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Ric Maulion

“Shouting is an effective communication… in the forest.”

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I AM retired from the government after serving for roughly three decades. I started as an executive secretary to the director in-charge of all correspondence for DAR in Region 10  and became a municipal agrarian reform officer  assigned in the uplands of Bukidnon to Misamis Oriental and the marshlands of the Agusan del Sur towns of Veruela, San Luis, Loreto and La Paz. It was a welcome development… to retire in order to spend the rest of your life with your family.

Frankly, while the windfall of an 18-month take-home pay was huge, doubled by EO 366 (leave credits  given corresponding 100-percent payout), nothing is far sweeter than your moral persuasion and sanity held intact during your graceful exit. That’s priceless. Material possessions are fleeting. They are extra-baggage while peace and contentment are eternal!

This is no mean feat however  following the wisdom of my advisers about options to take. I was vindicated.

Unlike the local government, there was not much politics involved in the operations for as long as you didn’t rock the boat, baby. Actually, I did rub elbows and then went against my supervisors on valid and legitimate issues. One director was forced to explain my legitimate complaint from the Secretary.

There were rallies staged by the Regional Alliance of Government Employees over the standardization of salaries, and I was the secretary general.

And then we went against the then DAR Secretary Miriam Defensor Santiago over the militarization of the DAR bureaucracy, and I was the Soledar vice president for Mindanao at that time. I had thought that given my progressive stand for farmers and rank-and-file employees, I would be thrown back to Caraga where my item belonged. But, no! The director might have appreciated my efforts, concern and initiatives that he kept me in Region 10, and we then became the closest of friends for good.

But I had my share of harassments and shouting matches over the ugly side of politics against the powers-that-be. For standing my ground, I got two badges of honor. First, was a libel case, ironically, when the now late Raul Roco, et al. filed a Senate bill to decriminalize it. The second was a malicious mischief charge. The cases were done in the name of persecution, and I had thought that I would be spending my Christmas vacation right at Manolo Fortich municipal jail. I appealed the decision (a conviction) and the Regional Trial Court upheld my innocence.

My advice to those still serving and fighting is, don’t be afraid. As long as you don’t intentionally dip your hands into government coffers, there is nothing to worry about!

This reminds me the infamy of the present administration. Yes, the “best” President so far, praised by his minions, his trolls and apologists unmindful of the health of the nation. But methinks this is the way to go.

I saw this coming from Day 1, after the certificate of psychological imbalance made by Dr. Dayan was leaked. That explains Duterte’s knack for spewing fire and brimstone whenever he gets criticized. Signs are written all over his face — contorted lines on forehead pronounced, eyes almost popping out from their sockets. Like a snake about to throw dreaded venom, he is irresistible.  He wears many faces of contradiction. He can be courteous when you are before him but he’s a b@#$%^& gentlemen whenever he speaks in public, columnist John Nery observes.

I hope his words would not become  law of the land like his idol who ruled many years back.

Indeed, what a disservice this President is making. What is the message this sender is giving to the receiver? Why can’t he just be tolerant of a healthy debate in a democracy? Or is he not  just merely playing around and waiting for the proper time to institute dictatorship?

The country once trailed way behind other nations in one International Transparency survey. With this President on top dishing out expletives as breakfast for the public and international community, it seems we’re way behind again.

Living in fear is not healthy, XU history Professor Elizabeth Enerio says. I couldn’t agree for more. It’s just like walking anxious of your own shadow, thinking that it’s following you.

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TRAILBLAZER. Established in 1989, Mindanao Gold Star Daily aimed set ablaze a new meaning and flame to the local newspaper industry. Throughout the years it continued its focus and interest in the rural areas and pioneered the growth of community journalism.