After the calm, the storm

Ben Contreras

AFTER 16 months, the din has not eased up a bit and the attempt to discredit and destabilize this regime is seen to intensify as if every day seems their last ditch to wrest power. Certain quarters in our society whose interest they find threatened are willing instrument in this effort to topple the Duterte presidency. A sizable number from the mainstream media are only too willing to cooperate for a price.

Nope, Duterte never claimed to be a saintly person. But the stones thrown against him hardly differ from any of those past presidents we have had, making it clear that the issues are not these but politics. The contribution of mainstream media in this sinister effort could have been devastating had it not for the social media that served and continue to serve as a counter force.

The opposing sides make use of the social media to the hilt. At least, when one side hurls an accusation, the other could readily answer back. It’s totally different with the mainstream media where one cannot immediately respond and refute or support.

It is said that some media personalities are working with certain international organizations that receives financial support from a much bigger and covert organization. Some have already been identified, according to report. Again, it’s not about being a nationalist or traitor but money. The coffer seems bottomless.

Whether we like it or not, Duterte will end his term in six years or earlier if his health won’t allow him to continue. But to remove him prematurely and against the mandated due course, his enemies might just be doing Duterte’s supporters a great favor should it result in a declaration of a revolutionary government.

Time is fleeting. Why not wait for the president’s term to expire and work together? Are his detractors ready for confrontation in the streets or in the battlefield? Propaganda only lead to hurt feelings and hatred. That’s not healthy for a nation if the people are too divided.

There is really no need to measure how popular the president is. It can easily be determined at the sound of the first shot. But what for? Friendships have been broken, families torn apart. For all those accusations and counter accusations, the ills of our society continue. We are not responsible citizens if we see only the evils of our enemies but silent on the evils of our friends.

We are all responsible for the kind of community we live in and the government we want to be. Honestly, had we been just one big tract of land, many of us would not have seen the light of day because our crab mentality would have brought us to civil war several times over.

If we allow ourselves to play into the games of the mighty powers, then the greatest tragedy would be to kill your own kin. Beware, after the calm, the storm. God forbid.

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Consider these:

COWD has a grant from USAID to rehabilitate our water system. It’s on going. Why does it need Metro Pacific?

When that signing ceremony saw print, I was told by an insider to watch this guy bring home a new vehicle.

The signing ceremony is just that, ceremonial, no real documents and the mayor is not even supposed to be there to someone’s surprise. And what a coincidence, Moreno and a few of his protégées were there. Why?

Why would Metropac buy an outfit with a pending case? What’s the deal? Who made money? How much?  Why was there no consultation?

If Rio Verde is worth P500 million, why would Metropac buy it for P2 billion plus? What’s the catch?  Is it the P5.55 per cubic meter increase in the water rate? P5.55 x 100,000 cbm x 30 days x 12 months x 15 years equals P2,997,000,000. Ayha mabawi ang investment. But then, Metropac, if it gains control of our water system, will always increase the price we pay. Who’s going to stop them? Not our city officials who probably got paid handsomely.

Another COWD admin-board feud looms in the horizon.