How do I rob thee? Let me count the ways
During election time, the trapos and the dynastic power of kamag-anak brigade politicians are again parading the power and mantra of goodness, a beautiful life for ordinary people and the poor, and the promise of good government.
They speak of loving the people in countless ways, and are ready to offer their smiles and selfies during the campaign.
An urban poor mother once said, “It is only during (electoral) campaigns that they come near us, yet we feel the distance of privilege between them and us. After the elections, they do not know us. How difficult it is to reach out to them! And look at our lives, nothing has changed, except further poverty.”
She continued, ”Some people easily blame the poor for accepting P1,000 or P500 or transportation fare for the miting de avance … But they never blame the politicians who, I believe, have accepted the money from corporations and businesses that supported them during the campaign.“
And if I may add, these are the same politicians who promised everything except principled good government management; would allow extrajudicial killings, and would not assert the right of Filipinos to substantial budgetary funds for pro-Filipino and pro-poor economic development, health, education, and humanitarian work for the welfare of the poor majority-the peasants, workers, and poor women.
Lately, a single and significant act of legislators and civil society brought to the fore the engagement that defied President Marcos’ instruction not to impeach Vice President Sara Duterte. Two impeachment complaints were filed for the alleged misuse of the Office of the Vice President’s (OVP) confidential funds and the betrayal of public trust.
People were glued to their TV screens following the hearings on how the confidential funds were allegedly pocketed. If not for the scrutiny of Makabayan bloc lawmaker, Gabriela party list Rep. Arlene Brosas, the public would be clueless about this.
How do they rob us? Let me count the ways:
1) By using their position to control and use government budget for their benefit. Look, Michael Yang, the economic adviser of former president Rodrigo Duterte, cornered P7.49 billion ($155 million) in “irregular” pandemic projects in 2020 as the Duterte administration’s most favored contractor. In 2021, according to a news report, he co-acquired with a Lin and a Yang, P1.04 billion, or $21-million worth of real estate properties in Dubai. There could be more cases that are beyond the scrutiny of the public. Nakakalusot lang. They are lucky or powerful enough to escape accountability.
2) By taking advantage of their position to spend taxpayer money. Vice President Sara Duterte spent P125 million in just 11 days in the guise of confidential funds. The budget was sourced from the contingent funds of the 2022 national budget, and was released by the Department of Budget and Management to the OVP upon approval by the Office of the President. That is P11.4 million pesos a day, or the daily wage of 17,674 workers at P645.00 per day.
3) By taking no accountability for their abuse of power, they feel entitled enough to take public funds without shame.
4) By making the poor happy with promises and assurances, giving them immediate cash during electoral campaigns, and letting them go hungry and wanting in services after the elections.
5) By Red-tagging and threatening the activists and critics exposing the abuses and rights violations by authorities
In 2023, the Philippines was ranked among the top one-third of the most corrupt countries based on the Corruption Perceptions Index published by Transparency International.
Public funds that come from people’s taxes or loans from financial institutions and agencies belong to the people. It is the duty of the government to give to the people what belongs to them. If government cannot do something, or when its managers in the legislative, executive, and judicial branches are the ones involved, it is the right of the people to question, criticize, and demand accountability.
Impeachment is a democratic process to charge officials in high office with abuse of power. It is a fair procedure for a just cause. While the legal procedure may be wanting in delivering the best interest of the public, people can discern whether or not the government is on their side.
DSS. NORMA P. DOLLAGA
kasimbayan@yahoo.com.ph
