Proclamation 1017--
a sword of Damocles

Despite the assurance that Proclamation 1017 may be lifted this weekend, the chances are more that it may be extended. To allow the situation to stabilize, whatever that means.

What is disturbing was the leaked story that some 1,000 putchists - belonging to various units of the Armed Forces of the Philippines - have already arrived in Manila. That reportedly is the reason why the state of emergency remains.

Besides, just the mere promise that the government is coming out yet with the guidelines for the Kapisanan Ng Mga Brodkasters ng Pilipinas indicate that this will last much longer.

So what do we do? Well, as they say, there are no tyrants where there are no slaves. In short, as members of the Press point out, they are not about to give up what the country has won through the blood and lives of our ancestors and heroes.

Just continue doing what is right. And don't be afraid of harm. As Christ pointed out - you should not be afraid of the one who can kill the body. Only the one who can kill the soul or spirit.

So, why worry?

****

There is a brewing major explosion among government employees, especially teachers. Most of them have discovered that they have been imposed surcharges and other charges for the delayed remittance of their GSIS premiums. And some of these have already reached P40,000, to their horror.

Now, the question boils down to the simple issue. Their premiums are deducted from their payrolls. But their offices seem to be the culprit behind the remittance of their contributions to the GSIS. So, now why are they being penalized for something which they did not do? In short, they had paid their premiums on time. Yet they are the ones being penalized for the delayed remittances.

Their offices are supposed to be the collection agents of the GSIS. Thus, when they have complied with the deduction of their salaries - both for their loans and their premium contributions - they are the ones still left holding the bag.

I heard that several of them have been raising the issue with their lawyers. And the teachers and other national government employees number by the millions. When the issue blows up, there's going to be hell to pay.

That's why it is imperative for GSIS officials to correct this situation before it leads to a major upheaval. And that is something we cannot afford under the present emergency situation. That could become a major source of instability. Not only that, it can also spill over to the economy.

****

Yesterday was Ash Wednesday. The start of the 40-day Lenten Season, and a time for us to wash ourselves clean. At least, try to become clean.

In the past, the Church reminded us to remember that we are dust and will return to where we came from.

Now, that has been revised. And to a seemingly less dreadful message. Repent and believe in the Gospel. That seems to most a less abrasive message. But actually, that is more forceful. To repent means to convert. And that implies that one must be able to do the 360-degree turnaround - changing one's life and living the values of the gospel, actually a more comprehensive reminder of what repentance means. Not just saying "I am sorry, but I must change my life."

Preoccupation with Proclamation 1017 has not made us blind to other news items that need our attention.

For example, I wondered yesterday why the Senate seems to continue stonewalling on the National Bioethanol Fuel Program which President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo had certified to as urgent.

The House had completed action on the measure. But the Senate counterpart bill seems to have been forgotten or overlooked despite its urgency. Investors have been waiting for a long time and are already chafing over the government inaction on a vital measure.

But what caught my attention yesterday was the report that the alternative fuel ethanol in the US falls into the chicken-versus-egg debate as to which comes first.

Now the call for the 15-85 ethanol-gasoline mix as E85. But it seems that in some areas as in the Midwest, there are few E85 fuel stations.

But lately, it seems President Bush's drive to reduce America's oil addition has brought alternative fuels, including ethanol into the limelight.

But the more important development is this - approximately 5 million flexible fuel vehicles have been sold in the United States, according to the National Ethanol Coalition. Each FFV is equipped at the factor to run on E85.

No aftermarket modification is available. They can also fill up with straight gasoline.*

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