Christmas in June
We do not need another “drama” to win the hearts of the poor. Our government has been taking advantage of the gloomy economic situation our country is now facing by doling out gifts, checks and scholarships to the poor. Is this a dream? Are we in fantasyland? Is it Christmas already? I have the impression that our government has difficulty facing reality. Hey, wake up! Stop spending our hard earned money.
First, you give out “gift checks” in exchange for NFA imported rice which by the way, sickens many due to the pungent smell it emits. Second, you give out cash gifts to the poor worth five hundred pesos to help them pay for their electric bills. Third, you give out another cash gift or assistance (or whatever you call it) for fertilizer to help the poor farmers. Fourth, you give out TESDA and CHED academic scholarships to the poor but gifted students. Then, now you give out 17,000 land titles to the farmers? What’s going on? Only a person with a sick-mind would resort to such antics.
It seems like the government is hastily spending our tax money just like that. I cannot understand the logic behind these programs that for sure in the end will spell out another disaster. Instead of improving our nation, teaching the people to work – we have converted the poor to MENDICANTS.
Is it that easy for GMA to give and give? I thought we are having budget problems? I thought we are now in troubled waters? How can she be celebrating right now? How can she give away money just like that? What about the rich, the middle class and the rest of the poor population – what will she give us? More taxes to pay?
Mrs. President please give us a break. You seem to have become so desperate in trying to please the poor too much you have forgotten about the rest of our citizenry. Do you honestly believe that giving dole outs to the poor is the best solution to ease our economic misery? You brag about our country being on the road to progress but we cannot see any change happening at all. Instead we keep seeing the lowly and downtrodden Filipinos living a more miserable life. You give gifts left and right but you have not given us any solution to advocate change and progress.
Today we have a holiday in anticipation of the June 12 Philippine Independence Day. Even the holidays have been mixed up in this country. Ask a child the date of a certain holiday and he or she will answer, “Holidays in the
I suggest you stop listening to your empty-headed advisers and start making your own stand, Mrs. President. All these “quick fixes” are doing more harm than good to the citizenry. Time is running out and Pinoys are already getting sick and tired of your endless tactics.
Do not use the June 12 Philippine Independence Day commemoration as another opportunity to campaign or please the poor and illiterate population with your pakulos. Imagine at this point in time you can still afford to “party” with your so-called Pro-Poor Programs? How can you call it “Republic Service tungo sa ganap na kalayaan at kaunlaran” when you are teaching the poor people to beg? What an early Christmas treat this is with each cabinet secretary distributing gifts just like Santa Claus. Come one, come all — food in Divisoria from BF, conditional cash transfer funds from DSWD, 10 scholarships from incoming Secretary Bello, 300 bikes in Batangas from Secretary Ermita, fertilizer, irrigation, education, loans, dryers and other post harvest facilities from Secretary Yap, training vouchers from Secretary Syjuco of TESDA and 13 major prizes from Secretary Lito Atienza – 17,000 land titles to farmers. Wowowee!
How can the poor Filipinos be independent and free if you are not helping them, help themselves? Instead of giving out gifts, teach them to become independent. If your programs will empower our countrymen to becoming better citizens, then, your legacy will live on from generations to generations to come. But if you resort to giving alms – your legacy will die and fade away – nothing will be remembered.
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What “cause” can we embrace today that can give meaning to our disappointed lives? Until the Filipino’s search is completed, until he finds himself, we will have neither happiness nor rest.
Who is at fault for our present tribulations? We are. When all is said and done, there are neither kilometric Constitutions nor bundles of laws (of which we have too many, as well as too many unheeded) which can compare with those basic tenets, fallen into disuse in our society: The Ten Commandments.
And finally, the question is asked: Do we behold the radiance, feel the throb, of the glorious liberty?
That is the question we must ask ourselves now. For, as in every generation, our democracy is at risk, our liberties are under debate, our justice system is on trial. But the radiance is there, and the throb is in our hearts. That’s what our celebration of independence means.
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I can’t let this day pass without bidding a fond farewell to a gentleman – Rudy Fernandez. He was a sweet, charming, handsome and a very sincere friend. From the day I was introduced to Daboy by my husband Jon and his father Domy De Guzman (who has known him even before he entered showbiz ), I was humbled by his down-to-earth personality. As a popular and successful action star, he did not allow fame to shroud him with false pride and conceit. He quietly helped people and touched their lives. He always offered a smile even to those he did not know. When his life was reaching its final moments, he gave us more meaning to our own lives. He taught us the true meaning of love, sacrifice, patience and courage. His mission is over. Rest now dear friend until we meet again.
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