OS2013TRAPO

In case you’re wondering what is meant by OS2013TRAPO, it stands for: Operating System-2013 for Traditional Politicians. The message is traditional politicians such as Mayors, Governors and most especially Congressmen, Congresswomen and Senators all need to change the way they think, the language they use, and how they operate.  Their old operating system PBS1900Trapo, otherwise known as “PorkBarrelSystem version1900 for Traditional Politicians” has become outdated, deemed criminal and highly unpopular. In fact, non-users and non-supporters of PBS1900Trapo are actively working to make the former OS/PBS classified as SPAM because of its high pork content.

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Comedy aside, it seems that many politicians still don’t hear or get the message from the public: “No to Pork Barrel! — End it Now” In fact, no less than Senate President Frank Drilon seems convinced that all they need to do is pass populist bills such as the FOI or Freedom of Information Bill and Filipinos will soon calm down. President Noynoy who now finds himself between a rock and a hard place may have an idea of how Humpty Dumpty must have felt, yet he is still trying to sell us a “RestoMod” or restored but modified version of the pork barrel system.

The saddest examples of legislators who operate on PBS1900Trapo are two members of the House of Representatives Lani and Dan who are both being cyber bullied because of their alleged comments regarding pork barrel. Both representatives still cling to the misimpression that they are the patron saints of the poor, the ill and unfortunate, or that they have no choice but be the cash dispensers for the public good.

Please don’t get angry with them or say nasty things about them in your Facebook posts or whereever it is you socially rant. Rep. Dan and Rep. Lani are simply talking and thinking based on an operating system that allowed them to allocate millions of pesos to their pet projects, NGOs or poor neighbors who can’t be bothered to follow the system set by government for social services. It’s the same system that led millions of Filipinos to believe that politicians are their best friend and not government.

However, politicians such as Dan and Lani need to realize and learn a few lessons in politics and communications: First, if you have nothing good to gain for your self or for others, don’t say anything. As sincere as sentiments and thoughts may be, going against the current or the tide will only get you wet, if not drown your political career.

Second, standing strong even alone against the morally wrong is one thing, but trying to convince the Tsunami of the right is hara-kiri without honor. Rep. Dan claims that one of his constituents died of renal failure because he no longer had the PDAF to support the poor fellow. Sorry Rep. Dan, but if that were the case, I suspect we would now have hundreds or thousands of people dying simultaneously. We don’t and it’s not your job. Third, systems, values, and technology always bring change that redefines our relationships, how we work, even how we speak. In all of this, society will always move towards that which is morally right. Remember Vox populi — Vox Dei. The voice of the people is the voice of God.

 As far as mindsets or operating systems go, what we need to do is emphasize to all the trapos out there that their operating system is no longer acceptable. If computers can totally shift from MS-Dos to Windows, politicians should now shift from pork-based patronage politics to the pure work of representation, legislation and governance.

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Right now many of us have been misled or are intentionally being distracted by spin-doctors and media experts from the anti-pork barrel campaign by providing us various issues. First on the list is the saga of Janet Lim Napoles down to her dietary intakes. As Netizens have posted: why would we even be interested with what she ate! The only thing missing from the over-exposure would be what color and brand of underwear she uses. Then there is the mysterious hype on the upcoming fuel price hikes, made to sound as if it was all happening within hours, driving people to gas stations in a panic. Then there’s the incessant attempt to hype up the casino appearance of the LTO Chief as if sitting in front of a slot machine was a greater sin than the billions of pesos LOST by Senators to non-existent NGOs. Then they hyped up the irrevocable resignation of the NBI Director who obviously saw an opportunity to get out of a rat-infested boat that was being scuttled by no less than the Commander-in-Chief.

In the face of this organized and funded efforts to stop the anti-pork barrel movement, we need to place everything in perspective. The longest standing sin and abuse against Filipinos and the Philippine Government is the legalized corruption in the form of pork barrel. It is the pork barrel system that has provided funds and means for politicians to remain in power, enrich themselves and to establish political dynasties that have ridiculed the people’s will and the spirit of the Constitution.

Janet Lim Napoles and the pork barrel scam controversy is a God-given opportunity to expose the extent and the manner that politicians have abused their power and our money. It is clear that the only people defending the pork barrel system are politicians. Yet many politicians implicated in the loss of billions of pesos wash their hands and claim ignorance or deny culpability. This is a direct insult to every taxpaying Filipino who must face the full force and consequence of the law for merely being suspected of tax evasion or failure to pay taxes to the government.

Let the Justice department deal with the legal matters. Let the P-Noy administration deal with the political fallout from the scam. We the people must focus only on one thing: End the pork barrel system now!

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