Ex-generals, social activists denounce political plunder

“We should’ve executed some of them then; things would be very different today.” Thus grumble several retired generals and colonels who toppled dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr. in 1986. Forty years hence, political corruption, abuse, and dynastism are worse.

But ex-fighter pilot Hector Tarrazona renounces bloodshed. This co-founder of the mutinous Reform AFP Movement prefers prayer. A member of PMA Class 1968, he convinced then-Colonel Antonio Sotelo, head of the Air Force helicopter strike wing, to defect. Gen. Fidel Ramos then told Sotelo to fire a rocket at Malacañang’s parking lot to demonstrate to Marcos the rebels’ control of the air.

Now 82, Tarrazona heads 216-strong Love Movement Philippines of fellow-senior officers. He has written Bongbong Marcos at least 200 times since June 30th, 2022. A devout Christian, he tirelessly pleads for BBM to turn to God for moral strength.

“I don’t know if [BBM] has taken heed, or if he read any of my emails at all,” Tarrazona smiles. Still he persists. Excerpts from his latest missive:

“Your Excellency, we do not have democratic rule of the people. This is because:

“(1) Power of the purse is controlled and abused by only 352 top government officials, leading to unbridled corruption;

“(2) Comelec has absolute power over the conduct of elections, leading to rigging of results, allowing unqualified candidates to run, vote-buying, and other anomalies;

“(3) Accountability is lacking among powerful, wealthy politicians who can buy acquittal;

“(4) Supreme Court Justices owe debts of gratitude to their President-appointer, leading to biased decisions;

“(5) Justice is selective.

“There is no democracy because our taxes and borrowed money are plundered as pork barrels disguised in sweet-smelling acronyms.

“Please cause the restoration of democracy in our land.”

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UP Economics Prof. Cielo Magno, PhD, one-time Finance undersecretary, expounds:

“P51 billion ni Pulong vs P42 billion ni Sandro? Maling comparison. P51 billion ni Pulong Duterte (2020-2022) at P42 billion ni Sandro Marcos (2023-2025). Hindi ito labanan nina Pulong at Sandro. Hindi tayo judges sa Pilipinas Got Billions. Pattern ito ng VIP lane sa pambansang badyet ng mga makapangyarihan, na dapat nang matuldukan.

“Kailangan ng malinaw na batayan sa allocation ng budget sa mga distrito. Batayan na hindi naaayon sa kapangyarihan.”

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Advocates for National Interest consists of retired high officers who also served in civilian posts.

Among them are AFP Chiefs Renato de Villa, Generoso Senga, Alexander Yano and Victor Ibrado, PNP Chief Recaredo Sarmiento, Navy Chiefs Emilio Marayag and Mateo Mayuga, Army Chief Raul Urgello, Lt. Gens. Edilberto Adan and Samuel Bagasin, Maj. Gen. Melchor Rosales, Brig. Gens. Manuel Mariano and Eliseo Rio, Cols. Mariano Santiago, Guillermo Cunanan and Plaridel Abaya, Lt. Col. Alejandro Flores, Maj. Renato Valencia, and Capt. Roberto Yap.

Recently they denounced political dynasties. Excerpts:

“The Supreme Court ruled that Congress should comply with its constitutional duty to enact an anti-political dynasty law. Congress’ 39-year inaction was grave abuse of discretion.

“Political dynasties have limited electoral competition, penetrated the party-list system, weakened accountability and fueled corruption, and fostered patronage, fraudulent practices and voter dependence on political favors. Seventy percent of district legislators and 54 percent of local elective posts are held by political clans. Areas dominated by them suffer higher poverty levels and weaker human development.

“The effects are against national interest and harm our nation. These have slowed economic performance and made the country less attractive to foreign investment.

“We ask national and local politicians affiliated with political dynasties to respect the Constitution. Their power and personal interest are deeply bound to their families’ continued hold on office.

“The cost of inaction and indifference will not end with this generation, it will be inherited by the next. Our nation can be better.”

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Capt. Roberto Yap also coordinates Alyansa ng Nagkakaisang Mamamayan. ANIM consists of retired officers, religious and civil society leaders. Seventy-six of them demanded:

“(1) Immediate end to corrupt practices, including kickbacks, rigged contracts, and obstruction of investigations;

“(2) Full disclosure of public spending, contracts, amendments, disbursements, and audit findings;

“(3) Independent investigation and timely prosecution, irrespective of rank, affiliation, or influence;

“(4) Recovery of unlawfully acquired public assets, through lawful proceedings, coupled with protection for witnesses and whistleblowers;

“(5) Equal justice and due process devoid of political interference and preferential treatment;

“(6) Fair, clean, and honest elections free from fraud, vote-buying, and intimidation.

“Stop the plunder. End the abuse. Account for every peso.”

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Ophthalmologist and one-time PhilHealth officer Minguita Padilla is a social activist and healthcare reformist. She podcasts about the harm of political plunder:

“May mga pinuno na ganid at walang kabusugan. Ipinagkakait nila sa tao ang pera na dapat nakalahad sa kalusugan, edukasyon, pagkain, pabahay. Nananatiling mangmang, sakitin, gutom, at walang disenteng bahay ang mga tao.

“Naiisip kaya nila na kahit anong oras ay pwedeng matapos ang kanilang buhay sa mundong mahal na mahal nila? Makamundo ika nga. Anong ihaharap nila sa Diyos? ‘Anong ginawa mo?’ sasabihin ng Diyos na makapangyarihan sa lahat.

“Sasabihin nila, ‘Sorry, ninakaw ko ‘yong pera. Pinagkait ko sa kalusugan, sa mga eskwela, sa pagkain, sa trabaho. Kasi gusto kong manatiling congressman. Gusto kong manatiling mayor, governor. Kasi kung hindi ko nanakawin, wala akong magagamit sa eleksyon, kukunin ng aking karibal.’ Ito ba ang ire-representa nila sa Diyos?

“May kasabihan: sa likod ng bawat santo ay isang nakalipas na makasalanan, at hinaharap ng isang makasalanan ay buhay santo.”