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| ‘Lost in translation’ |
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| Thursday, 29 July 2010 19:40 |
 SAYANG. Were President Aquino’s avowals about the critical role of overseas Filipinos, workers or immigrants alike, (we should now start calling them Filipino expats) and tourism in national development lost in translation, so to speak? This question was asked by keen observers of the scene in view of P. Noy’s unbelievable silence on these two major planks of the economy in his first SONA. We recall that during the campaign and even in his inaugural speech, the Chief Executive and his advisers were touting the contributions of Filipino expats to the total economy, remitting close to $18 billion in 2009 which, in turn, were plowed back into consumption, investments in micro, small, and even medium-scale enterprises and, of course, real estate. Indeed, this sector’s pull, as it were, is shown by the latest figures indicating that roughly 30 percent of new real estate investments were accounted for by Filipino expats. More than that, I am sure the Chief Executive’s advisers are aware that almost all communities in the country, if not all families, have at least a member overseas which make our expats truly embedded in our national life.The case for tourism is equally compelling. Many had assumed that the call to discipline, restraint on “power tripping” and “good governance” was part of a greater effort to make the country as investor and tourist-friendly as possible. I am sure P. Noy and the Cabinet had realized early on that not only has this sector had the greatest the potential for fast track and, yes, sustainable growth with shorter project gestation periods at lesser costs. And that the multiplier and jobs generation impact are decidedly tremendous compared with other sectors. So, how come these two basic components of any serious development plan over President Aquino’s term never got any mention at all in his SONA? Just asking. By the way, proponents of the Freedom of Information initiative were as equally perplexed by P. Noy’s silence on the fate of this effort under his watch. They had hoped as most others did that given the endorsements of his own partymates and close confidantes, this initiative would have merited at the very least a two- or three-sentence mention as a signal to one and all that indeed the administration is committed to its passage as an integral part of the “good governance” and transparency plank. Again, just wondering. Carrion on the dock Last February 8, former Immigration Commissioner Nonoy Libanan issued an order lifting the Watchlist Order issued against a certain Bryan Robert Levinge last Sept. 23, 2009 upon the request of then Tourism Undersecretary Cynthia Carrion. That request hinged on the “purported offensive behavior of Levinge” as evidenced by acts which Carrion enumerated in a May 27, 2009 letter to Libanan. In that May 27 letter, Carrion alleged that Levinge has been harassing another foreign national, Mark Haswell, whom she identified as a partner of the department in promoting Philippine tourism. Believing in Carrion’s representations, Libanan issued the WLO which has hampered Levinge’s movements and affected his business and person as well. It now turns out that Carrion’s representations were less than truthful. Based on Libanan’s review upon Levinge motion for reconsideration, it turned out that Carrion herself was on the dock, so to speak. Here’s what Libanan mentioned in his order: “ By the foregoing, it appears that the request for issuance of the assailed WLO was anchored on inaccurate information and probably was impelled by vendetta intended to get even with Levinge after the latter’s daughter filed a complaint for rape against Haswell. It could be an honest mistake. But nevertheless it has given inaccurate information that was wrongly used as basis in the issuance of the assailed Watchlist Order..Wherefore, premises considered, WLO No. MCL-09-557 dated 23 September 2009 is hereby considered revoked and the name Bryan Robert Levinge considered deleted..” It is clear from Libanan’s order that Carrion who, I understand, was a classmate of former President Arroyo continues to report at the DoT on the basis of a fresh appointment issued by the former president as the chief operating officer of the newly organized Tourism Board. Can Levinge and his family, who were obviously harassed by Carrion, seek redress against her misuse of her office?? I suppose so, and Levinge should probably explore that possibility to teach people like Carrion a lesson in the proper and responsible use of their official positions. DI BA? |
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