SENATE’s Duty: Ignore SC TRO

A couple of days ago, the Supreme Court by a vote of 8-5 issued a temporary restraining order (TRO) stopping the Senate as an impeachment court from compelling bank officials to open the foreign currency deposits of Chief Justice Renato Corona who is being tried for impeachment.

The Senate action was to aid in its quasi-judicial and quasi-political function and duty to unearth the truth regarding CJ Corona’s undeclared and unexplained wealth. This duty flows from the Senate’s Constitutional mandate to hear, try and decide impeachment cases SOLELY and EXCLUSIVELY – meaning, free from interference and RESTRAINT from any party either temporarily or permanently.  The only possible exception is an intervention by the people directly in the exercise of their sovereign power.

Eight Justices with no mandates from the sovereign people cannot and should not be allowed to intervene in the exercise of the nationally-elected Senators’ political will and wisdom representing millions, and those of the Congressmen representing 75% of the populace. It would be self-serving by any standard.

Heeding and honoring the SC TRO would not just be surrendering its SOLE and EXCLUSIVE AUTHORITY, but the Senate would also be evading and avoiding a solemn duty to obtain evidence from all sources in trying high public officials accused of betraying public trust.

Allowing the TRO would be looked at as aiding and abetting the likes of CJ Corona to avoid the discovery of undeclared, unexplained and hidden wealth to the disappointment of the Senators’ constituencies who granted them the power, the duty, the prerogative and discretion. This would be an unnecessary non-use of Constitutional sovereign power.

Corollary to this power, the legislative body is also given the prerogative to grant immunity to witnesses that assist them in attaining the goals and policies that promote the people’s interests and welfare.  This means that witnesses, who fear that they could be prosecuted for violating certain laws, could be granted immunity from prosecution because they have been called upon to attain a greater goal. In fact, in certain cases, the witnesses were even granted rewards for performing a patriotic citizens’ duty.

This prerogative is a settled law.

“The power to grant immunity from prosecution is essentially a legislative prerogative. (Doyle v. Hofstader, 257 NY 244).

“The exclusive power of Congress to define crimes and their nature and to provide for their punishment concomitantly carries the power to immunize certain persons from prosecution to facilitate the attainment of state interests, among them, the solution and prosecution of crimes with high political, social and economic impact.” (Mapa Jr. v. Sandiganbayan, G.R. No 100295, April 26, 1994, 231 SCRA 783.

“In the exercise of this power, Congress possesses broad discretion and can lay down conditions and the extent of the immunity granted.” Tanchanco v. Sandiganbayan (Second Division), 512 Phil. 590 (2005).

This prerogative and discretion is reflected in Presidential Decree 1732, Republic Act 1379, and Presidential Decree 749 as willed by the sovereign people through Congress.

There is nothing that can prevent them from doing it in the exercise of their solemn and sovereign duty in impeachment cases.

There is nothing that can prevent the Senate from working with the House to pass a Congressional resolution asking the President to grant pardons to the brave and patriotic citizens who aid in exposing public officials who commit graft and corruption and hide the material effects of their crime.

Of course, there is nothing that can prevent both Houses to pass a law that clearly and specifically allow, without doubt, impeachment cases as exception to the absolute confidentiality of foreign currency deposits,

There is wisdom to what the non-lawyer Senator Judge Antonio Trillanes said, “there is absolutely no basis for the claims of some quarters that the subpoena issued by the Senate ordering the opening of the dollar accounts allegedly owned by Chief Justice Corona with the PSBank will result in loss of privacy of bank deposits and will adversely affect the country’s banking system.

“First of all, the exception from the bank and foreign currency deposit secrecy laws which will result from the implementation of the subpoena will apply to a handful of impeachable officials only and specifically in impeachment cases only,”

Under the Constitution, only the President, the Vice President, members of the Supreme Court, the Ombudsman and Chairmen and Commissioners of the Constitutional Commissions can be the subjects of impeachment.

It is very clear that investors, corporations, private businesses and private individuals and even ordinary officials and rank-and-file government employees will not be affected since they are not impeachable officers and can never be respondents in any impeachment case,”

He added that at the end of the day, the precedent created by the impeachment court’s ruling can potentially affect only corrupt, high-ranking government officials. This should in fact be a welcome development because of the law. It should never be a refuge for those engaged in corruption and other criminal activities,” Trillanes said.

Senator Judge “Sonny” Trillanes gets it right. The others should get it too!

Battleground for Justice and Truth

Obtaining justice by seeking the truth.  Such is the objective of both the Prosecution and the Defense in the impeachment trial of Supreme Court Justice Renato Corona.

Reading the complaint and the answer, I thought that the issues having been joined, the battle lines drawn, and the Senate having acquired jurisdiction, the process of seeking the truth would proceed in the interest of the sovereign people.  The best offense is Truth as charged and the best defense is Truth as claimed.

The Prosecution started with the charge of culpable violation of the Constitution and betrayal of public trust. To support the charge, the Prosecution claims that CJ Corona failed to fully disclose his Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN) as mandated by the Constitution and statute. There was a special mention of several properties evidenced by Deeds of Sale and Certificates of Title that CJ Corona failed to declare. The media reported initially that there were 45 properties owned by CJ Corona. It turned out that the Prosecution could only show 24.

Despite the objection of the Defense, the impeachment court decided to allow the disclosure of CJ Corona’s SALN in the interest of truth and hopefully, justice.

Based on his SALN, CJ Corona declared a total of 8 properties, thus failing to declare 16 properties, which the Prosecution asserts they could show with documentary and testimonial evidences.

The Prosecution also questioned the declaration of Cash on Hand and in the Bank. So, the prosecutors asked to subpoena the Philippine peso and dollar bank accounts of CJ Corona to prove that the latter failed to disclose the true amounts.

The best way to belie an alleged truth as claimed by the Prosecution would have been to show the real truth by showing that CJ Corona’s declared Cash on Hand and/or in Bank are the same as those in his bank accounts.

Alleged truth vs. real truth would have simply resolved the matter. The Defense instead vehemently objected to the showing of CJ Corona’s peso and dollar bank accounts, thus seeking to hide the truth and waiving its best defense.

The impeachment court wisely allowed the showing of CJ Corona’s peso bank accounts but delayed compelling the disclosure of the dollar account pending the petition of the bank for a TRO (temporary restraining order).

The disclosure of the peso bank accounts were actually more than enough to show that CJ Corona misdeclared his Cash on Hand and/or in Bank in his SALN. Further disclosure would show that the truth as alleged by the Prosecution would prove to be the right and real one. To avoid further damage, he and his lawyers must act.

As my father used to say, “choose your battles – the ones you can win”.

Chief Justice Renato Corona, acting through his defense lawyers, decided to change course and the battleground.  They would go to where they could have the home court advantage and where they would be allowed, ironically, to hide the truth. That is, the Supreme Court, CJ Corona’s Court.

First, was to stop the disclosure of the dollar bank accounts; and second, was to stop the impeachment trial itself.

The Supreme Court in an 8-5 vote issued a TRO (temporary restraining order) to stop the opening of CJ Corona’s dollar bank account.

We still do not know how the Senate or impeachment court would react to the TRO. The body “will take it up in due time.”

The Supreme Court has not acted on the petition to stop the impeachment trial. But earlier, Senate President Enrile said, “Nobody except the military could stop us from conducting the impeachment trial.”

The Philippines has a democratic and a republican government. Democratic because “sovereignty resides in the people and all government authority emanates from them.” Republican because it is representative and that the people’s will is acted upon directly, through their elected representatives locally and nationally; and indirectly, through appointive officials. Such will is expressed in the form of the fundamental law - the Constitution, laws, implementing rules, Executive orders, Presidential orders, Department orders, provincial board resolutions, municipal ordinances, court decisions and the like.

In disciplining high government officials such as those enumerated in the Constitution as impeachable, the people designated the House of Representatives by a vote of at least 1/3 to have the power to impeach and the Senate to hear and decide the impeachment case. Such powers are exclusive. The Senators and Congressmen are answerable only to the people that they represent. That is why issues relating to such powers would be political questions that the other branches of government, Executive or the Supreme Court are advised not to touch.

Should the Supreme Court interfere in the impeachment proceedings especially if it involves one of their associates, or worse, their Chief?

The ready answer and my take is, NO. The power to hear and decide impeachment cases is one solely and exclusively vested upon the Senate free from interference from any other branch of government. Any action or petition before any other court would be a political question. The actions of the Senate are considered dictates of the sovereign people that they represent. On political questions, the Justices who are appointive officials have no such mandates.

Some legal experts, however, opine that the Supreme Court may interfere in cases where the Senate is found to have committed grave abuse of discretion.

Did the Senate/impeachment court commit grave abuse of discretion in issuing a subpoena for the peso and dollar accounts of CJ Corona? Is forcing a bank official to violate the law on the secrecy of foreign currency deposits considered grave abuse of discretion on the part of the Senate?

What happens if the Senate refuses to comply with the TRO and insists on compelling the bank to open the accounts? How will the Supreme Court enforce its ruling?

The Senate as an impeachment court has the discretion or power to compel anybody to produce any evidence to aid its quasi-judicial and quasi-political function especially in seeking the truth.

Knowing the contents of CJ Corona’s dollar bank accounts would help in determining whether or not he truthfully and accurately declared SALNs as contemplated under the law.

The Senate therefore, did not gravely abuse its discretion. On the contrary, it is being true to its mandate. About 75% (188/250) of the sovereign people are represented in wanting to impeach the Chief Justice and had formally asked the Senate who were all elected nationally to hear and decide the impeachment case. Any action to seek the truth by the Senate as an impeachment court is beyond review.

Its decision might seemingly contradict the secrecy of foreign currency deposits law because the latter provided only one exception. That is, the written permission of the depositor to open.  But it could also be interpreted as an added exception or a virtual amendment by judicial legislation on the part of the impeachment court or virtual legislation having obtained the nod of the majority of both the House and the Senate and without Presidential objection.

There is a reason and wisdom for vesting the impeachment powers solely and exclusively to the House and the Senate.  Supreme Court Justices and other impeachable high public officials enumerated in the Constitution should respect it and should in no way influence or interfere in the exercise of such powers or in the fulfillment of its sovereign obligation.

Cleansing the CORONAry Path to Justice

My barber asked me, “What is your take on the impeachment trial of Philippine Chief Justice Renato Corona?”

I told him that I should really withhold judgment until both sides are presented and heard. However, there are certain issues that I could deal with without appearing to be biased. Besides, now that I am a credentialed member of the Press, there are responsibilities that I have to meet in the dissemination of information relating to the trial.

NATURE OF IMPREACHMENT

In a representative (republican), democratic (sovereignty resides in the people) and constitutional government, impeachment is both a quasi-political and a quasi-judicial process.

The House of Representatives is empowered by the Constitution to impeach by a vote or by signatures of 1/3 of its members. Upon transmittal of the Articles of Impeachment as endorsed by the required numbers to the Senate, the latter shall conduct the trial as provided by the Constitution.

The assumption is that it is the will of the people that the signatories in the House represent and that of the Senate who will hear and judge.

Under this process, the House is like the Fiscal or Prosecutor while the Senate is like a Judge and Jury. Their corresponding powers are exclusive and could only be overruled by the people who gave them such authority.

As argued by some, theoretically, if the Senate abuses its power or authority, its actions are appealable to the Supreme Court.  Who determines what is abusive or not? Each Senator is a Judge and Juror.  One has to prove each and collectively such abuse which is next to impossible to do. My take is that only the sovereign people could determine whether their representatives in the Senate abused the powers vested upon them.

BURDEN OF PROOF

Another issue is the burden of proof. There is no specific provision defining the required evidence in an impeachment proceeding.  If perceived as a criminal case, then, “proof beyond reasonable doubt” is required.  This means “that degree of proof produced in an unprejudiced mind” which arises from moral certainty that the person to be convicted is guilty of the crime.

It could also be looked at as an ordinary administrative proceeding; administrative proceedings in quasi-judicial bodies; or as a case that is between civil and criminal. The evidence required is: Substantial evidence; Preponderance of evidence; and Clear and convincing proof or overwhelming preponderance, respevtively.

Substantial evidence refers to “such amount of relevant evidence which a reasonable mind might accept as adequate to justify a conclusion.” As expected, the prosecution asserts that the required burden on their part is this one.

Section 1 of Rule 133 of the Rules of Court shows how to determine preponderance of evidence: “the court may consider all the facts and circumstances of the case, the witnesses’ manner of testifying, their intelligence, their means and opportunity of knowing the facts to which they are testifying, the nature of the facts to which they testify, the probability or improbability of their testimony, their interest or want of interest, and also their personal credibility so far as the same may legitimately appear upon trial.”

Clear and convincing proof is a more stringent standard than preponderance of evidence but less than proof beyond reasonable doubt. A couple of Senators who are lawyers are inclined to use this standard but call it the same way as Yale Professor Charles Black, Jr. as “overwhelming preponderance of evidence.”

My barber interrupted: “The maximum penalty for impeachment is removal from office. It could even be less, such as reprimand. This is like an ordinary worker or employee getting fired for cause where it only requires substantial evidence. Why should the required evidence to sanction an errant Chief Justice be any different?”

He has a point but this has to be relayed to each of the Senators. I proceeded.

Prior to judgment, the Judge gives instructions to each member of the Jury regarding the standard of proof and other matters. Since each Senator is a Judge and Juror, he actually instructs himself. In short, he could follow any standard and judge for himself either objectively or subjectively. The law gives him that much leeway as a chosen Judge/Juror/Representative of the sovereign people.

IMPEACHABLE OFFENSES

The Constitution enumerates the following offenses as impeachable: culpable violation of the Constitution, treason, bribery, graft and corruption, other high crimes, or betrayal of public trust.

Let me touch briefly on only two offenses, as we still have to hear the rest of evidence to be presented. One is culpable violation of the Constitution and the other, betrayal of public trust.

The prosecution charges CJ Corona with “culpable violation of the Constitution for non-disclosure of the statement of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN).”

CJ Corona actually filed his SALN. It was eventually disclosed at the Senate for all the Senators and the public to see. Does this constitute compliance regardless of the accuracy or falsity of the contents?

The law requires full disclosure of facts.  In fact, to do otherwise would be considered “Making untruthful statements in a narration of facts” under Article 171-Falsification by public officer, employee, etc. It is a Crime Against Public Interest.

As stated in the law, “by legal obligation is meant that the law requires a full disclosure of facts such as in a public official’s STATEMENT OF ASSETS and LIABILITIES…”

This could also be interpreted as betrayal of public trust on the part of Chief Justice Corona if his SALN as submitted proved to be false. Waiting for the defense.

My favorite top-notch investigative reporter Raissa Robles in a brilliant research, reporting and analysis had this to say about the relevance of SALN in CJ Corona’s case:

To the prosecutors: “they have a document they can refer to when they present Income Tax Returns (ITRs) and Statements of Assets Liabilities and Net worth (SALNs) as evidence. It’s a document written by someone who happens to be named Renato C. Corona.

In that document, CJ Corona made some interesting points:

■He said the burden of proof lies with the person being accused of having amassed such wealth. ■He also said the court should disregard technicalities thrown by the defendant’s side. ■And he said it was enough to compare a respondent’s SALNs (Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth) and ITRs (Income Tax Return) with the wealth in question to determine the latter’s illegal origin. If disclosed income and assets were far less than the questioned wealth, then the latter is ill-gotten. CJ Corona showed how to connect the dots using the SALN and the ITR in his ruling entitled Republic of the Philippines vs. the Sandiganbayan and Ferdinand Marcos, as represented by his heirs: his wife Imelda and their children Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr., Governor Imee Marcos, and Irene Marcos-Araneta.

Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona wrote how to compute for corruption in his landmark decision on the Marcoses' ill gotten wealth case. In this 2011 photo, CJ Corona sits beside Senator Bongbong Marcos In his very exhaustive ruling on this civil forfeiture case, CJ Corona concretely showed: 

■How to use SALNs and ITRs to compute for the total assets of the respondent ■Then how to determine the amount of alleged ill-gotten wealth in comparison to the defendant’s total assets.”

By definition, ill-gotten wealth is graft and corruption, which is also a ground for impeachment. 

“Miracles” in the Sin City (Final)

In political terms, we are called citizens; in economic terms, consumers; socially, friends, fans, or followers; and in scientific and religious terms, creatures formed either by evolution and/or by the hand of an Infinite Supreme Being.  Commonly, we are the sovereign people endowed with certain inalienable rights and powers that define us as political, economic, social, and scientific/religious beings.

With the help of my barber, I have endeavored to describe and analyze the issues and interests affecting our species based on experience, exposure, examples and exhibits. My series on the CES 2012 is one such demonstration focusing on us being consumers.

While the interest has been mainly on smartphones and tablets, the fact is, there are other new products that attracted the attention of the consumers.

LAST GADGET STANDING

In the “Last Gadget Standing”, one of the 10 finalists was the Origami power-folding stroller.  I took a video of it being demoed and showed it to some selected parents later.  Just hit a button and it “collapses in just a few seconds time, making it compact enough to slip into most trunks and other storage areas.”

There is a sensor built into the seat that detects the presence of your baby and preventing him from being squashed. It also sports an LCD screen which displays mileage walked. During the night, lights are provided. The wheel system is also regenerative that powers its electronics functionalities including the recharging of your cell phone.  Targeted consumers such as the Moms, Dads, Grandmas and Grandpas should love it!

The actual winner in the contest was the Lytro Camera. It is a revolutionary camera that allows users to “Shoot now, focus later.” What it means is that photographers can actually set focus after taking the photo.

It has an 8x optical touch screen zoom lens with no auto focus, no shutter-lad, no modes, flash, dials, and settings. It is supposed to make “shooting ten times easier than what even the best digital cameras can do.”

Take the picture of a whole group and decide who to focus later on depending on the person you are tagging or describing.

BEST MOBILE APPS

I also witnessed the demonstration of the 10 Best Mobile Apps. The winner was MAGISTO that I already installed in my iPad 2.  It automatically turns plain videos to beautifully edited and produced Movies. Just create videos, submit them to MAGISTO and the app will take care of editing and producing it.

TECH ZONES

Walking around just to satisfy my curiosity at CES, I could see that the show and exhibit was not just about laptops, notebooks, tablets and smartphones. It was and is about technologies that affect our daily lives.

In the Go Electric Drive Tech Zone, electric cars were clearly displayed. I entered the raffle to win one of them but have not gotten a notice yet. Solar power devices were also on display.

The Safe Driver Tech Zone had products that promote new technologies to ensure safer driving while the Sustainable Planet Tech Zone featured innovators promoting products that lessen energy consumption and a clean and green environment.

The Sports and Fitness Tech Zone had apps products that dealt with health and fitness – eating right, losing weight, and monitoring/measuring to prevent disease.  Substantial efforts were made to produce products that would shrink healthcare costs.

The Higher ED Tech Zone featured apps, games, and devices that enhance the education of children and adults.

There were other zones and thousands of exhibitors but because of time and human limitations, I could not visit them all.

But for those that I visited and explored, I could not help but conclude the existence and display of mind-boggling technologies with the highest level of innovation.

In my Philosophy class I learned an Scholastic dictum, which said, “There is nothing in the intellect that is not first in the senses.” Knowledge is in the intellect. But it always passes through any or all of the senses.

The interconnectivity and interfacing of all digital devices such as desktops, laptops, notebooks, ultrabooks, tablets, eBook readers, smartphones, digital TVs, digital game players, digital music/audio/video players plus apps make all of them interchangeable multimedia gadgets in a wireless or wired networked environment.

The trend is to fully satisfy the intellect and the senses. Be it searching for knowledge and wisdom; fun and entertainment; better communications; and peace, tranquility, and security, the capabilities of these devices could now converge digitally whether online or offline globally or locally.

That is why we will soon see multimedia devices wherein to read, write, compute, sketch, design, watch, listen, and play individually, independently and interactively, you can either TYPE it, MOUSE it, TOUCH it, SAY it, and amazingly, GESTURE, SIGNAL or even EYE (eye moves the screen) it!

In conclusion, I was indeed witness to some “Miracles” in the Sin City.

“Miracles” In the Sin City (Part III)

Gary Shapiro, Chairman of the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) aptly described it “the glorious apex of innovation.”

Yes, the 2012 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) indeed, “is more than a business event. It is source for inspiration, hope, optimism that innovation will improve the human condition,” Shapiro continued.

Seated at the front row as a credentialed member of the Press, I was lucky to watch and listen to the head of the association who has led, year after year, the effective and efficient management of a show that became “the cause of innovation”.

It is a cause closely linked to the health and growth of the global economy that has been pummeled by crisis after crisis, both natural and manmade.

It is innovation that promoted and accelerated the cause of democracy in many countries such as those in the Middle East and Africa where dictators reigned for decades. It is innovation that saved lives in times of natural disasters such as the tsunamis, earthquakes, typhoons and the like.

Innovation creates jobs, adds earnings, informs and educates people, entertains and makes them healthier and allows them to enjoy the conveniences brought about by new electronic products.

At the show, I met a lot of bloggers, electronics engineers, and IT Professionals; buyers and resellers; software, Apps and content developers; and of course, small and big companies unveiling and exhibiting their new gadgets, mobile apps and other inventions.

The International CES has always been a showcase of Android-based and Windows-based products and technologies as supported by Intel, Qualcomm, NVDIA; Manufacturers and Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) such as Samsung, HTC, Motorola, Fugitsu and Nokia; networks such as AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, and T-Mobile for the United States, and those of other countries.

Apple will have its MACWORLD/IWORLD in San Francisco next week. I am attending it also as a credentialed member of the Press. I intend to write about the products to be launched and exhibited there.

Smartphones and Tablets continue to be the dominant interests of the consumers.  I noticed that the new smartphones were somehow designed and engineered to competitively replicate the design, functionality and utility of the MAC iPhones, the latest being the iPhone 4s.  

The new smartphones exhibited at the CES were actually quite as attractive, useful and as ‘cool’ as evaluated by some geeks. Examples: Motorola’s Droid Razr-Maxx; Windows Phone HTC Radar; Windows Phone Nokia’s Lumia 800; Lenovo’s Android phone; Samsung’s Galaxy; Casio’s GZ One Ravine; and Casio’s Go Commando.  Windows 8 phones Nokia Lumia 900 and HTC versions were announced but would not be available until next month.

The above-mentioned smartphones proved to have sleeker designs, to be more durable, 3D capable and for some, capable of operating even underwater.

I have an iPhone and an Android phone. I do not have a Windows phone yet. I am waiting for the Windows 8 model.

The Tablets displayed had a likewise similar goal – to compete against the very popular iPad.  I visited the booths displaying the different tablets manufactured by different companies.

As to design, none of them could compete with the iPad. But, as to functionality, there are some things in the new Tablets that trump the iPad.

Last year as in previous years, I went around the booths exhibiting smartphones and Tablets including Google’s Android, asking the question, “does your device have an offline search engine a la Google Desktop or the Windows search function?”

The reason why this issue is important to me is because of my interest in the creation of electronic libraries. When my company was licensed to manufacture and exclusively distribute in the Philippines Franklin’s eBookMan that later became Amazon’s Kindle, we also got involved in creating contents which we termed “Library in Your Pocket”. One important feature was not just to store eBooks and/or eLibraries including audio and video files in large volumes in pocketable or portable devices but, more importantly, to be able to search and retrieve speedily any of the contents offline.  It is your personal or professional private and secure library accessible and available only to you and in your device without having to go to the Internet or the Cloud.  

The answer in previous years was a resounding NO. Even Google’s Android did not have the feature. Neither did the Windows Mobile phones. In a meeting that included MAC experts, enthusiasts and “geniuses”, the latter’s answer to the same question was NO. I was not really surprised because I use and could not leave home without my iPad. I was just wondering if they knew of any application that could do it. Still negative.

This year, it is different.  The Windows 7 and, of course, the Windows 8 Tablets tell me a great story. The powerful Windows 7/8 embedded in Windows Tablets would allow the downloading of ALL Windows applications so useful to the Enterprise, the Professional and to every Tom, Ben, Juan and Maria. Obviously, this includes the Google Desktop offline search engine added to built-in Windows offline search function and Bing.

Ironically, Google’s Android Tablet still does not allow the downloading of the Google Desktop search engine.

Another functionality of the Windows 7/8 Tablets which trumps the iPad is the expansion of memory size by connecting USB and SD cards as well as external hard drives.  Windows is able to index all of them and, therefore, allows the user to search whatever contents he stored for retrieval.

Do you know what this means? When we convert text files or documents into the eBook format, we are able to put about 1000 pages per megabyte (MB) or 1 million pages per gigabyte (GB).  Suppose we have 1 terabyte (TB) or more storage/memory capacity? Compute!

We can virtually install the entire National Library of the Philippines, the University of the Philippines Library, San Beda’s and all those of other universities combined given the expanded memory size in a Windows Tablet. Access and search any of them anywhere, anytime! Isn’t that a little “miracle”?

At the show were devices capable of interconnecting and interfacing that affect all facets of life. I will describe them in my next article.

Because all these devices are digital, their contents, be they documents, voice/audio, video and other formats are now made accessible to you anywhere, anytime, openly, privately, securely, online or offline.

As I described in my previous column, if you want to install contents or institute changes to such contents, you can either TYPE it, MOUSE it, TOUCH it, SAY it, and get this, GESTURE or SIGNAL it.

How? You have to wait for my next article or, like any other Digital Native or Immigrant, just Google or Bing it! J

“Miracles” In The Sin City (Part II)

The last time I was in Las Vegas was six months ago when the Maynigo-Gal-lang clan had a family reunion.  Fr. Victor Arenas Maynigo, a first cousin Catholic priest of 42 years led the festivities symbolizing that the city was not necessarily a site just for the “sinner”. The presence of babies, children, and the elderly still looking young was a reminder of a miracle usually taken for granted – the “Miracle of Life”.

Although brought about by finite human beings in their not so “creative” ways, this miracle continues to be attributed and credited to some Infinite and Supreme Being by many.  But DNA technology has scientifically shown the sources, lineage and cause for being of the unique individual. At least we can claim to be principal material witnesses if not Principals by Direct Participation.

Now I am here again in Las Vegas attending,  as I have for several years, the International Consumer Electronics Show.  As I described in a previous column, I have been a living witness to many of the “miracles” in these modern times. They come in the form of new inventions, products and technologies that were all products of one’s imagination, then innovation, and finally, creation.

CES is indeed a show FOR the consumer, OF the consumer and BY the consumer. The digitization or “electronification” of many aspects of the life of the consumer always becomes the focus of the show.

New products are launched to satisfy the senses of the consumer.

Sound technologies come in the form of incredibly nice-sounding music players, speakers and earphones.  Listening to music or your voice played in a special device that includes smartphones or other players; projected on a special speaker delivered by wire or wireless; or heard from another special earphone/ear buds; and mixed by a special software application is just unbelievable.

Of course, the text to speech technologies are found in all e-readers and now great improvements in voice recognition applications have equally penetrated the communications, sensor, mobile and multi-media devices.  Just say it and the device will do it.

Vision technologies are even more pronounced. The advances in television, video, and camera (still and motion) technologies engineered and designed to portray beauty or otherwise, in color and/or pixel-measured formats in rapid or slow motion are all on display in the show.  “Super”, “Ultimate” and “Smart”, OLED, Flat and Thin/Light TV sets, screens and monitors with exceptional multi-media, gaming and communications capabilities in HD or 3D formats “miraculously” abound.

Touch has become a sense to reckon with. Using a mouse or a keyboard to create contents or to institute changes are no longer enough. One has to use the sense of touch either independently, complimentary or supplementary to accomplish a more

satisfying content development or to be just plain “contented”.

Now, with these new “miracles” and counting, when the consumer wants something done, he can type it, mouse it, touch it, say it, and even in some cases, gesture or signal it.  As my barber said in Taglish, “Pag ganyan ang situation, ang consumer mahirap maconsumi.” (In situations like that, it would be hard for the consumer to be frustrated.)

How would the consumer be driven in 2012?

As described by Mr. Shawn Dubravac in his “2012 CES Trends to Watch” presentation, in 2011 we saw a battle of the Portable versus the Pocketable; The Intelligence of Things; “Sensor’ization of Consumer Tech and the transition from Amplification to ‘App’lification.

For 2012, Dubravac says that the “Hottest” trends based on the new products unveiled, some of which I already saw, are: Wireless & Wireless Devices (60%); Lifestyle Electronics (36%); Internet-based Multimedia Services (31%); Connected Home (about 30%); Computer Hardware & Software (29%); Entertainment/Content (28%); Emerging Technology (27.5%); Electronic Gaming  (27%); Video (27%).

The CES Buyers say that the “Hot” ones at the 2012 CES are: Apps (for mobile devices), 90%; Tablets, 90%; Devices for streamed content, 82%; Internet-enabled TVs, 81%; Devices designed to enable sharing content, 74%; Cloud computing, 73%; Smart appliances, 71%; NFC, 69%; Home automation, 68%; Personal cloud, 66%; Electrical vehicles, 62%; Programs designed to personalize content, 61%; Health related technologies, 60%; 3DTV, 57%; eReaders, 45%;  Netbooks, 38%.

It would be the year of Superphones with the Windows Phone, quad-core and 4G (LTE) championed by NVDIA, Qualcomm, Samsung and HTC. The next BIG drive in computing according to Dubravac is interconnectivity. He says, “As technology becomes more omnipresent and ubiquitous, the evolutionary pressures push yesterday’s innovation to the background – providing room for an increasingly natural interaction.” This makes 2012 as also the Year of the Interface.

 This is not only an industry and show OF and FOR the consumer; it is also BY the consumer. That’s why “Device use-case scenarios are increasingly defined by the end-user and OEMs are supporting this by delivering increasingly customizable hardware and services.”

Mostly the consumers themselves have developed software applications and contents.

The consumers will give awards to exceptional and innovative products both in gadgets or devices and applications as judged. I will most likely join and participate in many of the events not just in the judging but in the partying as well.:)

There are new exceptionally good products for the kids, for the Mommy, for the home, for the family, for road, for the office, for the school including Higher Ed Tech, and many others.  Digital Health and Fitness is given greater prominence this year. Going green is also being pushed.

I will be more specific on these products in my next article. I still have to see many of them in the remaining days.

This is one show where the best of mankind has to offer are displayed.  This is where war is fierce and expensive but conducted in peace and ends in cooperation, interconnectivity, and interface. This is where intellectual and spiritual that are seemingly infinite and creative capabilities are translated and demonstrated in material and finite, sensuous but sensible way..

This is why I attend it every year! This is where I witness “miracles” happen!

CITIZENS' CAUCUS, CONSUMERS CONFER

Citizens’ Caucus - Conservatism, Cash, Christian Values, Combat;
Consumers Confer – Creativity Conquers

CITIZENS’ CAUCUS

The formal process of choosing a Republican alternative to President Obama started last night. The citizens of the State of Iowa caucused to select among Romney, Santorum, Paul, Gingrich, Perry, and Bachman. Huntsman was also a candidate but ignored the process and the State.

Fully aware of the make-up of the voters, each of the candidates projected himself or herself as a staunch conservative.

As in any election, Issues, Organization, and Cash played very significant roles. 

Romney campaigned on his record as an experienced manager in the private as well as in the public sector (as Massachusetts Governor). Those who were concerned about the economy and the issue of electability chose him over the others. He also had the organization and the cash. According to reports, he spent $156 per vote.

The Evangelicals preferred Santorum, who was a former Pennsylvania Senator. He ran on Christian (Roman Catholic) values and relied on the organization of the religious organizations supporting him. He visited and campaigned in all the 99 counties of Iowa. He spent only $21 per vote.

Ron Paul, no doubt, had conservative credentials, but his foreign policy proposals such as non-interventionism, anti-combat warfare, and withdrawal of all American troops from foreign lands made the same constituency uneasy. He also disagrees with the idea of threatening to bomb Iran. He has very strong support from the young and the military. He spent $104 per vote.

Gingrich ran on his record as a former Speaker of the House who led Republican forces to follow the “Contract with America” agenda. His brilliant showing as a debater initially propelled him to frontrunner status in Iowa. But a barrage of negative ads relating to his past affected his standing.  He spent $92 per vote.

Perry virtually put most of his eggs in Iowa’s basket. Spending $480 per vote, he outspent all the others combined. He could not recover from his devastating showing in the debates and in some interviews.

Bachmann was born and raised in Iowa. She was hoping to galvanize her relatives, classmates, neighbors and town mates.  They were not enough. She spent only $4 per vote.

In the ultimate analysis, the caucus of the conservatives was a battle between and among Cash (Economy), Christian Values (Religion), Combat Warfare (Non-Interventionist Policy).

Economy represented by Romney won over Religion personified by Santorum but only by 8 votes. The non-interventionist Paul managed a close third place finish.

CONSUMERS CONFER

By the time you read this column, I will probably be in Las Vegas attending the International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2012.

My CES Planner says that in my next article I should be able to report on the State of the Consumer Electronics Industry both nationally and globally.  I will attend the unveiling of new and the latest products. So expect a description of some that I consider amazing, and which will affect our daily lives.

Many of the technology companies such as Google, LG Electronics, Samsung, Panasonic, Lenovo, Qualcomm, Intel, Microsoft and others have scheduled separate press conferences to launch their latest creations.  I intend to write about the ones that I feel would be of interest to consumers in general.

Apple Computers will not be represented formally but accessories and apps for Macs, iPhones, iPads, and iPods will be on display.  Of course, many of the attendees like me will be holding iPhones and iPads.

Last year, I attended and participated in two events, which I found very interesting: the “Last Gadget Standing” and the “Mobile Apps Showdown”.  I intend to do so again.

This year, the 10 finalists of the “Last Gadget Standing” are:

1.     Lytro – described as a simple box-like camera that takes the photo first and then let’s you bring the photo into focus.

2.     Playstation Vita – according to the Judges, its sleek design puts it at the current pinnacle of portable gaming systems. The system’s graphics is noted for its speed so that they make the iPad look tortoise like.

3.     Autom Robot – a weight loss robot that engages you in a dialog about your goals.

4.     Cotton Candy – an Android on a stick that has everything an Android tablet has at its core. It is supposed to be as light as cotton candy.

5.     WIMM One Dev Preview – looks like a wristwatch but can be transformed into a Twitter watch, stocks, weather, and phone.

6.     Origami -  a new high tech baby stroller which has an electronic dashboard replete with a pedometer, iPod holder, and recharges itself while it’s in motion.

7.     Swivi – a simple iPhone dock that can swivel to track your movements as you talk and walk about.

8.     Basis – body monitoring device that not only measures your exercise but measures everything from body temperature to sweat.

The other 2 finalists will be chosen and announced at the start of the Show.

The 10 finalists for “Mobile Apps Showdown” are:

1.     SecuraFone – a multi-purpose smartphone app that functions as a

personal safety solution. It helps prevent distracted driving.

            2.    Macaw Mobile App – turns your smartphone into a mobile health

                    monitor.

            3     CIA: Operation Ajax – brings the comic to the next level.

            4.     Aurasma – blends the physical and virtual worlds together.

            5.    AppGear – an innovative line of apps that seamlessly interact with cool,
                   collectible toys, shifting digital gaming into your reality.

            6.     SkyQ – an easy to use astronomy app that locates and identifies virtually
                    any celestial object visible in the sky.           

            7.     Viper Smart Start – an app that allows users to start, stop, lock, unlock,
                    pop the trunk plus more.

            8.     Cinefy – mobile video editing platform for the iPhone where users create
                    and share videos mixed with high quality special effects.           

            9.     Magisto – app that takes raw videos and turns it into a beautifully edited
                    and produced clip.

            10.   RoadBike – app that makes your iPhone the bike monitor of your  

                     dreams                               

All of the above plus the 2 still unknown gadgets will be demonstrated during the scheduled events. The last gadget standing and the best mobile app will be voted upon by the audience, which would include me.

It will be a busy week in Las Vegas. I am narrowing down the list of booths to visit and the CEOs to interview. I expect to receive some samples to evaluate.

There are also social events. One big night is sponsored by Lenovo and Microsoft; another night by Intel, then by Qualcomm. The closing party at the Venetian Hotel should be a big one. I also plan to attend the International Academy Web Television Awards.

Indeed, the things we have to do for Consumerism and Journalism. As my barber said, “it’s a tough job, but somebody has to do it”. :)