The law is good, but we need cash

By Al S. Mendoza

WE are actually a nation of laws.  Sadly, we are also a nation of law-breakers.

I cite this in the wake of a bill pending in the Senate.

Funny, but if this law is approved, it will punish the lawmakers themselves.

So, will it be passed?

I doubt.

But then, for the sake of argument, let’s talk about it.

It’s a bill banning politicians or incumbent elected officials from putting their names in billboards where projects are being under construction.

So, once approved, Congressman Pulpol can no longer put his name on a billboard put up beside a road project, saying, “This road is being constructed by Congressman Pulpol.”

Or, “This bridge is being constructed by Governor Palpak.”

Or, “This flyover is being constructed by President Balut.”

The law, once approved, now treats this a crime and the politician concerned can be sent to jail, fined, or both.

You believe this bill will be enacted into law?

If your answer is yes, good luck.

As I said, I have doubts.

If it reaches first base, that’d be a homerun already.

Look, why would they pass a law that would be against them?

Have you seen someone pick up a stone and use it to smash his/her head?

Only a fool would.

Are our lawmakers fools?

Of course not.

For so long, they are more of fool-makers rather than do-gooders who rarely craft laws for the good of the people.

And, if they had done one good deed, that law is hardly being enforced at all.

We have an anti-gambling law, right?

But jueteng goes on in the city we all love, in the province.

We have an anti-belching law, right?

But jeepneys and buses choke us daily with poisons spewed by their mufflers.

We have bribery laws, right?

But we see kotong cops everyday roaming the streets.

We have an anti-vote buying law, right?

But if a President can steal the vote and go scot-free, then the candidate for mayor, congressman and governor can do a much lesser crime than say Hello Garci?

We have a law against illegal fish pens, right?

But we see an abundance of them at Calmay River, and its surroundings.

In short, there is virtually a law for everything.

The tragedy is, most, if not all, are not being enforced.

The law is good, but we need cash—as in kotong. Lagay.

Soon, Congressman Pulpol’s name cannot be seen anymore on billboards he had put up beside a road project that he is building for his constituents?

Tickle mo more, Tikoy.

Back to Homepage

Share your Comments or Reactions

comments

Powered by Facebook Comments