Allegations of militarization of the Arroyo administration with the appointment of retired military generals to the Cabinet and other sensitive positions are not only misplaced, but even silly and ludicrous.

It?s really nothing new. It was alleged and made a political issue as far back as the Marcos dictatorship. It was also politicized during the incumbency of Cory Aquino, then President Ramos, who himself was a former military man and went on during Erap Estrada?s time, and now President Arroyo.

It?s silly and ludicrous because the President is commander-in-chief of the police and the Armed Forces. Santa Banana, if indeed there?s militarization, she should not be the commander-in-chief. Besides, once a general of the National Police or the Armed Forces retires, he loses clout.

Oh yes, why shouldn?t retired generals be in government so long as they are qualified and competent? And have integrity?

And I know for a fact that most, if not all, former military and police generals in the Arroyo government are highly qualified, many of them even having masters degrees in business administration and finance.

In the final analysis, it?s the prerogative of the President whom she believes can work with her to achieve her goals. After all, she?s accountable for either their success or failure.

My gulay, the problem of the usual hecklers and bellyachers on this alleged militarization is that they raise issues, even to the point of absurdity, so long as they see their names in media.

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The intrigues swirling around the alleged suspicious circumstances sale of the Yuchengco-owned Pacific Plans Inc. to businessman and former investment banker Noel O?ate?s Abundance Providers and Investments Corp. are quickly losing steam for obvious reasons.

Let?s face it?the sale, despite being projected by miffed quarters as controversial (actually, it?s media that?s exacerbating it), is just another business transaction. There was nothing irregular about it; a business maverick recognizes an opportunity, negotiates and executes the sale, informs the stakeholders, then it?s business as usual. It?s not the kind of story that should generate a buzz.

Even the PEP coalition, the group which has initially threatened to block the sale, announced in their recent press conference their willingness to give O?ate a chance. They know that O?ate made his former airline?Asian Spirit?a story of rags to riches.

It?s about time. It has always struck me as strange that a group which has gained so much media mileage represents less than 1 percent of the total number of more than 300,000 Pacific plan holders nationwide. This small group is capable of making so much noise.

From what I understand, the silent majority of Pacific plan holders have long supported plans to rehabilitate the company. These efforts, however, have been stymied by the recalcitrance of this noisy and media-savvy group.

My gulay, it?s always the vocal minority with media savvy that gets the limelight. The noisy PEP is the perfect example.

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In the face of all the gloom-and-doom news about the pre-need industry, PPI plan holders can heave a big sigh of relief that they are not in the same boat as the plan holders of Legacy or others similarly duped. After all, O?ate is committed by the court-approved rehabilitation plan, as well as to infusing capital as may be needed for the company?s recovery.

Far from being a romanticized sale of a company-in-distress being rescued by a white knight, O?ate?s work is certainly cut out for him as all his energy is now focused on the recovery of the company.

And the last I heard is that a powerhouse chief financial officer will be working with O?ate, himself a former investment banker with the Midas touch, very closely in his effort. And knowing O?ate, plan holders can look ahead with hope and even abundance, as O?ate?s Abundance Providers and Investment Corp. imply.

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Those objecting to the importation of used vehicles to Port Irene, Cagayan Export Zone Authority or Ceza, invoking Executive Order 156, which the Supreme Court had ruled as applicable to Subic, now have to go back to their drawing boards.

The Supreme Court has dismissed the taxpayers? suit of former Solicitor General Frank Chavez against the importation of used vehicles to Port Irene, known as ?Enrile country,? also invoking EO 156.

I have always maintained the illegality and even unconstitutionality of the executive order as applicable to Port Irene for many reasons. First, there was no public hearing as required by law for that EO. Second, nowhere in the Customs and Tariff Code can we find a ban on imports of used-vehicles. Third, the market for used vehicles are the poor who cannot afford to buy expensive vehicles from the cartel of Japanese, Korean, Chinese, American and European car importers and distributors that are lobbying and invoking the EO. My gulay, that makes the EO anti-poor!

Santa Banana, what Congress and the administration should look into instead is the smuggling of completely built vehicles by this cartel causing loss of millions in government revenues.