The Story Behind The "Laglag Bala" Virus #PersonalStory

The Story Behind The "Laglag Bala" Virus #PersonalStory

How the government intends to eradicate the “laglag bala” extortion at the airports in the whole of the Philippines? The Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) had been the focus of this issue for the past months, but recently concluded the strict implementation. It’s because of the APEC Summit Meeting or just an ordinary system at the airport? The media interview of Mar Roxas was differently received by OFWs especially the Migrante International. It prolonged the core problem into a higher note which resulted to media circus respectively.

Of course, the Pnoy Administration lashed back their stand in this case that even the Senate wanted to kick the NAIA Manager for slow action. Likewise, it revolved the “finger-pointing style” of the government to the political opposition behind this “laglag bala.”

The supposed victims of the “laglag bala” extortion scheme narrated how security officials at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport demanded money in exchange of dropping charges for possession of a bullet. Many airport passengers reacted to the issue which brought their actions into severe awareness. The NAIA personnel were distraught and scrambled for the next episode of their lives.

Senator Miriam Santiago proposed amendments to RA 10591 include decriminalizing possession of not more than three bullets. The law must punish those who, in the guise of upholding peace and order, abuse the law to prey on the innocent, whether these offenders are public officers or private citizens. She based her proposal on the observation that the planting scheme starts as soon as a person is identified to be a passenger whose luggage is yet to be inspected. Porters, luggage handlers and taxi drivers are believed to be involved in the scam.

The government authorities like the NBI likewise proved their worth to this case in finding the truth about this scam at NAIA. But the government actions were received lightly by some officials, knowing that it’s a black propaganda by the opposition to tarnish the image of the Aquino Administration.

In comparison to the authorities involved, they must be aware always of their system and procedures wherein, the smooth flow of operation and peaceful management are needed all the time. Their services to the people are important and dealing with bad elements must be acted upon, at once. Likewise, the strict implementation must be pursued with care and understanding, but not to dismantle the essence of public service.

When majority turned their fingers to the “laglag bala” as extortion scheme in NAIA, the government must address this issue at once, knowing that it will spread like wildfire nationwide. They must find the core element of the issue why it’s happening and pinpointing to other political individuals as the mastermind’s not good actuation but a trait to defend somebody in the eyes of many.

Mar Roxas, as the Presidential aspirant of the Aquino Administration , must take immediate action for the issue, not widening the case by talking to the media. You know media people wanted issues to talk about every minute and spread across the Philippines and the whole world.

Lastly, each government authority must be very vigilant with their sections to enable them to manage peacefully and give full service to the Filipino people.

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SONA 2015: Positive Outlook Versus Failures #PersonalStory

Photo Credit: palafoxassociates



SONA 2015: Positive Outlook Versus Failures #PersonalStory

The Aquino Administration and the President himself have done so much for the greater good of our country. The entire Filipinos have trusted them that they can rebuild the ailing sectors of our society. It’s really the ways in which these leaders contributed their knowledge and skills to put forward the Philippines for the past years of their governance.

After the last SONA 2015 of President Benigno Aquino III , as what it’s expected by majority; political analysts, ordinary citizens, oppositions and even some important people gave their share of the President’s SONA. The negative and positive aspects of the Aquino Administration were started to evolve from different places nationwide and globally. Nevertheless, the SONA 2015 got positive response for majority of Filipinos.

SONA 2015 highlighted the achievements of the government in transportation and communications, tax/revenue, labor and wages, international relations, education, budget and finance, peace, social welfare, justice, disaster preparedness, national security, economy, infrastructure, governance and reform. But, some Filipinos fall short of the main subject to tackle during the event. Understandable as it was for them to comprehend the SONA because of their personal interest politically.

The greatest failure (my own opinion) of the Pnoy Administration was the MRT3 train system wherein, the Department of Transportation and Commission (DOTC) Secretary Jun Abaya cannot fathom the solutions for metro rail for a long time. His immediately actions were needed because of the services the people wanted. President Aquino really opened-up some anomaly of the past administration that even this MRT3 was a special mention; the failed bidding, maintenance breakdown, extreme riders, traffic and other facets that needs the government to settle it down.

Photo Credit: kiestu2

This coming September, as DOTC Secretary had promised, more trains will be delivered and development of other facilities for the MRT3 stations.

The SONA 2015 gave the President a chance to shout-out that he’d done to increase the yearly revenues of our economy for the past years. Infrastructure development was being taken simultaneously nationwide and solutions for maintaining in the future.

More than anybody else, the President moved his aspirations in the future of our country. He showed the statistics of the Philippine economy from his administration up to the next 30 years. The numbers were great if all of the Filipinos must continue the “Daang Matuwid” through their lives.

He also stressed to all Filipinos that the next President must continue his works and gain some insights on how to be developed by his advocacy for improvement.

The final solutions for all the problems encountered by the Aquino Administration were attacked by his political opponents at all costs. Different ways were carried-out to look the image of the President as negative in the eyes of all Filipinos.

Luckily, he mentioned and thanked the administration’s leaders and also his personal workers. Lots of them got the accolade they deserved for a long time. Besides the disappointment of some political groups, the President had done his share for the greater good. But some political leaders were not satisfied for the SONA 2015 because they said, it lacks the essence of positive and negative sides of his governance.

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Bangsamoro Basic Law or Justice For The Brave Fallen 44? #PersonalStory

Yesterday, my male OFW friend came over to my house in a surprised visit. He’s so excited that I can’t breathe bear-hugging me for a minute. He’s so full of hopes for his endeavor in a faraway place. We ate and drink until his mood changes.

I asked him why and he told me that he’s so lucky to be an OFW than in a military. He started telling me about different angles of the famous Fallen 44.

You know what this Fallen 44 must be given justice once and for all, as immediate as possible. Our leaders must be brave enough to open-up to all Filipinos about this case. The truth commission must determine the Moro Islamic Liberation Front’s and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters’ accountability in the carnage. They massacred even some SAF surrendered. They did not think of their situation and future.

The brutal way the Fallen 44 died will certainly continue to hunt Filipino hearts in the days to come. What changed the political landscape was the realization that we have a commander in chief which dodges responsibility and dismisses 44 deaths as expendable.

Bangsamoro Basic Law now is to kill the prospects for truth and justice for the Fallen 44. It’s should be solved by the parties involve first. This should be studied first before resuming its finality. A people betrayed have lost their dignity because betrayal is an affront to dignity. That dignity must first be restored in the only way possible—accountability.

Time and again, the MILF leader cannot discipline his men under him, what more under this new law for them? The Philippines is our beloved country and all of the sudden, this Bangsamoro Basic Law will prevail in the island of Mindanao?

Our leaders under the Senate must act now to modify as much as possible. If the MILF has its law in the future, their tendencies are different when it’s actually practice in real life. We need peace and order to put forward the country’s development.

The MILF must have a thorough knowledge about the Philippine government and its functions. Learning the ways of our government and people in searching for peace, development and order, we can coordinate ourselves to the economic freedom of the land. And that the law of the land must be maintained and monitored by our leaders and people.

But how about the high-powered firearms and brand new Glock handguns looted from the 44 slain SAF troopers? And, maybe, the true motives of each sides.

Both negotiating panels have acknowledged the Mamasapano incident has brought out the latest complications of this peace pact. How this peace pact could bring justice cried for by families of the slain SAF troopers?

Even today, the media are doing the reporting with each version, where they deliver the news at the table of every home in the Philippines. This news is the very bible when one-sided opinion enters into some Filipinos.

The Aquino Administration must be brave enough to tell the Filipino people about the truth of this mission.

That’s being said by my friend, I felt the sad moments of the Fallen 44 and their loved ones. How sad to think and feel for them, the Fallen 44.

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Pnoy's Term Extension, What About My Dreams? #PersonalStory

I’ve been working as Overseas Filipino Worker, OFW for short. I stayed for almost 20 years abroad, dreaming to sustain my family back home. At present, I’m staying here in the Philippines for good besides my family. And here’s the story told by the media people.

Because of President Aquino’s outspoken attitude towards his political party, news of his plan to extend his term spreads like wildfire. Political analysts, opposition leaders, and other concerned citizens aimed their arsenals to counteract his plan. They wanted to stop him in becoming a dictator, as what they believed.

At present, news from the Commission on Elections (Comelec) turned down plans to amend the constitution to give way for President Aquino to extend his term beyond 2016. Likewise, Comelec chairman Sixto Brillantes Jr said, “the national elections will proceed in 2016 because the only way for the electoral exercise to be postponed is through charter change (Cha Cha). There may be some adjustments, but we will have elections in 2016.”

With its present situation for Aquino Administration, more “doubting Thomases” are always on guard for his whirlwind media news. While many of his detractors are fighting back for his plans, his focus is dwindling continuously due to his appointed official failure’s development of their government divisions to the fullest. Like the continuous breakdown of MRT3-EDSA train operations that doubled the expenses for not properly maintaining its operations. That said, DOTC Secretary Emilio Abaya should be smart enough to project the MRT3 management.

Maintenance from Hongkong, Independent Train Experts will inspect as Technical Audit for MRT3 train system. They will totally check the whole system and finding the solutions as expert’s recommendation.

Another setback for President Aquino’s the impeachment complaint against him was under the Senate hearing. Moreover, President Benigno S. Aquino III has appointed Senior Solicitor Florin T. Hilbay as Acting Solicitor General to succeed Francis H. Jardeleza who was appointed as Associate Justice of the Supreme Court last August 20. Senior Hilbay, the 40-year old lawyer with almost 15 years of law practice will carry upon his shoulders all the government cases before the courts and tribunals in the Philippines.

While the country’s political leaders are focusing on this “term extension;” the Chinese government’s busy constructing structures to the territorial waters, which is against the agreement. Moreover, until now, it’s been unsolved. Despite the warning of the Philippine government to China, still the Chinese continues asserting its bullying attitude towards its claimants.

While doing the development of other sectors, the Aquino Administration must focus on crime rates which gaining its ground continuously. Also, traffic congestion must be addressed immediately, for it caused negativity in the overall impact on the economy.

With all these hindrances to the living condition of the citizens, still poverty resides within the boundary of the majority. What will be the outcome of the Aquino Administration in the future? Time can tell, maybe positive or negative?

Well, really, can’t believe why I had to work in a faraway place while the Pork Barrel system makes them rich. I suffered discrimination because of chasing my dreams abroad; the dreams that I can’t find here in my own native land.

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