Saturday, February 09, 2008 Roperos: NBN deal reactions By Godofredo M. Roperos Politics Also
THERE is a quiet but emotional reaction aroused among our people on the recent development in the scuttled national broadband network (NBN) deal involving members of the country’s two top political families.
What seems difficult to accept is that the issues involved are somehow wreaking havoc on our people’s equanimity and sense of peace and stability. Out of more than 100 text messages to a TV program on CCTN’s Channel 47, very few expressed support for President Arroyo.
The others did not only condemn the alleged NBN scam but also “exhumed” past issues that should have remained buried in the public’s fickle and forgetful heart. But central to the people’s reaction the other night is the Jun Lozada case.
Not a few “texters” from Mindanao and other provinces blamed Cebuano voters for having supported President Arroyo in the 2004 elections, and thus allowing her key friends extended opportunities for graft and corruption.
A few others advocated constituting Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao as separate regions, so much like federated states to make management and supervision easier. Most of the text messages were from Visayan provinces and from Mindanao.
Sample from Dumingag, Zambo Sur: “Ang nahitabo ni Lozada mao ra sa nahitabo ni Jokjok Bolante, ang nakaapan lang kay si Bolante wala jud mobalik aron mo-testify.” (The case of Lozada is more like that of Jokjok Bolante. The only difference is that Bolante did not come to home to testify.)
“Good evening, sirs. Dapat kanang naa sa Malakanyang manaog na. Makauulaw gayod ang ilang gihimo, ilabina sa katawhan.” (Those who are in Malacañang should step down now. What they did is a great shame, particularly to the people.) –Lito of North Cotabato
“Si Gloria jud labihang kurakot pati iyang mga pamilya, mao na nga dako na kaayo ang utang sa Philipinas.” – Dodong Laktuan, Ipil, Zamboanga, Sibugay. (It’s Gloria who is most corrupt, including her family, the reason why the Philippines is heavily in debt.)
“Dili ninyo mabasol ang sitwasyon karon sa atong panggamhanan kay panahon sa eleksyon tanan gibayran kay dili muboto ug walay kuarta. Mao na jud ni ang Philipinas.” (You should not blame our current situation on the government because during elections we will not vote unless there is money. This is how we are in the Philippines.)
Our TV program is sponsored by Sun.Star Cebu and the Cebu Catholic Television Network Channel 47, with Manny Rabacal and guest Andy Manatad.
