Why Manny needs security

Government reports show that one million more Filipinos left in 2006 to work in other countries. That means one million more becoming OFW. If we have a population of 85 million, does that mean 84 million more could go?

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The statistics only confirm our "stature" now as the world's biggest exporter of labor. And surely the number will continue to grow, with the recent encouragements being given by the Labor Department. We need their remittances to prop our economy up, you know. Never mind if they are exposed to risks, such as what happened to the Pinoy seamen in Nigeria. Remember the report Monday that six of them were abducted by rebels?

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Yesterday's news showed that the number should be multiplied by four. Not six, but 24 Filipinos were abducted or held hostage, Foreign Affiars officials admitted. Of the 24 Pinoys, 17 were snatched from the vessel and taken by the Nigerian rebels to a distant village. The seven others, who included the captain, the cook and other personnel, were kept in the boat, heavily guarded by their abductors. Officials say everything is being done to negotiate with the kidnappers, in order to secure the release of the Pinoys. At what cost?

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While the government is encouraging workers to go abroad, it is also issuing orders stopping other citizens from leaving the country. These are the ones they want to remain because of serious charges filed against them. The latest to be included in the watchlist is former Batangas governor and estranged husband of former senator Loren Legarda, who is being charged for the killing of his friend and aide. Of course Loren is not expected to lift a finger to help him. She has made this clear by stating "No man is above the law" when told about the shooting.

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Meanwhile, Loren, who is said to be caught between the prospects of running for senator - and topping it again - and of pursuing her protest against the declaration of Noli de Castro as winner of the vice presidential race in 2004, is now busying herself in another worthwhile project. She has undertaken the replanting of dead trees at the Rizal Park and in other places in Metro Manila. Which is a much better project than the one started with great hoopla by Environment Secretary Angelo Reyes last year. Remember that "magnipendous" and mega-expensive plan to plant trees all along Philippine highways that typhoons Milenyo and Reming thwarted? I wonder what happened to all those thousands of seedlings, and also the thousands supposed to fund that project?

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By the way, why did Reyes suddenly pull out from the senatorial race? Well, it was not only he, but several others whose body language had so clearly indicated that their next step was towards the Upper House, who had a change of heart. Could it be because they don't want to undergo the suspense of not knowing if there will still be a senate or not? Being a former general, Reyes must be well-versed in strategy and projection. Maybe he is meant for better things, who knows?

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But other generals are bolder, at least ten of them are reported to be gearing for the May 2007 elections. Some are going to run for mayors of their towns or cities, others for governors of their provinces, and still others are eyeing Congress. If they all win, then we can say that the military has already overrun this country. Count all the generals who are cabinet members, ambassadors, or heads of powerful agencies, commissions and offices. They're enough to cause shivers of fear that we could all end up under the control of the military. Heaven forbid.

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So it's true. Manny Pacquiao did not go to the Comelec only to renew old ties with Chairman Benjamin Abalos, but also to follow up his application for exemption from the gun ban. And the Comelec did not demur, it granted his bid immediately. He asked for 20, and I think he got them. Why? A Comelec commissioner explained that, since Pacquiao is a millionaire already, he needs security, not only for him, but also for members of his family. Oh, I see.*

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