AIM Policy Center makes a bluff on E.O. 839

Arroyo should not stand down on E.O. 839

Opponents of Executive Order 839 has found another willing ally, this time, the AIM Policy Center, a so-called “think tank” of the elite.

In a press conference, the Executive Director of the Center urged Malacanang to lift the contentious E.O. because ” foreign investors are threatening to leave” the country.

Curiously though, a responsible think tank would have provided us with concrete information about how many are thinking of leaving, how much money will leave the country and who are those foreign companies who said they are leaving the Philippines.

What this supposed “think tank” did was basically offer a blanket warning. Meaning, it is just bluffing the government, trying to pressure Mrs. Arroyo to lift the E.O. so that oil giants will again, be preying on us hapless consumers.

Executive Order 839 is a judicious act. It is well within the bounds of Executive Power to regulate the activities of industries, especially those acting as cartels.

This writer urges Mrs. Arroyo not to stand down on Executive Order 839. Instead, let this issue be Arroyo’s “shining moment”, so to speak, a time for her to really show the Filipino People how she intends to protect them in times of need.

The Executive Order is a blessing to everyone since gasoline and diesel prices are sure to rise by 5 pesos if Malacanang decides to lift the E.O. This will have a disastrous effects on the economy, especially on inflation, since prices of basic commodities are sure to rise by then.