Mamma
Mia! What a long impeachment trial this is taking. The impeachment court has
only tackled one article yet so far and we have seven more to go. Angara is
right in saying that the impeachment process is a “medieval tool.”
A big problem we have with the impeachment is
that prosecutors don’t seem to be on top gear. They show up unprepared and this
is even made worse with their line of questioning. At one point even sounding
like they are impeaching their own witness. Susmariosep! The defense on the
other hand seems to be enjoying every minute as they continue to amplify the
weaknesses of their opponents. The very seasoned Cuevas knows how to pick on
the neophytes.
I feel uncomfortable when I hear and see
senators questioning Corona’s condominiums although I know this is the right
thing to do. What irks me is the fact that many in public service especially
those in very high positions are used to getting big gifts such as condominium
units, cars or travel packages. Just require them to show their assets and that
of their immediate family members (or their family’s corporation) and you will
discover how they get rich with a meager monthly salary.
So, what’s new? This is a country where people
use the government as a milking cow for their own interest and are numbed to
the true meaning of government service. No wonder we get a very low rating on
good governance and high mark in corruption.
Just imagine how a regular office clerk at the
Bureau of Customs earning P10K a month can drive an expensive Porsche. I know
this is not unusual at the Bureau of Customs. I was told that even a
janitor-messenger at the bureau can own several houses and cars.
I thought P-Noy was seriously trying to fight
such corruption in public office? All I hear about P-Noy nowadays is the latest
love of his life – Grace. As a matter of fact, some people feel that this is
just the President’s drama to get even with Shalani who recently got married to
Roman. Oh! Well, that’s just chizmiz to the max.
Isn’t it very pathetic? We seem to be always
getting mixed signals from our officials even from P-Noy (i.e. on the case of
Llamas) while the real Pinoys continue to suffer. We are clinging desperately
to every perceived assurance that everything is well in the home front but the
truth is, our hard earned money (our taxes) is spent haphazardly every day.
Anyway, in the final analysis of the
impeachment trial, if the prosecutor doesn’t straighten up, the public will
surely blame them for not bringing justice to the nation. We seem to have a
trigger-happy group not being able to bring to flash point vital calls for the
Chief Justice impeachment for a whole week.
Everyone seems to be too preoccupied with the
impeachment news that we have neglected more basic issues which are of utmost
importance: health, traffic, safety and security of the people.
Criminals are certainly getting bolder and
more heartless these days. Militant groups involved in kidnapping are on the
rise. We very well know that most of these groups rely on kidnapping to
survive. Last year, two Americans, a Malaysian, an Indian, three South Koreans,
plus many Filipinos were kidnapped in Southern Philippines. Recently two
wildlife enthusiasts, Elwoold Horn from Holland and Lorenzo Vinciguerre from
Switzerland were abducted as they were documenting different bird species in
the island town of Panglima Sugala in Tawi-Tawi. Aside from these two
Europeans, the kidnappers are still holding Australian national Warren Rodwell.
Kidnapping is said to be a South American
problem. In 2004, the region accounted for 65 percent of the world’s kidnap
cases. This number increased as hostage-taking became more rampant in other
parts of the world such as northwest Africa, the Philippines, Nigeria,
Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran, Iraq, Nepal, Sudan and Yemen. Kidnapping tourists
or foreign workers has become a lucrative cottage industry, easy money for
common criminals and an intimidation tactic for drug cartels, terrorists and
other organized crimes.
Why do you think kidnapping thrive in these
countries including the Philippines? It is primarily because law enforcement is
breaking down. Corrupt security forces play a significant role in kidnappings
either as source of information or actually taking part in the abductions. Then
we have families who can afford to pay and negotiate the release of the
hostages without telling the authorities.
Here we are trying our best to campaign for
more investors to come and more tourists to visit our shores but with such news
we are doomed. DOT just announced that they are expecting four million tourists
to come in this year. Although this is still a small number compared to that of
our neighboring countries, I hope we will be able to achieve it or even do
better.
But before trying to attract foreign
investors, tourists and even our very own balikbayans, we must first make our
country safe for the Filipinos.
Many embassies have a red alert warning for
their nationals to visit the Philippines. Internal warnings are also done for
embassy staff. This clearly shows us that our foreign dignitaries are
worried-scared to visit our beautiful islands and provinces because of many
dangerous elements lingering around. With this fear how can they promote our
country to their nationals?
Shooting incidents using loose firearms,
carnapping, bank robberies inside the mall, pickpockets are some crimes that
can easily happen inside the malls despite strict security measures. We also
have gangs who talk to the tourists offering different services as a ploy to
trick them. All these create fear in the minds of our visitors that may
dissuade them from coming or returning to our beloved Philippines.
Let us not forget that part of the
considerations of a foreigner to visit a country are: the airport, comfort
rooms, public safety and security, comfortable and affordable accommodations,
the hygienic food, good transport system, sanitation conditions, health and
medical provisions, etc.
Anyway, I am sure that the new Tourism
Secretary is coordinating with the different agencies and pushing the President
to act on things as well. I hope he is not too preoccupied in finding the best
slogan to describe our country but more so, the preparation of tourists’
infrastructures around the country. You know for Pinoys who are used to the
country and its idiosyncracies, it can be more fun in the Philippines. But for
other tourists they don’t see how it can be fun in a country that is dirty,
full of thieves, unsafe, etc.
Don’t get me wrong I am proud to be a Filipino
but we need to face the reality that there are indeed things we need to improve
and work on if we want to be a good destination for tourists and investors
around the world. If we do not confront the challenge, we will truly be the
basket case of Asia.
Sara Soliven De Guzman
The Philippine Star
Business & Investment Opportunities
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