Awards given for worst performances of government officials

CEBU, Philippines – While Hollywood actors and actresses were recognized in the 81st Academy Awards (popularly called the Oscars) yesterday on a live feed from Los Angeles, California, the Akbayan Party came up with its own version of the ceremony with “Okray Awards” which revealed its opinion of the “worst political figures” in the country.

According to Akbayan spokesperson Alvin Dizon, it was the second year of the “Okray Awards.” Like the Oscars, “Okray Awards” gives out major awards, only that these awards come in titles as worst as Best Corruptor, Best Corruptress, Best Supporting Corruptor, Most Denying Corruptor, Best Defender of the Corruptor, and Corrupt Couple of the Year.

According to the group, the Best Corruptor award went to First Gentleman Miguel “Mike” Arroyo for his alleged participation in the NBN-ZTE broadband deal scandal and other controversies as well. Other nominees for the award were House Speaker Prospero Nograles and Senator Juan Ponce Enrile.

For the Best Supporting Corruptor, the group chose Agriculture Undersecretary Jocelyn “Joc-Joc” Bolante because of the fertilizer scam where he is allegedly the “architect”. Akbayan chose him over Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez and Department of Agrarian Reform Secretary Nasser Pangandaman.

For the Best Corruptress award, President Gloria Arroyo is unchallenged because of the many controversies she is facing, the group added.

Other awards were Most Denying Corruptor which went to Prospero Pichay who, according to the group, won over “Euro General” Eliseo de la Paz.

The Best Defender of the Corrupt went to Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago. Akbayan said that she won over Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez.

Award for the Corrupt Couple of the Year was given by Akbayan to the Arroyos.

Dizon said that the activity was one creative way “para makondenar ang mga binuhatan sa mga nahitungdang officials.” — AJ de la Torre/MEEV (THE FREEMAN)