Watched "Great Gatsby" film last weekend. The story gave me a sense of something familiar. Then the election day came. And I realized what that familiar thing is. Jay Gatsby, who faithfully, and even fatally loved Daisy Buchanan, can be a metaphor of the "Masa" electorate, ever dreaming of their politicians as their inamorata who they thought also faithfully loved them, and only them. However, (as Jay Gatsby also painfully found out) Daisy loved not only Jay, but also Tom Buchanan, our "Masa," always finds itself tragically invariably betrayed by the politicians who time and again promised them heaven every campaign period, but only delivered them hell once already elected into office. As Daisy decided to abandon Jay (despite Jay saving her from criminal prosecution having accidentally hit and ran over her husband's mistress, by Jay owning-up to driving the fatal vehicle) , and go with Tom Buchanan when things got difficult, so also many of our politicians also just conveniently abandon their "Masa" electorate so as to enjoy their elitist and self-centered pursuits. In the end, as Tom Buchanan even manipulated the husband of his mistress into killing Gatsby, the "Masa" is eventually left to hang, fend for themselves in the mire which the scheming politicians themselves created. Yet, as Jay Gatsby still hopelessly waited, and died waiting, for the love of selfish Daisy, up till now, the masses still wait before their politicians who kept such faithfulness unrequited.
Tuesday, October 29, 2013
Friday, October 25, 2013
KA FREDDIE; RIGHT TO LOVE AND PURSUE ONE'S HAPPINESS
KA FREDDIE; RIGHT TO LOVE AND PURSUE ONE'S HAPPINESS
I do believe that Ka Freddie Aguilar, just like any other person, has the right to love, be happy and pursue such happiness to the fullest. BUT, a big but, I also do equally believe that Ka Freddie and any other person who's a member of any organised society must also know how to abide by its laws. I fully agree and understand that Ka Freddie has the right to love and be happy about such love. HOWEVER, he also must recognise that what he's gotten into, puts him in the limelight not because he's Freddie Aguilar, nor is it wrong to love or pursue one's happiness to the fullest. His situation is indeed a sticky case of a predicament where adults are considered guilty of a legally-punishable act, because the society would want to PROTECT MINORS who are and can be VICTIMS of adult predators (aka pedophiles, human traffickers, etc.). By such however, I'm not saying that Ka Freddie must be lumped together with such lumpen characters. Society, via its laws, frown on such relationships, because the situation is usually skewed to the favour of the adult, and making the minor many times tragically vulnerable. Ka Freddie's case isn't the first well-known issue of a celebrity vis-a-vis minor. The late, very famous Charlie Chaplin Chaplin had a sexual liaison with a 16 year old Lita Grey (who was also the lead actress of his popular film "Gold Rush") which could have sent him to prison for statutory rape. Chaplin however decided to secretly marry in Mexico, so as to solve the scandal.
I've the highest regard for Ka Freddie, as an artist, and as a patriot in his own right. However, I'm a bit worried of his pronouncement like there are more important things for the country to focus on (e.g., PDAF, disasters, etc.) than his amorous pursuits. However, I do hope that he'll also come to see that society PROTECTING THE WELFARE AND RIGHTS of VULNERABLE MINORS versus unscrupulous or even criminal adults IS ALSO AN IMPORTANT MATTER THAT our society should also have a handle on. No, again, I'm not saying that Ka Freddie is to be necessarily lumped with those heinous adults. What I hope Ka Freddie to see is that his predicament has crossed into some very dangerous borders, and he, if he indeed is a patriot and responsible citizen, which he must carefully and responsibly navigate, lest he UNWITTINGLY GIVE CREDENCE TO THE DEPREDATIONS OF PREDATORY, CRIMINAL ADULTS victimising hapless and helpless, or even unsuspecting MINORS.
I do believe that Ka Freddie Aguilar, just like any other person, has the right to love, be happy and pursue such happiness to the fullest. BUT, a big but, I also do equally believe that Ka Freddie and any other person who's a member of any organised society must also know how to abide by its laws. I fully agree and understand that Ka Freddie has the right to love and be happy about such love. HOWEVER, he also must recognise that what he's gotten into, puts him in the limelight not because he's Freddie Aguilar, nor is it wrong to love or pursue one's happiness to the fullest. His situation is indeed a sticky case of a predicament where adults are considered guilty of a legally-punishable act, because the society would want to PROTECT MINORS who are and can be VICTIMS of adult predators (aka pedophiles, human traffickers, etc.). By such however, I'm not saying that Ka Freddie must be lumped together with such lumpen characters. Society, via its laws, frown on such relationships, because the situation is usually skewed to the favour of the adult, and making the minor many times tragically vulnerable. Ka Freddie's case isn't the first well-known issue of a celebrity vis-a-vis minor. The late, very famous Charlie Chaplin Chaplin had a sexual liaison with a 16 year old Lita Grey (who was also the lead actress of his popular film "Gold Rush") which could have sent him to prison for statutory rape. Chaplin however decided to secretly marry in Mexico, so as to solve the scandal.
I've the highest regard for Ka Freddie, as an artist, and as a patriot in his own right. However, I'm a bit worried of his pronouncement like there are more important things for the country to focus on (e.g., PDAF, disasters, etc.) than his amorous pursuits. However, I do hope that he'll also come to see that society PROTECTING THE WELFARE AND RIGHTS of VULNERABLE MINORS versus unscrupulous or even criminal adults IS ALSO AN IMPORTANT MATTER THAT our society should also have a handle on. No, again, I'm not saying that Ka Freddie is to be necessarily lumped with those heinous adults. What I hope Ka Freddie to see is that his predicament has crossed into some very dangerous borders, and he, if he indeed is a patriot and responsible citizen, which he must carefully and responsibly navigate, lest he UNWITTINGLY GIVE CREDENCE TO THE DEPREDATIONS OF PREDATORY, CRIMINAL ADULTS victimising hapless and helpless, or even unsuspecting MINORS.
Friday, October 11, 2013
COA rejects SSS’ justification for fat bonuses
COA rejects SSS’ justification for fat bonuses
The
Social Security System’s claim of sterling performance that formed the
basis for officials to reward themselves fat bonuses has been rejected
by the Commission on Audit.
In the 2012 annual audit report of the state-run insurance firm for private workers, COA noted serious performance issues against the SSS including the snail-paced payment of death, disability and retirement claims by its members.
This developed as Bayan Muna Reps. Neri Colmenares and Carlos Isagani Zarate filed House Resolution No. 369 asking the House Committee on Good Government and Accountability to conduct a legislative inquiry into the grant of Performance Based Bonus of P10 million to SSS officials and employes.
Colmenares and Zarate noted that while the SSS board was quick to reward themselves fat bonuses, it has continuously refused to back the increase in pension for its members under House Bill 175.
The two solons chided the SSS board for rejecting the bill on the ground that “it does not have enough funds to do so” despite its own admission that retiree senior citizens’ pension is below poverty line.
In a news forum Thursday, SSS vice president Susie Bugante said critics of the agency are “barking up the wrong tree” as she pointed out that it was the Governance Commission on GOCCs that cited their excellent performance last year.
However, COA disagreed with the said findings, as it noted serious flaws in the operations of the SSS.
“Slow processing and payment of death, disability and retirement claims did not meet the commitment of SSS of providing prompt, convenient and meaningful social protection service to the members and their beneficiaries,” COA said.
The audit agency also asked the SSS management to swiftly take legal steps in collecting over P367 million in premiums and penalties from 139 delinquent corporations and employers which have been remiss in their responsibility under the SSS law.
In 2011, COA also expressed dissatisfaction over SSS performance when it assailed its officials for imposing on borrowers interest on loans that exceeded P788.8 million.
Asked for her reaction, Bugante apologized for the slow processing of members benefits last year but blamed a glitch in the computer system as the culprit.
“It is our commitment that by the end of this year we will go current and all backlogs will be erased,” she said.
Meanwhile, Gabriela Women’s Party Reps. Luzviminda Ilagan and Emmi De Jesus asked the SSS to open its books as they joined the call for an investigation into the financial management situation of the firm.
Ilagan and de Jesus said they have been receiving complaints after SSS issued Circular 2013-0003 in April 2013. The circular was suspended in July following protests but it threatened to disenfranchise some two million retiring SSS members who lacked the necessary contributions from receiving their pension who would instead receive their contribution in lump sum amounts.
“Now it is not just the circular that prompts us to look into the financial status of the SSS. Amid reports of fat bonuses and proposals to increase workers’ contributions it is but high time that we scrutinize how the SSS has been managing its finances,” said Ilagan.
She asked: “ Why does the SSS need to impose this increase in workers’ contributions? Bakit kailangang magtaas ng singil sa manggagawa pero nagpapasarap naman sa malalaking bonus ang mga nagpapatakbo nito [Why increase the members’ fee while the officials enjoy huge bonuses]?” said Ilagan.
Earlier, the SSS announced the implementation of increases in workers’ contributions. In President Aquino’s State of the Nation Address in July, Aquino hinted at the need to increase contributions in order to raise some P141B up to 2014 in order to lessen its P1.1T unfunded liabilities.
“Through the years the SSS has become more of a burden to workers and retirees rather than an institution that can be relied on for their benefits,” commented De Jesus. http://www.mb.com.ph/coa-rejects-sss-justification-for-fat-bonuses/
In the 2012 annual audit report of the state-run insurance firm for private workers, COA noted serious performance issues against the SSS including the snail-paced payment of death, disability and retirement claims by its members.
This developed as Bayan Muna Reps. Neri Colmenares and Carlos Isagani Zarate filed House Resolution No. 369 asking the House Committee on Good Government and Accountability to conduct a legislative inquiry into the grant of Performance Based Bonus of P10 million to SSS officials and employes.
Colmenares and Zarate noted that while the SSS board was quick to reward themselves fat bonuses, it has continuously refused to back the increase in pension for its members under House Bill 175.
The two solons chided the SSS board for rejecting the bill on the ground that “it does not have enough funds to do so” despite its own admission that retiree senior citizens’ pension is below poverty line.
In a news forum Thursday, SSS vice president Susie Bugante said critics of the agency are “barking up the wrong tree” as she pointed out that it was the Governance Commission on GOCCs that cited their excellent performance last year.
However, COA disagreed with the said findings, as it noted serious flaws in the operations of the SSS.
“Slow processing and payment of death, disability and retirement claims did not meet the commitment of SSS of providing prompt, convenient and meaningful social protection service to the members and their beneficiaries,” COA said.
The audit agency also asked the SSS management to swiftly take legal steps in collecting over P367 million in premiums and penalties from 139 delinquent corporations and employers which have been remiss in their responsibility under the SSS law.
In 2011, COA also expressed dissatisfaction over SSS performance when it assailed its officials for imposing on borrowers interest on loans that exceeded P788.8 million.
Asked for her reaction, Bugante apologized for the slow processing of members benefits last year but blamed a glitch in the computer system as the culprit.
“It is our commitment that by the end of this year we will go current and all backlogs will be erased,” she said.
Meanwhile, Gabriela Women’s Party Reps. Luzviminda Ilagan and Emmi De Jesus asked the SSS to open its books as they joined the call for an investigation into the financial management situation of the firm.
Ilagan and de Jesus said they have been receiving complaints after SSS issued Circular 2013-0003 in April 2013. The circular was suspended in July following protests but it threatened to disenfranchise some two million retiring SSS members who lacked the necessary contributions from receiving their pension who would instead receive their contribution in lump sum amounts.
“Now it is not just the circular that prompts us to look into the financial status of the SSS. Amid reports of fat bonuses and proposals to increase workers’ contributions it is but high time that we scrutinize how the SSS has been managing its finances,” said Ilagan.
She asked: “ Why does the SSS need to impose this increase in workers’ contributions? Bakit kailangang magtaas ng singil sa manggagawa pero nagpapasarap naman sa malalaking bonus ang mga nagpapatakbo nito [Why increase the members’ fee while the officials enjoy huge bonuses]?” said Ilagan.
Earlier, the SSS announced the implementation of increases in workers’ contributions. In President Aquino’s State of the Nation Address in July, Aquino hinted at the need to increase contributions in order to raise some P141B up to 2014 in order to lessen its P1.1T unfunded liabilities.
“Through the years the SSS has become more of a burden to workers and retirees rather than an institution that can be relied on for their benefits,” commented De Jesus. http://www.mb.com.ph/coa-rejects-sss-justification-for-fat-bonuses/
Let's show our government that democracy and responsible citizenship in our country works: SSS PEOPLE MUST RETURN THEIR UNDESERVED MILLIONS OF BONUS
Let's show our government that democracy and responsible citizenship in our country works. I'm a bonafide SSS member for more than 22 years. Please join me in pushing for the SSS Board of Directors and Officials to RETURN to us SSS MEMBERS, OWNERS OF SSS, the Bonus which SSS personnel UNESERVEDLY got for themselves. Mr. President Benigno C. Aquino, if we indeed are your "Boss," I pray that you order the SSS to RETURN their UNDESERVED PERFORMANCE BONUS FOR 2012, AND TO DESIST FROM GIVING THEMSELVES AGAIN ANOTHER SUCH BONUS THIS 2013. My Fellow Citizens and fellow SSS Members, please pass on this message or pass on anything similar to it if you agree that SSS PEOPLE must RETURN THE bonus they DIDN'T DESERVE. Kalampagin natin ang SSS! Kalampagin natin hanggang pakinggan tayo! Mabuhay ang Inang Bayang Pilipinas!
Thursday, October 10, 2013
PHP276 MILLION BONUS TO SSS BOARD OF DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES: A MINUS TO SSS MEMBERS.
SSS has consistently been NOT UPFRONT by trying very hard to give a spin to a VERY IRREGULAR PRACTICE VIA THAT PHP276,000,000.00 (PHP276 MILLION) BONUS it gave its board of directors, officers, and employees. What worsens the situation is that other government officials are now circling the wagon to parry the embarrassing picture that the said PHP276MILLION BONUS has become. But truth is truth. No amount of obfuscation can hide the truth. Let's do some basic math. If SSS has has 5000 (five thousand) employees all over the country, and we divide the PHP276million among them EQUALLY, then each of them gets PHP55,200.00 bonus. My! I'm now MORE THAN 22 years an SSS MEMBER and a private sector employee, and I'VE NEVER YET EVER GOTTEN A BONUS AS BIG AS PHP55,200.00. AND, that's the LEAST, the AVERAGE the SSS people would get. However, an SSS insider told me that their performance bonus amounts to around 250% (yes, 250%!) of their salary, which means that an SSS employee can get MORE THAN PHP55,200.00 bonus (and thus, no wonder why the Members of the SSS Board rewarded themselves each a largesse of around PHP1,000,000.00!).
SSS officials are now hard put in drumbeating that SSS earned PHP36Billion INCOME LAST YEAR, thus the SSS EMPLOYEES DESERVE A PERFORMANCE BONUS. And I agree, no contest that indeed SSS employees MUST GET A BONUS for the said PHP36BILLION income. BUT, NOT THAT BIG, HUMUNGOUS CHUNK OF BONUS: PHP276,000,000.00!!!!! For the following reasons:
1. The SSS MONIES BELONG TO THE SSS MEMBERS, AND NOT TO THE GOVERNMENT. Thus, the SSS EMPLOYEES, ITS BOARD OF DIRECTORS INCLUDED, have NO RIGHT to PRODIGALLY DIVIDE AMONG THEMSELVES MONIES WHICH IN THE FIRST PLACE DON'T BELONG TO THEM, NOR TO THE GOVERNMENT. AMIN 'YANG PERANG '! PERA NAMING MGA MIYEMBRO 'YAN, KUNG KAYA'T KAMING MGA MIYEMBRO ANG UNANG DAPAT MAKINABANG N'YAN AT HINDI KAYO NA MGA EMPLEYADO LANG NAMIN!;
2. The government Commission overlooking GOCCs said TONIGHT IN THE NEWS that the PHP276,000,000.00 BONUS shouldn't be a cause of umbrage for the SSS members because anyway the PHP36Billiion SSS earnings from where the PHP276,000,000.00 BONUS was taken wasn't from the CONTRIBUTIONS OF MEMBERS. Granting that such is true, however, isn't it ALSO EQUALLY TRUE THAT THE PHP36BILLION EARNINGS OF SSS BECAME EARNINGS BECAUSE OF THE MEMBERS' MONIES WHICH WERE INVESTED BY THE SSS. Thus, the PHP36BILLION EARNINGS LAST YEAR, THOUGH NOT THE MEMBERS' CONTRIBUTIONS, ARE STILL RIGHTFULLY OWNED BY THE MEMBERS BY VIRTUE OF THE FACT THAT THE MONEY USED TO EARN THEM ARE MONIES BELONGING TO THE MEMBERS;
3. I CHALLENGE THE SSS hierarchs and other SSS apologists from the government to SHOW US A LIST OF ALL THE PERFORMANCE BONUSES OF ALL GOCCs last year, and let's see if the SSS PHP276,000,000.00 ISN'T off-the-charts, comparative to the other GOCCs. And worse, I won't at all be surprised if it will be shown that the said PHP276,000,000.00 performance bonus will be GARGANTUAN compared to the bonus (IF THEY HAVE ONE) OF ANY ORDINARY SSS MEMBER. EACH SSS MEMBER, FROM WHOM ACTUALLY THE PHP276,000,000.00 WAS MINUSSED;
4. From whatever perspective you look at it, there simply is no way that the SSS Board, officers, employees have the MORAL ASCENDANCY to receive that PHP276,000,000.00 reward. NOT when its members are made to COUGH UP HIGHER PREMIUMS because SSS TECHNOCRATS are ANNOUNCING TO HIGH HEAVENS THAT SSS IS IN DANGER OF HAVING ITS COFFERS DRYING UP IN THE NEAR FUTURE.NO MORAL ASCENDANCY TOO, when the MAXIMUM SALARY LOAN AN SSS MEMBER (THE OWNER OF THE SSS MONIES) IS ALLOWED TO HAVE FOR 24 MONTHS IS A PALTRY PHP30,000.00, MUCH MUCH LOWER THAT THAT MINIMUM/AVERAGE PERFORMANCE BONUS SSS PERSONNEL GOT LAST 2012. NO MORAL ASCENDANCY TOO, BECAUSE the said SALARY LOAN CAN REACH A MEMBER AS TORTUOUSLY SLOW AS 30 DAYS, thus, what kind of PERFORMANCE WORTH PHP276MILLION ARE SSS PEOPLE SPEAKING OF IN THE FIRST PLACE?!?! And I'm not even bringing up here the FULL GAMUT OF LITANIES OF WOES RE SSS SERVICE, or the LACUNAE of it.;
5. As the SSS MEMBERS who OWN THE SSS MONIES (FROM WHERE THE PHP276MILLION BONUSES WERE DERIVED) BY MAJORITY ARE EARNING MEASLY SALARIES (THUS SURELY AREN'T EARNING PHP55,200.00 monthly), isn't it at the least UNCONSCIONABLE that SSS EMPLOYEES would have the wherewithal to be gifted with such GIGANTIC PHP276,000,000.00 BONUS.
I call on the SSS BOARD OF DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, AND EMPLOYEES: If you indeed believe in the truth of this government's DAANG MATUWID credo, please HAVE THE SENSE to RETURN THE AMOUNT WHICH YOU DON'T DESERVE TO GET AS BONUSES. Yes, I believe that you deserve a PERFORMANCE BONUS. BUT NOT A WHOOPING TUNE OF PHP276,000,000.00.
I call on our Executive Department, aka, President Pnoy, to please make A FAST, TRANSPARENT, an HONEST-TO-GOODNESS COMPARATIVE STUDY OF THE PERFORMANCE BONUSES OF ALL GOCCs, and see, if the SSS isn't WAY BEYOND WHAT'S FAIR AND REASONABLE, EVEN GIVEN THEIR SO-CALLED performance. Another call I make is for the Executive to EXPEDITE the return of the SSS MONIES which were undeservedly doled-out to the SSS BAORD DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, and EMPLOYEES as performance bonus. Yes, I agree, they deserve a bonus, BUT NOT THAT PHP276MILLION BONUS!
Otherwise, the SSS should be better off changing its proudly-aired motto as "Kabalikat ng Bayan," into "SSS, pinulikat ang bayan."
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