Uncontrolled greed

When you are an opinion writer like us, supposed to articulate the thinking of people, you cannot help getting nauseated, frustrated, disappointed, and disenchanted with the way people's money is stolen by our dishonest government officials whose greed has appeared insatiable.

How low have our moral values dipped!

The National Broadband Network project was to cost only a hundred million dollars but the contract with ZTE of China placed it at $329 million. The amount stolen would have been a staggering $229 million?

Projects of this kind are to be on a Build, Operate, and Transfer (BOT) basis. ZTE Corporation, said Senate witness Rodolfo Lozada Jr., would stick to the North Rail project arrangement.

In the Senate inquiry, it was pointed out, the South Rail project for 30 kilometers and contracted with a Korean firm cost us only $50 million. But the North Rail project of some 34 kilometers cost the country $503 million.

We were on a tour of Mindanao but that Friday when Jun Lozada was testifying in the Senate, we stopped traveling and at the staff house of Ric Yanson's Bachelor Express in Cagayan de Oro, we listened to the testimony of Lozada.

Let us all support Rodolfo Noel Lozada, Jr. for standing up. Let there be more Jun Lozada who, though he called himself “Provincianong Intsik” (a Provincial Chinese), as a Filipino stood up very bravely for the country.

* * *

I got this text passed on to me supposedly from Teresita Ang See, a Tsinoy who also stood up for the country:

“All of us Filipinos take pride in having a Jun Lozada in our midst, for Tsinoys especially, who often prefer to be bystanders, we salute him for standing up for what is right.

“Atty. Sergio Apostol's racist comment is uncalled for. He should work to exile corrupt public servants instead to fill up the Philippines with upright people regardless of ethnic origin. That's the way we can make this country great again.”

What Apostol actually said, as quoted by media was, “They say, he is a Chinese from the province. Bagay sa iyo edeport ka. Magulo ka dito (You should be deported because you are troublesome.)”

I got a text message the President ordered Apostol to apologize.

Let this heroism of a Tsinoy, especially in the week that we celebrate the BacoLaodiat, ring in our mind.

* * *

I got this other text from Celphone No. 09063637756, to give you an idea of business experience dealing with a faulty system.

“Lozada is super right about the procurement process. A very qualified supplier can be eliminated simply because the government agency has all the right to reject bids with even the slightest fault. Even if only one supplier is present the bidding can be pushed through. I was disqualified once by not specifying the delivery period.”

I believe the problem is also with our businessmen.

If we have businessman who will do it right and is not afraid to denounce the malpractice, he can enlist the support of civic groups. Bantay Banwa will be just too willing. Media too. Get the right people to help you.

The problem is you think others are just as corruptible as many of those in government. We are not lacking of a Jun Lozada here among the “provincianong intsik,” I will be just as happy if graft and corruption here will be fought by our ethnic brothers like Jun Lozada.

* * *

We have returned from an 8-day trip to Mindanao where we logged some 1,378 kilometers covering two-thirds of Mindanao . Our Sunshine Boys chairman Ric Yanson showed a real leadership and Dr. Ed Mercado proved to be the best organizer.

I just have some little insights. I'm just being repetitious but this is for my friend Congressman Iggy Arroyo. All the roads we passed except those in the fifth district, were all first class roads.

Mindanao , except Basilan and Sulu, is peaceful. Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte said there is zero criminality in Davao City . Criminals there said his men, commit suicide. Before we left though, he whispered, “ Tikal lang na. (I was just bragging.)”

Zamboanga del Sur Gov. Rolando Yebes, Dipolog Mayor Evelyn Uy, Iligan Mayor Lawrence Cruz, Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Constantino Jaraula, Bukidnon Governor Jose Zubiri, Agusan del Sur Gov. Ma. Agustina G. Plaza , and San Francisco Mayor Carl Lademora told us their places are peaceful.

When we were in Cebu , we were told the last two years, 178 criminals were killed. Who did it nobody knew. These were the criminals released from jail. So, one time five criminals refused to be released. They were electrocuted in their cell.

Shall we send out police to those places to study how to stop criminality.

I want to acknowledge a number of e-mail I got when I dropped by at the office last night. I will take them up soon.*

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