30 Filipino drivers in Saudi accuse firm of overcharging fees

Dammam city: Image by unjoshr via Flickr

A   brief    report    from       Dennis  Carcamo   of  the    Philstar   news service       indicates that Filipinos driving buses in    Saudi Arabia  are financially exploited.

John Monterona, representing the Filipino Imigrant workers' advocacy group Migrante,   disclosed      that   thirty  Filipino bus    drivers  had decried the alleged illegal charging of  fees by   the company  that recruited them and by its tie-up firms in Manila.

The workers were among the  300  bus drivers of the Saudi Public  Transport company based in the city of Dammam. 

"They claimed that their recruiter agency charged them [a] huge placement fee that led them to get an onerous loan from various lending agencies,” Mr Monterona said in a statement. 

The 30 drivers, recruited by PERT-CPM Manpower Exponents Co. Inc, had been on the job nearly four months.

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Politicians cause of poverty, hunger and insurgency

Image by mtfrazier via Flickr

by Nomadicasian, November 22, 2007

This strong accusation by a nomadic Asian is worth republication and reconsideration.

Yes indeed, Filipino politicians and those who are in government service are the cause of poverty, hunger and insurgency in the Philippines.

Majority of these politicians belongs to the prominent families of the Philippines who ruled the country since after independence from the American colonizer. The neo-politicos who gained prominence after the EDSA Revolution of 1986 are likewise to blame for the unrelenting debacle of the poor Philippines.

The seats of power are divided and passed onto their relatives, to their next of kin, father, mother, brother, sister etc and the cycle continues.

These people practically owned almost the entire Philippines. And holy cow, these politicos are educated in the world renown Universities in America and Europe. They have their Master of Arts and doctoral degrees prominently displayed in their personal information. They send their relatives one after the other to the same schools abroad and return to the Philippines to run for public office only to amass wealth as a reward for a stint abroad as students.

They are well educated alright, but once they’re in power, they accumulate wealth in so short a time, almost triple the money that they spent as students abroad.

They have no regards to the poor masses; all they have in mind is their personal interests on how to remain rich at the expense of the uneducated and poor people of the Philippines.

Also, the men in government who are appointed to run the day to day affairs of the country contribute to the problems by using their positions to manipulate, rigged, influence every contract at their own disposal in exchanged for FAT COMMISSIONS.

They are not taking chances; every available transaction is considered easy money and must go to their pockets by hook or by crook. Both politicos and the men in government have their mansions, flashy cars, acres of lands and buildings around the country.

Their sons and daughters are in private, air conditioned and stately schools and blessed with luxuries.

The poor masses lives in small shacks, in squatters, [with] no lands of their own and work as scavengers, tradesmen, mendicants. Their sons and daughters are poorly educated, roaming around town, clawed by pedophiles and sex predators and oftentimes die in hunger. Others resort to criminality and in the rural areas join rebel movements.

This is SAD - REALLY SAD. How I wish that someday the Philippines will be great again, again because once upon a time the Philippines was second to Japan but now the country is a step ahead of Timbuktu, whatever that means.

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Father goes without food for 2 or 3 days at a time

Rabies treatment for daughter scheduled to continue; asthmatic boy, 18 months old, lacks oxygen

Chat session with Jason using Yahoo Messenger from an Internet cafe, 17:01 to 18:29, Philippine time

To my surprise, Jason greeted me online this afternoon, thanking me for the money he had received at 9:30 a.m.

We discussed mainly

• Jason's health;
• the health of his daughter Lin-Lin;
• confusion about Jason's nephew, Kian, and Tina's nephew, also named Kian,
• the latter's health crisis, the paternal obligations of Kian's father, and his income;
• the prices of cell phone calls and text messages;
• Internet cafe computer usage; and
• Jason's wish to see me via web cam.

After exchanging pleasantries I mentioned Jason's online picture gallery (dating from 2008 when he was employed in an Internet cafe) and various matters including Lin-Lin's medical appointment next day.

I trusted they would have no problems keeping the appointment and Jason hoped that would be so. "Please try to learn all you can from the doctor tomorrow," I said. "Don't be too shy to ask questions! And ask about your own health, too, if you have a chance! Explain that you've been under great stress!"

Jason's health

Towards the end of the interchange, discussion of Jason's health produced cryptic but distressing revelations. Despite concern for his privacy, I relate them here:

Jason: Bern, tomorrow I think I need to [have a] check-up too b-coz I'm anemic and can't eat many.

Bern: Yes, I'm not at all surprised. I hope you do get checked.

Jason: I have ulcer Bern.

Bern: Ulcer? Where? You need to get that treated! I hope the same doctor can treat you and Lin-Lin in the same consultation.

Jason: I can't say in English Bern: in my sikmura, in Tagalog.

Bern: Well just make sure you tell the doctor.
. . .

Jason: I get that [ulcer] Bern when I'm no eat, no food.

Bern: Oh. That's understandable.

Jason: No eat in 2 to 3 days.

Bern: But when was the last time that happened? And how often has it been happening?

Jason: No food in 2 to 3 days.

Bern: You really need to tell the doctor that. Have you been eating recently?

Jason: I think Bern it's time to [make it] know[n to] the doctor: and need to check-up.

Bern: Yes, certainly, you must tell him everything!

Jason: I keep that a month ago; I think [it lasted] 4 to 6 month[s]. I can't tell anyone Bern, only [to] you can [I] say that.

. . .

Jason: Bern sorry for sharing this to you; don't think about me.

Bern: There's no need to apologise! I appreciate that have shared it: but please share it with the doctor too.

Jason: Thank you Bern.

Lin-Lin's health

Bern: How is Lin-Lin now?

Jason: She's improved; she can play now, and eat more; tomorrow she['s] requesting me again to eat Jollibee, and buy sleeper [slippers; i.e. casual footwear].

Bern: I'm glad to hear she's improved. I hope you can afford Jollibee and slippers. I see Jollibee and McDonalds are offering half-size servings of rice now, because of the shortage.

Jason: I think I budget the money for that and for the food.

Bern: I trust you to budget wisely. I'm almost certain that more ant-rabies injections will be required, perhaps a month from now. . . . I need to check that.

Jason: Thank you for that, Bern, please. . . She need more 3 anti-rabies, not anti-tetanus.

Bern: I see. That's what I would have anticipated. I suppose at least the anti-rabies prophylaxis is a good insurance for the future, even though it's unpleasant for Lin-Lin.

Jason: Yes, Bern, I clarify that tomorrow.

Bern: Good.

Confusion about Jason's nephew, Kian, Tina's nephew, also named Kian; and the latter's health crisis

Jason: May I ask, Bern, about Tina's saying Kian [was] in hospital yesterday?

Bern: There was confusion! She was referring to Liza's son, 18 months old, suffering from asthma and fever. Tina said he was suffering severely from lack of oxygen.

Jason: Oh, but she said Kian [Jason's sister Anagel also has a son named Kian].

Bern: That's his name, isn't it?

Jason: I don't know his name Bern.

Bern: Tina was worried that without a nebulizer and medication he might not survive the night. He was having severe breathing difficulties.

Jason: But Bern, Liza's husband work in Kalayaan also: in NPC [the National Power Corporation].

Bern: I wish I knew more about that. From what I hear, the workers are all very poorly paid.

Jason: I don't know . . . but in my opinion his father [has an] obligation.

Bern: I think many Filipino fathers are unable to meet their obligations.

Tina and Liza signed Kian out of the hospital. They had to sign a waiver, saying they would take responsibility if something went really wrong with Kian.

Tina said the one nebulizer in the hospital was being shared by several patients so they would have to wait for that one. The doctor wrote a prescription for them to buy one, plus medications.

But they had no money to buy those things, so Kian had difficulty breathing.

I trust Kian's health has improved today. It was a bit better last night [after I sent money for medications] but I need to check again.

Cell phone talk and text prices

Jason said he would text me tomorrow. I thanked him, saying I was sure to be online some time the next day: a text via Yahoo would be cheaper.

Yes, said Jason, only 2 pesos and 50 centavos. The price of a text to my cellphone, however, would be "30 pesos [for] one text only. "

I was shocked. "I was thinking about 12 or 15 pesos! Maybe the price has risen. That's close to one Australian dollar!"

The cost would be 15 pesos, Jason replied, "if your message is short."

"The telco Optus has greatly increased the price of phone calls," I said, "so I've cut down greatly on my cellphone calls to the Philippines."

Jason thought that cellular phone calls within the Philippines cost 60 pesos for 5 minutes.

I thought "That explains why Filipinos use many text messages instead."

We agreed that it would be much better to text each other via Yahoo.

Internet prices

Bern: I read online that Internet cafe prices have become quite cheap, at least in some places, because of the competition.

Jason: Yes, Bern, also here in Pagsanjan.

Bern: Cheap Internet prices are good for customers, like you, but not so good for the workers in the cafes!

Jason: Yes.

Bern: Maybe if you start working in an Internet cafe again, you'd like to see the prices higher! So you can get better wages!

Web cam

Jason: Bern you have cam in your computer? I want to see you; I miss you very much; long time ago can't see.

Bern: Oh, I have one [web cam], but it's not attached! And now I've found the software CD for it! So I should be able to have it running next time you come online! I won't try to install it immediately, but I will do so very soon.

Jason: Yes Bern please . . . I'm very happy for that.

Bern: I'm not much to look at.

Jason: It's OK Bern; the important [thing is that] I saw you.

Bern: OK, so I'll get the camera installed and figure out how to operate it.

Jason: Put the disc [in] Bern and then choose the same [model]; what cam you have; and then install it.

Bern: Yes, but I prefer not to do it immediately. My old computer is likely to become overloaded.

Jason: Yes, I think next time Bern. I have no time.

Farewell

"Bern, thank you again, in time,' Jason said; "God bless you Bern; love, Jason and family. Bye for now Bern; miss you."

"Good night Jason," I replied, "and best wishes to you and all your family!"

Tina pleads without success for money to expand business and pay electricity bill

At 7:29 this morning, Philippine time, Tina sent me a cellphone text message saying she did not have to attend vocational training (mandated by governments) today because it's Labor Day. She was staying at her shop-house "to face the problems of the eatery."

According to Tina's sister Liza, a group of 10 or 15 persons had asked, yesterday, to be permanent customers. Tina needed my advice.

I responded with thanks for the news, adding that I'd be at home again about an hour later and able to text her via the Yahoo Messenger program [at much lower cost].

At 8:49 I texted again: "Hi Tina. It's good to hear that 10 or 15 people want to be permanent customers but I fear they'll want credit. That's a real problem, I think."

The message session that ensued, extremely stressful for both of us, was spread over 2 1/2 hours.

The good news was that the new customers would pay cash.

The diner staff would need to have two meals prepared early for them, however, always on time: breakfast at 6 a.m. and lunch at 11. Dinner would need to be ready at 6 p.m.

"The problem is, I don't have enough capital."

Although the lack of finance was predictable, I responded with alarm: "Oh! The problem for me is that I don't have any capital at all, I'm deeply in debt! That's one reason I've been urging people for a long time to register, if at all possible, with www.kiva.org and www.betterplace.org, ASAP."

The prospective customers were construction workers, Tina said, working with cables. They liked the food Liza was cooking and it was cheaper than elsewhere. Tina's "Bernadeth-Joe Eatery" was charging 25 pesos for a serving of food whereas competitors were charging 30. The cablers were waiting for Tina's answer at lunch time, to see if she would agree with their proposal.

The lack of immediate capital was the great problem. I asked: "Have you estimated how much extra you need?"

I also added that a friend had kept insisting to me that Tina should raise her prices. "Considering the very long hours and hard efforts you and your staff expend," I said, "you really need to make a reasonable % profit. Please do try to calculate that."

Instead of responding directly, Tina outlined staffing arrangements: she would need to wake up early, herself, at 3 a.m., then (after she had been shopping in the market) her sister Liza would be in charge of the cooking, with the help of their co-worker Josephine. The other sister, Laurice, would care for the 7 kids, with the help of Tina and Liza's mother.

I said "It's going to be an even longer day for you, with insufficient rest and greater strain on your health."

"No problem, Bern," Tina responded. "I can make it, for the sake of the kids; also I can have time management with the help of my family."

She added that "my problem really is capital"; to which I replied that "I really do worry about capital too."

Tina had been enjoying herself in the business training; it was useful and she was learning a lot.

She had been encouraging her classmates to eat in the Bernadeth-Joe Eatery at lunch time. "But I'm sad coz when we arrive at 12, no leaf food [left]. Coz lack of stock, get already by d [power station security] guards" (who are also customers).

The news that for the second time Tina had been embarrassed upon arrival with her classmates at lunch time to find most of the food already eaten was alarming to me. "Oh, my God!" I replied. "The problems continue! What am I to do? I did so urge you to register for a business loan from kiva.org or help from betterplace. I really do wish my Filipino friends would make strong efforts to do that. I really wonder why they seem reluctant. Are the difficulties too great?"

Instead of responding to this, at 10:23 a.m. Tina came straight to the point: "I need additional 1 sack rice, cost 2K, [plus] 1,500 [for] every meal, so 6,500 total, my problem to my elec[tricity] 2,500, due date May 6, Wed[nesday]. Sorry about this."

The dialogue continued as follows:

Bern (10:26): Oh, my God! Calculations need to be made and money set aside daily for the electricity bill. Your income must cover that. Are you saying you need 6,500 + 2,500? Nightmares!

Tina (10:34): Yes, Bern, you're right: that [is] da total, 9,000, sorry.

Bern (10:40): I just don't know what to say. I am stunned. Will this nightmare never end? You really need to compare total buying prices and selling prices and include labour [in your calculations].

Tina (10:45): I'm starting to make an order of ulam 30 pesos per order, like other eatery did! I'm try[ing] my best to get low price of stock in d market, that [is] why I do [it] early in d morning.

Bern (10:48): I understand. Hard as it may be, I think you need some account records too, including the cost of everything, even jeepney rides, etc, also total income.

Tina (11:04): Bern, sorry to tell you, I need your advice and decision, coz it's 11 a.m. right now, any time dey will be here, asking their request. I will do d record of expenses and income.

Bern (11:06): I'm all too conscious of that. My debt is far too high, I don't know how I'm ever going to get out of it.

Bern (11:09): I'm so sorry Tina, but with great sadness, I really think the answer must be no. As my banker and doctor have been warning me, I should not continue.

Tina (11:10): I'm hoping that if I can support d demands of orders, in cash, we can survive every expenses for d kids, and save some money.

Bern (11:12): What worries me is that in all the time I've been helping, it's never happened yet. And my debt keeps increasing. I must start repaying them.

Tina (11:25): Right now, if 10 to 15 person came I can serve, almost 15 guards already get their foods in credit, I understand your situation, please help me too, I just want to survive coz of d kids. The adult[s] work hard to help me.

Bern (11:26): I'm still wondering how on earth I can survive.

That was the end of our messaging session. Two and a half hours later, however, in a last-ditch effort, Tina sent a text to my mobile phone:

Tina (14:04*): Gud p.m., I understand your situation, but dis is my chance to have cash customer[s]; they will start to eat breakfast tomorrow a.m.; pls help me, for d sake of my family and child.

I did not respond. The situation left me deeply perturbed, however, and still wrestling with the decision.

* Philippine time, GMT+8.

Millions of Filipinos live in extreme poverty

The Springboard Foundation in Manila helps abandoned, abused, and poor children and their families in many parts of the Philippines. In a statement on the website of the Ayala Foundation USA, Springboard management have pointed out that:

"More than 30 Million Filipinos survive with less than 2 dollars a day. The children of these families suffer. Over one million children in Metro Manila live out on the streets. Their lives are ruled by poverty, ill health and lack of opportunities. Like our own children, they have dreams. They dream of a warm and loving home, they dream of being able to go to school, of playing in the streets instead of roaming them in search of a giving hand . . . Unfortunately for them, their dreams seldom come true."

Tina pleads for help

SMS Texts via Yahoo Messenger, 13:25: GMT+08 to 13:55

Bern: Hi Tina. My apologies if I'm interrupting a seminar. I'm sorry life has no doubt been extremely difficult for you today. I wonder how you are.

Tina: Bern I'm now in seminar, we have lecture right now. But tomorrow we will start d formal seminar; my problem [is that I] need to buy personal needs.

Bern: Thank you for that info Tina. To avoid interrupting your seminar again, I'll text you from Yahoo maybe 3 hours from now.

Tina: I'm not sure if I can [come] back tomorrow in seminar, coz I cannot afford to buy uniform, sorry to say this. Please help me.

Tina: Please help me Bern, so I can buy my needs for seminar.

Bern: This is an extreme situation for both of us. I'll contact you later.

Children are eating; adults will re-open eatery and make candies for sale

Bern (16:08:38 GMT+10): Hi Tina! I trust you received my text messages, especially the last one sent at 1:22 p.m. Philippine time, and that you have load and will be able reply soon.

Tina (16:55:31): Bern sorry for delay reply, we got d money, dis moment d kids was so happy, they are now eating at home, later I buy stock for eatery also chocolate, so we can [make candies for sale] tomorrow, thanks again.

Bern (16:58:12): Oh, thank you so much for that happy information! I'm relieved to hear the children are eating! I've some mixed news from Mel, though: he needs money for job training.

Tina (17:03:25): I'm interested to know what will be his job. Don't worry Bern, I know how important your money is. I will spent it wisely.

Bern (17:04:10): I don't know, but he [Mel] said several days ago that he and Michael would be canvassing supermarkets in Quezon City for work as sales clerks.

Benefactor reluctantly agrees to remit money for hungry families

SMS text messages via Yahoo Messenger program
Time: 10:31:32 GMT+08. Duration: 00:43:20

Tina: Bern, try out text if I sent. Pls, help us. D kids [are] crying coz they are hungry, I want to [start] back in making chocolate [candies for sale] again to have extra income and also [re-open] d eatery; pls help us.

Bern: Tina, with great misgivings, I'll try to help a little, but I'm going deeper into debt. I've finally decided to publish this online, hoping others will help.

Tina: Bern, can you help me start partial capital of 3K of making chocolate, 3K for d eatery, pls. All adult[s] [in the household] will help me to making a chocolate again; total 6K.

Bern: Tina, at 9:03 a.m. you said you were sending your last text and had no money to buy load. What happened? I'm deeply shocked by this sudden emergency. 6K is a lot for me.

Tina: I borrow[ed] 15 pesos load to [i.e. from] my friend, near lunch, we're not eat since a.m., if I have 6K, we can start again, to have business, income for d family, so we will not suffer hunger again.

Bern: I guessed you must have borrowed a little. I'm deeply perturbed but will try to help a little. I can't promise that much.

Tina: OK, thanks a lot, thanks for understanding, d kids will wait to your help, they are happy when I said you will help us, just wait for a little hour & we can buy food later.

Retrenched father returns to work

School vacation starts

This morning Ross advised that he had been recalled to his usual printing work; that the summer school vacation had started for his children, and that his 13-year-old son Kristofer was due to graduate ceremonially from primary school on April 2.

Politician sponsors genital mutilation campaign

Ross also advised that an advertisement at the Better Living subdivision near the family home was publicising a free mass circumcision session in the area, sponsored by a politician. Ross wished he had a camera to take photographs.

It remains to be seen what effect the genital mutilation campaign will have on Ross's family and especially on Kristofer.

In the Philippines, dorsal incision of boys' prepuces - an alteration known as tuli - has long been customary. Uncut high school boys are frequently subjected to severe social pressure until they conform.

Traditionally the mutilation has been performed by men without medical training but over recent decades it has also been performed by medical and paramedical practitioners.

Over the last decade, some medical authorities in the Philippines have been opposing the routine cutting. The most notable of these is Dr Reynaldo Joson, a surgeon at the Ospital Ng Maynila.

Image via Wikipedia

Several years ago, Ross visited the hospital. He was unable to meet Dr Joson, but reported later, with some excitement, that there were signs posted prominently around the hospital saying tuli is painful and unnecessary.

Research by a psychology graduate among 3,500 high school boys in the province of Batangas revealed that 70% of boys cut by non-medical operators and 50% of those done in medical settings showed definite signs of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

* * *

Details of text messages exchanged with Ross , 08:17-08:27 a.m. GMT+08, are shown below.

Ross: Gud morning Bern. I'm back to work; kids [are] on summer vacation, just at home. Kristofer['s] graduation [will be on] April 2. He only wish[es for] ice cream.

I saw political ads at Better Living [subdivision] near our place: it says free "TULI" painless handog pasasalamat Mula Kay: name of politician. I hope I have d camera to take picture.

Bern: Hello Ross! It's lucky you caught me online! Thank God you're back to work! Life is very difficult for me. Tina went to PGH yesterday and is still waiting there today.

I wish so much I could help your family to celebrate your children's school success but my financial situation is extremely difficult now.

Ross: Yes, Bern, I understand you. I hope I [will be] able to help you; texted you to let you know what's happening. Just wanna say hi. We're OK. I wish my job will continue. Thanks, Ross.

Bern: Thanks for that Ross. I hope I'm not interrupting your work right now. Thanks for the information about the Tuli campaign. The surgery is painful and unnecessary.

Hunger and lack of money pervade community

At 7:24 p.m., Filipino time, Tina texted that she had received a message I had sent to her brother-in-law Mel and herself.

Sad to say, Tina advised, Darwin, the live-in partner of her mother-in-law Josie, had not done anything to provide food for Josie or others in Josie's household.

Payday for the Power Station security guards (who owed money to Tina) would be on the forthcoming Thursday night; the problem was how her roadside diner business could survive while she was waiting for the money owing.

One bright aspect was that for Coca-Cola there was "lots of demand" and this would continue until the 15th day of the month.

Underemployed father lacks food for his family; agitated brother-in-law begs for help

Bern (16:58:11): Hello Mel.

Mel [online] (16:58:30): Hi!

Bern (16:58:48): I'm surprised you're online.

Mel (17:00:10): I'm worried about you and me!

Bern (17:00:29): Please explain.

Mel (17:02:36): I want to mention again about help, bcoz I'm worried about my sister Anagel and I'm worried about you, you might have financial problem too.

Bern (17:04:20): It's true that many people ask me for help and my funds are limited. Please tell me more about Anagel's problems.

Mel (17:06:22): Robert is no job bcoz no tourist visit here, he was boatman. [It's] hard for him to work in other place bcoz they have four children to feed.

Bern (17:06:57): Oh.

Mel (17:07:24): Sometimes we shared but not enough, shared for food.

Bern (17:07:49): I see.

Mel (17:09:38): On Monday Angelica and Gilbert go to school again. I'm afraid they don't have food, too, after and before schooling.

Bern (17:10:01): I see. I hate going to Western Union. I want to stop doing it. You must know that it costs me $25 - that's 1,000 pesos - every time I go there, just for fees. That money is totally lost. And that's not counting, of course, the money for the beneficiary.

Mel (17:14:05): I see! And do understand that!

Bern (17:14:41): For the last week Ross in Paranaque has also been begging me for help for his family.

Bern (17:15:50): But there's something else that I've been worrying about a lot. I wonder whether you have really been selling cellphone loads.

Mel (17:17:07): Yes I do! my number when I selling load is this: 0918 . . . 355.

Bern (17:17:22): I think that is not your usual number.

Mel (17:17:54): Sorry, I forgot to tell you about that. Bcoz, Bern, if you register this number my load is automatically lost 2 pesos, that's every day. Like my other number.

Bern (17:19:51): I'm sorry Mel, I don't quite understand what you are saying.

Mel (17:20:47): It's [hard] for me to explain bcoz I'm not good in English. . . . I mean hard for me to explain.

Bern (17:21:31): That really does need some explanation but perhaps there's not time now.

Mel (17:22:12): I can't force you to believe me!

Bern (17:22:40): It's not a matter of being forced to believe something. It's a matter of understanding.

Mel (17:22:58): It's up to you. I'm upset your not believed in me and trust.

Young man's honesty doubted

Bern (11:20:02): Hi Mel. From Australia I successfully loaded Tina's Smart SIM with 900 pesos worth of load she can sell. Please advise your SIM retail info[rmation] so I can do it for you.

Bern (11:21:00) [to Tina]: COPY: Hi Mel. From Australia I . . . loaded Tina's Smart SIM with 900 pesos worth of load she can sell. Please advise your SIM retail info[rmation] so I can do it for you.

Bern (11:28:50): Hi Jester, how are you? I want to load Mel's SIM with about 900 pesos worth of load so he can sell it but I need Mel's retail SIM number. I'd appreciate your help.

Bern: Hi Jomar, how are you? I want to load Mel's SIM with about 900 pesos worth of load so he can sell it but I need Mel's retail SIM number. I'd appreciate your help.

Bern (11:36:03): Hi Tina. Thanks for your texts and e-mail. I've just texted Mel requesting retail SIM details, then also Jester and Jomar, seeking help to get them.

Tina (11:39:38): Bern, according to Nanay Josie Mel have a old cellphone, which he [is] now using, dat why all of your text was receiving by Mel, just for two of us, according to Nanay Josie.

Bern (11:48:14): I'm just waiting and hoping for responses from Mel, Jomar and Jester, so I can get a better idea of what's happening. I'm not optimistic, however.

Tina (16:44:16): Mel using his old cp number +6392 . . . 321, Jomar using his own, according to Nanay Josie, Mel want I redeem d cel from Jomar and buy a brand new TV set, I'm so sorry about it.

Bern (11:46:50): Tina, if I understand correctly, then, Mel has his old cellphone and Jomar has his new one (which I paid for, about August 2007) and they are both working.

Bern (16:48:14): Hello, +6392 . . . 321 is the number Mel got in August. He was using it until he pawned the phone to Jomar. For a month, at least, Mel has wanted a new TV.

Bern (16:51:11): Evidently Mel was using that phone last Sunday, around 4:40 p.m., while walking to San Isidro to help Jomar campaign. None of them replied to me today.

Tina (16:51:42): According to Nanay Josie yesterday dat number using Mel in old cell, right now, Mel was now in bad mood dat why he [doesn't] want to reply, d celphone with camera was d cell pawn[ed] to Jomar.

Tina (16:57:35): When Nanay Josie was her getting groceries, she text Mel if he has still d SIM to retail Smart, sad to say he did not reply, I ask what Mel using? She told me dat number, maybe Mel just to tell you dat his cell with his SIM pawn to Jomar to force you to help him to redeem d cell right away. I'm so sorry about it.

Micro-businesses greatly handicapped by lack of capital

E-mail from Tina sent at 13:56 GMT+8

Dear Bern,

This is the reply e-mail from Joe, which I mention to you, to invest in my store. As I expected, he give his negative opinion.

What I can I do Bern, the canteen manage[d] by Sol will be close till Oct 25. Tell you the truth, she did not buy any more stock right now, coz she just want to collect for the payment on Oct 25.

The stock I buy last Saturday was almost gone, coz all security guard goes to our store. Bern I don't want to get additional capital from 5/6* just to support the needs of guard, coz I don't want to happen to my store [what] happen to the canteen manage by Sol.

I hope you understand, if you have a chance please help me to explain to Joe the situation.

Tina

-----

*5/6: a short-term monelender who charges high interest.

Ministore proprietor's request for financial help coldly rejected

October 19, 17:56 GMT+8: E-mail from Tina to Joe

Dear Joe,

I have a good news, I have a collection worth 5,337 from the other guard[s], here in NPC [National Power Corporation], it was deducted from their salary, last pay day it's only 3,000, now it's increase[d] depend[ing] on how I can have a stock from the store, like rice, can goods, household needs, cigarettes and groceries.

Joe I scan to you the list the name and my collection to prove that the store you provide for us has improvement.

Joe, Jovs now was with us, he continue his work, and serve as a messenger of order.

Joe, our problem now: it's of them ask[ing us] to provide then 25 kls of rice, and other lots of groceries:

25 kls of rice x 30 persons (8 sacks x 1,200) . . . . . . . 9,600

Cigarettes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,000

Load to sale from Globe and Smart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4,000

Groceries, soft drink etc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8,400

Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25,000

Joe, can you help us to have this additional capital for the store. It's a big help for us. I hope this is the only way Jovs make busy to help me in managing the store, and he realize to stay with us.

There is no problem in collection, if I can have this capital I can earn 500 to 1,000 pesos cash daily from the store.

I hope you understand.

Tina

October 21, 20:31 GMT+10: E-mail from Joe to Tina

If you do not make enough from the shop to buy new stock and have some profit left-over, you should not have the shop.

You can NOT rely on me to keep paying for stocking up.

Joe

Philippine president allegedly distributes huge bribes to members of congress

Image by gmaresign via Flickr

Bribe it was

By Antonio C. Abaya

IS there no end to our despair, our despondency, our humiliation over our politics and our politicians?

Some 190 congressmen were summoned to a breakfast meeting in Malacañang with President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo last Thursday, Oct 11. At the end of the meeting, envelopes were allegedly given away to the attendees, each one supposedly containing P200,000 to P500,000 in cash, as “send-off gifts” or “a remembrance” or “help” (See the Philippine Daily Inquirer, Oct. 12.)

In addition, each attending congressman was allegedly promised pork barrel allocation of up to P70 million.

The cash envelopes were given away apparently without any vouchers to be signed by the recipients, without any indication from which department the (presumably public) money was coming from, without any instructions on how or for what purpose the money was to be used and without any indication that the amounts were to be accounted for or liquidated at a certain date.

In other words, each recipient was free to use the cash, partly or fully, for the coming barangay elections or other local community project, or for his or her own personal needs. Which would be a working definition of a bribe.

* * *

Excerpted from The Manila Standard online, October 16, 2007

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Six families of National Power Station security guards lack food to eat

Tina (10:03:57): Gud am Bern, I wake up early, to open d store. Sad to say I cannot raise money for Ken['s] allowance coz I don't have stock to sale, sorry to tell you Bern we don't have food to eat today, specially d kids.

Tina (10:15:14): You know Bern, 5 guard outgoing dis 7 a.m., complaining to me dat there is no rice and food to their house. They are rely[ing] on my store for their needs. [Above texts received online at 14:53 GMT+10]

Bern (15:55): Sent 10000 Western Union 3476808634. I rely on you to take great care. Please try to help Mel also. He should sell loads and also take great care.

Tina (16:07:18): Bern I received your text thank you very much, I will invest your money to d store, and I give 2,500 to Mel to sale load, I will try my best to take care of it.

Bern (16:18:32): Tina, thank you for your confirmation of my text sent 20 minutes ago. I worry that the money isn't enough though, for elec[tricity], stock, Mel's therapy, Jayson etc.

Unemployed young man needs to work and plan for the future

October 05

Bern (16:58:28): Tina Mel contacted me from the computer store. He's very distressed and crying and has just gone offline. Please try to comfort him right now.

Bern (17:16:51): Tina, just now I tried to ring Mel but I can't get through to him. Please try to contact him and comfort him. Also, please try to reply to me soon.

Bern (17:19:04): Hi Mel, it's distressing to me that you are so sad. I tried to ring you just now but, most unfortunately, I couldn't get through. I worry about you.

Tina (17:26:05): Ok I will, I will get d money first. We're on d way to Sta. Cruz now.

Tina (17:29:45): Don't worry too much Bern, I will talk to him, and I also give d money to him, so he can start to sale load again.

Tina (17:31:37): I will text you again after I talk to Mel, we're now near in Sta. Cruz.

Bern (17:36:22): Thank you for that. Mel is very distressed at receiving 2,500 while (as he sees it) you receive 7,500. I think he feels hopeless and neglected.

Tina (17:39:16): Bern, I will pay 3,500, for elec. bill, then 1,000 for Ken['s] tuition fee, I just buy 1 sack rice, 1,200, d rest I buy stock.

Bern (17:42:45): I see. Ken's tuition fees sound high. I wonder how long that is for. Maybe you can explain a little to Mel. I hope he'll be settled enough to discuss things.

Tina (17:45:45): Bern I will buy also 500 for load Smart, 500 for load Globe, I'm so sorry. I hope Mel will understand.

Bern (17:46:51): I certainly hope he will try to. I do care about Mel. If I had money I'd help him far more than I do.

Tina (17:48:24): Don't worry Bern if I have stock in d store and he needs it, I'm wiling to give.

Bern (17:49:02): Thank you very much for that.

Bern (17:50:08): Hi Jester! Sorry it's been so long. I hope you and your family are well. Jester, Mel is very sad. I'd be grateful if you could visit and comfort him very soon. Bern. "Jester will receive your messages on a mobile device."

Bern (20:02:35): Hi Tina. I'd appreciate a report about the family situation soon, and, if possible, news about Mel especially.

Tina (20:05:33): Bern were just on da way home, we buy stock in d store while were in Sta. Cruz, when we got arrived home, we will go to Magdapio to talk and give money to Mel.

Bern (20:06:55): I see. Thank you for that information. I'll be very interested to hear more later tonight.

Tina (21:31:22): Gud evening Bern, sorry if I'm not personally give money to Mel, coz when we got home little Bern was sleeping, and we don't have food to prepared to eat so Jov decide dat he will bring 2,500 alone, coz I'm d one who will take care [of] little Bern at home, I just text Mel dat Jovs was on da way now.

Bern (22:19:57): Tina thanks for your text advising that Jovs was taking money to Mel. I'd be grateful for information about Mel's condition when it becomes available.

Tina (22:37:16): Bern Jovs has been arrived 5 mins ago. He already gave 2,500 to Mel. Nanay Josie was also there. He did not stay long der coz he knows we eat dinner when he return.

Bern (22:39:14): Oh! I hope Josie will be of some comfort to Mel but I'm not confident of that. Also: I want MEL to benefit from that money, not someone else.

Tina (22:43:45): Don't worry Bern, Mel is da one manage his money, Nanay Josie is with Mel always, she is d one carrying water used [by] Mel while taking a bath, washing cloth of Mel, Mel is like a prince in d house, Nanay Josie was just his servant, cooker, cleaning d house etc. Tina.

Bern (22:46:06): Oh. It's curious that Mel never mentions his mother. Really the prince does need to work at any job, no matter how humble.

Tina (22:51:37): I don't know why he did not mention to you Nanay Josie. But I'm so sorry I'm just saying d truth, Mel is like a prince in his way of living, dat [is] my observation.

October 06

Tina (00:20:14): But Mel need to have determination how to earn money by his own [efforts]. Sorry to tell you dis, but he need to think dat you are not always be there to help him, he was 22 yrs old, he need to be responsible [so that] sooner or later he can have his own family and kids. Sorry for telling dis. It's only my opinion. Tina.

Bern (00:21:58): Hello, I'm still here! I meant to be in bed but an American has been contacting me. I can't see how Mel can ever afford a wife and family. Sad but true.

Tina (00:26:04): Yes Bern, I believed and observed it, but Mel need to think about dat in d future.

Bern (00:26:29): Years ago in Penang, Malaysia, I met a youth aged maybe 18 who said he was unable to marry. I thought he saw no way to get out of poverty.

Bern (00:27:03): Maybe Mel feels hopeless about his life changing.

Bern (00:29:11): People say the longest journey starts with a single step. I was hoping that selling loads would at least provide Mel with a little income.

Tina (00:31:39): I observe Mel spend[s] his time with his barkada [comrades], and wait[s for] his allowance from you. I did see any effort or hear any idea to earn money.

Tina (00:33:43): I hope so, in 500 pesos he can start to sale load if he want to.

Tina (00:38:10): Bern I'm worried about you, it's been too late for you to slept, you must take a rest now.

Bern (00:48:57): Sorry, I was distracted by the American. You are right, I should be in bed. I was feeling regretful this morning after too many very late nights.

Tina (00:56:30): Take care of your health Bern, sweets dreams Bern.

Bern (00:57:11): Oh, thank you. And you'd better get some rest too. No doubt you'll be up early. Good night!

Mel feels neglected and greatly distressed

Mel (16:30:22): Bern good afternoon, hope you and Alice are OK, hope you can help me so I can start business and my therapy. LOVE Mel.

Bern (16:32:04): Hi Mel. I just sent Tina money and asked her to help you also. Her electricity was disconnected, the kids have no food and she has no rice to eat or sell.

Bern (16:34:16): Alice is OK. She's resting now. I'm very worried about you and Jayson's family and the families in Kalayaan.

Mel (16:38:07) [online]: Hello Bern!

Mel (16:38:41): I just came outside [the village store with Internet access] waiting for your text.

Bern (16:39:01): Hello Mel!

Mel (16:39:08): I'm glad you are online.

Bern (16:39:36): I am too, but I'm feeling tired and sleepy! Too many late nights!

Mel (16:39:59): Why?

Bern (16:40:23): I've gotten into a bad habit, the same as you, of not going to bed until after midnight.

Mel (16:41:08): I influence you!

Bern (16:41:42): Ha ha. If I can blame you for my bad habit, that's better than having to take the blame myself.

Mel (16:42:44): Ha ha ha! Bern hope would you mind if I asked you how much you sent Tina?

Mel (16:43:26): I'm worried how much she will gave me!

Bern (16:43:50): I sent her 10,000 pesos. She said she'll give you 2,500. I guess she'll have to pay for months of electricity to get it reconnected.

Bern (16:45:09): I don't know how much that will cost. She also said the kids have no food and Ken can't go to school. Also many security guards want to buy food on credit but she can't help them. She hasn't got the stock.

Mel (16:46:50): I don't know what to say, bcoz if I say something you might be angry w/ me. So I will not tell.

Bern (16:47:11): It's probably better if you do tell me.

Mel (16:47:32): OK!

Mel (16:50:12): Last time we text, you said that if you help me I must try to have the sell loads again, but now its impossible bcoz Bern you always helped Tina a lot [more] than me: honestly Bern that's not OK with me! I'm very very jealous. Sorry to say that Bern.

Bern (16:52:31): Mel, I'm only one human being finding it very hard to help many people. It's not just helping Tina. There are 5 small children in the Kalayaan house. Tina said they have no food today. She also said there are hungry families depending on her shop but she can't help them.

Bern (16:53:00): I want to help you Mel, truly, but life is getting very hard.

Mel (16:56:18): Well maybe it's better to not helped me now, I'm crying now, I will tell to Tina that she can use my 2500, I'm OK here! Would you mind, Bern, I will go off line and I will go home. Bye bye.

Bern (16:56:53): Mel please do not say that to Tina.

"Mel has signed out. (5/10/2007 16:57)"

Desperate husband denies food to in-laws' small hungry children, wife alleges

Bern (14:03:27): Hello Tina. I'm so sorry to hear Jovs has been so angry and unfriendly to your sisters and their families. I do hope your situation has improved by now. Tina will receive your messages on a mobile device.

Bern (14:26:30): Hi Jovs, how are you? Still working hard, I guess. Mel texted me requesting financial help again but most regrettably I have very high costs to pay now.

Tina (14:33:30): Yes Bern it's impossible. Liza [did] pay d store till she cannot return to her work [i.e. until she became too ill to work], but Jovs ask me not to continue [helping her], not to give food from d store, but I did not follow, I help other people but I cannot control my self [not] to help d kids' hunger.

Bern (14:41:15): I have some idea of the harsh situation. I'll text Jovs and hope he will explain a little to me but he rarely contacts me.

Bern (14:47:30): Tina, some 50 minutes ago I texted Mel but there was no reply. Twenty minutes ago I texted Jovs, asking about himself and Mel but he didn't reply either.

Tina (14:49:04): You know Bern, it's so hard for me, Jovs continue to his work, I prepared food for him, but he did not stay d house long, his duty was 3 p.m. to 11 p.m., he slept last nite, but this a.m. he go again, I text Mel but Mel said Jovs was there this a.m. ,just eat, and left, he did not know where he goes.

Bern (14:51:34): I see. I'd like to ask Jovs gently about his own welfare and that of his brother and later, if possible, about the other children but I don't think he'd answer me.

Bern (14:53:02): You mentioned that you visited Jov's father. Would it help to talk with him again, I wonder? Also, I wonder if Liza or Laurice or Rod can work in the shop.

Tina (14:58:46): Yes day help me, but Jovs don't want them to do dat.

Bern (15:01:49): I don't know Jov's reasons for not wanting their help, but it seems good to me if they help and you can rely on them to do that.

Sick young man unable to afford therapy requests help

Texts received online at 13:47 GMT+10

Mel (12:11:10): Gud a.m. Bern, sorry I spent my money for therapy today - I can't go today, bcoz the other night and tonight I had fever flue. I buy food med and fruits, that's why!

Mel (12:13:48): Right now Bern I have phlegm and dry cough! Bern hope you can help me to my therapy and to have a load selling too my Smart load is not enough eh! Sorry but please try.

Mel (12:15:19): I hope you will get in touch soon, bcoz I will wait for your touch again Bern, hope you understand me. Ate Gelay [Aunt Anagel] is taking care of me when I'm sick. Love Mel.

Bern (13:53:23): Hello Mel. I'm sorry to hear you are sick. Also, regrettably, I can't help you today. Six days ago Tina said she would hand you 4,000 pesos [US$88.65] from me.

Bern (13:57:53): Mel it was extremely important that you spend and save with great care. Please explain what you did with the 4,000 pesos.