A lot of doctors in the country are up in arms against the idea being broached by some ‘bright’ sectors that they (doctors), too, be subjected to lifestyle checks. Ewan ko ba naman kung sinong magaling ang nagpakana nito.

What is the purpose of a lifestyle check in the first place? I believe it is a take-off from the principle that ‘public officials should lead modest lives,’ boosted by Article XI, Section 1 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution and reiterated in Section 4(h) of Republic Act 6713, also known as “Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.”

By this, it is meant that the subject of such lifestyle checks are supposedly government officials or the so-called public servants, especially those who flaunt their wealth which, one can easily surmise, is not commensurate to their salaries or legal income. Its supposed purpose is to dissuade those in government from engaging in any form of corruption.       

Having been in the media for quite sometime now, I do not remember a lot of people in government being made accountable as a result of lifestyle checks. There are at least a million working in government bureaucracy. Ilan na ba ang nakasuhan?      

Before focusing attention on the private sector, unahin muna sana ang  mga taong gobyerno. Eh, ni wala pa ngang pruweba sa tunay at mas dapat na target, iba na naman ang gustong pagbalingan ng lifestyle checks? Ano ang susunod? Mga negosyante? Kamukat-mukat mo, ’yung mga nagla-lifestyle check na ’yan ang yayaman dahil ’di malayong mapunta sa harassment ang mga ganitong style. Hay naku! Setbwi!!!

***

INGAT SA PAG-CHARGE -- In this day and age where a lot of Filipinos are into the use of laptops and other portable computers, it is worthy to note a story where police suspect that an overcharged laptop may have caused the death of a 32-year-old man.

The charred body of the victim, Sayan Chowdhury, was found in his home and initial investigation tends to lead the police into believing that he may have fallen asleep while working on his laptop and that he was listening to music through earphones that were connected to his computer. 

The police theory so far is that there might have been a problem with the switchboard in the charger and that since the switchboard was too close to the bed, a spark from it may have set the bed on fire, causing the victim to burn to death.

A forensic investigation is underway to ascertain if indeed, the police theory is correct.

While the incident did not happen here -- it took place in Kolkata, India -- there is nothing wrong with being cautious. 

Kaya sa mga may laptop and other PCs, siguraduhing kayo ay gising kapag nag-charge at bunutin agad sa kuryente ang inyong laptop kapag fully charged na ito. Sabi nga, better safe than sorry.

***

Greetings to a lot of friends who were born this month a thousand years ago. Hehe…Happy birthday to Ferdie ‘Kambal’ Sandoval who celebrated his birthday last Saturday; to Kuya Patch Arbas of the immigration bureau whose debut (?) was last November 7; to Rachel Giron, my good friend during our UST days who will be celebrating her birthday today (won’t mention your age dahil mabubuking pati ako); to Atty. Omar Francisco whose birthday is on November 12 (sa’n ang inuman?) and to Ricky Valmonte of MIAA’s media affairs division who will celebrate his birthday on November 13.  Special birthday greetings, too, to the beauteous Gemma Alivio-Lim and the debonair (ehem) Nestor Alivio, head of the Manila permits bureau, who had their birthdays last week, November 3 and 4. Sa inyong lahat, happy, happy birthday. May you have many more and thanks for being such good friends. Mwaaahhh!!!

***

Jokjok (from Mark Siket of MIAA’s public affairs office) -- Usapang BRIEF -- PEDRO: Pare, ’yung brief ko, parang tape sa radio./JUAN:Bakit?/PEDRO: Nagamit ko na Side A at Side B./JUAN (napatawa):’Yung brief ko naman, parang movie./PEDRO: Movie? Pa’no?/JUAN: NOW ON ITS 3RD WEEK!

***

Beauty tip:  Q:My hands are dry. What should I do?/A: Moisturizing your hands for at least four times everyday will  give them a healthy glow.  (Source: Dr. Rosary May Canay-Diaz/ Californian Bloom Aesthetic Institute and Medical Spa/ 410-8424 & Rosebloom Facial, Skin Care and Slimming Center/466-9596)

***

Direct Hit entertains comments, suggestions or complaints. Please have them emailed to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or please text 0929-5953737.