Wednesday, September 4, 2019

Essay on the Transformation of Beowulf -- Epic Beowulf essays

The Transformation of Beowulf In the length of the poem, Beowulf goes from abandoned child to gallant warrior to King. This transformation, expressed in the tone and content of the poem, shows the importance of the relationship between lord and thane and expresses the ultimate value of that connection. From the difference in battle scenes to Beowulf’s speeches, it is clear that he has gone from a somewhat self-loving hero to a selfless king. Within this change he also goes from serving a lord to becoming a lord, and in that way the poem shows us the importance of both sides of the relationship. Initially it is said that Beowulf goes to flight Grendel because, "he could not brook or abide the fact / that anyone else alive under heaven / might enjoy greater regard than he did" (43). In the end he fights the dragon more for the good of his people than for his own pride; he dies relieved because "[he] has been allowed to leave [his] people / so well endowed" (2796). The battle scenes themselves are also an indicat...

Tuesday, September 3, 2019

Essay on Social Position Reflected in Roxana and Emma :: Roxana and Emma Essays

Social Position Reflected in Roxana and Emma   Ã‚   There were severe conflicts between the City party and the Country party in 18th century Britain. The Country party, mainly composed of gentry, was based on landed interest and the City party made money through trade and was based on moneyed interest. The Country party passed the Landed Property Qualification Act to maintain their power. However, this act merely encouraged more men of wealth to buy country estate, in many cases displacing old landed families who truly represented the  ¡Ã‚ °landed interest. ¡Ã‚ ±[1][1] We can see this changing of power through these two works, Roxana and Emma. Daniel Defoe was born in London, so he naturally engaged in City party. Roxana ¡Ã‚ ¯s background is mainly city while that of Emma is the little country society called Highbury. As we can see the difference of the background of two works, we can also find some different attitude toward City and Country in these two works. I will write about these differences in point of the conception of g entleman, rank and different attitude to City lives.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Defoe indicates that younger sons who have careers in law and trade are the backbone of the English Nation. The uneducated eldest son is an insult to the word gentleman: he is a man of no use to himself or to others.[2][2] He thinks that trade is more important than land. We can find this attitude in Roxana. Roxana says,  ¡Ã‚ °a true bred Merchant is the best Gentleman in the Nation; that in Knowledge, in Manners, in Judgement of things, the Merchant out-did many of the Nobility ¡Ã‚ ± (Roxana 170, The page numbers of further references from Roxana will be put in parentheses in the text).   She also says  ¡Ã‚ °That an Estate is a Pond; but that a Trade was a Spring ¡Ã‚ ±(170). The Dutch merchant also says that  ¡Ã‚ °the Tradesmen in London, speaking of the better sort of Trades, cou ¡Ã‚ ¯d spend more Money in their Families, and yet give better Fortunes to their Children, than, generally speaking, the Gentry of England from a 1000 l ¡Ã‚ ±(170). We can know that Roxana has a very positive view to a merchant from this. She thinks that a merchant is better than gentry.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   However, it is viewed differently, as shown in Emma. When Emma talks about the father of Mrs. Elton, she says like this :  ¡Ã‚ ° a Bristol ? merchant, of course, he must be called; but, as the whole of the profits of his mercantile life appeared so very moderate, it was not unfair to guess the dignity of his live of trade had been very moderate also ¡Ã‚ ±(Emma, 164).

Monday, September 2, 2019

Leonardo Da Vinca :: Essays Papers

Leonardo Da Vinca The illegitimate son of a 25-year-old notary, Ser Piero, and peasant girl, Caterina, Leonardo was born on April 15, 1452, in Vinci, Italy, just outside Florence. His father took custody of the little fellow shortly after his birth, while his mother married someone else and moved to a neighboring town. They kept on having kids, although not with each other, and they eventually supplied him with a total of 17 half sisters and brothers. Growing up in his father's Vinci home, Leonardo had access to scholarly texts owned by family and friends. He was also exposed to Vinci's longstanding painting tradition, and when he was about 15 his father apprenticed him to the renowned workshop of Andrea del Verrochio in Florence. Even as an apprentice, Leonardo demonstrated his colossal talent. Indeed, his genius seems to have seeped into a number of pieces produced by the Verrocchio's workshop from the period 1470 to 1475. Leonardo got his start as an artist around 1469. Verocchio's specialty was perspective, which artists had only recently begun to get the hang of, and Leonardo quickly mastered its challenges. In fact, Leonardo quickly surpassed Verocchio, and by the time he was in his early twenties he was downright famous. For example, one of Leonardo's first big breaks was to paint an angel in Verrochio's "Baptism of Christ," and Leonardo was so much better than his master's that Verrochio allegedly resolved never to paint a gain. Leonardo stayed in the Verrocchio workshop until 1477 when he set up a shingle for himself. In search of new challenges and the big bucks, he entered the service of the Duke of Milan in 1482, abandoning his first commission in Florence, "The Adoration of the Magi". He spent 17 years in Milan, leaving only after Duke Ludovico Sforza's fall from power in 1499. It was during these years that Leonardo hit his stride, reaching new heights of scientific and artistic achievement. One of his most popular early works, "The Adoration of the Magi," was painted in 1481 for the Monastery of San Donato a Scopeto as an altar piece. It was never finished due to his departure for Milan, where he offered his services to Duke Ludovico il Moro. He worked on the Duomo in Milan and the Duomo and Castle in pavia; and painted the Madonna of the Rocks and the Last Supper at this time. Leonardo Da Vinca :: Essays Papers Leonardo Da Vinca The illegitimate son of a 25-year-old notary, Ser Piero, and peasant girl, Caterina, Leonardo was born on April 15, 1452, in Vinci, Italy, just outside Florence. His father took custody of the little fellow shortly after his birth, while his mother married someone else and moved to a neighboring town. They kept on having kids, although not with each other, and they eventually supplied him with a total of 17 half sisters and brothers. Growing up in his father's Vinci home, Leonardo had access to scholarly texts owned by family and friends. He was also exposed to Vinci's longstanding painting tradition, and when he was about 15 his father apprenticed him to the renowned workshop of Andrea del Verrochio in Florence. Even as an apprentice, Leonardo demonstrated his colossal talent. Indeed, his genius seems to have seeped into a number of pieces produced by the Verrocchio's workshop from the period 1470 to 1475. Leonardo got his start as an artist around 1469. Verocchio's specialty was perspective, which artists had only recently begun to get the hang of, and Leonardo quickly mastered its challenges. In fact, Leonardo quickly surpassed Verocchio, and by the time he was in his early twenties he was downright famous. For example, one of Leonardo's first big breaks was to paint an angel in Verrochio's "Baptism of Christ," and Leonardo was so much better than his master's that Verrochio allegedly resolved never to paint a gain. Leonardo stayed in the Verrocchio workshop until 1477 when he set up a shingle for himself. In search of new challenges and the big bucks, he entered the service of the Duke of Milan in 1482, abandoning his first commission in Florence, "The Adoration of the Magi". He spent 17 years in Milan, leaving only after Duke Ludovico Sforza's fall from power in 1499. It was during these years that Leonardo hit his stride, reaching new heights of scientific and artistic achievement. One of his most popular early works, "The Adoration of the Magi," was painted in 1481 for the Monastery of San Donato a Scopeto as an altar piece. It was never finished due to his departure for Milan, where he offered his services to Duke Ludovico il Moro. He worked on the Duomo in Milan and the Duomo and Castle in pavia; and painted the Madonna of the Rocks and the Last Supper at this time.

Sunday, September 1, 2019

Khan Jr. V. Simbillo

KHAN, JR. V SIMBILLO YNARES-SANTIAGO; August 19, 2003 (apple maramba) NATURE ADMINISTRATIVE MATTER in the Supreme Court and SPECIAL CIVIL ACTION in the Supreme Court. Certiorari. FACTS – Atty. Rizalino Simbillo publicized his legal services in the July 5, 2000 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer via a paid advertisement which read: â€Å"Annulment of Marriage Specialist 532-4333/521-2667. † – A staff member of the Public Information Office of the Supreme Court took notice and called the number posing as an interested party. She spoke to Mrs.Simbillo, who said that her husband was an expert in handling annulment cases and can guarantee a court decree within four to six months, and that the fee was P48,000. – Further research by the Office of the Court Administrator and the Public Information Office revealed that similar ads were published in the August 2 and 6, 2000 issues of the Manila Bulletin and August 5, 2000 issue of the Philippine Star. – A tty. Ismael Khan, Jr. , in his capacity as Assistant Court Administrator and Chief of the Public Information Office filed an administrative complaint against Atty.Simbillo for improper advertising and solicitation in violation of Rule 2. 03 and Rule 3. 01 of the Code of Professional Responsibility and Rule 138, Section 27 of the Rules of Court. – The case was referred to the IBP for investigation, report and recommendation. – IBP found respondent guilty – Respondent filed an Urgent Motion for Reconsideration, which was denied – Hence, this petition for certiorari ISSUE WON Atty. Rizalino Simbillo is guilty of violating Rule 2. 03 and Rule 3. 1 of the Code of Professional Responsibility and Rule 138, Section 27 of the Rules of Court HELD Yes. Petitioner was suspended from the practice of law for one year and was sternly warned that a repetition of the same or similar offense will be dealt with more severely. Ratio The practice of law is not a business. It is a profession in which duty to public service, not money is the primary consideration. Reasoning – Rule 2. 03 – A lawyer shall not do or permit to be done any act designed primarily to solicit legal business. – Rule 3. 1 – A lawyer shall not use or permit the use of any false, fraudulent, misleading, deceptive, undignified, selflaudatory or unfair statement or claim regarding his qualifications or legal services. – Rule 138, Sec 27 of the Rules of Court states: Disbarment and suspension of attorneys by Supreme Court, grounds therefore. — A member of the bar may be disbarred or suspended from his office as attorney by the Supreme Court for any deceit, malpractice, or other gross misconduct in such office, grossly immoral conduct or by reason of his conviction of a crime nvolving moral turpitude, or for any violation of the oath which he is required to take before the admission to practice, or for a willful disobedience appearing as attorney for a party without authority to do so. – The following elements distinguish legal profession from business: 1. A duty of public service 2. A relation as an â€Å"officer of the court† to the administration of justice involving thorough sincerity, integrity and reliability 3. A relation to clients in the highest degree of fiduciary 4. A relation to colleagues at the bar characterized by candor, fairness, and unwillingness to esort to current business methods of advertising and encroachment on their practice, or dealing directly with their clients. – Respondent advertised himself as an â€Å"Annulment Specialist,† and by this he undermined the stability and sanctity of marriage —encouraging people who might have otherwise been disinclined and would have refrained form dissolving their marriage bonds, to do so. – Solicitation of legal business sis not altogether proscribed, however, for solicitation to be proper, it must be compatible with th e dignity of the legal profession.

Saturday, August 31, 2019

My Hialeah Story

Since I came to live in the United States five years ago, I being in Hialeah all the time, this is my city and my neighborhood. I have found the place where I fell like home a large part of my family lives here and I have found the best people and friends here and full the space left empty when I left my country. In the future I may have to change the city, State or maybe just move to another city but I doesn’t matter where I am Hialeah will always be in my memories and I will never forget it. A day of May of two thousand and six I have to sadly move out of my country, leaving behind my city my house, family and friends, the school and all the places and the people that I grow up with and spend very good moments, the most precious things for a seventeen years old boy, and before I could realize all this changes I was already in Hialeah, this when my Hialeah story begins. At this moment everything turns very confusing and inacceptable but now I look back and I don’t regret anything, Hialeah it was the place where everybody welcomes me with open hands and smiles, the reunion with my family was a memorable moment, many of them that I haven’t saw for teen years other I didn’t even know personally and other like my parent and my sister I was crazy to hug them an kiss them. When I realize that I have to start a new life I thought it would be hard but actually it was easy in the school everybody was friendly and helpful the teachers great and the school beautiful at this moment I star felling in home or could say better at this new home. With the pass of the time I would notice that in my new hometown I have many things that I didn’t have in the old one and with a short time I star missing less and less until the day of today that in working and living in the same place, all my family lives here I have many friend and a lifetime of memories build around Hialeah my city. To resume I would say that I’m very happy to end up in Hialeah. Now that I know more people from here and from my country not everyone have the opportunity to live in a fun and happy city like mine. The City of The Progress offer me a lot of opportunities and is situated in a great sunny place with a close beach and best people of the word and because of this and more I love Hialeah.

Good Manners Are Infectious

From my perspective,it is my belief that good manners are infectious. As we all know,smiles are infectious. So do good manners. First of all,as we all live in a society,we cannot escape the influence of others any more than we can escape the influence of the air that we breathe. Thus,more or less,showing good manners can have a positive effect on those around us. For example,when other people are waiting outside politely for people in the elevator to get off first,will you rush into the elevator?Or when you are in a library where most of the people keep quite,will you answer a phone or making some big noise without scruple? We don't exclude the possibility that some people will do this. However,I think the majority would follow the good examples. Being exposed to good manners,people are more likely to behave properly. Furthermore,I am convinced that good manners are powerful,for they can polish one's personality and help people to reach out the one another with less barriers.Encourag ing good manners can help set a fine example to the public and guide people to set up a correct morality. Like a contagious disease,good manners spread among people and slightly make some changes. These changes,slight as they may seem,can really make a different. If everyone has developed good manners,people will form a more harmonious relation. With the behavior of people improved,there will be progress in society. In a word,good manners are infectious and we should try to obtain these.

Friday, August 30, 2019

Research in the Mood

http://dnsc. academia. edu/ennelgArugal Final Paper in PA 231 Public Fiscal Administration Glenne B. Lagura Gaming || Gambling (Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation – PAGCor) Submitted to: DR. ANTONIO M. FAUNILLIAN JR. , MPA Instructor Submitted by: Glenne B. Lagura UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHEASTERN PHILIPPINES BO. OBRERO, DAVAO CITY College of Governance and Business Master of Public Administration April 10, 2012 1 Glenne B. Lagura Outline: I. Introduction a) b) c) d) Background of PAGCor Board of Directors Management PAGCor’s Operational Highlights ? Sources of PAGCor’s income ? PAGCor’s earnings ?PAGCor’s contribution to nation building II. Discussion a) Where does PAGCor’s income go? b) Corporate Social Responsibilities of PAGCor III. Analyses a) Social Problems b) Reduce Revenue? c) PAGCor: Problems and Challenges ? Illegal becomes Legal ? Aware or Unaware? or Aware to be Unaware? ? Institutional Problems d) Anomalies ? Regulate†¦ A uthorize†¦ WATCHED! ? Is gambling a cursed? e) Corruptions f) Recent Issues IV. Possible Solutions and Recommendations a) b) c) d) e) Maintain the Status Quo; PAGCOR to concentrate on its regulatory function; Privatization; Abolish and close PAGCOR; and Formulated solutions from a study.V. VI. Conclusion References 2 I. Introduction A. Background of PAGCor The role and impact of Government-Owned and Control Corporation (GOCC) on the fiscal position of the government and the economy continue to be significant to this day. Despite reforms undertaken in the past, according to the Commission on Audit, there remain around one hundred thirty three GOCCs operating in the areas of agriculture, transportation, infrastructure, public utilities, provision of housing, industrial development and finance. The dismal performance of many of these corporations has contributed to the fiscal deficits of the public sector.As defined under PD 2029, GOCC is â€Å"a stock or a non-stock corporation, whether performing governmental or proprietary functions, which is directly chartered by special law or, if organized under the general corporation law, is owned or controlled by the government directly or indirectly through a parent corporation or subsidiary corporation, the extent of at least a majority of its outstanding capital stock or of its outstanding voting capital stock. † Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCor) is a 100 percent government-owned and controlled corporation.It was established to regulate all games of chance in the country. It was created in 1977 to oversee the operation of gaming casinos, to generate funds for the government’s developmental projects, to promote tourism in the country, and to help curb illegal gambling. PAGCor had an initial authorized capital stock of P5 million which was later increased to P200 million. PAGCor is authorized to borrow money from local or foreign sources. Half of PAGCor’s earnings are remitte d to the Bureau of the Treasury (BOT) to be used in programs and projects as directed and authorized by the Office of the President of the Philippines.This is aside from the mandated beneficiaries which receive funding from PAGCor. Its remaining funds form part of the Social Fund to finance infrastructure and/or socio-civic projects. The Corporation was created during the Martial Law years by virtue of a Presidential Decree (PD 1067-A) in response to calls for the Philippine Government to put a stop to the growing proliferation of illegal casino operations in various parts of the country then. The law creating PAGCor was later amended and consolidated by PD 1896 otherwise known as the PAGCor Charter.Under this Charter, PAGCOR is mandated to: ? Regulate, authorize and license games of chance, games of cards and games of numbers, particularly casino gaming in the Philippines; ? Generate revenues for the Philippine Government’s socio-civic and national development programs; and ? Help promote the Philippine tourism industry. In June 2007, Republic Act 9847 was passed by the Philippine Congress, extending the corporate life of the state-run gaming firm by 25 years, renewable for another 25 years. It also prescribed the following amendments to the PAGCor Charter: 3 ? ? ? ?PAGCor can enter into agreements including joint venture, with any person, firm, association or corporation; Requirements to obtain consent of the local government authority that has territorial jurisdiction over the area chosen as site for any PAGCor’s operations; Exclusion of jai alai from PAGCor operations; and Delimitation of regulatory authority and power over gaming activities covered by other existing franchises, regulatory bodies or special laws. Presently, PAGCor is the third largest revenue-generating arm of the government next to the BIR and the Bureau of Customs.From January to November 2011, PAGCor generated gross revenue of P33. 15 billion, P15. 51 billion of which was channeled to large-scale socio-civic programs. B. Board of Directors The Board of Directors is composed of five (5) members, three (3) of whom shall come from the government sector and shall be appointed by the President of the Philippines and the other two (2) shall come from the private sector who own at least 1 share of stock in the corporation and shall be elected by the stockholders of the corporation in the annual general meeting or in a special meeting called for such purpose.Each Director shall serve for a term of one (1) year and until his successor shall have been duly qualified and appointed. C. Management PAGCor is managed by its Chief Executive Officer who is the concurrent Chairman of the Board. He is assisted by PAGCor’s President and concurrent Chief Operating Officer, a Vice-President for Administration, and various department heads. 134 Personnel management policies set by the Board of Directors govern the hiring of personnel.All employees of the casinos and related services are classified as â€Å"confidential† appointees and their employment is exempt from the provisions of the Labor Code or any of its implementing rules and regulations. As such, employee unions or any form of employee associations are not allowed to be formed to ensure continuous and uninterrupted service to its customers. D. PAGCor’s Operational Highlights PAGCor is engaged in the business of gaming and is the only entity franchised by the government to operate casinos in the country. Its major product lines consist of table games, slot machines, and chip washing.It also offers internet gaming, internet sports betting, and bingo and slot machine demo units. Internationally recognized games like Baccarat, Black Jack, Roulette, Craps, Big & Small, Pai Gow Poker, Stud Poker, Pontoon, and Super 6 are available in its Casino Filipino branches. Aside from table games and slot machines, PAGCor has also expanded its operations to include the conduct and regul ation of bingo games as it expands the image of Casino Filipino from a gaming venue into a vehicle for wholesome entertainment for the whole family. 4 With all those line of business transactions, PAGCor is set to uphold its olicy by constantly upgrading and using a state-of-the-art technology to make it at par with the top gaming destinations of the world as it puts into action its vision of becoming â€Å"A Global Corporation with a Global Mindset and a Filipino Heart. † ? Sources of PAGCor’s Income PAGCor derives bulk of its income from the winnings of the gaming, slot machine and in-house bingo operations of its different casino branches. The corporation also gets substantial earnings from other sources like its other regulated gaming activities such as private licensed casinos, poker operations, commercial bingo operations, E-games and others. PAGCor’s earnings PAGCor is the Philippine government third largest revenue-generating arm, next to the Bureau of I nternal Revenue (BIR) and the Bureau of Customs (BOC). From the time the government went into the direct management’s and supervision of casino operations in 1986 up to December 31 2010, PAGCor generated a staggering gross revenues of P355. 575 billion. ? PAGCor’s contributions to nation building Of the P355. 775 billion total revenues over the last 25 years, PAGCor’s contributions to nation building amounted to P203. 646 billion, which comprised 57% of the agency’s gross earnings during the period.These contributions were in the form of remittances to the BIR and the National Treasury which went directly to government coffers for funding farreaching and wide-ranging national; the Philippines Sports Commission for the training of the country’s national athletes in international sporting events and in cultivating Philippine sports at the grassroots; the Board of Claims to give justice to those who were wrongly accused or prosecuted; hundreds of comm unity development programs of nationwide implemented through the efforts of PAGCor’s casino host-cities which get a share from the corporation’s revenues; and the Presidents Social Fund which has been tapped to finance high impact programs such as construction of school bui8ldings, provision of potable water systems in the countryside, and funding of livelihood programs for the marginalized sectors of society, among others. II. Discussions 5 A. Where does PAGCor’s income go? In accordance with its Charter, PAGCor’s income is distributed in the following manner: ? ? ? ? ? % of net winnings goes to the BIR as franchise tax; 50% of the 95% balance goes to the National Treasury as the National Government’s mandated income share; 1% of the net cash income goes to the Board of Claims, an agency under the Department of Justice, which compensates victims of wrongful detention and prosecution; 5% of the balance after the Franchise Tax and the National Gover nment’s mandated income share goes to the Philippine Sports Commission to finance the country’s sports development programs; and Fixed amount is given to cities hosting Casino Filipino branches for their respective community development projects. Aside from the abovementioned mandatory contributions, PAGCor has also tapped as funding source for the implementation of the following vital laws: ? P 400 million a year or P2 billion in five years to the Early Childhood Car and Development Program; ? P100 million initial funding to the Sports Benefits and Incentives Act; ? P300 million or P10 million a month to the Gasoline Training and Loan fund; ?P250 million to be taken from the remittance to the President’s Social Fund to implement the National Museum Act of 1998; ? P5 million a month to be taken from the National Treasury’s share to support the Comprehensive Dangerous Act of 2002; ? P30 million to fund the Children’s TV Act of 1997; ? P300 million c ontribution to the Barangay Micro Business Development Fund; ? P50 million for the National Book Development Trust Fund; and ? P312 million for the Department of Science and Technology. The remaining balance of PAGCor’s income is then remitted to the President’s Social Fund to help finance the priority projects of the government. Below is the figure indicating the *distribution of the revenue generated by the Corporation. 6 Based on the 2010 Annual Report of PAGCOR Figure 1: Income Distribution of PAGCor B. Corporate Social Responsibilities of PAGCor The following are the activities conducted by PAGCor as appended in the Annual Report 2011 of the institution: 1. 2. 3. 4. Bringing basic social services closer to the Filipino masses Helps blast victims get back on their feet – literally Restoring he Pasig River back to life Sharing the Gift of Hope – Pamaskong Handog III. Analyses As the third largest revenue generator in the country, PAGCor plays a vital r ole in the economic development and took part of responsibility with regards to fiscal advancement of the country.Aside from the bulk income generated by this institution, it attracts also the foreign investors to invest in this kind of business thus promoting the country as a tourist spot in terms of legal gaming and gambling. Even by that, though it brought a cause for the alleviation of the economic situation as per scrutiny, as a counterpart, it conveys some consequences and also faces problems and issues. The following sited situations prevails the point of view of the owner of this paper as to the current situation of PAGCor and its effects to the community. Further, some contents of this part contain documentation of issues and problems base from the current news and information cited from different reliable sources. Moreover, the views and opinions of the presenter do 7 ot necessarily reflect the contents or discussion of the neither class nor stand point of the subject inst ructor, thus all the generated opinions are purely coming from the presenter. ? Social Problems With the initial concept of regulating and legalizing any games of chance and gambling in the country in order to raise revenue, presently it gives an idea to the common people to formulate their own versions of establishing in any ways and means which are now considered to be as illegal. Some of the few illegal or unauthorized games or activities that exist are the following: cockfighting, jueteng, horse racing bingo and other forms of lotteries, slot machines other mechanical contraptions and devices and online gambling. All the above mentioned activities are against the PRESIDENTIAL DECREE No. 602 wherein it prescribes stiffer penalties on illegal gambling. Aside from the fact that it contradicts the law of the land, reality check, these illegal actions became a part of the regular activities of those individuals in a community who are engaging their selves to be part of these. Worse c omes to worst, these brought an obvious social problems which we encountered nowadays. It entices everyone, old and young even children to be involved in these activities. At an early age, children at this time learn the knowhow of involving their selves in these activities which brought pessimist consequences with regards to their studies and to the habitual lifestyle of the people.This reality is pretended to be unknown to all of us, considered to be a usual activities and unfortunately, big officials are the one who is behind under this operations. If it is the rule of the PAGCor to regulate these illegal activities, then who is in charge of implementing necessary actions to those who make these obvious offenses? What actions were countered already with regards to discontinuing these rampant activities which resulted to crime, death and other anti-humanitarian acts? Is the subject institution took already a response to the matter? Below is a statement quoted about illegal gamblin g by Roy Q. Lagarde in his article â€Å"The Scourge of Legalized Gambling†. Gambling’s negative consequences are even more formidable than the flaunted revenues to subsidize purportedly government’s social services programs. One which is a visible problem is crime. Historically, crime increases where gambling is legal. Studies showed that problematic gamblers sometimes turn to criminal activities to support their habit. Gamblers often deal drugs, embezzle, or steal to get money to gamble or to pay gambling debts. Prostitution, and general sexual immorality, likewise rises because of immoral entertainment provided in and near gambling houses. In fact, alongside with most gambling dens in Metro Manila KTV bars have sprouted like mushrooms, many of which conspicuously display Japanese characters and signs recruiting GROs. † 8 ? Reduce Revenue?It is visible already to the eyes of everybody the existence of those activities which are considered as illegal as t o the fact that PAGCor is the only institution that is authorizes to establish and to lead those activities. What a misery to imagine that even by now those establishment which are considered to be illegal in their operation are still in service of doing their unlawful work. Fortunate to the forefront of this criminal movement, it becomes a huge and growing business. Is the institution PAGCor, doesn’t bother to imagine what would be the effect of those growing illegal establishment in every region as to the income that is supposed to be generated by the institution? Accessibility wise, those illegal establishments can be nearly reach compare to those firms which are authorized to do such legal acts.If the PAGCor is the one also mandated to regulate those unlawful actions what possibly be the actions to be undertaken for the purpose of first, taking good care at their primary economic reason of generating revenue for the Republic of the Philippines, second, assessing their rol e as to the regulation of these rampant rising activities, third preventive measure of responding to this situation and last lawful actions that are needed to be done. ? PAGCor: Problems and Challenges A. Illegal? becomes Legal? Gambling is a major social problem in the country. Not even the ouster of President Joseph Estrada from Malacanang Palace, on charges of receiving â€Å"jueteng† money from syndicates, could abate the problem. Jueteng is said to be a P40-billion business in the Philippines, annually. The need to answer and to come up a solution as to the problem of rampant increase of illegal gambling in the country is quite an undying issue. It can be considered as an infinite problem in algebra, the constant looking for the value of â€Å"x† and â€Å"y†.In that case, the never-ending issue of the involvement of those influential persons is considered as the main angle to relate in this situation. Some if not many of the government officials in the cou ntry are involved in these illegal gambling and heard to be as the organizer and supporter of the prohibited gambling and gaming activities. â€Å"Philippine gambling laws permit a wide variety of licensed and taxed gaming options, yet Jueteng, the nation’s most popular game, is illegal and remains firmly in the hands of organized crime†, this statement was stressed in the article of Alex Nevsky, â€Å"Government Official Involved in Illegal Sports Betting in the Philippines† at the internet site www. gamingzone. om last April 26, 2011, where it was sited also the allegedly involvement of an administration employee in illegal gambling including operating illegal jai alai games and promoting online casino in the country. B. Aware or Unaware? Or Aware to be Unaware? In the published article â€Å"Is PAGCor a betting illegal gambling? † of Alejandro del Rosario at Manila Standard Today Newspaper last December 10, 2011, Senator Aquilino â€Å"Koko† Pim entel questioned the proliferation of gambling houses in the country. He queried also if the certain institution (PAGCor) is properly regulating the operation of these casinos which seem to 9 sprout like wild mushrooms. Senator Pimentel stated that PAGCor seems remiss in regulating the operation of these private casinos and electronic betting houses and lax in the granting of licenses to them.During that time, Pimentel heads the Senate committee on games and amusement, thus he seek to address the adverse effects of these gambling houses on the youth and the rising incidence of crime. C. Institutional Problems The following problems were cited based on the thesis of Cecilio Villanueva entitled â€Å"The Philippine Amusement & Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) as Government Regulator and Operator of Legalized Gambling: It's Implications for National Security† which was published at www. ndcp. edu. ph last 2008: ? Unclear regulatory functions and procedures in registration/affiliation and granting of licenses; ? Lack of coordination with the Securities and Exchange Commission, DTI and other regulatory bodies; ?Relationship with the newly created Economic Zones Coordinate with PEZA and other entities empowered by law for economic zones; ? Relationship with the Local Government Units (LGUs); ? Problems with text scams; ? Casinos located close to each other; ? Operator Functions Gambling scams and syndicates / foreign terror groups; ? Arrogance/rudeness of the players; ? Overbearing presence of hookers and financiers to the disgust of players; ? Old and out-modeled machines and other gaming equipments; ? Church’s continued opposition to PAGCOR ; ? Perception of graft and corruption; ? Discipline/Attitudes of employees; ? So many employees of PAGCOR; ? More PAGCOR officials and employees being pirated for work abroad; ?Tourism Development Political intrigues; ? Financial Capacities ; ? How to continue with high income; ? Threat of privatization; ? Too much ex penses for non-organic personnel; and ? PAGCOR lagging behind in Asian Gaming Industry. Even by now, as we can see and heard at the news, with the recent issues PAGCor is facing, we can somewhat say that the institution is still trying to fix what is not being fixed out of those above cited problems. ? Anomalies A. Regulate†¦ Authorize†¦ WATCHED! In line with the article of Alejandro del Rosario, as accorded by Senator Pimentel, the issue is not the big revenue that can be generated by those casinos but they too need to be watched.The Senator recall incidences in past administrations when casino handlers were suspected of skimming from the revenue, where it should be that a portion of the revenue earned from these 10 casinos is supposed to go the President’s social amelioration fund. He added that the problem is the existence of small private gambling houses that propagate in many areas including residential ones. Signages of private poker clubs are everywhere and w hen it comes to the gambling houses, all are well shuttered with a guard-doorman usually stationed at the entrance and by that, we can only imagine what else goes on in there. B. Is gambling a cursed? In the paper of Roy Q.Lagarde it was stated by far also, there have been more accusations of anomalous transactions in PAGCOR including the P489 million in rents PAGCOR paid to the Hyatt Manila Hotel and Casino, and the hiring of 116 consultants, 103 retainers and many directors in exclusive clubs. It was further cited also in the said paper the standpoint of Francisco Tatad, erstwhile senator, whom charged Arroyo and some legislators for covering-up allegedly allowing PAGCOR to continue its operation. The senator explained the fact that PAGCOR was created under PD 1067-A, with a 25-year franchise to operate under PDs 1067-A, 1067-B and 1067-C, all issued on January 1, 1977. These decrees were, however, consolidated into one PD-No. 869 on July 11, 1983 without changing the 25-year cont ract, thus, the franchise was to expire January 1, 2002. But the Arroyo administration allegedly railroaded last December a bill which misrepresents the 25-year franchise as having taken effect on July 11, 1983 instead of Jan. 1, 1977, and expiring only on July 11, 2008 instead of having already expired on Jan. 1, 2002. ? Corruptions â€Å"The biggest problem, in a word, is corruption or at least the potential for it. In many years, not only few government officials have been implicated in gambling-related scandals. Members of House of Representatives constantly sat down in a session to address alleged scandals in the country’s gambling industry.Legislators have been demanding that the PAGCOR open its books to an audit so that the people will be able know how the ‘gaming’, if gambling, government corporation spends billions of pesos it earns from its operations. â€Å"Where do these revenues go and how does the general public benefit from them? † Rep. Cri spin Beltran asked during a House session. â€Å"It’s apparent that for all of PAGCOR’s projections that it donates millions to socio-civic projects of the government and contributes to charities, billions more are pocketed by its officials and their business partners in the private sector. PAGCOR is a government institution where corruption is inherent and undeniable. † quoted from the article â€Å"The Scourge of Legalized Gambling† by Roy Q. Lagarde at www. impactmagazine. net. To continue, Rep.Robert Jaworski said â€Å"From what I heard, PAGCOR is the Santa Claus for a lot of government officials and there is no way we could verify this report because of questionable disbursement procedures. I was also surprised that most of its finances are not covered by any auditing mechanism by Commission on Audit†. In factual basis, for several years, PAGCOR’s contributions to the President’s Social Fund did not pass through the National Tre asury until the 11 implementation of E-VAT recently, imposing a 10 percent tax on services not previously covered by the old VAT law including PAGCOR. ? Recent issues IV. Possible Solutions and Recommendations A. PAGCOR to concentrate on its regulatory function The idea of separating the roles of PAGCor is a situation that they should delve into.It is favorable to imagine separating the role of regulator and operator in order for the institution to focus in its focal function though it requires thorough revision. In an article from Philippine Star, â€Å"Palace: Separating PAGCor roles needs further study† by Delon Porcalla last March 05, 2012, Abigail Valte, deputy presidential spokesperson pointed out that Malacanang hinted already the amendment of separating the dual role of PAGCor but it requires further study. Further, PAGCor chairman and chief executive officer Cristino Naguiat Jr. , admitted that the idea requires congressional action which means going through the legi slative mill all over again .Naguiat said, PAGCor is open to spinning off its casino operations and retaining its regulatory role, to enable it to focus more on monitoring and policing the growing gambling business in the country. He stressed however that doing so would not be easy and that a closer study should be done. The scheme, if implemented, will have an impact on PAGCor’s financial commitments to national government and sports agencies. B. Privatization In an article of Francis Earl Cueto â€Å"Gambling is Life†, Edward King, spokesman for PAGCor chairman Efraim Genuino, told The Manila Times that first and foremost, one thing that people should remember is that PAGCor is a creation of law. The issue of privatizing PAGCor is also very controversial, with several lawmakers pushing for it and even more congressmen against it.King said that while the act can be considered purely from the noble and idealistic viewpoint that government should not be in the business of gambling, one has to think from the point of view of generating funds for the government. In addition, King said that if the government would privatize PAGCor, then all income goes to the private sector leaving only a small amount in taxes being paid to the government coffers. â€Å"If you give PAGCor to the private, they will just be paying taxes. There is a huge difference between a fraction of income from taxes to 100 percent, â€Å"King said. To comment with the situation, the issue of privatizing PAGCor in order to divest itself of assets to be more productive in the hands of the private sector would somewhat be an issue that talks a lot.The idea of transferring the management of the said institution into the private one for better management and proper delineation of function is a good thing to be heard, it could be beneficial in many ways. But, in my own perception, this dream might be turned into a great nightmare. We don’t know if those lawmakers/government offi cials have their own personal and hidden agenda of buying and operating 12 PAGCor as we could not deny the fact that the institution is producing bulky of pennies. This is the simple analogy, privatize PAGCor then, they get the income; the lawmakers may perhaps be getting their own kickbacks from certain lobby groups who want PAGCor for their personal purpose.If PAGCor will fall to the hand of those private individuals, then who will now regulate the activities of PAGCor? The point of arriving to this situation – selling another GOCC – emanates from the idea of poor management, corruption and undying anomalies. If that is the case, then the target is to seize the rats that slowly rotten the house and scrutinize the system and procedures brought by those pests. C. Abolish and Close PAGCOR. The call for the abolition of the government’s legitimate gambling institutions came as their funds were allegedly being used for political rather than charitable purpose. The recommendation to shut down Pagcor could be a â€Å"major reaction† because of reports of fund misuse, Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said.To note with the issue, let us not forget that the ultimate goal of the mandate of PAGCOR, is to provide assistance to those in need. It is better to put in place systemic reforms first and see whether these systemic reforms will work before we talk about what really should be done to the agencies. In another way, it is indeed a fact that the institution is generating bulky income which serves as a great help in giving financial support for the economic development of our country. D. Formulated Solutions from thorough study As per cited abovementioned problems in the thesis of Cecilio Villanueva, below are the suggested solutions as respective counterpart: ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?Issue clear guidelines on licensing, grants of authority; Establish linkages with the SEC, DTI and other regulatory agencies; Establi sh clear operational guidelines with the L GUs in view of RA 9487 Seek clear guidance from NTC, DTI and other government agencies; Review zonal locations of the casinos or centers being applied for; Deputize PAGCOR to curb illegal gambling; Launch PR campaign / Security Measures ; Beef up security / Investments in CCTV cameras; Find partners under the 60/40 arrangements Corporate Social Responsibilities; Foster good relations with the Church; Establish Resident Ombudsman and COA to issue or make public records for transparency; Seminars on values, productivity; Strengthen the Disciplinary Board; Screening, testing of pplicants; Merit system; Human Resource Development; Loyalty awards; Focus more on hotel industry/ tourism; Vigorous marketing efforts to attract players; 13 Glenne B. Lagura http://dnsc. academia. edu/ennelgArugal ? ? ? In-depth study on privatization; Contract-out the services of the non-organic personnel; and Vigorous marketing efforts. V. Conclusion Despite the surg e of PAGCor income that has succeeded immensely in supporting the cash-strapped government, several lawmakers, nongovernment organizations and especially the religious sector are still firmly against government engaging in the business of operating casinos. Many Filipinos have long suspected that gambling money finances political campaigns in this country. But this has never been established as fact.The politicians who benefit from gambling funds will certainly lack the political will to spearhead an investigation. Reflecting the sentiments of the political leadership, law enforcers will also have no interest in verifying those perceptions. There are cops who even openly admit that gambling money finances police operations in certain areas of the country. Complicating the problem is the unsure state policy on gambling, which deprives the government of the moral high ground to crack down on illegal numbers games popular among the poor such as jueteng. Despite new laws imposing stiffe r punishment for illegal gambling, jueteng continues to thrive and enrich gambling lords.The government could go after these gambling barons and plug one of the largest sources of corruption by applying new laws against money laundering or even old laws on tax evasion. Lawmakers could pass legislation that will compel transparency in campaign contributions. It may be impossible to stop Filipinos from gambling, but it is not impossible to discourage the corruption that is endangered by illegal gambling Unfortunately for the nation, political will has always been lacking in both the executive and legislative branches when it comes to stopping the flow of money, especially big money, regardless of the source. The status quo has worked for the typical Filipino politician, whose attitude is, if it ain’t broke, why fix it?On the other hand, the idea of Senator Ralph Recto that the PAGCOR pork should go to national budget is agreeable it applies the mere saying â€Å"Prevention is better than Cure†. This is to prevent also the abuse of misusing the money which can be avoided if the discretionary funds were written into the General Appropriations Act (GAA) or the national budget. 14 References: Newspaper/ Published Journals: Burning House Infested with Rats is not Right Solution to Problem. Philippine Daily Inquirer ( January 16, 2012). Retrieved March 1, 2012 from http://opinion. inquirer. net/21183/burning-house-infested-withrats-is-not-right-solution-to-problem Cabacungan, G. (2012, February 28).Lawmakers rally round PAGcor, move to ban Wynn. Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved March 03, 2012 from http://globalnation. inquirer. net/26911/lawmakers-rally-round-pagcormove-to-ban-wynn Calica, A. (2011, July 09). Palace No need to abolish PCSO, PAGCOR, The Philippine Star. Retrieved March 15, 2012 from http://www. philstar. com Cueto, F (2007, February 25). Gambling is Life. Retrieved March 13, 2012 from http://www. skyscrapercity. com/showthread. php? t =647381 Del Rosario, A. (2011, December 10). Is PAGCor a betting illegal Gambling?. Manila Standard Today Newspaper. Retrieved February 16, 2012 from http://www. manilastandardtoday. com/insideOpinion. htm? =2011/dece mber/10/andydelrosario. isx=2011/december/10 Diaz, J (2011, July 27. Lawmakers seek probe of PAGCor Anomalies. The Philippine Star. Retrieved March 20, 2012 from http://www. philstar. com Lagarde, R. The Scourge of Legalized Gambling. Retrieved March 12, 2012 from http://www. impactmagazine. net/v39v09/coverstory. htm PCSO, PAGCOR Pork should go to National Budget: Recto. abscbnNEWS. com(2011). Retrieved March 10, 2012 from http://www. abscbnnews. com/nation/07/13/11/pcso-pagcor-pork-should-go-natlbudget-recto Privatized PAGcor to bring in more revenues for gov’t. abscbnNEWS. com(2011). Retrieved March 10, 2012 from http://www. abscbnnews. om/ nation/08/16/10/privatized-pagcor-bring-morerevenues-govt Porcalla, D. (2012, March 05). Palace Separating Roles needs f urther Study. The Philippine Star. Retrieved March 5, 2012 from http://www. philstar. com PDF Files: 15 A Profile of Selected GOCCs. pdf PAGCOR Annual Report 2010. pdf Presidential Decree No. 1602. pdf Thesis: Villanueva, C (2008). The Philippine Amusement and Gaming corporation (PAGCOR) as Government Regulatorand Operator of Legalized Gambling: It’s Implications for national Security. Retrieved March 15, 2012 from http://www. ndcp. edu. ph/library/thesislist. php? start=1661 http://dnsc. academia. edu/ennelgArugal Glenne B. Lagura 16