A lesson to all thieves

By Alex P. Vidal

“We are determined to build a society defined by decency and integrity that does not tolerate the plunder of public resources nor the theft by corporate criminals of the hard-earned savings of ordinary people.” – Cyril Ramaphosa

WE will not anymore add insult to the injury of former Iloilo second district Rep. Judy Syjuco, who was recently found guilty “beyond reasonable doubt” of graft by the Sandiganbayan in connection with a vocational education program funded with P20 million from her Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) in 2005.

She and several others have been sentenced to a maximum of eight years in prison and were further perpetually disqualified by the anti-graft court from holding public office.

In her age and status in society, it’s inconceivable to imagine her being locked up in jail.

We believe she may not have actually stolen the money for her whims and caprices; but she had to be indicted as a command responsibility even if she did not literally pocket the public funds.

When public funds are stolen, the thieves should be penalized especially if they are public officials who have been entrusted with the funds and to protect the taxpayers’ interest.

With a budget of P20 million, the education program was actually run by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) that was then headed by her late husband Augusto, who had also served as congressman in the same district.

Instead, may her predicament serve as a big lesson to all other happy-go-lucky public officials who steal from the taxpayers and think they can get away with it.

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Iloilo City Mayor Geronimo “Jerry” Treñas has beaten to the draw, so to speak, some of the national candidates running for president, vice president and senators when he became the first local chief executive to “condemn in the strongest term possible” the actions of three Chinese Coast Guard ships that reportedly blocked and fired water cannons against two Filipino boats on Nov. 16.

If he were running for national office, Treñas’ popularity would have zoomed to heights if a survey was conducted anytime after he suggested in a statement that “we cannot let this go and forgotten.”

His words had reverberated and was picked up by the national press.

The Ilonggo city mayor had also asked the national government to press for a diplomatic protest. It may be recalled that the boats were carrying food and other supplies for a Marine detachment at Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea, or located about 105 nautical miles off Palawan, Philippines, well within the country’s 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone.

Department of Foreign (DFA) Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. said the boats had to abort their resupply mission even if nobody was injured in the incident.

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I received another email on November 17 from New York Governor Kathy Hochul which she also sent to other New Yorkers:

Alex, Thanksgiving is just a week away! I hope you’re looking forward to the holiday as much as I am, and that you’ve got all your plans in place to celebrate safely. Remember: get the vaccine if you haven’t, get a booster if you have, wear a mask, & keep practicing social distancing.

Let’s dive in.

BOOSTER DOSES. If you feel that you are at risk for COVID and are already fully vaccinated, get the booster. And if you are unsure about the booster shots, please talk with your health care provider. Visit ny.gov/boosters to learn more about the COVID boosters and see if you’re eligible.

YOUTH VACCINATIONS AT MASS VAX SITES. Ten of New York’s mass vaccination sites are now administering the COVID-19 vaccine to newly eligible 5- to 11- year-olds. Parents and guardians can make appointments at a state-run vaccine site for their child at ny.gov/vaccine.

REMEMBER TO ENTER OUR VAX BADGE STICKER CONTEST. We launched a contest so kids can proudly share that they’re vaccinated. Parents and guardians can enter their child’s designs by submitting an image of your design to me (@GovKathyHochul) via social media, say where you’re from and use the hashtag #NYVaxForKids. Lucky winners from across the state will be selected to be featured on our “I’m Vaccinated” stickers!

As of November 16, 2021, there are 2,102 New Yorkers hospitalized with COVID-19. Our 7-day percentage positivity average was 3.47%, which is up from 2.78% last week.

Per the CDC as of November 17, 2021, 89.3% of adult New Yorkers have at least one vaccine dose. So far, 28,627,601 total vaccine doses have been administered, and 95,434 doses were administered over the past 24 hours.

QUESTION: Will my Excelsior Pass be updated now that I’ve received the booster shot (third Pfizer dose)? (Pat, Westchester County)

ANSWER: At this time, an Excelsior Vaccination Pass only includes an individual’s initial vaccine series. It does not include boosters and/or additional doses. However, as of November 8, New Yorkers who received a booster or additional dose can retrieve their Excelsior Vaccination Pass Plus which includes all COVID-19 doses received to date. If you retrieved your Excelsior Vaccination Pass Plus before this update, visit epass.ny.gov to retrieve a new Excelsior Vaccination Pass Plus at any time. Following the November 8 update, New Yorkers can expect their booster or additional doses to be available 3-4 days after receiving their shot.

We’ve made great progress in getting vaccinated, with more than 89% adult New Yorkers with at least one dose, and now that they’re eligible, our kids are stepping up to the plate and getting the vaccine. Thank you to all the young New Yorkers (and their parents) who are keeping themselves and their loved ones safe ahead of the holidays. Hope you have a great rest of your week, New York. Ever Upward, Governor Kathy Hochul

(The author, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor of two dailies in Iloilo.—Ed)