Aren’t they ashamed?

By Alex P. Vidal

“Every decent man is ashamed of the government he lives under.”— H. L. Mencken

ALMOST everybody in Western Visayas has been talking about the ill-fated $680-million Iloilo flyover in Ungka, Pavia, but most of the Iloilo congresspeople requested by the Pavia legislature to file a formal House inquiry continued to play deaf and mute on the issue.

Aren’t they ashamed?

It took a neophyte congressman, Raoul Manuel of Kabataan Partylist, to singlehandedly raise the voice of the irate Ilonggo taxpayers when he made an ocular visit in the area and vowed to request the House of Representatives to investigate the expensive but appalling DPWH project.

Aren’t they ashamed?

Since the scandalous and hugely shameful Iloilo flyover project became the talk of the nation in 2022, the constituents have pinned their best hopes on their representatives since it involved the DPWH, a national agency that can only be compelled to submit a thorough report through a formal congressional investigation in aid of legislation.

But none of them has come out in public to express any sentiment or opinion on the matter to assuage the public, except for the brave party list congressman.

Aren’t they ashamed?

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The contractors could not explain to the public why such gargantuan project appeared to have been mishandled, misdirected and mismanaged after engineering experts have confirmed some possible structural infirmities when it was discovered to be “sinking.”

Aren’t they ashamed?

The DPWH officials tasked to supervise and ensure that the project was properly done according to specifications couldn’t assure the public they were on top of the situation and would remedy the problem without prejudice to public funds.

Aren’t they ashamed?

Some politicians, especially the dishonest and insincere, most probably also “made money” from all other infamous and disgraceful public works projects; and this could be the main reason for their complete and deafening silence.

Because they flexed their muscles and took advantage of their power and influence, they are now in the shameful situation of “damn if you do and damn if you don’t.”

They must have demanded or accepted bribes in the past from unscrupulous bidders and construction owners in many infra projects that’s why they have become dicey and useless when it comes to defending and safeguarding the interest of the taxpayers.

When we heavily ask favors, we don’t receive something out of nothing especially if the favors connote an “I’ll-scratch-your-back-you-scratch-mine” quid pro quo.

Aren’t they ashamed?

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The price of justice is eternal publicity. If nothing concrete or substantive matter will come out from the heroic efforts of the lone ranger, Rep. Manuel, the public has the right to complain and make a noise.

The taxpayers will not allow their money to go to waste—or to the pockets and bank accounts of vultures and serpents. The media should constantly mention any grand thievery or highway robbery involving the public funds of such horrific degree.

Concerned individuals with resources and time to spare should join the incessant and sustained clamor for justice by filing necessary cases against the thieves and rascals responsible for tormenting the public in general.

We can’t rely on our higher public officials who see, hear and speak no evil and pretend they can’t do anything about the mess. At least we heard that Iloilo City mayor Geronimo “Jerry” Trenas has threatened to throw the books on some DPWH bigwigs if the situation wasn’t resolved satisfactorily. Hope springs eternal.

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