Jeremias Andrade Carrera
8 Nov 2006

Mr. Jun Velasco’s column this week on the so-called greatness of China as observed by GMA and her delegation is again like the “cono tan cuanda” reporting. It is not “THINK ABOUT IT”.

First he did not think when he said that the population of China is 1.6 billion. This is false and a disservice especially to students. Second is the simplistic reasoning provided why China can progress to where it is now and why the Philippines can not - there is unity among the Chinese and Filipinos are only “mahilig sa away”.

Actually there is also EXCELLENT UNITY among the Filipino politicians in robbing the Filipino people through the “PORK BARREL SYSTEM”-that is why projects are mostly not completed within budget and on time. In China, corrupt politicians face the firing squad, period, while in the Philippines, politicians are allowed or even encouraged to rob, extort, plunder the country (masyadong garapal sa PINAS - mayroon din sa China or USA). The people in the Philippines are enjoying the civil liberties (except economic liberties) or mostly without control while in China, they are strictly under control including the number of children that a family is allowed to have.

I always believe that journalists are supposed to “THINK” about what they write unless one is a PCE like Jun Velasco.

Isidro Ramos
8 Nov 2006

A few lessons from the China visit by Mr. J Velasco did not see the motive by the current Philippine President. She wants to make a disciple out of her group and what China showed them was the model for the world to see. I hope the group was smart enough to ask the Chinese officials what the occupancy/vacancy rate of the office/hotel buildings they saw. They should have also inquired what they may had on the living and health conditions of the labor force and the overall environmental impact on the surrounding areas that is affected by the phenomenal growth so that the Arroyo party could feel good on what they have seen and apply on what they have learned and not just get snowplowed by the glitter on the surface. Columnist writers from various Philippine presses should be the vanguard for a true and honest reporting for the masses’ education and information.