PDAF, ZAMBOANGA, FLOODS, ETC. : WHAT IS THE MEANING OF ALL THESE?

Some kind of transformation is happening to our country and we have to be filled with optimism that it is for the good of all. We cannot afford to be negative at this time since what we are going through is definitely not a joke. We need to move on, move forward and look at the brighter side of things rather than harbor any cloud of hopelessness. 

We are confronted with a vicious culture of corruption and greed and which is now gradually being exposed, and definitely, which have long been condemned. The only problem back then was that no one has the courage to officially reveal an open secret. We were not born yesterday, and we know that many have unjustly enriched themselves at the expense of the people. The corrupt have always been able to get away with their crimes, and they have always been laughing their way to the vaults. 

We do not refer merely to how PDAF was molested and decapitated, but we are also looking at those instances and cases were public funds were diverted for personal benefits, by those in the government or public service. 

So it seems, the three departments of government, the Executive, Legislative and Judiciary, not necessarily those at the helm of each, are being besieged by clamors for genuine change and reforms. Even the COA itself, is now the subject of public scrutiny. There is actually an overhaul of the system and let us hope that something good will come out of it. 

The Department of Justice, National Bureau of Investigation and the Ombudsman are relied upon by a nation which has been betrayed by its elected representatives who were supposed to be public servants in the first place, but who turned out to be public scoundrels. 

Again, let it be made clear that there is no conviction yet, and nobody is being singled out here. What the public is hoping for is, if indeed there were illegal diversion of funds, or malversation, or plunder, then let the guilty be punished and the money returned to the government coffers. 

On another concern, we are certainly shocked by the events which unfolded in Zamboanga City and thereafter in Cotabato. We were just recovering from the Maguindanao massacre and the Hong Thai crisis, although they may have occurred years back already, and then we find ourselves waking up one morning several weeks ago with the sad news for breakfast, that Zamboanga City is under siege. These events do not just simply happen to peace loving Filipinos. 

After hearing first account stories how civilians would flee from what has been described as a "war zone", words could not express the fear, uncertainty and trauma that they have gone through. As announced, it is over. Recovery is on its way and it is prayed that the people affected would be resilient enough to move on with their lives.

Then we are also faced with the continuing ideological and armed struggle which are more than half a century old already. We are of course reminded of 1986 when we thought everything was over, and lasting peace could already be realized by our nation. It is unfortunate that to this date, this is still a concern for our country. 

There are higher expectations for social reforms. We have yet to see the fruits of agrarian reform, or at least the completion thereof. Workers are longing for a living and just wage. Employment for all. Transport has chronically been asking for rate hike. Poverty alleviation cannot remain as a mere lip service. It must be for real and it can be achieved only if wealth is said to be equally distributed, or at least, the so-called equal opportunities for all will truly be fair, just and reachable.

People are hungry. They are suffering from all sorts of illness and malaise. Many are homeless. Some are literally losing their sanity because of life's difficulties. Yet, certain classes in our society seem to be indifferent with their plight. Focusing on wants simply because their basic needs have been met. Indulging in luxuries and vanities instead of finding ways to help others who are in dire need of even the least of life's basics. Idolizing stones, crystals, gems and themselves. Bragging about cars, mansions, and junkets. Blessings are meant to be shared with those who have less in life and not wasted in vices and unnecessary activities or illicit relationships.

We can go on and on, ad infinitum, but the fact remains that change can only be possible if each of us will be willing, able and actually ready to act our part as integral members of the society, united with others as one nation under God.

How?

1) Reality Check - determine where you are, what brought you were you are right now, whether you have reached your goals, and where you failed or may have some shortcomings

2) Resetting your Goals - revise or update your goals, make a road map, learn from your past mistakes, and ascertain contingency plans in case you may encounter troubles as you work your way up to your goals. 

Important: This time, do not be selfish. Include in your plans - what you can do to our fellow Filipinos and to our country, the Philippines.

3) Act Now and Do Not Procastinate - make sure that when you have set your goals, your road map must have a parallel timeline, and be determined to act now and act continuously without letting up

4) Pray - ask for guidance, for God's will, and in everything that you do, make Him the first by offering your achievements, successes and victories for God's Honor and Glory.

When?

This is the right time to do this. That means, now and no other time.

LIFE WITHOUT PORK BARREL

Tayabas, Quezon - Pork Barrel existed for the longest time and obviously since Congress came into being. Let us say, it is a security blanket for districts represented in Congress - that they would not be left out in the distribution of projects or funds for projects needed in their respective areas. Since Congress is in charge of the budget, meaning, it appropriates government funds for specific purposes, it is but logical that pork barrel should be coursed through the Congressmen. This is on the belief that they are more in a position to determine the needs of their respective districts. Put simply, benefits are then deemed equally distributed at the first instance.

But instead of projects, people initially "suspected" that their pork barrel, note - this means the senators or congressmen do not own the pork barrel, are being pocketed or diverted for personal use and gain. Such suspicion is founded on "factual rumors" and thereafter, fortified by "discoveries" now being exposed through the mass media about ghost or unfinished projects, allegations of PDAF for sale, and more recently, the filing of cases with the Ombudsman for plunder, direct bribery, malversation etc.

Let it be clarified that those named in the complaints must be presumed innocent until proven otherwise, meaning, guilty beyond reasonable doubt. We are not even discussing here about probable cause, the quantum of evidence needed to file the charges in court. The other, which is beyond reasonable doubt, is required to convict an accused.

Going back. Suspicions are actually well-founded. Unless, a legislator is really filthy rich or has a business which mills money, with the meager salary and allowances, one cannot reasonably imagine that the legislator can afford a luxurious lifestyle like flashy cars, mansions, glittering jewelry, signature bags and gold watches, among other ostentatious items. In other words, how can they afford these things and at the same time stand as sponsors, ninong, ninang or benefactors. Look. Hard earned money are kept and saved. They are not usually thrown away as dole-outs. They are well spent, and if is for a cause, willingly given without expecting anything in return. In the case of those spending other people's money, like kickbacks, there will always be strings attached when given. Others spend it in casinos, vanities etc.

Consequently, the people and the country have suffered and continue to suffer miserably. Instead of being able to move forward, funds which would have been used for beneficial projects, were embezzled, malversed, or plundered. Health care, education, agriculture and infrastructure development are the hardest hit areas of concern. 

Yes, if finally it is proven and judgment has become final, the PDAF scams will go down in history as the worst scandal ever that struck our nation in the heart. It is painful. It hurts. But we need to be resilient and more importantly, vigilant, truly vigilant, more than ever. Next time, as a bottomline, people must be intelligent and honest voters. Reject the obvious, discern the intention or motive, and choose the deserving and qualified. 

People who are corrupt are easy to decipher or detect. They flaunt their wealth which were not existing when they started in public service. They are arrogant and one can sense an eerie shadow of power. In private, they talk like they own you. In public, they know how to act out a Quezon, a Magsaysay or a Cory. They are cunning and dangerous. Thus, people chose to be quiet and opted to stay in their comfort zone. Of course this is wrong.

However, given the opportunity to unite, we can effect changes. True reforms. The President's vision of social transformation can be realized.

Just imagine, our territorial integrity is being threatened, our OFWs are in trouble, Zamboanga is in distress, floods are inundating human settlements and livelihood, people are looking for work, and yet, we can still afford to throw political mud at each other. To say, "only in the Philippines" is not acceptable. We have to move on.

So, what can we do for now? We must continue to pray. Fortify our faith. Trust the PNOY administration. Yes, this is serious. We are all in it. Politics can come later when 2016 nears. For now, we need to be united as a nation. Social media must be used for constructive criticism. We must be parts of the solution, not the subject of resolution. 

Life without pork barrel may mean a lot. The luxury market may suffer. Who cares anyway specially when we see others suffering. Government funds will now be spent on legitimate projects. Hopefully. Better laws may now be passed. More laws which will be truly responsive to the needs of the people. This is understandable since lawmakers' attention will be focused more on lawmaking or legislation. In fairness though, many significant laws were passed before even with pork barrel, but perhaps there will be some changes now that it is or may be gone. People's lives should improve. And let us hope, and to reiterate, pray, that the "tuwid na daan" will actually be realized and not a mere vision.

Integrity : Virtue or Issue

We define integrity in many ways but it is understood in one way - honesty. That is what it is and all about with integrity. Honesty. To yourself and to others. Without this, everything crumbles down. When that happens, respect on the person diminishes or may even be lost, credibility is tainted, reliability becomes doubtful, reputation is compromised, image changes or tarnished and people will regard the person as not trustworthy.

So the virtue becomes an issue, and the issue is addressed to ascertain the truth. The truth comes out. Then either the virtue is upheld or the person is regarded as a hoax.

Rallying Behind The Chief !

We really need honest people in government. We have constantly prayed for those who can serve with integrity and with dedication. We deserve better treatment as citizens and we therefore deserve public servants who can protect us against graft and corruption, who are compassionate enough and helpful as to guide us toward genuine progress. We can only take so much, but we have had enough. We can take no more. A harassed citizenry has its spilling point, and we had our taste of what people power can do. People are now talking of doing it all over again. But of course, we know that will not happen. We still have our President, who has given us the assurance that things will be better. So we rally behind him,for he is  like a good shepherd leading us to greener pastures and protecting us from the wolves in sheepskins. 

Let us pray then for President Aquino and His Team. Let us pray for our nation and our country. As we pray, we must work and do our part as good citizens. 

SK Reforms or Abolition?

Before us, as a nation, is the important issue of whether the Sangguniang Kabataan must be abolished. This is prompted by the public perception that the youth organization has failed to perform its mandate of being the training ground for future leaders of our country. Instead, the continued existence of the SK is met with criticisms of inefficiency, uselessness and worst, that it has succumbed to graft and corruption. It certainly is a sweeping and serious charge to consider SK as nothing but a burden to the Philippine society. In fairness to the youth, and those who have passed through its frontier once, there are those who deserve recognition for having performed well their mandate, in the halls of the Sanggunian, be it at the Barangay level or the local government councils. But of course, there are those who in their youthfulness have failed to reach the expectations of the people. It is important that we must look into the reasons why and how they have reached such point and extent to earn the wrath of certain sectors of our society. It must be borne in mind that the youth, must constantly be under the control and supervision, and care of their parents or guardians. In any endeavor or undertaking that they are tasked to accomplish, those who have the legal and moral obligation to guide them should insure that they are within the bounds of what is right, and what is legal. The moment the youth would fail in their role as nation builders, then those who are care for them must necessarily be partly to blame.

In 1975, April 15 to be exact, the Kabataang Barangay was established. Back then, the organization was met with criticisms. At that time, every Kabataang Barangay unit has no funds of its own, and each is dependent on the Barangay budget which is controlled by the Barangay council. Yet, KB has excelled in its role of being the ground for youth development specifically in sports, leadership and participatory democracy. Today, the ranks of KB prides themselves of former KBs who are now leaders of our country. Many of whom are now elective local and national officials. Others have been appointed to key government positions. They are performing well.

It is certain that the SK can likewise boast of the same accomplishments, and it is clear that it is but a matter of looking into their organizational and operational weaknesses in order that reforms could be introduced. They may include, but not limited to the following:

a) Selection of SK Chairman and officials must not be highly politicized. The old system has been found effective, and that is, through a general assembly convened for the purpose. Rules may be promulgated to insure an orderly conduct of such assemblies. Campaign and elections can be done with during an assembly.

b) The budget of the SK may go through the same process prescribed under existing laws and policies. Expenditures must however be limited to certain significant items, and discretion should be limited or none at all.

c) Qualifications for SK positions should be stricter and those vying for such positions must undergo a certain set of written examinations on values, virtues, ethics and good governance principles.

d) SK officials must be easily replaced or suspended in the event that an adjudication or disciplinary council organized under the law has found erring officials to be probably guilty of an irregularity. The council may be composed of a trial court judge as chairman, and two members whose reputation for probity, integrity and impartiality is beyond refute.

The foregoing are just among the many reforms at could be instituted. Abolition of the SK is not the solution. Our leaders ahead of us have already determined the wisdom and benefits of involving the youth in nation building through a government mandated organization. We cannot now judge and declare that they were wrong. We have an obligation to make it right and not to evade what we are mandated to uphold and support - the development of the youth.

LIFE AFTER PDAF

For now -

Can we only assume that a suspected mastermind of this pork barrel scam will be charged, convicted and jailed for life?

Can we assume that the big fish and crocodiles who roamed or may still be roaming around the august halls of Congress will be hauled to court and likewise jailed?

Can we only assume that there are still chances of getting back to the public coffers the money which were plundered and squandered, and put to real good public use?

Can we only assume that the pork barrel has been truly abolished, or its derivatives will soon be scrapped, or its modification should not even be thought about?

Now read some more and between the lines -

Can we only assume that there is a better alternative?

And the question remains - is there anything we can do rather just assume or remain the infuriated spectators and harassed citizenry?

Realistically speaking, scams, scandals, and controversies will come and go, but what happened?

Life after PDAF can be boring unless we act. True, we had the million march and now the Edsa Tayo. And then?

So, how do we act?

Continue with the mass actions? Then what?

Mount civil disobedience? Then what?

Initiate people's initiative? Then what?

Be vigilant? Then what?

Pork barrel, discretionary funds, intelligence funds, etc. have all been integral parts of our political and administrative system for quite some time. Even if they are abolished or modified with airtight mechanisms against plunder and corruption, money will still be spent and new corrupt practices will be devised.

So what's new?

Ok. Enough with pessimism.

As citizens, we feel harassed. Yes. Terribly and so unjustly guillotined emotionally and mentally by these large scale looting. So much greed has been revealed that has long been concealed.

We are called upon to resilient and be able to pick up the pieces.

There is a big difference now than before, when we can only talk in private about pork barrel. There may have been public discussions, but not as wide, extensive and so scandalous than what is happening now.

We are certain that somehow there are persons or warm bodies who will be charged and prosecuted, and must held liable for the return of the squandered amount. If they can't give them back in cash, at least get hold of their ill gotten wealth.

We can strongly lobby for true reforms and genuine transparency. Suggest ways by which the people can have access to any information about all projects and disbursements.

Of course, we must pray for guidance and success to all our efforts.