Is it true that P20 million actually changed hands in the Ces Drilon kidnapping incident? Reliable reports indicate that the money came in two stages. The first P5 million was supposed to have been raised by the Drilon family. This amount was reportedly handcarried to Zamboanga by Ces Drilon’s lawyer-brother. Reports said that this P5 million was actually received by a ranking personality in Sulu and was, in fact, actually counted in this official’s house.

But the tragedy here is that out of the P5 million, only P2 million reached the kidnappers, while the P3 million was kept by this noted personality in Sulu.

A separate amount of P15 million was actually in those two duffel bags as pictured in the media, ferried to Jolo by a private aircraft owned by a sister company of a giant network. I understand that this aircraft bore an Ilonggo connotation, “Inaec,” and we were informed that onboard the aircraft was a senator.   

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Is it true that a giant network never regularizes its employees but, instead, its personnel remain as casual and temporary workers despite their long stay in the company? 

We have been receiving reports and complaints about this giant network and its treatment of its employees that is clearly antiworker.

It is inhuman to treat workers this way, and if this is the trend in the labor sector, I wonder what the unions are doing and what direction they are taking.

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It is interesting to note how the government and our people are coming up with countermeasures to cope with the soaring price increases of fuel and other commodities.

Many taxicabs have already converted to the use of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) for their fuel needs, while others are experimenting with ethanol mixed with gasoline; still others have turned to electricity to power their engines.

The government is setting aside P1 billion to support the engine-conversion program for buses, jeepneys, taxis and other vehicles to run on much cheaper and environment-friendly LPG or compressed natural gas (CNG), which are about P30 cheaper than diesel. 

Petron Corp. is giving motorists relief with a cheaper unleaded gas mixed with ethanol. Another cheaper diesel substitute is being developed using coconut oil.

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Bakers are coming up with a cheaper and, hopefully, bigger pan de sal using coconut flour as an additive.

Coconut millers have pledged to supply up to 100 metric tons of coconut flour a month to bakers to support this program. Other additives mulled over by bakers are sweet potato (kamote) and squash (kalabasa), which enhances the texture, nutritive value and taste of the breakfast staple. 

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To cut operational costs and ease the burden of travelers, Philippine Airlines (PAL) is limiting free check-in baggage to 23 kilograms a passenger from the present 32 kilograms.

PAL is copying the recent policy of most major airlines. Local airlines are expected to follow suit in line with their savings program.

In the meantime, all are encouraged to channel their brain powers into ways of cutting electrical, fuel, food and travel costs and stretch the value of the peso. Remember that savings is income, and the more savings, the more value we add to our monthly take-home pays. 

Filipinos come up with their best ideas in times when their ingenuity is challenged to cope with the worst times. Expect more bright ideas in the future, and I assure you that the best are yet to come. 

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More good news! San Juan city students Royce Pacibe and Rafi Dimakuta of the Fountain International School grabbed two gold medals in the third young inventors physics project held in Sarajevo and in Tbilisi, Georgia, for their “crystal radio” project, the same invention which won them a bronze medal in the First Yunepo Yunus Emre Invitation for Love and Peace International Project Olympiad in Eskisehir in Ankara.

Congratulations boys! We are proud of you!

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In the wake of the Ces Drilon kidnapping, the Brussels-based International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) described the country as among the most dangerous places for journalists. 

I think this is incorrect. Ces was kidnapped clearly not exclusively because she is a journalist and her companions are media workers, but because Ces represents a prime target, being an important employee of a giant and highly profitable media network. 

In this country where basic freedoms are highly regarded as holy writ and the freedom of speech a sacred birthright, Ces belongs to the media elite and a star property of her company, and because of this, her company will go to all lengths to ensure her safety and well-being. 

The kidnappers’ only objective is money, and, for that, Ces became a juicy target when she appeared on the scene, on the very playground of kidnappers. 

But to conclude that the country is unhealthy for journalists as shown by the Ces kidnapping is, I believe, simply too presumptive of the IFJ.

Editorial: Let there be light

The good news is the government is hastening its rural electrification program, with the National Electrification Administration (NEA) optimistic it can achieve 100-percent barangay electrification by next year. 

Through the Looking Glass: Sweetheart deals: Arroyo’s second front

According to those who wish to revisit the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (Epira) hoping that some of its afflictions might be reversible, one of the most contentious issues misconceived to inflict high electricity prices is the question of cross-ownership.

Coast-To-Coast: An ‘un-Solomonic’ proposition

Thick Face, Black Heart is the title of a book which came out some years back narrating the rampaging ways and practices of corporate titans this part of the world.

Caroline Baum: Dr. Frankenstein brews inflation expectations

Some time in the last decade—it’s hard to pinpoint exactly when—central bankers started talking about inflation expectations as if they had a life of their own.

William Pesek: China debunks ‘domino theory’ in world markets

A funny thing was noticeable as Henry Paulson wrapped up his fourth round of “strategic economic dialogue” talks with China.  It’s not that an ascendant China is being more assertive.

Personal Finance: Life insurance and estate planning

Many Filipinos are unaware of estate planning. Many would have vague ideas of what estate planning is, and to those who do, they would automatically associate estate planning with inheritance taxes.

Reflections from the Mirror: Prime target

Is it true that P20 million actually changed hands in the Ces Drilon kidnapping incident? Reliable reports indicate that the money came in two stages. The first P5 million was supposed to have been raised by the Drilon family.