Philippines trounces Lebanon

It was a thrilling encounter, and Pinoys watching must have been holding their breaths all throughout the game, but the Philippine team showed that they could not be intimidated by the taller and huskier Lebanese group. At the end, however, the Pinoy boys showed their superiority with an 82-70 win over the much touted Lebanon team, winning their way into the finals where they will play the best so far in the ongoing FIBAASIA championship.

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Seems after their shocking loss to Palestine with a mere two points difference, the Pinoys made up their minds to do the best they could and never be complacent again. Because their initial loss could have meant they were a bit over-confident, knowing that Palestine was a newbie in the FIBA, and was, in fact eliminated shortly after. What a lesson! Anyway, they should not be overconfident in the finals, even if they have beaten Japan and even the defending champion, Iran, in the earlier bouts. Sorry to quote the unlamented Martial Law president, but there truly is “No substitute for victory”. Go for it, boys!

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Meanwhile, back to mundane matters like the ongoing confusion as far as the 2016 election and the potential candidates are concerned. Isn't it funny that this time we have presidential bets without running mates, and also vice presidential wannabes, without a presidential candidate to partner with? Only the political freshie, Grace Poe, has a partner, who is perceived to be the Svengali who led her into the decision to run, with him behind her. For of course, it is doubtful that any other presidential candidate would have picked Chiz Escudero for his running mate.

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It has not been fully confirmed yet, but in case Leni Robredo does agree to run with Mar Roxas in the Liberal Party line-up, we would have man-woman and a woman-man tandems to pick from in 2016. What if Grace Poe and Leni win? Ah, the women would be singing praises to their gender, and confirm that the Philippines is a woman's world. For then we could be the only country in the world who have given women such power and responsibilities. Remember that from 1986 to 2016 (if it happens),or about three decades, we would have managed to have three female presidents. Not even the United States, “the home of the free and the land of the brave” has managed to honor their women with the highest position in the land.

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There is a very good suggestion coming a Quezon City congressman who is asking for a requirement that all presidential bets be made to reveal their state of health, especially their physical and psychological fitness to lead the nation. I would say that this should be required also of all candidates for other major positions, like senators, congressmen, governors and mayors. Why? Haven't you noticed that we have some officials who have exhibited erratic behavior, some have even become murderers and killers? That is to say nothing about the grafters who are making our courts loaded with charges against them, leaving little time for the common crimes.

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Just currently, we have headlines about a governor, and a mayor, suspects in the murder of an environmentalist and broadcaster, who were traced to Thailand after being fugitives for three years. We do not prejudge them, but there is a strong belief that flight is an evidence of guilt. Also, just yesterday, there was news about a former governor found guilty of killing an alleged political rival, and meted a 40-year sentence, which is equivalent to life. Aside from those, we also have officials charged or found guilty of all sorts of graft charges, but trying to brazen them out shamelessly. What kind of psychological make-up do such officials have?

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In a recent published statement, the Asian Development Bank said that the government needs to make the Philippines more business friendly. This is supposed to attract more investors, both local and foreign, to put up businesses that would provide jobs and enhance the economy. Perhaps it has noted some lack in the way our national offices involved in business and trade are doing their jobs. As for being business friendly, our city, Bacolod, had been awarded as the Most Business Friendly City in the Philippines by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry in the past. Let us see if the present administration can manage to grab such a prestigious national award, too. Just how business friendly is it? People here have different versions of its “friendliness”, I hear.*

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