Wednesday, December 05, 2007 Ledesma: Junket makes Trillanes look good By Jun Ledesma Sunbursts
THERE'S no question Trillanes quixotic adventurism is patently contemptible, but what do you make out of the pre-Christmas safari of President Arroyo and her gang of congressmen and their paramours on a European tour in the guise of "promoting the interest of the country"? I'd say it's utterly despicable!
Just because the exploits of the Magdalos and a bunch of messianic fools failed as they are easily quelled in the confines of their plush rebellion launching pad, this junketing horde should not look at this debacle as a signal for them to wantonly squander the people's money to underwrite their pleasure trips.
If Trillanes's misplaced heroics failed in rallying people to the streets, it is this brand of profligacy that foments rage and awakens even the benumbed passion of people to wage another revolt. This administration is lucky this nation suffers from a serious dearth of credible leaders with whom the people can rally behind. Senator Trillanes and Brigadier General Danilo Lim cannot. Their self-esteem and utter disregard of the law and order militate against them. As for Trillanes, he should stop dreaming he can rally the 11-million voters that elected him senator. Besides the warrior in him had vanished along with just a canister of tear gas.
Lucky indeed is Malacañang. The supporters of Trillanes are a pack of failed oppositionists who stood back-to-back with opportunists. The religious cabal lacks the credibility of the late Cardinal Sin. They cavorted with and brazenly aided this group, which is wanting, in principles. The presence of the bishops does not wash.
GMA is lucky the alliance behind the "oust GMA" movement cannot present an alternative. And so, despite the magma of corruption and attempts to commit corruption we helplessly submit ourselves to being hostage under this leadership until 2010.
Meanwhile, we just have to continue our vigilance. With the eagle eyes of the media and public furor at attempts to hoodwink taxpayers with millions of dollars in NBN and CyberEd broadband deals, the President had the project scrapped. We can live with that consolation. But then comes the $230-million World Bank loan for infrastructure which had been suspended because the WB suspected some $30 million of it will not be spent on roads and bridges as lining of somebody's pocket. So you see? It is this abhorrent and incorrigible predilection for graft that makes the likes of Trillanes looks good.
BTW, it has been two weeks since the Department of Public Works and Highways announced that the Bankerohan Bridge construction contract had been awarded. It is past the deadline set by Mayor Rodrigo Duterte. It's starting to look like it's a tomfoolery. My advice to DPWH, don't cajole our Mayor with promises. Is the rumor true that they diverted the funds for Bankerohan Bridge to finance the trip of those partying Malacanang officials and congressmen to Europe?
