I COULDN’T agree more with the gentleman from Bukidnon, Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri. The ban on the display of the names or photographs of politicians in government projects is unfair. Indeed, what if another will claim credit for the project? That would be a crime against humanity. Okay, I will amend that to “a special part of humanity.”
It does not matter that the money used for the project comes from the people. I mean, who cares if the project filled up, rather than emptied, the politician’s pockets? What is important is that the politician was considerate and thoughtful enough to build a road, a bridge or a school building.
When you’re in office, you alone can decide who to spend public money for. Recipients should consider themselves blessed and be grateful.
Humility? Shove it up your behind. Don’t you know how expensive it is to get elected to public office? Do you have any idea about the long and tortuous path to appointment to a position in government? How dare you try to remove the perks and other entitlements that were earned through grit and the dint of hard work.
Rather than waste our time on the virtue of being low-key, we should focus instead on the need for transparency. Not only should the people be made to know which generous official bought them a multi-cab, they should also be given every opportunity to see the official’s face and name plastered all over the vehicle’s body so they can dream about him/her and include him/her in their prayers.
Yes, we have to thank the Lord for the gift that is our benevolent public official. We have to pray for his/her continued physical, mental and emotional health. It is lonely at the top and the names, acronyms and photographs on billboards and even in newspapers are needed to feed our officials’ egos and keep them sane. Gracious goodness, why is it so difficult for some people to understand that?
What Zubiri said happened to his father should be instructive to all concerned. Because his dad did not display billboards with his benevolent face, another politician claimed all his projects as the other politician’s own. How sad it must have been for Zubiri’s poor dad.
We shouldn’t allow that to happen. To quote Zubiri, we should all realize that as a leader and public servant, the politician should also show his accomplishments and programs through billboards, photographs, names and acronyms.
Fair is fair. Instead of railing against the practice, why don’t we prepare our own acronyms in preparation for that Biblical time when the strong shall have devoured each other and the meek shall have inherited the earth?
TedMan, ERAP or GLORIA? What do you think of SUPERBOB (Samahan ang mga Ulirang Pilipinong Rumaragasa, Bumabatikos O Bumibira) as title of a campaign to promote press freedom?
Or, EDBAR for Education, Dedication, Benediction, Amortization and Re-Possession? Okay, so it is rambling but who says that a program should be coherent? In any case, EDBAR has a decidedly sweeter ring than ERAP.
Or PAS (Proyekto sa Agalon ug Sinilbihan)? It’s still with you and for you, right?
Or Michelle: So Overtake Me If You Can, I’m Running to promote health, beauty and tourism?
And, reserving the best for last, wouldn’t FRANK (Fostering Regional And National Kleptomania) be a more honest description of a government project that promises millions of pesos in rebates and kickbacks?
Rail and rue no more, people. Just wait for your time.