A year of déjà vu?

I was sorting out copies of old newspapers I had set aside for reference and came upon one with the headline: “OIL DEREGULATION REVIEW SOUGHT”. This was the Manila Bulletin issue of February 17, 2009! So we are still gnawing at the same old bone, three years after. And the sub-title of the headline, or its kicker, said “Speaker Nograles laments fuel price hikes”.

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Has time been standing still as far as oil and fuel prices are concerned in our country? This is the same old song that activist groups have been singing all these years, and the lamentation over price hikes we continue to wail until now. Aside from giving one a sense of déjà vu, such matters make one think of the saying that the more things change, the more they remain the same. And as an added fillip to those headlines, the same issue also says on its front page, “DND to step up drive vs kidnappings in Mindanao.”

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The Philippine Star of the same date carries news about the abominable fertilizer fund scam. Now, that is something has not moved, despite the years that have passed. That was before the 2010 elections yet, and the culprits who took advantage of it are still freely going around, thumbing their noses at the law. Will the wheels of justice begin to turn before the next elections comes around?

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It is heartening to see the huge billboards in strategic places in the city calling for job applicants with enticing offers. These are good signs because many of the graduates from our local colleges and universities who still have no idea where they can find employment, now have these opportunities. Of course some may have other options, depending on the courses they have taken, but for those who want to find employment immediately, this could be the answer. Thanks to the call center industry, we seldom hear now of Education or Commerce graduates who have to settle for menial jobs for lack of opportunities.

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While the 50-centavo fare increase for jeepneys has been welcomed by some operators, many are grumbling because the order authorizing it is not very clear and some jeepney drivers complain that they have to argue with their passengers who demand to see the documents allowing them to charge more. But now news about it has been circulated widely and, perhaps this will ease the problem of the drivers. But, with the allowed jeepney fare increases, can taxis and buses be far behind? Of course not, and already their operators are pressuring the government to also allow them to increase their fares. Naturally, sauce for the gander and sauce for the goose, you know.

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It is not only his promoter, Bob Arum, who is worried about the “conversion” of Manny Pacquiao, that he calls “mysterious”. Many other people, both in sports circles and in the media have also expressed alarm over the now Bible-quoting world boxing icon who seems to be losing his fighting spirit because of his concern over what the Holy Book says. Arum has cause to worry, because his boy has a fight coming up, and what if, Pacquiao, while gazing at his opponent in the ring, suddenly gets struck by compassion and refuses to hit his foe? The one he is facing in June is a sort of “novato,” a new bloomer, but he is no patsy. What if this upstart knocks him out, while he hesitates?

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There was a report yesterday that former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is being asked to post bail for the charges involving the NBN deal. But why should she post bail when she is, after all, under hospital arrest for a non-bailable charge? I understand that the first case against her, which is for electoral sabotage, is non-bailable. In that case, why post bail at all? But I sympathize with former Comele chairman Benjamin Abalos, who has been detained at Police Headquarters for some time now, being also charged with the same case. Will be entitled to bail, too? The head of the notorious Ampatuan clan, charged for the infamous massacre in Mindanao, has even gotten himself to stay in a hospital. Hasn’t Abalos thought about that option?*

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