“Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goals.” – Henry Ford
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Filipinos are a lot smarter than we ordinarily think, aren’t they?
We have an abundance of laws, edicts, statutes, EOs, IRRs, rules and regulations, etc. but some “creative” people find a way to spot loopholes and exploit these to their material advantage.
Over the years and decades, Pinoys have nurtured a culture of corruption in our bureaucracy such that they are able to skirt and go around the strictest rules and regulations in order to make a quick buck.
One of the most prominent easy money schemes that will not be forgotten in the annals of Philippine criminal history was the “Tanim Bala” plot at the NAIA.
Ironic that during that period so many people arriving and leaving at the NAIA were victimized by the syndicate that fleeced them of thousands of pesos because they were at the mercy of the authorities who pounced on the unsuspecting and the ignorant, foreign travelers included.
Ironic still that the then chief of NAIA (general manager) was a retired general who failed to solve the exasperating problem until probes in the Senate and the House of Representatives pressured higher authorities to step in.
Paradoxical that very good and sound idea legislated into law for the benefit of the people – particularly the marginalized and the needy millions of poor Pinoys – is being punctured by clever and smart, corrupt and criminally-minded evil men and women who are tolerated by their superiors to do their thing as long as “everybody is happy.”
Take the “ayuda” subsidy plan. It was noble and great because it was primarily intended to assist the poor victims of the pandemic and COVID 19.
However, – and this is where it goes awry – “geniuses” among those in the DSWD, PhilHealth, the LGUs and other agencies that want to dip their hands into the cookie jar, were able to discover a “route” by which they are able to partake a portion of the moolah.
And so, they went to the bank singing “Allelulia”!
A barangay kagawad was exposed and caught in the media but his case was not made prominently visible and we still do not know today if he was convicted and jailed.
So were the authors of the “Tanim Bala,”
This petty corruption and thievery makes every honest Pinoy puke.
They cannot believe that decades of leadership changes and kilometric promises of good government have not (or have failed) resulted into anything monumental in terms of transformation and nation-building.
Every administration has had its share of “ugly incidents” and the polarizing effects of a divisive form of government continue to bewitched this country that prides itself of the legacies of great heroes like Jose Rizal
Andres Bonifacio, Gen. Antonio Luna, Apolinario Mabini, etc.
Are we missing anything?
The Philippines is much favored by God, the Almighty if you ask me.
We have unquantifiable natural resources from marine to mining, from the benefits of the sun and rain that enable our
farmers to gather a rich harvest from their arable farm outputs.
This aplenty should make many of our neighbors in Asia and elsewhere envy us because they lack what we richly have.
But our country remains stagnant – poor even – compared to nearby countries like Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea and Taiwan which have made great leaps forward.
What gives?
I’d like to think that we are a race of intelligent and ingenious, honest and hardworking industrious people.
I believe we are all in agreement, aren’t we?
So, where is the problem?
What are the problems?
Who are the problems?
Is it political will? Is it leadership? Is it the system, the culture or racial identity and behaviour?
There seems to be a litany of reasons.
But Pinoys are torn apart by their fears.
For instance, they are scared of reforming the outdated 1987 constitution because the framers have been instilling in our minds that ruling political clans will only preserve their political dynasty and secured future by devising selfish schemes and insert them in a newly-crafted fundamental law.
Pinoys don’t seem to look at the positive side of things.
Whatever one does, there is always a consequent reaction.
But the better idea, the better concept always emerges successful in the end.
Do we Pinoys believe this? (Email feedback to fredlumba@yahoo.com.) GOD BLESS THE PHILIPPINES!
