(Part III)
Never has the need to keep the fire burning been more pressing than now. Three weeks have passed since the Sept. 21 anti-pork barrel rally, and while the due process of law takes time, there have been no significant results. Meanwhile, the shadow of oppression and corruption still looms over our people.
An old Filipino phrase, ningas cogon, refers to the habit of starting things but not seeing them through till the end. Regrettably, this characteristic is an ever-present cancer that afflicts us as a nation. Filipinos tend to be very committed and passionate at the beginning of an endeavor, yet most times fail to finish what they started.
This poses two significant problems. First, pressing issues like the pork barrel scam end up lost in a sea of forgotten injustice, never to be dealt with or settled. Important national issues are no longer viewed with relevance, and are reduced to a mere mention at the dinner table.
Second, our short-term memory and indifference fuel tyrants and thieves who threaten our society—the same despicable, dishonorable individuals who have stolen, and who continue to steal, from our people and from our country. Our complacency is their incentive; they take one look at us and think to themselves, “Give it some time and they’ll forget, then I’ll be home free.”
President Aquino has taken many steps in digging up the scam. Meanwhile, he has abolished the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) and has frozen release of any pending allocations.
The president’s speech on Oct. 1 assured us that he is going through due process in investigating the extent of corruption, and will do everything within the confines of the law to ensure justice is dealt out and reforms enforced. We look forward to hearing what these reforms are in the coming months, as more details of the scam are uncovered. However, in the process, we hope he can balance everything without denying the release of much-needed funding for urgent, legitimate projects.
The Million People March held last Friday, Oct. 4, at the intersection of Ayala Avenue and Paseo de Roxas was not the first of its kind. An estimated 2,400 people reportedly attended the protest, according to Makati City police, and the people made the same cry as in previous rallies: “Abolish the Pork Barrel Fund!”
Before we do anything too hasty, let us first ask ourselves these important questions: Do we really think the abolition of the pork barrel will solve our problems? What happens to remote municipalities who do not have hospitals if we abolish medical missions? What happens to scholars for higher education in these municipalities who have neither money for tuition nor proper learning materials?
After officials have completed the investigation and unearthed the corruption and dishonesty revolving around the scam, we hope the next step would be to create a concrete and sustainable plan in which the people are involved. This act of transparency would give the people access to the information that they so deserve, and would create a healthy system of checks and balances.
Below are more voices of the youth on what their stand is on the pork barrel scam.
We asked them: “What do you think of the pork barrel scam, and how can the public stop government officials from abusing this power?”
“As a concept, there is nothing wrong with the PDAF. The government needs a method by which to get projects done, and the congressmen and senators should be the ones initiating, developing and executing these projects for their constituents.
“The problem is the way the projects are implemented, and the lack of a check-and-balance system in making sure that these projects are carried out. It is not enough that companies are set up to execute proposed projects. We must make sure that all projects are carried out to the letter, based on the proposed approved budget.
“For example, if a congressman says he will build a two-story school with certain facilities and of certain standards, then the audit team should make sure that the project is not a one-story building with no toilet or running water.
“The question is how do we stop government officials from abusing the system?
“The only way is to have a better system of audit and transparency. Maybe this means getting other sectors involved in the audit process—from the government, to the private sector, and even the media, as the watchdogs and guardians for the people.”
Alexa Sy, 13, Grade 8, British School Manila, Taguig
“The lies and treachery in the seat of power threaten not only the country’s economic growth, but also the fulfillment of society’s basic needs such as education and healthcare. The public is deprived of such basic needs when the funds are channeled into the selfish, greedy and corrupt government officials.
“I believe the pork barrel system should be abolished to rechannel the country’s budget into services and opportunities that will truly benefit Filipinos. The pork barrel system seems to be the seed of corruption in the government, and every government official who has stolen or was involved in taking even a single cent of taxpayers’ money should be put to justice. In the words of Al Gore, political will is a renewable resource.
“Such corruption, though, can be avoided in the first place if the voting public is educated in choosing honest and trustworthy government officials.”
Javier Torres, 17, Freshman, University of the Philippines Manila
“The people should have a direct say in how the pork barrel should be allocated through periodic public consultation or approval process. There should also be full disclosure through an annual report on the use of funds, in the same way that listed companies report to their shareholders.”
Pamela Miñoza, 18, Southville International School
“I believe that the pork barrel scandal was addressed quite late. The issue wouldn’t have gotten this far and funds would not have been ‘stolen’ if the issue was acknowledged and acted upon earlier. The people, especially us University of the Philippines students, should think critically when faced with problems like this. Also, participating in events such as the Million People March is a good way of making a stand against government officials who abuse their power.”
For comments and suggestions, or should you wish to send your own commentary, feel free to contact the author at in.res.novae@gmail.com