It ain't easy

“It ain’t easy being green” said Kermit the Frog, and in like manner I can only surmise that it isn’t easy being the new Commissioner of the Bureau of Immigration.

It does not help if you come in as a political appointee who just recently retired as general and Chief of the Armed Forces. It does not help if you happen to be taking over a post and a bureau associated with corruption and human trafficking as well as illegal aliens, in a country that is known or notorious for exporting its citizens as cheap labor or modern slaves, while its upper class have family histories of being illegal aliens all over the world!

No, it ain’t easy.

However, a chance encounter with BI Commissioner Ricardo David gave me a clearer understanding of the new guy at the BI. What I write down are present impressions but I do hope that the man in charge makes good on his word or at least go down fighting to change a decade of past sins.

For beginners, the BI chief is not a grumpy old man. Yes that is often what you expect to meet when they tell you that he recently retired as chief of the Armed Forces. But as he explained, he had to adhere to the doctrine of early retirement when he reached the age of 56.

I personally don’t believe I’m old at age 55 so how on earth can one year difference make? In any case, David is relatively young and in the corporate world he would just be entering into his peak or prime years. Unfortunately, antiquated rules and legislation make us pasture talent even before it’s time.

Along with his relatively young age, David is fit, sharp and humble enough to recognize the knowledge and experience of those under him at the BI, as well as other sectors. Commissioner David confessed how he had sought advice and suggestions from the former Commissioner and now Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago.

Subsequent to this, Commissioner David recently met up with members of the media in a very frank and no holds barred forum where he got a sampling of issues and personal experiences that media people have heard of, know of, or experienced at immigration counters in the country.

As the Bible teaches: one who has the counsel of many will not fail.

When confronted by very direct lady journalists and columnists, David did not manifest any of the “military type” defensive attitude” or facial reactions. In a situation that was somewhat similar to a Congressional investigation, David simply responded with calm sincerity and what was apparently the truth, warts and all.

Among the new Commissioner’s many concerns are the serious lack of personnel totaling to about 144 individuals, complications being created by the current system on issuing “hold departure orders”, removal of fixers at BI offices, redesigning the overall ambience of the BI offices because visitors do not find the BI offices as “friendly” or non-threatening, going after fake or corrupt persons representing his office or the BI, and an appeal from “foreigners” for the BI to declare an amnesty that would allow illegal aliens to come clean and register.

As far as the amnesty goes, the BI will be facing a brick wall called the Congress, which once again has the sole authority to declare or allow such an amnesty! 

I seriously appeal and pray to Speaker Sonny Belmonte and Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile to spearhead a decentralization process so that government agencies such as the BI, the BOI, the DTI can initiate incentive or amnesty programs, without having to camp at both houses of Congress!

As for “softening” the BI image, even my wife who is a Dutch national and spent years in corporate life, shares how she groans inwardly whenever she enters the “maze” that’s so full of people and confusion, not to mention the anxiety causing experience of transaction. Yes the BI needs to “soften” up.

Without a doubt, Commissioner David has taken the right steps to meet up with stakeholders, key opinion leaders and being open to the sentiments and suggestions of many. By reaching out and sharing the burden, what isn’t easy will ultimately get done faster!

* * *

As the Aquino administration goes after members of the Arroyo administration in connection with suspected acts of corruption, it seems that no one under P-Noy has done their homework concerning how the “Road Users Tax” was officially used.

As I remember, no less than Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago raised a legislative eyebrow on the matter. But the question is, why is no one investigating the matter with the same passion as Congress did going after Merceditas Gutierrez?

Is it because a “junkie” or a user will always protect his or her “pusher”?

I guess it is hard for members of Congress and the Senate to squawk about the matter since they are all suppose to have a nice slice of our flesh or a pint of our blood that went into the road users tax!                      

 One of our valued readers has suggested that the Road Users Tax should not be shared like loot among highway robbers but should instead be rechanneled as a subsidy for our mass transit system. In this way, everyday users of the LRT and the MRT won’t have to shoulder price increases on their fares.

So as it turns out, the Pro Aquino legislators were actually tricked and trapped into taking “blood money” the same way Adam took a bite from the apple and was cursed for life. Unfortunately those who “shared and tasted the fruit” we call Road Users Tax will now find themselves just as guilty as their enemies.