Because of Fear and Shame

By Alex P. Vidal 

“You can’t win unless you learn how to lose.” —Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

WHEN politicians panic barely three weeks to go before the May 12, 2025 Philippine election, it means they fear losing the election; and if they lose, they fear facing imminent humiliation and embarrassment.

Because they’re shame-based, a defeat would be unacceptable and unbearable.

A very popular former Iloilo City councilor, who ran and lost for vice mayor many years back, once became an object of derision from his fellow coffeeshop habitués in the old Iloilo Central Market when he didn’t show up several months after being vanquished in a three-cornered electoral race.

One of his sparring partners in the coffeeshop, a loquacious assistant city prosecutor who noticed his “strange” absence, called him up in the house and berated him: “Ano ang ginasagay mo panago? Nahuya ka? Ano kay kon pasugiron ka sigurado na gid nga madaog ka. Ti lantawa kundi nagalikaw ka na sa kapehan.” 

(Why are you hiding from us? You’re ashamed, huh? It’s your fault anyway because you kept on bragging that you would surely win. Now you are avoiding the coffeeshop.)

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Losing is part of the competition. Like in sports, there are winners and losers. There is nothing to be ashamed of actually if one loses in a fair and square contest.

But for some politicians, a defeat in the election is like a matter of life and death; it’s like as if a huge object has been deposited down their throats.

For them, it’s double the pain especially if they are bested by newcomers or inexperienced rivals. It’s difficult to swallow.

Excessive pride and so much self importance overcome their reason and dominate their emotion.

They are also guilt-stricken and probably bothered by their conscience because of unsavory words they maliciously unleashed against their opponents during the campaign period.

This is where losing in the election is really hard to accept. And this explains why some losers in the polls spend so much time “hiding” from public while excruciatingly nursing their broken hearts elsewhere.

Nervous candidates and their patrons should not only prepare to win, but also to lose to avert any mental and emotional breakdown once the results don’t tilt in their favor.

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Complaints of fraud in the implementation of the Consumer Directed Personal Assistance (CDPAP) particularly in New York have been mounting since last year or even years ago.

To report a CDPAP anomaly, tipsters have been advised to contact the relevant state agency responsible for overseeing the program. Tipsters can also reach out to their local CDPAP program administrators or regulatory agencies or seek legal assistance from fraud specialists.

Below is a more detailed breakdown, according to the New York State Department of Health:

1. Identify the appropriate authority: Contact the state agency overseeing CDPAP, which may include local departments of social services, Medicaid Fraud Control Units, or other relevant state or federal agencies, as suggested by Care365.care.
2. Gather information: Collect detailed information about the anomaly, including names, addresses, dates, and specific examples, as mentioned by Care365.care.
3. Report the anomaly: Use the designated reporting mechanisms provided by the agency, which may include fraud hotlines or online reporting portals, as suggested by Regency Health Care.
4. Provide details: Ensure you provide as much detail as possible to facilitate accurate and prompt investigation of the report, as stated by Independent @ Home.

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What are the common types of fraud in the CDPAP? They include the following:

-Identity Theft: Fraudsters may impersonate caregivers, using stolen personal information to enroll in the program.

-Falsifying Timesheets: Caregivers might misrepresent the hours worked or invent services that were never provided, inflating claims.

-Billing for Unauthorized Services: Claims may be submitted for services that either were not authorized or not delivered at all.

Specific examples of fraudulent activities within CDPAP can include:

-Submission of False Caregiver Information: Fake or unqualified caregivers are reported in order to gain access to benefits.

-Manipulation of Consumer Documents: This can involve forging signatures or providing false information during evaluations to secure approval for services.

-Exploitation of Vulnerable Individuals: Scammers often pressure recipients into submitting fraudulent claims, even manipulating them into believing these actions are legitimate.

Identity theft also poses significant challenges for CDPAP. Perpetrators often use victims’ information to:

-Fraudulently enroll or bill for care services, leading to financial drain on legitimate resources meant for actual care.

-Undermining the trustworthiness of the program, these actions result in potential legal consequences such as felony charges, imprisonment, and financial penalties for those involved.

Awareness and preventative measures are crucial in combating these issues to maintain the program’s integrity.

(The author, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor-in-chief of two leading daily newspapers in Iloilo, Philippines.—Ed)