean it will also get the same amount for its budget the next year. For example, let's say the hospital earned 20 million in 2008. In 2009, it won't get 20 million. It will probably get 15-17 million only. The 3 million goes to some other department. This is because all the income of the hospital goes to the general fund of the PGIN. Kaya nag-de-deteriorate yung services sa ospital. Hindi ginaganahan ang mga doctors and staff kasi yung hirap at pagod nila, hindi naman bumabalik. Walang incentive to work hard.

A third dilemma was the outdated rate of the medical/laboratory fees. Some were not changed since 1992! And it turned out that the hospital was subsidizing a lot of the services it was rendering for a long time, which I felt was counter-productive.

SO, WHAT HAVE WE DONE ABOUT IT?

Well, for starters, we updated the rates of the medical/laboratory fees. Para mabawasan na yung malaking subsidy na pati yung mga non-indigent eh nakikinabang.

Second, we authorized Gov. Keon to hire Mariano Marcos Memorial Hospital's Dr. Otayza to take over the management of the GRBASMH. She brought with her her training on managing a profitable, efficient and service-oriented healthcare center.

Third, we created a trust fund for medicines and laboratory materials. So instead of going back to the general fund, income from medicines and laboratory materials go to a special revolving fund that would be used to purchase more medicines and laboratory materials.

Last, the Governor, Dr. Otayza, Dr. and Board Member Castro, and we at the SP are currently drafting an ordinance converting the GRBASMH into an economic enterprise, similar to the ones in Negros Oriental, Pangasinan and La Union, so that in the future GRBASMH would be self-sustaining.

So, there. That's what your local legislators are doing to improve the delivery of health services here in the Province.

See, your taxes are working!

Voters Registration in Northwestern University on August 12

Who: To all NWU Students who are residents of Laoag City and who have not yet registered for the 2010 Elections.

What: COMELEC On-Campus (Satellite) Voters Registration

When: 12 August 2009, from 830am to 4:00pm

Where: Student Center, Northwestern University, Laoag City, Ilocos Norte

Organized by: Youth Vote Ilocos Norte

COMELEC

Northwestern University

Magparehistro na!

2008-2009 Annual Accomplishment Report

30 June 2009

Dear Kailian,

Kablaaw!

I am proud to report to you the accomplishments of my 2nd year in office as one of your Provincial Board Members in the 7th Sangguniang Panlalawigan of the Province of Ilocos Norte.

LEGISLATION

First and foremost, as your local legislator, I filed another nineteen (19) draft provincial ordinances this past year. I am happy to inform you that nine (9) of my proposals were enacted into law.

For the welfare and protection of our youth, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, headed by Vice-Governor Windell D. Chua, approved Provincial Ordinance No. 30-2008, imposing fines to parents of minors caught operating motor vehicles; Provincial Ordinance No. 32-2008, regulating the sale of inhalants, particularly paint thinners, solvents, adhesives and rugby to minors; and Provincial Ordinance No. 37-2008, regulating the registration and use of airsoft guns in the province.

To help our indigent brothers and sisters in need of blood, we increased the province’s financial assistance to the Blood Handling Fee Fund of the Philippine National Red Cross through Provincial Appropriation Ordinance No. 45-2009, also known as the Blood Samaritan Ordinance of 2009.

To repay our fellow Ilocano Balikbayans who have been giving so much of their resources to the community, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan passed Provincial Ordinance No. 42-2009, more popularly known as The Balikbayan Benefits Ordinance of 2009.

And in the matter of increasing local revenue in order for the Provincial Government to serve you better, we revised the Ilocos Norte Revenue Code (Provincial Tax Ordinance No. 01-2008), which took effect 1 January 2009.

Other proposals, which are still pending in the committee-level, include the creation of an Ilocos Norte People’s Council, imposing a tax for the usage of disposable plastic bags, granting additional benefits to Barangay Micro Business Enterprises, prohibiting patient dumping, granting a special leave to employees for their business transactions, and allowing free admission to senior citizens at the Rizal Park,

I also drafted sixteen (16) resolutions. Among the nine (9) approved were resolutions expressing support for Senate Bill 2404—creating the Health and Education Acceleration Program (HEAP) Corporation, SB 3014—strengthening the National Cultural Commission for Culture and Arts, SB 2923—constituting a Constitutional Convention to amend the 1987 Constitution, HB 4244—protecting the Red Cross emblems, and SB 2357—the Anti-Video Voyeurism Bill; urging first-time voters to register for the 2010 National Elections; and, requesting the Supreme Court to designate a Small Claims Court here in the province.

I enclose a list of my legislative accomplishments for year 2008-2009 (Annex “A”) for your perusal and review.

PROGRAMS

Second, from July 2008 to June 2009, with the help of various government agencies and the private sector, we were able to organize a number of activities, which I hope benefited our constituents.

A. Japan Skills and Technology Transfer Program – With the help of Ocean Bridge and Arc Foundation (OBAF) and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), trained selected individuals for 3-year internship/skills training (i.e. electronics, welding, painting, etc.) in Japan. As of 30 June 2009, 6 have been deployed to Japan, while 2 are awaiting their deployment in October. Most of the trainees come from Bacarra.

B. Adult Legal Education Seminars – Together with the U.P. Law Center - Training and Convention Division, we organized adult legal education seminars for barangay officials and lupon members under its Popularize the Law Program (POPLAW). Topics include the Local Government Code, the Katarungang Pambarangay Law, the Anti-Violence Against Women and Children Act, and the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act. For 2008-2009, we held seminars in Vintar and Sarrat.

C. Inmate Skills Training and Livelihood Program – In cooperation with the Ilocos Norte Provincial Jail (INPJ) and TESDA, gave a welding machine (with materials & equipment) and are in the process of providing skills training to inmates of the INPJ for them to fabricate trash cans, road signs, window frames, and other steel products for use of the community.

D. Additional Saguip Maestra Teachers – Sponsored additional teachers to teach in public elementary schools not covered by the Saguip Maestra Program. Beneficiaries of this program include Sta. Maria Elementary School in Laoag City and Gubang Elementary School in Vintar.

E. Vocational Course Scholarships – Sponsored poor but deserving students to study Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW II) and Care Giver courses in INCAT, PrimaCare and Takuat Training Center.

F. On Campus Voter Registration – In cooperation with the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) and Youth Vote Philippines, we organized on campus voter registration for college students. Held one in Mariano Marcos State University – Batac City last February 2009. Will conduct similar registration in Northwestern University, Divine Word College of Laoag and Northern Christian College this coming July - August 2009.

G. Sports Clinic – In cooperation with the Amateur Softball Association of the Philippines (ASAPHIL), the Ilocos Norte Sports Development Council (INSDC) and the Department of Education (DepEd), we organized a sports clinic for softball players and a seminar for coaches and umpires. The 3-day event, held on 12-14 June 2009 at Marcos Stadium, was participated by over 150 coaches and close to 50 players.

H. Sports Equipment - Courtesy of the Philippine Sports Commission, we are giving various sports equipment to schools and youth organizations. Early recipients include the Piddig South Central Elementary School, the Cavit-Araniw Elementary School and the Ilocos Norte Provincial Jail.

I. Bikes for the Barrios – With the help of Wheels 4 Life Foundation, we gave twenty-five (25) bikes to poor but deserving high school students living in far flung barangays for their use in commuting to and from school. Recipients include students living in Adams and Dumalneg.

J. Tourism Promotion – Winning photos of the Zoom IN photo contest were used to produce 2009 calendars, which promoted Ilocos Norte tourism.

K. Medical Mission - Together with the Gov. Roque B. Ablan Memorial Hospital, the U.P. PGH and the Office of Rep. Roque R. Ablan, we conducted a medical and dental mission in Brgy. Davila, Pasuquin last 7 June 2009.

L. Feeding Program – Sponsored a two (2) month (for July-August 2009) feeding program for elementary school students in Carasi.

M. Natural Family Planning Program – As acting chairman of the Population Development Committee, with the assistance of the Population Commission (POPCOM), conducted reproductive health seminars in schools and barangays around the province; and with the help of the INPJ Women Inmates, we manufactured menstrual cycle bead necklaces for distribution to married couples.

PROJECTS

Finally, of the Seven Hundred Fifty Thousand Pesos (PhP 750,000.00) entrusted to me by Gov. Michael Marcos Keon from the Provincial Development Fund (July 2008 to June 2009), much was used to support barangays projects. Assistance came in the form of cement, G.I. sheets, plywood, grass cutters, mountain bikes, monobloc chairs, gasulettes, and tents, among others. I enclose a record of all my disbursements (Annex “B”) for your information.

It is an honor and a privilege to represent the People of the 1st District of Ilocos Norte in the 7th Sangguniang Panlalawigan. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to do so.

I look forward to serving you in this last year of my 3-year term.

God bless the People of Ilocos Norte!


Very truly yours,

(signed)
Kristian R. Ablan
Laoag City, Ilocos Norte

Annex A
Annex B

Two Roads Diverged in a Yellow Wood... One Cemented, the Other Not...

I drove to Brgy. Visaya in the mountainous area of Vintar the other day to deliver some cement. The road leading up to the barangay is not cemented. Neither is it asphalted. It is a dirt road with some sand and gravel spread out so that tires could hold on to something. I recon it would be difficult to drive during rainy weather as the dirt would turn into mud.

The situation has been like this for the longest time. I often ask myself why it hasn't been asphalted or cemented yet.

On the other hand, a few days before I went to Vintar, I drove through Piddig. On the way to the wake of my friend Eddie Gregorio, I encountered some road construction. What puzzled me was that just last month the same road seemed perfectly normal to me. It was cemented--flat and solid. In some parts, the construction workers were putting soil, as if to raise the height of the road. In other parts, they were destroying the cemented road. Still, in another portion of the road, they were pouring asphalt over the existing cemented road!

Why ruin a perfectly fine road to make another one?

Then I realized the difference between the road in Vintar and the road in Piddig.

The road in Vintar is a Municipal Road. Hence, the burden to develop and cement it is on the local government. And since the municipal government of Vintar doesn't have enough funds to maintain its roads, they remain to be the way they are--dirt roads.

On the other hand, the road passing through Piddig is a National Road, and hence under the jurisdiction of the Department of Public Works and Highways. Apparently, the national government has cemented all of the national roads here in the first district and they have so much money because of GMA's stimulus package, that they have no alternative but to destroy perfectly fine cemented roads to build new ones.

Can you believe that? Such a waste of taxpayers money!

And even if we get to convince the District Engineer to cement the municipal road, under the law the DPWH cannot. It would be illegal.

Because by virtue of the Local Government Code of 1991, the maintenance of municipal, city and provincial roads have been devolved to the LGUs.

But the problem is not all LGUs can maintain their road networks. Hirap sila. Either maliit ang IRA-share nila, or they have so many concerns more pressing than road concreting (i.e. health, education, etc.).

And so we are where we are. The municipal road in Vintar remains to be a dirt road because the town cannot afford to cement it, while the national road crossing Piddig is being "upgraded" once again because, well, they ran out of national roads to construct.

What a dysfunctional system we have.

Why go by bike

Read this 30-page on-line book and learn why riding a bike can help the environment and your health!

http://issuu.com/cicle/docs/bicycle-lifestyle-guide

My PRK Laser Eye Surgery Experience

I've worn eye glasses since Grade 6, I think. I found out when the school conducted its yearly medical check-up for all students. The doctor at the school clinic told me I had a problem with my vision and it would be best for me to go to an eye doctor. And since then, I've been wearing glasses. Here is what I looked like with glasses back in 2005, when I graduated from the U.P. College of Law:

My wife told me I look cute with glasses. But for more than 20 years I've been wearing them and it gave me some problems. It held me back in doing a lot of things. I couldn't play sports that much. I played baseball wearing normal glasses when I was in grade 7 and a ball hit me in the eye. As a result, I had to get those geeky-looking sports goggles for me to wear every game. It really looked.

I didn't (and still don't) enjoy swimming because I can't see. The grades of my eyes have jumped to 900.

It's hard for me to jog because after a while, my glasses slip from my nose bridge due to the sweat.

I don't enjoy the beach because the sea mist cloud my lenses.

I've had my share of bad haircuts because I couldn't correct the barber while he was cutting my hair.

I could never fall asleep while watching TV because I always had to remove my glasses before going to bed.

And the list goes on and on. It gets tiring, you know.

Last month, I noticed that the arms of my eyeglasses were about to break. It meant I had to buy new frames. And not just any kind of frame. I need to find one that could accommodate the thickness of my lenses. And that is a hard task. Even if I'd make 'em ultra-thin, my lenses would still be thick.

And I didn't want to do it all over again.

After 20 years of wearing spectacles, I wanted to see the world with my own two eyes. I wanted to have laser eye surgery. I've heard about this way back in 2001 and have been saving some money for this particular procedure ever since.

So I went to the Asian Eye Institute clinic in SM Mall of Asia for the screening. They checked my eyes using several machines and the doctor there told me I wasn't qualified for LASIK. (shoot!) My corneas were too thin for LASIK. I was qualified for PRK though. What happens in PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy) is instead of slicing a flap of your cornea to perform the laser surgery, here there is no flap. The eye surgeon will perform the laser surgery directly over the surface of my cornea. In lieu of the flap, he will place contact lens. Also, in PRK the recovery period is longer (Instead of a couple of weeks, its about 3 months). And mas-mahapdi siya sa mata.

This setback didn't deter me. I told the doctor I wanted to push through with the eye surgery.

Last May 4, I went to Asian Eye Institute in Rockwell for my PRK eye surgery. They checked my eyes again using several machines, to make sure I was qualified for PRK. Then they had me put on a scrub suit. This is me before entering the operating room:

It was like a factory in there. While I was being prepped up, there was a patient in the operating room and another patient who had just finished the eye operation and was being debriefed.

Then it was my turn and Dr. Robert Ang, the Lasik specialist, called me in. It was cold in the operating room and he had me lie down the gurney. He taped my eyelids to keep them from closing. And he also put a metal contraption over my eye to make sure the tape worked. Then, for a moment, I got scared. What? You won't put me to sleep? I'll actually see the doctor cut my eye with a scapel?! I thought I was going to faint... either that or wrestle the nurses to escape.

And then I remembered laser pala. So no knives of any sort. I just saw colors. Red and green. Yun na ata yung. Kasi after a couple of minutes, yung kabilang mata naman. And then that was that. Dr. Ang dropped a few eye drops on my eyes and led me out of the OR. Sabi ko parang factory kasi while I was being debriefed, there was another patient being prepped up for surgery.

Everything happened in a flurry. I wasn't able to say good bye to my eyeglasses, eyeglass container, glass cleaner and cloth. Good bye eyeglass items. Thank you for serving me well. Though I've said many things not-so-pleasant about you, I want you to know I wouldn't have survived without you.


Like I said, if this were Lasik, I would have clear vision in a few days. This was PRK, and there were a lot of che-che-boreche. Here a few tips for those of you who are planning to have laser eye surgery (that I did not know about when I entered the operating room):

1. You will have to wear these goggles for at least one week after surgery. I think it's to protect your eyes from the elements and from glare.


2. You will be prescribed these eyedrops to be administered 4 times a day (8am, 12nn, 4pm and 8pm) hanggang maubos. And you can't drop them all at the same time. Kelangan 5 minutes apart. The big blue-green box are eyedrops to be dropped 1 hour after the first 3 eyedrops.


3. You cannot wet the eye for the first 3 days after surgery. It means you cannot have a full shower (shampoo and wash your face properly) for 3 days. Hirap maligo niyan.

4. You are not allowed to engage in sports or do strenuous activities for 1 week.

5. You are not allowed to drive the first week. Get a driver (or like me, use public transportation).

6. No swimming for 1 month.

Good luck!

As for me, within 3 months, I expect be able to wear shades without being half-blind; I expect to be able to tell the barber not to shave my sideburns; I expect to run without fear that my glasses would fall off; I expect to be able to watch the news until I fall asleep. In 3 months, I expect to do a lot of other things with my new vision.

But until then, I'd have to suffer looking like Chavit Singson's long lost son:

TESDA PGMA-TWSP Scholarships available in Ilocos Norte

a. Aquaculture
b. Tour Guiding Services
c. Massage Therapy
d. Bartending
e. Commercial Cooking
f. Housekeeping
g. Food and Beverage Services
h. Shielded Metal Arc Welding
i. Front Office Services
j. Baking/Pastry Production
k. Automotive Servicing
l. Food Processing
m. Consumer Electronics
n. Dressmaking
o. Tailoring
p. Horticulture
q. Crop Production
r. Carpentry
s. Masonry
t. Tile Setting
u. Animation
v. Computer Hardware Services
w. Health Care Services
x. Building Wiring Installation
y. Deck Seafaring
z. Engine Seafaring
aa. Driving
bb. Security Services
cc. Slaughtering Operations

Interested parties may apply at TESDA Ilocos Norte Provincial Office,
P. Gomez St., Brgy. 2, Laoag City
Tel. # (077) 773-2198
E-mail: tesda1_in@yahoo.com

Delivering and Shaking

Delivering farm equipment and shaking hands of graduates that is.

This is what's been keeping me busy these past few weeks.  

Here I am handing over jetmatic water pumps and knapsack sprayers to farmer-beneficiaries in the towns of Bangui and Pagudpud.  The source of funding is President GMA's Social Fund through the Department of Agriculture.

And then here I am shaking the hands of the graduates of Binsang Elementary School in Pasuquin town this morning.  I've gone to similar ceremonies in Vintar, Piddig, Laoag City and Bacarra, as well.

It's been a tiring March.  And April's pretty much gonna be the same.

9 MAY 2010

10:35 a.m.

Guy 1  :  Manang, eleksyon na bukas ah.  Mukhang malakas si xxx ah?  Mukhang panalo na

              siya.

Woman:  Ay, oo, ading!  Panalong panalo yun!

Guy 1  :  Sige, manang, salamat.  Alis na ako.

9:23 p.m.

Guy 2  :  Manang, magandang gabi.  O eto, kunin mo na 'to. (hands some money to her) 'wag

              na lang po kayo bumoto bukas.  Total, mananalo naman si xxx.  'di na kelangan                     ng boto niyo.  Sige na, manang.

Woman:  Okay, barok. (takes money)

9:25 p.m.

  

Guy 3  :  Manang, nakita ko tinanggap mo yung pera ha. (brandishes his gun tucked under his

              his shirt) 'di namin kayo makikita bukas sa presinto ha.

Woman:  Huh? Ah, oo, sige.

This is a scenario that could definitely happen in next year's local elections (because they started doing this last 2007).  

Groups paying off voters NOT to vote... and threatening them if they do.

Tsk...  What to do to counter this?

Jitters in first court appearance after almost two years

I do not litigate.  I haven't appeared in court in almost two years.  Today that streak ended as I went to the Regional Trial Court here in Laoag to appear as collaborating counsel in a Petition for Certiorari against us Board Members.

Note, collaborating counsel.  Meaning, Atty. Lazo (My co-Board Member and a seasoned litigator) was supposed to be the lead counsel--the one to do all the lawyering, and I'll just be decoration.

Last night, Atty. Lazo had to rush to Manila to attend to his son who got into a car accident.  I learned about it just before I walked in the judge's sala.

Oh, crap.

Now, Im the leading counsel?!  Are you kidding me?!  Where's the Vice-Governor (who's also a lawyer)?  Where's the Provincial Legal Officer?  Where are his assistants?

What the hell?!

Panic-panic-panic!

I haven't opened my Rules of Court since 2007!

What do I do?! What do I say?!

You know, I feel so at home in the SP Session Hall, I never get nervous when I speak.  Perhaps because I feel so confident with my knowledge in parliamentary procedure and legislation that it's so easy for me.

Pero sa court?  Pag litigation?  Ewan ko bakit kinakabahan ako.  And kinabahan nga ako kanina.  It's a Petition for Certiorari with Motion to Issue a Preliminary Injunction.  Ano daw?

I called Atty. Lazo to ask if I should argue the case or what.  He told me to just ask for a postponement since he also wanted to appear.

Okay, I can do that.

I talked to the opposing counsel, who didn't object to the proposal.

So when the case was called that's what I said.  "Move to postpone, your Honor, as lead counsel had to rush to Manila to attend to his injured son." 

And the judge reset the hearing to this coming Monday.

phew!

Yes, na-survive ko din.  Akala ko wala ng Wow, Mali.

But before I left I said, "Thank you, Mr. Chairman.... uhhh... I mean, Your Honor!" 

Oh, brother... That just HAD to happen.

It's all about the kids

My previous entries were all gloomy so let's brighten it up a bit.

Early today I handed over an airplane teeter-totter (see-saw) to the children of the Brgy. San Miguel (Laoag City) Day Care Center.  

The teachers requested last August for an outdoor recreational toy for the kids to complement their swing set.  Due to budget constraints (and very makulit barangay captains asking for cement and steelbars) I couldn't give them what they want.

Until today. 

I bought this airplane teeter-totter at S&R in Manila at a cost of P12,000.00.  I originally wanted to have a slide fabricated here in Laoag but I was afraid of child-safety issues.  Baka mamaya hindi pulido yung pag-weld sa slide at may maaksidenteng bata.

So I went with this Big Stuff Ace Flyer Teeter Totter Airplane from S&R.  Atleast child-tested na siya.  And I googled the product sa internet at maganda naman ang mga reviews. 

When I turned over the play set to the children, hala, dinagsa yung eroplano.  The box says it can accommodate 7 kids at one time pero more than 15 ata yung dumumog sa laruan!

And then the parents from the neighboring barangays who saw the contraption requested if I could also give the same thing to their day care centers. 

Hehehe, ang mga obligasyon ng isang pulitiko, never ending. 

I should be depressed with all these requests, but it was just so nice and heartwarming to see the smiles on the children's faces playing the thing.  Ang saya saya nila.

This is why I'm in government service. 

Public Bidding is a joke

I knew this all along, of course.  With the World Bank report and other DPWH exposes, who would think otherwise?  Public Bidding in this country is a sham.  It's a joke.  It's all pretend.

Pero iba pa rin ang feeling if it hits close to home.  Mas nakakalungkot.  Mas nakakadepress.

Public Bidding is supposed to be the process to get the best deal at the lowest price.  If there was no bidding, then it's possible for the Governor, Mayor, Congressman or Agency Head to get a not-so-good kind of deal, worse, baka sobrang mahal naman.  And since we're talking about hard earned money of the people, dapat sulit.

At para maging sulit, a.k.a., "The Best Deal,"  our policymakers came out with this Public Bidding nga.

Paglabanin mo mga suppliers at contractors.  Let them bid for the projects.  Kung sino ang makabigay ng lowest bid, siya ang mananalo.  Bale, matira ang matibay.

That way, we get to SAVE money.  The money saved can now be used for another project.  Ganun dapat, di ba?

But we all know that doesn't happen.  We don't get the best deals.  More often than not, we get the worst deals.

You know why?  Because public bidding is a sham.  It's a role playing game.  You think they really place their bids?  No, they don't.  Nag-usap na mga yan.  One contractor will cut a deal with the implementing agency and the other contractors na sa kanya na yung isang project.  Then they will just simulate that a bidding was done.  The other contractors will submit a 'higher' bid so they'll lose.

And then sa ibang project naman, yung other contractor naman ang magiging winning bidder.  Ganyan.  Nagbibigayan sila.  Hati-hati sila sa mga project.

But you know, contractors are human.  They are susceptible to greed.  Pagnakatikim na yan, gusto na niya lahat ng projects sa kanya.  Dun nagkaka-poblema.  When one contractor eases out the other contractors by getting closer to the Implementing Agency or the Mayor or the Governor or the Congressman or the Dept. Head.  Palakasan na.  Tapos awayan na.

And what about the price?  Wala na.  Imbes na 1.5 Million, magiging 2 Million na.

So do we save money with this public bidding?  No.  In fact, we lose more money.

And It's just so sad dahil naglolokohan lang tayo.  

I don't care where you're from, having sex with a kid, videotaping the act and circulating the video via cellphone is wrong

Yesterday, the Provincial Board of Ilocos Norte came out with a decision suspending an SK Federated President of a town here for having sex with a 14 year old girl, videotaping their act and circulating the video around the community.

Before the release of the decision, a couple of people had approached me (as a member of the Committee on Laws) to lower the penalty or to not punish the guy at all (apparently, word leaked out that we were going to suspend him).

According to these concerned people, kawawa naman daw si SK President.  Siya lang daw ang breadwinner ng family and if he gets suspended mawawalan ng income yung family niya.  Also, there's a criminal case filed against him for the same offense and he had to borrow 200k to post bail.

Another argument they raised was that the sex was consensual and it was the girl who initiated the act and who videotaped the whole thing.  They even said that the girl is a 'whore' and is a nymphomaniac and pineperahan lang daw si SK President.

I don't care what you say, having sex with a kid, even if she consented, videotaping the act and circulating the video around the town is WRONG. 

Kung ako lang masusunod, I'd rather not involve myself with this case.  Let the courts decide this matter.  Let the SK Provincial Federation deal with this.  Kasi kung anong mapagdesisyonan mo meron at meron talagang magagalit sa yo.

But the complaint was filed in our office.  We have to do our duty.  We cannot be politicians and dilly-dally.  We have to hear both parties, study the law and make a decision.

And we did.  SUSPENSION.  Bahala na ang election.  I'm pretty sure nawalan kami ng boto sa lugar na yon.

Sabi ko, mabuti na mawalan ng boto pero maparusahan ang nagkamali kesa naman wala kaming ginawa at maulit muli yung nangyari sa ibang babae.

I don't care what you say or where you're from, having sex with a kid, even if she consented, videotaping the act and circulating the video around the town is WRONG. 

Let this be a lesson to all.

Congratulations, MC Entrep Batch 2009!

Yesterday I submitted the final grades of my taxation class in Miriam College.  All 25 students passed naman.  And if its any indication, I think all of them will graduate this coming March 28 (except you, Diane )

The picture on the left was taken on the last class day of their senior year (February 21), which also happened to be my last class in Miriam (I will be transferring all of my teaching load to Ilocos next sem).

I started teaching in Miriam in 2006.  My law classmate, Joey Tapia, had to leave for the States and was looking for someone to substitute for her in September.  She actually offered it to Kai Jiz, but I think the latter was busy.  I was getting bored in the firm I worked for so I grabbed the opportunity.  I remember after my holding my first class I felt so accomplished.  Like what I did actually meant something.  You see, I got depressed working in a law firm.  There, it's like things take forever to finish.  Everyday na lang it's the same old case.  And if ever that ends, there's another case.  It was a vicious cycle of never-ending cases that I felt useless.  Teaching made me share my knowledge to other people.  And when I saw the faces of my students, especially their eyes, conveying that they understood what I was saying and that they were learning, I felt good.  Honest to God, I felt good.

Joey didn't return to Miriam the next semester so I took her place permanently.  I taught for 3 school years.  I enjoyed my stay in MC.  My dept. chairperson, Mona Serrano, has always been very nice to me.  Our dean, Dr. Lupisan, always greets me by my first name even if we barely know each other.  The staff at CBEA, Lessie, Airene and Mel, don't forget to remind me of all the meetings and activities.  And of course, my students.  I was lucky enough to always have a good set of students every semester.  Bright, well-behaved, inquisitive and cheerful.  Maswerte ako at never ako nagkaroon na bulakbol na student sa MC.  I don't know if all MC students are like that o sa mga naging class ko lang.  This last batch was no exception.

Jen was a quiet one who sat at the back of the room.  I didn't know she was a good dancer until nakasama ko siya sa Teacher's Day program dancing the macarena.  Game pala tong batang to. 

Alou was the class beadle/president/utusan.  She was always dependable.  I would communicate to her all of my needs (Projector, air-con room, i'll be late, etc.) and you'd think she's in class na.  Pagdating ko, wala pa pala siya, so all that time she was coordinating those things to her other classmates.  Very responsible.

Mary Grace was the foreign student of the class.  Foreign meaning she belongs to another year and course.  I didn't get to establish a rapport with this girl just because she was very quiet, was absent a few times, and sat at the back.

Geols, who also sat at the back, was another quiet student.  In front of her, Cla, on the other hand, was the opposite.  I believe she was the source of all the tsismisan at the back.  I think their attention span there at the back was around 15 minutes (the worldwide average) 'coz after 15 minutes, Jackie and Danica would turn their heads to Cla and they would start their own showbiz talkshow at the back.

Kaye, the daughter of a party-list colleague of my dad, was the reluctant 'guest host' of the 4.  I notice she would try to pay attention in class, pero sometimes, siguro juicy yung tsismis sa likod, she'd also turn her head toward Cla and join the conversation.

Across Kaye was Em-em.  She was quiet and attentive.  Next to her was Epie.  This girl also belonged to another tsismis group.  Epie was with Madam, Jamie, Anik, Jaja and Jia.  Madam was called madam because allegedly her family owns 1/3 of Antipolo.  Jamie's family apparently owns D'Mall in Boracay.  Anik is an ilocana townmate who is also a part-time dance instructor.  Jaja is also from Ilocos and Jia I don't know where she's from but I do know that her boyfriend is a basketball player.  This group I call the laptop bag group because they sold laptop bags.

Then there's Des.  She's the rocker of the class.  She plays guitar (Kaye plays the drums naman).  She's quiet, but she's smart.  Rina M., I guess, owns the other 2/3 of Antipolo because her family owns 3 (?) resorts there.  Beside her is the dynamic duo of Genine and Bea.  These two are very smart.  They always get high in my quizzes and exams.  I have no problems with these two.

Now the front row.  Rina L. is my returning student.  She was in my business law class last school year.  She is deaf and she has an interpreter during class, but she speaks very well for a deaf person.  Very audible.  And I don't think she needs the interpreter because I think she understands what I say.  Either that or I talk really loud.  

Alexa is the loud one.  She's very noisy.  She's the most absent.  And if she comes, she's always late.  But I love her because she reminds me of my niece Rosanne.

Tere is another smart student.  She aces all of my exams.  Of all my students she's the most participative.  When I ask the class a question, 99% of the time, it's Tere who'll answer.  But sometimes I feel she's bordering on sipsip na.  But other than that, she's a model student.

Diane is another good student.  She asks a lot of questions.  Karen, for a student who sits in the front row, is very quiet.  Last is Muymuy, who like Karen is very quiet and demure.  She looks 15, small and frail.  But my God, when i saw pictures of her in a multiply site of one my students, press release lang pala niya yun kasi nagsusuot pala yan ng baby-t na nakikita na yung puson.  My gosh.  scandal.

Well, those were my students this sem.  My last one in Miriam.  Congratulations to all of you!  I hope and pray that all of you become successful in all your endeavors.  Disappointment will come your way, but do not falter.  Hold on!  Opportunity will come knocking.

Thank you, Miriam College, for taking me in to teach business and taxation law.  It might have just been 3 hours a week.  But it made a lot of difference to me as a person.

Til we meet again.

Development Fund Projects Breakdown (July-December 2008)

BDF Projects_July-December 2008

   Publish at Scribd or explore others:            Business & Legal                  2008              barangay      

Youth Vote Ilocos Norte

YVote Philippines is a non-government organization committed in making the youth vote count in the May 2010 elections.  One of its flagship projects is holding voters registration inside campuses of colleges and universities.  They've done it in Manila, Cebu and Davao.

I thought to myself, why not here in Ilocos Norte.  So, I contacted them and told them if I could organize a similar activity here up north.  They allowed me as long as I tie up with a TAYO organization here.  Unfortunately, that org never contacted me.  This did not deter me from pushing through with this project.

My first choice of holding student voters registration was here in Laoag.  Either sa Northwestern University or sa MMSU-CTE.  Kaya lang, hindi daw available yung Laoag Comelec Office.

So I turned to MMSU-Batac.  I tied up with its Central Student Council, headed by Ace, the Batac Comelec Office, headed by Mrs. Josie Balbas, and Student Affairs Director Henedine Aguinaldo.  They were all very accomodating.

And so, YVote Ilocos Norte inaugurated its first student voters registration in Mariano Marcos State University in Batac City on February 24.

Maganda naman yung registration turn-out.  From 10am to 5pm, Provincial and Batac Comelec held voters registration and validation at the Teatro Ilocandia Basement.  In the end, 126 students from Batac were able to register!

Not bad, considering Batac Comelec lang yung nag-participate. (We also invited San Nicolas, Paoay, Badoc and Currimao, but apparently, there is a Comelec circular prohibiting local offices from conducting off-site registration outside their jurisdiction)  We will try, though, to convince Comelec National Office to revoke that circular so that other students of MMSU can register as well.

I could say the activity was successful.  I'd like to thank all those who helped out:

The Central Student Council (Ace and Khristian) for pushing the activity with the MMSU admin;

The MMSU admin. for allowing such activity and scheduling it the same day their were a lot of students in the venue;

Batac Comelec for spending an entire day doing voters registration in MMSU;

Ilocos Norte Comelec for assisting in the registration;

Ms Tanya Hamada of YVote Philippines for coming over to supervise the activity; and

All the students who registered! (This is the first step in your involvement in government)

'til the next voters registration in your school!