Key to nation building

Most of the overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in war torn Lebanon are perhaps silently wishing to stay put and risk the grave danger to their lives than come back here just to see our politicians still bickering over the funds necessary to bring them back to "safety". Seeing that the main reasons for leaving the country are still very much in place, many of our modern day "heroes and heroines" are beginning to realize that it would be better to take chances and endure the hardships and the perils in their place of work than come back to this place where they are also the hapless victims of another kind of war being fought by our public officials over the very funds they have contributed purposely for use in cases of emergencies happening to them now. At least there is an end in sight on the war in their workplace than the endless bickering of our politicians here.

Coincidence or not, the quarrel among our public officials always involves the handling of public funds especially in big amounts. Somehow, suspicions abound that these funds are not being used properly. And these suspicions inevitably lead to much publicized Congressional investigations "in aid of legislation" most of which only end up in scandalous expose that pertain more to the Ombudsman or the prosecuting arm of the government to handle.

Last year it was the P2.8 billion Fertilizer Fund scam involving former Agriculture Undersecretary Bolante who prefers the comfortable quarters of the US immigration detention center than face the searing questions of our Senators on how the funds fell into the hands of the political supporters of the incumbent president. Now it is the huge P8 billion OWWA funds that seem to flow in trickles as attested by our Lebanon Ambassador who waited for quite a time to receive the measly sum of $150,000 for the needed assistance in the evacuation of our OFWs in his place of assignment.

The administration’s stance regarding the projected Senate investigation into the OWWA funds appears valid enough. Its efforts to evacuate our countrymen should not really be hampered by a Senate inquiry surrounding the rumored diversion of said funds to other channels that have nothing to do with the welfare of our overseas workers. Now is not really the time to inject partisan politics because the lives of many Filipinos in a foreign land are greatly in danger. It is likewise quite right to snub the Senate hearing unless certain guidelines are specified and questions answered particularly the information on the proposed statute which triggered the inquiry to determine whether it is really "in aid of legislation" or covered by executive privilege.

Despite the righteousness of its position however, the Administration does not seem to win enough support. The public would still like to find out the answers to some nagging questions regarding the public funds subject of the inquiry. And no one is to be blamed but the Administration itself. It has not been transparent enough on these controversies. Instead of coming out and opening its books to render proper accounting, it has resorted to issuing vague, general and incomplete statements or resorted to evasive tactics that prevent the whole truth from coming out.

The Garci and Bolante disappearances at the height of the controversies surrounding them are the best examples of lack of transparency. It is just so unbelievable that with all the power and resources at its command, the Administration appeared so helpless in bringing back its two ex-officials at the time when they were most needed and sought after for answers to the questions that have placed the administration in a bad light. These disappearances only spawned a lot of ugly speculations that are not exactly complimentary, but even very damaging to those in power. Up to now even Bolante’s arrest and detention by the US authorities are shrouded in mystery. The same is true with the Mayuga Report. After coming out with a favorable summary of its contents, the entire report has remained in the closet. With people remaining in the dark about these issues, they would certainly welcome any means through which light may be able to penetrate. Including the highly politicized Senate investigation disguised as "in aid of legislation".

Malacañang may just be simply trying to avoid a partisan political witch hunt that would further exacerbate the bitter divisiveness preventing the economy from vigorously taking off. This is understandable. But if it has nothing to hide, it could preempt the Senate and report directly to the people so as to clear the air. After all, our Constitution affords the citizens the right to information on matters of public concern. And the fertilizer and OWWA funds are definitely public funds of public concern. Indeed it can even provide access to official documents and records regarding these funds which is also the right of every citizen corollary to the right of information. By doing this, Malacanang could gain a lot of goodwill and support that would certainly unite the nation. This move is the best affirmation of the Constitutional policy that "information and communication are vital to nation building" (Sec.28 Art.II).

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