IN A GATHERING of coffee addicts, one asked the others what was happening to the country called Pilipinas. The main menu of the chitchat was the performance of the country’s lawmakers during the 2020 pandemic season.
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“What were the senators we elected doing during last year’s lockdown? There were no sessions, neither hearings,” he asked after sipping his cappuccino.
“Well, that is something we could not answer because everyone was on lockdown. But these senators and congressmen continue to enjoy the benefits of their offices, that’s for sure,” said a golfer on the table.
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“It is sad that while the poor lost their means of living, their daily pesos, our lawmakers continue to receive millions without doing anything. There’s no justice at all along this line,” said a priest. “The senators were not even heard voluntarily sharing their millions to buy vitamins or noodles or kilos of rice that could aid our ailing countrymen due to the coronavirus,” a retired teacher commented.
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“If only these senators were generous enough to share their blessings which are taxpayers money, probably the electorate would vote for them again next year. But many are kinda inutile in their service of the Filipino people,” continued the teacher. “That is the problem in this country. Thus it will never be like Malaysia or Singapore or Vietnam. The poorer voters accept peso bills from these wise candidates during election time. Of course, the election candidates know that they could buy voters in this country in exchange for a three-year political power term,”, stressed the priest.
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“In other Asian countries, politicians are put to prison for corruption or disservice to the nation. In this country, politicians who are not corrupt are booted out because they do not play the game that others play,” lamented the priest.
“Election candidates win because of money, not because they are good at community service. Good leaders in this country could never win without money. Very sad indeed,” the golfer frowned.
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“Well, in fairness to some senators, they are doing their job seriously and honestly,” said the priest.
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“What I do not understand is why are these lawmakers given the privilege to work on infras or community projects in cities and provinces? Is this not the work of local provincial and city executives?” asked the golfer who just lost his game in a country club.
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“There is always a way for them to redirect corrupt practices but God knows who among them deserve what punishment – soon,” concluded the priest
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This column greets Dong Sarabia, Sandra Gomez, Mary Ann Matiling, Maui Espejo, Francis Chiu, Matin Arandez, Red Sarabia, Natalie Lim, Marlon Navarro and Doc Ronel Quinon./PN
