They called it ‘nakakahiya’

Last Friday, January 11 to be exact, I chanced upon a front page picture of COMELEC Chairman Sixto Brillantes gleefully taking aim and firing the ceremonial shot at a shooting competition. The Chairman played the role to the max, complete with a shirt showing the PPSA logo as well as eye and ear protection.

I found this very disturbing because in the same week the messaging from the COMELEC has been about the “gun ban” and the pursuit of peaceful elections.

The photo of the happy Comelec pistolero is not an isolated case. Sometime ago, the front page featured the Secretary of Justice as another pistolero at the firing range. In recent times, the President has also been referenced to the point that he’s beginning to sound like the endorser of the Filipino’s right to bear arms.

I have no issue with gun ownership, but I strongly oppose this continuing practice of government officials allowing themselves to be photographed with guns in hand and firing guns for media consumption and publicity. More than anything, it gives the wrong message about our peace and order situation as well as the mindset of government officials. Frankly speaking, I think someone in Congress and the Senate or at the very least maybe the Civil Service Commission should issue a ban on government officials posing as pistoleros.

We want civil servants and not gunslingers in government.

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When people began to talk about the cash gifts given to Senators that did not require any accounting, the first thing that came to my mind was a time when the same set of Senators pounced and verbally ripped officials of the MWSS for giving themselves bonuses and perks. Back then they called the act “Nakakahiya,” (shameful) and without basis. I can remember how Senators trashed the hapless officials and rolled out their declamations against the excess and the abuse of the Arroyo appointees. Because of their passion and eloquence, I was convinced that indeed, here was “change we can believe in.”

Three short years later, I stand corrected. The only change that has taken place is a change of hands where the money goes. Instead of living by the standard they preached, we discover Senators sharing the spoils of what they call savings, while other government agencies are required to give back all unused funds to the General Appropriations fund. Forgive me if I challenge the claim that the Senate managed to save money. It is just as likely that the Senate had allocated an excess of budget unto themselves while they chopped and diced the budget proposals of other departments.

Unfortunately, whom do we run to, to challenge the false prophets? The COA? Surely you jest Tita Miriam. How can we expect a lowly accounting and auditing arm to rise up to the challenge, knowing fully well that the Senate has very recently condemned and crucified a Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.

If anything, this is yet another proof that those in power has two sets of laws and morality: one against their enemies or targets and another that legitimizes their self-gratification. The only good thing from all of this is that some things never change in the eyes of the people: self-gratification at the peoples’ expense is still “Nakakahiya.”                                      

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The Bureau of Immigration recently advertised the annual requirement of the BID for foreigners based in the Philippines to register and pay the P300 fee. While this is normal SOP, it may not have occurred to our friends at the BI that this annual requirement needs to be revised in order to be more practical, economical and logical.

Many expats I know hold important positions, are based in provincial locations and are forced to travel to Manila or some regional office just to register and pay the P300 fee. Time off from work is very disruptive, especially for those with crucial positions in highly technical or service industry. Add to that the significant cost of travel by air, as well as the minimum overnight stay.

Perhaps, the leadership at BI should confer with the National Statistics Office (NSO) as well as the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on how to utilize modern technology as well as bank services in order to efficiently and economically comply with the registration requirement without being disruptive.

Similarly, BI Commissioner Ric David might want to reconsider the similar plight of foreign students who are required to report every 3 months and pay P4,000. Somehow, not only is the quarterly reporting requirement disruptive for students, the fees in comparison to residents stink of utter commercialism and taking advantage of students. One of the reasons foreigners choose to study in the Philippines is because we offer affordable prices. Not many students come from rich countries or rich families.

Considering that they are also contributing to our economy as students and consumers, shouldn’t the BI realign its charges to be in tune with our slogan “It’s more fun in the Philippines.” When you think of the money they already spend in tuition fees, uniforms, books, rent, transportation and other forms of consumption, perhaps the government ought to give them a break and not ride on their backs.

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Successful leaders have often been quoted as saying, “It’s lonely at the top.” In the case of DTI Secretary Greg Domingo, things may get even more “lonelier” after Trade Undersecretary Cristino Panlilio filed his resignation effective today. Following in Panlilio’s footsteps, is Celia Elumba of the Garments & Textile Industry Development Office.

I have had the pleasure of working with both Usec Panlilio and Ms. Elumba while consulting for garments industry players. More than anything, Panlilio and Elumba restored my faith in government as well as showed me the many possibilities of cooperation between the private sector and the DTI. Needless to say Secretary Domingo has been instrumental in all of this but I worry that with highly competent people leaving the DTI, Secretary Domingo will have to be more than Superman to get things across the finish line.

Perhaps, it would serve Secretary Domingo well to have an earnest talk with his departing crew because from what I hear things have been so busy at the DTI that everybody forgot about people management.                      

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