15 November 2005
OPINION: When anomalies stink, they stink a whole lot
The Pen Speaks
Danny O. Sagun
EVEN at this stage, the underlying motive for the ill-conceived plan to regulate parking in the city’s main thoroughfares -- which are mostly national roads—smells, and it smells a lot. It will only fill the pockets of some individuals to the disadvantage of the city.
Imagine a 70-30 sharing scheme (even 80-20, according to Roland H), with the much-bigger bulk going to the contractor! By any language, that’s a big bonanza for the favored contractor with practically no effort at all on his part. Laway lang ang puhunan. In our dialect, ilol.
So disturbing is the idea of making quick money out of our highways that the sangguniang panlungsod, if it is not careful, could well be put in a bad light. Some observers say that the parking scheme came out because of the long absence now of jueteng, a quick money source.
We heard that when a councilor innocently mentioned a fairer sharing scheme, say 60-40 or even 50-50, his colleagues immediately and frantically hand-signaled him to desist.
Obviously, they were not thinking of the city’s welfare but of the favored contractor, whoever he may be, and perhaps, just perhaps, themselves.
The absence of a public hearing conducted for the purpose also negates such proposal. If they hold one soon, expect a lot of trouble on the part of the proponents. Better for them to forget the idea, unless they are courting political suicide.
* * *
Our recent column on the goings-on at the San Jacinto National High School received a lot of reactions with some sectors reportedly getting mad at this corner. We also heard of an effort to identify our sources and if that succeeds, the affected sectors are planning to file legal actions against us, or our sources.
Sources of news or issues just come by without us begging for such. We recall how some teachers of that school during the time of Principal Bautista approached us (perhaps to seek our help as a mediaman) and cited a litany of Bautista’s “sins.” The mood was to get rid of her because of alleged several anomalies. Bautista was forced to leave even before the last school year ended.
The poor principal came to see us at our home to air her side. We appreciated her effort to clear things with us as did Principal San Juan much earlier during her term when we had called her attention to alleged irregular transactions there. No threats of libel cases.
And we saluted the two school officials for such noble actions. They were not onion-skinned.
And who are our sources this time?
Many. Students, teachers, parents, community leaders, town officials, etc. And they are very willing to speak out.
* * *
Members of the PTCA of that high school are up in arms over the decision of the new officers to spend some P17,000 from the association’s funds for their induction recently. Such indiscriminate spending did not happen during the time of the former set of officers, we were told.
The PTCA funds come from contributions, yes from the sweat, blood and tears of the members. And their officers would just spend it in one day to satisfy their lust for food or fame? We don’t know what kind of thinking they have during this time of economic hardships. Revolting!
Aside from that money they withdrew from the bank, they also solicited some P9,000 from local stores and benevolent persons in the town. Two pigs were served aside from chickens, prompting others to remark, “Masiba ra”
Right-minded officers could not help but resign if that’s the case.
Danny O. Sagun
EVEN at this stage, the underlying motive for the ill-conceived plan to regulate parking in the city’s main thoroughfares -- which are mostly national roads—smells, and it smells a lot. It will only fill the pockets of some individuals to the disadvantage of the city.
Imagine a 70-30 sharing scheme (even 80-20, according to Roland H), with the much-bigger bulk going to the contractor! By any language, that’s a big bonanza for the favored contractor with practically no effort at all on his part. Laway lang ang puhunan. In our dialect, ilol.
So disturbing is the idea of making quick money out of our highways that the sangguniang panlungsod, if it is not careful, could well be put in a bad light. Some observers say that the parking scheme came out because of the long absence now of jueteng, a quick money source.
We heard that when a councilor innocently mentioned a fairer sharing scheme, say 60-40 or even 50-50, his colleagues immediately and frantically hand-signaled him to desist.
Obviously, they were not thinking of the city’s welfare but of the favored contractor, whoever he may be, and perhaps, just perhaps, themselves.
The absence of a public hearing conducted for the purpose also negates such proposal. If they hold one soon, expect a lot of trouble on the part of the proponents. Better for them to forget the idea, unless they are courting political suicide.
* * *
Our recent column on the goings-on at the San Jacinto National High School received a lot of reactions with some sectors reportedly getting mad at this corner. We also heard of an effort to identify our sources and if that succeeds, the affected sectors are planning to file legal actions against us, or our sources.
Sources of news or issues just come by without us begging for such. We recall how some teachers of that school during the time of Principal Bautista approached us (perhaps to seek our help as a mediaman) and cited a litany of Bautista’s “sins.” The mood was to get rid of her because of alleged several anomalies. Bautista was forced to leave even before the last school year ended.
The poor principal came to see us at our home to air her side. We appreciated her effort to clear things with us as did Principal San Juan much earlier during her term when we had called her attention to alleged irregular transactions there. No threats of libel cases.
And we saluted the two school officials for such noble actions. They were not onion-skinned.
And who are our sources this time?
Many. Students, teachers, parents, community leaders, town officials, etc. And they are very willing to speak out.
* * *
Members of the PTCA of that high school are up in arms over the decision of the new officers to spend some P17,000 from the association’s funds for their induction recently. Such indiscriminate spending did not happen during the time of the former set of officers, we were told.
The PTCA funds come from contributions, yes from the sweat, blood and tears of the members. And their officers would just spend it in one day to satisfy their lust for food or fame? We don’t know what kind of thinking they have during this time of economic hardships. Revolting!
Aside from that money they withdrew from the bank, they also solicited some P9,000 from local stores and benevolent persons in the town. Two pigs were served aside from chickens, prompting others to remark, “Masiba ra”
Right-minded officers could not help but resign if that’s the case.
