Aquino finally visits typhoon victims

President Noy visited places hard-hit by Typhoons “Pedring” and “Quiel” on Wednesday—but only after the floods had subsided and the rains had stopped.

One of the reporters who covered his tour of the devastated areas said P-Noy didn’t even get his shoes wet.

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Deedee Siytangco, staff writer of the Manila Bulletin, defended P-Noy’s absence at the ravaged areas at the height of Quiel last Saturday.

Siytangco, a family friend of the Aquinos and spokesperson of the late President Cory, said the important thing is that P-Noy was monitoring the situation every minute.

“The President is a leader who delegates authority and he let his alter egos, especially (Social Welfare) Secretary Dinky Soliman, do the work on the ground for him,” said Siytangco.

Amen.

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Even if the President doesn’t want to get his shoes wet, we have to admit that he’s a sincere leader.

He’s just not showy like his predecessor, Gloria Macapal, este, Macapagal-Arroyo.

The important thing is he hates corruption and makes it known among the ranks.

A Malacañang source told me Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima tried to intercede for then Customs Commissioner Lito Alvarez who was about to be sacked.

The President, my source said, told Purisima: “That man is so corrupt he’s the one calling smugglers and asking for money.”

Taken aback, Purisima said, “Then I withdraw my letter (of intercession for Alvarez), Mr. President.”

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The raid on three mining facilities in Claver, Surigao del Norte, was a big blow to the country’s mining industry.

Let’s face it: Mining is our only hope for redemption from the country’s economic woes.

If we exploit our mineral resources to the fullest we will make a big jump—from third world to first world.

We are sitting on a mountain of gold and other expensive minerals, literally and figuratively.

Our government just has to be very strict in enforcing laws that would prevent pollution and the destruction of the environment.

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The New People Army’s claim that it conducted the raids because the mining firms were destroying the environment is just propaganda.

What does the NPA care about the environment when some of them allegedly take part in small-scale mining in Mt. Diwalwal in Davao?

Small-scale miners have polluted the rivers and erode the soil in that “gold mountain.”

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