To show my support to the recently-launched campaign, here’s my own “more fun in the Philippines” photos:

During my elementary school days, I simply use ROBERT C. REYES in all of my documents and school records. During my 2nd year in high school, then came this frosh who’s name is Robert C. Reyes (I forgot the meaning of his middle initial, but it was not Dela Cruz). Imagine the hardship every time that there will be a Student’s General Assembly (gala Friday) in school and the Principal will call on Robert Reyes – we’ll just have to look at each other first, trying to figure out who’s being called on stage. So I decided to change my middle initial to dC (as in dela Cruz).

Same thing happened to me in college, where there was at least one Robert Reyes and Robert Dela Cruz in the campus.

The matter became more serious when I started to work. In my job (aviation industry), I am required to renew my NBI (National Bureau of Investigation) Clearance annually. From 1998 until 2008, there will be a “hit” every single time that I will attempt to renew my NBI Clearance. Imagine the hassle of not getting your NBI Clearance on your first visit to their office (as you will be compelled to return after 3 days to have your name “cleared”). Root cause of this problem: the NBI Clearance database is NOT updated. You will find someone (your namesake) to have a derogatory record, but checking on their birthdays, the NBI will attest that it is not you! The same cycle goes on and on for a decade.

Then came the time when I have to travel – for leisure or work-related – especially since 2008.

In December of 2007, the Department of Justice under then Secretary Raul Gonzalez issued a Hold Departure Order (HDO) against those who are criticizing the regime of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, to include Fr. Robert Reyes who was charged with sedition and inciting to sedition cases.

Every time I will travel out of the country since then, I will have to secure a NOT THE SAME PERSON certificate from the Bureau of Immigration and Deportation (BID) at Intramuros, Manila. Securing such certification from the BID is no joke as you are required to submit the following:

• Valid NBI Clearance (PHP115.00 AFAIK)
• Recent ID Picture
• Certification from the Department of Justice (DOJ) that you’re NOT the same person charged in a particular case

It may seem that the requirements above are easy to secure, but think again:

• How many hours will it take for one to secure an NBI Clearance nowadays?
• For one to secure a DOJ Certification (at DOJ Padre Faura), you will need to submit: (1) a duly notarized Affidavit of Denial (email me if you want to receive a copy to be used as a template); (2) written letter of request addressed to the DOJ Secretary; and (3) lots and lots of patience is needed for you to secure this certification.
• Oh, did I mentioned that the DOJ Certification will cost you PHP500?

Once the above requirements are at hand, you will need to go back to the Bureau of Immigration & Deportation in Intramuros, Manila to secure a Certificate of Not The Same Person. In fairness to the BID, the entire process of applying for a Not The Same Person certificate will only eat up around 30 minutes of your day, depending on the number of people applying such document when you are there. In my latest experience, I arrived at the BID around 1430H. By 1500H, I was given my claim stub for the certificate. The bad news: the claim stub indicated that the release of the certification will be at 1700H of that day – hours before my scheduled early morning flight. The certification will cost you another PHP500.

Now, what does the Not The Same Person certificate do? Well, it’s just a piece of paper that you will have to show the Immigrations Officer at the airport (of exit) to avoid the delay and hassle of being held up as your name appears in the Hold Departure Order (HDO) list.

One (01) of the two (02) remaining C-130 cargo/transporter planes (ever reliable):

One (01) of the two (02) remaining Bell Huey II Search & Rescue Helicopters – Vietnam War era planes (the PAF acquired license to perform in-house Huey II upgrades circa 2003 based on WikiPedia):

Bragging aside, the Makati City has better fire-fighting equipment than the PAF:

Perhaps one of the ground handling service contractors at the NAIA can donate a newer tow truck and step ladders (air steps) to the PAF:

For the sake of the college students’ safety, CHED Chairperson Patricia B. Licuanan, Ph.D., creating the Official CHED Twitter Account takes less than five (05) minutes of your key personnel’s time – if you do not know how to create one. Why insist of pointing the public to your website, which is not regularly updated (and is hard to navigate if you’re using a mobile device), when millions are already are using social media like Twitter (if you hate Facebook)?

Why don’t you follow the best practices of the DepEd when it comes dissemination of announcements such as suspension of classes?

Respectfully yours,

The Filipino Taxpayers

I may not be aware of the rule details about the implementation of the UVVRP (Unified Vehicle Volume Reduction Program), but I am just voicing out an observation that as we, ordinary citizens living in Metro Manila are abiding by this scheme, we can’t help but notice the number of government vehicles plying the main roads of the metropolis even if they are “color coding”.

The picture of the government vehicle above was taken this afternoon at around 1615H along Rodriguez Avenue in Bangkal, Makati City. The vehicle was in front of me from SLEX towards Magallanes/EDSA then headed towards this busy street in Bangkal.

I hope you can enlighten us on this the soonest. Thank you!

It may not be a big deal for some, but if you’re a public servant (and not an elected person) isn’t that a requirement in the first place? I know for a fact that all those who serve in the government had at least passed the Civil Service Eligibility Exam, in one time or another. In case of PAO lawyers, a law exempted them from taking such exam in order to hold their current positions. But in the case of Atty. Rueda-Acosta, she was holding on to her position before this law was enacted.

I saw her interview on TV tonight, and it is such a shame that no less than the current head of PAO telling the reporter that she took the Civil Service Eligibility Exam just for fun(?) — it’s like slapping the entire Civil Service Commission and those people who took (and passed) their exams.

As a tax payer, I think Atty. Rueda-Acosta should just resign from her post now — out of shame. It is such a disgrace that she got promoted to whatever position in the government she is holding now without passing the Civil Service Exam.

Followed by …

Then I got a response from no less than the Spokesperson of the MMDA …

Then I replied …

And the thread ended with a somewhat concrete solution …

Kung lahat ba ng public servants ay katulad ni Atty. Yves Gonzalez, hindi magtatagal at matutupad ang pangarap natin patungo sa daang matuwid. Mabuhay po kayong lahat sa MMDA!

01 Jan 2011 (New Year’s Day)

25 Feb 2011 (EDSA Revolution Anniversary — Special Holiday for All Schools only)

09 Apr 2011 (Araw ng Kagitingan)

21 Apr 2011 (Maundy Thursday)

22 Apr 2011 (Good Friday)

01 May 2011 (Labor Day)

12 Jun 2011 (Independence Day)

21 Aug 2011 (Ninoy Aquino Day)

29 Aug 2011 (National Heroes Day)

01 Nov 2011 (All Saints Day)

30 Nov 2011 (Bonifacio Day)

25 Dec 2011 (Christmas Day)

30 Dec 2011 (Rizal Day)

31 Dec 2011 (Last Day of the Year)

~ Observance of Eid’l Fitr and Eidul Adha will be determined based on the Islamic calendar (Hijra) or the lunar calendar, or upon Islamic astronomical calculations, whichever is possible or convenient — the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) shall inform the Office of the President on which day the holiday(s) shall fall.

Get a copy of the Proclamation here:

Let me tell you what happened to me tonight on the way home at around 1900H:

Going home, my usual route from SLEX is towards EDSA-Magallanes turning right to Rodriguez Avenue in Bangkal, Makati City. Yes, that barangay where the doomed West Tower is.

Some 20 meters from EDSA along Rodriguez Avenue (a one-way street from EDSA going in to the village/barangay), a white pick-up truck with blue & red strobe lights mounted on its top came out of nowhere some two (02) cars in front of me.

At the corner of Gen. Cailles St (yes, I know all of the streets in the village by heart as I grew up there), this white pick-up truck with blue & red strobe lights mounted on its top turned on its headlights into high beam: somewhat signalling me to pull over and give way to it. Heck! I was at the right of way, in the first place, and he’s just making a counter-flow to a one-way street) so I did not obliged, thus turned my headlights into high beam, too. The white pick-up truck (yah! the same vehicle with blue & read strobe lights mounted on its top) honked on me. One this is noticeable, the sound of its horn is similar to the ones being used by PNP and PSG vehicles — yes, a siren (di ba bawal na yun?!)! As I pass by the vehicle, I lowered my window and I can see the sharp look of the driver in uniform (and cap) at me. Not intimidated, I uttered, “bossing, one-way ang pinasukan ninyo” even if I noticed that his window is not rolled down. As there was already around two or three cars behind me, he had no choice but to pullover and give way to us. As I peek in my side mirror, I can clearly see at the rear of the pick-up truck the words “SKYWAY PATROL xx” — I can’t clearly see the number as it was night time already and that corner of Rodriguez Avenue is somewhat not well lit.

So, it was one of your Skyway Marshalls who’s driving the pick-up truck, right? The thing is, how can you instill discipline amongst motorist when your people, themselves are the ones not following even the simplest of traffic rules & regulations, such as a one-way street?

I already sent email to corpcomm@cmmtc.com and skyway@skyway.com.ph, just in case you missed reading it. Don’t you worry, next time, I’ll make sure that I will get the pick-up truck body number and picture, if I can.

Thank you!

(Image taken from here)

Update 01: Here’s the response of the Skyway management ..

24 November 2010

Dear Mr. Reyes,

We have eventually learned from the Traffic Officer driving the patrol vehicle and his companion Traffic Enforcer that your report of the incident was accurate and indeed took place after they had dinner at a nearby eatery. They expressed regret for their actions and are extending their apologies to you.

In our company, the assignment of our Traffic Management, Security and Safety Department (TMSSD) staff to Patrol Vehicles is considered both a significant honor and a great responsibility. Because of their actions that night, we have determined that the errant Traffic Officer and Enforcer no longer deserve our confidence to be on a Patrol Vehicle.

Effective today, the Traffic Officer has been assigned to help direct traffic on interchanges (i.e. Bicutan and Sucat) and the Traffic Enforcer to patrol on foot the on and off ramps (i.e. Don Bosco, Amorsolo, Buendia, etc.). The investigation report and findings shall be included in their official company records. The incident and the action taken by us will be
included in the forthcoming briefings of our other TMSSD Patrol Vehicle staff.

Please accept my apologies on behalf of the Skyway O & M Corporation.

In closing, I would like to thank you for taking the time and effort to report the matter to us.

Sincerely,
Ramon M. Borromeo
Officer-In-Charge, Office of the President & CEO
Skyway O & M Corporation

P.S. All our Patrol Vehicles and Motorcycles have authority from the government to possess and use sirens and blinkers. We remind our staff that they are authorized to use sirens and blinkers, not to abuse them.

Full text of the proclamation can be read online at the Official Gazette.