Here and There
Moral reform via Cha-cha
By Gerry Garcia
THERE’S a sudden upsurge in the rise of “councils for moral reform” in our government following whistle-blower Joey de Venecia II’s expose’ of over-pricing and bribery in the $329-M national broadband network -ZTE Corp., deal, with the ironic twist that the main drive for reform in the government is led by unceremoniously-ousted House Speaker de Venecia who had been co-leader and founder with PGMA herself of the largest political coalition group rooting for the Administration.
Formation of another group outside the government is also in the offing led by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) and comprised further by the Black and White Movement, Association of Major Religious Superiors in the Philippines, Integrated Bar of the Philippines, Makati Business Club, Muslim Legal Assistance Foundation, Bangon Pilipinas Movement of JIL Brother Eddie Villanueva, the Party Lists Groups Bayan and Gabriela, etc.
The groups, however, according to sectoral leader Bishop Oscar Cruz of Lingayen -Dagupan archdiocese, have not yet arrived at consensus on what to do . . . but agreed on pursuing a “communal action” based on watching, praying and finally acting.
A day after De Venecia launched his Council for Moral Revolution, Malacañang came up with its own National Reform Council which is tantamount to investigation of irregularities within its turf — an ego-centered probe of self!
* * * *
What we see is a program of moral reformation which will go anywhere except moral reformation given the same people doing the reforming and the circumstances giving lee-way to corruption.
People power revolts resorted to in the past to oust unwanted leaders had ended where they started — corruption in government and big-time politicos who had spent so much for the tempting privileges of a national elective position. The pork barrel is only one glaring example from a long list of perks that come with the position.
Recently Malacañang, long known to be the bed of corruption, was disturbed by allegations of huge government kickbacks in major foreign-funded projects and ordered concerned government agencies to stop securing official development assistance ODA) for 11 big -time projects, including the controversial Cyber-Education Project worth P104 billion and to have them funded instead from local source. Also included are other NEDA infrastructure projects like New Communications, Navigation, Surveillance and Air Traffic Management System Development Project worth P2.64 billion, etc.
Erstwhile Speaker JDV, Jr., prime advocate of the shift to a unicameral parliamentary government from the presidential bicameral system . . . also sees hope in the federal type in which government political power is divided between a central or national authority and smaller, locally autonomous units such as provinces or states under the terms of a Constitution, like those in Switzerland, Belgium and Canada.
He believes that federalism would be a safeguard against separation because it will protect the identities of our diverse communities and empower them to make their future in their own hands. JDV further thinks federalism may be the answer not only in the Philippines but also to the conflicts in Iraq and Myanmar.
The Muslim rebel leaders in Mindanao even reassured then Speaker JDV that federalism would satisfy their demands for a state of their own.
Even Sen. Nene Pimentel, sole senator from strife-ridden Mindanao and head of the Opposition was in favor of charter change advocating shift to federal unicameral parliamentary government.
(Readers may reach columnist at sundaypunch2@yahoo.com. For past columns, click http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/archives/category/opinion/here-and-there/ For reactions to this column, click “Send MESSAGES, OPINIONS, COMMENTS” on default page.)
Share your Comments or Reactions
Powered by Facebook Comments
