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Visit www.Balita.com Aquino faces tough battle


BY JASON GUTIERREZ MANILA, June 29, 2011 (AFP) – Benigno Aquino won the Phil- ippine presidency on a battle cry to crush corruption and ease deep poverty, but a year into his term he is seen by many to be straining under the weight of his own promises. At a creek-side slum in the outskirts of Manila’s financial district


OPINION I


where Aquino was hugely popular during last year’s election, residents said his vow to lift them out of their misery appeared to have fallen by the wayside. “We thought we had found a savior, but one year after we voted for him to win, what do we have? Nothing,” said Jennifer San Gaspar, a 36-year-old mother of nine children. San Gaspar said she remained an Aquino supporter until a few months ago when she and her neighbors were turned away from a government welfare scheme that distributes billions of pesos to poor families on condition they get health checkups and the children go to school.


“They did not tell us why we were disqualified, the social worker who interviewed us never came back,” she said. “So here we are, nothing has changed. We are still poor.” San Gaspar’s sentiment is apparently shared by many across the impoverished nation as the 51-year-old bachelor president prepares to mark 12 months in office on Thursday with his popularity still high but dropping steadily.


After recording the biggest landslide win in Philippine election his-


tory, Aquino’s popularity rating dropped from a peak of 74 percent in November to 64 percent in June, pollster Social Weather Stations said. While his ratings are still relatively strong, analysts said the slide reflected disappointment that he had not done more to fulfill his chief campaign promises of eradicating corruption and ending poverty. Nevertheless, they pointed out that it was impossible for anyone to quickly fix the enormous economic and corruption problems that festered under his predecessor, Gloria Arroyo, during her nine years in power.


“The bar was set very high for him, and from the very start the cards were stacked against him,” said Antonio Contreras, a political scientist at Manila’s De La Salle University.


“He was painted as a symbol of clean government, a hope for a country after a disastrous administration.”


Contreras said that while he was disappointed overall with Aquino’s first-year performance, the president had at least brought back a sense of ethics and professionalism in public service.


Aquino remains almost unanimously regarded as personally incor- ruptible and voters feel comfortable he will not use his six years in power to build a personal fortune.


This holds particular importance in the Philippines where leaders from national to village level have for decades sought to pilfer state coffers for personal benefit. Global corruption watchdog Transparency International, which ranks the Philippines as the 44th


most country in the world, rated his


administration’s first-year efforts an eight out 10. He has also proved his leadership mettle for many by standing up to the powerful Roman Catholic Church and backing a controversial reproductive health bill that seeks to promote the use of contracep- tives for the poor.


On the economic front, Aquino’s team has so far been given credit as solid managers, with global rating agencies Fitch and Moody’s recently upgrading their investment outlooks for the Philippines. ■


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F YOU are contemplating filing bankruptcy, it is im- portant that you speak with a bankruptcy attorney beforehand. You should discuss your reasons for filing, what assets are exempt and what types of debts can be discharged. Good planning before hand can help you retain. Speak With a Bankruptcy


Attorney


Planning for your bankruptcy not only makes for a smoother process, but also can help you obtain the best possible outcome for your bankruptcy. The Eight Circuit Bankruptcy Court has de- termined that exemption planning can be permissible. This means that you can sit down with your lawyer and discuss what options are available to you, and what assets can be saved under various bankruptcy exemptions. There is a fine line here however, between planning to use your bankruptcy to obtain the best possible result, and misuse of the bankruptcy process.


Do Not Cash In Retirement Funds


People in financial distress often tap into their 401K or other retirement account to pay credit card debt. It is important to know that your retirement accounts (401K and IRAs) are protected in bankruptcy. Unless you are prepared to not only pay down the credit card debt, and the large tax bill that this will cause, it is rarely a good idea. Keep in mind also that most if not all unsecured credit card debt will be discharged in bankruptcy. So you would have in essence spent your retirement money on a debt that will be dis- charged anyway. New Debt


When you meet with your


lawyer, in is important to discuss what recent transactions you have made. It is important to be aware of the various rules regarding the accumulation new debt just prior to your filing.


For instance, if you have charged more than $550 in luxury


BY ATTY. JAMES G. BEIRNE


goods in the past 90 days, it is possible that the bankruptcy court could view this as not dis- chargeable. The same holds true with recent cash advances on a credit card (totaling $825.00 within 70 days of filing). Know What Debts Are Dis-


chargeable


It is important to have a clear understanding of what debt is dischargeable so that you can plan your financial future. It may make sense for instance to stop paying on a debt that will be discharged, or continue making timely pay- ments on a debt that you are planning to reaffirm. Avoid Preference When Pay-


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Weekend, Sat. - Tues., July 2 - 5, 2011 Balita


Planning your bankruptcy


CONSUMER MATTERS


in the bankruptcy planning pro- cess. Your lawyer will be able to present a variety of options that can be pursued, but the timing of them is important. Suffering from financial troubles is stressful. It is important to take every action you can to secure your future, and set your course for renewed financial stability and success. If you are considering bankruptcy, is important to seek legal guid- ance. Speak with an experienced bankruptcy lawyer from the Law Offices of James G. Beirne. Our office has helped thousands of clients stop repossessions, wage garnishments and more. Get back on the road to financial stability and call our office today. We will provide your will legal guidance as well as a free consultation. We have three offices to serve you, Glendale (818) 552-4500, Cer- ritos (562) 865-4480 and West Covina (626) 262-4446. Atty. James G. Beirne, a mem- ber of the highly respected Na- tional Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys and an active member of the State Bar of California, has been handling bankruptcy cases for over a de- cade. His offices are located at 520 E. Wilson Ave., Suite 110, Glendale, CA 91206, and 17215 Studebaker Rd., Suite 380, Cer- ritos, CA 90703, with telephone numbers (818) 552-4500; (562) 865-4480; and (866) 903-4522. He also has offices at 2640 E. Garvey Ave., Suite 104, West Covina 91791, with tel. no. (626) 262-4446.


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Aquino grateful to Hillary Clinton


MANILA, June 29 (Mabu- hay) – President Benigno Simeon Aquino III is grateful for the encouraging remarks made by United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton about the Philip- pine government’s efforts against human trafficking. In a press statement Wednes-


day, presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said Clinton’s statements were “of particular significance as they come from a committed advocate of liberating persons from the evils of human trafficking.”’ Lacierda said Aquino intends to write a letter to thank Clinton for her remarks.


In an interview with CNN


Tuesday, Clinton cited the Phil- ippines as among “the countries that have made a lot of progress” in the campaign.


for praising PHL efforts vs human traffi ck- “Look at what the Philippines have done in a change of adminis- tration,” Clinton told Jim Clancy of CNN International’s Freedom Project.


in Persons Hero Award.


“The Philippines probably ex- port more people of their citizenry than nearly any other country in the world. They go all over the world to work in many different settings,” Clinton said.


“Until the new administration of President Aquino, we didn’t really have the level of commit- ment we were seeking. We do now, and we see a sea change of difference,” Clinton added. Trafficking in Persons Hero award


Meanwhile, Malacañang also commended Darlene Pajarito, Assistant Zamboanga City Pros- ecutor, for receiving the US State Department’s Global Trafficking


“Justice must be done, not only swiftly, but successfully. Atty. Pajarito’s efforts are proof that with official support, inves- tigatory thoroughness and zeal, the filing of cases can result in convictions,” Lacierda said. Lacierda also urged the people to keep working together against human trafficking.


“Government and civil society, the bureaucracy and the citizenry, together, can help make sure that no person works under conditions or circumstances that are against their will,” he said.


The United States on Monday removed the Philippines, which used to belong to Tier 2, from a human trafficking watchlist that drew concerns from the close allies, but it reported persistent abuses around Asia. ■


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