CASE #8

Current Political Issues in the Philippines

1. Davide welcomes complaints against him
MANILA, Philippines – The chairman of the Philippine Truth Commission (PTC) on Friday said he would welcome any complaint filed against him by his critics before the body.Davide confidently said that he has not committed any crime, misdemeanor and or irregularity while under government service for more than 35 years.He explained that the impeachment complaint against him regarding the Judicial Development Fund (JDF) was declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court because it was filed one year after the filling of the first impeachment complaint.He, however, clarified that he will not take part in the proceedings of the Truth Commissioin in case a complaint will be filed against him.Former President Joseph Ejercito Estrada, who was ousted from office in 2001 following an incomplete impeachment trial, has opposed the appointment of Davide in the Truth Commission.The 5-member Truth Commission announced on Friday it is prepared to accept complaints. It has also requested departments and agencies of the government and government-owned and -controlled corporations to furnish it with reports or information on large-scale graft and corruption cases.
Comments:
Being honest is very important in doing a job. You must be honest to all people who you are working of. In the case of Davide, he is not afraid to all the complaints against him because according to him her conscience is clear and we do hope that it is true. Every body has the chance to complains if he or she shows something about the services of others.

2. No COA ruling to freeze Lacson's salary
MANILA, Philippines - Both the Commission on Audit and the Senate admit there is no written ruling or opinion from the audit body to stop the release of Sen.Panfilo Lacson's salary and budget. Last Monday, ABS-CBN News wrote COA Chairman Reynaldo Villar asking for a copy of any COA ruling, opinion or directive that became the basis for withholding Lacson's funds. Villar did not reply. Instead, a staff member from the office of COA public information office chief Rolando Macale said they sought out COA's resident auditor in the Senate, Mauro Lipana, for an explanation. The staff member quoted the newly-transferred Lipana as saying "there was no written directive (from him)" and that he simply "called attention" to the budgetary releases to Lacson's office from the time the senator went into hiding. Immigration records showed Lacson left the country on January 5, two days before he was charged in court for the Dacer-Corbito double murder. He has been considered absent from the Senate since January 18. Earlier this week, Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile said there was no formal opinion or directive from COA to freeze Lacson's budget and salary. "Hindi naman, wala naman but we want to prevent precisely that situation," enrile said. Last October 6, senators agreed in a caucus to withhold budgetary releases to Lacson 's office "until such time that he is able to fully perform his duties as senators." Lacson's office was also temporarily dissolved, and his staff reassigned to various Senate offices.
Comment:
For me it is right to freeze the salary of Lacson because he do nothing since he left away from the Philippines. He was only escaping from something being acused to him. If he is not guilty with the accusation he must still here in the Philippines and he must face it. But freezing the salary of Mr. Lacson must be legally done.

3. Truth Commissions eyes 23 tentative cases
MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Truth Commission (PTC) will look at a tentative list of 23 cases of graft and corruption. Carlos Medina, one of the 5 members of the commission said they have already come up with a tentative list of around 23 cases involving massive graft and corruption. However, Medina added that the commission is still at the stage of gathering the materials. For his part, PTC chairman former Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr. said the commission will adopt a logical procedure in prioritizing cases. During the commission’s first press briefing on Friday, Medina also did not completely disclose how many cases involve former president and now Pampanga Congresswoman Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. He further explained that the list of around 23 cases is culled from various sources.
Comment:
It is very important to look for the cases especially those which involves graft and corruption so that all people who committed mistakes will be punished and will get what they deserve. Graft and corruption is one of the reasons that holds Philippines to progress. Those persons who were engaged in graft and corruption are doing things just for there selves and not for our nations.

4. DILG relations improve after Palace sitdown
MANILA, Philippines - President Benigno Aquino III's decision to meet privately and admonish 2 officials of the Department of the Interior and Local Government has worked wonders for the department.DILG Secretary Jesse Robredo said relations within the DILG have improved now and officials who were said to be previously at odds with one another have now found time to meet regularly. In the interview, Robredo denied belonging to any faction in the Aquino Cabinet. "I don’t know where the five factions came from. As I’ve said, there is only one president I’m serving. I don’t belong to any faction that serves its own agenda, While its true that I’m with the [Liberal Party], I’ve been associated with former Sen. Mar Roxas, but that is beside the point when I’m doing my assignment," he said. President Aquino earlier said he admonished Robredo and Puno after a seeming turf war between the 2 was reported in the media. Puno has come under increasing scrutiny for allegedly receiving jueteng payola from gambling lords and for his alleged failure to resolve the August 23 hostage crisis peacefully. Puno earlier claimed that 5 groups, including 1 led by Robredo himself, were working to remove him from the DILG. He has denied receiving payola and said he merely acted as the President’s liaison during the hostage crisis.In a press conference, Aquino blamed the squabbling between Robredo and Puno on “miscommunication or lack of communication.” He said he decided to keep both officials because of their credentials. Robredo, meanwhile, said it is difficult to prove if police or local officials are receiving payola from gambling syndicates.
Comment:
It is good that all workers of DILG improve their relationships so that they can combine their ideas in accomplishing or doing their work. They must set aside those misunderstanding that they have before for the benefits of the people in the Philippines. Communication really helps in setting those misunderstanding that persons may have.

5. Noynoy & Shalani break-up rumor hounds cyberspace
Have they, or have they not broken up? Seems the truth is hard to find out at this point in time. The bachelor president has told the media that he wants the little that’s left of his privacy for himself. Break-up rumors have hounded the two since the start of P-noy’s presidency. Perhaps, it’s people putting two and two together: how can a very busy President have time for his girlfriend? Or blame it on some people who have agendas of their own. Some girls probably don’t want the country’s most eligible bachelor to end up with Shalani Take for example the Facebook account Love Destroyed. Looks like this account was set up for some purpose. It now links Councilor Shalani with her city Mayor Sherwin Gatchalian of Valenzuela City. It will be recalled that the good Mayor (also a bachelor) went out with actress Pauleen Luna. Ilang insiders sa valenzuela lgu ang nakakapansin na masyado nang sweet si konsehala shalani soledad at erwin gatchalian.pag nagtutungo ang daw ang binatang pulitiko sa upisina ni konsehala ay siya pa mismo ang personal na nagtitimpla ng kape ni gatchalian.break na nga ba si konsehala at si Noy?,” says Love Destroyed in his Facebook entry dated October 7. Previously, the anonymous account posted: “MADALAS MAKITA SI VALENZUELA COUNCILOR SHALANI SOLEDAD SA MALL NA NAMAMASYAL KASAMA ANG ISANG HALOS KAEDAD NIYANG LALAKING PULITIKO NA MAGKAHOLDINGS HANDS PA. ITO BA AY SENYALES NA TOTOO NGA NA SPLIT NA SILA NI PANGULONG PNOY?”The President, meanwhile, is being linked to TV5 reporter Patricia Ann ‘Trish’ Roque.Oops. This sounds like a round-robin already. would actually be worried about the effect the break-up will have on Shalani’s political stock. We all know that she shot to national prominence only because of Noynoy. But then again, why would she be worried? Sherwin is also as eligible and moneyed. Mayor nga lang.Nuff said.
Comment:
If President and Shalani really broke-up people must don't care about it because it is a personal life of the President. People should not make it like a showbiz news and we should not go beyond his personal life. If its true, then that's it. As long as he is doing his job as a President of our country. Being a President doesn't mean you need to have a good love life. It's about helping the people in the Philippines and giving the services that we Filipino needs.

CASE 7

COMPUTER SYSTEM SECURITY

1. Human Error
Errors and the omissions are the great threats to the integrity of the data and the computer system. Data entry operators, programmers, system administrators often make errors that can compromise the system’s security. The effect of the various security threats caused by the human errors varies. Employee’s training and awareness training should be given to the employees to avoid such kinds of errors that can lead to the financial losses for a company.

2. Dedicated Computers
In an business or organization, it is advisable to use only one computer to save important and sensitive information. When several computers hold different pieces of important data, the possibility of someone or something gaining access to the information increases.

3. Keep a checklist for the decommissioning process
Keeping a checklist for the decommissioning process will help to make sure you don’t forget a step at any point. This can be especially important when dealing with many, many computers at once, such as when an entire department is shut down — but it’s important the rest of the time, too. Don’t rely on the checklist to do your thinking for you. Consider every detail of the system in question, its uses, and any potential dangers for security that come to mind. Add new measures to the checklist when you come up with a threat you have to deal with that may be relevant again at a later date; not everything on the checklist has to apply in every case for it to be a valuable addition to the checklist.

4. Develop competent internal technical support personnel
Develop competent internal technical support personnel who can help others to conduct basic activities on the computers and who can call outside consultants for troubleshooting when needed. Have one or two internal people who are designated as technical support contacts for other staff members. Instruct staff to report all problems to the internal technical support people. In that way, the internal people are aware of all problems and are more likely to detect oncoming problems as early as possible. They also become better trained at detecting and diagnosing problems.

5. Chat Line and Message Board Warnings.
Never release personal information on chat lines or message boards. This is one way many identity thefts occur.

6. Record all important phone numbers
It is very important to records all important phone numbers for technical support consultants or contacts and this will help to ensure that the staff can find these numbers when needed.

7. Keep all software documentation
Keep all software documentation, such as manuals and guides, stored in a central location where staff can find them. Post a sheet on the wall so they can check documents out and for control to ensure they are returned.

8. Keep the serial numbers of all software packages
Serial numbers of all software packages must be keep in a clearly visible place for ease of reference when calling the software vendor's technical support.

9. Develop a disaster recovery plan.
The plan should address contingencies. It should include procedures to respond to, e.g., if a disk crashes, if the computer quits working, if the network is down, if the building is somehow destroyed, etc.

10. Secure Lines
Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) certainly has advantages for a business, but it may not be the best communication in terms of security. The nature of VoIP exposes data transmission and information to third parties. Using a dedicated, secure line guarantees a business a layer of protection that other communication choices compromise.

CONSUMER ACT OF THE PHILIPPINES

The Republic Act No.7394 is known as the CONSUMER ACT OF THE PHILIPPINES. This act protects and give the rights of the consumer. In the interpretation and implementation of the provisions of this act the best interest of consumer shall be considered. This act is very useful because it develops and provides safety and quality standards for consumer products. It protect the public against unreasonable risks to injury associated with consumer products.
This Act shall be enforced not only by the Department of Health with respect to food, drugs, cosmetics, devices and substances but also by the Department of Agriculture with respect to product related to agriculture, and by the Department of Trade and Industry with respect to other consumer products. Each departments will help to ensure that the product are safe to the consumer. They are responsible in finding or checking if the consumer products are injurious, unsafe and dangerous, including the imported products, and let the consumer to be aware or alert the consumer about this. The concerned departments shall make a list of new consumer product. Any interested person may petition the appropriate department to commence a proceeding for the issuance of an amendment or revocation of a consumer product safety rule or an order declaring a consumer product injurious and unsafe. Any persons who will violate any provisions of this Act will have a penalties depending on its violation.
The State shall promote and encourage fair, honest and equitable relations among parties in consumer transactions and protect the consumer against deceptive, unfair and unconscionable sales acts or practices. Grossly inimical to the interests of the consumer or grossly one side in favor of the producer, manufacturer, distributor, supplier or seller.
To improve the management, coordination and effectiveness of consumer programs, a National Consumer Affairs Council was being created. The council composed of the Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Education, Culture and Sports, Department of Health, Department of Agriculture, four representatives from consumer organization of nationwide based to be chosen by the President from among the nominees submitted by the various consumer groups in the Philippines, and two representatives from business/industry sector to be chosen by the President from among the nominees submitted by the various business organizations. The council have the power to recommend new policies and legislation or amendments to existing ones.
The DECS shall develop and adopt consumer education which will be part of the curricula of all public and private schools. This will help the consumer to be a responsible consumer of the society and develop its critical awareness, assertiveness, social concern, environmental awareness, consumer's right and practical problems the consumer faces in daily life.

CASE 5

How new technology is rewiring our brains?
Answer: Nowadays, new technology takes a big part in our lives. It helps us in so many ways but it do also have change our lives from the traditional one. There are lot of changes we encountered in the coming of new technology. New technologies have changed the way we interact with the world.


Source: http://www.techstartups.com/2010/06/07/how-gadgets-are-rewiring-our-brains-and-our-behavior/

By Staff Writer – Boonsri Dickinson (@boonspoon)

I think the New York Times article on “Attached to Technology and Paying a Price” is a bit overblown. Are we really that addicted to technology?

On average we consume 12 hours of media a day and we surf 40 websites daily.

I have to admit, when I got an iPhone I became more attached to technology — at times, I slept with it in my bed (and from what I hear is not all that uncommon).

The New York Times reports:

“The technology is rewiring our brains,” said Nora Volkow, director of the National Institute of Drug Abuse and one of the world’s leading brain scientists. She and other researchers compare the lure of digital stimulation less to that of drugs and alcohol than to food and sex, which are essential but counterproductive in excess.

So fine, I did get side tracked yesterday while I was surfing the Internet and was late to a brunch. Maybe technology is so habitual that we are unaware of how much we depend on it. I must admit when I didn’t have a smart phone or Internet for 2 weeks, time went by more slowly and I read paperback books.

Now if you are wondering if you spend an unhealthy amount of time on the Internet, you might want to take a self assessment. No doubt, access to the Internet widens the range of temptations — so much so, scientists are finding that people who have a gambling problem also have a “problematic Internet” behavior.

Technology is a utility and we depend on it, so of course, it is changing our habits and our brains.

The NY Times also reports that experts think that this media overload makes us “impulsive, forgetful, and even more narcissistic.” Oh, and I just thought that was just a part of living in New York.

CASE4

1. What is Outsourcing?

Base on the wikipedia, outsourcing refers to the process of contracting to a third-party. While outsourcing may be viewed as a component to the growing division of labor encompassing all s the term did not enter the Ebglish-speaking lexicon until the 1980s. Since the 1980s, transnational corporation have increased subcontracting across national boundaries. In the United States, outsourcing is a popular political issue.outsourcing is often viewed as involving the contracting out of a business function - commonly one previously performed in-house - to an external provider. In this sense, two organizations may enter a contractual agreement involving an exchange of services and payments. Of recent concern is the ability of businesses to outsource to suppliers outside the nation, sometimes referred to as offshoring or offshore outsourcing(which are odd terms because doing business with another country does not mean you have to go offshore). In addition, several related terms have emerged to grasp various aspects of the complex relationship between economic organizations or networks such as nearshoring, multisourcing and strategic outsourcing. Almost any conceivable business practice can be outsourced for any number of stated reasons. The implications of outsourcing objectively and subjectively vary across time and space.
According to T Thompson, Outsourcing refers to a company that contracts with another company to provide services that might otherwise be performed by in-house employees. Many large companies now outsource jobs such as call center services, e-mail services, and payroll.These jobs are handled by separate companies that specialize in each service, and are often located overseas.


2. What are the advantages and disadvantages of outsourcing?

The advantages of outsourcing are the following:
a)Focus on Core Activities-In rapid growth periods, the back-office operations of a company will expand also. This expansion may start to consume resources (human and financial) at the expense of the core activities that have made your company successful. Outsourcing those activities will allow refocusing on those business activities that are important without sacrificing quality or service in the back-office.
b) Cost and Efficiency Savings-nature, but the size of your company is preventing you from performing it at a consistent and reasonable cost, is another advantage of outsourcing.
c) Reduced Overhead-Overhead costs of performing a particular back-office function are extremely high. Consider outsourcing those functions which can be moved easily.
d) Operational Control-Operations whose costs are running out of control must be considered for outsourcing. Departments that may have evolved over time into uncontrolled and poorly managed areas are prime motivators for outsourcing. In addition, an outsourcing company can bring better management skills to your company than what would otherwise be available.
e) Staffing Flexibility-Outsourcing will allow operations that have seasonal or cyclical demands to bring in additional resources when you need them and release them when you’re done.
f) Continuity & Risk Management-Periods of high employee turnover will add uncertainty and inconsistency to the operations. Outsourcing will provided a level of continuity to the company while reducing the risk that a substandard level of operation would bring to the company.
g) Develop Internal Staff-A large project needs to be undertaken that requires skills that your staff does not possess. On-site outsourcing of the project will bring people with the skills you need into your company. Your people can work alongside of them to acquire the new skill set.

Disadvantages of outsourcing are:
a) Loss of Managerial Control- Whether you sign a contract to have another company perform the function of an entire department or single task, you are turning the management and control of that function over to another company. True, you will have a contract, but the managerial control will belong to another company. Your outsourcing company will not be driven by the same standards and mission that drives your company. They will be driven to make a profit from the services that they are providing to you and other businesses like yours.
b) Hidden Costs- You will sign a contract with the outsourcing company that will cover the details of the service that they will be providing. Any thing not covered in the contract will be the basis for you to pay additional charges. Additionally, you will experience legal fees to retain a lawyer to review the contacts you will sign. Remember, this is the outsourcing company's business. They have done this before and they are the ones that write the contract. Therefore, you will be at a disadvantage when negotiations start.
c) Threat to Security and Confidentiality-The life-blood of any business is the information that keeps it running. If you have payroll, medical records or any other confidential information that will be transmitted to the outsourcing company, there is a risk that the confidentiality may be compromised. If the outsourced function involves sharing proprietary company data or knowledge (e.g. product drawings, formulas, etc.), this must be taken into account. Evaluate the outsourcing company carefully to make sure your data is protected and the contract has a penalty clause if an incident occurs.
d) Quality Problems-The outsourcing company will be motivated by profit. Since the contract will fix the price, the only way for them to increase profit will be to decrease expenses. As long as they meet the conditions of the contract, you will pay. In addition, you will lose the ability to rapidly respond to changes in the business environment. The contract will be very specific and you will pay extra for changes.
e) Tied to the Financial Well-being of Another Company-Since you will be turning over part of the operations of your business to another company, you will now be tied to the financial well-being of that company. It wouldn't be the first time that an outsourcing company could go bankrupt and leave you holding-the-bag.
f) Bad Publicity and Ill-Will-The word "outsourcing" brings to mind different things to different people. If you live in a community that has an outsourcing company and they employ your friends and neighbors, outsourcing is good. If your friends and neighbors lost their jobs because they were shipped across the state, across the country or across the world, outsourcing will bring bad publicity. If you outsource part of your operations, morale may suffer in the remaining work force.

3. What is the implication of outsourcing?

IT outsourcing is a growing phenomenon in the developed economies. However, it is not often managed as strategically as it might be. Drawing on evidence from 30 case histories in the United Kingdom, this article presents the basis for a strategic approach. It identifies six critical factors around which IT outsourcing decisions can be based, provides a framework for decision-making based on organizational experiences of different levels of success, and discusses the additional factors that need to be borne in mind as a reality check, to ensure that the IT outsourcing decision can be delivered upon. The paper argues for a more strategic approach to IT outsourcing and provides frameworks to enable decision-makers to think through the issues presented by an impending IT sourcing decision.
The potential performance enhancement that may result from a carefully formulated outsourcing strategy are suggested by the competency-based and resource-based perspective om strategic management. Potential benefits of outsourcing, such a cost improvement and more narrow focus on core competencies, make outsourcing an attractive option. Firm performance is being influence by the two types of outsourcing, the peripheral and core. Peripheral allows firms to focus on activities they do best and improve the quality of those activities. Peripheral outsourcing intensity has a positive effect in the firm performance. Core outsourcing may lead to declining innovation and eventually competition from suppliers. This has a negative effect in the firm performance.

CASE 2

Climate change, specifically global warming, has captured the attention of people worldwide and has inspired more debate and action—personal, political and corporate—than perhaps any other environmental issue in history.Global warming is the increase in the average temperature of Earth's near-surface air and oceans since the mid-20th century and its projected continuation. Global warming is the term used to describe a gradual increase in the average temperature of the Earth's atmosphere and its oceans, a change that is believed to be permanently changing the Earth’s climate forever. It is very serious threat to our way of life. There are many proven facts that demonstrate how global warming has afected certain parts of our planet.
Scientists have determined that a number of human activities are contributing to global warming by adding excessive amounts of greenhouse gases to the atmosphere. Greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide accummulate in the atmosphere and trap heat that normally would exit into outer space.While many greenhouse gases occur naturally and are needed to create the greenhouse that keeps the Earth warm enough to support life, human use of fossil fuels is the main source of excess greenhouse gases. By driving cars, using electricity from coal-fired power plants, or heating our homes with oil or natural gas, we release carbon dioxide and other heat-trapping gases into the atmosphere. Deforestation is another significant source of greenhouse gases, because fewer trees means less carbon dioxide conversion to oxygen.
New technology makes a big help for us but it can be one of the causes of global warming which gives environmental pollution and this is also one of the causes of climate change. IT departments became the major source of negative environmental impact. New technologies such as electronics devices must be recycled because it contains toxic materials that can effect our greenhouse gases.
In order to avoid the predicted future climate of the earth we must try to help in preventing global warming. Let us take good care of the earth.

CASE #3

1. What is facebook?
Answer: Facebook is a social networking sites which was operated and owned by Facebook Inc. It is first founded on February 2004. Facebook allows the users to keep in touch with their family, relatives, business associates and friends. It makes impossible not to communicate with your old friends. Facebook also allows the users to meet new friends and to be friends with your friends friend. You can share name, address, age, gender or our complete profile. You can also share your interest and even your ideas to your friends if you want. Facebook is also an entertaining website. It is one of the closest competitors of Google and Yahoo. Nowadays, Facebook is the worlds largest networking platform.

2. Advantages and disadvantages of Facebook.
Answer: The advantages of Facebook includes the thing that it allows the users to search for the new and old friends. It is also accessible to chosen universities having a high level of security. Facebook makes it less awkward when communicating with strangers or those people you are not familiar with and it helps you to meet more new friends. It also makes it easier to join those groups having similar with likes and dislikes. Facebook also have disadvantages. One of these is Facebook is overcrowding since there are millions of users. It also makes long distance relationships become weak. Facebook is unsupported by physical adjacey and contributes wide-range procrastination. Ot also causes rampant addiction and stalking is possible in facebook.

3. What are the characteristics of Facebook why many people engaged in this site?
Answer: The characteristics of Facebook that makes many people engaged to it are it is an easy to access and easy to learn networking website. It also allows user to meet new and old friends or even the friends friend. Facebook also allows you to keep in touch with your family, relatives or friend which are away from you. You can upload music, videos and photos in your account. You can upload photos as much as you want because uploading of photos is fast and unlimited. There are lots of application in the Facebook such as informations that are being posted by your friends or by the Facebook Inc. and games,such as farm ville, cafe world, treasure islands & etc., that will entertain or makes you enjoy. It also helps your friend to be updated of your last activity in your facebook account.

4. Can you use Facebook on E-commerce? How? Why?
Answer: Facebook can be use on E-commerce since Facebook is a social linking network that represents a fast growing Internet phenomenon and there are lots of users in this site. Sites like Facebook takes the idea of a blogroll to grow to a new height, connecting friends and businesses associates one a single website. Payvement is a startup that allows anyone to create and operate a retail storefront on Facebook. Payvment’s Facebook App lets you set up products, categories of products (i.e. shoes, T-shirts, sweaters), import photos, list terms of service and shipping options and more. Once you set up your online shop on Facebook, it will show up in a separate tab on your profile or page under “storefront”.You can use videos to connect with your costumers. You can open authentic communication to your costumers using Facebook.

5. How important facebook in the society today?
Answer: Today, the internet has reshaped our world beyond our imagination. People now uses desktop or laptop computers not just for work but also for entertainment and communication as well. Part of the ever growing popularity of the world wide web as a new means of communication is the advent of social networking sites. There are several social networking sites today and one of these is the Facebook. Facebook helps people in keeping in touch with their friends, loved ones, family, distant relatives and even business associates. It can also be used in job hunting. On the other hand, job applicants take advantage of these sites to post their resume and credentials. It's a great tool one can use in order to make a good impression to a company. If you're applying for a computer related job, it would be great to maintain a personal profile.You can also help those people that in needs through facebook. People who seek fund raising and donation can use Facebook.