GMA News Online Public Affairs

'Peripatetic president' and 'Extra service'

June 28, 2009 10:43am
Episode on June 30, 2009
Tuesday night after Saksi


THE PERIPATETIC PRESIDENT
Report by Jiggy Manicad

Since assuming office in 2001, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has made more than 50 trips to 30 countries. An average of six trips a year, she has made the most trips by any President since the post-Marcos years. She might already be called the most peripatetic President swinging from different countries in Asia, Australia, Europe, North and South America. These trips are now drawing criticisms pointing to the billions of pesos used to fund these trips. For the past eight years, according to the Commission on Audit, huge amounts of money were involved. In 2002, P91 million was spent, P123 million in 2003, P156 million in 2004, P200 million in 2005, P480 million in 2006, P622 million in 2007 and still counting. The Palace said most of the travels are state or working visits which gave the country big benefits in terms of investments. Are the million-peso trips of the President justified?

EXTRA SERVICE
Report by Maki Pulido

Massage parlors and spa centers can be found everywhere. But some of these operate discreetly as dens for prostitution, an old trade that used to be rampant in streets but now has transferred to some of these establishments. The situation has become more alarming as minors are also said to be employed these. At an early age, they are already exposed to diseases linked with sexual complications. How do authorities keep an eye on these places?




BIYAHENG GLORIA
Ulat ni Jiggy Manicad

Mula nang siya'y maging Pangulo noong 2001, mahigit 50 biyahe sa 30 bansa na ang nagawa ni Pangulong Arroyo. Siya na raw ang nakapagtala ng pinakamaraming biyahe para sa isang lider ng bansa matapos ang panunungkulan ni Marcos. Mula Asya, Amerika, Europa, Australia, North at South America parang nakapag-around-the-world na ang Pangulo sa dami ng mga bansang kaniyang naikot. Binabatikos ito ngayon ng ilan. Hindi raw biro ang gastos sa mga biyaheng ito. Kung susumahin, sa nakalipas na walong taon, aabot na raw sa bilyong piso ang halagang nagastos sa mga biyahe ng Pangulo ayon sa Commission on Audit. Noong 2002, aabot sa P91 million, P123 million noong 2003, P156 million sa taong 2004, P200 million sa taong 2005, P480 million noong 2006, P622 million sa taong 2007. Patuloy pa ang paglago ng halaga. Ayon sa Palasyo, karamihan sa mga biyahe ay state visits na nakapagbigay ng malaking pakinabang sa bansa. Makatarungan ba ang milyun-milyong halaga sa bawat lipad ng Pangulo?

EXTRA SERVICE
Ulat ni Maki Pulido

Mistulang kabuteng nagsusulputan ang mga massage parlor at spa centers ngayon. Pero marami raw sa mga ito, nagiging pugad ng prostitusyon. Kung noo'y buhay sa kalsada, ngayo'y nagiging talamak na raw ang bentahan ng laman sa ilang establisimiyento. Ang mas nakababahala, ang ilan sa mga ito, isinasabak ang mga masahista kahit sila'y menor de edad pa lamang. May mga nagkakasakit na rin dahil sa kanilang gawain. Nababantayan ba ng mga otoridad ang pangyayaring ito?