PNOY PROVES HE'S A WEAK LEADER!

President Aquino has just shown us how WEAK he is as a leader.

He himself has revealed that he considers three Cabinet members as headaches. But he wouldn’t identify them without any justifiable reason.

When a man makes a claim, it’s his conviction of a person or an issue. But if you can’t, or won’t. stand up to it with names or the specifics of the matter at hand, you’re NOT MAN ENOUGH and should not have done it in the first place.

Furthermore, any unsubstantiated statement, or what is more popularly known today as blind item, is HEARSAY or rumor. A TRUE MAN NEVER engages in rumor mongering

If they’re a headache, then they should be REPLACED IMMEDIATELY. If Pnoy DOES NOT HAVE THE GUTS to fire them, then he’s a WEAKLING.

How then can we trust Pnoy to be TOUGH and DECISIVE in time of trouble if he doesn’t even have the nerve to dismiss the headaches among his Cabinet?

He’s the President, the big boss of the Cabinet. He can, and must, do anything necessary to provide good governance. That’s his job, his main job. Nobody can stop him from doing anything to ensure this.

But Pnoy would rather keep the three headaches, or incompetents, and PROTECT THEM by not revealing who they are. Which leads to the question “Why reveal them to the public in the first place?”

I can only see one possible reason why: It’s a CHEAP, JUVENILE attempt to indirectly justify the continued DROP in Pnoy’s ratings by pointing to headaches or incompetents in the Cabinet.

Never mind if it will be INSULTING to the rest of the Cabinet whom he did not exclude from the non-headaches (Pnoy excluded Budget Sec. Abad, the DPWH secretary and another one).

Why insulting? By not naming the three headaches, all the other Cabinet members are SUSPECTS.

Pnoy has just cast a cloud of doubt on the competence and credibility of the other Cabinet members. Everybody is a headache, including the efficient ones, until Pnoy identifies the real culprits.

Which is GROSSLY UNFAIR to Cabinet members doing a good job.

This is what Cabinet members should SERIOUSLY CONSIDER. This will also be a good test on who among them understands the true meaning of self-respect.

***

Fifteen of our friends on “If we won’t fight for the Spratlys…”:

JUAN DELA CRUZ

if we won't fight for it, then let's just make it official na kanila na. Gawin narin na lang nating parang Sabah. Pinamigay lang!!

ANGEL FLORENDO of Doha, Qatar

Kahit gusto nating ipaglaban, paano kung mismong nasa pwesto takot lumaban?

ARTHUR LIMSIACO of Nagoya-shi, Aichi, Japan

No guts, no glory!

KAMAUT LONGBABILON of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

Of course, you could just GIVE the Spratlys to your neighbor China. But it would be squandering it to an atheist!!

BENJAMIN SAMONTE of Chicago, Illinois, USA

The islands we now occupy are within our legal boundary sanctioned by the UN 200-mile limit aside from the claim filed by Tomas Cloma. We should fight to the end for our right. The way I look at it, war won't happen. China is aware of her annihilation by the US if she goes to war. US national interest in Spratly is the "black gold" (oil and gas). The SPRATLYS is projected to be the center source of oil in the future. Whoever controls it will become a superpower.

MERIT SALUD of Bloomfield, New Jersey, USA

Boyet, it would have been an act of great statesmanship on the part of the Philippines if we looked dispassionately on the suggestion of Sen. Recto to help China at this time of her people's distress. Let it not be said that the Philippines was so filled with hurt for China’s highhanded manner in dealing with the conflict on Spratly that the Philippines was unmindful of the cry of the Chinese for help.

MANUEL DUMAGCO of Manila

Kailangan nating gawin ang marapat para sa atin, dahil bawat bansa ay may karapatan. Mayroon tayong kasarinlan para sa ating bansa at mamamayan.

CARLOS SANTIAGO

Peace kung peace. Pero kung harap-harapan nanakawin ang atin sa pamamagitan ng dahas.... patay kung patay! Anong klaseng buhay yan kung walang dangal.

ALLAN DUBAN

Tanggapin na lang natin na di natin kaya ang China.!

RAYMOND LAU of Quezon City

Good direction. Ask as much as you need. Avoid being between the two most powerful nations in the world to become a puppet of one of them.

EDGAR GONZALES of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

We will fight for the Spratly Islands.

TACIO SANTOS

So. isang araw Chinese na ang mayari ng Pinas at tayo’y alipin nila kagaya ng ginawa ng Espanya. Ganoon ba ang gusto nilang mangyari?i

ESPERLITA GARCIA of Gonzaga, Cagayan

Hindi naman pala magke-claim ang China, sir, so close na issue on

LIZA TREMOCHA

What's the real score sa government regarding Spratly?

ANNE DE BRETAGNE

I just read the article. I agree with you.

Eight of our friends on “Floods, floods, floods!” :

JAWORSKI YABES of Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija

Why do they always insist on making the lowlands below sea level and agriculture lands for housing and resetlement? Don’t they conduct a geological survey test before housing is constructed?

BOY NERI of Irvine, California

Reminds me of the song “Like a circle in a spiral...never ending nor beginning on an ever spinning wheel!

CHEECHA FERRER

It’s everywhere! And it's getting worse as time goes by.

LUIS CUERVO of Lipa City, Batangas

Build islands on the lake, filled with drenched materials from mining (sites). Dig deep to fill up man-made islands.

ROBERT CLIVE KOOMANS of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

Manila again! Just after we had the worst flood in history in Brisbane costing billions of dollars. A flood is a flood is a flood!!!

RONALD CARPIO of Makati

Ang dapat kastiguhin sa baha sa Cotabato City ay ang mayor at si DSWD Sec. Dinky Soliman. Sa kabila ng warning ng PAGASA na may darating na bagyo, ang lokal na pamahalaan ay kinapos ng stratehiya upang mapaghandaan ito. May nakaimbak palang mga pagkain sa regional DSWD office pero ilang linggo nang hindi ipinamimigay sa alibi na may proseso daw na dapat sundin. Ang tamang proseso ay yung tulong ay dadating sa tamang oras ng pangangailangan.

YOLANDA HERRING of Coffs Harbour, New South Wales

Kailangan kumilos na ang mga nakaupo sa gobyerno/ Magpagawa nang proper drainage susyem. Kawawa naman ang mga kababayan natin.

KHAYE-C GENE AROA of Caloocan City

Kasama na kami diyan!

Four of our friends on “Alarming reaction to drop in Pnoy’s fame!”

EDGARDO BUENAVENTURA of Tuguegarao, Cagayan

Surveys are also products that can be bought. However, PNoy should focus on programs with daily impacts in countering poverty and (focusing on) job creation. Let the information agencies do their jobs.

ROMEO SESBRENO of Sudbury, Ontario, Canada

It's all about serving the public interest to the best of your ability within the law.. Do the right thing! You could be rotten as hell and still be popular. Know your job, and just be a good leader. Period!!

SERGIO NEPOMUCENO

The presidency is not about popularity. A leader is just like a referee. Once he blows his whistle, he antagonizes one side and pleases the other. You can never be all popular in politics. The others behind the fence are just lurking for every mistake. Popularity surveys are money-making ventures. I suggest that they make surveys on progress in programs being implemented by the government.

ISAGANI MACARAIG of San Pascual, Batangas

The 74% sat. rate was never true in the first place. Only 40% of the population voted for P-noy so it should be around that percentage unless you interviewed a potentially skewed population. Majority off those who voted for P-noy are the poor who were forced by their local leaders. 30

IF WE WON'T FIGHT FOR THE SPRATLYS...

I have three questions for those who say that we should not fight for the Spratlys and just hand it over to China in exchange for joint oil and other business explorations.

What if China rejects joint explorations once they get the Spratlys?

If it gets the Spratlys without a fight, what would stop China from grabbing our other islands? If that happens, will you be ready to do battle with the Chinese and die if you have to in defense of our country?

If you can’t give any answer to the first two questions that would still be economically beneficial to our country without us losing more territories, then please SHUT UP and stop helping divide us.

If you’re not ready to fight, and die if you have to, in defense of our motherland, then rush to the Chinese Embassy and ask about the fastest way to acquire Chinese citizenship.

You don’t deserve to be called a Filipino.

The fact REMAINS that ownership of the Spratlys HAS NOT BEEN DECIDED ON WITH FINALITY, by the United Nations (UN) and the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

So until a final decision is rendered, there should be NO EXCUSE for each and every one of us to stand up and defend what we believe is ours.

If we will give the Spratlys to the Chinese on a silver platter just because they’re a lot bigger than us militarily, it will be nothing less than COWARDICE.

It’s not only the Spratlys which we will lose but also our DIGNITY, and the RESPECT of the world community on us as a race.

So better put up for auction every property known to be of interest to other foreign powers, like Subic and Clark which are former American bases, leave it to them and just use the money for whatever reason.

If this is what you want, you who say we shouldn’t fight for the Spratlys, then get the hell out of the Philippines NOW! You don’t deserve a homeland.

If you’re abroad. STOP calling or passing yourself off as a Filipno.

For you are a NATIONAL SHAME to the Filipino race. A DISGRACE which no SANE Pinoy should imitate or even pay attention to.

I’m not saying that we should go to war with China, or initiate one with them ASAP. I’m one of the millions of our countrymen who pray that no fighting will erupt over the Spratlys.

But I’m also fully aware that this is our country, THE ONLY ONE WE’VE GOT. And that in the eyes of God and the eyes of the world, it’s our duty to DEFEND IT.

From whoever and whenever. Now and forever. 30

FLOODS, FLOODS, FLOODS!

The floods that swamped various areas in Metro Manila Thursday raised a lot of issues which authorities must clarify to their constituents.

For starters, residents must be informed of what flood control programs and measures, if any, have been implemented so far by their local government units (LGU).

Residents must know the status or condition of these programs and measures. They must be told of the details or the specifications, and most of all the funds allocated and proof of how the money was spent.

LGUs must CLEARLY EXPLAIN what makes floods unstoppable, and sometimes critical, in some parts of their territories for ages.

Like Araneta Ave. and Ma. Clara streets in Quezon City; Espana, T.M. Kalaw and Lagusnilad in Manila and Bangkal in Makati and Dampalit plus several other barangays in Malabon.

In case you missed it in the news, floods rose up to five feet in Lagusnilad; five to six feet in Tatalon, Talayan-Araneta Avenue in Barangay Doña Imelda and Bagong Silangan and up to six feet at the corner of Maria Clara and Amoranto Streets, all in Quezon City.

If LGUs will say that they had asked for national government assistance but have not had any response, they should name the concerned agencies.

And in fairness to LGUs, they should inform the residents on what to do to help control floods. They should point out the residents’ shortcomings, if any.

LGUs had better get tougher on their anti-littering and anti-squatting ordinances. We all know that clogged waterways or drainage systems are among the major causes of flooding.

A coordinated effort by LGUs and their constituents would be a faster way to fight or control floods.

All that has to be done to start this is for the LGU to call for an emergency dialogue with the residents for an update and to come up with recommendations and possible solutions on how to deal with floods.

I’m not saying that floods can be stopped overnight.

But obviously, current flood control measures are inadequate. Before the problem gets a lot more worse, something else must be done.

As in NOW! 30

IF CHINA IS REALLY FOR PEACE...

If the Chinese are really for peace in the Spratlys, then here’s a simple test for them to prove so:

Let them initiate a call for an IMMEDIATE DEBATE in the United Nations (UN) to determine once and for the rightful owner of the Spratlys among the claimant-countries.

A MARATHON DEBATE, as in 24 hurs non-stop or daily seven days a week until the Spratlys issue is decided upon. How I wish the UN would do domething like this ASAP.

Simultaneous with that, let China spearhead moves for a legal settlement of the issue before the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

And until the UN and the ICJ decide, China should STOP and and all incursions into disputed territories in the Spratlys, as well as the show of force it has been conducting at the West Philippine Sea.

If China is sincere in its pronouncement of its wish for a peaceful or diplomatic end to the ownership dispute over the Spratlys, then there should be no problem for it to carry out this test.

Except bureaucratic red tape, if any.

China is among the countries which ratified the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), the UN’s basis for deciding on territorial conflicts in international waters.

The ICJ, as the name implies, is a court for, among others, protests and complaints by countries against other nations all over the world.

Therefore, China should ABIDE by the provisions of the UNCLOS and whatever ruling the ICJ arrives at, if it is really for a peaceful and just settlement of the ownership dispute for the Spratlys.

And not unilaterally shout to the world that is the sole owner of the Soratlys, even though there has been no final decision or ruling yet by the UN or the ICJ.

That’s DOUBLE TALK and HYPOCRISY of the highest order, not to mention LAND-GRABBING.

Personally, I don’t think China will risk triggering a war over the Spratlys, especially with the categorical declaration of support for us by the United States.

I hope you guys can go back to my earlier blogs.

But that doesn’t mean the dispute on the Spratlys ownership mut continue with no immediate end in sight.

And only the UN and the ICJ can do it fast, and legally, with China’s COOPERATION!

***

On Batangas Gov. Vilma Santos:

WILFREDO HERNANDEZ

When Vilma Santos ran as governor of Batangas, she won the trust of almost half a million of voters Sino ka para manghusga.eh wala ka namang alam sa kanyang panunungkulan?

My reply:

Sinabi ko bang hindi half a million ang bumoto sa kaniya? Ar kalian ko hinusgahan ang pagiging gobernadoa ni Vilma? Suge nga. Palita mo muna sa akin ang mga dinaldal mo bago mo ulit ibuka ang bibig mo. Kung ang pagtatanong.ay panghuhusga na para sa iyo, ikaw ang may MALALANG PROBLEA hindi ako.

JEFFREY TEODORO

I would advise you na magbasa ng mga diario, manood ng tv at makinig sa radio para may bagong balita kang nasasagap tungkol sa problema ng fish kill na nangyayari sa Batangas. Napakasipag ng aming gobernadora dahil binibigyan niya ng pansin ang problemang ito

GINNY YOUNG

Nemesio, kina-career mo na ang pang-aatake kay Gov. Vi ah...how pathetic!

My common reply to both of you:

Naiintindihan o alam ba ininyo ang ibiig sabihin ng salitang repost? O ng phrase na ito -- Tumahimik ako sa Batangas illegal fish pens issue sa payo ng mga kaibigan ko … Iyon pala, ayaw pa rin akong tigilan.

Sinagot ko lang ang mga sinsabi ng mga katribo mo Jeffrey kaya bakit ko pa kailangang magbasa ng bago? At kalian ko sinabing hindi masipag ang gobernadora ninyo? Ipakita mo muna sa aki bago mo ulit ibuka bibig mo.

Ikaw ang pathetic, Ginny, para hindi maintindihan ang ibig sabihin ng cinite kong phrase mula sa blog ko! Sumagot lang ako, kina-career ko na? Tagalog-English dictionary, gusto mo?

NANCY GRANT

Your demonic views of her will never prevail, bading

My reply: Questions are already demonic views for you? O ye of IMPOVERISHED VOCABULARY and a PEA FOR A BRAIN! Babae ka pa naman, saying.

MARY GO

Hey blabbermouth, keep your baseless accusations to yourself.

My Reply: What accusations did I make? C’mon, enumerate it. If you can’t. then you’re the blabbermouth, that is if you understand what that means. I have a spare dictionary, if you want.

G CORDERO

You are such a looney, nemesis...dream on...you must be from lala land. Stop demanding for names of illegal fish cages' owners.

My reply: I already stopped but obviously, just like the others, you don’t understand what the words ‘repost’ and ‘tumahimik na ako’ mean. You vould use a Tagalog dictionary too, you know. And if ever, why should I stop asking for the names of owners of illegal fish pens? Cite even one law which says I should and I will. If you can’t, then why should I just because you and other supporters of Vilma want me to? Who do you think you are? Illegal fish pen owner ka ba?

JUSTIN TYNE

Icite mo nga ang kasinungalingan ko na sinasabi mo. Wala akong kasinungalingang sinabi sa blog ko, questions meron. Ikaw ang SINUNGALING, at BOBO pa, for saying na sinungaling ako kahit na wala akong ginagawang ganun.

GEORGYGIRL03

I’m famous in my own right, and content, believe it or not. I don’t dream of fame and if ever I will, I’m sure you supporters of Vilma ARE NOT THE ONLY ONES who can make it happen.

He he he, if you people still want to continue, just say so. He He He, ha ha ha! 30

THANKS, GOV. VILMA SANTOS RECTO

Before anything else, I think I now have to thank Batangas Gov, Vilma Santos Recto.

Despite the fury of her supporters against me, she has remained quiet and civil. That means she understood that I am not accusing or insulting her over anything, and have been fair enough to come out with her side while asking legitimate questions.

Otherwise, I am really having fun Vi’s supporters who continue to raise hell over my innocent queries on owners of illegal fish pens and why is the provincial government seemingly helpless against the problem.

Still, I am thankful that out of 191 page views as of the time I was writing this at 4:45 p.m. June 22, ONLY 23 reacted negatively. That means the rest understood my point, especially the fact that, I repeat, I was not accusing or insulting their governor so why the big fuss.

Here again, guys, is my last blog. You be the judge if I am being unfair or judgmental, or even accusing the governor of anything.

Tumahimik ako sa Batangas illegal fish pens issue sa payo ng mga kaibigan ko na huwag ko na lang pansinin ang mga supporters ni Batangas Gov. Vilma Santos Recto na hindi makaintindi ng simpleng simpleng Ingles ng aking blogs pero pilit akong iniinsulto o hinahamon.

So to prove to everybody that I had not kept quiet out of fear or in exchange for any consideration, and only on the advice of friends. I will be reposting my blogs on the illegal fish pens in Batangas, along with my daily new blog, today and tomorrow, starting with this one:

An anonymous but obvious defender of Batangas Gov. Vilma Santos-Recto posted six news reports in our blogspot on what she has done so far since the fish kill in the province.

I had stated before that I will no longer come out with anonymous comments. But in the interest of fairness, this will be an exception.

These are the salient points of the news reports:

Santos Recto formed and dispatched various teams to assist local government units affected by the fish kill in Taal Lake on May 26-27. Two backhoes and several dump trucks were dispatched to Talisay, Laurel and Agoncillo.

My reply: I stand corrected on what I had written in our preceding blog that she has been unusually quiet and there has been no known direct order by her on how to deal with the fish kill.

Santos-Recto said the dismantling of illegal fish pens in Taal Lake has been the local government’s endeavor for three years, and that “I’m proud to say na libo na din ang aming natanggal na fish pens diyan.”

But as I had written, the news reports DID NOT IDENTIFY even one illegal fish pen owner and what charges, if any, had been filed against that person by Batangas officials.

As I had also cited in our blog “Corruption in Batangas fish kill,” what makes the names of the illegal fish pen owners SO SPECIAL? If indeed thousands of illegal fish pens have been dismantled in Taal Lake, how come there are still a lot?

What makes Santos-Recto, and all concerned Batangas officials, HELPLESS against the illegal fish pens? The news reports didn’t answer this.

Santos-Recto had earlier warned against overfishing in Taal Lake and ordered the reduction of fish pens there. Yet, neither government functionaries nor fish pen owners – heeded her warning, according to the news reports.

So what did she do about it? Did she ask for help from anyone or anybody? If yes, whom did she approach, when and what happened?

Now, here are some of the latest, and my reply to each:

NOEL FERRER

Tama ang isang poster dito na how can you expect Gov Vi to name names if the owners of illegal fish cages are nameless? If you are doing business illegally, will you tell the world who you are? Paki-umpog mo nga ulo mo sa pader at ng matauhan ka naman.

My reply: So what you’re saying is despite the thousands of illegal fish pens Vi herself has said she had demolished, which I believe let that be for the record, she never got any idea, inkling or even one name of an illegal fish pen owner. No names, no report, no nothing.

Therefore, alin sa dalawa: nagwasak ng nagwasak ng illegal fish pens pero NEVER NA NAGUSISA MAN LANG KUNG SINO ANG OWNER kaya kahit isang name, wala, or saksakan ng hihina, if not walang silbi, ang kung sinumang nagimbestiga kaya walang name na nakuha kahit isa kaya wala ring mailabas ang provincial government? Ikaw ang dapat magumpog, or better magmaso ng sariling ulo, para matauhan sa iba pang posibilidad bago ka dumaldal.

LEA RAMOS

Are you so naive that you can't understand the fact that crooked businessmen are hiding their real identities in order not to be caught?

My reply: The same as that to Noel Ferrer.

NILO PAEZ

This guy has little knowledge of what responsible journalism is all about. That's why he deserves all the tirades he has been getting from Gov. Vi's supporters.

My reply: Do you have any experience in journalism? Any credentials proving that you are a legitimate journalist? If no or none, you don’t have ANY MORAL AND PROFESSIONAL RIGHT to sweepingly claim that I have little knowledge of responsible journalism. And if you’ll say you are, since when has asking questions to and coming out with the defense of the subject of the article, been irresponsible journalism? If you can’t justify what you’re saying, better go back to school first before you open your mouth again.

RAUL LAUREL of Tanauan. Batangas

Will you please stop using the good name of Governor Vilma Santos in your iidiotic cause?

My reply: If tackling something illegal is an idiotic cause for you, then you have A PATHETIC, DISTORTED SENSE of what is right and what is wrong. And that WON’T STOP me from writing something about your governor if I think I have to, believe me.

MERCEDES DALA PAZ

I believe that the argument of Mr Nemesio in attacking Gov Vi, especially that of her failure to disclose the identities of the people behind illegal fish pens, is really full of holes. Mr Nemesio, if you are a concerned citizen, please make sure you use your head so you won't be accused of being a moron.

My reply: Cite the holes you’re saying and let’s see. I have used, and continue to use, my head by being fair enough to come out with the defense of your governor and keeping quiet since I don’t see anything new. But since, as I’ve said, some of you won’t stop from insulting me, then neither should I keep quiet forever and not defend myself just because Vilma Santos Recto is the topic. If you dson’t understand this, then you, much as I hate to say this because you’re a woman, are the who’s not using her head, and the moron. 30

THANK YOU, BATANGAS GOV. VILMA SANTOS RECTO!

Before anything else, I think I now have to thank Batangas Gov, Vilma Santos Recto.

Despite the fury of her supporters against me, she has remained quiet and civil. That means she understood that I am not accusing or insulting her over anything, and have been fair enough to come out with her side while asking legitimate questions.

Otherwise, I am really having fun with Vi’s supporters who continue to raise hell over my innocent queries on owners of illegal fish pens and why is the provincial government seemingly helpless against the problem.

Still, I am thankful that out of 196 page views as of the time I was writing this at 4:45 p.m. June 22, ONLY 23 reacted negatively. That means the rest understood my point, especially the fact that, I repeat, I was not accusing or insulting their governor so why the big fuss.

Oh, and to the one who says Vilmanians are a global force so I should expect the worst scenario, I say so what? Bring it on. That doesn't scare me I assure you.

Here again, guys, is my last blog. You be the judge if I am being unfair or judgmental, or even accusing the governor of anything.

Tumahimik ako sa Batangas illegal fish pens issue sa payo ng mga kaibigan ko na huwag ko na lang pansinin ang mga supporters ni Batangas Gov. Vilma Santos Recto na hindi makaintindi ng simpleng simpleng Ingles ng aking blogs pero pilit akong iniinsulto o hinahamon.

Iyon pala, ayaw pa rin akong tigilan. Heto ang dalawa sa mga pinakahuling atake sa akin na ngayon ko lang napansin. Wala akong binago sa mga ito,

So to prove to everybody that I had not kept quiet out of fear or in exchange for any consideration, and only on the advice of friends. I will be reposting my blogs on the illegal fish pens in Batangas, along with my daily new blog, today and tomorrow, starting with this one:

An anonymous but obvious defender of Batangas Gov. Vilma Santos-Recto posted six news reports in our blogspot on what she has done so far since the fish kill in the province.

I had stated before that I will no longer come out with anonymous comments. But in the interest of fairness, this will be an exception.

These are the salient points of the news reports:

Santos Recto formed and dispatched various teams to assist local government units affected by the fish kill in Taal Lake on May 26-27. Two backhoes and several dump trucks were dispatched to Talisay, Laurel and Agoncillo.

My reply: I stand corrected on what I had written in our preceding blog that she has been unusually quiet and there has been no known direct order by her on how to deal with the fish kill.

Santos-Recto said the dismantling of illegal fish pens in Taal Lake has been the local government’s endeavor for three years, and that “I’m proud to say na libo na din ang aming natanggal na fish pens diyan.”

But as I had written, the news reports DID NOT IDENTIFY even one illegal fish pen owner and what charges, if any, had been filed against that person by Batangas officials.

As I had also cited in our blog “Corruption in Batangas fish kill,” what makes the names of the illegal fish pen owners SO SPECIAL? If indeed thousands of illegal fish pens have been dismantled in Taal Lake, how come there are still a lot?

What makes Santos-Recto, and all concerned Batangas officials, HELPLESS against the illegal fish pens? The news reports didn’t answer this.

Santos-Recto had earlier warned against overfishing in Taal Lake and ordered the reduction of fish pens there. Yet, neither government functionaries nor fish pen owners – heeded her warning, according to the news reports.

So what did she do about it? Did she ask for help from anyone or anybody? If yes, whom did she approach, when and what happened?

Now, here are some of the latest, and my reply to each:

NOEL FERRER

Tama ang isang poster dito na how can you expect Gov Vi to name names if the owners of illegal fish cages are nameless? If you are doing business illegally, will you tell the world who you are? Paki-umpog mo nga ulo mo sa pader at ng matauhan ka naman.

My reply: So what you’re saying is despite the thousands of illegal fish pens Vi herself has said she had demolished, which I believe let that be for the record, she never got any idea, inkling or even one name of an illegal fish pen owner. No names, no report, no nothing.

Therefore, alin sa dalawa: nagwasak ng nagwasak ng illegal fish pens pero NEVER NA NAGUSISA MAN LANG KUNG SINO ANG OWNER kaya kahit isang name, wala, or saksakan ng hihina, if not walang silbi, ang kung sinumang nagimbestiga kaya walang name na nakuha kahit isa kaya wala ring mailabas ang provincial government? Ikaw ang dapat magumpog, or better magmaso ng sariling ulo, para matauhan sa iba pang posibilidad bago ka dumaldal.

LEA RAMOS

Are you so naive that you can't understand the fact that crooked businessmen are hiding their real identities in order not to be caught?

My reply: The same as that to Noel Ferrer.

NILO PAEZ

This guy has little knowledge of what responsible journalism is all about. That's why he deserves all the tirades he has been getting from Gov. Vi's supporters.

My reply: Do you have any experience in journalism? Any credentials proving that you are a legitimate journalist? If no or none, you don’t have ANY MORAL AND PROFESSIONAL RIGHT to sweepingly claim that I have little knowledge of responsible journalism. And if you’ll say you are, since when has asking questions to and coming out with the defense of the subject of the article, been irresponsible journalism? If you can’t justify what you’re saying, better go back to school first before you open your mouth again.

RAUL LAUREL of Tanauan. Batangas

Will you please stop using the good name of Governor Vilma Santos in your iidiotic cause?

My reply: If tackling something illegal is an idiotic cause for you, then you have A PATHETIC, DISTORTED SENSE of what is right and what is wrong. And that WON’T STOP me from writing something about your governor if I think I have to, believe me.

MERCEDES DALA PAZ

I believe that the argument of Mr Nemesio in attacking Gov Vi, especially that of her failure to disclose the identities of the people behind illegal fish pens, is really full of holes. Mr Nemesio, if you are a concerned citizen, please make sure you use your head so you won't be accused of being a moron.

My reply: Cite the holes you’re saying and let’s see. I have used, and continue to use, my head by being fair enough to come out with the defense of your governor and keeping quiet since I don’t see anything new. But since, as I’ve said, some of you won’t stop from insulting me, then neither should I keep quiet forever and not defend myself just because Vilma Santos Recto is the topic. If you dson’t understand this, then you, much as I hate to say this because you’re a woman, are the who’s not using her head, and the moron. 30