Mamma Mia!

Mamma Mia! What a long impeachment trial this is taking. The impeachment court has only tackled one article yet so far and we have seven more to go. Angara is right in saying that the impeachment process is a “medieval tool.”

A big problem we have with the impeachment is that prosecutors don’t seem to be on top gear. They show up unprepared and this is even made worse with their line of questioning. At one point even sounding like they are impeaching their own witness. Susmariosep! The defense on the other hand seems to be enjoying every minute as they continue to amplify the weaknesses of their opponents. The very seasoned Cuevas knows how to pick on the neophytes.

I feel uncomfortable when I hear and see senators questioning Corona’s condominiums although I know this is the right thing to do. What irks me is the fact that many in public service especially those in very high positions are used to getting big gifts such as condominium units, cars or travel packages. Just require them to show their assets and that of their immediate family members (or their family’s corporation) and you will discover how they get rich with a meager monthly salary.

So, what’s new? This is a country where people use the government as a milking cow for their own interest and are numbed to the true meaning of government service. No wonder we get a very low rating on good governance and high mark in corruption.

Just imagine how a regular office clerk at the Bureau of Customs earning P10K a month can drive an expensive Porsche. I know this is not unusual at the Bureau of Customs. I was told that even a janitor-messenger at the bureau can own several houses and cars.

I thought P-Noy was seriously trying to fight such corruption in public office? All I hear about P-Noy nowadays is the latest love of his life – Grace. As a matter of fact, some people feel that this is just the President’s drama to get even with Shalani who recently got married to Roman. Oh! Well, that’s just chizmiz to the max.  

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Isn’t it very pathetic? We seem to be always getting mixed signals from our officials even from P-Noy (i.e. on the case of Llamas) while the real Pinoys continue to suffer. We are clinging desperately to every perceived assurance that everything is well in the home front but the truth is, our hard earned money (our taxes) is spent haphazardly every day.

Anyway, in the final analysis of the impeachment trial, if the prosecutor doesn’t straighten up, the public will surely blame them for not bringing justice to the nation. We seem to have a trigger-happy group not being able to bring to flash point vital calls for the Chief Justice impeachment for a whole week.

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Everyone seems to be too preoccupied with the impeachment news that we have neglected more basic issues which are of utmost importance: health, traffic, safety and security of the people.

Criminals are certainly getting bolder and more heartless these days. Militant groups involved in kidnapping are on the rise. We very well know that most of these groups rely on kidnapping to survive. Last year, two Americans, a Malaysian, an Indian, three South Koreans, plus many Filipinos were kidnapped in Southern Philippines. Recently two wildlife enthusiasts, Elwoold Horn from Holland and Lorenzo Vinciguerre from Switzerland were abducted as they were documenting different bird species in the island town of Panglima Sugala in Tawi-Tawi. Aside from these two Europeans, the kidnappers are still holding Australian national Warren Rodwell.

Kidnapping is said to be a South American problem. In 2004, the region accounted for 65 percent of the world’s kidnap cases. This number increased as hostage-taking became more rampant in other parts of the world such as northwest Africa, the Philippines, Nigeria, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran, Iraq, Nepal, Sudan and Yemen. Kidnapping tourists or foreign workers has become a lucrative cottage industry, easy money for common criminals and an intimidation tactic for drug cartels, terrorists and other organized crimes.

Why do you think kidnapping thrive in these countries including the Philippines? It is primarily because law enforcement is breaking down. Corrupt security forces play a significant role in kidnappings either as source of information or actually taking part in the abductions. Then we have families who can afford to pay and negotiate the release of the hostages without telling the authorities.

Here we are trying our best to campaign for more investors to come and more tourists to visit our shores but with such news we are doomed. DOT just announced that they are expecting four million tourists to come in this year. Although this is still a small number compared to that of our neighboring countries, I hope we will be able to achieve it or even do better.

But before trying to attract foreign investors, tourists and even our very own balikbayans, we must first make our country safe for the Filipinos.

Many embassies have a red alert warning for their nationals to visit the Philippines. Internal warnings are also done for embassy staff. This clearly shows us that our foreign dignitaries are worried-scared to visit our beautiful islands and provinces because of many dangerous elements lingering around. With this fear how can they promote our country to their nationals?

Shooting incidents using loose firearms, carnapping, bank robberies inside the mall, pickpockets are some crimes that can easily happen inside the malls despite strict security measures. We also have gangs who talk to the tourists offering different services as a ploy to trick them. All these create fear in the minds of our visitors that may dissuade them from coming or returning to our beloved Philippines.

Let us not forget that part of the considerations of a foreigner to visit a country are: the airport, comfort rooms, public safety and security, comfortable and affordable accommodations, the hygienic food, good transport system, sanitation conditions, health and medical provisions, etc.

Anyway, I am sure that the new Tourism Secretary is coordinating with the different agencies and pushing the President to act on things as well. I hope he is not too preoccupied in finding the best slogan to describe our country but more so, the preparation of tourists’ infrastructures around the country. You know for Pinoys who are used to the country and its idiosyncracies, it can be more fun in the Philippines. But for other tourists they don’t see how it can be fun in a country that is dirty, full of thieves, unsafe, etc.

Don’t get me wrong I am proud to be a Filipino but we need to face the reality that there are indeed things we need to improve and work on if we want to be a good destination for tourists and investors around the world. If we do not confront the challenge, we will truly be the basket case of Asia.

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By the way, the hit musical Mamma Mia is in town. I am happy that producers take the risk of bringing international concerts and musicale shows to town. Such productions are very expensive. It is unfortunate that ticket prices however are too expensive for our fellow Pinoys who should get a chance to enjoy the shows as well. This is not to say that our locally produced shows are not up to par – they are. We just need to support them more.

“Mamma Mia!” is written by Catherine Johnson, directed by Phyllida Lloyd and choreographed by Anthony Van Laast. The International Tour is produced by Judy Craymer, Richard East and Björn Ulvaeus for Littlestar in association with Universal, Stage Entertainment and NGM. It will run from January 24 to February 19 at the CCP Main Theater.