Business is booming, says government. Yet, for many of us, ordinary souls walking along EDSA because we lack the money for bus fares, or those who walk along Recto avenue, businessmen may be reaping tremendous rewards, but the "bosses", the real people whom President Aquino says, he's accountable for, are definitely unconcerned about this "economic boom".
How would they when these windfalls fall to the top and not spiralling down the economic ladder? Big Business are getting tremendous profits out of people's miseries.
Telecommunication companies for example, are disobeying legitimate orders from the National Telecommunications Commission because they think that they have the financial muscle and the relationship with the present government, enough to shield them from criminal and civil suits.
Food manufacturers are likewise, having the time of their lives reaping benefits after benefits, with prices of their commodities higher by forty five percent. A 7,000 pesos worth of groceries now is certainly lower by weight than it was several months ago.
Big Business groups who purchased local utilities are likewise, profitting like crazy. Electricity rates in this country remain the highest among other Asian countries. Water rates are likewise extremely high. God gave electricity and water for the overall benefit of many, yet, the "many" right now cannot seem to afford such, with "needs" turning into "luxuries".
It is government's role to at least, make the environment more people-friendly and more equitable, yet, it seems like this is more than a dream than anything.
Government under Aquino remains still, a relationship-centric one. When you have a relationship with Aquino or even just his factotum, you're safe. You can do anything you want, and with impunity, for as long as you're under the "protective custody" of Aquino and the new elite.
Take the case of PAGCOR Chairman Bong Naguiat. When Naguiat assumed power shortly after this administration ousted the former chairman Ed Genuino due to the former's ass licking ways with the previous administration, the new Chair promised a New Pagcor, sans of the corruption and graft it was known for for several decades.
The people believed him, being a friend of the President.
Now, we hear and see rampant graft and corruption inside the PAGCOR, with the Chairman reportedly leading the way.
Yep, there really is a New Pagcor---newer ways of corruption, newer ways of strengthening patron-client relationships and newer ways of dealing with high rollers and Big Business investors.
It is not just with Pagcor that we see newer forms of corruption---even in enforcement agencies like the Bureau of Customs and the like, graft and corruption remain.
I have not seen people at EDSA walking to work. This is a bit of an exaggeration, if I may say so myself!
ReplyDeletedrive the stretch.you'll see.
ReplyDeleteI hope I'm wrong but I think that even if we become 'progressive, we would be looking at a Philippines that is similar to India and Brazil. These countries have 'strong and progressive' economies but beneath the veneer is actually a society or system that thrives at the expense of the laborers, the majority. Good samples would be India's Dharavi and Brazil's Rocinha.
ReplyDeleteGood point. Credit that to a capitalist system that devours its toiling sons.
ReplyDelete