Wishy-washy on flyovers

Last Sunday I discussed a topic that President Benigno Aquino III raised before the Liberal Party rally: the opposition of Mayor Micahel Rama to the proposed construction of flyovers in Cebu City.

My question is, since the matter was brought to Malacañang for discussion and both parties presented their side of the issue, why didn’t Aquino, who favors the building of flyovers, not instruct the secretary of the DPWH to go ahead with the construction? Why did the Secretary Rogelio Singson of the Department of Public Works and Highways issue a moratorium to the construction of the flyovers?

Basically, the final say on the issue is the President’s since he is the Chief Executive of the country. He cannot pass the buck to the mayor who opposed the flyover sans any comprehensive urban master plan.

It is unfortunate that the President wittingly or unwittingly blamed the mayor for something that he could have decided on. The President did not push the flyovers because he believed in the reasons presented by the mayor but now he is saying otherwise for political reasons.

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The bombing incident that happened in the US in particular at the Boston Marathon shocked the world.  The US authorities thought that it was an act of terrorism.  Luckily  with the quick response of both the local and federal police authorities the two suspects were caught with one dead and another captured.

I amazed with the quick response of the police in tracking down the culprits in the bombing. President Barack Obama appeared in national television condemning the dastardly act of the terrorists who placed a bomb at the finish line in the marathon.

Lesson learned is that even in the most advance country it is so difficult to detect or know beforehand when a terrorist is going to strike and what kind of device are they going to use to terrorize the people. It takes vigilance on the part of the people to be prepared for any eventuality especially coming from a terrorist.

Luckily for our country even up to now we are relatively peaceful and quiet compared to the other countries but it is no time to be complacent. We need to be more vigilant to stay safe and secure.

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The May 13 elections are fast approaching and the future of our country will again be in the hands of our people to decide so I am praying and hoping that the level of discernment is already good enough for voters to decide.

In the May 13 elections we will choose senators and local government officials who are going to govern us for the next three to six years. It is of utmost importance that the people exercise their sacred responsibility to choose the best government officials.

Today we need officials who believe in the principle of public accountability and honesty in government transactions and undertakings.  We need officials who do not use the people to advance their personal interests, who are not selfish but selfless and people oriented.

People should also be responsible enough not to sell their votes to politicians. They should guard their votes against cheating and massive manipulation. Democracy in order to survive should be guarded by our very own blood just like what our heroes did out of their love for our country and people.

Jose Rizal, Andres Bonifacio, Ninoy Aquino died defending our freedom and democracy. Let us not put to waste their sacrifices by allowing ourselves to let the evil forces win against what is good and right. Vote wisely this coming May 13 for the sake of our children and our children’s children. The vote we take today is our vote for tomorrow.