2012-2013 wish list

Some would disagree, but I know many will agree. My 2012 wish list:

1. Justice for the victims of the Maguindanao massacre.

2. To see Primadona, one of the most corrupt city hall employees, out of city hall.

3. Electoral Sabotage raps filed vs. Blueboy, city treasurer, et. al.

4. Corona ousted as Supreme Court chief justice.

5. A new chief of police in Angeles City.

6. Mabalacat City but free from corruption.

7. No business permit for all Globe Telecom centers for its poor service.

8. Clark Development Corp. to start building the proposed world-class sports complex and other sports facilities in Clark.

9. A strictly implemented ordinance in Angeles City and the City of San Fernando prohibiting smoking in public places. This will allow smokers to kill themselves “softly” (but surely) in the comfort of their homes.

10. Pampanga to have a comprehensive sports program for its young and promising athletes.

11. The City College of Angeles to operate this coming June.

12. A successful “Unity Run” at the SM Mall of Asia on January 22 which aims to generate P1-billion for the construction of more school buildings and computer laboratories nationwide.

13. To jail those who masterminded the cutting of trees along Mac Arthur Hi-way in the City of San Fernando. Emphasis to a MOKA loser.

14. Local government units and various groups to spearhead tree planting activities as often as possible.

15. To see Palparan in jail.

16. The national government to start building the NorthRail.

17. More local and international flights at the Clark International Airport.

18. A new owner and Chief Executive Officer of Philippine Airlines (replacing Lucio Tan).

19. Wage hike for provincial correspondents (newspapers/online journalists).

20. Aside from philStar.com, another partnership of punto.com.ph with a national television station.

21. Petition for nullity of marriage filed by a lady councilor to be granted so she can move on.

22. Good health and more blessings to our general manager, Atty. Gener Endona who celebrated his birthday last January 3.

23. I wish and hope that 2012 will not be the end of the world so that more politicians, cops, justices (especially in the Supreme Court) and lawyers would still have the time to repent for their sins and return to God’s fold.

ADVANCE WISH LIST FOR 2013

1. A new congressman in the 3rd District of Pampanga (replacing Dong Gonzales).

2. No more Lapids and Arroyos in Philippine politics.

3. Gibo in the senate.

4. A second term for a deserving Gov. Lilila “Nanay Baby” Pineda.

5. A second term for a deserving Angeles City Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan.

6. A third term and to be Punto Central Luzon’s Man of the Year 2012 for a deserving Congressman Carmelo “Tarzan” Lazatin.

7. A new congressman in the 2nd District of Pampanga (replacing GMA).

8. A new mayor of Magalang town (replacing Romy Pecson).

9. A new mayor of Mexico town.

10. Marjorie Morales-Sambo to run for mayor again in Mabalacat.

11. Mayor Jerry Pelayo to seek a congressional seat and trounce incumbent congresswoman Ana York Bondoc.

12. For the lighter part, I wish that Angeles City Information Officer Archie Reyes to settle and get married.

PUNTO MAN OF THE YEAR RUNNER UP – ATTY. FELIPE ANTONIO REMOLLO

For Lawyer Felipe Antonio Buscato Remollo, Clark’s corporate and physical transformation is beyond presenting blueprints and plans, but rather setting the right direction and bringing the right people into it.

Remollo, the 10th president and chief executive officer of Clark Development Corporation, has changed the bad image of the government-owned and controlled corporation from a mere “milking cow” of some greedy executives into a potential premier investment spot with a “unique, recognizable name”, and a promising sports tourism destination.

It was only under his leadership that Manila-based taipans like Andrew Tan of MegaWorld Corp., the Ayalas though Manila Water and the Gokongweis entered and showed interest to invest billions of pesos in various projects inside the Clark Freeport Zone.

Tan recently signed a memorandum of agreement with CDC executives for the construction of a P7-billion mixed-use complex for Business Process Outsourcing firms.

Ayala’s Manila Water now has full control of Clark Water and intends to acquire Mimosa Golf and Country Club.

One of Remollo’s flagship projects that also caught Ayala Land’s interest is the Clark Highlands Development Program.

It involves the clearing up and site development of more than 3,000 hectares of land for the establishment of technology parks and estates. He says “alternative schemes such as public-private partnership, joint ventures in the financing, implementation and management of these projects will be fully explored.”

In partnership with Canada-based CAE, Inc., Cebu Pacific Air’s $43-million aviation training center inside the Freeport Zone is also expected to operate within the third quarter of 2012.

“The taipans are here not just in plans. They’re actually here,” says Remollo whose seven-month old administration also generated 45 new projects, seven expansions and 65 renewals that translate into P4.94-billion investments.

Records from CDC showed that Clark Freeport now hosts P113.9-billion worth of investments, a significant jump from P39.7 billion in 2006. As of October 2011, firms in the Freeport have exported some $1.6-billion worth of products since last January 2011.

SPORTS TOURISM

Aside from bringing in more investors to the Freeport, Remollo also leaves the national government no choice but to develop and fully operate the Clark International Airport (CIA) as the country’s premier airport.

Keen on building a world class, well-maintained sports complex/facility, the former Dumaguete mayor sees sports tourism as a way to open the “gates” of Clark to the whole country and to the world – a venue for holding almost all sports events and competitions like baseball, softball, football, paintball, table tennis, taekwondo, athletics, golf, 4X4 challenge, duathlon, marathon, cycling, swimming and even boxing matches.

Recently, more than 20 local and international teams from Iran, Malaysia, and Brunei joined the 2nd Leg of the Paintball Asia League at Clark, which has been hosting the event since 2010. CDC also partnered with Selracho Management and Consultancy Services in holding the 1st Sports Tourism Summit at the Holiday Inn Clark.

Remollo says Clark STAR (Sports Tourism, Amusement and Recreation), another flagship project, will also cater to the needs of athletes especially members of the Philippine team.

“It’s the key to win the first Olympic gold medal for the Philippines,” says Remollo.

MORE INVESTMENTS

Under Remollo’s leadership, various firms in Clark vowed to invest more and expand their operations in the coming years.

Yokohama Tire Philippines, Inc. announced that it will infuse P14.62 billion to expand its manufacturing facility.

From 7 million tires a year, it will be able to produce 17 million tires by 2017, which means that it will need additional 3,000 workers for its operations.

Other companies who are expected to infuse additional investments for their expansion include SPT (PHIL.) Clark Corp. (precision tools), Jamco Philippines, Inc. (aircraft parts and equipment), AT Steel Co., Inc. (steel sheets/coils and structural steel products-beams, plates, channels, angels), Best Joint Group Venture (fusion restaurant), United Asia Automotive Group Inc. (Foton vehicles) and Ingasco, Inc. (air separation plant).

Governor Lilia “Baby” Pineda has also allotted an initial P5 million for the establishment of a “Pampanga Market-Market”. It aims to promote a specific product or service that is unique to each town of Pampanga.

With all the programs, projects and plans properly implemented, Remollo’s dream of making Clark Freeport Zone as the next Singapore six years from now would soon become a reality.

Sabotahe

Madaming mga Kapampangan ang nagtatanong kung talagang magiging isang lungsod na ang bayan ng Mabalacat.
Kamakailan ay inaprubahan na ng senado ang panukalang batas sa pangunguna ni Senador Bongbong Marcos. Malaki ang naitulong ni Congressman Carmelo “Tarzan” Lazatin sa pagsusulong ng Mabalacat cityhood bill. Good as approved na ito ika nga ng marami.

Walang duda na ito’y matutuloy dahil talagang dapat ng maging lungsod ito kumpara sa 16 na mga bayan na hindi naman kwalipikadong maging lungsod ay inaprubahang maging lungsod ng “flip-flopping” Supreme Court.
Dahil dito ay lalaki ang pondo ng Mabalacat dahil mabibigyan na ito ng Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) galing sa pamahalaang nasyunal. Maraming mga programa at proyeto ang maisasagawa ng lokal na pamahalaan, ibig sabihin maraming mga Mabalakenyos ang makikinabang at magkaka-trabaho; posible rin na bumilis ang mga serbisyong pangkalusugan, pangedukasyon, pangpalakasan o sports, sa sektor ng pagnenegosyo, at marami pang iba.

Yan ay kung tunay na ipatutupad ang lahat ng mga programa ng may kahusayan at katapatan ng kasalukuyang alkalde ng Mabalacat na ilang taon ng nanunungkulan. Kung hindi naman, ito ay maituturing na mas malala pa sa electoral sabotage na inihain laban kay dating pangulong Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. Isa itong sabotahe sa mga mamamayan, isang huwad na paglilingkod na ginagamitan lamang ng pakunwaring kabaitan upang makapangulimbat ng hindi nahahalata.

Komisyon (er)

Harapin na natin ang katotohanan na tayo’y marami pang kakaining bigas upang magka-gintong medalya sa Olympics o maging numero uno sa overall ranking sa South East Asian games.

Maraming problema ang kinakaharap ng mga atleta. Sa katunayan, halos hindi kayang ipagpamilya ang kakarampot, wala sa oras na buwanang sahod nila. Ito ay sa kabila ng kanilang pagsusumikap at pagpapakahirap sa pag-eensayo mabigyan lamang ng karangalan ang bansang Pilipinas.

Maliban dito, madami pang mga isyu tungkol sa kalagayan nila ang atin ng nalaman na. Isa na rito ang lugar na pinag-eensayuhan ng mga atleta kung saan hindi na angkop sa kanilang kalusugan dahil sa lebel ng polusyon na bumabalot sa kalakhang Maynila. Kagaya ng sigarilyo, ang usok ng iba’t ibang mga sasakyan (carbon monoxide) ay malakas na makapinsala sa ating mga baga at nakapagpapahina ng ating immune system.

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Wala akong anomang laban sa mga basketbolista dahil sila’y kapwa atleta din. Alam ko na mahirap tanggapin na kahit ano pa ang gawin natin ay mahihirapan tayong manalo para salarangan ng basketball sa international na mga palaro lalo na sa Olympics. Oo at makakaya nga natin dahil alam nating bilog ang bola, pero ilang milyon o bilyon pa ang ating kailangang gastusin upang mapalakas ang koponan?

Ang ibang mga laro na may pag-asang manalo sa Olympics at sa iba pang internasyunal na palaro ay napapabayaan naman at hindi binibigyan ng pansin. Sa larong badminton, chess, taekwondo, lawn tennis, sepak takraw, swimming, bowling, boxing, baseball at table tennis, hindi gaanong kailangan ang taas o ang haba ng kamay (reach) upang manalo. Talas ng pag-iisip, bilis, kasanayan at galing ang siyang pangunahin sa mga larong ito na siya namang likas na taglay nating mga Pilipino.

Hindi rin naman tayo gugugol ng napakalaking halaga para sa mga larong ito kagaya ng paggugol sa basketball. Ang isang koponan sa table tennis ay nangangailangan lang ng apat na miyembro samantalang sa basketball ay 15 kaagad. Ganun din naman sa badminton na apat din ang kailangan.

Hindi ko sinasabi na pabayaan na ang basketball pero dapat na bigyang pansin ang mga laro kung saan tayo uusad, kung saan mayroon tayong malaking pagasa na manalo.

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Sa aking pakikipagusap sa mga kaibigang atleta, isang bagay ang kanilang idinadaing – “kulang kami sa exposure sa ibang bansa”. Anila, kulang ang suportang ibinibigay ng pamahalaan sa kanila at hindi naman nila kayang tustusan ang lahat ng gastos upang makapag-ensayo at makapaglaro sa ibang bansa.

Naalala ko tuloy ang isang panayam sa dati kong hinahangaang atleta, isang manlalangoy – si Eric Buhain. Noong una ay nangunguna at namumuno siya sa pakikipaglaban para sa mga karapatan ng mga atleta. Subalit nang siya ay maupo na bilang komisyuner ng Philippine Sports Commission o PSC, tila ibang komisyon na ang kaniyang inatupag.

Mahahalata ito sa kaniyang mga sagot sa interview noon, mga ilang taon na ang lumipas. Aniya, hindi umano dapat gawing bread and butter ng mga atleta ang paglalaro o ang pagiging miyembro sa Philippine Team.

“Ano kamo?” ang aking biglang reaksyon sa kanyang pahayag habang pinapanood ko siya sa telebisyon. Lahat ng oras ng kanilang (mga atleta) buhay ay kanilang ginugol sa pag-eensayo at paglalaro pagkatapos ay hindi nila ito gagawing bread and butter? “Ikaw nga ba yan Mr. Buhain?” ang aking pasigaw na tanong habang nanonood sa aking pagkadismaya.

Ito marahil ang dahilan kung bakit maraming mga atleta natin ang sumuko na at pinili na lamang na magtrabaho, mangibang bansa at magnegosyo kesa tuluyang magutom bilang mga premyadong manlalaro ng ating bansa.

LAKBAY ARAL

Madami akong natutuhan sa pagpunta namin sa Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Pagbaba palang sa taxi ay agad ko ng napansin ang maraming mga puno at halaman sa gitna ng lungsod na halos dalawang metro lamang ang layo sa bawat isa, naka-numero na tila palatandaan upang huwag itong putulin.

Dahil sa mga punong ito’y hindi namin masyadong naramdaman ang init bagamat ang Vietnam ay isang tropikal na bansa kagaya ng Pilipinas.

Naisip ko tuloy ang kalapastanganang ginawa sa mga puno sa kahabaan ng Mac Arthur Hiway sa Lungsod ng San Fernando, Pampanga.

Hindi ko tiyak kung ang Advocacy for the Degradation of Central Luzon (ADCL) ang may kagagawan nito, pero isa lang ang alam ng mga Kapampangan – isa sa kanilang lider ay tunay na talunan at mamamatay puno.

Kapansin pansin din na hindi nilalamukot ng mga Vietnamese ang kanilang salaping papel. Buo at tila laging plantsado ito. Hindi man sila magsalita, sa ganitong bagay makikita ang paggalang at pagkilala sa katapangan ng kanilang kinikilalang bayani na si Ho Chi Minh na siyang nakalarawan sa mga salapi.

Ang kanilang mga hotel at hostel naman, maliban sa mura na at maganda, ay may libreng wifi access ang lahat na silid. Hindi kagaya ng mga malalaking hotel sa Pampanga at Clark na bukod sa napakamahal ang bayad ay hindi pa libre ang wifi access. Maraming mga turista tuloy ang nadidismaya.

Ang mayamang kasaysayan ng Vietnam at mga Vietnamese ang nagiging kalakasan ng kanilang turismo at hindi ang pagpapalit lamang ng slogan.

Paano mo nga naman makakalimutan ang karanasan sa makasaysayang Cu Chi tunnel kung saan natalo ang Estados Unidos. Bilang mga turista ay ma-uukit din sa aming isipan at puso ang mga katotohanang nasa War Remnants Museum na hindi pa alam ng maraming tao.

Pero sa aking karanasan sa paglalakbay, sa pagpunta sa ibang bansa kagaya ng Macau, Hongkong at Vietnam, masasabi ko na walang katulad ang Pilipinas pagdating sa yaman sa kasaysayan at sa marami pang bagay.

Makasaysayang mga lugar kagaya ng Bataan, Bulacan at Cebu, mga kahanga-hangang gawa ng mga Pilipino kagaya ng Banawe Rice Terraces, at ang tanawin sa ibat ibang mga lugar kasama na ang underground river sa Palawan. Naririto rin ang mga magagandang beaches sa Asya kagaya ng Boracay at CamSur.

Alam din nating lahat na ang pagka-maalam at kagalingan ng Pilipino ay natatangi at maipagmamalaki sa mundo. Magaling tayong mag-Ingles kumpara sa ibang mga lahi kaya nga maraming turista ang nawiwiling pumunta at bumalik sa ating bansa.

Magaling tayong mag-entertain ng mga bisita at magaling din tayo sa ibat ibang mga larangan – sa beauty pageant, sa sports o palakasan, sa talento sa pag-awit at pagsayaw, sa katalinuhan, at marami pa.

Subalit sa madalas na pagkakataon ay tila sumosobra tayo sa galing na minsan ay ginagamit sa masamang paraan – sa pagnanakaw o pangungurakot at sa panloloko sa mga tao. Ito ang nagiging dahilan kung bakit marami sa atin ay kulang sa mabuting gawa, sa tamang asal at pag-uugali, at sa aral.

Pero angat parin tayo sa ibang mga lahi kagaya ng mga Vietnamese. Ang pagkakaiba nga lamang ay naisasapuso nila ang tinatawag na nasyonalismo, mayroon silang pagkakaisa lalo na sa paggawa.

Ginagawa nila ang bawat makabuluhang bagay hindi lamang para sa kanilang sarili kundi para sa kanilang bansa.

At yun ang wala tayo.

Veering towards vibrant Vietnam

HO CHI MINH, Vietnam – Xin chào (Hi ! Hello!). It was an inexpensive yet fruitful travel that satisfied our curiosity.

For P29,000 – including food, accommodation, local transportation, airfares, and three different tours – we got almost a 100 percent of what we expect in Vietnam.

Let’s start with the food since it is one of the many reasons why people travel. (click link below)

…more: http://www.philstar.com/nation/article.aspx?articleid=750500

Pampanga table netters win regional tourney

ANGELES CITY, Philippines – All it takes is the will to win.

Despite a lower back injury, Ray Reg unleashed powerful forehand topspins against Jerald Trinidad of Bulacan and led Team Angeles City Pampanga to bag the championship of the Mayor Ed Pamintuan Regional Table Tennis Cup in Marquee mall recently.

Reg won two consecutive sets (2-0) but lost in the third. He took control of the game in the fourth set and scored 11-3 to seal the team’s victory against the Bulacan players known to be members of the Junior Philippine team.

“We are the champions. This is for the Kapampangans. Sulit ang pinagpaguran natin,” said Reg who was in tears after the final match.

He stressed he was very thankful that teammate Carlo Puno managed to defeat his opponent in the singles A match of the modified Corbillion Cup.

Almost on the brink of defeat during the third set, Puno used short services to set third ball attacks to win. He won the last two sets and tied the game at 1-1.

However, Rolendio David and Joey Aguilar handily defeated their opponents in the doubles event, giving the team one point lead against Team Bulacan, 2-1. But Puno lost to Alexis Bolante forcing a 5th and final match.

“We know they are younger and better than us but we played as a team, we worked hard as a team and we won as a team,” Aguilar said.

Team Angeles City Pampanga also defeated Team Balanga City and Mariveles before reaching the finals. The Pampanga Table Tennis Club (PTTC) lost to Bulacan and bagged the third place.

Meanwhile, Carmie Sengson of PTTC defeated Lady Dawn Gudmalin of Bulacan, 3-2 in a nerve-wracking game in the 5th set to win the championship of the women’s singles. Trishia Perez of Holy Angel University lost to Gudmalin and placed 3rd.

At least 26 teams from various provinces in Central Luzon like Tarlac, Pampanga, Bulacan and Bataan joined the men’s team event. More than 50 players joined the women’s singles event.

The Angeles City Sports Office (ACSO), with sponsorship from Marquee mall, organized the tournament.

Rosever Pascua, head of ACSO, said the table tennis regional meet is part of the month-long Fiestang Kuliat celebration.

He said it is considered as one of the most prestigious sports events in Central Luzon sanctioned by the Table Tennis Association of the Philippines.

Pascua also said that the Pamintuan administration will continuously support sports programs like the staging of regional tournaments and competitions.

LINK: http://www.philstar.com/nation/article.aspx?publicationsubcategoryid=200&articleid=744198

Galak at lungkot sa panalo

Sa pagkakataong ito ay magbubuhat ako ng aking bangko. Muli naming naranasan ang maging kampeon sa larangan ng table tennis sa buong Gitnang Luzon bilang mga manlalaro at hindi bilang mga tagapagturo (o coach-trainer). Ginanap ito sa Marquee mall at 26 na mga koponan ang sumali.

Masaya ang grupo dahil sa panalo sa Mayor Ed Pamintuan Regional Table Tennis Cup. Wika nga ni Ray Reg na aking kasangga: “Para ito sa mga Kapampangan!” Si Ray ay kasalukuyang coach sa University of the Assumption. Ganun din ang sambitla na dalawa ko pang kasama – si Carlo Puno na isang Psychologist at nagtatrabaho sa City Social Welfare and Development Office sa Lungsod ng Angeles; at si Rolendio David na coach naman sa Guagua National College (GNC).

Sila ay ilan lamang sa mga manlalarong nakatapos ng kolehiyo dahil sa pagpi-pingpong.

Sa kabila ng kagalakan sa pagkapanalo, may hatid din namang kalungkutan ito sa aming grupo. Pinipilit kong burahin sa aking isipan na ako’y isang mamamahayag sa pagkakataong iyon, ngunit sadyang mahirap itong gawin.

Nakita ko kung gaano kagagaling ang mga nagsipaglahok na mula pa sa Bulacan, Bataan, Tarlac at Pampanga. Masipag, hindi mareklamo, may kusang palo at higit sa lahat, nagsisikap na maging mahusay na manlalaro.

Subalit sa kabila ng kanilang mga pagsisikap, kulang parin o walang anomang suporta ang kanilang lokal na pamahalaan. Sa katunayan, ilan sa mga atleta ay halos sumakto lang ang panggastos upang makalahok sa torneo.

Kuwento naman ng iba, masipag silang mag-aral subalit kapos na kapos talaga sa salapi ang mga magulang upang tustusan ang ilang gastusin sa pag-aaral. Bagamat libre na sila sa matrikula sa kolehiyo bilang mga manlalaro, hindi parin kasya ang kinikita ng kanilang magulang upang makatapos ng pag-aaral.

May nakita akong isang manlalaro na sa tingin ko’y malaki ang potensyal dahil sa taglay niyang bilis at kahusayan. Ngunit dahil sa konting mga bayarin sa paaralan ay naging hadlang ito upang siya ay huminto sa pag-aaral sa kolehiyo.

Ang iba naman ay umaasang manalo dahil sa pabuya. Ito anila ay makakatulong ng malaki dahil sa maraming gastusin sa paaralan lalo na at umpisa na naman ang ikalawang semester, enrolment at pasukan na naman.

Ngunit para sa mga atletang ito, ang mga torneong kagaya ng Mayor Ed Pamintuan Cup ay malaki ang magagawa upang mapalakas ang mga manlalaro hindi lamang sa Lungsod ng Angeles kundi pati ang mga nasa ibang lugar.

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PAKINABANG. Sa pagdami ng mga magagaling na manlalaro dahil sa mga patimpalak na ganito, madami din ang nakikinabang sa mga scholarship grants na mula sa mga malalaking paaralan kagaya ng Angeles University Foundation na todo ang suporta sa mga atleta.

Sa ganitong paraan, natutulungan ng pamahalaang lokal ang maraming kabataan na gustong makapagtapos ng pag-aaral. Hindi na kailangan pang maglabas ng pondo mula sa kaban ng bayan. Ang kailangan lang ay isang pasilidad o training center kung saan makakapagensayo ng mabuti ang mga manlalaro.

Makakatulong pa ito sa anti-drugs campaign ng pamahalaan dahil magiging aktibo ang mga kabataan sa palakasan, iwas sa droga at iba pang bisyo. Makakapagimbita din ito ng mga mamumuhunan at negosyante dahil ang isang lugar na may masiglang palakasan ay isang indikasyon na malakas ang ekonomiya nito. Lalakas din ang turismo lalo na kung ang mga nasabing mga torneo at patimpalak ay magiging regular.

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PAGKAKAISA. Sa ganitong mga palaro ay nakita ko rin kung papaano magkaisa ang mga Kapampangan. Sa elimination round ay magkakalaban kami ng Systems Plus Computer College, AUF, Holy Angel University, GNC, Team Pampanga-B, Porac Table Tennis Club, at Pampanga Table Tennis Club.

Pagdating ng championship match, silang lahat ay pumapalakpak at humihiyaw na bilang pagsuporta sa amin. Malaking tulong ito upang mabuhayan kami ng loob na halos hindi na kami makabawi laban sa mga taga-Bulacan.

Sa pagtatapos ng laban ay kahanga-hanga din ang ipinakita ng mga batang manlalarong taga-Bulacan dahil sa kanilang kababaan ng loob, sa kanilang pagiging sports sa laro. Sana ay mataglay ito ng lahat ng mga manlalaro. Dapat nating maintindihan na nagkaroon ng palakasan, kumpetisyon o sports upang maalis o di kaya’y mabawasan ang mga digmaan sa mundo. Yun na nga ang simula ng pagbuo ng Olympics. Wika nga ng isang kanta na patungkol sa Olympics: “Competition, we unite as one.”

Who is Richard Douglas Agnew?

Recently, the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), together with other government agencies, held a series of raids at Fields Avenue in Angeles City where some 100 sex workers were rescued from three night clubs.

Australian Terrence James Smith, manager of Sunshine bar was nabbed and detained. However, police failed to arrest Richard Douglas Agnew, who reportedly owns the Blue Nile and Golden Nile bars.

Based on InterAksyon’s report, the raids on the two bars “stemmed from the complaint lobbed by the Crusade Against Good Customs and Decency International, a non government organization based in the city that fights sex tourism.”

GMANews.TV’s report described Agnew as an Irish fugitive but the local police seem to be even “friendly” with him. Reliable sources told Punto Central Luzon that Agnew often walks almost everyday along Fields Avenue without getting arrested.

If Agnew, who has been staying in Angeles City for years, is suspected to be a fugitive, then he should be arrested immediately and be deported to face whatever criminal offense he may have committed in his country.

However, this Irish man allegedly remained “untouchable”, which also puzzles even local authorities. They now think that “a very influential person” is backing him up to elude arrest.

In fact, Blue Nile and Golden Nile have again opened last Monday even the mayor issued an order to stop the bars’ operation.

This despite the Department of Justice’s Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking and the Department of Social Welfare and Development recommended to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to issue a closure order against the three entertainment establishments.

ABUSE. Other reliable sources who have linkages in various entertainment establishments at Fields Avenue revealed that some of the women (others pregnant) rescued from the raids were reportedly physically abused for trying to escape.

In an email to Punto, the source disclosed that some of the police reportedly broke and opened the girls’ lockers and stole their cellphones and money. “When they asked to get it back after they were released, the police just laughed at them,” the source said.

New uniform, same image.

Bold move

AIR QUALITY. “The purity of the indoor and outdoor environment of our stores is essential for the customers that visit us.”

“In compliance with the Smoking Ordinance Republic Act Section 5, No. 9211 (Tobacco Control Act), as well as to facilitate optimum air quality, we now provide a smoke-free environment for our customers in all our Starbucks stores nationwide.”

This is neither an advertisement nor promoting Starbucks, a company exclusively run by Rustans in the Philippines. It has already made a name for itself. In fact, I can’t remember a Starbucks advertisement printed on local and national papers, or shown on TV, but the fact remains that it is known for its premium Arabica coffee.

Starbucks’ new policy is a bold move that redefines what companies often call Corporate Social Responsibility or CSR. It is more of a commitment, perfectly said and done.

In implementing this new policy, Starbucks personnel had a hard time telling customers that smoking is no longer allowed in and out of their stores. “I hate Starbucks! Hindi nako magkakape dito” was the usual remark of unruly ex-Starbucks lovers.

Thus, losing your customers means that sales is also expected to go down. “A suicide in the making”, say PRO smokers in discussions on Facebook and other web forum.

But for the ANTIs, they stressed: “Smokers are a dying breed. The habit is as spurned now as it was accepted and fashionable in the 50s and 60s.”

A store manager admits: “Yes our sales went down”. “We expect that to happen, but more importantly, we believe that the policy will benefit all our customers.”

RIGHT DIRECTION. While smokers try to find other coffee shops to suit their vice, a huge chunk of non-smokers now enjoy fresh air in and out of Starbucks stores, especially at the SM City Clark branch.

Sooner or later, local government units like Angeles City will also strictly implement the same policy, banning smoking in all public places. Fines and other sanctions will be imposed on violators. In fact, at least 163 violators were arrested in Metro Manila on the first day of RA 9211’s enforcement.

“For the record, we are amending the same an ordinance prohibiting smoking in public or government offices, public transports, hospitals, et al in Angeles City,” says Councilor Jay Sangil reacting on my FB post.

Sangil and Councilor Edu Pamintuan lauded Starbucks’ new policy saying that it would also make all its stores children-friendly. They will be spared from the ill effects of smoking.

Chandler Ramas, a colleague who is now in the United States, suggested to Sangil that smoking should be banned even in bars and night clubs. He said the city should also impose additional taxes for every pack of cigarette. “Use that sales tax (if allowed) for healthcare funding (prescriptions, charity care, etc.) instead. That’s how we do it in Miami.”

“We use only half penny of our sales taxes to charity care and that translates to US$350-million a year, which partly funds our public hospital system here. Kulang pa nga dahil US$700-million ang annual charity care. Just sharing an idea baka puede mong gayahin sa konseho dyan,” Ramas added.

LAUDABLE. Aside from its bold move, Starbucks should also be lauded for setting an example of what customer service is all about. Baristas and even its managers know their customers very well, treating them like close friends and part of the Starbucks family.

On the other hand, yes I know that coffee in Starbucks is expensive compared to other coffee shops in town. I remember when Erap, with at least 10 of his staff, had a coffee at Starbucks. Upon seeing the bill amounting to almost P3,000, he immediately went to the cashier and asked, “Why is your coffee too expensive?”

The young lady barista courteously replied: “Sir hindi lang naman po yung coffee and binabayaran sa Starbucks, pati po yung magandang ambiance sa store.”

Erap then went back to his staff and asked them: Who among you ordered ambiance? It’s too expensive!”

Kidding aside, Starbucks rocks! And politicians should learn a lot from it.