Masterclass in selling

By Reyshimar Arguelles

As the country deals with the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak, there is no stopping the government from imploding under the weight of its own ineptness. If idiocy were an actual virus that eats brain tissue, everyone would be wearing hazmat suits and stockpiling on Rhea alcohol.

But from the looks of it, idiocy in government is a fundamental element, something you could not detach without killing the entire body. We just let it thrive in the hope that it would let national leaders evolve into the enlightened personalities they ought to be.

It would take perhaps a million years before we get to that point, assuming the planet would survive a vicious pandemic or nuclear devastation. Both scenarios are possible, but not likely at this point in time when politicians are proving who has the smallest brain amongst themselves.

And every day we see them making depraved excuses for legislation that have no rational basis whatsoever. We should think twice whenever these numbskulls attempt to show an ounce of wisdom (which they lack) in their privilege speeches all while supporting deleterious laws and performing actions without a shred of dignity.

The fact that the House of Representatives has just allowed foreign entities to own public utilities goes beyond logic. For Rep. Joey Salceda, amending Commonwealth Act No. 146 or the Public Service Act to ease restrictions on foreign ownership is a magic solution that should keep public utility rates down and improve the already obsolete and inefficient public transport and telecommunications infrastructure we already have.

Is this, in all possible worlds, an idea worth the attention? For the 146 lawmakers who approved the amendment on final reading, such a foolhardy move is not even worth a second look, so long as they gain political clout one way or the other. Never mind that this would commodify people’s right to public services and never mind that letting foreign players could lead to concessions that will push the country to a tight corner.

Rep. Edcel Lagman who opposed the measure on constitutional grounds says that it violates provisions that concentrate 60% of utilities ownership to Filipinos. He adds that the amendment could not possibly bypass “fundamental law.”

From the onset, it would make sense if the 1987 Constitution should have provided full local control to encourage more government spending on road networks and telecommunications hubs. But what is more appalling is the deleterious effects of allowing foreign corporations free rein over services that should in all respects be nationalized. If ever we need a real-world example of this, we can look at the current power play between the Panay Electric Corporation and MORE Power who are stuck in a legal battle over who should control Iloilo City’s power infrastructure. How much more if we let foreign players control telecommunications and transport services?

Our leaders should have considered how letting such an injurious piece of legislation could compromise not just people’s right to mobility and communication, but also security. It is insane how you would let a foreign entity maintain the infrastructure for the production and delivery of messages. Have our legislators placed emphasis on the implications to data privacy?

As much as this issue is dangerous, it is also hilarious to think that our leaders feel like they’re doing us a big favor. To think they do is tantamount to ignoring just how much of a rubber stamp they all are, especially over the issue of POGOs. If they think it’s a good idea to let these gambling outfits operate despite issues of human trafficking and tax evasion, then we all deserve better people than these depraved yahoos.

These aren’t leaders. At best, they are all masterclass salesmen offering half-baked promises.