An ‘inutil’ Bureau of Immigration makes a weak republic

I watched with rage and frustration as Bureau of Immigration (BI) chief intelligence officer Fortunato Manahan Jr. was questioned by Sen. Risa Hontiveros on the whereabouts and method of escape of fugitive Harry Roque and Guo Hua Ping.

Manahan could not offer a viable theory as to where Roque is, let alone his route of travel or the personalities that helped him flee. He had no validated information of Roque’s visit to China, information that Senator Hontiveros was privy to.  

As for Guo Hua  Ping, Manahan had no idea which border the Chinese spy and POGO operative fled from. Neither did he offer a theory of her method of escape. This, despite supposedly investigating the case for four months. I could only surmise that Manahan is either utterly incompetent or he is protecting the personalities that helped these fugitives escape.

When Senator Hontiveros came to the conclusion that the BI has nothing to show, Manahan tried to wiggle out of the situation by saying he would “check” on the matter and revert back to the Senator. We all know this is a tired tactic to mask unpreparedness. How pathetic!

Obviously, the BI has not taken this investigation seriously. Shame on BI’s commissioner, Joel Anthony Viado. Four months with nothing to show for a serious threat to national security is unacceptable. It is a disservice to the Marcos administration and to all of us. So much for BBM’s breast-beating declaration that “heads will roll.” 

Senator Hontiveros is right.The BI is rendering the country “inutil” (useless). With the BI managed like this, we are a sitting duck to spies, criminal rings and undesirables from around the world who can freely enter and leave our borders while the BI is clueless. BI Commissioner Viado is clearly falling short.

As citizens, we should demand more from government officials whose  salaries we pay, through taxes. We must call out the incompetents, the intellectually challenged and those who work against national interest. They make us a weak republic. 

Lucas Espiritu

Lucas Espiritu is not yet a household name but neither is he a stranger to politics. He ran for the Senate in 2022 and finished 34th out of 64 candidates. Not bad for a man without the financial resources of political dynasties. Espiritu ran on the back of his strong convictions, intelligence and sharp tongue. People remember him as the outstanding performer during the televised senatorial debates.
Espiritu, 50, is a lawyer, activist against political dynasties. He is also an advocate for labor, human rights, climate justice and gender equality. He is a founder of the Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino as well as the former president of the Solidarity of Unions in the Philippines for Empowerment and Reforms Federation. He was educated in the La Salle and Ateneo systems. He is not a member of any political dynasty.

I spent an afternoon with Espiritu exchanging views about our political system and what he plans to do if elected. As many of my readers know, I have decidedly become more vocal about the the corruption and abuses of political dynasties.

True enough, Espiritu shares my views about political dynasties and the need to get the Anti-Dynasty Law passed. He believes that the situation has become so bad that dynasties have achieved unbridled power. They have become more powerful than the law itself. This is why grave crimes like plunder, murder, treason and economic sabotage go unpunished. Impunity and shamelessness is a result of unbridled power. Cull the power, quash the impunity, states Espiritu.

The legislature had 38 years to enact the Anti-Dynasty Law to comply with the 1987 Constitution. They failed for self interest. At this point, there is no hope for the bill to pass unless someone champions it. Espiritu presents himself as that champion.

But he makes one caveat. The bill will never get passed unless civil society demands it. Citizens should voice out their indignation over the abuses of dynasties on social media and in the streets, if need be. 

Exposing the impunities of government officials and organizing protests is nothing new to Espiritu. As a leader of multiple mass-based groups, he has mobilized hundreds of rallies to expose the dirt of politicians whilst demanding positive change. If there is anything dynasties are afraid of, it is being exposed for their abuses. Espiritu commits to do that. He is rebel, reformist and guerilla warrior. He is loud, straightforward, intelligent and unafraid. He is exactly what the Senate needs, considering the many dumb, treasonous and/or non-performers in it.

He plans to stand against unprogrammed and confidential funds (aka pork barrel). He intends to push for stiffer penal consequences for plunder including detention, without bail, for mere show of cause. He vows to expose the corrupt by exposing their hidden wealth and private lifestyles. In short,  Espiritu plans to break the code of silence among dynasties who cover for each other’s abuses.

The jaded will write off Espiritu as unwinnable. After all, he has neither the funds nor the political machine of dynasties. Espiritu is well aware of what he is up against but maintains that the possibility of winning exist. He is fighting a cause like a guerilla soldier. Guerilla armies have proven they can win. Voters who believe in his cause should spread the word – just as I am doing now.  

Anyone with contempt for traditional politicians and dynasties – their abuse, their corruption, their rent-seeking practices, their incompetence and their entitlement – will do well to support Luke Espiritu. Anyone who has been oppressed by the system – be it by being deprived of quality health care, education, social services and decent quality of life – will do well to support Luke Espiritu.

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Email: andrew_rs6@yahoo.com. Follow him on Twitter @aj_masigan