By: Ambrosio R. Villorente
Make Bagsakan Center Functional
National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales was held in contempt by the House of the Senate for refusing to answer some questions relative to the VENABLE agreement. Because of the rise of his blood pressure and decreased level of blood sugar, Mr. Gonzales was detained in the House of Representatives clinic.
Gonzales was later transferred to a hospital because of his deteriorating health situation. To recall, Secretary Gonzales earlier signed a contract in behalf of the Philippines government with VENABLE, a US lobby firm to conduct lobby among concerned officials of the Philippines to facilitate approval of the holding of constitutional change. The contract cost P50 million for the services VENABLE will do for the government of the Philippines.
After the said contract was leaked to the press, it was heavily criticized. According to Sec. Gonzales, the money to be spent will come from the private sector. During the Senate investigation on the VENABLE contract, Sec. Gonzales failed to identify or refused to identify the individual or firm who or which will pay the VENABLE in the amount of P50 million.
Does Gonzales’ terms of reference include signing contracts, thus binding his principal, in this case the Government of the Republic of the Philippines? Did President Gloria Arroyo’s appointment of National Security Adviser given to Norberto Gonzales include for the negotiation and signing of agreement with other parties?
An adviser means a person of trust and confidence employed to give advise and recommendation on matter that adviser is consulted. Usually, an adviser is employed by officials who do not know or are not sure of what they are doing. That is why PGMA hired Mr. Gonzales to advise her on national security.
But Gonzales has no power to sign contract in behalf of the Philippines government unless his appointment included the signing of contracts. With VENABLE contract, Gonzales has put the Philippines in jeopardy and should have allowed foreign intervention in the internal affairs of the Philippines. Malacañang Palace has announced the contract was cancelled but can cancellation be done without the consent of the other party?
This is another thing PGMA must disclose to the Filipino people as to who should have financed the contract and why engage the services of foreigners that will likewise allow them to intervene in the Philippine’s internal affairs.
-o-
One important matter our farmers informed the Madyaas Pen is the opening of the “Bagsakan” center in Libas, Banga, Aklan. Until this time, that Bagsakan Center is waiting to be operated. It is becoming “white carabao, an albino” of Banga.
Meanwhile, the farmers’ produce is left to rut in the farm because of a very, very low market price. A good example is Rambutan in Dingle, Banga. Farmers there just refrain from harvesting their rambutan because it is more expensive to harvest and sell rambutan at P5.00 per kilogram than to let it rut. They lament.
That Bagsakan Center in Libas if operational will serve as a meeting place of buyers and sellers to sell or buy farm production. If that Bagsakan Center is functional, it may serve as a stop point for RoRo vehicles so that passengers from Metro Manila or those going to Metro Manila may buy fresh farm products of high quality and reasonable price.
However, there is only one thing that hinders the completion of Bagsakan Center our informant told and that is politics. It was pointed out to Madyaas Pen that the money spent for the construction of the Bagsakan Center was through the initiative of former Congresswoman Billie V. Calizo. However, her name was left out as one of the persons responsible for the construction.
By all means, please include her name in the marker and make Bagsakan Center operational for the good of the Aklanon farmers and consumers. /Mp mailto:madyaas_pen@yahoo.com
Make Bagsakan Center Functional
National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales was held in contempt by the House of the Senate for refusing to answer some questions relative to the VENABLE agreement. Because of the rise of his blood pressure and decreased level of blood sugar, Mr. Gonzales was detained in the House of Representatives clinic.
Gonzales was later transferred to a hospital because of his deteriorating health situation. To recall, Secretary Gonzales earlier signed a contract in behalf of the Philippines government with VENABLE, a US lobby firm to conduct lobby among concerned officials of the Philippines to facilitate approval of the holding of constitutional change. The contract cost P50 million for the services VENABLE will do for the government of the Philippines.
After the said contract was leaked to the press, it was heavily criticized. According to Sec. Gonzales, the money to be spent will come from the private sector. During the Senate investigation on the VENABLE contract, Sec. Gonzales failed to identify or refused to identify the individual or firm who or which will pay the VENABLE in the amount of P50 million.
Does Gonzales’ terms of reference include signing contracts, thus binding his principal, in this case the Government of the Republic of the Philippines? Did President Gloria Arroyo’s appointment of National Security Adviser given to Norberto Gonzales include for the negotiation and signing of agreement with other parties?
An adviser means a person of trust and confidence employed to give advise and recommendation on matter that adviser is consulted. Usually, an adviser is employed by officials who do not know or are not sure of what they are doing. That is why PGMA hired Mr. Gonzales to advise her on national security.
But Gonzales has no power to sign contract in behalf of the Philippines government unless his appointment included the signing of contracts. With VENABLE contract, Gonzales has put the Philippines in jeopardy and should have allowed foreign intervention in the internal affairs of the Philippines. Malacañang Palace has announced the contract was cancelled but can cancellation be done without the consent of the other party?
This is another thing PGMA must disclose to the Filipino people as to who should have financed the contract and why engage the services of foreigners that will likewise allow them to intervene in the Philippine’s internal affairs.
-o-
One important matter our farmers informed the Madyaas Pen is the opening of the “Bagsakan” center in Libas, Banga, Aklan. Until this time, that Bagsakan Center is waiting to be operated. It is becoming “white carabao, an albino” of Banga.
Meanwhile, the farmers’ produce is left to rut in the farm because of a very, very low market price. A good example is Rambutan in Dingle, Banga. Farmers there just refrain from harvesting their rambutan because it is more expensive to harvest and sell rambutan at P5.00 per kilogram than to let it rut. They lament.
That Bagsakan Center in Libas if operational will serve as a meeting place of buyers and sellers to sell or buy farm production. If that Bagsakan Center is functional, it may serve as a stop point for RoRo vehicles so that passengers from Metro Manila or those going to Metro Manila may buy fresh farm products of high quality and reasonable price.
However, there is only one thing that hinders the completion of Bagsakan Center our informant told and that is politics. It was pointed out to Madyaas Pen that the money spent for the construction of the Bagsakan Center was through the initiative of former Congresswoman Billie V. Calizo. However, her name was left out as one of the persons responsible for the construction.
By all means, please include her name in the marker and make Bagsakan Center operational for the good of the Aklanon farmers and consumers. /Mp mailto:madyaas_pen@yahoo.com
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