I'm reprinting the entire article (its short) so you don't have to hoplink.

Philippines Y2K commission chief resigns over allegations of misconduct

Copyright ) 1999 Nando Media Copyright ) 1999 Associated Press

MANILA, Philippines (November 19, 1999 10:40 a.m. EST http://www.nandotimes.com) - The head of the Philippines' Y2K preparedness commission has resigned after being accused of links to a dummy company that allegedly sold faulty equipment designed to solve the computer glitch, officials said Friday.

President Joseph Estrada accepted Amable Aguiluz's resignation with regret, presidential spokesman Jerry Barican said.

Philippine newspapers have accused Aguiluz of helping the company, linked to his family, sell Y2K "fixes" to private companies and government agencies. Commissions were paid to government officials who made the purchases, they said.

The Manila Times also reported Friday that Aguiluz, who also served as Estrada's consultant for computer education, faces several criminal cases, including fraud.

Aguiluz, one of several Estrada appointees who have been accused of misconduct, has denied any wrongdoing.

The accusations involving Aguiluz raised concerns about the country's ability to cope with the Y2K computer problem and contributed to a 0.4 percent decline Friday in the main index on the Philippine Stock Exchange, said Marilene Katimbang, vice president for research at Magnum International Securities.

The Y2K, or millennium, computer problem is caused by old programming codes which result in some computers recognizing only two-digit years. The computers may interpret the date "00" as 1900 instead of 2000, causing computer failures.

Estrada appointed Secretary of Science and Technology Filemon Uriarte as the new Y2K commission head, Barican said.

If this doesn't help to exacerbate the problem, I don't know what does!

-- Guy Daley (guydaley@bwn.net), November 19, 1999

Answers

I lived in the Philippines for three years, returning home just this year. Their government makes ours look blessed. Clinton is a saint compared to their president or compared to the average official at any level there. Honestly. The powers that be in that country ooze evil like puss from open sores. Contrasts markedly with the average person there, who is as friendly, hospitable and fun as you could ever ask for.

There is no way that country will be ready for Y2K. They don't worry about the future enough to get fully ready for it. I'm just hoping the government and society hold together enough for me to be able to return. I have friends there that I worry about.

-- Steve (s.hartzler@usa.net), November 20, 1999.