Nightshift:call center agent’s blog

Though I commend Pampanga Gov. Ed Panlilio’s admission that he received P 500, 000 after a meeting in Malacanang last Thursday, it saddens me that bribery has worsened. Bribery took place in the country’s seat of power that should have been the implementor of the Constitution.

The Palace apparently has lost credibility, that every scapegoat they make could not be believed. If the money was for campaign fund for the barangay elections, they should think that the elections is a non-partisan activity. If it was for the barangay projects, there is an election ban. If the money claims to be from a private person, who in his right mind will do this? If it was a Christmas gift, why should be the gift-giving be done right in the parking lot of the Palace? If it was a financial assistance for a provincial project, then there should be a Statement of Allotments Obligations and Balances, and should be coursed through the Provincial Treasurer’s Office.

So far, only a few has admitted accepting money. Aside from Panlilio, Bulacan Gov. Joselito Mendoza and Pangasinan Rep. Rachel Arenas admitted getting money from Malacanang, same with Cebu City Rep. Antonio Cuenco Negros Oriental Gov. Emilio Macias who both admitted getting P 200, 000. By the way, Rizal Provincial Gov. Casimiro Ynares III was also in the Palace meeting that’s why he wasn’t able to attend the mediation over the Rodriguez dump site. Magkano kaya ang nakuha ni Jun-jun Ynares?

But you cannot blame these officials for taking money. They may defend that since it’s people’s money, then they should be used for public projects. The question of course is, will they really be used for projects. Or will the money just stay in the politician’s pockets? Will they give cash to people asking for help because they don’t have money to build their house, that their daughter is getting married, that their son will look for a job in Metro Manila and has no fare? Or will they give the money to the birthday celebrator who happens to be one of their purok leaders? If their constituents keep on asking money from the politicians, we cannot blame these crocs if they accept grace coming from the heaven. Bawal tumanggi sa grasya.

While many of us has been struggling to work and constrained to pay the taxes, here are our officials who easily get their money from the number one corruptor. While schools do not have their own buildings, scarcity of chairs, books and teachers, the government want to establish the Cyber Education project. Supposedly, master teachers who teaches the lesson will be viewed in television and cable TV receivers in every schools. Then there was a National Broadband project to link up every municipality and possibly, all the barangays. This is what the government is thinking, amidst the lack of electricity in the barangays, unavailability of computers and dilapidated government buildings. Can’t we just put the people’s money on sectors where it is needed?