Boggles the mind

In our piece yesterday, we printed what a reader texted us that the supposed to be commission in the NBN-ZTE deal of $132 million dollars which, at the time, was equivalent to P6.5 billion at an exchange rate of P50 to $1, was more than half of the budget of the Department of Health.

He mentioned many more that the P6.5 billion could have done for the health care of our people. And, he said, this is only one of the many deals people in government stole money.

The amounts boggle the mind.

It is very disappointing.

* * *

Government tries hard to borrow and compromise the future of our children. That is why there is a law that requires that projects like that of the NBN or that of the South Rail and the North Rail are supposed to be done through the Build, Operate, and Transfer scheme.

The investors build the projects, operate, then if they have gotten back their investments, they transfer the projects to the government.

But our officials put aside that law and insist on having a loan to pay the project. Then they jack up the price to include their commission. Commission is corruption.

In short, our officials have already stolen the money for themselves and we and the future generation will pay in the next 20 to 25 years.

Try to visualize the magnitude of what are being done to us. We need to be angry.

* * *

Before the war, Negros Occidental had the best roads, even if they were not used to transport sugar canes. Canes then were brought to the mills by trains. At that time, there was the district which meant you had to mill in the district where your plantations were located.

And planters were given a quota. You produce your quota.

The good roads were built by then Governor Isaac Lacson, the fellow who also built the provincial capitol.

It's a pity people have already forgotten Isaac Lacson, the great builder. And he got big loans from the bank and paid them promptly.

I got this from the late Gov. Bipoy Gomez who succeeded the late Gov. Valing Gatuslao when the latter died while in office. Bipoy ran in 1967 but was no match to Junior Montelibano. They are all dead now.

* * *

Bipoy told me his grandiose plans which could equal if not surpass the achievements of Isaac Lacson. I just laughed because I knew and told him, he did not have the character of a hard worker and strong leader. He was just a plain dreamer. He agreed.

And true, in the 1967 election, he was no match to the charisma and political machinery of the Montelibanos.

But, there was just something I can not forget that Bipoy Gomez said, “Isaac Lacson was an honest man. He never touched a centavo of the money allotted for the roads.”

Today, knowing funds released are good if 50 percent are actually used for the project. Before the funds get out of Malacañang, there are people already getting a share.

Congressmen or Senators who facilitated them get their share. Mayors get their share, sharing them with the councilors.

So, you don't have to be surprised if a road built deteriorates so fast. Inferior materials are used and are even not up to standard. Where it needs 10 bags of cement, very much less is used.

* * *

That is why we need people to stand up, denounce and lead the filing of cases against them. That is why people have revered Rodolfo Noel Lozada, Jr., the whistle blower in the NBN deal.

And there is a strong pressure for CHED Chairman Romulo Neri to testify to the truth. He refused to testify because if he does, he cannot help but reveal the truth.

But we need to pressure him. Not just the militants, the Makati businessmen, the professionals, the lawyers group…. All of us must pressure Neri.

We are happy we have a Vicente Navarra here, a very well respected Bishop by many other Bishops all over the country.

He is good. Cool and discerning, fair and firm. He has his own mind and not easily swayed.

With the Bishop leading, I hope we can awaken the people to what is happening all over the country. I agree with him, not to make GMA resign lest it gets us into a deeper trouble. Two years we can bear.

What is important is put pressure on the President.*

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