A different sort of convention

As far as the war against pork barrel is concerned, last week proved how a simple idea can be twisted at every turn and manipulated by the guilty and the desperate. From out of nowhere, we now hear of calls for impeachment of President Noynoy Aquino, suddenly the enemies of PNoy namely Gloria Arroyo and her minions are single handedly guilty in the Malampaya fund scam and no one else. Even Jun Lozada who had hoped to be rid of his involvement, if not guilt, in the alleged ZTE bribery deal rises to the occasion to lambast PNoy. Even the patriotic people I know who actively engage in the battle against social ills have taken to separate corners based purely on impressions and rumors of what is or might be.

Yes, the war against the Pork Barrel has turned into a free for all and looks more like a bloody “Dinuguan” than “fat-free” pork.

Obviously the Philippine government, the Executive, Legislative and perhaps even the Judiciary are all part of a very messy, confused and mixed up financial management system, from budget proposal all the way to accounting of expenditures. Instead of “reacting” to political baiting from his critics, what if PNoy or all of them (The three branches of government) declare a National Time Out and sincerely call for a National Summit for the correction of laws and procedures concerning government spending from the office of the President all the way down to all Barangays?

All these on-going investigations and accusations concerning the “Pork barrel System” may be a good start to change things but it will never solve the cause of the problem, which we all know is legislated and legalized financial maneuvering intended to benefit and profit those in government be it national or local. It might also convince civil society that the PNoy administration means business if they (Civil Society) have a chance to participate in crafting better laws, rules and regulations to correct laws that originally started as a one-sided self-serving system for government officials and politicians. It would be the equivalent of a “Financial” sort of constitutional convention for government.

I actually posted this notion on my Facebook page and solicited peoples response to the idea and I was encouraged to receive 99% of positive responses with only one doubting “if those directly benefitting from the confusion would be willing to give up the status quo”. This is probably true but given a choice between a “Financial constitutional convention” or Snap elections coming out of several EDSA rallies that could derail the economy, political survival might prove the biggest motivator to clean house and fix the mess that government has regarding finances.

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While last week may have been a political mess, I also found comfort in two events that certainly showcased the best in Filipino Character. The first was the second annual Pink Party of the Peninsula Manila, which is a charity fund raising event to support the fight against Breast Cancer. Like the year before Peninsula Manila GM Sonja Vodusek inspired both friends and guests to help hit the One million target for the Pink month. To many foreigners surprise the target was basically achieved in one short evening as Filipinos and one foreign guest gamely bid against each other during the hour long auction of various items provided by supporters of the charity.

If any impressions were made on that evening it was the generous spirit of Filipinos and their willingness to give to worthy causes. Since the modest target set by Sonja Vodusek was so easily hit, chances are one or two more events will be in the offering specifically to build/renovate and create a “Pink Room” for

cancer patients of the East Avenue Medical Center in Quezon City. I hope you our dear reader can help this worthy cause.

Two nights later, a similar crowd this time headed by Assumptionistas and Rustan’s President Neddy Tantoco hosted a charity event via a fashion show featuring the current works of Japanese Fashion designer “TADASHI SHOJI” at the Makati Shangri-la. This time the intended beneficiary was the Assumption facility in Passi, Iloilo that is in dire need of 8 classrooms estimated at a minimum of 1 million each. To help get things going no less than designer Tadashi Shoji donated a check for US$5,000. Without a doubt many Assumptionistas in the crowd generously followed suit just so the less fortunate children in Negros can get a chance at a better education. Well-done ladies! Remember: “Those who refresh others, will themselves also be refreshed by the Lord”.

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When the biggest or tallest tree in the forest spreads out its branches over and above others, it tends to kill or stunt the rest of the smaller trees under it.

DILG Secretary Mar Roxas may not realize it but his performance, as self-appointed spokesman of the DILG may be working against him as well as the various agencies and services under his command. To begin with, while it puts him in the limelight, it also gives the misimpression that he is a publicity-seeking politician doing anything and everything so voters won’t forget him if he runs for President in 2016.

We might say; who can blame the guy considering the upper hand and popularity of his archrival VP Binay. On the other hand, Roxas can be blamed for the impression or misimpression that the PNP was not as active in battle for Zamboanga as the military. Instead of giving his field commanders in the PNP all the chance to promote the service, Roxas’ decision to do most of the talking highlighted his political presence and dangerously diminished the public presence of the PNP.

Last week when Roxas once again did a one-man show regarding the Serendra Gas explosion, Mar may have thought he scored PR points but he did not. First of all, in the minds of most people, the announcement on the cause of the blast was generally received as “Panis!” or stale news and just like stale bread, was no longer fit for human consumption.

If anything, Mar Roxas’ excessively detailed presentation laid the whole thing open to ridicule. After focusing so much on an LPG hose, where it lay on the ground, it’s angle etc., I was nearly convinced that Secretary Roxas was going to say that the explosion was a terrorist act committed by an LPG hose. What soured our amusement was the possibility that the blame would now be laid on construction workers. Mar also needs to keep in mind the concept of peoples’ “Attention Span”. People get bored and when the topic is boring they get bored faster!

Someone quoted the Bible saying “Open rebuke is better than hidden love” and it is in this spirit that I comment on the recent misadventures of Secretary Mar as far as being the de facto spokesperson of the DILG- PNP. Perhaps Mar should be more selective, specific and limit himself to high percentage points presentation and comments that add up instead of his current plus=minus press conferences that end up being tedious or disappointing.

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