MANILA, FEBRUARY 2, 2012
(TRIBUNE) Archbishop Oscar V. Cruz (photo) It does
not require much brainwork to know and conclude that the now ongoing impeachment
trial costs money — money that certainly does not come from any of those
directly and indirectly invoked therein.
Instead, they are nonchalantly and conveniently taken from the direct and/or
indirect taxes of every baby, child, teenager and adult in the Philippines.
Never mind if they have barely enough money to buy their food, to pay for
their clothes and shelter. Never mind if their fathers and/or mothers cannot
even find work, cannot in fact afford sending them to school, cannot buy the
medicines they need and do not even find any relief in the ever rising prices of
prime commodities — their little energy/fuel consumption included.
In other words, never mind if the impeachment case is undertaken more by way
of vindictiveness than the honest-to-goodness search for truth and the due
application of justice.
It is all right if the whole House of Congress is on a standstill on account
of the showdown that can be readily titled "Who is Who" with particular
reference to the personal ego and dynastic concern of the Chief Executive. There
is nothing wrong if the Senate as a whole is likewise focused on the same
inquisition practically all working days of the week. Why? Simple!
There is nothing more important in the "It's more fun in the Philippines"
than the fixation of the government, the media and the market at the monumental
display of who is in power, who calls the shots, who commands and steers the
impeachment process.
The economy? It's great! Peace and order? There are in place! The long
standing conflicts in Mindanao and Luzon? There are also long resolved!
Prohibited drugs, sex trade, illegal gambling? They are non-existent!
Lo and behold! It is said that even before the impeachment venture officially
started, it is reported with gusto and pride that some P5 million has been
earmarked for the purpose.
And what if the sizable amount is not enough for the impeachment exercise for
whatever reason? Simple. Set aside more money. Whose money? Elementary. People's
taxes! How convenient! How easy! How gross!
There must be something very wrong with the way politics is understood, lived
and practiced in the Philippines for many decades.
There should be something rather disturbing about how far and fervent do
partisan politics go. There cannot but be something strange and erratic about
how a public office is perceived and exercised, how public service is sought and
practiced.
Otherwise, how does one explain with rhyme and reason the continuously and
consistently sad and saddening affairs in the Country — proudly said to be the
"Pearl of the Orient" and where "Life is heaven?"
(Reprinted with permission of Archbishop Oscar V. Cruz, from www.ovc.blogspot.com)
Chief News Editor: Sol Jose Vanzi
© Copyright, 2012 by PHILIPPINE
HEADLINE NEWS ONLINE
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