The news headlines recently featured Father Ed Panlilio showing the Php 500,000.00 given to him by a nameless palace employee. Father Ed, as he is more known, is the current governor of Pampanga. The money was handed over in a small paper bag. He was told that he could use the money for whatever purpose he deems will be appropriate for his constituents. The way it was given and the absence of formality suitable for disbursing government funds was indeed questionable. One can easily assume that it might be bribe money. But, hey, what were the Palace officials thinking? Bribe a priest? Well, they could try... after all, he is still human. Unfortunately, it didn't work and Father Ed exposed it to the media.
In the province of Pampanga alone, the amount of money lost in taxes was so huge. Imagine, almost 1 million pesos of taxes lost everyday during the time of Governor Mark Lapid. This was discovered when Father Ed seated 4 months ago. The total taxes being remitted now is a gigantic leap from the previous collections done 4 years ago. Whew!
The degree of corruption in our country is so intense that one could understand why politicians would kill come election time. No wonder they would do everything, as in everything, to hang on to power. Philippine politics is not about servitude. It has become a business, a family business, which is handed down from one generation to another.
Sadly, it is the ordinary Filipino who is getting nailed deeper and deeper into poverty. The fact remains that we are a poor country because of corruption. It seems that this ugly word is so ingrained in our system. However, I do not blame only our leaders. We, the Filipino people are also to blame because we let things happen and we permit things to be the way they are. We quickly forget and act as if nothing happened.
So what will be the solution to cure all this? A cynic once said, "Annihilate the Filipino people and start a new breed."
1 comment:
Welcome back to Coffee zone after a break..!!!
Good thoughts blogged.
Politicians would dive under cover saying… “as people.. so king..” – that people are corrupt and the king humbly follows suit. How nice..!!!!
How many politicians come forward to serve the people and Country..? Their only concern is PMS (Power, Money, and Status).
Its eye wash that we need to elect the right candidate…. Where is he/she? Its always voting for the best among the worst.. right ?
The need of the hour in developing countries are the right leaders, who’ll do the right things..!!!!
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