The Cycle of Shame

Have’nt you noticed that everytime this administration’s lackeys escape the long arm of the law, they become more brazen in stealing our money? From 1997 up to 2008, the total money which went out of the public coffers and lined the pockets of corrupt and greedy men has cost us more than 67 billion pesos already–enough to subsidize the daily nutritional requirements of Metro Manila’s poor for 3 years. The spike of graft cases occurred just lately, with government deals reaching over the multi-billion peso mark.

Recently, we saw how multi-million dollar projects turn into billion dollars overnight. One example is the Northrail project. We saw how government officials tried to feast on a multi-million telecommunications which only went sour when the public turn vigilante.

Now, our government is opening up the mining and oil fields sector in hopes of getting some much-needed revenues. It’s actually good if the revenues from these projects go straight to us. In all likelihood, some of it may fatten the bank accounts of a few.

The reason being, most of our government officials have a misplaced concept of accountability. High government officials think that they owe their positions to the appointing power instead of the public. They don’t recognize that those monies which have been entrusted to them belong to the people. Yes, we have checks and balances, like the vaulted Commission on Audit. And yes, we have prosecuting arms that investigate and file cases. Yet, for all of these, we find not a single big one, the mastermind, prosecuted for graft and corruption.

So, the impression that these thieves have is, they can get away with murder for as long as (1) they enjoy the trust of the real powers behind the seat of power and (2) the higher they are in the totem pole, the least likely they’ll be prosecuted and put behind bars. Its understandable, given the laxity our agencies put behind anti-graft campaigns.

So, expect more anomalous deals. Brace for more multi-billion peso ones since elections is just around the corner. These deals are out to fatten the pockets of a privileged few just to keep them happy and contented. Anyway, it’s just a simple paper bearing the Seal of the Highest Office that they keep as license for fiduciary murder.

And we go to the very core of this issue–the perpetuation of this thievery by a patronage-oriented leadership. For as long as we have an administration that is being held hostage by its own savage and greedy officials, graft cases will keep on rising. Look–how many of our leaders would benefit from an impeachment complaint? Most, I guess. Those who’ll support will have the promises of rewards. Those who’ll not, will always have the license to continue what they already started. This cycle of thievery of the highest order has already been there. And it will continue unabated for as long as these people in government fail to recognize that there are dire consequences in life, liberty and property should they misplace their accountabilities. For now, we only have God to go to seek comfort whenever we hear of another government official’s guffaws all the way to the bank.