Bad trip

LAKBAY ARAL is a well-intended program that is meant to give our elected local government officials and other public service staff opportunities to learn by exposure. The program seeks to encourage local government units to fund organized trips for learning best practices, initiating interaction and forming networks, and knowledge-sharing – basically using travelling as a means of improving public service.

But as in any good-meaning program, it has been prone to abuse and misuse just as we have seen in Dagupan City. At a time when the national government has been pleading for austerity as it endeavors to stamp out corruption and excessiveness in public service, our local political leaders are expected to lead by example. But none of the public clamor for reforms to curb corruption in our midst seems to connect with the occupants at the city hall, and of late, the barangay chairmen in tow.

Going on a holiday cruise, ostensibly for Lakbay Aral, is an attempt at hoodwinking the city. Even if the gallivanting barangay chairmen and other city officials of Dagupan claim they spent personal funds, the whole deal smacks of another conspiracy at the city hall. At the outset, there are already a contradiction of terms. Lakbay Aral is intended for local travel not foreign travel; and to invoke Lakbay Aral connotes use of public funds.

This is definitely one bad trip that Dagupenos cannot and should not ignore

The Department of Interior and Local Government is duty-bound to investigate how the claimed Lakbay Aral was funded, planned and implemented. If there is enough indication that public funds, i.e., internal revenue allotment, barangay funds, etc., were used for this pleasure trip by the city mayor, the councilors and the barangay chairmen, then there is a case for the Ombudsman to prosecute.

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Miriam owes Pacquiao an apology

GOING ballistic once more, Sen. Miriam Santiago has just unleashed a below-the-belt blast – against Rep. Manny Pacquiao.

After Pacquiao expressed his opposition to the RH Bill, he drew unfriendly fire from Miriam.  She said: “Pacquiao should refrain from making comments about the Reproductive Health Bill.”  She even pounced on the English grammar of Pacquiao – an act that was shockingly bizarre.

When ordinary citizens like us can say anything we want, for as long as it is within the bounds of constitutional, legal or moral grounds, why can’t Pacquiao, a duly elected congressman representing Sarangani Province, say his?

Pacquiao deserves an apology from Miriam.

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