Malacanang not surprised by Arroyo's low rating

Malacanang said they're not entirely surprised with the low satisfaction rating of Mrs. Arroyo. And, as usual, the palace blamed the opposition and their political enemies for the low rating. Mrs. Arroyo got a negative 31%, with about 56% of the entire Filipino population not satisfied with her government's performance.

One tip though---I think Mrs. Arroyo's rating would definitely increase if and only if the palace admits even once, that it's responsible for some of the problems that we are encountering. Filipinos always warm up to those who admit their mistakes. And I sincerely believe that if the palace starts owning up to these mistakes, they'll be able to at least decrease the number of people that thinks they're still fucking things up.

And if Mrs. Arroyo starts filing criminal and/or civil charges against those whom Filipinos think as making a big buck at their expense, like these oil companies, telecommunications and pharma companies, she'll gain the confidence and trust of the people. Arroyo's rating is really based on people's perception of her inability or her inaction over some issues of critical importance to the masses.

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8:23 AM | 0 comments

Pfizer tried to bribe 100 m to govt, says Enrile

Senator Juan Ponce-Enrile today disclosed that Pfizer Philippines, a pharmaceutical company, reportedly gave 5 million discount cards worth P 100 million just to skirt the implementation of the Cheap Medicines bill. This surfaced during the Senate probe to investigate a possible collusion between government and pharma companies. Pfizer and Roche Philippines also confirmed the meeting they had with Mrs. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Reiner Gloor, executive director of the Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Association of the Philippines confirmed that Pfiser allegedly made the Offer to Department of Health secretary Francisco Duque. The offer was made before the publication of the list of the maximum retail price (MRP) for essential medicines last month. The offer, however, was supposedly rejected by Duque.

Enrile described the offer as tantamount to a "bribe".

During the questioning, Gloor also confirmed that it was Pfizer Philippines which initiated the meeting with Mrs. Arroyo. Present during that closed door meeting were Duque, Trade secretary Peter Favila, representatives of Pfizer and Roche Philippines.

The meeting, which was held during the inauguration of the Dr. Eva Macaraeg Macapagal Geriatric Hospital last July 8, was requested by Pfizer. The President was accompanied by Secretary Duque, Trade Secretary Peter Favila, Trade Assistant Secretary Ma. Lourdes Baua, Congressman Benny Abante, Congressman Junie Cua and DOH-National Drug Policy Program Manager Dr. Robert Louie So.

The multinational industry, on the other hand, was represented by top management namely Mr. Albert Mateo of Pfizer, Mr. Augusto Villanueva of Roche, Mr. Reiner Gloor of PHAP/Zuellig, Mr. Andrew Santos of Wyeth and Mr. Caloy Realuyo of Sanofi.

Arroyo reportedly remarked that she'll sign the Cheap Medicines bill into a law if " they (pharma companies) can't come up with something commendable and good." Gloor and Augusto Villanueva, Roche Philippines representative, however, did not say what Arroyo meant by "commendable and good."

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12:56 AM | 0 comments