MABUHAY ANG PILIPINAS FORUM ONLINE TEAMS UP WITH PDGG AT THE JADE VINE HOTEL AND RESTO

Pen Power For Democracy

By: Teddy Cho & Ver M. Garcia

Pen Power for Democracy and Good Governance. What's new at the waterfront?

 Opening and Registration Mr. Chando Morallos welcomes the Resource Speaker Mr. Jesus Arranza.

 Mr. Chito Junia Editor of Periodiko Metro also shares his views about the current issues.

 Exchanging some jokes and pleasantries. While at the same time discussing critical issues at the BoC.

 Former BoC Commissioner Atty. Titus Villanueva and Jesus Arranza, both hails from Bicol Province.

 In a huddle and all smiles.

 Reiterating a point in a discord.

 Just making a point of clarification and the right to reply.

 Mr. Benjie Murillo at the rostrum being the Master of the Ceremonies.

Mr. Jesus Arranza delivered an extemporaneous speech. Is he running for Senator this coming May election?

 Photo Ops at the closing of the ceremony. Ms. Susan Amoroso and Media practitioner Mayet Robles in the background.

What's new at the waterfront? is the theme of the fora held at the Jade Vine Hotel and Resto  on April 22, 2015 that started at 5pm up to 9pm.

Guests and panel of speakers are the ff: Seated in photo: Director Jesus Aranza of UCPB, Atty. Titus Villanueva former Commissioner of BoC, Mr. Chando Morallos organizer of PDGG, Ms. Susan Amoroso co-host and organizer of Mabuhay ang Pilipinas Forum Online {MPFO} convenor, Standing from L. Dr. Benedict D. Dorado, Benjie Murillo- Master of Ceremony, Civic Leader Adolfo J. Deala, Businessman and active Civic Leader Mr. Wilson Ng and Arch. Mike Guevarra.

Whether you are a Filipino or not,  graft and corruption affects all of us one way or another. Graft and corruption affects all sectors in the government, particularly the Bureau of Customs (BoC). In a media forum that was organized by the Mabuhay ang Pilipinas forum online headed by Media Practitioner Ms. Susan Amoroso an alumni of the University of the Philippines and by the Pen Power for Democracy and Good Governance (PDGG) held at the classic and illustrious Jade Vine Hotel and Restaurant along UN Avenue, Manila. 

The critical advocacies of PDGG and MPFO is to push forth the eradication of graft and corruption in the BoC which has been the source of problems of importers and exporters alike. 

Other programs that are to be taken up in the subsequent fora are: 

1. Changing our present presidential form of government to a Federal form of  government.

2. Nation-wide education program to develop an intelligent electorate.

3. Creation of a course on leadership to be offered in High School up to college in a school created for this purpose called Philippine Institute for Leadership (PIL)- a civilian counterpart of the Phil. Military Academy (PMA).

4. Campaign to adopt the Jury system of justice such as the one in the United States of America. 

5. Making patriotism part of Philippine history subject in the elementary curriculum.

6. Nation-wide campaign against graft and corruption among graft ridden agencies of the government such as the BIR, PNP and particularly the BoC.

Atty. Titus Villanueva during the Q & A portion at the Media Forum.

In addition, according to Lawyer Titus Villanueva, the government has to find ways and means to collect more taxes in order to provide the basic needs and services of the people. That is why Bureau of Customs (BoC)  is mandated by Law to collect duties and taxes of all imports entering our country. Sad to say as reported in the daily newspaper, the government lost some 200 Billion Pesos annually due to smuggling. To prevent smuggling, Villanueva suggested that to minimize graft and corruption at the BoC it should prevent human intervention from the port to the consignees warehouse.

News worthy inputs of speakers will be published in the Tri-Media in the form of news as well as letter-to the-editor which our members are requested to do. They are also encourage to contribute to the Pen Power News Letter that will be circulated among the members of congress, officials of Local Government Units (LGU's) and the Office of the President. (VerGarciaBlogs)