PDAF local-style

AS we watch the twists and turns in the ongoing PDAF-scam investigation in the Senate, we must ask ourselves: How is it in our localities?

The systematic corruption — and its perpetrators — that is now under scrutiny at the Senate hearings is definitely not unique at the national level of government. The pocketing of public funds is likewise widespread in local governments. It should take even just one concerned and determined public voice to prompt an inquiry, and an honest council to pursue the allegation. If the municipality or city level sounds daunting, start in your own villages. Demand the barangay officials to post a financial report at the community hall. Little steps are what it will take to eventually achieve real transparency in governance in this country.

City and town auditors should now be on notice. They should be prepared to be called to explain why some irregularities reported by their constituents were not questioned in the first place or not demanded of a full explanation from those accountable for the funds.

Unnoticed by the public are the huge “Development funds” included in the annual budgets of local governments. These Development funds if put together can make the Priority Development Assistance Funds of senators and congressman look like small change. Every peso stolen by corrupt officials builds up into the billions that could have, should have been spent for infrastructure development the delivery of public services.

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New door

 HE wasn’t even close to winning a bronze medal, but still, the prospects of victory looked bright.  Michael Christian Martinez finished a mere 19th among 30 qualifiers in the Sochi Winter Olympics in Russia last week but not after wowing the crowd and a Filipino nation suddenly enthralled at seeing their kind performing on the world stage in a sport that is completely alien to them.  We’ve been used to competing in the Summer Olympics just a few years after the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) was formed in 1911.  That’s because summer is a natural for us.  But the Winter Olympics?  We don’t have winter in the first place and so, how come Martinez was there?

Oh, well, the world is changing.  And, if we go by how well he had performed in Sochi, Martinez, only 17, has suddenly thrust himself into the spotlight and might well be our strongest candidate yet to capture that elusive first ever Olympic gold.  Who knows, that might happen in the 2018 Korean Winter Games, when Martinez will already be at the ripe age of 21.

Where it used to be only one venue — the Summer Olympics — there is two now, including the Winter Games, for us to aim for the gold.

Thank you, Michael, for opening a new door for us.

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