Not so long ago I swore to my darling wife that I wouldn't write any more blogs about politics - it's just too negative she said - and she was right, but sorry honey, sometimes circumstances dictate what you must write about. I am prompted to write this blog because of some comments made by a Facebook "friend", who chooses to operate on Facebook under a nom-de-plume, which I guess makes him/her an UnFacebook "friend". His/her beef appeared to be with the continuing Senate inquiry into the allegedly over-priced Makati City Hall II Building.
Let me start by noting that for years Filipino's have been demanding more accountability from their elected officials. They have complained bitterly about endemic corruption and the environment that promotes and encourages self-serving leaders, politicians and political dynasties. As an outsider I have been thrilled and excited to witness the beginning of the change in this attitude of acceptance of corruption. In 2010 the people of the Philippines finally elected a rare beast as their President - an honest man! Now that this attitude of non-acceptance of corruption and self-service is becoming part of our everyday life - it beggars belief that people are now complaining about "selective justice" and "demolition jobs" on public figures. Corruption is Corruption - wherever it exists. If someone is demonstrably corrupt, why would you rush to their defense and claim bias or self-interest on the part of the inquisitors. Whatever their motives for exposing particular instances of corruption - it doesn't change the basic fact that corruption allegations need to be answered - they cannot just be brushed off as political chicanery.
NOBODY is above the law - PNoy has been adamant about that - and that includes everyone. The Supreme Court this week dismissed Sandiganbayan Senior Justice Gregory Ong for conduct unbecoming a Justice. What a fantastic move on the part of the Supreme Court. SC Chief Justice Sereno has always maintained there must be integrity in the Justice System and has acted swiftly to prove this is the case - Kudos to the Supreme Court and long may you continue to lead the way. It is marvelous that the Chief Justice is determined to operate at a higher level of integrity than the rest of society, because she firmly believes that is what is necessary to maintain the public trust in the Judiciary. This country is very fortunate to have a young Chief Justice at the helm who will be able to imprint her own personal integrity on the judicial system for many years to come.
If we look at the particular issue that seems to have riled my Facebook "friend" - the Senate Inquiry into the over-priced Makati Parking Building (For despite claims to the contrary that is essentially what it really is - just a parking building, with a few floors of offices on top), we can evaluate what the inquiry has determined to date. First and foremost - NO clear, right thinking person can possibly argue that this building was not over-priced. Numerous experts have testified that this 2.8B peso building should have cost no more than 1.2B pesos. The building is not "green" (as claimed) - it is not "world-class (as claimed) and it is certainly nothing more than an average building, finished to an average standard. This has been independently verified by several quantity surveyors and valuers. So, what happened to the extra 1.6B pesos?
The question therefore has to be this: Is the management of Makati City corrupt or is the management of Makati City incompetent? Either way - it is unacceptable to the people of Makati City and indeed the people of The Philippines. We have heard other testimony at the inquiry that suggests that there was an systemic environment of corruption within Makati under the Binay family. Much of that evidence has yet to be tested, so although compelling I will ignore it at this point. Remember though that we heard sworn testimony from a building contractor who stated unequivocally that his company had NEVER bid on any Makati City Government project ever and yet we discover his company listed as a losing bidder in a number of projects (Food for thought certainly).
Let me start by noting that for years Filipino's have been demanding more accountability from their elected officials. They have complained bitterly about endemic corruption and the environment that promotes and encourages self-serving leaders, politicians and political dynasties. As an outsider I have been thrilled and excited to witness the beginning of the change in this attitude of acceptance of corruption. In 2010 the people of the Philippines finally elected a rare beast as their President - an honest man! Now that this attitude of non-acceptance of corruption and self-service is becoming part of our everyday life - it beggars belief that people are now complaining about "selective justice" and "demolition jobs" on public figures. Corruption is Corruption - wherever it exists. If someone is demonstrably corrupt, why would you rush to their defense and claim bias or self-interest on the part of the inquisitors. Whatever their motives for exposing particular instances of corruption - it doesn't change the basic fact that corruption allegations need to be answered - they cannot just be brushed off as political chicanery.
NOBODY is above the law - PNoy has been adamant about that - and that includes everyone. The Supreme Court this week dismissed Sandiganbayan Senior Justice Gregory Ong for conduct unbecoming a Justice. What a fantastic move on the part of the Supreme Court. SC Chief Justice Sereno has always maintained there must be integrity in the Justice System and has acted swiftly to prove this is the case - Kudos to the Supreme Court and long may you continue to lead the way. It is marvelous that the Chief Justice is determined to operate at a higher level of integrity than the rest of society, because she firmly believes that is what is necessary to maintain the public trust in the Judiciary. This country is very fortunate to have a young Chief Justice at the helm who will be able to imprint her own personal integrity on the judicial system for many years to come.
If we look at the particular issue that seems to have riled my Facebook "friend" - the Senate Inquiry into the over-priced Makati Parking Building (For despite claims to the contrary that is essentially what it really is - just a parking building, with a few floors of offices on top), we can evaluate what the inquiry has determined to date. First and foremost - NO clear, right thinking person can possibly argue that this building was not over-priced. Numerous experts have testified that this 2.8B peso building should have cost no more than 1.2B pesos. The building is not "green" (as claimed) - it is not "world-class (as claimed) and it is certainly nothing more than an average building, finished to an average standard. This has been independently verified by several quantity surveyors and valuers. So, what happened to the extra 1.6B pesos?
The question therefore has to be this: Is the management of Makati City corrupt or is the management of Makati City incompetent? Either way - it is unacceptable to the people of Makati City and indeed the people of The Philippines. We have heard other testimony at the inquiry that suggests that there was an systemic environment of corruption within Makati under the Binay family. Much of that evidence has yet to be tested, so although compelling I will ignore it at this point. Remember though that we heard sworn testimony from a building contractor who stated unequivocally that his company had NEVER bid on any Makati City Government project ever and yet we discover his company listed as a losing bidder in a number of projects (Food for thought certainly).
My Facebook "friend" even had the temerity to call Alan Peter Cayetano "a mestizo talking bird who tweets every-time someone is planning for the Presidency". I have no idea if Cayetano's motivation is driven by personal desire, but what I do know is it DOES NOT MATTER. The charges and allegations of corruption and / or incompetence are real and need to be addressed by the people they are laid against - i.e. the Binay Clan. As for using the race card - "mestizo" - I find that reprehensible and ignorant in the extreme. I would suggest that most Filipinos are mestizo to some extent. Most families have Chinese, European, American, or other blood in their line - why should their heritage make any difference to their performance of their public duty. My impressions of Alan Peter Cayetano (mainly gained from the impeachment trial and this inquiry) are of an intelligent, erudite and passionate individual who believes in what he is doing and does it with style and insight. He is a duly elected Senator of the Philippines and it seems to me he performs his duties admirably. But then, what do I know - I'm not even a "mestizo", I'm just a foreigner.
I continue to make the point that these allegations, baseless or not, have to be answered by the Binay Clan, whether they like it or not. The Filipino people deserve better than to have their elected representatives ignored by truculent children who have a known history of considering themselves above the law. I saw Jun-Jun Binay on television last night trying to justify his direct challenge of a Senate subpeona. He came across as what I've always suspected he was - just another political dynasty's child thrust into a job well beyond his capabilities, experience and age. Regardless - you are not above the law Mr Binay and you very much need to front up and explain to the people of Makati and the Philippines where the extra 1.6B pesos that was overspent on the Makati Parking Building went. It is even possible that there may be other examples of overpriced capital works in Makati that you may have to explain also, but regardless you do need to front and account for your actions / or in-actions to the people of this country.
Might I humbly suggest that if you think you are going to be ambushed by the likes of Senators Cayetano (and he is pretty sharp) or Trillanes, you bring your Father along for support. To date the committee has shown the greatest of respect for the position of Vice-President and refused to subpoena him. In fact, I should commend the committee chairman Senator Pimintel for his control and restraint during a difficult inquiry. You and your Father would make a fantastic statement to the people (that you both serve), by fronting up together next Thursday (Give it some thought).
Might I humbly suggest that if you think you are going to be ambushed by the likes of Senators Cayetano (and he is pretty sharp) or Trillanes, you bring your Father along for support. To date the committee has shown the greatest of respect for the position of Vice-President and refused to subpoena him. In fact, I should commend the committee chairman Senator Pimintel for his control and restraint during a difficult inquiry. You and your Father would make a fantastic statement to the people (that you both serve), by fronting up together next Thursday (Give it some thought).
Finally, to my Facebook "friend" (whoever you may really be) - You can't have it both ways! If you want an end to corruption, to self-serving leaders and to the attitude that there is no way of changing the political environment, then you must accept that anyone, whoever they may be, must answer to allegations and must front up. If they are not capable of explaining themselves to the people, then perhaps they were never capable in the first place of being our leaders. Being a relative of a leader does not automatically give you the ability to lead. Leadership is not an inherited trait - Leadership is learned and earned. Too often this appears to be forgotten in politics.
But, then what do I know - I'm just a foreigner :-) and darling, I promise this is my last political blog...............................................................................................until next time (hehehe).
But, then what do I know - I'm just a foreigner :-) and darling, I promise this is my last political blog...............................................................................................until next time (hehehe).
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