Fierce Mayor Punching a Sheriff!!!

Vice Mayor of Davao City, Sara Duterte is officially declared winner after defeating House Speaker Prospero Nograles for the mayoralty post of Davao City, and becoming the first woman to occupy the post in the city’s history. A lot of people voted for her, aspiring her to follow her fathers footsteps, being a good example to the people and doing a lot for Davao City.

Last July 1, 2011, violence erupted during a demolition operation. Sara Duterte repeatedly punched the sheriff of the Davao Regional Trial Court, Abe Andres, during the demolition because Duterte had asked for a 2-hour extension of the deadline to demolish shanties but demolition teams pushed through with their operation. This incident could be a reason to disbar Sara Duterte as a lawyer. Do you think what she did to the sheriff was right? Should the Department of Justice push through in disbarring her?

Illegal and Monopolistic PLDT-Digitel Merger

In correlation to the issue about PLDT-Digitel Merger, section 19, Art. XII of the 1987 Constitution states: “The State shall regulate or prohibit monopolies when the public interest so requires. No combinations in restraint of trade or unfair competition shall be allowed.”. Essentially the same provisions can be found in the franchises of PLDT, RA 7082 renewed in 1991, Globe Telecom RA 7229 granted in 1992, and Smart Communications RA 7294 also in 1992. This provision was also reiterated in the franchise granted by Congress in 2002 to Digitel Mobile Philippines, Inc., which owns Sun Cellular. Under the said franchises, Digitel, PLDT and Globe – the top three telecommunications companies – are required to get congressional approval before any lease, transfer, grant of usufruct, sale, and transfer of rights and privileges of their franchise.

First thing’s first. The merger is illegal because such a buyout or swap and share deal, whatever you call it, requires congressional approval. This is explicit in Digitel’s and Digitel Mobile’s franchises. Proponents of the merger say congressional approval of such mergers and acquisitions have already been waived by virtue of the 1995 Public Telecommunications Policy Act (RA 7925), which ensures equality of treatment for franchise holders. Now that were the words from Bayan Muna Representative Teddy A. Casino. Why do you think the Congress did such provisions? Will this help us in our queries?

Senate finds the PLDT-Digitel merger OK!!!

“We didn’t find any violation on the part of Digitel and PLDT. We’re leaving it up to the NTC to decide the legality and other issues like frequency,” the Inquirer.net quotes Sen. Ramon Revilla Jr., chair of the public services committee, as saying. Revilla said that both the Digitel and PLDT had separate franchises and thus do not need congress approval for their deal. This issue therefore is up to our regulatory friend, the National Telecommunications Commission, for approval. Interesting.

Last March, the PLDT announced that it would acquire a majority stake of Digitel. Of course the deal, as many of us knew, was being questioned by a lot of parties, including Globe Telecom. Last month, a hearing occurred about this pathetic issue. Since the hearing is far from reality, the NTC, our friend, is at least doing their job with regard to this controversy. Does the senate care for us, consumers? No? Why? Corruption? Really?

Disputes Over Spratly Islands!!!

The Spratly Islands are a group of more than 700 islands, islets, reefs, atolls, and cays in the West Philippine Sea. The archipelago lies off the coasts of our dearest motherland, the Philippines, of Malaysia, and some part to Vietnam. But there is a territorial dispute over the ownership of not all, some of the Spratly Islands. The People's Republic of China, Republic of China (Taiwan), Brunei, Malaysia, Vietnam, and the Philippines are the states who stake claims to these islands.

The Philippines made their first claim in the area, which they refer to as Kalayan islands in 1975. The Philippines history over this islands began in May 1956 when a private Philippine expedition surveyed and occupied some of the islands, which are then uninhabited. Other claimants such as China, Taiwan, and Brunei based their claims over some documents. What are your views over this popular issue?

12-Year Basic Education Cycle!!!

I welcome all the freshmen students of the Ateneo de Zamboanga University. As you choose this Jesuit institution who promotes spirituality, excellence and citizenship, it is more likely of choosing to be a man and woman for others. I welcome also the old students, transferees, staff, and faculty. Moving on to some education issues of our country, the president of the philippines, tito pnoy, as all of us might know suggested some months ago the 12-year basic education cycle. This means adding two years from our current basic education program.

The suggested new program of our president was seconded by our department of education secretary, Bro. Armin Luistro, a former president of the La Salle. The K + 12, as the program called by many, have been opposed by many groups, including Fr. Bienvenido Nebres, a former president of the Ateneo de Manila University. Do you think our country is ready for this K + 12 program? Why?

NTC hearing on PLDT-Digitel, today!!!

Now that our issue over the PLDT-Digitel merger has been set to be heard today, we can now say that maybe, maybe, maybe the National Telecommunications Commission is a friend of ours, consumers. This issue is not fresh for us guys, who continuously follow no matter what, and this hearing is definitely a legal action. This hearing is being requested by the NTC, our ICT regulatory agency friend, for the Digitel and PLDT submissions of some financial and technical documents. The hearing is also for those parties who oppose the deal.

But of course, we are not really sure if our friend's decision will be for our side or for those two big companies. We should be vigilant guys, especially nowadays that almost all the government officials are corrupt and selfish. Well, even the president, Tito Noynoy, requested the justice department, whether this deal would be aligned to our interest. What are your views on this hearing today?

Smart Communications' Tax Exemption!!!

Tax is a financial charge upon a taxpayer (may it be an individual or an organization). Though tax is not a voluntary payment or donation , it is basically the second most important part of the state, next after the countrymen. It builds the nation through the government's supervision. Tax has many forms, property, bank, and of course the income tax, the most popular, and many more. The government get more taxes from the corporate world, those with towers reaching the skies.

The Manila City council has granted a tax exemption to Smart Communications, after the latter's request to be exempted from property tax. Why on earth the Philippine government's bright, super intelligent, and smart officials allow such absurd and unconstitutional act? Is this some kind of the corruption issues of our government? Or just a PLDT-Smart step towards monopoly?

End of the world!!!

There are news circulating around the text messages,television news, and social networking sites that this coming saturday, May 21, 2011, is the end of the world a.k.a judgment day. It is claimed by the US-based Christian group Family Radio Worldwide after the group's leader, Harold Camping, calculated the date based on his interpretation of the Bible. Moreover, this group also predicted that great floods and earthquakes will shake the earth at 6PM that day.

I thought December 21, 2012 is the upcoming doomsday. But if this would really going to happen, so be it. Since this is another epic story, what can you say about this fantastic issue? If ever you are a superhero that would save the world from this apocalyptic event, who among the popular characters you would want to be? Why?

NTC over telco issue. An introduction!!!

Guys, do you know that we have a government agency friend over our issue on the PLDT-Digitel merger? Yes! It's the NTC or the National Telecommunications Commission. The NTC "is a regulatory agency providing an environment that ensures reliable, affordable and viable infrastructure and services in information and communication technology (ICT) accessible to all". See, we have a friend (*choked), ehem, a friend?

Remember guys, it's a "government agency" that suppose to help us on our ICT needs. So why this agency is still reviewing this *ucking merger when it suppose to disapprove it in the first place? Do you think this agency, i mean this "government agency" will help us over our issue on the "controversial merger"? Or, they are just the same with other Philippine government's corrupt agencies?

Reproductive Health what? BILL!!!

Reproductive Health bill is one of the hottest issues in the Philippines nowadays. The present government is definitely pursuing the bill to made it into an act. But there are sectors from the society that oppose the implementation of this bill. With the current situation of our country, the legislators think that the bill will solve the nation from poverty and unwanted pregnancy by introducing this birth control measure, a new family planning method.

For your own additional understanding, the RH bill to others is an "anti-poor", anti-women","anti-life", and "pro-abortion". And of course, there are those who believe the bill as "pro-poor", "pro-women", "pro-life", and "anti-abortion". Where you really able to scan the RH bill 5043? Are you "pro-rh"? Or "anti-rh"? What's your stand on this issue?

Merging Smart and Sun Cellular, good or bad???

Sun Cellular, as we all know, popularize the call and text unlimited promos. But many of us consumers do not really care about this issue, especially if you come from the other service provider. Though sun started it all, we, users of smart and globe are greatly affected by this. Why? Because the promo offered by the third largest telco player became a way for smart and globe to lower its cost for messaging and voice calls.

If you're a sun cellular user, you definitely care if PLDT, who owns the smart communications, will cut its promos. On the other side, if you're not a sun cellular user, you might not care about this. But you have to come to think of it. If there are less competitors out there, high cost for loads will be implemented again. The question is, do you think smart and sun cellular merger is good or bad?

United States of America versus the world!!!

Philippines is a country with a culture that is more western than orientals. United States of America is a friend of our country. We have visiting forces agreement with them. They play a major role in our development. And of course, the employment of our nationals abroad. But still, we are a country of sovereign state. We have our own government. We have our own people. We have our own sovereignty. So as Pakistan. Yes Pakistan.

Some days ago, we learned from the news about what happened with Ben Laden in Pakistan. Ben Laden is dead according to news headlines. He was of course, the mastermind of all the major attacks in American soil. But US forces attacked his hideout without the knowledge of the Pakistani government. Do you think, US has the right to interfere over a sovereign country?

PLDT buys Sun Cellular operator!!!

Part of our IT interesting globe smart topics is the acquisition of Digital Telecommunications Philippines, Inc. (Digitel) by the Philippine Long Distance Telephone (PLDT) company "from JG Summit amounting to Php74.1 billion or 51.55% shares in exchange of new PLDT assets worth 2,500 per share." PLDT owns the smart communications, red mobile, and talk 'n text, while Digitel owns the sun cellular, the third largest player in Philippines' telco industry.

According to Digitel, they will continue the expansion of broadband and of future technologies together with PLDT. Last year, smart has already forty five million subscribers, while sun cellular has sixteen million subscribers. On the other hand, the second telco player, globe, has twenty seven million subscribers. Do you think it's the best move for Digitel?

A Philippine pride!!!

Before I continue with smart globe issues. Let's celebrate first the victory of Manny Pacquiao. He won a lopsided 12-round decision over Sugar Shane Mosley on Saturday night. Though he was not able to get the knockout he wanted, beating Mosley at the MGM Grand Garden in Las Vegas is definitely a history. And of course, as a Filipino, It's my pride to give honor to him. He is to truly a Philippine pride. One of the best Filipinos out there.

There are several questions arise from my mind about our champion. And I need to have your side guys, about Manny Pacquiao's status today. He is a great Filipino boxer. And he is also a congressman in Sarangani. In your opinion, do Manny Pacquiao need to continue his boxing fights? Or focus more on his duties as a lawmaker?

A little survey!!!

I have an interesting topic found in online newspapers and online tvs. It's a big issue that usually people around, like us, are not aware of. Of course this is about technology, as I promised in my previous post. Since I am here to brag about something, I want to be part of this issue. And you also, my reader, are definitely hundred percent part of this issue. Wanna know it now? Later! By five seconds you'll probably get some hints.

Let me ask you this question, are you a smart user? a globe user? a sun cell? a tm? a talk 'n text? or a red mobile user? There are three mobile service providers; smart (with talk 'n text and red mobile), globe (with touch mobile and tattoo), and sun cellular . Which provider you think give the best with regards to your preference?

Good to be back!!!

It's really good to be back online. I stopped blogging for almost a year now. This is actually my second blog here at blogger. Now that I'm back, I just want to brag something here, something about our society. As a citizen of this country, I learned something from newspapers, good and bad news. As a netizen, i learned something from issues around the world. I learned something from other peoples' opinion, especially those who brag about something.

I want to do simple things that will create a big impact to others. It's hard to think about these matters. But the net will be of a great help, I'm sure of this. And of course, my passion with reading books and newspapers is a big point. Do you believe me? Anyways, since I am into information technology, I think i better start with such subject. Right? Any suggestion guys?