Lawmakers' Calls to Abolish Pork Barrel: a Red Herring.

You listen to Lawmakers voice their consensus to the abolition of the reviled Pork Barrel, and you hear almost a teeny little voice that wished it did not have to come out. It’s hokey! I say deep inside, here’s what they say “Fuck whoever that idiot who blew this up!”

The truth is they’re losing hair and sanity over this debacle they don’t know who to freakin’ lay blame on. If Napoles is to blame for real, or if they decide that Napoles’carelessness led to all these, I won’t be surprised if she and her brother will never be found. We’re talking of hundreds of fuming powers-that-be, thrown into this deep hole they find very difficult to climb out of and are forced to face humiliating public investigation over the scandal which could permanently destroy their political future, who might be interested in silencing the two for good.

Now the two must be confused over who they’re supposed to run away from: The NBI or the erstwhile friendswho now are being scalded in hot water, and raring to end them?

 

Million People March

I am Reggie, I am a lawyer and an ordinary worker. I work long and crazy hours every day, including Sundays, to provide for my family. Believe me, the most that I can say I have achieved is bring food to the table. I know many are in direr circumstances than I am, and I feel strongly for them. But whether one makes one hundred or one hundred thousand, we all aspire to one goal: A fair chance at success in life. I could have brought more to the family: a bit more comfort, better school for my children, more vacations, if only I did not have to give up some 30% of what I toil and sweat for, lose sleep over, and get sick doing, in taxes to pay the price for the so-called civilized society.

I say private citizens who sacrifice so much in taxes would be happy if they knew that the money is used to better the circumstances of the weaker brethren among us, those who did not have the privilege of sufficient education regardless of underlying circumstances: all those against whom the playing field is grossly tilted, if only we could say we are bringing the playing field to level down one step at a time so that it is in their children’s time.

Sadly, the truth is far uglier. While ordinary taxpayers forgo a good part of their needs and some more for taxes, the leaders who call themselves servants spend taxpayers’ money obscenely.

While we struggle to bring food to the table, they dine in fancy restaurants. While we settle for divisoria garments, they lavish themselves with signature clothing. While we hardly keep up with rent, they are ensconced in million-dollar flats here and abroad.

We have been fooled, we have been blindsided, we have been hoodwinked, but no more.

No more to government shenanigans!

I have lost faith in the government and the incorrigibly corrupt people who run it. I have decided to take upon myself the task of determining my own fate, and I exhort you to do the same. It starts with retaking my country back from the thieves who mask themselves as servants.

Today we take to the streets to demand accountability, destroy the evils of corruption, and restore humanity.

I am Reggie, and I am ready!

 

Incorrigibly Corrupt!

How many times has corruption been brought to the spotlight? Countless. How many times has it died a slow and natural death? Every time!

Crooks have learned how to overshadow events of corruption with other public-sensitive events like heinous crimes: massacres, bombing and other acts of terrorism, murders. Once staged, public outrage is diverted. They have mastered this diversionary tactic.

Already, news of diversionary plans mentioned above, have leaked, and the public must meet them with caution. Take heed! Better be safe than sorry. Truly, personalities who are involved in the Pork Barrel scandal have their backs against the wall. Desperate moments call for desperate measures!

On the other side of the coin is public unrest, which finds the Philippines, once again, standing on a powder keg that could explode anytime. Which one eventually materializes or comes first, remains to be seen. Neither would be a palatable event for the country, but one may be necessary, regardless of danger.

There’s no doubt in my mind that the current corruption scandal concerning Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF), more popular and derisively called Pork Barrel, is the biggest so far in terms of both amount and number of politicians (lawmakers mostly) and executive officials involved. By any standard, this is unprecedented. Remember we are talking not only about the Napoles scam (PDAF allegedly funnelled to Janet Lim-Napoles’ bogus NGOs), but PDAF misuse during the time of GMA, which doubled the amount at over 23B or so.

Why did I always suspect that after all the stones had been turned we’ll Arroyo’s hands? Now, as we turn each page of what is becoming the most debased and defiled chapter of post-martial rule Philippine politics, we continue to see more and more of political names who until exposed had kept mum, pensive, and even deploring of the issue. Names we thought hardly would be involved.

If God intervenes and purge our politics of moral misfits, He would also have to call snap elections on all posts.

Lame Revolutions, Lame Results

We have had a few EDSA Revolutions (so-called), but none seemed to have left lasting effects. Every administration that followed showed off, and eventually snapped back to its disgraceful norm. All these people power events, touted around the world as Filipino’s unique version of revolt, had one thing in common: they were peaceful and bloodless. They brought the same result: FAILURE.

Anything of the same kind, or its derivative is doomed for failure. Ever wonder why Egypt after ousting Mubarak in an EDSA-inspired Arab Spring to this time continues to wage, with dying vigor, their Arab (weakening) Spring revolution after Mohamed Morsi, who was installed through what was heralded as first Democratic elections in decades, was dismissed and sent packing by the Military responding to public clamor for his ouster on accusations of installing laws that are pro-Muslim (he is a Muslim for Christ’s sakes)?

Revolution, in its political concept, which means the overthrow or renunciation of one government or ruler and the substitution of another by the governed (Merriam-Webster.com), to leave a mark in the Subjects’ (actual and potential) minds must be resolute and uncompromising in its purpose: to not only supplant a new government, but more importantly, to bring to justice those who are responsible, those who have blood on their hands, those who have brought pain and suffering upon the people.

That is to ensure that future Subjects would not venture into the same sins that called forth the revolution, lest they meet the same fate

Anything less is just an escape. It is just like complaining about a problem without offering real solutions.

Given the magnitude of the scandal, the Filipino is being called upon again to take to the streets, not by some partisan maneuvers, but by their own indignation, anger, outrage, and betrayed passion.

Will history repeat itself? It may, but when it does I hope it adds some missing ingredients that failed the ones that came before it: The Filipino should not be lame revolutionists, let us be resolute. Let the axe fall where it may!

Robbed Before Hit by Typhoon Maring

In the wake of typhoon Maring, thousands of farmers (and family), devastated, with their projected harvest wiped out, go hungry as I write, and look to a bleaker future. But before that, they have already been robbed of some Php40,000.00 that could have gone to each farmer’s farmland and ushered in bounty harvest if only the Malampaya Fund amounting to Nine Hundred Million Pesos (Php900,000.00) released for the purpose found its to their rightful beneficiaries, according to reports.

That’s like snatching food on the table inside a farmer’s home while they pray with eyes closed! Where did it go?! Damn! They are our servants! Isn’t that what they pitched to you when they wooed you for your vote? Now you see their true color.

That’s how painful it is, not only for the farmers, but for all who sacrifice some of their needs to contribute in taxes, withheld and without the courtesy of being asked, like myself, to pay the price for the so-called civilized society.

Now, the truth rears its ugliest head. What civilized society when the leaders, styling themselves as servants (the gall!), who legislate these laws, including the General Appropriations Act –the law providing for the government budget, and yes you’re right, where these Pork Barrel (of swill) on which the Pigs (you know who they are) feed, come from– are (almost all of them) now caught with their hands in the cookie jar. Red-handed! In flagrante delicto.

And as always, like in the past, when exposed and in their efforts to save face, they all instantly portray themselves immaculate by calling for the abolition of the Pork Barrel. Ah, how the actors and actresses in Congress!

Regardless of where the Pork ends up, those responsible must be pursed with the full force of the law. If found guilty, sent to jail. If the president exercises his power of Pardon, then Juan must go for the president with similar swift action, in real revolution. It is time we learned the lessons from history.

Successful Revolutions are Painted in Blood

Many successful revolutions known the world over that graced the annals of history had been laced with blood, fueled by violent passion, and punctuated by exaction of deaths on the ousted oppressors, as their hallmark. Targeted Carnage seemed to be the operative catapult to effective revolution.

Should we call for the same? We have tried to avoid them, but so far we have not achieved the same results.

Okay we’re not screaming for blood. But scolding these pachyderm politicians just doesn’t cut it. Shame them and their families, jail all of them who may be found in conspiracy with the sitting clan member/s. They must feel the teeth and claws of the law cutting into their flesh. No more Mr. Nice Juan!

Better yet, let’s restore the death penalty, exclusive for public officials who commit crimes of graft and corruption. I can forgive a murderer, but I say death for the thief!

And no lethal injection, electric chair, or firing squad, those are too civil for these suckers. Let’s go old-fashioned like impalement, disembowelment, breaking wheel, flaying or skinning alive, or death by boiling. A little costly, more hassle, or messy, but sure sends a loud message.

 

 

Thank Goodness Some Senators are Finally Talking Sense

I laud Sentor Santiago’s dismissive disfavor of a Senate inquiry into the 10 Billion-Peso Philippine Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) scam allegedly perpetrated by Janet Lim-Napoles, and implicating lawmakers from whose pork barrels (proving to be, now more than ever, an apt epithet for PDAF) funds were drawn and funneled to bogus Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) allegedly created by Napoles.

Senator Peter Cayetano also aired his reservation saying he preferred an investigation by the Department of Justice.

With two no-nonsense senators doubting its own (senate’s) effectiveness in conducting investigations, especially on issues where its otherwise prominent members are accused of wrongdoing, which quite often end up like premature campaigns/grandstanding and all, I hope the Senate has finally spoken some sense into this issue.

Senator Escudero must back down, and instead join the two senators in indorsing either the Office of the Ombudsman or the Department of Justice (DOJ) or joint, considering the limited human resource at the Ombudsman office, for the conduct of thorough investigation on the issue.

As of this writing former Justice and now Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales, and DOJ Secretary Leila De Lima must be psyched up of the prospect of this war-like coalesced endeavor considering the public outrage and indignation the issue has spawned.

Let us not forget and sidestep our Accounting stalwart Heidi Mendoza, now a Commissioner at the Commission on Audit (COA), who is definitely a fit to this gargantuan task.

The people are worn out by, and dead tired of, all these anomalous scandals involving often, if not always, politicians and appointive officials, so-called public servants.

It is high time we demanded as a people that those involved be brought to justice and if proven guilty in the courts of law, sent to jail without exception, fear or favour.

We’ve been called “boss” all too often, let’s flex our boss muscles now: wring the truth into the open, and wheel the perpetrators to penitentiaries where they belong. That’s a much better use of taxpayers’ money.

Announced Impending MRT/LRT Fare Hike Ignites Furor Anew

The managements of Metro Rail and Light Rail Transit Systems have once again harped on a long-planned fare hike. It was no less the Department of Transportation (DOTC) Secretary who trumpeted the impending hike of Five Pesos (P5.00) within the year and another Five Pesos (P5.00) in 2014.

Expectedly, groups championing the plight of the approximately 350,000 daily commuters went as fast on counter-offense. Bayan Muna Partylist Representative Neri Colmenares, among others, has vowed to continue to oppose the imminent hike like it has done in the past, even threatening to block DOTC’s budget by raising the fare hike as an issue in the budget deliberations.

I, being one among the 350,000 who fairly regularly take the MRT –goodness EDSA traffic will make an already despicable MRT commute a luxurious option (but no way good enough, we just have far worse traffic than most other cities), say MRT and LRT managements are shameless and should be shamed if they pushed ahead with the mulled fare hike.

For sure, fare hike is inevitable, regardless of what many groups say that MRT and LRT, being a mass transport system, rightly deserved public subsidies. With subsidies, at the current level, at P55 per passenger, or about 400% of today’s full-stretch fare of P14, sooner than later, a fare hike is ineluctable. But not so fast, MRT and LRT managements, which have done nothing that looked like managing (quite bluntly) if they ever understood the word, need some bashing to take them to their senses.

Enterprises are allowed to make money when they deliver value to their customer base or clientele. It is the customers themselves who will support a fare hike in the mass transport systems’ case if the requisite value is first delivered.

Ever wondered why Google and Facebook are riding on such high-value stocks today? You got it, we have all heard about it: They delivered service to the delight of the customers for free, at no cost, for a time before they decided they had done enough and people were now willing to allow them to monetize on their built goodwill.

The same cannot be said of both companies, which far from providing free service, have never been efficient, and have never been the subject of delight of the commuting public. There is just no sense of consciousness or literacy on customer service as this mantra is known in the private sector service industry, where companies outdo one another for a share in the market. Very typical of a government-run agency.

Here’s how these systems have bungled every advantage that I could think of for an urban train system. The system should provide time savings, and its value is enormous, as many workers now are paid by the minute, thanks to technology that brought in the now ubiquitous biometrics.

In contrast, these systems, especially the MRT, of which I am more familiar, do not understand the implications. They operate the trains like others operate provincial buses: At the start station, say, North Avenue, they would park the train leaving its doors open until it fills up, defeating its travel time predictability feature.

As time is very important to everyone, especially married individuals with children to look after and a house to keep in order, you budget your time literally to the minute, so much that you would leave the house with just about enough time to get you to work on time or in time for your shift, as it is popularly referred to now. This clueless, out-of-touch management throws you out of your time handle most of the time.

That is just one, and if you’re an MRT/LRT commuter you would know that there are countless more of less-than-desirable aspects of their service: cramped stations (sometimes it makes me think that those recent death incidents weren’t suicides, but accidental); untrained personnel; outrageously poor maintenance (oftentimes you’d see the overhead hatch [right at the door] falling off); very scarce number of trains; busted elevators (even Ayala Station has not been spared. In fact, as of this writing the inside single-width elevator that would take passengers  up to the second level where two wider elevators await to them further up finally to the exits have been in disrepair for weeks now punishing the commuting public especially the elderly, pregnant, and children; and the list goes on.

Until they would have fixed these, they have no right (it’s an abomination) to demand for fare hike regardless of reasons. Satisfy first before you demand. Read Google and Facebook’s history and learn.

 

Succor in Law, Solace in Justice for Distressed OFW Victims of Sex Exploitation

The recent furor over the sex-for-flight and prostitution ring scandals exposed by Akbayan Partylist Representative Walden Bello in public accusing Welfare Officers of Philippine Consulate Offices abroad of soliciting sexual favors from distressed Filipino workers has gradually, nay reluctantly, goaded the victims to come out into the open.

These pitiful and tormented compatriots have all the reasons to be wary and apprehensive. For sure, before they were sexually abused they would have been threatened of all sorts of retribution if they squealed or filed a complaint. After all, what’s not to be afraid of? These sex predators are sick in the head.

A published call from DFA Secretary Albert Del Rosario on the victims “out there” to come forward and formally file charges to bring the culprits to justice, and correct this horrible episode in our Foreign Service chapter, has drawn one victim to implicate one Saudi-hosted Philippine Consulate official of waylaying her to his home instead of depositing her in the official welfare shelter of foreign service office. Dastardly!

Many are expected to follow suit, and finally decide to break their silence and demand justice. We encourage them.

By doing so, they not only seek closure to this dark and harrowing experience they endured and move on after, they also help lay a safer foundation for the hundreds of thousands that are still out there and the thousands more that are yet to join the ranks of OFW.

For certain the victims deciding to come out will need legal representation, and DFA or POEA may not accommodate all. It is in this spirit, and in an expression of my solidarity with their plight, that I offer my hours to them and I implore my companeros to do the same.

Let us give them our compassionate and free legal service if only to convey that they have us and many others on their side. They have nothing to be ashamed of, and the Filipino nation and its people are proud of their sacrifices, and it cannot and will not turn its back on them in their time of need.

TO OUR COMPATRIOTS WHO HAVE BEEN VICTIMIZED IN THIS DESPICABLY FILTHY SCHEMES, CALL, TEXT THE NUMBER OR EMAIL TO ADDRESS SHOWN ON THE SIDE BAR FOR LEGAL HELP.

TO MY COMPANEROS WHO WANT TO EXTEND THEIR FREE SERVICE AND WANT TO ENLIST THROUGH THIS SITE CALL THE SAME NUMBER AND I WILL PUT YOU IN THE POOL. I THANK YOU IN ADVANCE.

Published also on AttyReggieDuran

DFA Officials Ebroiled in Sex-for-Flight Scandal

Akbayan Partylist Representative Walden Bello accused at least three officials assigned to Labor Welfare Offices of Philippine Consulates in Jordan, Kuwait, and Syria of soliciting sexual favors in exchange for repatriation, and/or peddling these distressed Filipino women seeking shelter at the consulate office in prostitution with foreign clients.

How horrendous can a news get?

This is unimaginably evil. These women are runaways from abusive employers. They must have already endured untold sufferings and pains before mustering the strength and resolve to orchestrate an escape (in a strange land and uncharted territory) from their ravenous masters.

These hapless women must have praised the government to high heavens when they first reached the welfare office –if only they knew what awaited them. I can only imagine how they felt when they realized that their supposed saviors (welfare officers) were in fact, low-life predators who preyed on one’s helplessness.

These perpetrators are officers appointed (presumably vetted by the appointing office) precisely to give aid to these victimized Filipino women. That they knowingly victimized these women (compatriots at that) the second time is the height of depravity that deserves the strongest condemnation.

If these were proven true, these welfare officers are monsters, and are a big shame to our national identity.

They must be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. They deserve no compassion whatsoever.

These are the crimes that scream for death penalty’s application, and make you regret Congress ever abolished it.

No less than the President must make sure that these beasts are brought to justice, and the victims restored and repaired.