THE INQUIRER?S June 19 editorial said that the Arroyo administration has no bragging rights to flaunt its ?economic achievements and legacy.? Compared with our Asian neighbors, we are still a basket case. Singapore or Malaysia has produced ?more millionaires? the past few years!

Is the Inquirer kidding? The Philippines has been producing ?millionaires? almost on a daily basis. And if that be the main criterion for economic progress, we should be on top of the heap hands down.

Look at the lotto results every day (6/42, 6/45, 6/49/ 6/55). Prize monies almost always go back to the minimum which clearly means there are winners here practically every day in amounts ranging from P3 million to P30 million. That?s a whole lot of ?multimillionaires,? i.e., if we are really to believe the lotto draws are on the up and up, and not being manipulated by some scumbags in this country for their own gain. (I mean, really, what are the odds of the lotto draws being won almost every day?)

?STEPHEN L. MONSANTO, slmonsanto@

yahoo.com.ph