BY:DONALD SEVILLA
A CALL TO ARMS
The national news of late has been full of revelations and bombshells on issues that have caught our attention.
From the ” missing sabungeros ” to the controversial flood control projects of the DPWH which the President included in his SONA , our people are anxiously waiting for the outcome of investigations being conducted on these matters.
These are not just mere topics for trash talk and “marites ” fodder but concerns that affect our lives as a society in a “billion” ways.
Yet the way we handle these issues is a reflection of our psyche and mindsets. We have long grappled with various ills of our society that have spread like terminal cancer that it becomes difficult for us to prioritize where treatment should start if it is still treatable at all.
It seems we are stuck in mud, bound in this vicious cycle of anomalies, investigations and washed-up findings that leave big fish free.
It is ironic that only the poor and powerless bear the consequences of their crimes, while those who stole millions and billions of taxpayers money are free to flaunt and enjoy their loot.
If we are to be truly honest to ourselves, it is not difficult to see why many of our public officials live in luxury and comfort.
We turn a blind eye, even praising them for their perceived acts of generosity designed to boost their political power and influence.
Our people are kept poor, awaiting doleouts from their “generous” benefactors.
To add insult to our misery, we become beholden to these political manipulators.
Yet what must be done? We heard countless voices in the past vehemently protesting against corruption only to fall silent when the battle begins.
We are bribed, threatened and intimidated by those in power that nothing happens significantly.
But now the cries and voices calling out these transgressions are resounding again. Maybe we don’t have to shout at the top of our voices to be heard from afar.
We need only to look beside us and howl in protest as this scourge has affected our nation from top to bottom.
We just need to look around and see for ourselves. Have our local leaders been true to their word and commitment to our people?
Where have their wealth come from?