What if we play their game?

In every issue that is being discussed and investigated in Congress, there is money involved. In every law that will be passed in Congress there is also money involved. In every committee hearing in Congress there is money involved. In fact, most of the people are there because a great deal of money is involved. MONEY.MONEY.MONEY. and MONEY. It seems that this is the constant in the way our representatives and senators do business.

The prevalent issues on the Reproductive Health bill, Charter Change, Impeachment, Agriculture scams, and even the Cheaper Medicines bill, etc. revolves around Money. Pay-offs have been in the system way before my existence. This is how business of governance is done. You can basically get away with anything or even get what you want when you speak in the most privileged language-Money talks. 

I am now thinking, what if we play their game? If the Palace throught its cronies pay a hefty price of 500,000php per representative in the House, why don’t we pay 600,000php or even higher. They bribe or pay-off, we bribe and pay them off. People in the House will not understand us if we do not speak in their favorite language. If they were given 500,000php in a paper bag, let us give them 600,000php in Lacoste bags. Since the crocodile trademark fits them well.

With this style, what we need is to have rich financiers. Let us give the Palace a dose of their own medicine. Let us play their game. Probably with this, sad it may be, we will get justice and fairness. I know the means will never justify the ends but what chance do we have? As of the moment, NONE.

Dirty Money: Discretion to Corruption

Wow Philippines! Name it and we have it! Proud to be Pinoy! Northrail Project scam, Hello Garci scandal, Swine scam, GMA rice scam, Fertilizer fund scam, 500,000 php paper bags, PEA-Amari scam, and many more. When we look into the structure of the Philippine bureaucracy, any typical observer would say that we almost have an office or agency for everything. Its complex and outright useless. With this, the government is the biggest employer of the country.

Since the 12th Congress up to now, our representatives and senators have been conducting investigations/inquiry in aid of legislation. How many laws have been created from these inquiries? They are spending government funds every time committees conduct these sessions. Many of our lawmakers both in the house and senate rose from the ranks or have been shifting from the ranks. The culture is that mayor-governor/representative and back to mayor again. This is especially true in the case of political families. I mentioned this to stress the point that majority of our lawmakers were once local executives. They know the ”meat” of the business of governance and how “funds” could be divested without being caught. Having such knowledge already capacitates them to battle corruption. These inquiries partly are just a show of concern and politicking. It has been awhile since we had a J.W.Diokno, Arturo Tolentino, Benigno Aquino, Jr., and great statesmen who belong to a generation wherein Filipino values of honesty and integrity were the paramount consideration in the conduct of governance.

It all boils down to DISCRETION. True that Corruption is a culturally-rooted social cancer. However, this is not an excuse for government to not implement the means by which such could’ve been reduced such as the Code on Accountability of Public Officials, the Commission on Audit, the Ombudsman, the Special Prosecutor, the fiscal and monetary policies, and even elections. When we give too much discretion to our local executives, lawmakers, and department heads, we put them in a situation where they could easily circumvent the limitations set forth by our laws and regulations. When money talks, everyone listens!

Bulk of the people’s taxes and government funds are pocketed if not each procurement is overpriced. From the nig things down to the small things like Christmas decor, office supplies, etc. these play part of the corruption that has been killing the realization and implementation of government projects. If we can lessen or remove too much discretion from our officials and make our laws the guiding structure by which the business of governance could be carried out, then we in effect lessen and remove corruption.

The Philippines can progress without a doubt. This can only be achieved if we respect and value our vote and believe that such vote can bring about the positive change that we want for the country. It is high time that we make our leaders realize that the Filipino people will never tolerate unjust and corrupt activities. As citizens we can make it right. In our own ways let us reject corruption by saying NO to taxi drivers who are wanting more than the fare incurred on the meter, saying NO to fixers in government offices – a price for convenience, by saying NO to traffic enforcers who would ask for an amount, by saying NO to arresting officers who would want to extort from rich offenders, by saying NO to the everyday injustice that we see, buy saying NO to useless and corrupt politicians who would seek re-election, by saying NO to vote-buying, by saying NO to unjust enrichments, by saying NO to too much discretion, and many more.

It will be really hard but we have to try. Otherwise there will be no hope for our country. Tama na! Sobra na! We have been playing victims to corruption practically all our life. Corruption is not a part of our existence. It is an irregularity. It is a social cancer. We just need to have the WILL and COURAGE to go against the flow and take the road less traveled.

Blogging way to Freedom

Many might not agree with how bloggers express their views but readers can only do so much. Like every document, this too have limitations. I am for responsible blogging and I am a supporter of free speech. Sometimes, people cannot handle the truth so they react without even seeing the merits of the blog. People cannot disprove the truth no matter what kind of excuse they give. Even the best liar is truthful at one point.

Recently, I came across observejudgeact’s blog. This blogger just started blogging last Sunday. He or she has an interesting way of going about his or her blog/s. I was texted by some friends to check the blog’s domain, www.akositomasino.wordpress.com. True that he or she  wrote about UST and all. Honestly, unlike some of my acquaintances, I welcome his views and points. Criticisms specially constructive ones must be welcome. In a democracy, that is the right of the people – power emanated from them by virtue of elections.

I had my fair share of those kind of criticisms in my two and a half years stint in the council. It is incumbent upon all elected student leaders to listen no matter how painful or “ego-hurting” it is. Listening makes a leader grounded on humility.

To Thomas More, welcome to blogging! Continue writing. This is the blogging way to freedom.

De Venecian plot for Villar

Surprise Surprise! Juan Ponce Enrile replaced Manuel Villar as Senate President. Enrile used to be an opposition stalwart and now he is with the Administration. Political butterflies are always on the scene of Philippines politics.

I am hoping that this is not Palace’s step to clear the way for Charter Change for PGMA’s term extension. Let us watch the Senate as the new set of leaders start anew. Let it be a Senate of the people and not a Senate of people. 2010 is just around the corner. Many will use the Senate as a stepping stone for a higher office.