CABINET REVAMP A PUBLICITY STUNT!

We now begin our daily “Question of the Day” boys and girls. Please confine your comments to the question. No personal attacks or irrelevant remarks, please. Anonymous replies will be deleted. Thanks, guys. Showtime!

QUESTION OF THE DAY:

Tuition has again been increased by various schools nationwide. There are no visible indications that the Government is doing anything to prevent or minimize this despite our financial difficulties.

IF YOU’LL HAVE YOUR WAY, HOW WILL YOU STOP, OR MINIMIZE TUITION INCREASES?

I see indications that the widely trumpeted Cabinet revamp of the Aquino Administration s nothing more than a PUBLICITY STUNT to divert public attention from the PROBLEMS AND DIFFICULTIES we are facing.

First, Noynoy himself was quoted in newspapers as saying that the Cabinet reshuffle was not yet done.

When you say ‘not yet done’, it means something has started. But has there been any? I haven’t heard of any Cabinet secretary who has been replaced or re-assigned. Anybody correct me if I’m wrong.

Secretaries Robredo of Interior and Local Governments and Paje of Environment and Natural Resources were named by Pnoy but they were made permanent in their posts, not removed.

ANYWAY you look at it, that’s NOT A RESHUFFLE.

Second, the level of UNEMPLOYMENT HAS RISEN by more than a millio0n in the first year of the Aquino Administration. Pnoy’s boys are still HELPLESS, if not totally UNCONCERNED, with oil prices. No significant achievements have been reported against the critical lack of classrooms, school buildings and other problems in the Education sector.

But there has been NO REPORTS, or even RUMORS, that the secretaries of Labor, Finance, Education and Energy are in danger of being replaced.

Customs Commissioner Angelito Alvarez is the only ranking government official who is being widely rumored to be on his way out. But Alvarez IS NOT A CABINET MEMBER.

Alvarez is under Finance Sec. Cesar Purisima. Don’t tell me Pnoy doesn’t understand the difference!

Third, Palace officials like Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda and communications development head Ricky Carandang categorically declared that they were not aware of any planned Cabinet reshuffle. Being the media guys, they would have been the first to know even without the details.

Fourth, before talks of a Cabinet revamp started, there had been no reports of any department or secretary whose performance was placed under review for being unsatisfactory.

Details, please, if you know any.

The supposed Cabinet revamp comes at a time when the Aquino Government’s ratings are on a CONTINUOUS DECLINE. But wonder of wonders, Pnoy declares it’s not done yet even though it HAS NOT STARTED.

I would welcome a more appropriate adjective than PUBLICITY STUNT. From any sector. Promise!

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Fourteen of our friends on “What I like about the RH Bill”:

BENITO MOLINO of Antipolo, Rizal

Ibigay sa tao ang desisyon na ipinagkakait ng mga taong higit na nagmamarunong. Kailangan nila totoo att tamang edukasyon, hindi yung kathang isip o imahinasyon.

MANNIX FORTZ of Seattle, Washington, USA

I wish Representatives Lagman, Hontiveros and allies will delete cancer-causing contraceptives as essential medicines, and replace these with medicines that can really support the health of pregnant women. And I hope they add provisions that imprison those who impregnate women and not support them.

REBECCA KOOMANS of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

I agree that sex ed must be taught. But life-coping facts must also be introduced on how to make good (and moral) decisions on intimate matters as you mentioned. Even more necessary is to prevent abortion without referendum in the future. Abortion in Western countries is known to affect not only the baby. It also has serious long-term effects on the mother like mental and moral instability.

RACI NIEVA

I agree. I believe that little knowledge is dangerous. I, for one, was a victim of that wrong notion. Because not all these were taught in school, I researched before engaging in the act. Yet, it didn't prevent me from getting pregnant at a young age. There are so many misconceptions when it comes to sex education.

IRIS GERON

I’m with you on Sex Education. We see young, forced marriages-early unwanted pregnancies because of lack of understanding on sex. I don't really know why it is not often discussed at home – the dangers of having sex at early age, single parenthood and a bleak future. I am in favor of teaching sex education to high school students. Elementary students should be guided by their parents.

EPOY ENRIQUEZ of Las PInas

This is dead meat - Senate Bill led by JPE and Sotto appears to be gaining more thumbs ups.

EVELEN CARANDANG DIAO

Amen!

MARISSA LANGSETH of New York, New York, USA

Overpopulation is one of the root causes of poverty. Politics and religion are also factors contributing to overpopulation. Now, please connect the dots.

JULIAN RABAGO of Cavite City

Tama ka,Boyet. Responsible parenthood and proper behavior for teenagers must be taught. Ilang magulang ba ang naituturo sa anak nila ang sex education? Iyun ang di nila nakikitang punto ng RH Bill.

LARCY SY of Paranaque

Freedom of choice ang maganak ng marami. But in the end, ang choice na yun, nawawala rin kasi di na magkanda-ugaga sa pag-aalaga ng mga anak. Awareness and constant communication with your children. Hindi na dapat sa ibang tao pa nila malaman ang kahalagahan ng pagdami o pag-control ng pamilyang kaya nilang buhayin. I pity the children ng mga magulang na walang ginawa kundi sisihin ang gobyerno. During the time na ginagawa nila baby nila, nakapikit pa sila. At nang maipanganak na, nagdudumilat ang katutohanan, limitado lang pala ang kanilang kakayahang bumuo ng isang pamilya.

GALILEO ESTOCADA

Tama na dapat ay maaga pagaralan kung paano nabubuo ang isang pamilya at kung saan ito nagmumula. Sa ganitong paraan ay maagang malilinawan ng kabataan ang sinasabing "super structure" ng lipunan.

ROMEO TOLENTINO of Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Ibigay kay Cesar ang kay Cesar at sa Diyos ang sa Diyos.

JOSIE PATAWARAN of Hong Kong

At least, nagsasabi ka ng tutoo.

TERESITA WOODARD

Ako, basta mabawasan ang population ng Pilipinas! 30