It’s a given that there is money in IT. That may be true but apparently there is a bit more if you have a career in government. The recent ZTE-NBN scandal points to the fact that there is money not just in IT.
A project proposal is essential to justify any undertaking. Cost benefit analysis is useful tool for evaluating the feasibility of a project. Given this, it is funny that in the project proposal for the ZTE deal, the telecom expense of the government was obtained from a tabloid. Ideally, it should have been more accurate had information been obtained from the government and not from a tabloid. It makes me wonder whether information from a project proposal is accurate or is it used as a justification for a bloated project cost. It is possibly a common practice, even in business, to add to the cost in order to cover for unexpected expenses. However, such is not the case in the ZTE-NBN deal and this was seen in the testimony of Jun Lozada. In this case, the overpricing could have been a tool to cover the commissions for government officials.
During the Senate hearing, he revealed an alleged $130 Million commission or kickback, which is a rather large commission. Sadly, the testimony of Jun Lozada did not only reveal corruption and kickbacks but suggested that common practice permits “moderate” kickbacks. How could any amount of kickback be okay? Unfortunately it appears that in government it is an acceptable practice to receive kickbacks.
This new development would definitely prompt more investigations. The problem with government investigation is whether or not there will be any action resulting thereafter. Would anyone be held accountable? It is more likely that after public indignation has died down that our government officials would move on to the next controversial issue.
Would any investigation be totally impartial? Will it cover all the necessary personalities? Probably not. In a news article (see http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryId=108488), the DOJ Secretary already said that some personalities mentioned by Lozada would not be summoned. In the article it was mentioned that FG Arroyo will not be summoned. Well, some may say that how can such an investigation be thorough? The people that would be summoned are: Lozada, Joey de Venecia and Romulo Neri. Well, in fairness to the DOJ it may only be a preliminary list and they would summon additional witnesses if the need arises.
Saturday, February 9, 2008
Friday, February 8, 2008
Two Sides of a Losing Philippine Coin
While watching the senate investigation on television, I cannot help but notice the various comments made by and in reference to the country’s economic sector. The Makati business club, for example, feels that this issue might bring about calls for president arroyo’s resignation. Meanwhile, financial analysts say that the controversy will not affect our country’s economy.
I do not want destabilization. I like it that our economy is doing better. GDP is up, the peso is strong (equally due to a weak dollar), and foreign perception is improving. I think it is high time that we start getting our act together. We owe it to ourselves, each other and to the next generation of Filipinos.
Now, along comes this whole ZTE-NBN Hullabaloo. Apparently, it is not a fad because the issue has already given birth to several other controversies such as Secretary Neri’s testimony before the senate, Abalos’ resignation, JDV’s ouster, and now Mr. Lozada’s corroboration. Suffice it to say that the issue, in showbiz terms, has staying power.
Now I am still unsure as to the truth, but whatever it is, I believe the Filipino people will be at the losing end.
Assuming that these allegations are true, then I can no longer imagine how much money goes to corruption in our country. We all know it is there, but we never really knew how much. Now, we hear that 60 million dollars is the going rate (the apparent ceiling of Mr. Lozada’s “permissible zone”). People have always thought that we are not a poor country; we are just continuously being robbed. If these allegations are true, then this proves that we have been right all along.
Sadly, in this case, being right is not a good thing.
Now, assuming that these allegations are false (yeah, I know, bear with me), then what we end up with are forces in government and society who will not stop until they have dismantled the status quo. Motives vary but I am sure that most of them will not be to the benefit of our country. It will be the “talangka mentality” at work.
In the small chance that a mere hoax lies at the heart of this media frenzy, then what we end up with are forces that will always bring down whatever has been built and a society that refuses to embrace the spirit of unity.
So either way, it doesn’t look good.
I hope that something can be done with regard to this issue, but I hope that in the process, the economy is not decimated leaving the tired and weary Filipino to pick up the pieces.
- Elgene L. C. Feliciano
I do not want destabilization. I like it that our economy is doing better. GDP is up, the peso is strong (equally due to a weak dollar), and foreign perception is improving. I think it is high time that we start getting our act together. We owe it to ourselves, each other and to the next generation of Filipinos.
Now, along comes this whole ZTE-NBN Hullabaloo. Apparently, it is not a fad because the issue has already given birth to several other controversies such as Secretary Neri’s testimony before the senate, Abalos’ resignation, JDV’s ouster, and now Mr. Lozada’s corroboration. Suffice it to say that the issue, in showbiz terms, has staying power.
Now I am still unsure as to the truth, but whatever it is, I believe the Filipino people will be at the losing end.
Assuming that these allegations are true, then I can no longer imagine how much money goes to corruption in our country. We all know it is there, but we never really knew how much. Now, we hear that 60 million dollars is the going rate (the apparent ceiling of Mr. Lozada’s “permissible zone”). People have always thought that we are not a poor country; we are just continuously being robbed. If these allegations are true, then this proves that we have been right all along.
Sadly, in this case, being right is not a good thing.
Now, assuming that these allegations are false (yeah, I know, bear with me), then what we end up with are forces in government and society who will not stop until they have dismantled the status quo. Motives vary but I am sure that most of them will not be to the benefit of our country. It will be the “talangka mentality” at work.
In the small chance that a mere hoax lies at the heart of this media frenzy, then what we end up with are forces that will always bring down whatever has been built and a society that refuses to embrace the spirit of unity.
So either way, it doesn’t look good.
I hope that something can be done with regard to this issue, but I hope that in the process, the economy is not decimated leaving the tired and weary Filipino to pick up the pieces.
- Elgene L. C. Feliciano
Thursday, February 7, 2008
how did they intercept the texts? unauthorized access?
Lozada, in his interview, related how the men who took him told him to stop texting because they can read what he sends. I'm intrigued by this.
If they really could, I wonder how they can. Do they have a device that snoops on mobile phones, or does the devices "catch" the message and read it as it is sent to the nearest cellsite? Or did they snoop with the assistance of the private telecom provider.
If such a device exists that can "catch" and "snoop" outgoing text messages, is the use of it illegal? If so, under what law? If it is sent via a "handheld computer" can such snooping qualify as "unauthorized access?"
If they really could, I wonder how they can. Do they have a device that snoops on mobile phones, or does the devices "catch" the message and read it as it is sent to the nearest cellsite? Or did they snoop with the assistance of the private telecom provider.
If such a device exists that can "catch" and "snoop" outgoing text messages, is the use of it illegal? If so, under what law? If it is sent via a "handheld computer" can such snooping qualify as "unauthorized access?"
Moderate Greed
Moderate Greed is defined as acceptable limits for government corruption. Since stealing from people is systemic and unavoidable in Philippine society, people in the government have come up with a standard wherein corruption can be both beneficial to government officials, and at the same time acceptable to soceity. Common practice tells us that 20+% overpricing of government contracts qualifies as moderate greed.
This definition was given during the Senate hearing on the ZTE-NBN broadband controversy. This is clearly a reflection of the sorry state of the Philippine government. Based on Lozada's testimony, if the ZTE-NBN deal was overpriced only by 65 million dollars, Mr. Lozada himself would not have been there testifying. If only it was just 65 million dollars. That would have been moderate greed.
Acceptable.
When Senator Santiago bombarded Lozada with questions, inquiring into his credibility, it appeared that Lozada, under oath, confessed that he was observing moderate greed. But according to his own analogy, as ZTE-NBN broadband is to the NBA, his own practiced corruption is to high school intramurals. Clearly minor of the minorest leagues.
Still, his decision to testify was admirable. Let's just not get too carried away with his heroism. I wouldn't want to see another Chavit campaigning for election openly giving away money right infront of the camera. What if we just punish him for his unlawful acts based on his own testimony? Moderate greed or not, it's still corruption. If he faces them with head held high and serves his time with pride, then I'll give him a standing ovation.
4 Simple Steps
Cybercrimes are simply ‘crime’ with some sort of ‘computer’ or ‘cyber’ aspect; and like traditional crimes they too can take many shapes and can occur nearly anytime or anyplace.
The trend is that the attacks of cyber criminals only become increasingly malicious. The worse thing is that the methods used by cyber criminals continuously evolve to become more complex and sophisticated making their attacks harder to detect and prevent.
In the Internet Security Threat Report, Symantec Corp. reveals that the current Internet threat environment is characterized by an increase in data theft, data leakage, and the creation of targeted, malicious code for the purpose of stealing confidential information that can be used for financial gain.
In the company web site, Symantec recommends four “simple steps” to be taken when victimized by cybercrimes,
1. such as unplugging the network cable, phone, or cable line from the machine to prevent data from being leaked back to the attacker;
2. scanning the computer with an up-to-date antivirus program to detect and remove crimeware threats;
3. backing-up of critical information, which may be lost due to theft, or clean-up efforts after suspected theft;
4. and prompt closure of affected accounts (e.g. credit card and bank accounts).
In the end, end-users, whether consumers or enterprises, need to ensure proper security measures to prevent an attacker from gaining access to their confidential information, causing financial losses, harming valuable customers, or damaging their own reputation.
The trend is that the attacks of cyber criminals only become increasingly malicious. The worse thing is that the methods used by cyber criminals continuously evolve to become more complex and sophisticated making their attacks harder to detect and prevent.
In the Internet Security Threat Report, Symantec Corp. reveals that the current Internet threat environment is characterized by an increase in data theft, data leakage, and the creation of targeted, malicious code for the purpose of stealing confidential information that can be used for financial gain.
In the company web site, Symantec recommends four “simple steps” to be taken when victimized by cybercrimes,
1. such as unplugging the network cable, phone, or cable line from the machine to prevent data from being leaked back to the attacker;
2. scanning the computer with an up-to-date antivirus program to detect and remove crimeware threats;
3. backing-up of critical information, which may be lost due to theft, or clean-up efforts after suspected theft;
4. and prompt closure of affected accounts (e.g. credit card and bank accounts).
In the end, end-users, whether consumers or enterprises, need to ensure proper security measures to prevent an attacker from gaining access to their confidential information, causing financial losses, harming valuable customers, or damaging their own reputation.
Microsoft Launches Open Value Subscription Program
Microsoft is now offering a new subscription model to small businesses that will allow them to use the company's software for less cost than the currently available licensing model. It is called Open Value Subscription (OVS) program. It is designed to give small businesses more flexible and affordable options for purchasing software, since the new plan costs about a third of the license-only expense for the current licensing program open to small business, called the Open Value (OV) program.
The new plan is cheaper because Microsoft offers upfront discounts for software purchased through the subscription program, and also allows customers to increase or decrease pricing over the three-year subscription period if their business needs change. OVS includes Microsoft's Software Assurance program, the company's software maintenance and support program for business customers. Microsoft defines small businesses as those with 50 employees or fewer. The reason is that Microsoft considers 50 employees the "break point", or the point when a company hires IT management. Of course, this is not true for some organizations, like where I work. We have only 23 employees and 5 of them are in the I.T. Management Department.
Small businesses will be able to sign up for the OVS program beginning in March. Microsoft products available through the program include Microsoft Office Small Business, Office Professional +, Windows Vista Business Upgrade, Small Business Server Client Access License (CAL), Core CAL, Desktop Professional Suite, and Small Business Desktop Suite. Likewise, as part of its small-business outreach, Microsoft also this week is unveiling a partner program called "Big Easy," which invests about $10 million in subsidies to small businesses purchasing products through partners. In any event, through the program, small businesses purchasing certain products through authorized specialist partners will get a certain percentage of money back that they can use to purchase other services from those partners.
Although there is no indication yet if this will be available to Philippine subscribers, products available for subsidies under the Big Easy program include Microsoft Office products, Exchange Server, Forefront Security for Exchange Server, System Center Essentials, Project, Visio, Office SharePoint Server, Forefront Security for SharePoint, and Internet Security and Acceleration Server 2006, among others.
The new plan is cheaper because Microsoft offers upfront discounts for software purchased through the subscription program, and also allows customers to increase or decrease pricing over the three-year subscription period if their business needs change. OVS includes Microsoft's Software Assurance program, the company's software maintenance and support program for business customers. Microsoft defines small businesses as those with 50 employees or fewer. The reason is that Microsoft considers 50 employees the "break point", or the point when a company hires IT management. Of course, this is not true for some organizations, like where I work. We have only 23 employees and 5 of them are in the I.T. Management Department.
Small businesses will be able to sign up for the OVS program beginning in March. Microsoft products available through the program include Microsoft Office Small Business, Office Professional +, Windows Vista Business Upgrade, Small Business Server Client Access License (CAL), Core CAL, Desktop Professional Suite, and Small Business Desktop Suite. Likewise, as part of its small-business outreach, Microsoft also this week is unveiling a partner program called "Big Easy," which invests about $10 million in subsidies to small businesses purchasing products through partners. In any event, through the program, small businesses purchasing certain products through authorized specialist partners will get a certain percentage of money back that they can use to purchase other services from those partners.
Although there is no indication yet if this will be available to Philippine subscribers, products available for subsidies under the Big Easy program include Microsoft Office products, Exchange Server, Forefront Security for Exchange Server, System Center Essentials, Project, Visio, Office SharePoint Server, Forefront Security for SharePoint, and Internet Security and Acceleration Server 2006, among others.
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Mobile phones negative for cancer…for now
Technology has allowed a lot of “incurable” medical maladies to now become curable. But has technology also brought us the likelihood of cancer?
Study after study research on whether mobile phone usage is likely to cause cancer. The results of some studies show that it does, but some studies also show that there is no causal connection. Now comes another study that affirms the latter set of studies and “debunks” the alleged myth that is the causal connection of mobile phone usage and cancer.
Professor Bernard Stewart, an Australian cancer specialist from the University of New South Wales, has devised a five point system that lists the risk of cancer from proven and likely, to inferred, unknown or unlikely. His research was published in the Mutation Research Reviews journal.
According to this risk ranking system, smoking, alcohol and exposure to sunlight are the leading risk factors, whereas using a mobile phone was far less likely to cause cancer. But the study does not fully establish the risks associated with the long-term mobile phone usage. (http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/SYD80708.htm)
But how do you weigh the conflicting studies? It must be remembered that while the result of Professor Stewart’s research is thus, there is also a line of studies that says otherwise. I guess it’s up to us to determine which line of studies to give credence to.
Study after study research on whether mobile phone usage is likely to cause cancer. The results of some studies show that it does, but some studies also show that there is no causal connection. Now comes another study that affirms the latter set of studies and “debunks” the alleged myth that is the causal connection of mobile phone usage and cancer.
Professor Bernard Stewart, an Australian cancer specialist from the University of New South Wales, has devised a five point system that lists the risk of cancer from proven and likely, to inferred, unknown or unlikely. His research was published in the Mutation Research Reviews journal.
According to this risk ranking system, smoking, alcohol and exposure to sunlight are the leading risk factors, whereas using a mobile phone was far less likely to cause cancer. But the study does not fully establish the risks associated with the long-term mobile phone usage. (http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/SYD80708.htm)
But how do you weigh the conflicting studies? It must be remembered that while the result of Professor Stewart’s research is thus, there is also a line of studies that says otherwise. I guess it’s up to us to determine which line of studies to give credence to.
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