Erap should see
Cory more often

The news about another increase in the price of oil has stunned consumers in the Philippines. Why is it, they ask, that the government keeps on bragging about how the peso is rising in value against the dollar, and yet we get punished with hikes in the cost of fuel? Only this weekend, the price of gasoline went up by 50 centavos a liter. At the same time, government technocrats are rejoicing over what they claim is a stabilization of the peso, that is now hovering between P51 and P52 to the dollar.

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This is, unfortunately, not comprehensible to the man on the street who is already staggering from the imposition of the expanded value-added tax. How does he balance this against the lowering of his dollar's value and the rise in the cost of fuel? The problem, it seems, bugs more those who depend on "foreign aid", or allowances coming from relatives working abroad, earning dollars, and sending them fixed amounts regularly. For them, the buying power of their money has gone down, while the cost of necessities, like fuel, is going up. That is without factoring in the newly added tax.

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The feeling of frustration is reinforced when Pinoys hear someone like former President Fidel Ramos decrying government claims about the state of the peso. In a pre-departure statement at the NAIA recently, FVR, in typical no-nonsense stance, asked the media during a press conference: "What economic gains?" It was clear he was referring to the gains being claimed by Malacañang. Sounding exasperated, FVR also pointed out that it is the money of the overseas workers that is propping up this economy. But we all know that, too, don't we?

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As for the hike in fuel prices that has caused so much distress not only to the average earner, but even to businessmen and industrialists, it seems we are getting mixed signals because reports from abroad say that Mid-East oil is at an all-time low, while over here, it is soaring to an all-time high again. What is the solution proposed by the administration? Well, as yesterday's news said it, the President is asking the Department of Energy to "explain". That should shut us up for the time being.

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Meanwhile, there are strong signs that the President is relenting a bit on the case of the one she booted out. It is said that it is now likely that former President Joseph Estrada, who still says he has the right to the office, will be given more freedom from his resort-arrest. After all, it is reportedly reasoned, he has been detained for five years now, and the cases against him seem to be going nowhere. What I think is that Erap should see Cory Aquino, Susan Roces and Frank Drilon more often. Note that this attitude came to the palace after he was reported to be building friendships with them.

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What do the two leading national dailies have to say now about their identical headlines on Sunday? Remember that "Palace blinks on EO 464" head? Well, the palace is denying that it ever blinked. Its spokespeople are now saying that there was no blinking, because the EO states that officials can only obey the summons of Congress and answer their queries WITH THE CONSENT, or if authorized by the President. In other words, she can open or close their mouths, so there was no blinking. Only the Supreme Court can open Malacañang's eyes, or shut them.

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I have a naughty suggestion for curious media people and for suspicious wives and sweethearts on Valentine's Day. Hold a vigil in areas near local motels and small inns in secluded areas. There should be some interesting and revealing discoveries, you know. Better still, equip yourselves with cameras that have zoom lenses. This is not to advocate blackmail, but perhaps it can be a deterrent to the illicit plans of some Valentinos.

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Poor Pasig Mayor Vicente Eusebio. His city got a double whammy just before Valentine's Day. First there was the Ultra tragedy, then there was the raid on the so-called shabu market or tianggue that yielded 302 violators. What is most shocking is that these included 59 minors, and even a four-month-old infant. What were his parents doing? Starting him young?*

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