All this brouhaha over the television showing of the beheading of Filipino soldiers by the Abu Sayyaf is a waste of saliva. It is an exercise in futility that serves merely to demonstrate the penchant of wise guys and wise girls to debate, argue, perorate and talk their mouths off on almost any issue that can project them into the media limelight. For the great majority of Filipinos, the verdict is that the video showing of the tapes was wise and necessary.
The world has to realize the bestiality, wickedness and utter lack of heart of the terrorists operating in the Philippines. And the best way to demonstrate this is through those damning tapes taken several years ago. We now should go one step further. Those tapes should be distributed worldwide to all the international networks so that they can show to the world’s populace the gruesomeness and savagery of the Abu Sayyaf.
In the meantime, the local TV networks should not be intimidated. They should go ahead and play – and then keep on replaying – those demonstrations of savagery being perpetrated by the Abu Sayyaf not only on Filipinos but on foreigners visiting or staying in the Philippines. Those arguments from the so-called civil society about offending the sensibilities of certain individuals or groups are without any substantive meaning.
I have known Lito Atienza since way, way back, when he was still dancing for the Bayanihan Dance Troupe and long before politics ever came to his mind. And during all those years, what I noted about Lito, who is now the Mayor of Manila, is his strong demonstration of political will. When he wants to get something done, he spares no effort to see that the goal is attained.
There are good, specific examples of political will as shown by Atienza. For one, he cleared the banks of the Pasig River behind the National Press Club on the south side and the Binondo area on the north side of the arrastre operations that caused traffic and impeded the view of the river, something that no mayor has done for the past several decades. And then, he demolished the four apartment units built by the government, yes, the government, that has blocked two lanes of Piy Margal St. in Sampaloc for the past twenty-five years.
When the Manila courts needed a Hall of Justice and the old Jai Alai building was offered as its site, he tore down the historic building to give way to the new structure. His move was anchored on his firm belief that the image of a gambling place would be inconsistent with a structure dedicated to the dispensation of justice.
After less than a year, the Park and Ride parking building, which is needed to service private cars and public utility vehicles in the central Manila area, has opened despite the strong objections from some private groups and the DENR. Recently, a court issued a Temporary Restraining Order against Atienza to prevent him from clearing Ylaya St. and Juan Luna St., the main access routes to Divisoria, of obstructions. The guy just went ahead and did his job, correctly pointing out that streets and sidewalks are beyond the commerce of man. This year, despite the opposition of the giant oil firms operating in Pandacan, there are indications that Hizzoner is bent on evicting them and implementing the city ordinance that reclassified the area as a residential and light commercial zone.
I do not really know what my oldtime, lifetime friend’s next move would be. What I know, however, is that the guy seems determined to do what is right and not what is popular. This, admirers say, has endeared him to his constituents in Manila, who gave him a fresh mandate to run the affairs of the country’s primate city.
The confirmation of Transportation and Communications Secretary Pantaleon Alvarez is long overdue. A full year has already passed since his nomination to the DOTC post but, strangely, the Commission on Appointments has conducted only one hearing thus far. This is not the way the agencies of government should move. Time, as always, should always be considered as priceless.
Yet, what is most noteworthy is that almost all of the substantive issues relevant to Bebot Alvarez’s confirmation have been thoroughly discussed in various fora, including Congress, media and the judiciary. And the DOTC headman has gone out of his way to satisfactorily explain his side and the issues relating to the controversial NAIA Terminal 3 Project.
In last week’s CA hearing on the PIATCO issue, there was a rehash of the same allegations against Bebot, just like a broken record. And for the umpteenth time, Alvarez gave his answer to each question in a most detailed manner.
Obviously, the CA can be nasty and senseless. And it wields such vast power that just one member can hold hostage a Cabinet appointment – and cause irreparable damage to the nominee’s reputation or derail some crucial government projects.
In a responsible working democracy, it is good for political leaders, particularly the CA members, to question the fitness and qualifications of a presidential nominee. But then, this privilege must not be abused, to the detriment of the general public. In the past, there were brilliant and qualified people who have nominated to serve in the government. But their careers were destroyed by reckless and malicious accusations in the CA confirmation process.
Fair is fair. And after the lapse of one year, it is high time for the appointments body to give a fair shake to DOTC’s Alvarez who is apparently trying to do his best in his assigned task.
Thoughts For Today:
Whenever you share your goodness in your heart,
you always end up winning because life is an echo.
It gives back what you give. The joy of life comes from the wisdom
of counting your blessings and never your troubles.
Focus on what you have
and have a thankful heart. My e-mail addresses:
jaywalker@pacific.net.ph and
artborjal@yahoo.com.