The Battle of Thermopylae - Zenith of Heroism (Part 1)

INTRODUCTION

Photo courtesy of www.awesomestories.com

The battle of Thermopylae was first chronicled by Herodotus, an ancient Greek historian who was born in Halicarnassus, Caria (modern day Bodrum, Turkey) and lived in the fifth century BC (c. 484 – 425 BC). He was the first historian known to collect his materials systematically, test their accuracy to a certain extent and arrange them in a well-constructed and vivid narrative. Herodotus was called both the "father of history" and the "father of lies" by his contemporaries for his history of the Persian World. “The Histories, his masterpiece and the only work he is known to have produced, is a record of his "inquiry", being an investigation of the origins of the Greco-Persian Wars including a wealth of geographical and ethnographical information. Although some of his stories were fanciful, he claimed he was reporting only what had been told to him. Herodotus is the first writer to make a conscious attempt to discover and explain past events.

The second Greek historian, Thucydides, adds a new dimension, that of contemporary history. Although the complete work of Herodotus is not yet published, Thucydides is certain to know the work of the older historian - who has made his living by reciting the highlights of his narrative. Herodotus has told the story of the last great war between Greeks and Persians. In 431 BC Thucydides recognizes the onset of the next major conflict, between Greeks. He resolves to record the Peloponnesian War as it happens.

Another Greek historian who continued the work of Thucydides' history was Xenophon. The fact that a contemporary continues the work so precisely from this date proves that Thucydides did indeed finish his work there, rather than the remainder being lost. But Xenophon, though a vivid writer, proves a very inadequate historian at a serious level. A supporter of Sparta, he lacks any sense of objectivity which he considered as irrelevant. He describes only what he sees and hears. The result is vivid eyewitness history, akin almost to journalism.

Public Services As Socio-Economic Enterprises (Conclusion)

WHY ESTABLISH SOCIO-ECONOMIC ENTERPRISES?

The establishment of socio-economic enterprises is governed by a policy outlined under sections 15 and 22 of the Local Government Code (LGC) “the need to exercise the authority and power of Local Government Unit (LGU) as a corporation to achieve its goals.”

However, before any government division/department can be converted into a socio-economic enterprise unit, a well-researched feasibility study shall be conducted. The well-documented study shall be submitted to the City Council and adequate and thorough study shall be done before passing and ratifying an Ordinance of the conversion. Naturally, several public hearings shall be convened with the attendance of all stakeholders to deliberate on the study

The proposed enterprise unit must have a clear vision, mission, goals and objectives formulated in short and long-term strategic management plans.

Public Services As Socio-Economic Enterprises (Part 2)

THE INTERNAL REVENUE ALLOTMENT

The internal revenue allotment (IRA) has made the LGUs dependent on the national government especially the poor municipalities and provinces. But worse than this, the LGUs become subservient and hostage to the central government, since the release and use of such allotment are subject to national government decisions and control. The national government can withhold or reduce or regulate the releases. Consequently, the delivery of public services suffers the most at the same time that economic development is stunted. As an example, the impending reduction of the LGU’s IRA share for 2012 to the tune of 78M is a typical kind of this dilemma that LGU’s have to confront.

The existing IRA formula will continue to make the LGUs dependent on national grants and budgetary assistance. The rich and highly developed LGUs will enjoy the bountiful benefits from the inequities of a defective IRA formula. The poor and undeveloped LGUs, 4th to 5th class will become poorer and less and less capable to deliver the basic public services. The undesirable outcome of this imbalance and inequitable economic growth of LGUs would of course lead to urban pull-rural push syndrome, because of better services, greater job opportunities, good living environment, availability of social amenities and security in urban areas.

While we dwell on the thought that this situation might be good for the urbanizing LGUs, such as San Fernando, Naga, Laoag, Bacolod, Iloilo and Cagayan de Oro cities, in the sense that this will increase their IRA, we must also think that in the final analysis this will lead to increasing demand for public services, quality wise, and more alarmingly quantity wise. The demand may become so competitive and even cutthroat, that adequate solutions might need central government intervention. We are now confronting these problems, flooding, environmental degradation, housing, peace and order, traffic, solid waste disposal, power supply, unemployment, urban blight and the like. These economic ills and social decadence are actually being experienced now by highly urbanized and metropolitan LGUs in the whole country.

Public Services as Socio- Economic Enterprises (Part I)

Courtesy of philter.com

Background

One of the fundamental state policies enshrined in the Philippine Constitution is the autonomy of local government units. (Const., Art. II, Sec. 25). Pursuant to the mandate given by the Constitution, the Philippine Congress enacted Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as the Local Government Code of 1991 which replaced Batas Pambansa Blg. 337, which is the old local government code.

Under the Local Government Code of 1991 (LGC), more public services and responsibilities were devolved to the Local Government Units some of which are complex and costly to undertake, such as primary health care (hospitals and clinics), public education, peace and order and environmental management, among others.

In the Philippines, pure public services are either provided by the LGUs free or partly operated with minimal user charges, which means fully or partly subsidized by budgetary appropriation. This free public service has been traditionally practiced by the LGUs, ever since up to the present.

Funny Political Jokes In The Philippines (Part 2)

More political jokes to tickle your humerus!

BREAKFAST in USA

A Filipino town councilor was with a group of politicians on a study tour in a sister US city.  One morning he went to a Diner in the city and ordered breakfast.

Pinoy Councilor:  I want a cup of coffee …

American Waiter: What kind of coffee would you like, Sir, regular or decaf?

Pinoy Councilor : No, Big cup!! Big cup!

American Waiter: What would you like for your breakfast, Sir?

Pinoy Councilor: Ham en eggs.

American Waiter: And how do you like your eggs, Sir?

Pinoy Councilor:  Yes, tenkyu. I like dem beri much.

American Waiter: No sir, I mean how would you like them cooked?

Pinoy Councilor: Yes, tenkyu. I wud like dem cooked.

American Waiter: (now very impatient)  Would you like your eggs...fried? poached? hard boiled or soft boiled?

Pinoy Councilor: (now very uneasy)  Yes, one fried en one hard boiled or sop boiled.

Waiter: And what bread would you like?

Pinoy: Beg yur pardon?

American Waiter: What kind of bread would you like? white? rye? Whole wheat? toast?

Pinoy: Pan Americano

American Waiter: We don't have that, Sir.

Pinoy Councilor: Okey, gib me taysti.

American Waiter: We don't have that either, sir.

Pinoy Councilor: Do you hab pan de lemon or pan de sal?

American Waiter: Sir, you are wasting my time. I shall ask for the last time, what would you like for breakfast?

Pinoy Councilor: Donut plis.... 

Funny political Jokes In The Philippines (Part1)

For as long as we could remember, funny political jokes played major roles in Philippine politics, specifically during elections. Instead of hurling harsh commentaries and negative diatribes about politicians, supporters from all political affiliations often resort to composing humorous jokes to give accusatory remarks without inflicting pain and much controversy.

For one, through jokes anyone could fire off scathing comments without inflicting real or serious injury.  For another, because jokes are made to provoke laughter, the jokester is allowed to submit the most acerbic opinions with minimal accountability, or even complete anonymity.

The Comedy and Tragedy of Politics!

Art courtesy of turbosquid.com

Less than 2 months before the Philippine mid-term election, politics is turning out to be the most interesting topic anywhere in the country today. Almost everybody will always find somebody who has a different opinion on this issue than you or anyone else. 

To add glitter to the election campaign, many seemed to be pleasantly surprised and amused at how funny jokes about politicians can be. More often though witty jokes about politicians show a great contrast to their monotonous speeches. Most of us believed that the more successful and popular politicians had become, the more funny jokes that they invite. 

Thus, for a potential political leader, being the butt of a political joke is a cross between a symbol of honor and ritual of acceptance in the political jungle. But there is one thing about politicians to which everybody might agree: sometimes they can be really quaint and hilarious!

See some of the funny international political jokes that I sourced out from the internet.

The Legacy Of A Great Man - RAFAEL M. SALAS

Ever since I was a young boy I have always admired individuals who became known and successful despite the obstacles that they have to endure to achieve their goals. During my high school days, I love to go to the library to have an updated knowledge on the Philippine Bar Exam topnotchers, top graduates of the Philippine Military Academy and top examinees of other professional fields.  Most importantly, I find myself astounded by the achievements of those who were born poor and had to persevere and struggle to reach the top and fulfill their dreams.

Common to a Filipino, I have always sided and rooted for the “underdogs” especially in education, sports and other competitions. I likewise have veneration for those who adhered to their principles and took opposition stands against the “powerful” and the “mighty” at the expense of their own personal interests.  As a young college student, I have idolized the likes of King Leonidas of Sparta, Robin Hood of Sherwood Forest, Knights of the Round Table, The Three Musketeers, The Count of Monte Cristo, Pres. Ramon Magsaysay, Senators Raul Manglapus,  Ambrosio Padilla, Jose W. Diokno, Jovito Salonga, Benigno Aquino Jr., Juan Ponce Enrile  and  Sec. Carlos P. Romulo, among others. Although the administration of Pres. Ferdinand Marcos was marred with massive corruption, political repression and human rights violations, nobody can “turn a blind eye” to his astonishing academic achievements and exceptional brilliance in the field of governance by implementing wide ranging infrastructure development and socio-economic  programs that saw unprecedented economic progress of the country during his regime.

One who stood out among the many political figures I had admired was the late Rafael M. Salas, a fellow Negrense and the pride of Western Visayas. Although he remained unheralded in his own country until his untimely death in 1987, Sec. Salas exhibited a remarkable intellect and brilliancy in management reinforced by a highest sense of respectability and incomparable humility in public service, a trait uncommon among our public luminaries, both of yesterday and today.

The Philippine Election Campaign ….. Olympics of Hypocrisy (Conclusion)

Alliances of Political Parties

By now, less than 2 months before the polls, the election fever has become more intriguing as it approaches its superheat state.  Major political parties have already executed strategies to encounter the skirmish for domination of the election outcome. The Liberal Party (LP) of President Aquino had a discomforting alliance with the Nationalist People Coalition (NPC) with the optimism to corner the victories of its senatorial and local candidates against the much vaunted opposition party, the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) of Vice President Jejomar Binay. One thing that is hypocritical here is that most of the Liberal Party coalition candidates camouflaged themselves as ‘reformers” but are previously stalwart followers of former Pres. GMA when she was still in power.  With this in mind, it becomes distinct that coalition of political parties is done only to increase the chances of the candidates to win the election and not for any other reasons astute politicians want the people to believe. After the election smoke is gone, what happens to this partnership is completely a different thing from what have been trumpeted to be the motivation for the parties’ coalition. This alone is an emblematic model of political hypocrisy.  

As one political analyst wrote, “There are no philosophies at stake in the Philippine elections, only businesses to protect, dynasties to maintain, and pork barrel funds to salivate. Other than that, Philippine politics is a vast intellectual wasteland”.