President’s half-truth

Last Friday noon I was in the TV station of My TV with fellow columnist Bobit Avila when we heard the  news that  President Aquino announced he was finally abolishing the PDAF. Immediately, I thought that the declaration was made to preempt  protest rallies set for Monday  throughout the country.  Later in the evening I listened to some experts who correctly criticized the president for not totally abolishing the pork barrel.  Solita Monsod clarified that the President did not actually abolish the pork barrel because it  remains  with national legislators who are still given the authority to identify projects  they want funded  except that it has to undergo   line item budgeting.

Apparently, the President is  pulling the wool over the people’s eyes with a half-truth since congressmen and senators still have access to the fund. That being the case, people should join Monday’s anti-pork barrel rally. It seems the President can’t live without  the pork barrel, which is the people’s hard earned money wasted through graft and corruption.

Today the scandal attached to the pork barrel’s misuse and abuse is all the more glaring in light of  the  millions of Filipinos  suffering from the floods and destruction wrought by typhoon Maring in Luzon. Many badly need  financial aid to cope with the aftermath  of street floodings in Metro Manila.

I would like to propose that the President reconsider his decision and really abolish the pork barrel for congressmen and senators, and channel it instead to local government units by financing their annual investment program (AIP).

The pork barrel would be put to better use that way and benefit the people.   I hope the President listens to the people and follows  their valid suggestions.

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Last week another sea tragedy struck the r country when two ships, the MV St. Thomas Aquinas and MV Sulpicio Express Siete, collided off the waters of Talisay City.

The death toll has reached 80  with over 40 missing. The sinking of the Aquinas  has caused marine destruction due to bunker oil  leaking from in its tanks.

Now Cebuanos have to cope with an oil spill that reached the shores of Mactan,  and many fish vendors complain of a slump in sales of fish and seafood in the market because consumers fear the  fish had  eaten part of the bodies of  victims of the sea mishap.

I see the Cebuanos’ spirit of unity in coming together to help each other cope with the effects of the sea mishap, especially in containing the oil spill.

We have also witnessed  local government officials leading efforts to mobilize assistance in all fronts. Practically everyone is contributing to help ease the suffering of victims.

I hope the Martime Industry Authority (Marina) gets to the  truth behind the sea collision and determines the cause and the liablity of parties.

Many are also asking why  the captains of both ships  have not been detained or arrested.  They compare it to the situation of  jeepney or taxi drivers who are immediately apprehended   and put in jail after they meet an accident that causes injuries or deaths while the ship captains are still free.