Tension in West Philippine Sea

The Scarborough Shoal Issue is causing some tension between our country and the People’s Republic of China. Our Internet websites have been hacked by some Chinese. Some newspapers have gone to the extent of claiming the Philippines as part of China. But this all started with some fishing vessels from China fished in the Scarborough Shoal, which the Philippines claims is part of our territory. China reacted by sending their warships in the shoal in response to our sending of a warship in the area.

Lately in China, travel agencies cancelled trips to our country thus affecting our tourism industry. I subscribe to the position taken by the administration to talk with the Chinese government in dealing with our problem because there is no point in challenging China to war. Honestly we have inferior military might so it would be in the best interest of our country if we settle this issue diplomatically. Let us set aside the suggestion of some politicians that we prepare ourselves to go to war in the event China should continue to bully us.

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Many are happy that Chief Justice Corona decided to appear in the impeachment trial after avoiding the issue for some time. But it would be best if Corona would issue a waiver regarding his dollar account so that if ever he has dollar account these could be opened. I talked to a lawyer and he said that Corona’s decision to appear before the impeachment trial does not necessarily mean that he is going to open his dollar account because Corona just like ordinary witnesses could invoke his right against self-incrimination. Thus we go back to square one.

Corona may refute the accusations against him especially those cases filed with the Office of the Ombudsman but will he admit that he has a dollar account and say how much is his dollar account? I doubt it because his admission means an end to his career as chief justice of the Supreme Court. At best Corona will just depend on the weakness of the charges filed. I think there is no question that Corona has a dollar account as admitted by the PSBank president but as to how much that is subject to a TRO by the Supreme Court. But I wish that Corona could be courageous enough to sign a waiver to allow the impeachment court to look into his dollar account so that the interest of truth shall be served.

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Last week a big fire gutted a part of Barrio Luz affecting about 500 homes and about 2,000 families. Our firefighters on big fire trucks had a hard time penetrating the area because of its narrow streets. It is hoped that the recent incident would serve as a lesson to many of our people especially those living in densely populated areas. They should allow the city government to reblock their areas to prevent similar occurrences.

I understand their objection because the reblocking would eat up some part of their homes. But I am very happy with the Rama administration because it has implemented reblocking in areas that were razed by fire and the people understand and support the move of the city. There is really a need for our people to cooperate in the programs of the city especially if it serves their interests.