Entrance fee?

Is it a silver lining or added difficulty? The non-stop rise in fuel prices has significantly affected the number of buses servicing the Manila/Cubao to Lipa route.

I just learned from the locals here in Lipa that commuting to or from Manila has become much harder and time bound because there seems to be fewer buses plying the route. In fact commuters now opt to go to the central bus station at SM or company stations in Cubao where everything is now based on fixed schedules. As a result people going to Manila/Cubao now have to leave 1 to 2 hours earlier to make sure they get a seat because of the fewer runs. The silver lining is that buses no longer stop at every town because they are full and packed when they leave their terminals unlike in the past.

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News reports have quoted President Rodrigo Duterte as stating that people hoping to get appointed to positions vacated by those running for elections will have to demonstrate honesty and competence. That’s definitely a good start but what are the chances that people with such characters will never make it past the Commission on Appointments? It might also be a good idea for the President to have a performance audit done on the competency and acceptability of his present cabinet members all the way down to Asec. We can find all the good, honest and competent people in the country but no eagle will succeed if they are surrounded by turkeys especially those who feel entitled by virtue of “seniority,” regional roots, and proximity to the President. Besides which, who would want to apply for a position if you get fed to the wolves in Congress even before you get to take your oath before the President? The President should add “Christ-like humility” to the job requirements because there is nothing more humiliating than to say your “Honor” to someone who has none.  

It costs millions to hundreds of millions to run for public office.

Sorry, my bad. The entrance fee to the exclusive membership club called PUBLIC OFFICE and public service runs into millions or hundreds of millions depending on the level of exclusivity you wish to join. The multi-million peso entrance fee is the first proof that the winners are “sincere” in their desire because why else would you spend millions of pesos in joiner’s fee that does not even guarantee that you get it and even if you did, will never give you a decent or legal ROI or Return On Investment! You’re either extremely committed, utterly stupid or as generally presumed, intent on a corrupt way of life. That of course is between you and God.

After the traditional week long filing of COCs or Certificate of Candidacy, I actually reflected on candidates and public service and who are real and who are fake. Are we to judge them on the amount of legislations they authored, the passion and terror they exude during future congressional investigations? Or the number of school buildings and local projects they build? I suppose that would be a gauge until we wake up to the realization that these “Members only” will be taking credit for projects paid for with our tax money! Sorry to generalize but that happens to be the truth. It is no great sacrifice to do work when it is done by others and paid for by others.

It occurs to me that one accurate measure of generosity and service would be to check on how much of their own money they spend for charity, for the poor or for helping others. Giving away one unit from a row of houses is no big sacrifice if you own villages or mansions. Giving away a thousand dollars to a homeless person is no big if you give away more than that in tips at bars and casinos. Giving because you expect something in return is not giving; it’s an investment or a bribe. The same of course applies to all of us, and for those of you who may be seeking, searching, finding their purpose and destiny in life, it might not be such a bad idea to seriously ask yourself: How many percent of my money do I give to those in need? Numbers don’t lie especially percentages, and if you feel like you just slapped yourself after the question, you are in good company!

For starters, you actually asked yourself the question which means it matters to you, and if you feel the imaginary sting of a slap that means you still have a conscience and still hold yourself accountable as caretaker of God-given wealth. I don’t know if it’s a cyclical exercise or my mental calendar that goes off but that has been the question of the week for me. How many percent of your money are you now sharing with the needy? I’m not talking about tithes or the mandatory 10 percent of our earnings that God requires from us as acknowledgment of his blessings, I am talking about what you or I independently own and have free will to spend or share as we wish. Regardless of whether you are a Bill Gates, Warren Buffet, or some local Taipan or just an office worker somewhere, the percentage of your shared wealth is an accurate measure of your generosity and commitment. Free will or what feels good is not. Don’t fool yourself. The only time a selfish person will feel good is when he or she does not have to share!