Symbol of power ... loss

In terms of major-minor achievements, one thing that P-Noy accomplished early in his presidency was to effectively ban the use of what has been called “symbols of power”.

P-Noy declared a ban on the hated “wang-wangs”, where self-proclaimed VIPs used sirens, blinkers and ill-mannered bodyguards to push away motorists by using back-up vehicles.

When the people in Malacañang saw that “it was good”, they followed up by banning another symbol of power, namely vanity plates, designed more for intimidation and arrogance rather than commemoration and celebration.

For “almost” a year, many of us silently rejoiced how the arrogant and the abusive were silenced by no less than the President of the Philippines. As small, and seemingly insignificant as that may seem, it was a very good start in showing the Filipinos that the President meant business and would be the first to set the example.

One year after the elections, it seems that we now have Symbols of Power… loss.

Little by little, a number of politicians have started to organize their own three to four vehicle convoys, first using only headlights, then lights and emergency blinkers, and now they go about using police style flashers with the assistance of motorcycling back-ups and security.

No one has challenged them and their numbers have grown enough to be a topic of comment on Facebook and parties.

In the past month, several vehicles have been seen all over Metro Manila using a commemorative plate number of the NBI. Unlike ordinary commemorative plates, the NBI plate comes across in the same manner as the No. 6, No. 7, and No. 8 plates used by high ranking government officials.

While I understand the government and the NBI’s need to promote its self as well as generate income for operations, the decision and design of their commemorative plate comes in defiance of the President’s stand against symbols of power.

Law enforcement agencies should never be involved in “lending out” or “selling” any reproduction or representation of their seals and symbols of authority. More than their guns, law enforcement must hold their seals, badge or symbols with utmost honor, respect and never extend, lend or sell these symbols. It is tantamount to selling your power and your soul as a professional law enforcer.

The same applies to the Senate and the House of Representatives whose respective seals have been reproduced, sold and placed even on commercial vehicles. There is a big difference between commercial stickers and official seals and symbols. Before demanding to be called honorable and “your honor”, Congress should put back respect for their symbols of power.

In like manner, the President and his staff must realize that the campaign against symbols of power was achieved by the simple act of “Leadership by example”. Once Malacañang decided to modify their interpretation of the “No wang-wang” policy, they were doomed to reap the consequences by the same act of “leadership by example”.

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I’ve received a series of “tip offs” from contacts about government affairs that have raised eyebrows.

Someone reported that the Social Security System or SSS raised the per diem paid to directors for each Board meeting from P2,500 to P40,000.

Fortunately a quick call to Ms. Susie Bugante informed us that the reported increase is suppose to be the result of an Executive Order which standardizes per diems for directors of government corporations.

The SSS however will remain at the P2,500 rate since the SSS has its own charter and is outside the Executive Order.

Another “heads up” I received is that the new DBP chairman Pepo Nunez was originally an official of a fertilizer/chemical company (Philpos), previously owned by businessman Pepito Alvarez that he sold to Buddy Zamora, was given a P1 billion omnibus credit line last April 2010 and renewed April this year.

As a result, our tipster claims that the company was able to gain a P500-million loan. The issue being raised is whether or not the loan was based on relational history or another political accommodation?

After crosschecking with DBP insiders, I was told that Chairman Nunez was not connected with Philpos. As far as the P500-million loan is concerned, my insider advised me that the loan servicing was in order and on schedule. 

The point in mentioning all of these “reports” is to highlight the fact that certain “mixed” information has been circulating perhaps due to poor information dissemination, a heightened vigilance on the part of an increasingly skeptic and critical citizenry or opposition on the offensive. Either way, those in government should pay closer attention to what’s being said out there.

As for those of us in media, to be fair and to be balanced will simply require more work. But that at the end of the day is our responsibility.

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