Bahay Ni Juan

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Hanging Out With Prospero Pichay, Sr. 

www.igougo.com

 

A whole afternoon of trying out surfing had most of the gang become aware how laundry in the washing machine feels. Everyone tumbled and turned in the waves and would be taking home a souvenir of bruises here and there.

After we have showered and eaten, we decided to go to the Boulevard we saw when we got to Lanuza. Spanning probably more than a kilometer, it actually drew our attention because of its bricked walkway, iron-wrought benches and fancy lamp posts. We all felt it was an odd thing to have for such a small sixth class municipality. For a town which road needs work, the Prospero Pichay, Sr. Boulevard stood out in its extravagance. But we had to give it to whoever made it, it was beautiful.

I had no idea who Prospero Pichay, Sr. was, but logic tells me that he is (was?) the father of the Surigao Congressman running for Senate during the May 2007 elections. And this congressman was someone I would definitely not vote for. But hey, like him or not…that Boulevard is probably a favorite spot during the International Surfing Festival every November.

The day has long gone and the night has nestled itself comfortably into the sky. Everyone was pooped from the afternoon extreme sports. But the cool sea wind was beckoning, telling us to take some time to just sit on the benches and enjoy the sound of the sea.

As we sat, ate chips and told stories, I felt it was a nice way to cap the day. We all lived in a place where the night was greeted by a barrage of lights and drowned by noise pollution. That time, we were facing the ocean, with only pinpricks of light from the houses on the shore and the sounds of nature emphasizing the silence. The light from the lamps actually set the ambience for the evening rather than overpowered it. The crescent moon and the generous sprinkling of stars were simply breathtaking, a sight to behold. The waves that were beating us up just that afternoon has quieted a little. They came at slow intervals, lapping at the shore and sucking at the sand. Our usual loud voices were noticeably slightly toned down, though unintentionally.

I guess in the silence of our hearts, what was happening that moment was something we city folks rarely get to experience and something we want to enjoy the fullest.

When we finally left the Boulevard, our bodies may have been tired but our souls were refreshed by God’s wonderful creations.

Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero has filed a Senate bill (proposed Child Internet Safety and Protection Act) which aims to regulate Internet access of anybody below 18 on Philippine soil.

Press release:

With the unhampered access and widespread use of the internet today, Sen. Chiz Escudero wants to regulate internet access by Filipino children through a bill he filed at the Senate.

Escudero explained that his proposed Child Internet Safety and Protection Act of 2008 seeks to prohibit and restrict the access of harmful materials in the Internet by minors.

“If the Internet already serves as a medium that caters pornography, violence and other immorality to minors, it is submitted that proper regulation should be implemented,” he said.

Senate Bill No. 2098 wants all commercial establishments or public Internet points offering Internet services to provide filtered “clean feed” Internet service to users below 18 years old.

“The State shall encourage and make widely accessible the use of similar filtering products for households to enable parents and guardians to block web pages that are considered unsuitable to children,” he said.

Under the said bill, Internet cafes and establishments offering Internet service must only use Internet filtering software duly approved and prescribed by the Child Internet Safety Council (CISC) which will be created under the proposed Child Internet Safety and Protection Act of 2008.

Functions of the CISC which will be under the Department of Social Welfare and Development and with representatives from other concerned government offices include determining harmful websites and Internet contents to which children’s access shall be restricted and conduct regular inspections of establishments offering Internet service.

A fine of P50, 000 will be imposed for violators. This will be doubled to P100, 000 if they committed the offense for the second time.

Commission of the offense for the third time will face violators a fine of P200, 000 and revocation of their business permits and licenses.

 

  Issues and Questions

Let’s highlight portions of the press release:

Internet cafes and establishments offering Internet service must only use Internet filtering software duly approved and prescribed by the Child Internet Safety Council (CISC)

Why would private enterprises be forced to use commercial software ONLY approved by a government-led body? This is worse than Bill Gates forcing his Windows down the throat of the average PC user. Who decides which software to use? Which big business is going to profit from a nationwide forced use of commercial software? Knowing how corrupt the system is, this could be another scandal in the making.

Senate Bill No. 2098 wants all commercial establishments or public Internet points offering Internet services to provide filtered “clean feed” Internet service to users below 18 years old.

Who decides what a “clean feed” is? Whose morality or judgement shall prevail? Will “clean feed” exclude those websites that are critical of public officials government policies, government corruption or even Escudero himself?

What will prevent the State/government censors from abusing this proposed law to clamp down on dissenting opinion on the Internet?

A fine of P50, 000 will be imposed for violators. This will be doubled to P100, 000 if they committed the offense for the second time. Commission of the offense for the third time will face violators a fine of P200, 000 and revocation of their business permits and licenses.

Some violators may just opt to give an underpaid government inspector P5,000 in grease money.

Options and Practical Solutions

Instead of resorting to Draconian measures that may fall in the hands of abusive Philippine government officials, restricting access by children to inappropriate content on the Internet should be encouraged at the family level.

It is the parents’ prime responsibility to monitor their children’s online activities. They may use commercial filtering software, or configure their computer’s security settings to block pornographic websites. They may also activate the filtering options in popular search engines such as Yahoo and Google, so that a simple search for “Filipina” does not return adult content.

At the ISP level, Internet Service Providers should be encouraged to provide their customers with information and methods to block websites inappropriate for minors.

Internet cafes should be encouraged, and NOT FORCED, to use filtering software. Enforcement in the Philippines is still a bad joke, and unless corruption is eradicated at even the lowest levels, enforcement will fail.

Source

 

 Cheaper Medicines Bill Petition

Good morning everyone! I usually don’t do political posts anymore here at Waukster but I’m really pushing for this so I might as well do it here. Since I started this blog, I’ve always done my best to keep all of you informed with all the latest happenings for our games. Now let’s turn the tables, it’s me asking a big favor from all of you. Please sign this online petition that will push for the passage of the Cheaper Medicines Bill authored by Senator Mar Roxas.

It’s amazing that pharma companies are able to sway the votes and minds of our congressmen and senators. I’m really shocked at how arrogant some of our politicians are. This is a really good bill that when passed will lower costs of medicines and it will have a genuine effect on all of us - regardless if we are poor, rich, or middle class.

Since we live in the internet age and it would be so tiring to go to a rally, let’s all just sign this online petition instead (LOL). Here’s the link - please feel free to blog about this and pass this to your friends. Let’s take up this cause and make our leaders hear it!

Related Topics:

The Race for the 2010 Presidential Elections is On

Mar Roxas Vows to Bring LP to Victory in 2010

Why invest in the Philippines? by Sec. Mar Roxas II

Soap-to-nuts style from Mar Roxas

Transcript of ambush interview with Senator Mar Roxas

Labor Slams Mar Roxas

ROXAS ON LIBERAL PARTY? NEXT PHILIPPINE PRESIDENT?

[Ip-health] Philippines, Senator Mar Roxas: CPR ON BIRD FLU - Compulsory licensing urged for TamifluSenator Mar Roxas graces Alay Lakad programs in Tacloban and Tanauan

The Race for the 2010 Presidential Elections is On

Just today, I stumbled upon a blog (marroxas2010.blogspot.com) which claims to the “dedicated to the people who want to ENCOURAGE and SUPPORT Senator Mar Roxas as the next President of the Philippines.” It also claims to be the “1st blog of the 2010 Philippine Presidential Elections.” Two things immediately crossed my mind.

First, it’s never too early to start the 2010 Presidential race, or any elections for that matter. The gap between elections (3 years for Congress and other elective officials, 6 years for the President and Vice-President) is theoretically meant for the winning candidate to serve the people, and not to think about the next elections. This is most probably the reason why early campaigning is a criminal offense.

Second, the next elections will most likely be an affirmation of the power of blogs. In fact, I believe that the site for Sen. Mar Roxas is not the “1st blog of the 2010 Philippine Presidential Elections.” Months back, I also stumbled on a similar blog — for Sen. Richard Gordon (teamgordon2010.blogspot.com). The blog header reads: ‘We are just ordinary citizens working for change and trying to make a difference. Hand to hand and heart to heart, building a better future today. Through this blog we hope to reach out to the people whose lives have been touched and changed for the better by Dick Gordon. Let us all come together and help elect Dick Gordon for President in 2010.” (Note: please see comment of Kevin Chua below, which means that I could be wrong)

So, whose 2010 blog is next?

Related Topics:

Cheaper Medicines Bill Petition

The Race for the 2010 Presidential Elections is On

Mar Roxas Vows to Bring LP to Victory in 2010

Why invest in the Philippines? by Sec. Mar Roxas II

Soap-to-nuts style from Mar Roxas

Transcript of ambush interview with Senator Mar Roxas

Labor Slams Mar Roxas

ROXAS ON LIBERAL PARTY? NEXT PHILIPPINE PRESIDENT?

[Ip-health] Philippines, Senator Mar Roxas: CPR ON BIRD FLU - Compulsory licensing urged for TamifluSenator Mar Roxas graces Alay Lakad programs in Tacloban and Tanauan

Mar Roxas Vows to Bring LP to Victory in 2010

Monday, 26 November 2007

 

Sen. Mar Roxas today assumed the presidency of the Liberal Party, in a huge event at the historic Club Filipino that had all the elements of a presidential campaign. He vowed to lead the party to “victory in 2010.”

Speaking to a jampacked crowd of more than a thousand, the grandson of former Philippine president and LP founder Manuel Roxas said he envisioned a party “attuned to the modes and methods of modern times” but attached to its core values on good and honest public service.

“I accept the challenge of building up a strong, united and modern LP—sharpening its purpose, rededicating it to its founding principles, and leading it to victory in 20120,” the 50-year-old Roxas said after formally assuming the post from former Senate President Franklin M. Drilon.

For the occasion, Roxas used the slogan “Oras Na” (It’s time), declaring “it is time for change, a time for renewal” and that “repeating old cures will no longer obliterate diseases.” The senator, who is preparing for a presidential run in 2010, told partymates that “business as usual is simply not acceptable” in an organization that seeks “transformational change.”

In his speech, Roxas took a clear stand against the government on critical issues. “You cannot be a part of the beloved Liberal Party of Ninoy, Ka Jovy, Ka Bobby Tañada, Ka Raul, and not form an opinion about the killings of journalists and activists and widespread graft and corruption aided and abetted by the abuse and misuse of executive privilege.” (read Roxas’ speech here)

The event was clearly a test-run for Roxas’s campaign, and the crowd was a mixed bag of political clans, businessmen, activists, and local officials. By the end of his speech, the crowd cheered and his mother Judy Araneta Roxas cried.

LP stalwarts Jovito Salonga and Wigberto Tañada joined the event, with Salonga swearing in Roxas. The Garcias, Osmeñas, and the Romualdezes of the Visayas were there. Former President Corazon Aquino graced the affair (her husband the late Benigno Aquino Jr. was an LP stalwart), and so did local executives such as Naga City Mayor Jesse Robredo, Isabela Gov. Grace Padaca, South Cotabato Gov. Daisy Fuentes, and former Datu Paglas Mayor Toto Paglas. Busloads of local officials and residents from Iloilo and Panay came. Also spotted were opposition spokesperson Adel Tamano and former Arroyo Cabinet members who now form the Black and White Movement led by former social welfare secretary Dinky Soliman. Noticeably absent was Roxas’ girlfriend, ABS-CBN anchor and special correspondent Korina Sanchez.

Hours before the event—which was really the meeting of the national executive committee of the party—talks were held between the LP leadership and a breakaway faction led by Environment Secretary Lito Atienza. While the Supreme Court has upheld the leadership of Drilon (and now Roxas) as the legitimate LP representative, Atienza and his allies continue to distance themselves from the party leadership.

In today’s meeting between Atienza’s representatives and the LP leadership, the former reportedly said that they were all supporting Roxas’s presidential bid but that they would want Atienza to assume the position of party chair. That position, however, has reportedly been promised to Drilon already.

Roxas said he was open to calls for unity but “not at the expense of its independence.”

Atienza and his allies are loyal to President Arroyo. It is this loyalty that caused a split in the party—its 7th in its 61-year history—because Drilon and the rest chose to leave the ruling coalition after the “Hello, Garci” scandal involving no less than President Arroyo, whose father, the late president Diosdado Macapagal, was a Liberal.

 

Related Topics: 

Related Topics:

Cheaper Medicines Bill Petition

The Race for the 2010 Presidential Elections is On

Why invest in the Philippines? by Sec. Mar Roxas II

Soap-to-nuts style from Mar Roxas

Transcript of ambush interview with Senator Mar Roxas

Labor Slams Mar Roxas

ROXAS ON LIBERAL PARTY? NEXT PHILIPPINE PRESIDENT?

[Ip-health] Philippines, Senator Mar Roxas: CPR ON BIRD FLU - Compulsory licensing urged for TamifluSenator Mar Roxas graces Alay Lakad programs in Tacloban and Tanauan

 

 

Why invest in the Philippines? by Sec. Mar Roxas II

The very recent one is the congressional approval of the Retail Trade Act allowing foreign investors to do retailing activities in the country.

Expanding Infrastructure - Though major concern lies on the inadequacy of infrastructure such as roads, railroads, airports, seaports and other utilities, programs/projects are underway to rapidly expand transportation, communications and other support facilities. The implementation of the Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) scheme that attracts private development capital was very successful, especially in the area of power generation.

Business-Ready Regional Investment Sites - Under its policy of industrialization or regionalization, the government has been establishing Regional Growth Centers, Economic Zones and Industrial Zones equipped with full infrastructure support by way of road networks, power, telecommunications and other utilities that effectively direct job-creating projects to the countryside.

Competitive Investment Incentives- The government has lined up incentive packages for investors covering fiscal and non-fiscal incentives. Foreign investors, as a general rule, can own up to 100 percent of the equity except in areas included in the Negative List. Major investment incentives consist of a combination of tax breaks and customs duty exemptions depending on what government entity one applies with (i.e., Board of Investments, Philippine Economic Zone Authority, Clark Special Economic Zone and the Subic Bay Freeport Zone). Government is also planning to unify investment incentives in the future.

Sectoral opportunities

Electronics - On the manufacture of "high value added" products (i.e., Wafer Fabrication, Flip chip technology).

Regional Service Centers (RSCs) - A new area of job growth with lots of potential. The RSCs centralize back-office administrative functions from Asian locations or act as service bureaus to assist in meeting customer needs. The Centers generally employ skilled professionals from finance, treasury and accounting fields. Data flows utilizing specialized software through leased lines and the Internet.

Information Technology Services - This is a relatively new area of investments utilizing the abundant supply of Filipino software engineers and programmers. Activities are focused on application system/software development, IT-enables services, Support and Knowledge-based activities and Business Outsourcing.

Parts and Components - This is basically in the automotive, machines and equipment, infrastructure sector. The Philippines has also become one of the major world exporters of wire harness.

Banking - Under existing law, foreign banks are eligible to purchase up to 60 percent of the capital stock of an existing local bank.

Related Topics:

Cheaper Medicines Bill Petition

The Race for the 2010 Presidential Elections is On

Mar Roxas Vows to Bring LP to Victory in 2010

Soap-to-nuts style from Mar Roxas

Transcript of ambush interview with Senator Mar Roxas

Labor Slams Mar Roxas

ROXAS ON LIBERAL PARTY? NEXT PHILIPPINE PRESIDENT?

[Ip-health] Philippines, Senator Mar Roxas: CPR ON BIRD FLU - Compulsory licensing urged for TamifluSenator Mar Roxas graces Alay Lakad programs in Tacloban and Tanauan

 

Soap-to-nuts style from Mar Roxas

OPEN NOTEBOOK
By Random Jottings

Monday, April 07, 2008

WITH screaming headlines on the rice crisis now the staple diet in almost every major newspaper in the Asia/Pacific region, Senator Mar Roxas provided his own food for thought on the issue by more or less suggesting that the Department of Agriculture was the last to know that a major problem was about to hit Filipino dining tables.

Thundered Roxas: “The Food Summit should have been convened long before the DA’s admonition for the people to start eating brown rice or half-a-cup of rice. The government was obviously caught flat-footed by the shooting up of rice prices in the world market and we now see an adrenaline rush among executives to come up with abrupt measures.”

Last week the BBC devoted quite a bit of prime time to zoom in on the rice crisis in the Philippines, with the Beeb’s reporter (while perched halfway up to the ceiling on a tower of rice sacks in a government warehouse!) asserting that the Philippines was now the world’s largest exporter of rice.

And footage of Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap showing the reporter around the warehouse tightly packed from floor to ceiling with sacks of rice from Vietnam seemed to prove that point. Though it must be said that the case Yap appeared to be making to BBC viewers with his guided tour was that there was no problem of a rice shortage in the Philippines.

Roxas, for his part, is correctly suggesting that the crisis provides a good opportunity for the country to get far-sighted and plan ahead. He explains: “We must now convert the current crisis into a genuine opportunity for agricultural reforms. What we need is a ten-year food security plan done quietly but competently in consultation with experts and stakeholders, attuned with global trends and realities but with very clear domestic targets and a realistic to-do list.”

The senator—who as the Liberal Party president is one of the top bets for the 2010 presidential race—believes that unless far reaching steps are put in place now the Philippines will continue to muddle its way through a global regime of soaring food prices. He asserts that any well-meaning recommendations of different groups during the one-day Food Summit should be integrated into this ten-year plan.

Added Roxas: “A ten-year food security plan must be done soup-to-nuts style, meaning from seed distribution to market access and with social programs to help farmers in between cycles. It must identify the number of driers that the DA will purchase for our farmers per municipality to prevent spoilage and wastage.

“It also must include a nationwide irrigation plan and funds for R&D attuned to specific rice productivity targets for the next ten years. It should include a detailed plan for other non-agricultural food sectors as well.

“We must also consider the fiscal sustainability factor as we are confronted with a humongous rice import bill for the coming months alone. I reiterate my call on the President to convene the LEDAC so we can reach a consensus on interim and long-term solutions to the current food crisis and its impact on our country’s fiscal and economic situation.

“As to public accountability, let’s start with the government’s rice importation program. How much in totality are our rice imports? When were they negotiated, for how much per metric ton, and when will these rice imports actually arrive in Manila?

“The release of such information is the best assurance to our people that there will indeed be adequate supplies of rice in the country for the coming months. I ask the DA and DBM to pre­sent this bill of particulars to the people as a sign of their commitment to transparency and accountability in the use of agriculture funds.”

Incidentally, if the presidential aspirations of Roxas bear glorious fruit in 2010 he will be in the best position to make sure the 10-year plan he is suggesting now is successfully steered through. But that, as they say, is another story!

Related Topics:

Cheaper Medicines Bill Petition

The Race for the 2010 Presidential Elections is On

Mar Roxas Vows to Bring LP to Victory in 2010

Why invest in the Philippines? by Sec. Mar Roxas II

Transcript of ambush interview with Senator Mar Roxas

Labor Slams Mar Roxas

ROXAS ON LIBERAL PARTY? NEXT PHILIPPINE PRESIDENT?

[Ip-health] Philippines, Senator Mar Roxas: CPR ON BIRD FLU - Compulsory licensing urged for TamifluSenator Mar Roxas graces Alay Lakad programs in Tacloban and Tanauan

 
 Transcript of ambush interview with Senator Mar Roxas

On the NBN investigation:

Q: Do you agree with the termination of NBN hearings?

MAR: Napapanahon na magkaroon ng interim report, subalit hindi ibig sabihing tapos na ang proceedings dito sa ZTE. Alam natin na hinadlangan ng ehekutibo ang pag-appear ng napakaraming witness, at hanggang sa ngayon, kami ni Senator Noynoy Aquino, mayroon kaming inihain sa Supreme Court na kailangan pa ring dinggin tungkol dito sa dokumento mula sa NEDA. Yung OSG, Office of the Solicitor General mismo, apat na beses humingi ng postponement, siguro higit sa tatlong buwan na na-postpone ang pagdinig sa isyung ito. Itong mga public records ng NBN hearings, sa palagay namin, ay nararapat makita ng sambayanan, makita ng Senado at malaman natin kung ano ang mga konsiderasyon na pumasok sa desisyon na ipagpatuloy itong ZTE deal na ito. So kahit mayroong interim o pansamantalang report, hindi ibig sabihin na tapos na ito.

Q: So hindi ka pa satisfied sa information so far?

MAR: Iyan yung dahilan kung bakit naghain tayo sa Korte Suprema ng petisyon na i-release ang mga NEDA documents dahilan sa ito ay public records at dito nakalahad ang mga konsiderasyon, ano ang mga dahilan kung bakit inaprubahan ito, bagamat salungat ito doon sa mga policy ng Pangulo mismo na sinabi niya sa ibang mga NEDA hearings. Alam natin na yung EO 464 at MC 108, yung pag-invoke ng executive privilege, lahat ito ay ginamit para hindi ilahad ang buong katotohanan dito sa ZTE. Ganunpaman, marami pa ring hearing ang ginanap dito sa ZTE, gagawa sila ng interim report para ma-establish kung ano ang impormasyon na pumasok dito sa Senado.

Q: Sa tingin mo ba’y walang direct link kay PGMA?

MAR: That is an actual statement, because wala naman talagang tao na nag-testify na kinonnect niya ang Pangulo o inutos ng Pangulo tungkol dito sa ZTE. That is an accurate reflection of the record. But there are clearly other circumstances and other events that would lead one to believe that Malacañang, the executive, the President, clearly influenced or clearly had some say as to the direction of the transaction as well as the approval of the transaction. Iyan ang dahilan kung bakit napakahalaga itong mga NEDA documents. Noong nakaraang NEDA hearing, ang Pangulo mismo nagsabi ‘basta BOT iyan. Basta hindi gobyerno iyan. Basta walang utang ang tao diyan. Basta walang government guarantee iyan. Basta hindi iyan katulad ng mga IPP na energy contracts na take-or-pay.’ Iyan ang mga kondisyon ng Pangulo na sinabi niya sa NEDA hearings. E fast-forward tayo, nagkaroon ng NEDA hearings, nabulaga na lang na naaprubahan itong ZTE deal na ito, bagamat ang kanyang features as salungat doon sa mga patakarang ito. So ano nangyari? Nangyari ba ito dahil hindi alam ng Pangulo? Nangyari ba ito na nabaligtad ang mga considerations? Ano ang mga dahilan? Ano ang discussion na nabaligtad lahat itong magagandang patakaran–na hindi gobyerno, hindi take-or-pay, hindi government guarantee, hindi utang na mga patakaran - bakit nabaligtad ang lahat ng ito, at naging utang na ng sambayanan itong project na ito na mukhang napaka-overpriced.

On the Affordable Medicines Bill:

Q: Do you see the bill being passed into law?

MAR: I think so. Wala namang dahilan kung bakit hindi matutuloy ito, na-ratify na ito ng Kamara, naka enroll na ito sa Malacañang, yung Malacañang na ang magse-schedule kung ipipirma ito ng Pangulo o hinde. Kung hindi niya ito pirmahan, o kaya hindi niya ito i-veto sa loob ng tatlumpung araw, magiging batas iyan.

Q: May mga nagsasabi na minadali siya para maipasa bago mag-Labor Day.

MAR: Madali? Sampung taon nating pinagtrabaho ito. Noong nakaraang Kongreso, mayroon nang bersyon ang Senado, hindi ipinasa ng Kamara. Ngayon naman ay sa wakas nagkaroon ng bersyon ang Kamara at nagkaroon ng bicam. Apat na buwan tayong nag-bicam. Palagay ko naman hindi ito minadali, at kung minadali man, ano masama n’on, dahilan sa kailangan na kailangan ng ating mga kababayan ang tulong laban sa sobrang mahal na gamot.

Q: Congressman Ronnie Zamora continues to insist on a Price Regulatory Board.

MAR: Bumoto naman siya against, hindi siya sinuportahan ng kanyang Kamara. There were twelve members of the bicameral conference committee on the House side. Nine voted unqualified yes. Two voted qualified yes. Isa lang ang no: siya. We respect his opinion, pero palagay ko, mali. Kahit nasa Pangulo ang kapangyarihan na mag-set ng price ceiling, ang kagandahan nito ay alam natin kung sino ang sisisihin natin, alam natin kung sino tatanungin natin, alam natin kung sino ang may kapangyarihan, kung sino ang may awtoridad at responsibilidad para gampanan ang trabaho na ito.

Hindi natin masasabi ngayon dahil bawat gamot ay iba ang karanasan at iba ang presyo. Ang mahalaga rito ay madaragdagan ang kompetisyon dito sa bansa natin. Pinatibay natin itong BFAD para mas mabilis ang pag-proseso nitong mga bagong gamot na pumapasok dito. Pinalakas natin ang ating generics industry dito sa bansa natin, nang sa gayon ay makapagbigay sila ng dagdag na kompetisyon. Hinayaan natin at ginawa nating malinaw na puwede itong parallel importation, na kung mas abot-kaya ang gamot sa ibang bansa ay puwedeng i-angkat dito. At higit sa lahat, ang Pangulo ay binigyan natin ng kapangyarihan na mag-set ng price ceiling. Lahat itong mga kasangkapang ito ay nakapaloob sa batas na iyan, at sa kombinasyon ng mga ito ay inaasahang bababa ang presyo ng mga gamot.

Ang ginigiit ng iba ay magkaroon ng "board." Ang lumabas dito sa bill ay Pangulo mismo. Walang pagkakaiba diyan, ang kagandahan ng nasa Pangulo ay alam natin kung sino ang sisisihin natin. Alam natin kung sino ang may awtoridad, kung sino may obligasyon at responsibilidad. Hindi siya makakapagturo ng iba. Eh kung sa "board" iyan, magtuturuan lang iyan eh. At alam naman natin, ang karanasan natin sa "board," diyan iniluluklok ang mga talunan na pulitiko, yung mga kamag-anak ng pulitiko, at madalas diyan sa board ay pinaghihinalaan na mayroong suhulan. Kasi hindi mo nga alam kung sino ang may awtoridad. Pero ang lahat ng kapangyarihan na iniisip ni Cong. Zamora ay nandiyan sa batas. Lamang, hindi "board" ang magpapatupad nito pero ang Pangulo at ang Secretary of Health. Ang kagandahan nito, may isang tao na malinaw ang awtoridad at ang responsibilidad. Alam natin kung sino ang sisisihin, alam natin kung sino ang iinterbiyuhin ninyo. Hindi kayo ipapasa-pasa sa ibang mga board members o kung kanino man.

Q: Pwede na bang gumawa ng gamot dito sa Pilipinas kahit may patent pa ito?

MAR: Kung ang patent ay active pa, di pa nag-expire, di pa puwedeng gawin iyon. Pero sa araw ng pag-expire ng patent, maaari nang maglabas ng generic counterpart.

Related Topics:

Cheaper Medicines Bill Petition

The Race for the 2010 Presidential Elections is On

Mar Roxas Vows to Bring LP to Victory in 2010

Why invest in the Philippines? by Sec. Mar Roxas II

Soap-to-nuts style from Mar Roxas

Labor Slams Mar Roxas

ROXAS ON LIBERAL PARTY? NEXT PHILIPPINE PRESIDENT?

[Ip-health] Philippines, Senator Mar Roxas: CPR ON BIRD FLU - Compulsory licensing urged for TamifluSenator Mar Roxas graces Alay Lakad programs in Tacloban and Tanauan

 Labor Slams Mar Roxas

The Alliance of Progressive Labor today slammed Sen. Mar Roxas for his push to ratify the JPEPA saying that it is a betrayal of workers’ interests and a sell out of the country’s sovereignty.

“Despite Constitutional infirmities pointed out by eminent Constitutionalists, Sen. Roxas is still oblivious to the harm that JPEPA will wreak on us,” said APL Secretary General Josua Mata. “He is using scare tactics as a means to plunge us headlong into a treaty that is unprecedented in its scandalous sell out of Philippine interests.”

“Never mind that the government has been unable to support its data on economic benefits from JPEPA, never mind that the counterpart agreements signed by Japan with our neighbors are far more superior than JPEPA,” said Mata, “Roxas would still have us believe that the JPEPA is worthy of our support.”

“The lowering and elimination of tariff rates on all but a few of the country’s product lines as compared to Japan’s 283 reservations makes this treaty unpalatable,” said Mata. “Worst,
such tariff reductions would be tantamount to killing what local industries we have left and the jobs that go along with them.”

“More importantly, JPEPA will rob us of all elbow room to use trade for the country’s economic development,” said the labor leader.

And yet, Sen. Roxas still have the audacity to say, “I myself am advocating it.”

“It feels so odd that more than half a century after WWII, we are once again being sold out to the Japanese by another Roxas,” added Mata.

“This is utterly despicable and completely unworthy of someone aspiring to be president,” Mata added.

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ROXAS ON LIBERAL PARTY? NEXT PHILIPPINE PRESIDENT?

[Ip-health] Philippines, Senator Mar Roxas: CPR ON BIRD FLU - Compulsory licensing urged for TamifluSenator Mar Roxas graces Alay Lakad programs in Tacloban and Tanauan