SUSPICIOUS ''POTHOLES' I N NFA AUDIT REPORT!

There are GAPING POTHOLES that tend to CAST DOUBTS on the impartiality and sincerity In the National Food Authority (NFA) audit which purportedly shows anomalies in rice importations during the Arroyo Administration.

First, since the NFA is a government agency, it is the Commission on Audit (COA) who should examine its records. But new reports did not identify the auditors -- Jesus Posadas, Oscar Torralba and Arthur Juan -- as COA guys.

It did not even say from where are the three auditors. If these guys are from the private sector, then why did NFA head Lito Banayo prefer them over government auditors? Is it legal for Banayo to do so? Is the audit legitimate under government rules?

Second, Banayo claimed fictitious firms were used in anomalous importation, including 10 from Pangasinan which he claimed were not even registered with the government.

Question: who or what agency certified that the firms are not registered and when was it issued? May we see a copy of the certification?

Third, the audit showed that the check numbers from the cooperatives in Pangasinan were in consecutive sequence.

Was any law violated? If yes, what? More importantly, has Banayo or any NFA official done anything about this, like questioning the bank (s) which issued the checks?

If they haven’t, they had better have a good explanation, considering the fact that Banayo has been in the NFA for almost a year. What’s interesting is the press release on the audit DID NOT NIDENTIFY the bank(s).

Fourth, the auditors claimed that the first-come, first-served basis rule for import permits was violated as some favored bidders received permits despite being absent or late in the queue.

But the auditors DID NOT NAME the absent or late bidders.

Fifth, the audit said fictitious parties were awarded quotas in 2010 in violation of NFA policy guidelines.

But the audit did not identify the supposed fictitious parties. It did not cite the basis for their being fictitious and did not give the details of the supposed violation, like dates and quantities of importations.

This is not in defense of anybody. I am just citing the GAPS in the supposed FACTS IN THE AUDIT. The NFA or anybody else is welcome to send in clarifications anytime. Just be sure it’s detailed and sticks only to the issue.

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MAY SUSAN VANZUELA BEDURAL, chief, Parole and Probation Administration, Department of Justice, on “Supreme Court should look into Garcia plea bargain”:

Dapat lang. I still remember the Garcia couple smiling as if they had swallowed the milk and giving the Senate committee the run-around.

Fourteen of our friends om “Generating jobs for college grads”:

SERAFIN TABAN

My suggested solution is for both graduates and students to focus on entrepreneurship. Avoid the normal mindset of "seek employment after graduation." Be an employer and help create jobs instead of seeking one for yourself. Why don’t our business schools focus on courses related to entrepreneurship?

RONILO ACABO of Davao City

Not just for college grads but for undergrads also... I mean making it possible for college students to support themselves.

JOJO ESTRADA of Quezon City

If all graduates will turn entrepreneurs, competing with each other just like in a neighborhood, all we need are factories and offices that can accommodate at least 6.5 percent of graduates each year. The government should bring back courses that are vocational and technical in nature.

JOSEPH LIWANAG

Our problem in job-creation is our current education system is meant to service labor demand instead of focusing on entrepreneurial strategy and tactics. Small and medium business enterprises are the keys to prosperity.

CHIQUI APE

I have heard that the government has started evaluating and informing the public on what are the courses that the Philippines has a shortage of. The government should consistently inform Filipinos about these.

LIZA DE GUZMAN of Hong Kong

Our government is planning a lot. But unfortunately, they haven't done any of these plans.Otherwise, we will not go overseas to work, specially the newly-grads! To our government officials: Wake up!

ANNE DE BRETAGNE

"Does the government have a plan, or program, on how to generate jobs specifically for these kids in the next five years?" Good question. Well put.

INDAYROSE CASTEEL of Los Angeles, California, USA

Alll the college grads seek employment overseas because there is no job available in Philippines. Even the rich come to America as tourists and degrade themselves, working as caregivers to make money while on vacation kuno!

MEDARDO APARICIO of Mandaue City, Cebu

Something is wrong with our educational system. We are designed to become workers, not producers. An example is a graduate of agriculture lands as clerk of a bank. Why not design an educational system wherein our graduates become entrepreneurs?

RAC ROJO of Cabanatuan City, Nueva ERcija

If politicians only know how to serve others, they could think of job creation and not only publicity.

NONITO ALARIC TAN of San Jose, Antique

There are simply not enough jobs available. I think we still have enough assets to support military ship and aircraft maintenance and repair. Pinoys who used to work at Subic and Clark have all grown old or immigrated to the states. It's not too late, though. The key to military modernization is maintenance and repair, and THAT generates a lot of jobs.

CHARLES KELLY of the Bison Company in London, United Kingdom

Thousands of nurses graduate in the Philippines each year, most of whom cannot even get a work placement to finish the board exam (PRC) let alone get a job! They are CHARGED for work placement!

ENRIQUE REYES of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Kung tutuusin, yuns mga under graduate at high school graduate ang mas higit na nangangailangan ng suporta, dahil gustuhin man nila magpatuloy hanggang college ay napipilitan huminto upang tugunan ang pangangailangan ng pamilya.

DANNY CASCOLAN

The economic gains should trickle down to the poor. Sana, tugunan din ng matatag na trabaho ang mga high school graduate, Lahat dapat ay pagbigyan ng ikabubuhay. Hindi naman aangat ang Pilipinas sa puro college graduates lang. 30