Choo choo train

RECALL that one of the reasons cited by Congressman Lorenz Defensor behind the move to change the Charter is the third-world transportation situation in the Philippines. He expressed his bleeding heart for the poor who had to endure monstrous traffic, overcrowded buses, and MRT or LRT coaches (for those living in the urban centers, particularly in Manila) every day as they travel from home to work and vice versa or buy essential goods for their households.

The vice chair of the House committee on constitutional amendments expounded during the body’s consultative hearings recently at the Iloilo Convention Center on the need to amend the Charter to open the transportation industry to foreign investors.

We must remind ourselves of the fact that in other progressive countries like Japan, South Korea, China, and even the USA, mass transport is highly subsidized by the government. Simply put, these governments operate their mass transport systems at a loss.

Mass transportation may be operated by the government or private companies. But to make mass transit viable, as stipulated above, it needs government subsidy as income derived from the fares of commuters is not usually enough to cover the cost of operating and maintaining the same.

And no politician will dare attach his name to high public transportation costs.

It is the government’s responsibility to provide an efficient but cheap public transport system. It cannot just wait for Charter change to do it. If it lacks money, it can always obtain loans from international financial institutions. Or government can do it through PPP – public-private partnership.

Of course, there are other equally or more important reasons behind the current Chacha moves. While most of our national politicians are talking about antiquated economic provisions, it cannot be denied that not a few of them also would like to tinker with the Charter’s political sections like terms of office and political dynasty.

Malicious suspicions aside, methinks the country sooner or later has to take a more serious look at our present Constitution to attune the country to the economic challenges of the times.

Let’s dance the Chacha.

Butbot

THE paranormal lurks in the mind of countless souls despite advances in science. And I don’t claim exception. But I have doubts.

Silly me?

I travelled the other day to the 3^rd District with two other friends to honor the invitation of a mayor for lunch at his abode in the center of the town. After the gastronomic delight, the mayor broached the idea of seeing a manogbutbot. I didn’t realize it was pre-planned by my two friends who explained that “wala man may madula sa aton kun magtesting kita.”

We arrived at the faith healer’s house around 2 pm. There at that time were several people sitting on wooden and plastic chairs apparently waiting for their turn at the healing hands and rituals of the manogbutbot.

At first, the mayor thought there was a lady inside the manogbutbot’s lair. A closer look revealed that it was actually the butbot man who grew his hair longer than most women you see in the neighborhood or sidewalks of Iloilo City.

I moved closer to the glass door after one of my friends entered the butbot man’s room. There I saw big unlit candles before statues of Catholic saints. I can’t figure out his incantations as he placed his right hand on my friend’s head. Later he moved both hands in massaging motion on his chest and back.

“I feel better. Nadula sakit sang ulo ko!” exclaimed my friend who then made a sigh of relief and obvious exultation after the session. He was satisfied.

Then it was the turn of my other friend who just gave me a cryptic smile after his session with the butbot man. I can’t second-guess his mind.

As the butbot man didn’t demand any payment, both of my friends just made donations.

I was torn between science and superstition. Thus, I could not get myself into the butbot’s lair.