While we were merrymaking…

The giddy feeling and the dizzying spell cast by the holiday season is over. Today, we are awakened from that trance which brought us to the wonderful and magical world of Christmas, holiday cheers and laughter. Unfortunately, or fortunately, we are back to reality.

While we were merrymaking many incidents, mishaps, catastrophes took place. Allow me to review the top stories in the last month of year 2018.

Revilla’s Release: On December 7 the Sandiganbayan released former Senator Bong Revilla after his acquittal from charges of siphoning of P224.5 million worth of Priority Development Assistance Funds (or PDAF) to fake non-government organizations connected to the Janet Napoles pork barrel scams. After four years and almost six months, Revilla said, “I can finally come out, and the truth has come out. I am thankful that there’s still justice in the country.” Yes, this is true, especially if you are very well connected!

Balangiga Bells: On December 11 the whole country rejoiced with the return of the historic bells of Balangiga town in Eastern Samar from the United States of America. All three bells taken by the US army as war trophies were returned, with two of these flown from the F.E. Warren Air Force in Cheyenne, Wyoming. It took the Philippines 117 years to get it back after decades of petitions, demands and appeals.

Federal Charter: On the same day of arrival of the Balangiga, the House of Representatives approves the third and final reading of its draft federal charter authored by House Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. This is a measure to revise the 1987 Constitution and to create a Federal Republic of the Philippines. Now let’s see what the Senate will do. Is Federalism happening? Abangan!

Ms. Universe: Catriona Gray, Philippine bet to the Miss Universe pageant on December 17 in Bangkok, Thailand became Ms. Universe. Gray is the Philippines’ fourth Miss Universe after Pia Wurtzbach in 2015. The other two are Gloria Diaz in 1969 and Margie Moran in 1973. Her victory brings so much pride to our countrymen adding up to a joyful Christmas season which we all deserve.

Drug Smuggling: The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) sought the indictment of one of its former senior officials and 43 others for their alleged role in sneaking into the country P11 billion worth of “shabu.” The respondents in the 38-page complaint for drug smuggling in the Department of Justice against former PDEA Deputy Director General Ismael Fajardo and his co-accused did not include former Customs Commissioner Isidro Lapeña, one of President Duterte’s most trusted lieutenants on whose watch the alleged drug smuggling happened. Lapeña then insisted that there was no drug smuggling after the PDEA found in August four magnetic lifters in a warehouse in Cavite province believed to have contained shabu. However, when the magnetic lifters matched two other lifters that were found containing shabu at Manila International Container Terminal he conceded that the Cavite lifters could have contained crystal meth. So, why was Lapeña spared? 

PITX Exemptions: After establishing the Paranaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (or PITX), a multi-modal terminal in Parañaque and a transfer point for buses coming from Cavite and Batangas, and other in-city modes of transportation, Senator Grace Poe expressed her concern on the DOTr granting exemptions to some provincial buses allowing them to enter Metro Manila. The senator said, DOTr must conduct tests and review results of using the PITX before granting exemptions. Well, she is right! What is the use of PITX if officials will continue to grant exemptions?

Abolition of the Road Board: If the President wants to stop corruption, then he must quickly decide on the measure seeking to abolish the corruption-plagued Road Board. Senator Franklin Drilon said the abolition of the Road Board is “critical in the government’s fight against corruption.” He stressed that the body “has become a breeding ground for corruption and inefficiency.” Last month, the Senate upon Drilon’s motion, unanimously adopted a resolution using the Office of the President to order the Road Board not to release funds from the Motor Vehicle User’s Charge (MVUC). Drilon added that from 2001 to May 2018, the total collection for MVUC reached a whopping P166.18 billion, with total releases amounting to P136.87 billion.

Pork Barrel: The President’s allies are now at each other’s throat over the controversial “billion insertions” in the 2019 budget. Senator Leila de Lima branded the issue as a “circus” and “royal rumble.” House Majority Leader Rolando Andaya Jr. and Minority Leader Danilo Suarez have accused Budget Chief Benjamin Diokno of orchestrating the “insertion” of some P75 billion infrastructure fund in the proposed 2019 national budget without the knowledge of the President, the Department of Public Works and Highways, as well those congressmen whose district would benefit. Andaya also said the P75 billion worth of projects had already been bid out even before the passage of the budget, with 30 infrastructure projects given to a Bulacan-based contractor whose registration and standing was highly questionable. Our anti-pork crusader Senator Panfilo Lacson opened “more than a can of worms” when he revealed the last minute insertions in the P3.757 trillion budget for 2019.

NPA in Sorsogon: After the two NPA suspected attacks in Sorsogon on December 11 where a criminology graduate was shot and on December 17 where a civilian and three policemen were wounded, President Duterte orders shoot to kill of all NPA rebels. Pursuing talks with the communist-led National Democratic Front (NDF) would be an exercise in futility so it seems.

Tropical Depression Usman’s Wreak: On December 30, Tropical Depression Usman hit the Visayas, Bicol, Mimaropa and Quezon provinces placing its damage at P1.5 billion. Heavy rains caused landslides affecting thousands of families living in the surrounding areas of Albay, Camarines Sur, Camarines Norte, Sorsogon and Masbate. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported 122 deaths so far.

Okay, okay I better stop the new hopes for 2019. But if the President is dead serious in stopping corruption in this country, he better start with the people around him who seem to be so obnoxious with the power in their midst.

Elections is just around the corner. Many trolls are out there. The battle has already begun. Who to believe? Just take extra caution.

“Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.” Matthew 7:15