Subject:  Outrage Is a Mild Word |
Author:
Posted for Reflection ( By Remedios C. Paningbatan) (WHERE TO... PHILIPPINES, MY PHILIPPINES?)
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Date Posted: Fri, Oct 09 2009
From a very brave Filipina: Remedios C. Paningbatan
She even placed her name and telephone number.
There should be more.
To all Filipinos Everywhere:
I used to think that corruption and criminality in the Philippines were caused by poverty. But recent events tell me this isn't true. It is one thing to see people turn into drug addicts, prostitutes, thieves and murderers because of hunger and poverty, but what excuse do these rich, educated people have that could possibly explain their bizarre behavior? And to think I was always so relieved when petty snatchers got caught and locked away in jail because I never fully realized that the big time thieves were out there, making the laws and running our country. Can it get any worse than this?
Every night, I come home and am compelled to turn on my tv to watch the latest turn of events. I am mesmerized by these characters. They are not men. They are caricatures of men - too unreal to be believable and too bad to be real. To see these "honorable" crooks lambaste each other, call each one names, look each other in the eye and accuse the other of committing the very same crimes that they themselves are guilty of, is so comical and appalling that I don't know whether to laugh or cry. It is entertainment at its worst!
I have never seen so many criminals roaming around unfettered and looking smug until now. These criminals wear suits and barongs, strut around with the confidence of the rich and famous, inspire fear and awe from the very citizens who voted them to power, bear titles like "Honorable", "Senator", "Justice", "General" and worse, "President". Ironically, these lawless individuals practice law, make our laws, enforce the law. And we wonder why our policemen act the way they do! These are their leaders, and the leaders of this nation at Robin Hoodlum and his band of moneymen. Their motto? "Rob the poor, moderate the greed of the rich."
It makes me wonder where on earth these people came from, and what kind of upbringing they had to make them act the way they do for the entire world to see. It makes me wonder what kind of schools they went to, what kind of teachers they had, what kind of environment would produce such creatures that can lie, cheat and steal from an already indebted country and from the impoverished people they had vowed to serve. It makes me wonder what their children and grandchildren think of them, and if they are breeding a whole new generation of improved Filipino crooks and liars with maybe a tad more style but equally negligible conscience. Heaven forbid!
I am an ordinary citizen and taxpayer. I am blessed to have a job that pays for my needs and those of my family's, even though 30% of my earnings go to the nation's coffers. Just like others in my lot, I have complained time and again because our government could not provide enough of the basic services that I expect and deserve. Rutty roads, poor educational system, poor social services, poor health services, poor everything. But I have always thought that was what all third world countries were all about, and my complaints never amounted to anything more.
And then this. Scandalous government deals. Plundering presidents pointing fingers. Senators associated with crooks. Congressmen who accept bribes. Big time lawyers on the side of injustice. De Venecia ratting on his boss only after his interminable term has ended, Enrile inquiring about someone's morality! The already filthy rich Abalos and Arroyo wanting more money than they or their great grandchildren could ever spend in a lifetime. Joker making a joke of his own "pag bad ka, lagot ka!" slogan.. Defensor rendered defenseless. Gen. Razon involved in kidnapping. Security men providing anything but a sense of security. And it's all about money, money, money that the average Juan de la Cruz could not even imagine in his dreams. Is it any wonder why our few remaining decent and hardworking citizens are leaving to go work in other countries?
And worst of all, we are once again saddled with a power-hungry president whose addiction has her clinging on to it like barnacle on a rusty ship. "Love (of power) is blind" takes a whole new meaning when PGMA time and again turns a blind eye on her husband's financial deals. And still blinded with all that is happening, she opts to traipse around the world with her cohorts in tow while her country is in shambles.
They say the few stupid ones like me who remain in the Philippines are no longer capable of showing disgust. I don't agree. Many like me feel anger at the brazenness of men we call our leaders, embarrassment to share the same nationality with them, frustration for our nation and helplessness at my own ineffectuality. It is not that I won't make a stand. It is just that I am afraid my actions would only be futile. After all, these monsters are capable of anything. They can hurt me and my family. They already have, though I may not yet feel it.
But I am writing this because I need to do something concrete. I need to let others know that ordinary citizens like me do not remain lukewarm to issues that would later affect me and my children. I want to make it known that there are also Filipinos who dream of something better for the Philippines. I want them to know that my country is not filled with scalawags and crooks in every corner, and that there are citizens left who believe in decency, fairness, a right to speak, a right to voice out ideas, a right to tell the people we have trusted to lead us that they have abused their power and that it is time for them to step down. I refuse to let this country go to hell because it is the only country I call mine and it is my responsibility to make sure I have done what I could for it.
Those of us who do not have the wealth, power or position it needs to battle the evil crime lords in the government can summon the power of good. We can pray. We can do this with our families every night. We can offer petitions every time we celebrate mass. We can ask others to pray, too, including relatives and friends here and overseas. And we can offer sacrifices along with our petitions, just so we get the message to Him of our desperation in ridding our nation of these vermin. After all, they cannot be more powerful than God!
I implore mothers out there to raise your children the best way you can. Do not smother, pamper, or lavish them with too much of the material comforts of life even if you can well afford them. Teach them that there are more important things in this world. I beg all fathers to spend time with their children, to teach them the virtues of hard work, honesty, fair play, sharing, dignity and compassion at right from the sandbox till they are old enough to go on their own. Not just in your homes, but at work, in school, everywhere you go. Be good role models. Be shining examples for your children so they will learn to be responsible adults who will carry and pass on your family name with pride and honor.
I call on educators and teachers at we always underestimate the power of your influence on the minds of our youth. Encourage them to be aware of what is happening in their surroundings. Instill in them a love of their country, inculcate in them the value of perseverance in order to gain real, worthwhile knowledge, help us mold our children into honorable men and women. Encourage our graduates, our best and brightest, to do what they can to lift this country from the mire our traditional politicians have sunk us into. The youth is our future at and it would be largely because of you, our educators, that we will be able to repopulate the seats of power with good leaders, presidents, senators, congressmen, justices, lawmakers, law enforcers and lawful citizens.
I ask all students, young people and young professionals everywhere to look around and get involved in what is happening. Do not let your youth be an excuse for failure to concern yourselves with the harsh realities you see. But neither let this make you cynical, because we need your idealism and fresh perspective just as you need the wisdom of your elders. YOUR COUNTRY NEEDS YOU! Let your voices be heard. Do what you can for this land that gave you your ancestors and your heritage. Use technology and all available resources at hand to spread well. Text meaningful messages to awaken social conscience. Try your best to fight moral decay because I promise you will not regret it when you become parents yourselves. You will look back at your past misdeeds and pray that your children will do better than you did.
Remember that there are a few handful who are capable of running this country.. You can join their ranks and make their numbers greater. We are tired of the old trapos. We need brave idealistic leaders who will think of the greater good before anything else. Do your utmost to excel in your chosen field.. Be good lawyers, civil servants, accountants, computer techs, engineers, doctors, military men so that when you are called to serve in government, you will have credibility and a record that can speak for itself.
For love of this country, for the future of our children, for the many who have sacrificed and died to uphold our rights and ideals, I urge you to do what you can. As ordinary citizens, we can do much more for the Philippines than sit around and let crooks lead us to perdition. We owe ourselves this. And we owe our country even more.
Remedios C. Paningbatan
Administrative Officer
Office of the General Counsel
Asian Development Bank
Tel (632) 632-4248
www.adb.org
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- KAKABSAT IYAWATAN DAK MAN IT NATAYLENOL KET AGSAKIT TOY ULOK NGA NANGBASA DAYTOY NOBELA NI MANG REMY. (NT) -- YOUDIDAGOODJOGMANGREMY, Fri, Oct 09 2009
- IS THIS LONG OR SHORT? (NT) -- TOOOOOO LONGGGGGGG, Fri, Oct 09 2009
- Until the Philippines show outrage to the corrupt government lead by the Presidency, Senatongs and Tongressmen, I would probably be dead before seeing changes to promote progress. Angry? Yes I am angry as you are. Although I left the Philippines for a better life here in the US, my heart aches seeing those I left behind struggling for survival. The peaceful people revolt during Marcos did not bring progress and change for a better governemt. The Philippines is back to its origin, run by corrupt government officials. Clean up the government in any achievable method to make life better. Until the Filipinos show their outrage in the ballot box or on the streets, their dreams of having a better life will remain as a dream. (NT) -- Andring, Fri, Oct 09 2009
- The abuse of a pen makes the sword all the mightier... It's time to "walk the pen". To you Remedios, your country needs you to get out of your office and walk your venting. Baka ma-suffocate ka diyan sa opisina mo. (NT) -- Ordinary citizen, Fri, Oct 09 2009
- NI APAY NAKALASAT TI LAYOS NI PEPENG DATOY NGA POSTING TA KUNAK LA NO IPARIT DAN TI MAKAPAKAMATA NGA POSTINGS. SIGE MANG REMY , TAY PART 2 KEN PART 3 NA PAY NGARUD ! (NT) -- AVID READER OF GIOVANNI'S STORIES, Sat, Oct 10 2009
- Di la mabalin nga agdonar ka ti ruler (NT) -- IPangrukod (agkatkatawa), Sat, Oct 10 2009
- This is too long but a very good wake up call to all Filipinos.If only we the Filipinos who are here abroad will retire in the Philippines and invest there so to bolster the economy then we will be able to contribute something for the good of the country. Our money and our voice will do magic for our country. ---Pat Dauz (NT) -- PATRICIO DAUZ, Sun, Oct 11 2009
- What a Great Essay...I believe every word, but once a civilian gets into politics, they perpetually become one. Most of them, make it a dynasty. They wait until their children are old enough to take over their seats. JUST WATCH WITH WHAT THE POLITICIANS WILL DO WITH ALL THE $$$ DONATIONS FROM DIFFERENT COUNTRIES. Instead of helping the victims of the typhoon & flood...it will be distributed to their own pockets. It's sad but it's true. WHEN Can the Philippines really have a VERY decent President or leaders??? You can start Madam Remedios and perhaps I'll follow you, or be your adviser. -- Anna Bella C., Mon, Oct 12 2009
- Clarification on To All Filipinos Everywhere -- I didn't write this piece -- Remedios Paningbatan, Mon, Oct 12 2009
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PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA awarded 2009 Nobel Peace Prize
