Sore Losers

[Travis]

interesting editorial about doing business here http://www.philstar....rticleId=552712 Foreign investors have long complained about the unpredictability of the business environment in this country. Rules are changed in midstream, and investors are penalized for it, as Pilipinas Shell is learning. Business contracts are worth less than toilet paper; deals can be overturned by the courts, by a new department head or a new president, often several years after the contract has been signed and billions plunked in by the hapless investor. There is no level playing field; businessmen with the right connections enjoy undue advantage over their rivals. Foreign investors are not alone in their complaint. Several rice traders have raised a howl over the award of permits to import 200,000 metric tons or four million bags of well-milled rice tax-free. The National Food Authority took out an advertisement detailing the guidelines for the award. The ad came out last Friday, the same day the NFA put out a notice, but only on its website, requiring those interested to get priority numbers from the agency. Rice traders stood in line to get the numbers at the NFA office in Cebu City, with some reportedly even camping out overnight. The office was open over the weekend.On Monday, the traders were told that the permits had already been awarded to 10 importers from Metro Manila and seven in Cebu. Several of the importers, the disgruntled rice traders allege, are now trying to sell the awards to the highest bidder.The NFA denied changing the rules and said those complaining were merely "sore losers." NFA officials said they merely devised a queuing system that would allow the processing of papers on a first-come, first-serve basis. Those who were selected would still have to submit letters of intent, and the permits to import have not yet been formally awarded, the NFA clarified.But the first-come, first-serve system disqualified several rice traders from submitting their LOI and other requirements, excluding them from competing for the tariff-free importation. The system, instead of promoting transparency in a government transaction, is a classic example of opaqueness, with rice traders having no way of knowing who actually got in line first for the priority numbers.Sore losers? You will also be sore, if you lose through unfair competition.

[Singers]

interesting editorial about doing business here http://www.philstar....rticleId=552712 Foreign investors have long complained about the unpredictability of the business environment in this country. Rules are changed in midstream, and investors are penalized for it, as Pilipinas Shell is learning. Business contracts are worth less than toilet paper; deals can be overturned by the courts, by a new department head or a new president, often several years after the contract has been signed and billions plunked in by the hapless investor. There is no level playing field; businessmen with the right connections enjoy undue advantage over their rivals. Foreign investors are not alone in their complaint. Several rice traders have raised a howl over the award of permits to import 200,000 metric tons or four million bags of well-milled rice tax-free. The National Food Authority took out an advertisement detailing the guidelines for the award. The ad came out last Friday, the same day the NFA put out a notice, but only on its website, requiring those interested to get priority numbers from the agency. Rice traders stood in line to get the numbers at the NFA office in Cebu City, with some reportedly even camping out overnight. The office was open over the weekend.On Monday, the traders were told that the permits had already been awarded to 10 importers from Metro Manila and seven in Cebu. Several of the importers, the disgruntled rice traders allege, are now trying to sell the awards to the highest bidder.The NFA denied changing the rules and said those complaining were merely "sore losers." NFA officials said they merely devised a queuing system that would allow the processing of papers on a first-come, first-serve basis. Those who were selected would still have to submit letters of intent, and the permits to import have not yet been formally awarded, the NFA clarified.But the first-come, first-serve system disqualified several rice traders from submitting their LOI and other requirements, excluding them from competing for the tariff-free importation. The system, instead of promoting transparency in a government transaction, is a classic example of opaqueness, with rice traders having no way of knowing who actually got in line first for the priority numbers.Sore losers? You will also be sore, if you lose through unfair competition.

In South Dublin, about 20 years ago, some Hospital Land, was being Auctioned. Government land! To gain entry to the Auction one had to produce a Bank Draft of 1/4 Million Pounds or such. Surprisingly - some Labour MP's who wanted to attend to see "Fair Play" were excluded from the sale with this last minute requirement!!. The "SALE" price of this land was not disclosed. NOT ONLY IN PI !!!?Tom Edited February 28, 2010 by Singers

[Singers]

interesting editorial about doing business here http://www.philstar....rticleId=552712 Foreign investors have long complained about the unpredictability of the business environment in this country. Rules are changed in midstream, and investors are penalized for it, as Pilipinas Shell is learning. Business contracts are worth less than toilet paper; deals can be overturned by the courts, by a new department head or a new president, often several years after the contract has been signed and billions plunked in by the hapless investor. There is no level playing field; businessmen with the right connections enjoy undue advantage over their rivals. Foreign investors are not alone in their complaint. Several rice traders have raised a howl over the award of permits to import 200,000 metric tons or four million bags of well-milled rice tax-free. The National Food Authority took out an advertisement detailing the guidelines for the award. The ad came out last Friday, the same day the NFA put out a notice, but only on its website, requiring those interested to get priority numbers from the agency. Rice traders stood in line to get the numbers at the NFA office in Cebu City, with some reportedly even camping out overnight. The office was open over the weekend.On Monday, the traders were told that the permits had already been awarded to 10 importers from Metro Manila and seven in Cebu. Several of the importers, the disgruntled rice traders allege, are now trying to sell the awards to the highest bidder.The NFA denied changing the rules and said those complaining were merely "sore losers." NFA officials said they merely devised a queuing system that would allow the processing of papers on a first-come, first-serve basis. Those who were selected would still have to submit letters of intent, and the permits to import have not yet been formally awarded, the NFA clarified.But the first-come, first-serve system disqualified several rice traders from submitting their LOI and other requirements, excluding them from competing for the tariff-free importation. The system, instead of promoting transparency in a government transaction, is a classic example of opaqueness, with rice traders having no way of knowing who actually got in line first for the priority numbers.Sore losers? You will also be sore, if you lose through unfair competition.

In South Dublin, about 20 years ago, some Hospital Land, was being Auctioned. Government land! To gain entry to the Auction one had to produce a Bank Draft of 1/4 Million Pounds or such. Surprisingly - some Labour MP's who wanted to attend to see "Fair Play" were excluded from the sale with this last minute requirement!!. The "SALE" price of this land was not disclosed. NOT ONLY IN PI !!!?Tom

Nothing changes.... SO sad.... TIME Friday, Aug. 18, 1967 OR does it???Philippines No. 1Denial ---- the resort of "desperation" in man....UK Tom :as-if: Edited May 5, 2010 by Singers