151 - KAAKBAY - Leonor Magtolis Briones

Life after ‘wang-wang’

2010-07-11T21:37:00.000-07:00

Opinion
Written by Liling Magtolis Briones / Boiled Green Bananas
Business Mirror, Sunday, 11 July 2010 20:03

Finally, interest in wang-wang is fading after two weeks of intense media focus and public attention. Debates (including in Facebook!) on whether wang-wangs are in the national interest have simmered down.

People have stopped getting curious about the President’s promptness or lack of it when he goes to Malacañang or visits different offices. What a relief it is to move on to other issues! Wang-wang does not mean anything to most Filipinos who are in the countryside. It was largely a debate among Metro Manilans, while the rest of the country is disinterested, bored and excluded.

Inventory of public finances

The new financial-management team is doing the right thing. It is conducting an inventory of the state of public finances, both on the revenue and expenditure side. Judging from partial reports announced in the press, revenue collections continue to fall short of projections while certain budget balances are perilously low. This can only mean that the deficit is escalating. The findings confirm earlier suspicions.

While periodic reports on revenue collections always mention the shortfalls, those on public expenditures do not necessarily give details. Thus, it is difficult for interested citizens to determine whether the government is spending beyond the budget. They have to wait until the full year audit is out. The public is now asking, “May pera pa ba?” and “Magkano na ang utang”?

The state of GOCC and GFI finance

The Saturday papers have come out with worrisome news about two government-owned and -controlled corporations (GOCCs). Finance officials were aghast to learn that the National Food Authority (NFA) has accumulated P171 billion in debt, compared to P28 billion six years ago.

One of the late Armand Fabella’s sayings is that the NFA is “born to lose.” It is among the GOCCs which were created precisely to lose. This is because it has to buy rice from farmers at subsidized costs and sell this to the public, also with a subsidy. It is not in the business of making profit. Nonetheless, an inordinately huge debt like this is a source of concern.

The multilaterals have been recommending the abolition of NFA several administrations ago.

Another GOCC which has purportedly amassed a mountain of debt is the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor). If true, this is certainly surprising. Pagcor bills itself as the “third-largest revenue earner of government.” There is no reason for it to lose, since its income stream is steady. People gamble in times of crisis and prosperity.
Pagcor is a major source for the President’s Social Fund. Oftentimes, its contributions are not coursed through the national budget but go directly to the Office of the President.

It will be useful to trace all its expenditures, especially during and immediately after the election period, when large withdrawals were reportedly made from Pagcor funds.

The public has already some idea as to revenues and expenditures in the national budget. What they are not aware of is that the public-corporate sector is larger than the national government in terms of assets, and financial position. The dimensions of total government corporate debt are usually larger than that of the national government.

An immodest proposal

Government financial reports are usually prepared at the end of a fiscal period. Since a new administration has taken over, it might be good to have an official, semiannual report on the financial status of the government. Perhaps, it can be done by Commission on Audit and consolidated by, say, the Department of Finance. It need not be as comprehensive as the annual audit report. What is needed is the state of balances in public finance—balances in the budget, actual viz programmed expenditures, status of revenue collections, and the magnitude of public borrowing.

Course for new legislators opens July 12

The Center for Policy and Executive Development of the UP National College of Public Administration and Governance (NCPAG) is offering a special course for new legislators starting July 12, and ending on June 16. The course director is Prof. Leonor Magtolis Briones, senior faculty and former treasurer of the Philippines.

The course is designed to give party-list and district legislators a broad overview of their role as members of Congress. Subjects include policy formulation, the appropriation and budget process, dialogues with marginalized sectors and sharing of experiences with successful legislators. The faculty roster includes practitioners, as well as experts from academe.

Those interested can get directly in touch with Prof. Briones at 0917-5359884 or go to Room 307 of UP/NCPAG Building at UP Diliman, Quezon City.

LEGISLATORS’ COURSE STARTS JULY 12 AT U.P. NCPAG

2010-07-11T21:36:00.000-07:00

New legislators will not be coming in from the cold when they join the 15th Congress starting July 26, 2010. They can avail of a course for new legislators offered by the Center for Policy and Executive Development (CPED) of the National College of Public Administration and Governance (NCPAG) of the University of the Philippines. This was announced by Prof. Leonor Magtolis Briones, Course Director.

Briones stated that the course gives attention to the similarities, as well as the distinct requirements of both district and party list legislators. Subjects cover general as well as specific national issues.

Focus of the course will be on the appropriations process which is the main responsibility of Congress. Legislators will be briefed on new trends in budgeting like participatory budgeting and climate change finance. They will also be given an overview of the Alternative Budget Initiative by civil society organizations who are proposing additional allocations for education, health, agriculture and the environment.

The array of faculty include leading faculty members from U.P. NCPAG: policy experts Drs. Prospero de Vera, Danilo Reyes and Fe Mendoza. Legal luminary Atty. Teodoro Kalaw IV will elucidate on the constitutional provisions on party list as well as district legislators. Social Watch Philippines and other civil society organizations will engage the legislators on the alternative budget as well as pressing concerns of marginalized sectors.

“The course will surely be useful for new legislators. How come this course wasn’t offered when we were neophytes in Congress?” remarked Cong. Joel Villanueva who will share his experience in legislative work as a party list congressman. Another distinguished personality, former Cong. Etta Rosales will also clarify the special role of party list legislators viz district congressmen.

“I will share practical tips on how one can be an effective legislator even if one is in the opposition and has no pork barrel,” promised another speaker, Cong. Erin Tanada. Recently, he proposed the reduction of congressional pork barrel by P10 million for each representative.

Those who are interested in the course can still join on Monday, July 12, announced Prof. Briones. The course is open not only to legislators but also to their immediate staff.

UP offers special course for party-list legislators

2010-06-28T00:52:00.000-07:00

Opinion
Written by Liling Magtolis Briones / Boiled Green Bananas
BUSINESS MIRROR, Sunday, 27 June 2010 20:50

On June 30 the oath-taking ceremonies for President-elect Noynoy C. Aquino and Vice President-elect Jejomar Binay will usher in a new administration. A new Congress will also be convened. There will be 55 congressmen and women representing party lists when the House of Representatives starts its sessions. This is in fulfillment of the constitutional provision which requires representation for marginalized sectors in lawmaking.

Ely Manalansan, in his study on the party-list system, quotes former Supreme Court Justice Artemio Panganiban thus: “the system is intended as a social-justice tool designed not only to give more law to the great masses of our people who have less in life, but also to enable them to become veritable lawmakers themselves, empowered to participate directly in the enactment of laws designed to benefit them.”

Has the constitutional intention been complied with? It has been 12 years since the party-list system was implemented in 1998. While the number of party-lists running for office has increased, doubts have been increasingly expressed about their effectiveness. Studies on party-list performance have shown that many party lists do not necessarily represent marginalized sectors. The definition of marginalized sectors has been much abused. Further, the party-list record of performance in terms of bills filed and laws passed has been perceived as woefully inadequate.

Certain quarters have been calling for the abolition of the party-list system. Throwing out the baby along with the bath water may not be the solution. Even with all the abuses associated with it, the party-list system nevertheless provides a window of opportunity for the truly marginalized to be represented. The challenge is to continue engaging the system and be part of initiatives to fulfill the intentions of the Constitutions.

One way is to enhance the capacities of the party-list legislators to make them more effective in legislative work and better serve their constituents in the marginalized sectors.

A special course for party-list legislators

Last week the public was titillated with the news that celebrities and national personalities were undergoing special training as district congressmen and women, and local government officials. The trainings were conducted by the Center for Leadership, Citizenship and Democracy and the Center for Regional and Local Governance, both of the UP National College of Public Administration and Governance (NCPAG).

From July 5 to 10, another NCPAG unit, the Center for Policy and Executive Development, will conduct a capacity enhancement course specifically for party-list legislators. The course director is yours truly.

What is special about party lists?

While all members of the House of Representatives are apparently “the same,” party lists do have special requirements. First, their constituents are national in scope and are not limited to geographical districts. Second, they are expected to represent, protect and serve the interests of a very specific sector—the marginalized and the excluded. Thus, unlike district congressmen, they are not expected to file bills and pass laws for the business sector. They are expected to sponsor resolutions, file bills and pass laws which directly benefit the marginalized, particularly the agricultural sector, landless rural poor, urban poor, fisherfolk and indigenous peoples.

Third, it is likely that more civil-society organizations and voluntary service organizations will engage them on alternative solutions to national problems. For example, the Alternative Budget Initiative convened by Social Watch Philippines will be of special interest to them since the main beneficiaries will be the marginalized.

Proposed subjects

Subjects to be discussed include the basics of good governance. Governance includes public participation, transparency, predictability, level playing field and accountability. The intention of the Constitution in setting up the party-list system will also be discussed.

Public financial management will be a major topic, with the course director herself handling the subject. The passage of the General Appropriation Act is the most important output of the legislature. It is, therefore, imperative for party-list legislators to have a full grasp of the public-finance cycle, the budget process and the Alternative Budget Initiative.

Other subjects include policy analyses and dialogues with grassroots organizations.

The faculty is a mix of experts as well as professionals who have direct experience in congressional work.
Yes, the participation of party-list legislators can be enhanced further. They do matter, especially to the marginalized.

Please address inquiries to Ms. Bernardia Briones and Clarisa Sia at Tels. 920-1353 and 925-4030.

So long, Dodo

2010-06-14T23:47:00.000-07:00

So long, Dodo

Opinion
Written by Liling Magtolis Briones / Boiled Green Bananas
Business mirror, Sunday, 13 June 2010 22:49

The country has just lost one of its best governors: Emilio “Dodo” C. Macias II, newly reelected governor of Negros Oriental. The loss of Dodo will be keenly felt not only in the province and the rest of the Visayas but the entire country, as well. Dodo is recognized also in international circles as one of the most innovative local officials in the Philippines.

The role of local government units (LGUs) in national development has been recognized since the ’50s. Outstanding LGUs and local executives have been awarded and recognized nationally and internationally. The Galing Pook Award is one of the leading institutions which publicly recognizes and rewards outstanding LGU performance. The United Nations Development Program has also given recognition to outstanding LGUs.

These LGUs and their executives serve as role models to fellow LGUs. They give hope to those who despair that local governments are also infected with the malaise, cynicism and dirty politics which typifies national governance. These LGUs have proven that with dynamic leadership and support from their communities, development can happen even with minimal resource assistance from the national government.

Negros Oriental is one such province. Under the leadership of Governor Macias II, followed by George Arnaiz, and later back to Dodo, the province and its municipalities have won a vast array of awards for innovative development projects. No year passes without a city, municipality or the province itself receiving recognition and reward. Because it has been recognized as “Outstanding Province” by Galing Pook many times over, Negros Oriental has been elevated to the Hall of Fame.

Dodo’s final journey

Early this morning, text messages announced the passing away of Dodo at 3 a.m. yesterday. He succumbed to multiple complications from cancer after surviving a bruising provincial electoral campaign and winning another term as governor of Negros Oriental.

Dodo is a product of two of the leading educational institutions in the country—Silliman University and University of the Philippines (UP). He completed his high school and pre-medical course at Silliman and his medical studies at the University of the Philippines. In Silliman, he learned the Christian values of community work and caring for the poor. In UP he acquired the passion for professional excellence. He applied his learnings from these two universities in his work as a public servant of the province on which he poured all his affection and dedicated service.

Dodo’s greatest legacy

Irma Faith Pal of Dumaguete Metropost asked me what I believe is the greatest legacy of Dodo. His greatest legacy is his strategy of uniting communities in activities and projects which rely on traditional cultural values like alayon or bayanihan, kurambos or cost-sharing and burden sharing, and “sweat equity” or contributions in the form of labor.

Negros Oriental and its municipalities have reaped many awards for projects based on community participation, and not on external funding. I know all of them, having written a number of case studies on the province for the United Nations Development Program.

I am familiar with his Community Hospital program which he started in 1988, long before awards became fashionable. Dodo did not wait for budget allocations from the national government and international organizations. He mobilized the local host barangay, and municipality and asked them to give financial and material support while the local community provided labor, food for the patients and tended vegetable gardens. This concept has been replicated by many other provinces.

I wrote another case study about the “Tabo sa Provincial Agriculturist’s Office” which created a market for farmers’ produce without going through middlemen. This project won a special citation from the United Nations Development Program.

During my last interview with him, he was waxing eloquent over his Government Agricultural Development Center (Gadcent) which pilots the growing of vegetables and other crops, and the development of fishponds—all based on organic agriculture. He was developing a health-insurance scheme for the province which already caught the eye of national officials. A few days before election, he was working out a scheme for providing the province with advanced medical equipment and services.

I cannot forget our long conversation at Gadcent, “I have always loved agriculture. Food is basic. Failure is not an option. I like competing. I want to start something new all the time and take the road less traveled. People are interested in my projects because I give them the support they need.”

So long, Dodo.

Inquirer News, May 31, 2010

2010-06-02T00:09:00.000-07:00

Palace dares Aquino to sustain economic growth
By Christian V. Esguerra, Alex PalPhilippine Daily Inquirer
Posted date: May 31, 2010

MANILA, Philippines—The next administration will have no one to blame but itself should the country’s economic growth sputter after growing 7.3 percent during the first quarter of the year, Malacañang said Sunday.

“The wind is at their back. The Arroyo administration has given them momentum. They shouldn’t waste this,” said Gary Olivar, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s deputy spokesperson.

Olivar said that if the economic growth slowed down—despite the momentum given to the next administration—it would be held accountable.

At the weekly Malacañang media forum on Radyo ng Bayan, he challenged presumptive president-elect Benigno Aquino III to focus on sustaining the growth the Palace credited to Ms Arroyo’s economic policies.

Aquino, along with other lawmakers and militant groups, downplayed the economic growth, saying it was but the result of the huge spending during the election campaign.

“If Senator Aquino thinks our economic growth only came from campaign spending, all I can say is this, ‘That’s a lot of tarpaulins, Senator,’” Olivar said sarcastically.

He said that so many campaign paraphernalia should have been produced to affect the manufacturing sector, which registered a 20-percent growth.

“We’d mentioned that campaign spending in the recent elections would have less effect than in the previous elections because ways of campaigning were now more modern,” Olivar said.

Officials to explain growth

He said details of the economic growth—particularly the supposedly minimal effect of campaign spending—would be made public on Wednesday in a Malacañang press conference.

Tapped to do the explaining were officials from the National Economic and Development Authority, National Statistics Office (NSO), and the National Statistical Coordination Board.
Olivar said Aquino should give Ms Arroyo, the senator’s economics professor at Ateneo de Manila University, some credit for the economic growth.

“These are the numbers,” he said. “The problem is he’s shooting from the hip again. He doesn’t set his target. He just shoots and shoots. I don’t think this (approach) is proper because he will now become the president of our country,” he said.

Olivar added: “He’s no longer a candidate. He’s now a president-in-waiting.”

He said Aquino should “appreciate” Ms Arroyo’s efforts, noting that “he will see in due course the burdens of the presidency.”

But, of course, we continue to wish him the best and we appeal to all to give him their full support,” he said.

No poverty reduction

Former National Treasurer Leonor Briones agreed that the positive predictions of economic growth for 2010 were premised on the holding of successful elections, which had been welcomed by international and local business communities.

The Philippine experience, however, shows that economic growth has not resulted in poverty reduction because there are more poor people now than there were 10 years ago, Briones said at the ninth UCCP Quadrennial General Assembly in Dumaguete City in Negros Oriental on Thursday.

She presented government figures showing that the country’s 20 poorest provinces come mostly from the Visayas and Mindanao, while the country’s richest provinces are in Luzon.

Briones noted that the underemployment rate had been going up. NSO data showed that in January 2010, underemployment rose to 19.7 percent from 18.2 percent in January 2009.
“When the government says that the economy is growing, you have to ask where the growth is coming from, who is benefiting from the growth,” she said.

Briones is the lead convenor of Social Watch Philippines, a nongovernment organization monitoring government programs aimed at meeting targets of the Millennium Development Goals.

Poor revenue collection

Briones also noted that deficit spending had increased from P12.4 billion in 2007 and P67.1 billion in 2008 to P298.5 billion in 2009.

The situation was aggravated by the government’s poor revenue collection, she said.
The figures for 2009 showed P115.9 billion in uncollected revenues from tax and non-tax sources.

Briones said the Philippines would have to spend P207.8 billion for recovery and reconstruction in the next three years.

“The challenge for the elected officials would be if they are willing to spend a big part of the budget for education, health and agriculture,” she said

Cut wastage

Briones called on the new administration to reduce the debt burden by improving revenue generation, plugging leakages in tax administration and cutting of wastage from corruption and frivolous spending of discretionary funds.

“This year, we are spending P5 billion to 10 billion to give money to the poor but that is not the solution; the solution is to give the poor people jobs. Relevant education and a healthy population are the key to addressing poverty,” Briones said.

On the Campaign Trail

2010-04-24T05:22:00.001-07:00

ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL
By: Leonor “Liling” Magtolis Briones
KAAKBAY Party List Nominee No. 151

SIGHTS, FLAVORS, SCENTS

Campaign sorties are often described as physically demanding, stressful , and nerve-wracking. The candidate has to put up with all sorts of challenging conditions—ranging from accommodations, transportation , food and health problems.

My own experience with-out-of-Manila sorties has been very enriching even as these were very exhausting. Aside from associating sorties with Team Liling, family and friends, I associate sorties with sights, flavors and scents.

I have been to Aklan, Antique, Iloilo, two provinces in Leyte, Samar, Negros Oriental, Negros Occidental, Davao and Cotabato. Each destination has given me a special, unforgettable experience. They are similar and yet different in sights, flavors and scents.

Sights

The sights in the places I visited ranged from stunning to overwhelming. I associate the drive from Caticlan to Antique with intense, blinding light. Everything seemed to be bathed in gold as we whizzed through coastal towns lined with coconut trees, golden shores and shimmering seas. I remember also the cracked ricefields and the dried up river beds.

The quality of light in Antique, as compared to the wintry scenes in Europe was totally different. I love the pictures taken in Antique. The brilliant sunshine had a special effect on the fotos.

I cannot forget the visit to the Magtulis Elementary School in Barbaza, Antique, the birthplace of my paternal grandfather. The sight of children in their pink uniforms listening intently as I told them the story of a Magtolis who left Antique and settled in Negros. Imagine discovering not only a town but an entire barrio named Magtulis! And six hundred wide-eyed kids probably related to the Magtulises!

In Tacloban, the sight of my very dear friend, Dali Sevilla, her husband Oscar and her children and grandchildren was well worth the trip. Of course, the sight of U.P. Tacloban was like a homecoming. And San Juanico bridge never fails to take my breath away.

I love being surprised by joy. Joy at the sight of Southern Leyte which is probably one of the most beautiful provinces in the country. Coastal towns straight out of a postcard. A Ph2 billion bridge across a deep chasm. Well-built roads lined with trees and lush vegetation. And of course the sight of friends Lilies Mercado Kapili and her husband Arsenio, and Mike Udtohan and his wife Ann. The sight of Lilies’ house beside the sea. The sight of an unforgettable seafood dinner and unique breakfast.

The road to Kidapawan City in Cotabato is likewise very scenic. The highway is paved with fruit trees. I am told that during their fruit festival, the road is lined with fruit stands where you can eat all the fruit you want.

Flavors

Dinner at Don Julio with Dali, Oscar and the Liling Team in Tacloban. Breakfast, lunch and dinner at Alejandro’s also in Tacloban, in a period house transformed into a hotel.

Arroz a la valenciana, Sipalay style prepared by Manang Lina Magtolis. Fragrant langka from the trees in Valencia. Mangosteen and lanzones from Kidapawan. Varieties of suman from Leyte and Negros. And yes, soup of all kinds—sinigang, dinengdeng, tinola and even sotanghon! It is obvious I am a soup person.

I can resist lechon and humba any where else except Dumaguete! It is not only flavors. It is also memories, people and love.

Scents

So many scents to remember! The heady scent of flowers at Barbara’s in the orchidarium at Luneta. The restaurant was the setting for a dinner concert sponsored by Tony Tiu and performed with verve and gusto by the Manila Concert Choir.

The scent of durian

I will always associate the campaign period with the scent of durian. We had durian for breakfast in far off Maasin Leyte in Lilies’ house. The best way to eat durian is to use one’s hands and wash them later in a durian shell filled with water. I should have taken a foto of Nonnie of Team Liling feasting on durian ! A week later, I had durian with coke for merienda in Kidapawan. The next day, I breakfasted on two varieties of durian at the Kaakbay Mindanao headquarters with Ogie and his wife, Alice. Aahh, it is paradise to eat durian!

The scent of civet coffee

In Cavite it is called alamid coffee. In Kidapawan it is called civet coffee. After two radio interviews and two lectures, Joey brought me, Becky and Rachel to meet other NGO’S and have a taste of civet coffee. If you must know, it is coffee beans processed after being extracted from the “popo” or droppings of civet cats who feed on ripe coffee fruit.

I don’t know if the taste and aroma of civet coffee had something to do with it but certainly, we had a grand evening not just laughing but literally guffawing and roaring with laughter as we exchanged jokes and stories.

The scent of Cheyanna’s hair

My grandchild Cheyanna sits on my lap whenever she has something to tel l me. I always kiss her head and inhale the fragrance of her long, black hair. At the end of a long wait for me to finish interviews and meetings, she sleepily sat on my lap and whispered, “Lola hwag ka na mag congressman. Care giver of Cheyann ka na lang.” Choices. Choices.

Jun Quicho's Note re:MCC Concert at Barbara's in Orchidarium, Luneta Park, Apr 18

2010-04-24T05:22:00.000-07:00

Dear All,

I was fortunate to have enjoyed the concert of Manila Concert Choir tonight at Barbara's Restaurant at The Orchidarium in Rizal Park. It was a benefit to support Mam LMB's candidacy under the KAAKBAY Partylist. What a night! LMB was singing her heart out as she had been for the past 48 years with the MCC! I wonder where she gets her energy when she sings! Must be the oxygen - the same oxygen that lifts us up whenever we sing on a bad day.Mam Liling - the singer - is La Diva no doubt - hitting the highs and the lows of such pieces as Rosas Pandan, Lupang Hinirang (by Dr. Navaro, not the national anthem), What a Wonderful World, As Time Goes By, and my favorite -

I'll be Seeing You!It's a pity you weren't there (nang-iinggit, hehehe). But am sure there will be more concerts in the future. Hopefully, one will be held in the House of Representatives, courtesy of CONG. Leonor Magtolis Briones.

have a great summer!

Jun!Quicho

My Speech during the Lugawan for Liling, March 11, 2010

2010-04-03T01:47:00.000-07:00

RUNNING AGAINST TIME

By Prof. Leonor”Liling” Magtolis Briones
KAAKBAY Partylist Nominee

This is a gathering of people I love and who love me in turn—my family as represented by my daughter in law Babes Javier Briones and my eldest brother, Engr. Isagani M. Magtolis, my other family, the National College of Public Administration and Governance, my former colleagues in the Commission on Audit and the Bureau of the Treasury, Social Watch and Alternative Budget Initiative (ABI) colleagues led by Marivic Raquiza, Rene Raya, Jec Reyes Cantos and Janet Carandang, our friend and gallant champion, Cong. TG Guingona, my fellow singers in the Manila Concert Choir under the baton of Dr. Romy Pizana, my beloved students who support me without reservation, and my co-KAAKBAYS led by Alain B. Pascua.

I stand before you, surrounded by your love, support, and patience even as I announce that I have accepted the invitation of KAAKBAY to be a Party-List nominee in the coming 2010 elections.

From the purely personal point of view, there is no reason why I should join the electoral process. I have had a long and full career which will reach a peak when I turn 70 on October 2010. I have done many of the things I have always wanted to do: excel as an academician, join the revolution, go underground, fall in love with a look alike of Che Guevara, have two wonderful sons, a loyal daughter-in-law and a precious, precocious grandchild, lead two civil society organizations with national, regional and international renown, gain the loyalty and love of my students, write a book and two columns, and sing in countless concerts with the Manila Concert Choir. Lately, I have gone “birding” or watching birds—the kind that fly up to dizzying heights in the sky and zoom down with equal grace to the swamps of Candaba.

Yes, I have everything but money. Money does not matter. But then, why am I running?

I am running because the work of Social Watch/ABI, of which KAAKBAY is a part of, needs to be expanded and enhanced. For the past four years, ABI has chalked up an impressive record of increasing allocations for education, health, agriculture, and the environment. It is already going into budget tracking, mobilization of indigenous peoples into the budget process, local governments, and people’s participation in public finance.

Nevertheless, the effectiveness of its work is hampered by problems in the budget process—impoundment of funds, transfer of allocations, use of savings, and non-accountability in the use of Special Purpose Funds, to name a few. A strong voice is needed in Congress, especially since our budget reforms champion, Cong. TG Guingona is moving on to the Senate.

I am running because questions need to be asked and answers need to be sought in the halls of Congress. When the new President assumes office, how much will be left of the Ph 1.5 trillion budget for 2010 after the orgy of spending and electioneering? How much will the deficit be? Let us not forget that the 2010 budget deficit is projected at more than Ph300 billion. How much will the total debt be? Only in January, 2010 the Department of Finance borrowed $1.1 billion in bonds. In February, it borrowed $1.5 billion more. This already amounts to $2.6 billion borrowing in bonds for just two months. It does not include borrowing from other countries, the multilateral banks, as well as domestic borrowing.

How will the new president fund the expected deficit? From where will he get his expected revenues—from the high income groups who should be paying their taxes properly, or from the very poor who have to pay taxes for food, clothing and shelter?

I am running because Congress needs to review government expenditures, especially during the election period. Who are the beneficiaries of government expenditures? Whose poverty are we going to alleviate? The poverty of more than 29 million people, or the “poverty” of government officials? Only last Saturday, I went to a barrio in Antique and visited its elementary school. In that elementary school, there was not a single computer, whether for the use of the teachers or for instruction of pupils. Drawings of computer parts and keyboards were made on manila paper. In other schools, six year old kids lug expensive laptops to school while the children in this school have to be content with “pretend” laptops on manila paper! Where have the billions budgeted for information technology gone?

I am running because abuses in the budget process are rampant. In 2008, Ph140 billion in so-called savings were transferred to preferred areas of government, thus distorting budget priorities. Actual expenditures exceeded allocations in the appropriations

I am running because the President has vetoed the limitations on the powers of impoundment which Congress sought to put in place in the 2010 budget. I am running because the present president has vetoed the efforts of Congress to limit her nonstop borrowing activities.

Finally, I am running because Congress will be the center of national debates which will determine the continued survival of our country and people. With the entry of a Chief Executive and a former First Lady as members of Congress, the House will be the eye of many political storms and conflicts.

Running Against Time

I am not only running against presidential abuse of the budget, the murky negotiations in the Bicameral Committee, the surreptitious insertions in the expenditure programs and the impunity with which public funds are stolen, wasted and pocketed; I am also running against time.

With your help and with God’s blessings, I will win, not only against entrenched powers in Congress. but against time itself!

Letter to my Friends

2010-04-03T01:44:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends,

I am writing to seek your support for my candidacy as party-list nominee of KAAKBAY in the coming 2010 elections. KAAKBAY is part of the Alternative Budget Initiative (ABI) convened by Social Watch Philippines. The latter has a documented track record of increasing budgetary allocations for education, health, agriculture and environment for the past four years.

The platform of KAAKBAY is anchored on budgetary reforms and increased spending for these four sectors. These are consistent with the Millennium Development Goals.

A long life; many journeys

I have embarked on a number of journeys. My longest journey is that of an activist, which started during the Marcos days and continues up to the present with my advocacy of social development and public finance reforms, as Co-Convenor of Social Watch Philippines and the Alternative Budget Initiative.

My career in public service is another long journey. I have been Secretary to the Commission on Audit, Vice President for Finance of the University of the Philippines and Treasurer of the Philippines.

My journey as academic is equally long . I have been teaching in the National College of Public Administration and Governance of the University of the Philippines since 1970. I have written a book and several monographs on public fiscal administration.

Furthermore, I have rendered public service as Secretary to the Commission on Audit, Vice President for Finance of the University of the Philippines, and Treasurer of the Philippines.

I have made a decision to embark on another journey: the journey of politics. The Philippines is undergoing multiple crises: economic and financial crisis; environment and climate change; political and social crisis; and governance and moral crisis. Governance is linked to all these crises. If we want reforms in the political process, we have to participate actively in the process of reform. I look forward to your vote!

LEONOR “LILING” MAGTOLIS BRIONES
Nominee, KAAKBAY Party list
(Number 151 in COMELEC ballot)

Eight Exemplary Women - From the blog of Mr. Andris Piebalgs, Commissioner for Development, European Commission

2010-03-27T17:55:00.000-07:00

Eight exemplary women

24/03/2010

Yesterday I was sincerely impressed by the W8, a group of brave women brought together by Oxfam and MEP Michael Cashman from Central America, Africa, Europe and South East Asia, who testified at the European Parliament on their fight against poverty. Their stories help us to remember why it is so important to comply with Millennium Development Goals.

They told us about human daily lives, about the need for better education and health, but also about hope and will for self-improvement. We heard for instance the strong story of Elba Rivera Urbina from Nicaragua, who was illiterate when she was 18, and eventually succeeded to become a teacher and an activist for human development.

They focused on education, which is a paramount issue when trying to improve living conditions in developing countries. Professor Leonor Magtolis Briones, from the Philippines, specifically pointed out that “educating women is a priority because it is a way to educate a family, a village, a nation and to address health issues. “It was also important to Kadiatou Baby Maiga, from Mali, who was right to underline that “in my year at high school only two of the 80 pupils were girls. This made me realize that education was not as normal to other girls as it was to me.”

Education and health sectors are a priority for the EU development policy. We help the poorest countries by budget support and specific projects. But this is not enough: more resources are to be put on the table, as we all committed to. This is all the more important since “Maternal health” and “children mortality” are the MDGs where we are the most off-track. We therefore have to bridge the gap between current official development aid figures and our 0.7% commitment. The gap is substantial, but I am confident that by 2015 the European Union and the Member States will show that they stand up to global solidarity.

With only five years remaining to reach the Millennium Development Goals, progress is uneven and there is no time to waste. The question is not “if” Europe is going to do, but “how”. On April 21st, I will propose a concrete European Action plan in support of the MDGs, as a contribution to the High Level Event in New York in September. This ‘Spring Development Package’ will provide a credible pathway to delivering Europe’s aid commitment in 2015 and implementing it in a more efficient way.

I have already said it, and I will consistently repeat it: Millennium Development Goals are too big to fail. Faced with such stories, we realize quite bluntly that our credibility is at stake.

Opening Windows

2010-03-27T17:32:00.000-07:00

Opening windows

Opinion

Written by Liling Magtolis Briones / Boiled Green Bananas

BUSINESS MIRROR, Monday, 22 March 2010 21:01

‘Good morning, girls! I am from the Philippines, a country with 7,100 islands and 91 million people. I, too, have a long name, like many of you. My first name is Leonor, which is the Spanish version of the English name Eleanor. The Philippines was a colony of Spain for more than 400 years. My second name is Magtolis, which is the original name of my family long before the Spaniards came. My last name is Briones, another Spanish name. I am a Filipino.”

The above words started a memorable morning which I shared with 250 young girls in the Mulberry School for Girls in London. I was there as one of eight Oxfam ambassadors to the G8 group of countries. My task was to campaign for the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and convince them to write to the United Nations.

The girls were all dressed up in identical pink Muslim wear, complete with head covering. I said to myself, how beautiful they will look in a picture, with their shy and solemn faces!

I talked about how fortunate they are because they live in a country where most of the health services are free. I reminded them that millions of other young girls from many other countries are not so fortunate. Many of these deprived girls come from the home country of their parents.

I also told them that not all girls their age are able to go to school because of poverty. In many countries, there are not enough schools, teachers and textbooks. I stressed that there are more girls who are out of school than those who are in school. They are fortunate to have parents who allowed them to go to school and prepare for their future through education. Education opens the doors and windows of the mind. It makes available opportunities for further training and for holding meaningful and useful jobs.

I also told them stories, for who is the child who does not love stories? They were obviously moved by these stories which described the difficult lives of young people just as old as they are.

The girls then wrote notes addressed to the United Nations, asking the latter to make sure that all children are free from disease and are able to go to school.

After the assembly, I had a question-and-answer session with the student leaders of the school. To my surprise, they asked a lot of intelligent questions. How does one give information about health issues without offending religious and cultural values? Who determines how aid will be utilized? Should donor-countries share the responsibility for failed projects? How can they be part of the MDGs campaign? How can children in advanced countries help in projects which are implemented in a developing country?

My answer: Children don’t have to wait till their hair is gray before joining the campaign. They can do many things: establish contact with other children of developing countries; contribute to the

work of Oxfam; initiate projects which can be supported by donor-communities, and many more.

As we talked, I could literally see windows opening in their minds. Their eyes were opening wider even as their glances shifted direction. Their facial expressions were changing. They were obviously thinking. As I looked at their faces and into their eyes I knew we were connecting and communicating.

After the session, many of the young girls approached me and thanked me. Two of them solemnly promised that they will take up medicine to help their fellow young people in the poor countries.

I had come to “teach” them about the MDGs and the need to support health and education for poor countries. Actually, they gave me a wonderful gift—the opportunity to see windows opening in their minds.

Prof. Leonor Magtolis Briones is one of eight Oxfam ambassadors to the G8 countries, a professor at the National College of Public Administration, University of the Philippines, Co-Convenor of Social Watch Philippines and a nominee of Kaakbay Party-List.

Alternative Parties, Alternative Programs - Election and How to Choose Leaders

2010-02-19T07:36:00.000-08:00

Prof. Leonor Magtolis Briones

UP National College of Public Administration and Governance

UP Academic Congress:

Election and How to Choose Leaders

Malcolm Hall, UP College of Law

February 04, 2010

The importance and significance of the 2010 elections: country in crisis

· Economic and financial

o state of the economy, state of public finance, looming fiscal crisis due to huge deficit.

§ 0.9 % GDP growth for 2009

§ P272.5 billion deficit as of Nov 2009

· Social crisis

o rise in poverty; crisis in health and education

§ 26.9 % poverty incidence among Filipino families (2006)

§ 27.6 million poor Filipinos (2006)

§ 7.6 % unemployment rate or 2.9 million jobless Filipinos (as of July 2009)

§ 19.8 % underemployment rate or 7 million people (as of July 2009)

§ 37,925 permanently displaced workers due to establishments resorting to permanent closure/retrenchment due to economic reasons, Jan-June 2009 (per DOLE)

· Political crisis

o ineffectiveness and corruption of the present political system;

o non-democratic elitist character of dominant political parties

· Environmental crisis

o climate change and climate change adaptation frequency of natural disasters, disaster management

§ P206 Billion or 2.7 % of GDP – total damage and losses due to typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng

§ P207.88 Billion – estimated needs for recovery and reconstruction over 2009 to 2012

moral crisis; governance crisis

The clamor for reform and change

the general mood is that of change -- change in leadership, in governance and ways of selecting leaders
increasingly active participation of the youth in the electoral process
the search and challenge of out-of-the box solutions to persistent problems
dissatisfaction with traditional political parties
search for alternatives and the emergence of alternative parties

Alternative Parties

Some National Parties

Ang kapatiran
Partido ng Marangal na Sambayanan
Bangon Pilipinas

Some Party Lists which typify alternative programs

Akbayan
Bayan Muna
Kaakbay Partylist

MDG’s
budget reform

Alternative Programs:
The case of ABI/Social Watch

· Partnership between CSOs and legislators for greater participation in budget process

· Capacity building;

· preparation of alternative budget;

· campaigning for alternative budget;

· Monitoring and budget tracking;

· advocacy for legislative budget reforms.

ABI Gains in 2009 Budget

Environment	Environmental Management Bureau, Bantay Gubat and Bantay Kalikasan Program, Recycling of Agricultural and Forest Wastes	1,154,700,000.00
Basic Education	Teachers, Pre-School, MOOE, GASTPE, Computerization, Science & Math Equipment, Library Hub Program and Education Learning Centers, IT Equipment, Basic Education Madrasah	4,581,951,000.00
Higher Education	State Universities and Colleges	559,225,000.00
Agriculture	Additional certified inbred seeds and production support for organic producers	650,000,000.00
Health	Rural Midwife Placement Program, Resident Physicians, Health Promotion, Hospital and Health Facilities, Purchase of Mercury Free Thermometers	71,355,563.00
Total (Php)		7,017,231,563

Choosing a Leader

• at present, selection of a leader is highly personal; many voters select with

hearts; others with their stomachs

• choosing a leader ideally should be issue-based

• careful consideration of party platform and programs for social development is essential

• ideology is an important consideration

Giving alternative parties a chance

• alternative parties, party-lists and alternative program should be seriously considered

• many tired old formulae have failed; the time has come to consider alternatives

• Role of the academe to participate in the electoral process and inform the public of alternative programs

Challenge in choosing the next leaders

• To choose a leader with clear and viable program for addressing the critical condition of public finance – taxation and revenue, deficits and debt

– P 272.5 Billion deficit (Jan – Nov. 2009)

– P 4.42 Trillion outstanding debt (as of Oct. 2009)

– P 74.38 Billion revenue shortfall (Jan – Sept 2009)

• Candidates should be challenged to present their program on how to provide for critical social services which is key to development

FINEX Book Launching

2010-02-18T05:49:00.000-08:00

Bird talk

2010-02-10T06:26:00.000-08:00

Opinion

Written by Liling Magtolis Briones / Boiled Green Bananas

Business Mirror, Sunday, 17 January 2010 20:23

‘Bird-watching? Gusto big bird!” This was the laughing response of Social Watch convenor Jeck Reyes Cantos, to the invitation of Kaakbay president Alain del Pascua for the Social Watch convenors to have its next planning meeting in the great Candaba swamp in Pampanga. “Puwede bang hawakan?” joked another naughty convenor. The rejoinder: “You can only watch, but don’t touch!”

As convenor of the Alternative Budget Initiative (ABI), Social Watch actively campaigns for more budgetary allocations for the environment. Kaakbay is an active member of the Social Watch Network and the Wild Bird Club of the Philippines. It is a duly accredited party-list organization campaigning for the Millennium Development Goals.

And so, a vanful of Social Watch/ABI nature lovers left Manila at 4:30 in the morning on January 9, eager to “catch the early birds” with their cameras.

We knew what to expect, having read articles and watched television shows on the thousands of migratory birds which converge at the Candaba swamp from October to April each year. Nonetheless, the sight of thousands of wild birds flying high in the sky, their brilliant wings glinting and flashing under the sun, was an unforgettable and moving experience.

‘Wings in the Water’

A few years ago, Kaakbay produced a beautiful documentary, Wings in the Water, about the birds in the Candaba swamp. There were shots of different wild birds soaring to heaven, and ducks diving straight down to earth. It was nominated Best in Cinematography and for Citation on Rivers and Lakes in the Moonrise Film Festival of documentary films.

The Candaba swamp covers 32,000 hectares of wetlands and is an important staging and wintering area for migratory wild birds.

It is a part of what is called the East Asia-Australian Migratory Flyway which includes Alaska, Russia, Japan, Korea, China and Taiwan in the North and Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and Australia in the South. Thus, more than 100 species of migratory, resident and endemic birds can be spotted in the area.

One watcher commented that the wild birds must be holding an international summit in the swamp, considering the many countries they came from. Our Kaakbay guides identified more than 30 species of birds during our short visit.

We had always thought that all egrets are alike. Now I know there are little egrets, intermediate egrets and great egrets. The little ones are the long-necked white birds which we usually see perched on top of carabaos. I also thought a heron was just a heron. Now I know that there is the purple heron with its brilliant plumage, the gray heron, Rufous night heron and the black-crown night heron!

One lesson we learned is that teeny-weeny birds are just as great-looking as the big birds. Another lesson is that the Philippine wild duck is totally different from the flocks of domesticated ducks which give us balut. For one thing, it can fly to breathtaking heights!

Threatened species include the streaked reed warblers, Baer’s pochards, Philippine mallards, and spot-billed pelicans. They have gained sanctuary in the swamp.

Bird-watching and bird-counting

In 1982 about 100,000 ducks were observed in a single day in the swamp. It is said that the number of birds and species has declined dramatically with the clearing of the birds’ natural habitat, draining of water, conversion of land, as well as irresponsible hunting and poaching.

In 2004 the municipality of Candaba, Pampanga, declared the entire town a bird sanctuary. Hunting and poaching of all kinds of wild birds are now banned. The mayor has built a rest house where watchers can shoot all they want—with cameras, not guns.

Things might be improving. The Asian Waterbird Census in 2006 has recorded more than 11,000 birds and more than 80 species in just three hours.

Yesterday the environment department, in cooperation with Kaakbay and the Wild Bird Club of the Philippines started the Asian Waterbird Census. Counting birds calls for expertise, especially in the identification of different species and their distinctive characteristics

That’s strictly for the birds!

The phrase means “trivial, worthless and only of interest to gullible people.” However, bird-watchers of Kaakbay have taught the Social Watchers that bird talk is serious talk. They are part of the balance of nature and add to its dazzling beauty.

They need a place where they can find shelter and food. Yes, the Candaba swamp should be strictly for the birds.

An avatar for the Philippines?

2010-02-10T06:04:00.000-08:00

THE BUSINESS OF GOVERNANCE | LEONOR MAGTOLIS BRIONES

ABS-CBN Interactive 01/11/2010 12:33 AM

The most beautiful films I have ever watched are the three Lord of the Rings movies: Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers and The Return of the King , directed by Peter Jackson.

Now comes “Avatar” directed by James Cameron. From the first day of its showing, the film attracted hordes of film viewers. I saw the 3-D version with my family.

I already knew what to expect from ecstatic reviews and stunning trailers. Nevertheless, when I finally saw it, I was entranced from start to finish. The film seamlessly blended technology, romance, spirituality and advocacy in one gorgeous film. Enthusiastic reviews descriptions ranged from “sumptuous fare”, “monumental feast for the eyes,” and “enchanting.” One reviewer raved, “You’ve never experienced anything like it!” Right!

My painter son and his wife who are into digital imaging were impressed with the techniques which pushed the”Gollum technology” in the “Rings” even further. My husband who lives at the foot the highest mountain in Negros Oriental, loved the forests while my 6-year old apo loved the flowers and the mysterious lights.

Beyond the dazzling technology, the breathtaking heights of the floating mountains, the thrilling battle scenes and the heart-breaking moments, the film raises issues which people have been advocating for decades- the rights of peoples who have been colonized, the use of state force to protect corporate interests and allow exploitation of the natural resources of colonies and the wanton destruction of the environment in the interest of industry and “progress.”

The massacre of native population contemptuously called “blue monkeys” in the film by the military brought to my mind the rebellious island of Samar where Filipinos were called “monkeys without tails” by American soldiers. The lush jungles and the gigantic flowers evoked images of Brazil, Indonesia and Sri Lanka. The insatiable greed for the mineral called unobtanium brings to mind the ruthless exploitation of the diamond mines of South Africa, oil deposits of Nigeria, and the rich mineral ores of the Philippines. And yes, the rebellion of the Nav’i stirred memories of rebellions against the armed might of dominant powers.

While the film is futuristic and takes place in the moon (Pandora) of a very distant planet, one cannot help but feel that it is about the planet Earth. Not the planet Earth of the future but that of the immediate past and the present. The hero’s decision to be part of the Nav'i rebellion against the “sky people” is reminiscent of the film “Soldier Blue” and “Dances With Wolves, where the hero joins the struggle of the American Indians against the whites. The story of William Pomeroy who married Celia Mariano, joined the Huk movement in the Philippines and was captured and imprisoned is a true-to-life love story.

The theme about protecting the environment and the rich natural resources of poor countries resonate with the “Rings” films, “Water World” and many others. In the Philippines, the ongoing debate on the exploitation of mineral resources and destruction of the environment continues unabated. Forty years before, the issue was indiscriminate cutting of trees. Today”s issue is on the massive floods resulting from the crimes of the past.

An avatar for the Philippines?

Aside from the above themes, the bigger theme is that of the avatar.

The word avatar can be traced to Hinduism. It refers to the “appearance of a deity in physical form, having descended from heaven to earth.” It is the “incarnate appearance” or the “human manifestation of a deity” Thus, an avatar is actually a deity in human form.

The best known avatars of the Hindu God Vishnu are Krishna and Ram. The great Hindu epics, Mahabharata and Ramayana are celebrations of their earthly journeys.

However, the meaning of the word seems to have evolved and has been diluted. As far as techies are concerned, avatars are not representations of God but of humans. Thus, Facebook enthusiasts have their own avatars.

In the film “Avatar”, the word refers to a genetically bred Nav’i-human hybrid. A Nav’i body is controlled by a human brain.

The mission of the classic Avatar is to “bring righteousness back to social and cosmic order.” A quotation from the Mahabharata is translated as follows: “Whenever righteousness wanes and unrighteousness increases, I send myself forth, in order to protect the good and punish the wicked. In order to make a firm foundation for righteousness, I come into being age after age.”

Many Filipinos despair over the degradation and moral decay which is sweeping the Philippines. Is it time for an avatar of God to bring righteousness back to our country? Must God come down in human form to restore order and peace in our troubled world? Or can we solve our problems by ourselves, starting with the elections?

Kaakbay and the Millennium Development Goals

2010-02-09T06:03:00.000-08:00

Media has been coming out with news items on party lists which have been accredited by COMELEC. Party list groups represent marginalized sectors. As with many other institutions of government, the party list system has been abused.

It is widely known that the First Gentleman’s sister who lives in Forbes Park represents “marginalized small business people.” The son of a senator represents farmers! Major religions have their own party lists as well as aggrupations based on language.

Not so KAAKBAY. It was accredited by the COMELEC last November 2009 as “Kapatiran ng mga Anak ng Bayan.” Its platform advocates the Millennium Development Goals, specifically agriculture, education, health and the environment. It also campaigns for budget reforms. Its track record of active membership in the Alternative Budget Initiative convened by Social Watch Philippines is well established.

If elected, KAAKBAY will surely expand its advocacy and sponsor bills which will provide adequate budget support for the MDGs. It will advocate laws which will help ensure that promising young Filipinos will not senselessly bleed to death.

Visit the KAAKBAY website at www.kaakbay.org