Exempting plunderers

Ben Contreras

REQUESTED by a relative to postpone my return for a day, I had my flight booked at the same time, same flight of Cebu Pacific. Flight 5J 385 was scheduled at 12:15 pm. A friend insisted on meeting me at the airport, and so I left home very early at 7 am, hoping we could have enough time to exchange pleasantries.

People were early and expectedly, there were many long lines of passengers waiting for their turn, leaving me with no choice but to check my two boxes early. Both were taped, once around and another two halfounds on both sides. The tape I used was no ordinary packaging tape but the sturdy one. I thought my boxes were safe.

Alas, when I claimed my boxes, I discovered one had been tampered with. The tape I used had been replaced with a Cebu Pacific tape. I have no way to ascertain how many items were lost. They were sample products asked of me to promote.

Cebu Pacific personnel who assisted me at the Laguindingan airport were neither apologetic nor politely helpful.

Apparently, the thieves at the airport in Manila, whether they belong to Cebu Pacific or not, still believe that our President is not serious in addressing this kind of problem or about change.

Next time around, and I would like to admonish everyone taking the airplane to take photos of your baggage just in case. Pictures don’t lie.

To Cebu Pacific, do something about this. Double check the kind of people you’re hiring. And to those who were responsible for the pilferage, tamaan sana kayo ng kidlat.

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Did they really do it, removing plunder as among the crimes punishable by death? If true, how disgusting! That piece of legislation is self-serving. Are these people afraid of death than being called plunderers? Who are you protecting, your ilk? Takot ba kayo na maraming mamamatay sa hanay ninyo?

First, legislators inserted a provision that only those who stole P50 million or more could be charged with plunder. And now, they want plunderers exempted from death penalty? How lucky could these politicians get!

Have you no shame, mga magnanakaw? You want others to die but not you, you SOBs!

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Passing by Gitagum, I saw this Commission on Audit (COA) sign on the roadside.Widening of Gitagum Bridge, it reads. Except for the name of Equi-Parco Construction Co., nothing was provided for. All others are blank.

So what is that for, COA? Where are the details? Are there devils in the details? Just asking.

If there are no details, why waste money for a sign that does not inform? I smell collusion.

A retired colonel once told me that he has documents to show me about the DPWH. I am waiting to get hold of these.