A Government of Bribes and Scandals

The bribes and payoffs should have been allotted for social services but GMA defines governance not as meeting the peoples' urgent needs, but in surmounting her questionable credibility, escaping new and upcoming scandals and staying in Malacanang at all cost.

It is utterly condemnable for this shaky administration to spend at least P120M in cash to get the support of congressmen, governors and mayors who went to Malacanang last week. The bribe was intended for the congressmen to support the fake impeachment complaint filed by Atty. Ruel Pulido. Others said that it's for the barangay elections, barangay projects and personal allowances. The reasons in getting the bribe money differ based on the interpretations of government officials. However, the truth remains that this government have used the people's money and should be held liable for bribery and malversation of public funds.

Equally condemnable are the hungry politicians who got their share and even defended their act, implying that it is but normal to receive cash gifts from Malacanang. These politicians have only confirmed the fact that graft and corruption thrives in the country amid grinding poverty. People must prosecute government officials who received these 'cash gifts' and demand the return of the money to the proper government agencies.

On a brighter note, it is fortunate that the Filipino people have Anakpawis Representative Crispin 'Ka Bel' Beltran who did not receive the P2 Million bribe. He even exposed the bribery attempt through a privilege speech. True enough, the people's progressive partylists such as Anakpawis, Bayan Muna and Gabriela are standing for the politics of change and resisting bribes is part of it.

Amid this new scandal, we call on the Filipino people to demand for a thorough investigation of this blatant corruption. We should condemn this bribery alongside with other scandals involving the highest official in the land like the National Broadband Network deal. We reiterate our call for the immediate ouster of a corrupt regime that is exhausting all means possible including bribery, fascism and severe puppetry to perpetuate itself in power. #

October 16, 2007
Reference:
Chie Galvez
Secretary-General