Ambrosio R. Villorente
PGMA Junket
Junket means a “feast or picnic”. It means “an excursion for pleasure. It is an excursion by a public official paid for out of public funds”, the dictionary says.
What is the difference between my ‘5-day Junket” to Singapore and Malaysia and the travels of Ms. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and party to China, Singapore, Malaysia and Australia for the last three (3) months? There are some differences.
First, I paid my own travel expenses. The Filipino people paid for her and the members of her entourage travel expenses;
Second, my only travel companion was my beloved wife, Rencee. Ms. Arroyo brought with her several government functionaries including some members of the cabinet; and
Third, I did not sign any memorandum of agreement to increase the Philippines’ public debts, while she and some members of the cabinet did sign.
In China, her Secretary of Transportation and Communication signed a deal involving some US $335 million loan for the National Broadband Network (NBN) to link the 4th to 6th class provinces by way of information technology. This NBN deal is now a burning issue and the subject of Senate investigation because of alleged over pricing and bribery.
Mr. Joey De Venecia, the son of House Speaker Jose de Venecia has bravely denounced chairman Benjamin Abalos, Comelec chairman for having offered him US $10 million for him to withdraw his bid in the NBN deal. Joey de Venecia is a businessman engaging in information technology. He represents Amsterdam Holdings in the Philippines.
Moreover, Mr. Joey De Venecia has now identified whom he called the “mystery man” who asked him to “back off” from the NBN deal. He identified him as the First Gentleman (FG) during the Senate hearing on Wednesday, September 19, 2007. Of course the Arroyo family including Luli and her congressman brothers denied any participation of their father in the NBN deal.
Who shall we believed? The Arroyo family or De Venecia? What is the motive of Joey De Venecia why he did such action?
Who has the record of lying? Did Joey De Venecia lied before? Did PGMA lie before? How about the Garci controversy? Who did the lying?
The US $335 million is a lot of money to be spent. Are our 4th – 6th class LGUs ready for the NBN technology? Are the facilities available to support the use of that NBN technology? Probably a waste of scarce resource the Filipinos will pay dearly.
Moreover, DepEd has also that Cyber Education project that will cost P26.48 billion. This is geared to provide simultaneous instructions daily on a certain subject in the public schools. It is similar to distance education carried out through the internet. The project seems excellent but can it be done? On the first place, there is a mismatch between the technology and the conditions prevailing in the public schools.
Do we have appropriate space to store the equipment? Is there reliable electric power to operate the electronic gadgets? Is our room secured? These are some simple questions DepEd Sec. Jesli Lapus must answer adequately before embarking on his Cyber Education Project.
At the moment, the schools have no security guards, roofs of some school rooms are leaking, money is not available to pay electricity and power bills. Who must pay the operation and maintenance of those electronics equipment? Will this be a burden to the parents?
We cannot underestimate the capabilities of the public school teachers. However, are we sure they can ably explain some information portrayed in the Cybernets which students may ask for clarification and understanding?
Other than the doubts on honesty on the deal, its application in the Philippines condition must be addressed.
DepEd may better use the P26.48 billion for teacher education, book publishing, construction of additional school rooms, procurement of tables and chairs and other instructional materials. /MP
What is the difference between my ‘5-day Junket” to Singapore and Malaysia and the travels of Ms. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and party to China, Singapore, Malaysia and Australia for the last three (3) months? There are some differences.
First, I paid my own travel expenses. The Filipino people paid for her and the members of her entourage travel expenses;
Second, my only travel companion was my beloved wife, Rencee. Ms. Arroyo brought with her several government functionaries including some members of the cabinet; and
Third, I did not sign any memorandum of agreement to increase the Philippines’ public debts, while she and some members of the cabinet did sign.
In China, her Secretary of Transportation and Communication signed a deal involving some US $335 million loan for the National Broadband Network (NBN) to link the 4th to 6th class provinces by way of information technology. This NBN deal is now a burning issue and the subject of Senate investigation because of alleged over pricing and bribery.
Mr. Joey De Venecia, the son of House Speaker Jose de Venecia has bravely denounced chairman Benjamin Abalos, Comelec chairman for having offered him US $10 million for him to withdraw his bid in the NBN deal. Joey de Venecia is a businessman engaging in information technology. He represents Amsterdam Holdings in the Philippines.
Moreover, Mr. Joey De Venecia has now identified whom he called the “mystery man” who asked him to “back off” from the NBN deal. He identified him as the First Gentleman (FG) during the Senate hearing on Wednesday, September 19, 2007. Of course the Arroyo family including Luli and her congressman brothers denied any participation of their father in the NBN deal.
Who shall we believed? The Arroyo family or De Venecia? What is the motive of Joey De Venecia why he did such action?
Who has the record of lying? Did Joey De Venecia lied before? Did PGMA lie before? How about the Garci controversy? Who did the lying?
The US $335 million is a lot of money to be spent. Are our 4th – 6th class LGUs ready for the NBN technology? Are the facilities available to support the use of that NBN technology? Probably a waste of scarce resource the Filipinos will pay dearly.
Moreover, DepEd has also that Cyber Education project that will cost P26.48 billion. This is geared to provide simultaneous instructions daily on a certain subject in the public schools. It is similar to distance education carried out through the internet. The project seems excellent but can it be done? On the first place, there is a mismatch between the technology and the conditions prevailing in the public schools.
Do we have appropriate space to store the equipment? Is there reliable electric power to operate the electronic gadgets? Is our room secured? These are some simple questions DepEd Sec. Jesli Lapus must answer adequately before embarking on his Cyber Education Project.
At the moment, the schools have no security guards, roofs of some school rooms are leaking, money is not available to pay electricity and power bills. Who must pay the operation and maintenance of those electronics equipment? Will this be a burden to the parents?
We cannot underestimate the capabilities of the public school teachers. However, are we sure they can ably explain some information portrayed in the Cybernets which students may ask for clarification and understanding?
Other than the doubts on honesty on the deal, its application in the Philippines condition must be addressed.
DepEd may better use the P26.48 billion for teacher education, book publishing, construction of additional school rooms, procurement of tables and chairs and other instructional materials. /MP
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