A question of credibility

"Water is indispensable in maintaining cleanliness."

The reason President Rodrigo Duterte refuses to suspend, much less stop, Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators is that after reading the report of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation, he became convinced that we need all the funds we can get from them. We can use the money for priority projects and contain the spread of COVID-19. This is according to Palace spokesman Salvador Panelo.

Clearly, the President gives greater importance to POGOs than to the safety of the nation. Santa Banana!

Yes, we need all the funds we can lay our hands on, especially now that the virus is spreading at an alarmingly rapid rate. This will ultimately affect the economy not only of our country but of the world. If it has not, already. But a line has to be drawn somewhere.

POGOs are as much a scourge for us as the dreaded virus. Common sense tells us that with gambling comes prostitution, human trafficking, kidnapping, extortion, torture and even murder.

Why is the President so soft on the Chinese? He believes what the Chinese Embassy says—that the crimes involving POGO workers are isolated.

Isolated, my gulay!

I cannot understand the priorities of this administration! Tell me, Mr. President. Aren’t we a province of China yet?

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GMA-7 broadcasting network has come out with the latest findings of Nielsen Philippines. It captured an audience share of 35.3 percent while its ABS-CBN cornered 32.1 percent.

For mega Manila audience shares, GMA has 38.1 percent (ABS-CBN 27.3 percent); Urban Luzon, 37 percent (ABS-CBN 29.5 percent); Urban Luzon, 35.7 (ABS-CBN 34.1 percent).

ABS-CBN will of course contest these figures and come out with audience share findings that put them as the leading network.

But which is more believable, GMA or ABS-CBN? I have my own opinion, considering that ABS-CBN has had a long history of being a Yellow network. It all boils down to credibility. In fact I think this is also the reason why the Lopez-owned network is experiencing difficulties with regard to its franchise.

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Speaking of the ABS-CBN franchise which will expire on May 4, it is clear that Congress should be the one to take action in franchise renewal.

This is the core of the decision penned by no less than former Chief Justice Reynato Puno when he was still associate justice. Thus, if ABS-CBN’s franchise is not renewed or if both chambers of Congress do not pass a law granting it a new franchise, it’s kaput for the network.

If there are legislators from both chambers whose hearts are bleeding for ABS-CBN, that is because they have personal interest in the network. In fact, of the 11 bills for the franchise renewal, many are filed by legislators with agenda and interests of their own.

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If there is one thing that the local government units should do is to adopt measures to avoid panic buying if ever a lockdown is imposed here.

The government should learn from the experience of other countries ravaged by the virus.