Action, honesty, corruption

By Reni M. Valenzuela

Why will crooks in the government solve a problem that “blesses” them and fills their pockets?

And for what good reason is the executive secretary defending the defenseless from the “tirades” of some congressmen against the executive branch, vis-a-vis the DPWH fiasco? You both need to clean your own respective houses, don’t you?

Gusto mo po bang pag-awayin ang ehekutibo at Kongreso? Ano po kaya ang nasa likod ng iyong ipinukol sa mga mambabatas ng mababang kapulungan?

Appointing a man of action as the new secretary of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) shortly after Manuel Bonoan resigned was an urgent, most demanding step in the right direction.

Good job, Mr. President. But watch out for power brokers and power blocs behind the controversy. Heed facts. Heed reason. Heed conscience. Heed God. Listen to your wife, children, and critics more than sycophants and toadies, and mere Jokers or a Lex Luthor in Batman 2025 (or in Congress).

Vivencio “Vince” Dizon seems to be doing the right things from the day he assumed office to head the most corrupt (blatantly and brazenly) agency of the government.

Too bad. Every time there is a mounting call for a government official to resign, the usual response is, “I serve at the pleasure of the president,” like what exactly Mr. Bonoan said (until he was compelled to resign) — without him realizing that just by saying it alone makes him all the more unworthy to stay as DPWH secretary.

Every government functionary must serve at the pleasure of nothing and no one but the people (and God). Period. Unlike in other countries, especially in Japan, people there are quick to resign or even commit hara-kiri for failing to do their job. In the Philippines, due to crookedness, it’s “kapit-tuko.”

One lady senator defended the DPWH from being purged by saying that the officials there are “magagaling” (“competent”). Silly.

Question: What’s the use of “competence,” scholastic records, credentials, experience, and “expertise” if they are used more for bad than good? But if indeed Ms. Imee Marcos is right, bakit hanggang ngayon ay binabaha tayo, sa totoo lang, mas lalong binabaha?

Why is flooding in the country even getting worse and hellish — while the bank accounts of crooks are being flooded with dirty money at the same time — forever and ever, too? Why indeed will they stop what keeps them going — in their jugglery?

What is more important to you, dear madam senator, “competence” or integrity? The devil or God?

The enemy in DPWH was not born yesterday. It is deeply rooted and embedded in the body, soul, and spirit of each of its departments/divisions and regional/city offices since time immemorial. The beast has grown to be a monster beast.

Hence, total cleansing indeed is what is required no less to beat the giant Goliath. That is, if truly BBM is resolved enough to seriously, indignantly, and really eradicate corruption in the DPWH and in all other aspects, areas, posts, and corners of his government in general. Nothing can be wiser than that, sir.

What unfolded and continues to unfold is all gross incompetence about the former secretary. Massive, blatant, brazen robberies had been happening right under his nose, yet he appeared to be deaf, dumb, and blind to it all. “… And if the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit,” Matthew 15:14.

Was Bonoan unaware that the DPWH is the No. 1 corrupt agency, alongside the Bureau of Customs and Bureau of Internal Revenue — not to mention almost all other executive branches, Congress, local government units, the judiciary, the police, and the military?

I think so because he failed miserably in guarding the people’s money from wolves, sharks, vultures, and crocs in the DPWH or among corrupt, opportunistic government people — in cahoots with the same unwanted species in private contracting companies.

Hail one neophyte legislator, Rep. Leandro Leviste, who apparently is honest, clean, and has not been eaten (yet) by the corrupt, rotten, stinking system of the chamber where he belongs. But guard yourself, young man, against “fallen angel-like” people there. Many “big fish” to be caught lurk there — in shallow and deep waters.

Such news of bribery revelation by Leviste was not only refreshing and heartening — it was unprecedented as far as I can recall. No official of the land has ever done the same feat in the past. Hence, the brave neophyte legislator deserves kudos from every Filipino. It was heroic.

Meanwhile, the probes that are currently and simultaneously being conducted by the Senate and House of Representatives MUST (all) stop as soon as the independent commission that the president is creating has convened — for obvious reasons.

I highly recommend that anti-corruption warrior, Mayor Vico Sotto, be included in the said autonomous probe body — alongside the named Mayor Benjie Magalong, Conchita Carpio-Morales, and a few other named and unnamed deserving private individuals and former officials. Forget “experts.”

Furthermore, may I propose also that every single project of the DPWH (not just the “flood-control”–related) for the past two decades be reviewed, examined, audited, and investigated too — later — after resolving the current and more recent anomalous, scandalous infrastructure/flood-control projects (or uncontrolled greed ventures).

God is good to the Filipino people at this juncture of the nation’s history. 2 Chronicles 7:14. Pray more. Repent more.

Email: renivalenzuelaletters@yahoo.com