Help your fellow calamity victims

Before Supertyphoon “Yolanda” last year, a storm didn’t kill people by the thousands and destroyed communities like an atomic bomb was dropped on them.

And now comes another super storm as strong as Yolanda, codenamed “Ruby,” which, if she did not change course as this was being written, is expected to hit the same places that Yolanda had devastated.

It seems supertyphoons have become the new normal.

We just have to brace for more super typhoons.

*                               *                          *

If you live in an area slammed by Ruby and your family is safe and intact, secure them first and then try to help others who are not as fortunate as you.

Give away clothes, blankets or whatever things in excess in your household.

If that’s not possible, you may want to volunteer at the Red Cross or the Department of Social Welfare and Development by helping pack relief goods.

If you’re able-bodied, then you may want to take part in relief and rescue operations.

The time and effort you spend for your fellowman in need will not be in vain.

I’d like to cite an inspiring message I got on my cellular phone from a friend, one of many I receive every now and then on the benefits of helping those in need.

It’s worth taking to heart.

“In helping others, we shall help ourselves, for whatever good we give out completes the circle and comes back to us.

“Only those who have learned the power of sincere and selfless contribution experience life’s deepest joy… True Fulfillment.”

*                                   *                           *

Alan Purisima, chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), has been suspended for six months by the Office of the Ombudsman for an allegedly anomalous contract with a courier service used for the delivery of PNP-issued gun licenses.

I am not passing judgment on Purisima since he has yet to be tried by the Sandiganbayan on corruption charges, but the place he has temporarily vacated should be filled up immediately.

A leader should always be at the helm of the 125,000-strong organization. The PNP does not lack good leaders even with Purisima’s absence.

Deputy Director Felipe Rojas, PNP deputy chief for administration, reached mandatory retirement age of 56 yesterday, his birthday.

But Leonardo Espina, deputy chief for operation, and Marcelo Garbo, chief of directorial staff, are available to fill up Purisima’s place for the meantime.

Both disciplinarians and professional officers, they were Purisima’s classmates at the Philippine Military Academy.

So the suggestion that Interior Secretary Mar Roxas, who has supervision over the PNP, should be appointed acting PNP chief is ridiculous.

*                                     *                             *

A letter to the editor Friday defended Mayor Leonardo “Sandy” Javier of Javier, Leyte province after a recent news item appeared to have put him in a bad light over a supposed irregularity in his town.

I fully agree that Sandy Javier will never be involved in an irregularity involving money.

The guy is a billionaire. He gives away vast sums of money from his own pocket not only to his constituents but to other charity projects outside his town.

I know this because every Christmas season, he sends my foundation cartons of assorted canned goods to be distributed to the poorest of the poor.

Why should Sandy Javier, who started the very successful Andok’s lechon manok chain, dirty his hands for a paltry sum?