OFFBEAT MAIL

News media organizations are in mad scramble to gain foothold of their readers or subscribers in an effort to generate the much-needed revenues to defray corporate overhead and other miscellaneous expenses. Of the tri-media groups, the broadcast industry is the most expensive, considering the hi-tech equipment and modern facilities that it has to maintain in order to compete in the globalized media. Along this line, the print media is also gearing up to be at par with what the broadcast media is doing in so far as methods, strategies and modern equipment are concerned. Otherwise, there is no use being in the market if the facilities and equipment used to transmit news feeds are not updated to keep track with the latest news developments that are taking place in far-flung places. It is understandable that cellphones with cameras, for example, play a great deal in relaying news and photos to the editorial desks once a newsbreaking development had taken place. All the reporter has to do i

Gone are the days when smuggling activities were at their worst in the Philippines. At least, the creation of the Economic Intelligence and Investigation Bureau (EIIB), a forerunner of the Anti-smuggling Action Center (ASAC) during the time of President Magsaysay, has stemmed the tide of smuggling activities during that time. Revival of this kind of law enforcement organization is needed in the wake of reports that the national government has been defrauded of tremendous amount of taxes, in cahoots with some Bureau of Customs officials. Without a counter check of the goods that are coming out of the entry ports, the publics are guessing as to whether the same goods are properly taxed or not, once they are shipped out and delivered to their consignees. What is happening right now is that only the customs bureau is tasked of both responsibilities. In the past, EIIB operatives are always on stake out for containers coming of the south harbor, after reliable tips are given to them. And in