Oh well, I’m not a medical person, but seriously, I hate the effects of anesthesia. It is convenient to the doctors because we will never feel any pain. But the pain is saved after the drug is gone.
Last Wednesday, I had my Tonsillectomy operation. (Don’t ask me why. HAHA) The usual trend, IVs etc. I was admitted in PGH, or Pamantasang Ospital ng Maynila. The name says it all, but its name is clouded by zero customer service slogan. Basically I was admitted in pay ward section, the rooms are nice, actually PGH’s rooms are a lot better than those hospitals I’ve been to. (Oh yes, I’m a sweet sick little child.) The actual room ambiance is good, BUT, the some nurses are NOT NICE. I will stress it again, they are NOT nice. I will begin in saying that they are some malditas we see everyday in public office that don’t have a heart in public service. I’ll just remind you of Article XI Section 1 of our 1987 Constitution,
Public office is a public trust. Public officers and employees must at all times be accountable to the people, serve them with outmost responsibility, integrity, loyalty and efficiency, act with patriotism and justice, and lead modest lives. (Emphasis supplied)
I opt not to give the details of what happened in the hospital, they may charge me for violation of their due process. Anyway, it is settled. To be fair, my words are clear, “some” nurses are not nice. So, it means that some other nurses are nice.
To voice out the concern of this entry, I would like to stress the true public service as they say, or as our laws defined it. EVERYBODY has the right to have a good or best public service. Whatever profession you may be, public service is a PUBLIC trust, don’t try to make it a public RUST.
Barangay in our political law is considered as the smallest political unit. Local Government Code of 1991 gave the primary role of a barangay.
Section 384. Role of Barangay. - As the basic political unit, the barangay serves as the primary planning and implementing unit of the government policies, plans, programs, projects, and activities in the community, and as a forum wherein the collective views of people may be expressed, crystallized and considered, and where disputes may amicably settled. (Emphasis supplied)
The definition gave as the whole powers and duties of barangay. When I researched some past barangay elections, I saw the low turn out of votes. Maybe they are not interested on barangay elections, since it has a small territorial jurisdiction. Before we proceed further, let’s dissect what comprises Barangay as a Local Government Unit.
Barangay as an elective post consists of Barangay Captain or Punong Barangay and 7 Sangguniang Barangay members. Also SK officers are included. In the same law mentioned, it expressly states the qualifications of the said electoral posts.
Section 39. Qualifications - …
e. Candidates for Punong Barangay or member of the sangguniang barangay must be at least 18 years of age on election day.
f. Candidates for the sangguninang kabataan must be at least 15 years of age but not more than 21 years of age on election day. (Emphasis supplied)
As a political unit, barangay has a power of local legislation, this means that the barangay can enact their own ordinances provided that it is not contrary to law. So, if we are wondering who in barangay enacts or creates this ordinances, the people behind it are the Kagawad. We can consider Kagawad as a barangay version of a Congressman or a Senator. Their duty is to create an ordinance that will help barangay achieve its goals. Not only ordinances, they can also enact tax ordinances.
The powers of Kagawad or Sangguniang Barangay is not absolute, the Barangay Captain still have the veto powers if he sees that the ordinance is not complying with the law. Veto power is one of the powers vested in a barangay captain. To see what a barangay captain is, we can consider him as a mayor in his territorial jurisdiction. Basically he is the chief executive of his territory. Also, as mandated by the Rules of Court, he is obliged to conduct a necessary amicable settlement to his conflicting constituents. As a mandatory requirement, the courts can easily dismiss a case if it failed to comply in this settlement. This body is called as “Lupon ng Barangay”.
Lastly, the term of office of barangay officials and sangguniang kabataan shall be for 5 years. (Sec.43(f), Local Government Code of 1991)
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Given the fact that a barangay officials has a small territorial jurisdiction, it has a power like an elective official in bigger territorial jurisdiction. So, even we say it is cliche-ish, let’s vote wisely, and let’s hope for a BETTER officials for a BETTER Philippines.
Meet my Dexter, our new doggy! Though Tootsie and him are in not in good terms right now, I’m sure in time they will be best friends! Haha! I believe in the saying, everything takes time. Silly post. :)
National Sleep Foundation
(Source: sleepfoundation.org)