Give relief goods fairly

Last Saturday, my political science student Pio Ranile and former students Paolo Baliling, James Kiunisala, Pamela Gelaga and I went up north to Medellin town to deliver some relief goods.

The gifts were collected by my students in Parliamentary Rules and Philippine Government and the 1987 Constitution at the University of San Carlos.

As we traveled by land from the city we observed the marks of destruction starting from the town of Tabogon up to Bogo City and Medellin. Banana and other trees were flattened. Lampposts were bent. Houses were destroyed. Along the streets, people, mostly children begged for anything from the motorists.

When I arrived in Medellin, I immediately met with Mayor Ricardo Ramirez who told me their sad experience of getting the short end in the distribution of relief goods from the provincial government.

Ramirez told me that relief goods were distributed by the province to people who are not town officials and thereby not accountable to the public.

I think Capitol leaders should look into this deplorable situation and address the problem just as the President of the country should visit the town and hopefully the officials headed by Mayor Ramirez.

It is an opportunity for the governor to show statesmanship. And I would like to reiterate that partisan politics has no place in a calamity especially when people are suffering lack of food, water and electricity.

Knowing Gov. Hilario Davide III, I am confident that he would immediately respond positively to the problem.

* * *

He’s back. I’m referring to boxing icon Manny Pacquiao who battered opponent Mexican Brandon Rios in a lopsided match in Macau last Sunday.

Manny was his usual self, fast and furious, so much so that he transformed the match into a neat lesson for Rios.

There was no sign that Manny just got knocked out by Juan Manuel Marquez in a previous fight. No doubt, Manny was in his best shape and came out to fight and make history again by winning convincingly.

People were convinced that Manny still has what it takes to be a champion. Indeed, it was a great and convincing comeback that put many doomsayers to rest.

* * *

I am happy that many members of Congress are convinced to put the infamous pork barrel back in the general fund and use it to finance the rehabilitation of areas devastated by Supertyphoon Yolanda.

That was the best decision so far made by the members of Congress who are set to tackle another controversy, the Anti-Dynasty bill that is now supported by leaders of the House of Representatives.

I believe that once this bill becomes a law, the Filipino people would elect candidates who run to sincerely help in the development of our country instead of adding to the people’s miseries.

This bill can be seen as the final nail on the coffin of patronage politics. We can look forward to drafting and passing quality laws. Congress would be composed of truly honorable men and women.

But it would take an ever-vigilant people to guard the portals of power from corrupt government officials especially in Congress.

This is the right time to come up with political reforms starting with the legislature.