Allegations circulated in social media regarding the actual amount awarded to the tipster against the remaining Abu Sayyaf members in Bohol. The tipster, a habal-habal driver, reportedly received only less than half the promised P1.1 million.
It can be tricky to verify rumors like this. In order to set the record straight, the authorities concerned will be forced to reveal some details that might reveal some clues regarding the identity of the tipster and threaten his security.
On the other hand, if the authorities insist on keeping the matter highly confidential, they then lay themselves open to public suspicion unless they are seen to be beyond reproach, which is quite not the case for the military and police.
Accountability is everyone's responsibility. And the authorities in charge of rewarding the informant are not exempted from this. We understand the highly confidential nature of the reward system. But the problem lies in authorities not taking any effort to explain to the public the system of accountability and oversight that is in place, if any, to ensure the process allows no hint of corruption.
Are there internal audit compliance and reporting mechanisms? Are records of the reward payout properly processed and turned over to an independent and highly reliable committee or oversight body? But then there is no fool-proof system under a culture of dishonesty in any organization.
Anyhow, the tipster, or tipsters, deserve every penny of the reward promised to them by the government.
One may argue that it is a citizen's duty to help the government in keeping the community safe, with or without a reward, but the reward system is in place precisely to compensate for the disruption and dangers brought into the life of the tipster and his family because of the information he shared. I'd like to believe that the entire amount promised was given to the tipster, or tipsters, and not a centavo less.
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Jubilation and relief greeted the overwhelming victory of Emmanuel Macron over his far right rival Marine Le Pen in the French presidential election. The celebration came particularly from those who fear the rise in power by ultra right-wing parties in Europe.
Competing for the readers' attention, however, is the relatively young age of the president-elect of France. Macron is just 39 years old. He is married to his former teacher who is 24 years his senior. But that's another matter, if at all relevant to his incoming position.
What caught my attention is my realization that I am just about a year older than the president-elect of France. Aside from it makes me feel old, it hit me with the fact that my generation (Gen-X) is now sitting at the adult's table.
In the Philippines, we can only count with our fingers the officials in their 30s or early 40s occupying high positions in government. There's 38-year-old Secretary Mark Villar of the Department of Public Works and Highways. There is also 32-year-old Cebu first district Representative Samsam Gullas. Another is Mandaue City Mayor Luigi Quisumbing who is 37 years old.
We need more young blood in public service, if not for fresh perspectives and ideas, but also for them to gain more experience and wisdom early in their political or government career which should then ripen to an outstanding level.
In Cebu City, none so far has emerged with the same promise, vision, and potential as the 40-year-old Tomas Osmeña when he was first elected mayor in 1988. I for sure know of one young politician. Unfortunately, lobby money against him contributed I guess to his defeat in the last election.