Immorality in government

Ben Contreras

A PHOTO was sent to my place showing three cars parked at a construction site of a big house in a posh subdivision owned by Robinsons–a Prado, a Ford Expedition or something, and a pick-up truck of a known businessman.

If we are to advocate for clean and honest elections, would that be enough without taking into consideration the morality issues of our candidates?

It’s almost like the Filipino favorite telenovela which everyone can easily relate to.

“Bakit mo pinapatulan and asawa ko?”

“Bakit, kasalanan ko ba kung siya ay mahumaling sa akin?”

Or, “Huwag kang makialam sa buhay ko. Magahanap ka ng sariling mong kasintahan!”

I don’t even think it is about love. It’s all about using another for one’s agenda.

When there is so much hypocrisy in our midst that we learn to accept it as norm, then we are in trouble as a society.

In other Asian nations, a mere suspicion would already merit a resignation. Here, even when it has become common knowledge, the immorality continues. What’s that again, we are a macho country?

One private organization underwent an overhaul, and one of the reasons that necessitated it was that its office was allegedly turned into a motel. In short, a morality issue. So, what makes it different from this talk allegedly about city hall being turned into a motel? Is morality not a serious issue anymore?

Who is buying apartments? Who is buying expensive cars? Who is building huge houses in posh subdivision? Do these questions no longer matter? Who is having extramarital relationship? Who is allegedly abusing summer job beneficiaries? Why would a husband all of a sudden die? Was it frustration or shame? And these are irrelevant, right?

There is no smoke if there is no fire. People do not talk if they’re not happening. The problem is not whether we have an honest election or not. The problem is, do we have honest government officials?

LP can never be for “Matuwid na Daan.” Until LP runs after its erring members the way it runs after its perceived political rivals and enemies, it’s as dirt cheap as the rest.

It wasn’t long ago that people talked of Dongkoy Emano leaving City Hall bankrupt. Today, after less than three years, people are already talking that Oca Moreno will leave the city government bankrupt. And yet, the very same people saying this aren’t doing anything to stop it, at least, vocally and in the open.

And who is this Castro? He is said to be from Gingoog City who worked for Moreno when the latter was governor of the province. He is allegedly a recipient of a house at a relocation site in Pagatpat. Has Moreno become a shepherd like Dongkoy, bringing his flock to the city?

The sender left a note: “There will be more.”

• •

There was this story about five witnesses on a shady deal being attempted but failed. One is a businessman. Three are lawyers and the fifth, the Lord (ang Ginoo). Why the deal didn’t materialize was due to 10m reasons.

There is a sequel to this story and whatever is the motive, we can only wait for more details to come in. This is not about justice. This is all about extortion.