2025
The year is almost over and there have been a lot of things going on here and around the world. Typhoons and earthquakes have literally ravaged the Philippines causing billions in damage and destruction. And sadly, it had also caused many deaths and injuries. This massive natural calamities have caused great suffering and hardships especially those in high-risk areas. We can only pray for those affected and send help in our own personal way, however small it is, it will add up.
Lining pockets with the people's money
The news outlets have been publishing contents related to these calamities, which have overshadowed the man-made ones. The issues of corruption and ghost projects take a backseat to these more urgent matters, but it doesn't mean that it is less of a problem for the country. On the contrary, it may even be a bigger one. Corruption in the public works have been recently exposed with projects related to flood control connected to high government officials and billions in bribes, and cuts, and SOPs. Time will tell if the government is serious about this and the investigations really make an impact.
More than this, the people should not accept corruption as "normal". Yes, it happens, but it should not be normalized in a free and democratic country. And although we won't see "zero" corruption in our lifetime. We must strive to prevent corrupt people from running the government. "Ang katiwalian ang sanhi ng kahirapan." (Corruption is the cause of poverty.). Or more correctly, one of the causes of our misery as a people. To make a point, the average provincial government budget might be around 5 Billion Pesos (just a guess...). Taking into account what we hear in the news, that 30% of that is lost to corruption. Then out of the PhP5B budget, only PhP3.5B are used in projects and government programs. PhP1.5B goes into the pockets of contractors and their counterparts in government.
What can we do?
I don't know how true these things really are, but if we are to believe what is being said in the senate and congressional hearings, then we are screwed. I truly hope that we can shift our mindset as a nation to screw those politicians that corrupt our country. Proclaiming to be saviors while pushing our country down. These wolves in sheep's clothing are the plague that have infected our government institutions and we must find the antibiotics that will cure our country.
Finally
And, that's it for today's blog post. Just ranting after seeing some of the happenings in and around the country. Feeds have started to shift, but I think we need to put this at the top of our list of qualifications in the next general elections in 2028. No to corrupt politicians.
