Philippines - A Nation Changing ... for the worse

THE PHILIPPINES ... A NATION WITH A MILLION HEROES

The Philippines is indeed changing as a nation. A country built by our forefathers like Rizal, Bonifacio, Mabini, del Pilar. They are long dead now and probably turning in their graves ... if anyone cares where they are buried.

Our nation is changing as our leaders change ... ZTE Broadband Scandal, Congress Cash Give-aways ... and finally ... the Joseph Estrada clemency.

Where hard earned tax Pesos are being disbursed in denominations of hundreds of thousands to "elected" officials without need of control or accountability ... where millions of $$$ are bribed to the powers that be that make decisions on government contracts ... and where a convicted plundering president walks off with a pardon ... one can only say ... WE HAVE INDEED CHANGED FOR THE WORSE.

THE PHILIPPINES ... A NATION WITH A MILLION ZEROES

Gift or Loot?

100,000 to 500,000 Pesos in paper gift bags distributed to government officials in Malacanang October 11?

With so many in Philippine congress coming out in the open to say that they have been given "loot bags" with money in it ... and with no clear instruction for its purpose, one has to ask ... gift or loot?

First, Malacanang initially explained that ... "it is not unusual for congressmen to receive cash for local projects." Now that is really shabby ... I hate to think that hard earned tax money is distributed without controls, accountability or clear instructions.

Next, they say they have "no knowledge of such cash handouts (within the very secure Malacanang Palace)." Is this a clear acceptance that Malacanang doesn't even know what happens within its very secure compound? It is not far off then that they don't even know what goes on beyond those walls but within Philippine boundaries.

There is obviously a lot of wealth floating around within the Philippines ... or a serious lack of concern on where tax pesos go. Money floats around the rich and powerful like garbage floats in our rivers and lakes.

ELECTED government officials really should have a little more shame.

Outsourcing ... Why not the Philippines too?

Call Centers, IT Development, Medical Services, Transcription ... Come on Philippine government ... WAKE UP!

Instead of endlessly debating trivial issues ... go to work and smell the opportunity if you care.

You can lose a political ally ... but you can't lose a relative.

Philippines Street Children

While government officials debate about trivial issues ... while they try to divide the "booty of public office" ... this surrounds them.

Spy vs. Spy (Presidential Commission vs. Presidential Commission)

There's a hilarious headline I came across today on http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/ which reminded me of a cartoon I was so fond of as a kid ... Spy vs. Spy. This time around, it doesn't seem that funny when you read headlines that tell you ... "Embattled Chairman Camilo Sabio of the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) is under investigation by the Presidential Anti-Graft Commission (PAGC) for alleged malversation of funds."

While our good government officials are battling it out for the loot ... millions of Filipinos struggle to make a decent living. In an environment where we can only distrust those that are suppose to protect us ... what is one to do?