The corrupt are fighting back

The latest SWS survey shows the BIR and Customs continue to be the leading government agencies perceived as the most corrupt. So what else is new?

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One city resident after reading the SWS survey on the BIR and Customs remarked: “Kasum-ol na ba anang balitaa ... Wa nay laing topnotcher diha?”

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A taxi driver said to me: “Noynoy has vowed to wipe out corruption in the government. That’s the reason why he’s losing ground in the surveys.”

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The driver explained: “Corruption has become a way of life for the many corrupt souls in the government. If you deprive them of that way of life they’ll fight back ... as they’re now fighting back against Noynoy.”

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This driver was speaking seriously and in impeccable English (he’s a college graduate). He was even emotional. I had to tell him to calm down. “Basi’g malimot ka sa steering wheel,” I said.

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Here’s another taxi driver who’s taking things easy. He said: “Sir, mga kandidato ron kusog mamakak ... uban nila di mosulti’g tinuod.” I said: “So wa tay kapilian.” He laughed and said: “May ka pa kay nagsulti’g tinuod.”

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I just learned from a Philstar article that Noynoy Aquino is an incorrigible smoker. I had a smoker-friend who was dumped by his girlfriend. “Grabe,” said the GF, “When we kissed I felt like I was kissing an ash tray.”

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E-mail from Marivir Leopando (any relation to Jules Leopando who used to be active in Cebu journalism?): “I was saddened to know from your online edition that former Governor Lito Osmeña seems to be being pushed around in the very place which he helped develop ... First the Comelec struck him out from the list of senatoriables. Then he was not allowed to have his infomercial aired in a tv station. Kalooy bayang Sir Lito.”

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Note: Lito O has been reinstated by the Comelec in the list of candidates for senator.

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Another e-mail from “Concerned Pinoy” which I find interesting but is too long for my available space. The gist of the e-mail says: “If those reported 43 health workers in Rizal are not Reds, why do they raise their clenched fists when facing the news photographers? Reds or communists always clench their fists and raise them high.”

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Thanks to those who sent politically-inspired text messages hitting or praising certain candidates. I enjoy reading them.

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Email: [email protected]