Metro Manila---a haven of corruption, says Senator Santiago

Senator Miriam Santiago was in her element yesterday or was it two days ago, when she described Metro Manila as a center or haven of corruption. She described what everybody already know--that, inspite of this administration's attempts, graft and corruption remains. She has one prescription--the eradication of the system.

Seems like Santiago is reprising the role of Senator Jose Diokno before the declaration of Martial law. Diokno has denounced the rise of plutocracy and how the nation's elites have conspired to deprive most of the people their rights to enjoy the blessings of democracy. His voice thundered in the halls of the Senate, as things went from worse to worst, rising poverty, graft and corruption, avarice, crime, etal.

Martial law was supposed to be a logical solution to a crumbling State, yet, as History tells us, the solution was itself corrupted by those who implemented it. Instead of allowing democracy to breathe, it was effectively killed, when the so-called implementor took it upon himself to transform the entire country into his own fiefdom. Such a thing is unacceptable to some segments of the elite who had a similar view about themselves and about this country. These elites think that they own the country and its people.

Such a situation exists today, as these elites continue their wanton disregard to the rule of law and the imposition of justice. These semi-gods continue their defecation of true democracy, imposing their own misguided interpretation of democracy, albeit, implementing their own plutocratic policies.

This is a generational problem. Unfortunately for us, we were under a whole generation of misfits and  power-hungry and wannabe Machivellis who think that they own a piece of this country. This generation of underachievers have corrupted this country from its very core.

Worse, our country has gone into the path of degeneration that it would take two generations of honest leaders to repair the damage wrought by these old guards of the devil.

The people have contented themselves with the thought that, inspite of this, there are several good servants who continually hold the torch of Change. Yes, change can happen, but it entails the very act of good people peopling the centers of power. There are still good people in government, honest men and women who think of public service as an honor and a privilege, not a right.

There will come a time, says the Lord God, that He will impose his own justice in this blighted land. God is just staying his hand because some good people still serve this country.

However, be advised--like what had happened to Sodom and Gomorrah, the wrath of God will descend upon this land if the people will continue walking in sin.

By the way, going back to Santiago--is she the prophet or a Cassandra?

"Church" (not specifically Catholic Church) is most trusted institution in Philippines

Filipinos trust their religious denominations best and business groups least. This is one of the results that came out of the 2nd Eon-Ateneo Graduate School of Business Philippine Trust Index survey.

Sixty eight percent of Filipinos trust their "church", while only about 15% trust their government. Non-governmental organisations got the least trust, at 8.9%. Only 32% trust media institutions.

Meanwhile, academic institutions ranked second in institutions which got the highest trust at 45.1%

What does this mean to the ordinary Filipino observer?

Well, it means that Filipinos are trusting their religious groups more than government because of the counsel they get from their religious leaders. Trust, as defined by the PTI, is the feeling of dependency by the respondents to specific institutions.

However, "trust", as perceived depends on numerous factors to the Filipino. For example, trust with government may rise or fall, depending on certain factors, like graft and corruption. The more cases of graft and corruption being committed by government, the least likely of a strong trust for Filipinos.

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