IT HAS BEEN reported that in the face of spiraling prices and unmitigated inflation, President Rodrigo Duterte has owned to the blame and accepted full responsibility for these debilitating (for the economy, that is) effects to these two economic forces foisted on the economy and the country.
In his usual mumbling style, the President said that he has been trying to explain why prices of goods continue to rise: I am trying to explain to everybody and you would notice it that every time there is an increase in oil, everything increases. Even the chief executive, alas, is clueless as to how the problem can be solved.
Meanwhile, the people suffer daily with the weight of the problem which gets heavier by the day.
Why has the situation worsened? Where have our economic managers and financial geniuses gone? The Congress leaders who have the prerogative to pass laws to curb inflation and resultant high prices? Has the Train law stampeded the fragile economic forces to hit bulls eye the price cap of essential goods? By all means, our leaders must do something posthaste before we choke to death.
Now, MalacaƱang has been reported to have taken steps to combat rising prices by way of presidential directives to relax procedures for agricultural importation and honest-to-goodness crackdown on profiteers, all aimed to cushion the impact of soaring prices.
Some sectors now ask: Why hasn't the government acted earlier to arrest the spike in prices? Why only now, they cry, when prices are soaring at unstoppable levels?
Why can't the authorities stop rampant smuggling of rice whe they already have dossiers on smugglers? Isn't this "sleeping on the job"?
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The President has been boasting of his incessant drive to curb corruption and yet his minions are the ones promoting and practicing it.
For how long can the Chief Executive pacify the angry mob who threaten his very position and more?
They would surely attempt at anything when their very existence is at stake.
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On the occasion of the World Teachers Day, let me add my grandest salute to their work and sacrifices.
I remember the late Eleuteria Sanguyo Paquia, mother of good sons Robert and Rosan, who gave me the best enlightenment during my elementary years and Mrs. Primitiva Samson Quitalig who guided me during my high school years. Both are remarkable mentors who deserve my eternal gratitude.