Comments for Better Philippines

Comment on Gut Feel All Over Again by bp

bp — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 06:58:59 +0000

pilipinopoako,

i’m no fan of manny villar, but i don’t think there’s anything shocking about the possibility that villar used himself as a dummy for a foreign entity as you say. if it were true, it only shows that he saw an opportunity and he grabbed it which is quite consistent with his being a businessman.

the way i see it what you said highlights more the need to change our constitution in such a way that foreign entities would be able to set up businesses here without having to resort to using dummies.

Comment on Ban On Cellphone Use While Driving by Barb

Barb — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 04:17:04 +0000

Here’s another house bill from Mr. Tieng…

http://www.topgear.com.ph/news/bill-seeks-mall-owners-liability-for-damages-on-parked-cars

Comment on Gut Feel All Over Again by PilipinoPoAko

PilipinoPoAko — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 07:46:47 +0000

HOW, REALLY, DID MANUEL BAMBA VILLAR JR. GET TO BE RICH? It bears to investigate and it can serve the Filipino nation well to know that Manny Villar may actually have broken through from Tondo-ragged accountant to billionaire-rich presidentiable by allowing himself to be used as a foreign investor’s dummy in the Philippine real estate business. You see, the conduct of real estate business in the Philippines is made exclusive by law to Filipino citizens, necessarily because its affairs involve sensitive issues affecting civil rights, territory, sovereignty, patrimony, and national security. Wasn’t that a debonair American who was smilingly visible every day at the offices of Crown Asia Inc. way back before the Villars became political aspirants? Unfortunately, sighting American presence at the Crown Asia Inc. organization deteriorates to zero visibility in hot election weather, especially nowadays! As Manny Villar embarked on a political career, it strategically became imperative to avoid flaks of damaging controversy about being financially beholden to foreign influence, especially from nationalist camps of the likes of then Senator Teofisto Guingona Jr. who was one among legislators instrumental in passing general law limiting real estate business in the Philippines to Filipinos only. In fact, it was from 1997 to 1999 that the bespectacled, middle-aged, happy American investor (silent? fronted? non-express? implied?) of Crown Asia Inc. was last regularly observed at the 18th Floor of Cityland Herrera Tower. Apart from being born with a silver spoon, most of us often have “humble”, sometimes “rotten”, beginnings; yet being transparent about such beginnings can do even more good than harm. The answer may go as far back as Villar’s auditing days at internationally-patronized Sycip Gorres Velayo (SGV) or, perhaps, good Senator Manuel Villar would like to comment on the matter at this time?

Comment on Get Real Philippines ‘Nuff Of This Hero Crap by bokyo

bokyo — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 11:11:46 +0000

It’s like the same with the Philippines map on the left side of the shirt. First it was like a bit patriotic, but now I’m perceiving it as wearing it only to look cool.

And Noynoyistas are right now making it as a trademark.

Comment on Get Real Philippines ‘Nuff Of This Hero Crap by bp

bp — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 10:07:16 +0000

hey anon,

how would you know if we have or haven’t done anything significant for the country? are you supernatural or something?

Comment on Get Real Philippines ‘Nuff Of This Hero Crap by anon

anon — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 08:59:39 +0000

how dare you tell such things when you yourselves haven’t done anything for the country?

Comment on Pinoybuzz: UP Jeepney Operator goes for Bio-Diesel made from used cooking oil by bp

bp — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 06:50:27 +0000

i don’t know how the science behind the idea works but it sure is interesting. i remember seeing a ripley’s believe it or not feature on a group that took a van on a trip across the united states. their van ran on fastfood cooking oil.

i think filipinos should do more exploring on alternative energy sources. this one is a good start i think. we just need to be more scientific about it. wouldn’t it be good if the philippines found a way to shift from the usual power sources. maybe invent a new technology.

i still think though that instead of finding new energy sources for jeepneys it would be better to do a complete re-design of this relic. the jeepney should give way to better means of transportation.

Comment on Pinoybuzz: UP Jeepney Operator goes for Bio-Diesel made from used cooking oil by Moonlight Bomber

Moonlight Bomber — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 06:35:08 +0000

For so long am I (silently) supporting the option to use used cooking oil as fuel. If all vehicles use it, the Philippines will smell like fastfood. Way much better than putrid smoke.

Comment on Pinoybuzz: UP Jeepney Operator goes for Bio-Diesel made from used cooking oil by Ray Rodriguez

Ray Rodriguez — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 06:41:06 +0000

I am aware of a group in the Binondo area who have a more environmentally friendly means of transportation than that Bio-Diesel jeepney. Theirs are Kalesas running not on Bio-Diesel but on Kabayo-Diesel. PEACE!

Comment on Pinoybuzz: UP Jeepney Operator goes for Bio-Diesel made from used cooking oil by BenK

BenK — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 04:41:15 +0000

In general, I don’t think bio-diesel is a good environmental solution. It requires a lot of energy to produce, and where it is produced using biomass, significantly reduces the land and grain available for food production. The benefits of biofuel are canceled out by negative impacts elsewhere.

BUT I think the application here, particularly how it is being handled in this program, is a significant and acceptable exception with a positive net result. Since the Philippines does not have much heavy industry, most of the air pollution can be blamed on vehicles, and this biofuel is being applied to what are probably the worst-polluting ones. That’s sensible. The Philippines also imports all its fuel, so anything that reduces that strategic disadvantage is also a strong benefit. Since the source material being used is also a source of ground and water pollution, it is helping that problem as well, and not posing a risk to the country’s already-insufficient food production capacity.

A much better long-term solution is to develop effective and energy-efficient transportation systems to replace the jeepneys entirely. Perhaps this is a good start; if nothing else, it makes a dent in the much larger problem. Hopefully, the people behind this can maintain that perspective and keep working on it even after they achieve their immediate goals.