INARGUABLY now, he made off with billions of dollars of lifetime savings of pensioners, middle income earners, and even celebrities.

For Bernard Madoff, once a trusted money market trader and investment carrier, the huge sums of money bilked from gullible investors in a Ponzi-type investment scheme, were but loud manifestations of, perhaps, greed and of get-rich quick motives.

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This high profile schemer, in his early seventies, now faces life in prison and is expected to serve 150 years meted to him by a New York federal judge for the "extraordinary evil" he has shown through the years he made his clients expect lucrative profits from their investments.

The Ponzi scheme may go on as long as new clients come in and infuse capital, which the schemer uses to pay expected profits to the old clients but when no such infusions come, the misery begins for the expectant investors and then disaster sets in. One may ask: what were the agencies tasked to monitor such illegal schemes doing?

As in the Philippines, they are sleeping (and slipping) on the job while thousands get victimized by shrewd, glib-tongued, sly and cunning schemers like Bernard Madoff who, by the way, has counterparts here in the Philippines.

In sum, there will be no end to unlawful schemes as long as there are willing victims. Walang manloloko kung walang paloloko? Let us not put the entire blame on the unsuspecting victims though, like most of us suckers, they only wanted nice returns for their money.

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The Mabalacat Nutrition Action Center headed by Socorro "Cora" L. Lorena is leading the town's observance of the Nutrition Month, from July 1 to 31.

The activities include a motorcade inviting awareness on the deadly A (HiNi) virus and its prevention, tree planting along Kabayan road, Xevera complex, adopt-a-tree, vegetable seeds distribution at Barangays Atlu Bola and Tabun, day care nutrition celebration at Sta. Ines covered court and the culmination activities and awarding ceremonies at Xevera covered court on July 31st.

The supporters for this laudable program are led by Mayor Marino "Boking" P. Morales, Vice Mayor Dr. Prospero"Pros" T. Lagman, Dr. Oscar Aurelio and the other members of the Sangguniang Bayan, the Municipal Health Office and the Rural Health Units.

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Not to be outdone and outpaced, especially on matters of health, sanitation and, of course, nutrition, the Angeles City government has also launched its 35th Nutrition Month celebration with the participation of DepEd, Peso, City Social Welfare and Development Office, City Agricultural Office, Ospital ning Angeles and the City Health Office. The theme? Wastong Nutrisyon Kailangan, Lifestyle Diseases Iwasan.

Also, on July 6, 2009 at 9 in the morning, City Chief Executive Mayor Francis "Blueboy" Nepomuceno will deliver his 2nd State of the City Address at the SM City Clark event center, to jibe with the awarding ceremony for the city's Top 10 taxpayers. We'll be there. 

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The treasurer's chest. One of the important officials in the local government unit (LGU) is the city or municipal treasurer or bursar, the keeper of the purse.

He or she plays a pivotal role in the operations of the local government unit and bears the brunt of the public ire when payables are not paid on time. This predicament, and other mundane persuasions are vested on Mabalacat municipal treasurer Myrna Ocampo and her assistants Marlyn and Jen who have to be on their toes especially when “payment time” comes.

To the credit of these workers, they keep their poise even when barraged by numerous requests for disbursements. Always keep your cool, ladies.