By Robert B. Roque, Jr.
Let’s not play like fools, please. This fiasco with former Ilocos Sur governor Chavit Singson is a blatant violation of ethical standards, regardless of the semantic dance around whether his cash offering was a donation, a reward, or something else entirely. The narrative here is crystal clear: a sinful motivation lurks beneath the surface.
Since when has the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) become the answer to Chavit’s need for repentance? This episode of him getting caught violating traffic laws shouldn’t morph into an avenue for him to cleanse his conscience through a dubious cash donation.
Why accept money from a traffic violator if it’s not considered a reward or a bribe? The Civil Service Commission (CSC) views it as plain illegal, citing Republic Act No. 6713. The MMDA should heed this reminder: public officials and employees shall not solicit or accept any form of monetary benefit while performing their duties.
The MMDA’s narrative, however, needs to be clarified. They admit accepting Singson’s cash but spin it as a “donation” to the General Fund. Such contortions don’t absolve them from violating the law. As CSC Commissioner Aileen Lizada rightly pointed out, this practice sets a dangerous precedent, potentially leading to more offenders attempting to buy their way out of trouble.
Singson’s actions should not even be glorified since offering money after breaking the law is not a lesson in integrity but an attempt to wield influence and skirt accountability. The MMDA’s eagerness to accept this cash, under whatever guise, is a betrayal of the public’s trust, a disservice, and even shameful.
Let’s not allow legal jargon or euphemisms to obscure the truth: accepting money from a violator under these circumstances reeks of impropriety. The MMDA must acknowledge this misstep, rectify its course, and avoid blurring the lines between justice and convenience.
Among us
Dare I say that spies are already among us — identified, registered, and documented as Filipinos but looking and speaking Chinese? Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace S. Barbers wants to get to the bottom of the deal with Mainland Chinese possessing PSA birth certificates, Philippine passports, driver’s licenses, and even UMID cards!
This is not a simple case of government negligence or complicity. Barbers’s suspicions of Philippine government officials being on the take are why non-citizens can obtain our vital documents en masse, endangering our national security.
The congressman rightly denounces this betrayal of trust. It’s not just incompetence; it’s a direct threat to our sovereignty. Corruption within our agencies has facilitated foreign nationals quickly assuming Filipino identities, posing serious espionage risks.
Are we too blind to notice the sudden influx of Chinese students in strategic areas like Cagayan and not raise serious concerns? Insightfully, Barbers questions why these so-called Chinese exchange students prefer to learn about Philippine culture in the region near defense sites we now share with the United States. Yes, in this context, we’re not talking about education, are we? It’s now about potential security breaches.
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