BY: DONALD SEVILLA
THE MANY FACES OF CORRUPTION
While we abhor and detest
vestiges of corrupt practices in our society, we are rendered in awe and admiration by the lifestyles of the rich and powerful among us.
Wealth accumulated through sheer hard work is worthy of praise but getting ahead because of access to people’s money is not something to be proud of.
Yet some of our public officials flaunt their wealth and lavish lifestyles in a disdainful display of insensitivity.
While virtually nobodies before being entrusted with the people’s mandate, they have come a long way from their roots.
Where before they used to live regularly like the rest of us, now they are beyond reach by mere mortals.
They live like gods in luxury and comfort.
But where did their wealth come from?
Bribes and kickbacks from government contracts are a primary source of ill- gotten wealth.
Using their power and influence to secure lucrative business deals for cronies and associates are a common practice.
But not content with “brokering “, some have even become contractors to the projects they sponsored and passed, using dummies or “borrowed ” contractors’ licenses .
This is the highest display of conflict of interest and the epitome of greed.
Yet they feel no empathy, make no qualms about showing off their wealth and dismissing people’s reactions as ” sour-graping” and products of envy.
But this scourge is embedded deep in our system that corruption has become a “syndicated” effort and conspiracy among those supposedly working first and foremost for the public interest.
Have we ever wondered why our road repairs seem endless? Newly built concrete roads are reblocked at the slightest sign of a crack and prior to an election we see this phenomenon all over, giving our motorists a lot of inconvenience.
Farm to market roads or “farm to pocket roads” as critics satirically refer to it, used to be the norm for easy money schemes but are now replaced by flood control projects and others.
The multi-billion peso flood control scandal being investigated by the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee is no laughing matter. We have also seen bridges going to nowhere, across ricefields, etc. with no clear purpose.
Amid this flurry of infrastructure activity, we have seen how our public officials transformed from average to rich, becoming instant “billionaires” .
Isn’t this true? Have we elected the right people into office? Do they deserve to be called ” honorable”?
Politicians may take offense, some threatening to sue or have even sued critics who question their integrity and honor.
But luckily for them our people are patient and submissive. Unlike in other countries, these politicians would have literally been thrown into the trash bin for being who they are, disgustingly rubbish !
Yet we are more civil and well-bred than our so-called “honorables “. Our people are not vocal and suffer in silence.
But next time we bump into them, all dressed in pomp and luxury, taking first class flights and grand vacations and demanding first class treatment, look them straight in the eye from head to foot with a questioning stare without saying a word.
Silently mutter to yourself, I am better than them and deserve more respect!