Shame scammers, Senator Santiago urges grads

By: TJ Burgonio - 11 years ago

MANILA, Philippines—Shame the scammers.

Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago on Saturday exhorted the youth to hound the lawmakers implicated in the P10-billion pork barrel scam on Facebook, Twitter and other social media, “until they shed their thick hides.”

In a speech, Santiago rallied high school graduates in Cavite to participate in the country’s political affairs, and “do something” a-bout national problems before they get worse.

Since they pay taxes by buying goods, eating at restaurants and using public transport, the youth have a right to be “angry” with the politicians who stole these taxes, she said.

“The pork barrel scam, for example, concerns you,” she told the high school graduates of Rogationist College in Silang town.

The most logical thing to do, the feisty senator advised them, was not to vote for these politicians when they turn 18.

“Instead, shame them now. Take your campaign to Facebook, Twitter or Tumblr. Post your grievances on these politicians’ walls. Tweet them your disappointments,” she said.

“Eventually, these politicians will shed their thick hides because of the shame, and reveal themselves to be spineless pathetic creatures,” she said.

Senators Juan Ponce Enrile, Jinggoy Estrada and Ramon Revilla Jr. and several House members are facing complaints of plunder before the Ombudsman for allegedly funnelling millions of pesos of their pork barrel to dubious nongovernment organizations.

The scam continues to rivet the country as more witnesses emerge to testify on the links of some legislators and government officials to the scam where their pork barrel was converted into kickbacks allegedly by Janet Lim-Napoles.

Santiago told the graduates they were “never too young” to make a difference and take part in state affairs.

“To borrow a quotation from Mahatma Ghandi, be the change you want to see in the world. You will be inheriting this country along with its problems. Before these problems can get any worse, be concerned, do something about them,” she said.

For starters, they should be leaders in their communities, organize other youngsters, and craft plans for the good of their baran-gays or cities, the senator said.

“You can also call radio stations or the local TV channel to air your grievances. You can also start letter-writing campaigns and distribute information packages to officials and the media,” she said.

Santiago gave another piece of advice to the graduates: “Learn from my generation, and do not repeat our mistakes.”

“Be the best leaders our country deserves. But first, you should give yourselves a pat on the back. Hurdling four years of high school is certainly a big accomplishment,” she said.

Speaking of their transition to college, Santiago said they could achieve success if they were determined, hardworking, curious, optimistic and grateful.

“A study by the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay found that successful students are those who have almost perfect attendance; who come to class prepared; who show interest in their classes; who are able to connect past learning experiences to understand new materials; and who have a positive attitude towards learning,” she said.