For Bikol and the World

I thought I’d share with our readers some salient points of my lecture for fellow lawyers at the UP Law Center in Diliman, Quezon City, on Nov. 15, as part of our compliance with Mandatory Continuing Legal Education (MCLE) as decreed by the Supreme Court.

"You are a Romualdez. The President is an Aquino." This brazen reminder by Mar Roxas to Tacloban Mayor Romualdez during a post-Yolanda meeting show how trapo politics has gotten in the way of emergency response and disaster relief efforts in Tacloban City.

Of late, PNoy has been looking at his supposed legacy before he steps down in 2016. How time flies. When we catapulted PNoy to the presidency back in 2010, we had such very high hopes. But now, we could only hope he doesn't cause much further damage by his utter incompetence.

It’s a shame that with the devastation wrought by Typhoon Yolanda in the Visayas, the great loss of lives, the untold number of missing, injured, hungry and left homeless, we have been witness to the utter incompetence of our national government, especially PNoy. If only I could take back my vote, I will—and throw my ballot in his face.

On Wednesday, Oct. 23, Aquino defended his DAP (Disbursement Acceleration Program) in a forum before foreign and local media. Rather than meet head on with valid arguments our people’s widespread anger with DAP, he pointed instead—as if we’re fools—to an alleged “conspiracy” out to discredit his “Tuwid na Daan.”

I was driving home from Manila to Naga City along the South Road on early morning of Saturday, Oct. 19. When I got to near Atimonan’s old zig-zag road or what we call “EME” at about 5:00 AM, traffic was at a standstill. Then when I turned on the radio for news, I heard about the Atimonan Diversion Road accident involving 8 vehicles that occurred much earlier at around 1:00 AM that same morning.

We celebrated once again the feast of Our Lady of Peñafrancia: INA. Our Archdiocese of Caceres focused our 9-day activities to “Growing in Catholic Faith in Jesus Christ with Mary at the Service of Social Transformation.”

Lately, instead of our legislators involved in pork barrel scams, the BIR has been targeting doctors and lawyers and other professionals. The tax woman, BIR Commissioner Kim Henares, even plans to require doctors and lawyers in particular to post their rates in their clinics or offices.

Lately, instead of our legislators involved in pork barrel scams, the BIR has been targeting doctors and lawyers and other professionals. The tax woman, BIR Commissioner Kim Henares, even plans to require doctors and lawyers in particular to post their rates in their clinics or offices.

Today marks the end of the campaign period for the May 13, 2013 elections. It is now our turn as voters to decide on whom to vote into office. For this, we suggest that we all vote WISELY, that is:

W - Weigh each candidate's qualifications, track record in public service or as a private citizen, over-all personal competencies and dedication to the common good, and proposed programs if elected.