Tunnel south of the Queen City
Cebu City South District Rep. Rodrigo “Bebot” Abellanosa announced recently that he was able to convince the Department of Public Works and Highways to construct a tunnel in his district at the junction of Cebu South Road and F. Llamas Street.
I am elated by this development because Abellanosa this early in his term is working to improve traffic in the south. As a matter of fact, there are many intersections in the south that are in need of a tunnel to ease traffic congestion and speed up traffic flow in the area. One is at the junction of the South Road and V. Rama Avenue and the other is the intersection of the South Road and C. Padilla Street.
That said, I think it is important for Abellanosa to coordinate with the city government so that his projects may win the approval of the City Development Council and be implemented as soon as they are approved, though I do not see any problem because the tunnel unlike the flyover does not spoil the scenery.
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There is now a question that needs to be answered by our lawmakers if they are included in the plunder charge sheet drawn up by the Department of Justice: Should they give up their seats in Congress?
Senate President Franklin Drilon answered in the negative because he said that there is a procedure that should be followed. However, we are not asking the lawmakers to be investigated but to voluntarily give up their seats out of delicadeza. They should remember that the people voted them into office because the people trusted them. Their misuse of the pork barrel was a betrayal of trust.
In the event a plunder case is filed against the lawmakers they cannot post bail and therefore they can be jailed. Thus, it is only fair that they resign. Why should we the people pay them when they are not working? Let us apply the “no pay, no work” policy to these abusers of the people’s money. They no longer deserve to be called “Honorable.” They have done great dishonor to our people and country. They should be ashamed. They should hear the lament of their countrymen because little has been done to improve their lot in life.
In Mindanao, it has been observed that our soldiers are wearing worn-out shoes while our lawmakers are shod in Bally’s and Florsheims. Our Congress has wasted so much money in graft and corruption as revealed by pork scam whistle-blower Benhur Luy. This is scandalous since many Filipinos live below the poverty line and are need of financial assistance to cope with difficulties.
We are really hoping and praying that the Department of Justice would work for the conviction of those involved in the pork barrel scam. They should be jailed.
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Today our country faces a war in Zamboanga City that has been attacked by the armed members of the Nur Misuari faction of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF).
The armed conflict in Zamboanga has been going on for one week with no cease-fire in sight. Apparently Misuari is fuming over his group’s being left out of the new Bangsamoro Agreement with the government and is now bent on showing that the MNLF is still a force to be reckoned with.
But Misuari and the MNLF had their opportunity when he was the governor of the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao. Unfortunately, he bungled it. In spite of the region’s huge budget it remained poor while Misuari got filthy rich. It is time to move on and develop the potential of the great island of Mindanao.
