Please no cover-up

By Alex P. Vidal

“It is almost always the cover-up rather than the event that causes trouble.”— Howard Baker

THE “investigation” on the ill-fated P680-million Ungka flyover project that will start next month will reportedly be done by a “third-party consultant” tasked by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

No one from outside the DPWH is familiar with the nature of this type of investigation, but we’re certain it will not make any difference now that the damage has been done on the part of the motorists who were supposed to use the flyover starting September 2022, and the taxpayers who are facing a blank wall.

The five-month delay is already outrageous since the project has, in one way or the other, already defeated its primary purpose on countless occasions.

Christmas 2022, Dinagyang Festival 2023, and the Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria de Jaro (Jaro Fiesta 2023) have already passed by and the multi-million project has remained a “white elephant” and a burden to the Ilonggos.

Any internal probe can be whitewashed or sanitized. We hate to see Dracula doing any official business in the blood bank.

The people are waiting for the Real McCoy—the no-holds-barred House inquiry, which is expected to be bloodier and invigorating.

In the congressional probe, nobody is holy cow. When the House inquisition unveils, the chaff will be separated from the grain.

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In the formal House inquiry, charlatans will be unmasked; crocodiles will be given special “honorable” mention; the Gang of Ten Percenters, Fifteen Percenters, and even Twenty Percenters will be compelled to make a cameo appearance for a splendid shot at fame.

Let’s hope that when the House investigation commences, only members of the House of Representatives with no hidden political agenda will participate.

We hate to see the likes of grandstanding Senators Joel Villanueva and Raffy Tulfo turning the event into a circus or shouting session—like what they did in the recent committee hearing involving the case of an OFW in Kuwait who was raped and killed—only because they are reportedly planning to run for higher positions in the next presidential election.

Our concern, anyway, may be out of place because these notorious publicity maniacs may not be able to join in the Ungka flyover House inquiry since they belong in the upper chamber.

We expect a high-level and professional investigation that won’t be tainted by any hanky-panky distraction.

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LET’S TIME OUR NAP AFTER LUNCH. Research shows that naps, especially “power naps” of 20 to 30 minutes, help ward off fatigue.

To maximize the benefits, let’s try taking a siesta after lunch, when our energy levels are particularly low.

Let us limit rest to less than 30 minutes, or stretch it out to 60 to 90 minutes to avoid grogginess that results from waking up in the middle of deep sleep. (Source: Prevention)

REENERGIZE WITH EXERCISE EARLY EVENING. Even though we’re tired, forcing ourselves to do aerobic exercise will energize us for a couple of hours and make it easier to fall asleep at night.

Our body temperature naturally falls at night, shortly before bedtime, so the natural dip in temperature that happens about two hours after a workout can help us get to bed at a decent hour and wake up refreshed the next morning.

AS NEEDED, let’s boost our caffeine. Sugary “energy drink” can be hidden calorie traps, but researchers think there is something about the combination of sugar and caffeine that makes people more alert than caffeine alone does.

HIGH ENERGY RECOVERY PLAN.  In the morning, let’s soak up the sun. Morning rays boost energy by suppressing the sleepiness-inducing hormone melatonin. An early morning walk will help sync our internal clock to the sun, averting an energy slump in the afternoon, says Prevention.

According to a survey, 72 percent of Americans sign their pets’ names on greeting cards they send out.

AVOID CHEMICALS IN OUR CANS. Canned food alert: Consumer Reports found bisphenol A-a chemical linked to reproductive problems, diabetes, and heart disease–in all 19 brandname canned foods it tested, including those labeled BPA free. Because levels vary so widely, even among cans of the same product, there’s no way to predict how much we’re getting.

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