SOME politicians just don’t get it.
When Malacañang banned the display of the name or image of politicians and government personalities on billboards, tarpaulins and signages for projects, I actually thought no politician will be thick-faced enough to oppose it.
After all, it is a popular and well-received policy.
I was therefore surprised when some senators and members of the House of Representatives did openly oppose the removal of their names from government signages, using transparency and establishing rapport with their constituents as arguments to prop up their stance. Transparency? That reasoning is making some people puke.
Among the agencies that are looking for ways to implement fully Pre-sident Noynoy Aquino’s “billboard policy” are the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).
Here’s DILG Secretary Jesse Robredo’s take on the matter: “The practice of putting up billboards and signages bearing the names of government officials and even politicians does not sit well among our citizenry who are the major contributors in financing government undertakings, through the payment of their respective taxes.”
But because of the lawmakers’ opposition, DPWH Secretary Rogelio Singson was forced to suggest that politicians questioning the ban may use leaflets instead of billboards to announce their claims. That’s how pathetic those opposing the “billboard policy” now look.
If my memory serves me right, politicians used to proceed with caution when putting their names and images on billboards and signages for government projects. Under the administration of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, however, shame or fear of public criticism was no longer an issue. Politicians thus became more daring or, should I say, thick- faced in bannering their names and images.
Recently, it’s no longer just the name that is emblazoned in signages for government projects and vehicles bought or procured by politicians. Thanks (or should I say no thanks?) to improved technology, large images of these politicians are painted on these signages and government vehicles.
I don’t know if this is done in other areas, but look at the buses bought from the pork barrel of former congressman Raul del Mar and the Kaohsiung buses of the Cebu City Government.
This is the height that the lack of scruples of some politicians has reached.
And yet they seem to still not get it.
(khanwens@yahoo.com/ my blog: cebuano.wordpress.com)