Relief Ops aka Advance Campaign ni Noynoy at Manny

Two strong typhoons hit the Philippines in just two weeks. The relief efforts during the aftermath were overwhelming and I can personally say that the Filipino spirit of Bayanihan is very much alive in each one of us.

But what disturbs me are the reports that there are some politicians who make use of the relief operations as an advance campaign mechanism.

For one, a photo was uploaded on the internet by a concerned citizen, which showed a food pack distributed by Manny Villar but which food pack bears the good Senator's name. Not only that. I also saw pictures of bottles of water and some clothings with photo's of the same Senator printed on it. He also personally indorses the show Wowowee and he even goes around distributing relief goods along with Mr. Willie Revillame.

Then there's Noynoy Aquino's own relief operations where volunteers are encouraged (daw) to wear yellow while on their shifts in packing goods. Of course, there are streamers of the also good Senator in some calamity stricken provinces.

Tsk tsk.

I will not upload their pictures in this blog because doing so would just provide them additional publicity. I don't want to contribute to the popularity of politicians like them.

Helping should be done wholeheartedly, not for purposes of getting the people's votes for the coming elections.

Angkas ng angkas

Funny text my friend got this morning.

"Si Erap may jeep ng masa. Si Villar may Bilyon. Si Chiz naman may NPC. Si Noynoy? Nakikiangkas lang. Sumakay sa pangalan ng ama at ina. Sa ads puro TY dahil may ABS-CBN at Inquirer naman. Pati sa donasyon at kampanya humihingi pa ng piso piso. Hanggang kailan ka aasa sa pera at kasikatan ng iba? Be ur own man."

These speaks so much about Noynoy Aquino capability to stand on his own once the real campaign begins. It's a challenge for him to move away from the popularity of his parents and his sister and do his own thing. If he can't this early, how much more when he becomes president?

We don't want someone who can't stand up on his own two feet, do we?

typhoons and politics

The week that was was indeed full of stories - heroic, sad, funny, incredible, and even political.

As typhoon Ondoy flooded the whole of Metro Manila and some of its neighboring provinces, politicians and celebrities alike came up like mushrooms in their various efforts to help in the relief operations. There were celebrities who bragged about their heroic deeds (Richard Guttierez) while some others remained quiet (Gerald Anderson and Jericho Rosales) and it was their neighbors who praised them for their courageous acts.

Of course politicians, especially the presidentiables, stealthily managed to publicly announce what they did for the victims of Ondoy: PNRC chair Gordon, the Noynoy-Mar tandem, Manny Villar and Willie Revillame's operations using the latter's choppers, etc. Gilbert Teodoro is technically not included because he has the official duty in manning the disaster response and relief operations on the part of the government as a whole. At least Gibo's acts were not politicially motivated as it was really his duty as DND head.

The preemptive evacuation in preparation for typhoon Pepeng was effective. It caused many of our kababayans in the north to be in safer ground as the storm passed through during the weekend.

***

News has it that the Senate is investigating what happened during the Ondoy onslaught that caused the massive floods all over. I doubt there would even be an inch of partiality in this investigation since most Senators would probably focus on self-righteous actions in preparation for their political bids.

Shelter for Ondoy's victims

Looks like the victims of Typhoon Ondoy are very lucky to be able to enjoy the comfort of the Malacañang halls as temporary shelter away from the crowded evacuation centers where they came from.

Residents of Brgy. Tatalon and Agno in Quezon City were accomodated by Palace officials and were fetched by the President herself on Tuesday night and were brought to Malacañang Palace. These families were treated with nice meals and comfy bed foams at the Mabini Hall as well as in the Ceremonial Hall of the presidential residence.

This gracious act of the President is noteworthy because it has been years since the residence of the chief-executive has accomodated ordinary citizens. It is worth emulating for other politicians from well-to-do families or who were born with silver spoons in their mouths. This act of kindness from GMA is a step towards bringing the people closer to the government.

To help or not to

It is just unfortunate that some politicians made use of a national tragedy in order to pursue their respective political agendas.

I was browsing my facebook account when I suddenly saw a link posted by one of my friends regarding Manny Villar and his relief operations. The picture showed a packed food which was labeled as "tulong galing kay Manny Villar." Below the sign was a V symbol, which obviously represents Villar. I still can't confirm the veracity of the picture. But, given Manny's penchant for publicity stunts, I will not be surprised if this is indeed true.

Time and again, the former Senate president has proven to all of us how dedicated he is in promoting and advertising himself. His numerous appearances in Willie Revillame's noontime show, "Wowowee," is a clear proof of his lust for media attention. This incident is no exception to that. Not even a crisis of this magnitude will stop this man from campaigning prematurely.

Many of our kababayans are in dire need of help. Any kind of donation (money or in kind) is welcome as long as it well help alleviate their sufferings. However, if helping our calamity stricken countrymen is made because of a vested interest, then it's much better if they just withheld their donation.

Malacañang serves as relief operations and evacuation center

Typhoon Ondoy has devastated many cities and surrounding provinces in the NCR and Region IV-A. Relief operation centers have been set up by government authorities and private organizations to assist the victims of the typhoon.

News has it that Malacañang Palace has been converted into a relief operations center. Volunteers can send their donations at the Kalayaan Hall. Malacañang is also being used right now as temporary evacuation center.

We can disseminate this information to all our kababayans who need assistance, especially those near the area. Goods that will be received will also be distributed to the cities and provinces affected.

News links:
http://www.gov.ph/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2001751&Itemid=1

http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=509599&publicationSubCategoryId=63

OFWs Home Sweet Home

Not only Manny Villar can bring home OFWs. President Gloria Arroyo brought along with her 121 Overseas Filipino Workers yesterday, all from Saudi Arabia. The President came back from her latest trip abroad with the 119 OFWs who have escaped abusive employers, some are undocumented workers.

This would not be possible were it not for the hard work of the officers and staff of the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) in the said Arab country as well as the Overseas Workers’ Welfare Administration (OWWA) who expedited the documents necessary for the repatriation of the workers.

Kudos to Gloria and the rest of the government officials to assist these distressed workers. I wonder what Manny Villar will do to equal these efforts of the administration.