Disgraceful!

By Alex P. Vidal

“It is better to die than to preserve this life by incurring disgrace. The loss of life causes but a moment’s grief, but disgrace brings grief every day of one’s life.” – Chanakya

THERE is no other way to describe it.

Such was the mortal sin that may have committed by the12 barangay officials and two city hall employees who allegedly skimmed by as much as 80 percent the DSWD’s Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) to several beneficiaries in Iloilo City.

If the allegations were true, this act is condemnable and unpardonable especially if the victims are poor or those in dire straits.

In our culture, the crime is doubled if perpetrators victimize the downtrodden who can’t defend themselves. It becomes repugnant if the offenders are in power.

It’s not only adding insult to their injury, but also tantamount to kicking them while down on all four.

No Iloilo City political patron in his right mind will come out to defend the rascals who did it to the beneficiaries even if the perpetrators can produce more votes for the political patron.

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Now that they have been charged by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) before the Office of the Ombudsman over the alleged AICS deduction of cash assistance, there is a slim chance they won’t be suspended, dismissed, and even jailed if a criminal case will be added in the cases filed against them.

Those charged were Jobert Lim (City Hall personnel), Janicol Dizon (City Hall personnel), Gina Elauria-Brgy. (Captain of Taytay Zone II), Jingjing Pineda (Brgy. Kagawad of Taytay Zone II), Amadeo Sultan (Brgy. Captain of Simon Ledesma, Jaro), John Doe (Brgy. Kagawad of Simon Ledesma, Jaro), John Doe (Brgy. Treasurer of Simon Ledesma, Jaro), Visamin Canal (Brgy. Captain of Quezon), John Doe (Brgy. Kagawad in Quezon, Arevalo).

Also named in the suit were Remedio Bedia (Brgy. Captain of Lanit), Kagawad Huntado (Lanit), Kagawad Gonzales (Lanit), Rizaline Delmo (Brgy. Captain of Quintin Salas), and Victoria Rowel (Brgy. Kagawad in Quintin Salas).

The scandal has been repeatedly reported in the national media these past days, thus it is now difficult for the alleged AICS skimmers to wiggle out from the mess they have created especially if the DSWD is able to present voluminous of documents or pieces of evidence that would nail them.

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Damayan Migrant Workers in New York honored and stood with with migrant workers, including Filipino workers, and reaffirm their rights and dignity during the International Human Rights Day December 10.

The day marked the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) by the United Nations General Assembly in 1948.

The UDHR outlines the fundamental rights to which every human is entitled simply by being human. Yet today, millions of people still lack access to these rights, and the promise remains unfulfilled for many migrant workers.

Damayan Migrant Workers said Filipino migrant workers are forced to migrate from the Philippines due to poverty and unemployment to pursue better economic opportunities.

It added that in the United States, they work across sectors, caregivers, nannies and housekeepers, restaurant and bodega workers, often performing essential work that support families and the US economy.

Despite their contributions, their rights are violated, their labor is exploited, and many are subjected to labor trafficking and modern-day slavery, added the Damayan Migrant Workers.

“On Human Rights Day, we affirm what should never be negotiable: migrant workers deserve dignity, respect, and full protection of their rights. Their humanity should not depend on their immigration status or country of origin,” it announced in an email.

“Damayan continues to advocate for fair wages, safe working conditions, and the right to live without fear today and every day. Join us in standing with our vulnerable kababayans and ensuring they live with the dignity and respect they deserve.”

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