Routes
I am sharing my column space with a sensible email I received. The blogsite sent me was http://taga.iloilo.wordpress.com. It was interesting to see the postings on the site.
Advocacy Statement
Iloilo City has long been in need of leaders with untainted record in public service. If we are offered one now, we will not let it pass.
After the Marcos dictatorship was toppled by the popular peaceful EDSA Revolution in 1986, the Filipino people were eager to welcome a new government that will truly work for their aspirations.
Thirty years after Marcos, no government and leadership have truly worked for the aspirations of the Filipino people.
Poverty and hunger still pervade the nation. Filipino children are not given the appropriate education and health care they deserve.
After the "Hello, Garci!" Scandal, where President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo apologized in public for an act unbecoming of a Philippine President, the prolonged political crisis has resulted to a negative impact on the economy.
Recently, the Philippines went into the record books for being the most corrupt nation in Asia, and no Filipino seems to disagree with this. This has long been accepted as a fact.
Martial Law practices have become very ostensible at present. There are political harassments. There are extra-judicial killings. These are done obviously to perpetrate those who are in power.
Filipinos have lost confidence in their government because of graft and corruption, so they go abroad to seek the proverbial greener pasture.
We shall exercise our Right of Suffrage in the May 14, 2007 elections.
We cannot afford to sell the future of our nation now. It is the future of our children.
Let us have compassion for our children whom we love; let us go back to the basics of language with which our children started.
The basics of the language of governance relevant to the present socio-political and economic situation: We start with A E I O U.
A. Accountability of public function at all times. Every government official should be made accountable for every official act.
Accessibility of people-government channel. A government official should at all times be easily reachable by the people for their concerns.
E.Ensuring health care and education for all. Health and education are rights and not privileges.
Environmental preservation and protection. This national patrimony should cease to be sold to exploiters.
EVAT collected should be utilized as a special fund. EVAT should not be part of the general fund and used as pork barrel but instead should be placed in a special fund for Education, Health and Environmental concerns, capped by good governance.
I. Investing in the sectors with a balance. Both the poor and rich communities should be considered as equal factors in economic development.
Integrity of character among leaders. We have long been looking for people of clean government service.
O. Opportunity of employment in the economy. Filipinos will stop going abroad if there are enough jobs in the country.
Openness of the books of finances. The books of government finances should be open to the people.
U. Upholding the rule of law and morality. The law should not be made an instrument for personal purposes.
Uprightness of leadership and governance. Governance is sacred and should never be compromised for selfish gains.
We start with A E I O U. We are for a Filipino government that truly serves the people.
We initially consider Atty. Benjie Gengos.