Almost a year ago, Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Boy Radaza proclaimed he would proceed with the Mactan North Reclamation Project. His PR agent went to work trumpeting this ridiculous plan as a landmark project. I wrote this commentary which I circulated among a few friends and members of the various business chambers in Cebu. With all the criminal cases pending about scams in Lapu-Lapu, how can we Oponganons expect that such a grandiose project will be scandal free? I am reprinting this in my bog, as I believe this will be nothing more than another mega scam.
ANOTHER SILICON VALLEY IN LAPU-LAPU?
By: Efrain T. Pelaez Jr.
Lapu-Lapu Mayor Arturo Radaza has announced that the P10Billion Reclamation Project will go through, and it will become the next Silicon Valley, presumably of the region. Since the name Silicon Valley has become a catch-all phrase to indicate corporate centers of high technology, mainly in information technology and before we get carried away by the rabid propagandists of the reclamation project, let us examine what Silicon Valley really is. The term originally referred to “the area outside San Francisco around Stanford University that housed the California’s large number of silicon chip innovators and manufacturers, but eventually came to refer to all the high-tech businesses in the area. Despite the development of other high-tech economic centers throughout the United States, Silicon Valley continues to be the leading high-tech hub because of its large number of engineers and venture capitalists. The industry began through experimentation and innovation in the fields of radio, television, and military electronics. Stanford University, its faculty and graduates have played a major role in the evolution of this area.” Intel, Fairchild and Hewlett-Packard, and many others like them trace their roots to Silicon Valley. Companies like Xerox, Cisco, Adobe, Microsoft and Apple all use technologies and innovations developed at Silicon Valley. By the early 1970s there were many semiconductor and related computer firms in the area, and programming and service companies serving both. Industrial space and housing were plentiful.
Well, I am sorry to inform Radaza and his misinformed PR consultant that our version of Silicon Valley already exists and has been here for over 20 years. Bahaw na ni! TMX was one of the first Silicon Valley- type high tech companies that located in Lapu-Lapu and has since grown under the auspices of the PEZA to what it is today. Other technology companies, mainly in semiconductors, followed and located in MEZ 1 and later MEZ 2. There are now over 200 companies and 60,000 employees with over half in IT related activities in Lapu-Lapu alone. Danao also has Mitsumi with roughly 10,000 employees. PEZA-registered IT parks and BPO centers have opened up all over the Cebu area, providing another component to what in fact is Greater Cebu’s “Silicon Valley”.
Creating more land in Lapu-Lapu will not automatically result in another or bigger Silicon Valley. Did the Mandaue Reclamation or SRP in Talisay result in new Silicon Valleys? There is already plenty land, not only in Lapu-Lapu, but also in Metro Cebu and other cities and towns. In fact the BPO’s are in dispersal mode and moving into other urban centers like Dumaguete, Cagayan de Oro and the like that have educational capabilities to provide the manpower needed to man such endeavors like call centers.
Unfortunately, we in Lapulapu cannot hope to be engaged in the leading edge of high technology. We do not possess the same infrastructure and qualities that gave rise to such explosive growth in the U.S. We neither have the venture capital and educational facilities like Cal Tech and Stanford in our backyard, or the demand for research provided by NASA, the U.S. military or Fortune 500 firms. Innovation was and continues to be the catalyst of Silicon Valley’s success. By contrast, our PEZA Zones can only hope to be extensions of these companies, providing them with cheap manufacturing and industrial space, a trainable and skilled workforce, and reasonable infrastructure. For example, in 2006, the Wall Street Journal reported that “13 of the 20 most inventive towns in America were in California, and 10 of those were in Silicon Valley.” Does this sound like Lapulapu City?
So does Radaza’s P10 Billion Reclamation Project fit the bill? No way! May we humbly suggest that he stop thinking about Silicon Valley and instead focus on cleaning up the city, fixing the existing roads and infrastructure and concentrate on realistic and doable projects that will immediately benefit the city. He has wasted 8 years doing nothing to improve conditions in Lapulapu. It is simply too late for anything realistic, but I suppose it is never too late for a scam. Enough of this silly business!
Monday, January 18, 2010
RADAZA’S 10-BILLION DREAM
Here is an article I wrote which was published in some Cebu newspapers almost two years ago when Radaza first announced he was proceeding with the Mactan Reclamation. This should give everyone an idea about the issues involved and why all Oponganons and Cebuanos must oppose it. In fact, as I predicted, there are already challenges to the project made by Governor Gwen Garcia and the MCIAA, as well as NEDA and other groups.
RADAZA’S 10-BILLION DREAM
By: Efrain T. Pelaez Jr.
President, Mactan Island Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Radaza does not seem to get it. Recently, he announced a P10 billion Mactan North reclamation project consisting of 400 hectares at the Magellan Bay foreshore area. The City Council hurriedly passed a resolution authorizing Radaza to negotiate in behalf of the city and approved the project. Someone in Malacanang must also be working overtime as liaison to ram through this project because a MOA was recently signed between the Philippine Reclamation Authority, Lapu-Lapu City and Malacanang. How else would a Mayor who is being charged with a number of criminal cases for scams involving lampposts and computers worth P200 million, be now entrusted with another P10 Billion project? Have we all gone crazy? Are we all blinded by the peso signs? Is the President properly advised about this project? Who are the promoters and influence peddlers chewing on this carrot that Radaza is dangling in front of them—perhaps to curry favor in the light of the many criminal cases filed against him?
To be sure, the existing reclamation projects of Cebu, Mandaue and the South Reclamation (SRP), still have to prove their worth and pay their way. The original reclamation from White Gold House to SM in the north and Plaza Independencia in the south has some of the most blighted squatter colonies in Metro Cebu area. The Mandaue reclamation of F.F. Cruz is still largely undeveloped, 20 years or so after it started. The same goes for the SRP, which has been a financial drain on Cebu City---despite its size and larger income base than Lapu-Lapu City.
Are the Lapu-Lapu City residents and taxpayers ready to trust Radaza with this megadeal?
Radaza cannot even fix, much less improve, the roads of Lapu-Lapu and clean up the garbage with his P600 million plus yearly budget---most of which goes to payroll for friends, allies and employees with dubious backgrounds and experience. We have complained about ghost payrolls to the Ombudsman for the Clean and Green program which amounts to millions of pesos per month. Despite the sums spent for all these sanitation concerns, the whole of Lapu-Lapu City remains dirty and is an environmental disaster. It is on huge dumpsite. There are many other complaints about overpriced purchases and projects gathering dust at the Ombudsman--- which are now being resurrected by advocates of clean government, much to the chagrin of Radaza and his boys. Yet, he has the gall to tell us he will embark on his dream mega billion reclamation project.
Let me inform him that long before he had that dream, other proponents like Johan Bhd. of Malaysia and myself already had proposed the 400 hectare reclamation project in the early 1990’s during the first term of Mayor Ernest Weigel. A copycat cannot claim authorship of the idea or the dream. Aside from the politics involved with the warring Osmeña brothers, Lito and Sonny, who had their own ideas about the project, and the intervening Asian economic crisis---most proponents have realized the impracticality of it all. Even the Cordova reclamation has undergone several promotional mutations without success. The only ones interested are those promoters who intend to make a quick buck and fat commissions from the deal. Radaza’s cronies who have a near monopoly on filling material and anopog are all salivating and wringing their hands in anticipation of a windfall. The truth is this is nothing but a big public relations balloon that will never fly because it is filled not only with hot air but a foul smell as well.
Realistically, Radaza cannot even get the reclamation started before his term ends in two years, nor will he ever see it finished. His time is also running out. Faced with additional suspensions from the lamppost, computer and other cases---that time may be sooner than you think. The environmental studies, court challenges, conflict with the airport runway extension, funding issues, opposition from business groups, and other negative considerations--- will also surely delay the implementation. Governor Gwen Garcia has already publicly opposed the deal. Even if private developers and funding can be found, will this not become another Amari deal that never got off the ground despite the scandal-plagued backing of two presidents, where billions were allegedly paid in kickbacks? Moreover, what assurance can a Mayor in his last term who is similarly plagued, offer to legitimate proponents?
I suggest the Mayor wake up from his somnolence and stop dreaming about mega projects and face the reality of the nightmare ahead by attending to his defense in the Sandiganbayan, and his response to the charges in the Ombudsman to prove to one and all he is innocent. If he has no sin, I will be the first one to apologize to him and parade him through town on my shoulders like the Birhen de Regla that he worships.
RADAZA’S 10-BILLION DREAM
By: Efrain T. Pelaez Jr.
President, Mactan Island Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Radaza does not seem to get it. Recently, he announced a P10 billion Mactan North reclamation project consisting of 400 hectares at the Magellan Bay foreshore area. The City Council hurriedly passed a resolution authorizing Radaza to negotiate in behalf of the city and approved the project. Someone in Malacanang must also be working overtime as liaison to ram through this project because a MOA was recently signed between the Philippine Reclamation Authority, Lapu-Lapu City and Malacanang. How else would a Mayor who is being charged with a number of criminal cases for scams involving lampposts and computers worth P200 million, be now entrusted with another P10 Billion project? Have we all gone crazy? Are we all blinded by the peso signs? Is the President properly advised about this project? Who are the promoters and influence peddlers chewing on this carrot that Radaza is dangling in front of them—perhaps to curry favor in the light of the many criminal cases filed against him?
To be sure, the existing reclamation projects of Cebu, Mandaue and the South Reclamation (SRP), still have to prove their worth and pay their way. The original reclamation from White Gold House to SM in the north and Plaza Independencia in the south has some of the most blighted squatter colonies in Metro Cebu area. The Mandaue reclamation of F.F. Cruz is still largely undeveloped, 20 years or so after it started. The same goes for the SRP, which has been a financial drain on Cebu City---despite its size and larger income base than Lapu-Lapu City.
Are the Lapu-Lapu City residents and taxpayers ready to trust Radaza with this megadeal?
Radaza cannot even fix, much less improve, the roads of Lapu-Lapu and clean up the garbage with his P600 million plus yearly budget---most of which goes to payroll for friends, allies and employees with dubious backgrounds and experience. We have complained about ghost payrolls to the Ombudsman for the Clean and Green program which amounts to millions of pesos per month. Despite the sums spent for all these sanitation concerns, the whole of Lapu-Lapu City remains dirty and is an environmental disaster. It is on huge dumpsite. There are many other complaints about overpriced purchases and projects gathering dust at the Ombudsman--- which are now being resurrected by advocates of clean government, much to the chagrin of Radaza and his boys. Yet, he has the gall to tell us he will embark on his dream mega billion reclamation project.
Let me inform him that long before he had that dream, other proponents like Johan Bhd. of Malaysia and myself already had proposed the 400 hectare reclamation project in the early 1990’s during the first term of Mayor Ernest Weigel. A copycat cannot claim authorship of the idea or the dream. Aside from the politics involved with the warring Osmeña brothers, Lito and Sonny, who had their own ideas about the project, and the intervening Asian economic crisis---most proponents have realized the impracticality of it all. Even the Cordova reclamation has undergone several promotional mutations without success. The only ones interested are those promoters who intend to make a quick buck and fat commissions from the deal. Radaza’s cronies who have a near monopoly on filling material and anopog are all salivating and wringing their hands in anticipation of a windfall. The truth is this is nothing but a big public relations balloon that will never fly because it is filled not only with hot air but a foul smell as well.
Realistically, Radaza cannot even get the reclamation started before his term ends in two years, nor will he ever see it finished. His time is also running out. Faced with additional suspensions from the lamppost, computer and other cases---that time may be sooner than you think. The environmental studies, court challenges, conflict with the airport runway extension, funding issues, opposition from business groups, and other negative considerations--- will also surely delay the implementation. Governor Gwen Garcia has already publicly opposed the deal. Even if private developers and funding can be found, will this not become another Amari deal that never got off the ground despite the scandal-plagued backing of two presidents, where billions were allegedly paid in kickbacks? Moreover, what assurance can a Mayor in his last term who is similarly plagued, offer to legitimate proponents?
I suggest the Mayor wake up from his somnolence and stop dreaming about mega projects and face the reality of the nightmare ahead by attending to his defense in the Sandiganbayan, and his response to the charges in the Ombudsman to prove to one and all he is innocent. If he has no sin, I will be the first one to apologize to him and parade him through town on my shoulders like the Birhen de Regla that he worships.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Ahong Chan’s posturing in Lapu-Lapu City
By: JOE ALONSO TAN, TIMPOLOK, GUN-OB, and LAPULAPU CITY
After boasting and actively seeking John "Sonny" Osmena’s endorsement as Liberal Party’s mayoralty bet in Lapu-Lapu city, it is obvious that this was all political posturing by the Junard “Ahong” Chan. To be sure, Chan’s credence, track record and background is suspect and is a downright affront to what Liberal Party’s (LP) standard bearer Noynoy Aquino stands for to the Filipino people. A former ally of Mayor Arturo Radaza, Lapu-Lapu councilor Chan does not represent at all the kind of “radical change” and “personal integrity” that have been attached to this so-called Noynoy phenomenon. Now that the Certificates of Candidacy have been filed and it was Efrain “Jun” Pelaez, who was nominated by the Liberal Party as its standard bearer, Ahong is nowhere to be found in the LP ranks, instead he has sought an alliance with the NPC. Balimbing diay.
The reason why Noynoy is phenomenal, according to some political pundits, is that he is a symbol of change, the way his late mother was during the 1986 presidential snap elections. Change in the way our government must be run with integrity, conscience, and utmost sincerity to public service. Because this 2010 election is all about change, Chan is exactly the complete opposite of change. He lived and learned with the Radazas and was the ultimate insider.
A former ally and cohort of Radaza, Chan’s rise in rank, from a mere employee of the now-defunct Rural Bank of Subangdako (RBS, where the mayor’s wife, Paz Radaza, was the president before the bank’s ultimate collapse) to becoming Lapu-Lapu city councilor is suspect. In late 2007, Chan was linked to the city government’s alleged payroll scam, when Chan was still head of Barangay Affairs. He and Mayor Radaza, together with Barangay Captain Rufo Bering, were all the subject of a complaint filed with the Office of the Ombudsman for the Visayas by the Mactan Island Chamber of Commerce and Industry, a registered graft watch unit.
The complaint mentioned Chan as the perpetrator of a ghost employee scam using so-called “numerators,” who allegedly received a Php3,000 monthly honorarium from the city government. However, the “numerators” mentioned in the documents filed with the Ombudsman, said in their sworn statements that they in actuality received only P1,000 per employee but each signed for the P3,000 honorarium. Since there were hundreds of numerators, this scam amounted to millions of pesos per year.
The other “ghost payroll” case filed against Radaza and other Lapu-Lapu City officials concerned the city’s Clean and Green employees, wherein it was alleged that thousands of persons were receiving honorariums, including a dead person, of P1,500 monthly as indicated in the payroll sheets submitted. Ironically, it was former Vice Mayor Norma Patalinghug who provided the evidence to the Mactan Chamber which led to the filing of criminal cases and complaints against Radaza and others. Patalinghug is now a close ally of Radaza, but Chan who was previously his closest ally, is now the one criticizing Radaza in print and radio. Many of the signatures in the payroll sheets were executed by the same person. It is also alleged that millions were illegally collected from the Clean and Green payroll, entirely separate from the numerator payroll. Paz Radaza, the wife of the Mayor is in charge of the Clean and Green Program and other beautification projects in Lapu-Lapu. The criminal case is now pending at the Ombudsman.
It is no surprise that since the Noynoy phenomenon is all about change, that the LP swore in and nominated Efrain Pelaez Jr. as their mayoral candidate and Atty. Eugene Espedido for Congressman as well as their entire slate. Ahong Chan is merely a looming shadow of the Radazas since he grew up with them and was privy to all their activities since he was one of their closest confidantes. While he complains a lot in the media, he has not filed any cases or presented any evidence to the public against the Radazas. Maybe he is just pretending to be an oppositionist, and this is all just another moro-moro. After all, Norma Patalinghug played the same game as the oppositionist in the last election only to return to Radaza's side immediately after her loss. Birds of the same feather will always flock together.
After boasting and actively seeking John "Sonny" Osmena’s endorsement as Liberal Party’s mayoralty bet in Lapu-Lapu city, it is obvious that this was all political posturing by the Junard “Ahong” Chan. To be sure, Chan’s credence, track record and background is suspect and is a downright affront to what Liberal Party’s (LP) standard bearer Noynoy Aquino stands for to the Filipino people. A former ally of Mayor Arturo Radaza, Lapu-Lapu councilor Chan does not represent at all the kind of “radical change” and “personal integrity” that have been attached to this so-called Noynoy phenomenon. Now that the Certificates of Candidacy have been filed and it was Efrain “Jun” Pelaez, who was nominated by the Liberal Party as its standard bearer, Ahong is nowhere to be found in the LP ranks, instead he has sought an alliance with the NPC. Balimbing diay.
The reason why Noynoy is phenomenal, according to some political pundits, is that he is a symbol of change, the way his late mother was during the 1986 presidential snap elections. Change in the way our government must be run with integrity, conscience, and utmost sincerity to public service. Because this 2010 election is all about change, Chan is exactly the complete opposite of change. He lived and learned with the Radazas and was the ultimate insider.
A former ally and cohort of Radaza, Chan’s rise in rank, from a mere employee of the now-defunct Rural Bank of Subangdako (RBS, where the mayor’s wife, Paz Radaza, was the president before the bank’s ultimate collapse) to becoming Lapu-Lapu city councilor is suspect. In late 2007, Chan was linked to the city government’s alleged payroll scam, when Chan was still head of Barangay Affairs. He and Mayor Radaza, together with Barangay Captain Rufo Bering, were all the subject of a complaint filed with the Office of the Ombudsman for the Visayas by the Mactan Island Chamber of Commerce and Industry, a registered graft watch unit.
The complaint mentioned Chan as the perpetrator of a ghost employee scam using so-called “numerators,” who allegedly received a Php3,000 monthly honorarium from the city government. However, the “numerators” mentioned in the documents filed with the Ombudsman, said in their sworn statements that they in actuality received only P1,000 per employee but each signed for the P3,000 honorarium. Since there were hundreds of numerators, this scam amounted to millions of pesos per year.
The other “ghost payroll” case filed against Radaza and other Lapu-Lapu City officials concerned the city’s Clean and Green employees, wherein it was alleged that thousands of persons were receiving honorariums, including a dead person, of P1,500 monthly as indicated in the payroll sheets submitted. Ironically, it was former Vice Mayor Norma Patalinghug who provided the evidence to the Mactan Chamber which led to the filing of criminal cases and complaints against Radaza and others. Patalinghug is now a close ally of Radaza, but Chan who was previously his closest ally, is now the one criticizing Radaza in print and radio. Many of the signatures in the payroll sheets were executed by the same person. It is also alleged that millions were illegally collected from the Clean and Green payroll, entirely separate from the numerator payroll. Paz Radaza, the wife of the Mayor is in charge of the Clean and Green Program and other beautification projects in Lapu-Lapu. The criminal case is now pending at the Ombudsman.
It is no surprise that since the Noynoy phenomenon is all about change, that the LP swore in and nominated Efrain Pelaez Jr. as their mayoral candidate and Atty. Eugene Espedido for Congressman as well as their entire slate. Ahong Chan is merely a looming shadow of the Radazas since he grew up with them and was privy to all their activities since he was one of their closest confidantes. While he complains a lot in the media, he has not filed any cases or presented any evidence to the public against the Radazas. Maybe he is just pretending to be an oppositionist, and this is all just another moro-moro. After all, Norma Patalinghug played the same game as the oppositionist in the last election only to return to Radaza's side immediately after her loss. Birds of the same feather will always flock together.
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Fight Against Corruption
This article was written sometime ago by Fr. Carmelo Diola who continually inspires me to continue the fight against the corruption that is prevalent in my beloved city of Lapu-lapu. I wish to share this to the readers especially to my fellow Oponganons.
At Last?
When news of some progress in two high-profile graft and corruption cases, i.e. the ASEAN Lamppost Scam and the Pseudoephedrine Case came out, concerned citizens and groups heaved some sigh of relief. For some time now, a cloud of uncertainty and discouragement hangs over the heads of many concerned Filipinos. When will the wheels of justice turn? Is it possible for the law to be broken with no lawbreakers?
A public manifesto, dated 18 February 2008 and eventually signed by 30 thousand Cebuanos in the Archdiocese of Cebu, captures the spirit: “Cebuanos, in solidarity with all concerned Filipinos, are disgusted at the rampant and systematic corruption that is eating away at our country…Our political landscape is littered with large scale, unresolved graft cases.” The manifesto then mentioned examples of such cases in the national and local levels. The latter included the overpriced ASEAN lampposts, the Girl Scout scam, the Pseudoephedrine and Shabu Laboratory cases, vigilante killings, overpriced computers, rampant car smuggling, etc.
Concerted vigilance, soaked with prayers, yields fruits. Progress in these two cases is the result of work of whistleblowers, legwork by government workers, follow-up efforts, manifestos, public disgust, responsible media, and prayers. What was missing was political will. Are we seeing it now?
We commend our public servants for their efforts. Yet, in many ways, we have only just begun. Those who have knowledge or leads concerning higher-ups who may have instigated the lamppost scam should speak out. Command responsibility at the local and national levels should be insisted upon. People must be wary about signing documents without looking at their implications. Those who are handling the cases should do so with fairness, courage, and dispatch.
People should continue to be vigilant. Final resolution is still a long way off and the human heart is capable of so much mischief. We need to reclaim our souls and our moral bearings as we reclaim the earth.
As the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace puts it in an October 2006 document entitled, The Fight Against Corruption, there is need “to think of the fight against corruption as a value, and also as a need; that corruption is an evil, and that it also involves a great price; that rejecting corruption is a good, and also an advantage; that abandoning corrupt practices can lead to development and well-being; that behavior marked by honesty is to be encouraged and behavior marked by dishonesty is to be punished. In the fight against corruption it is very important that responsibility for illicit acts be exposed, that the guilty be punished with reparative measures aimed at restoring socially responsible behavior.”
Need we say more?
Fr. Carmelo O. Diola
Overall Coordinating Steward
Dilaab Foundation Inc./Barug Pilipino advocacy
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