The real violators of human rights

It is odd that so many grandstanding politicians are hurling all those raps against the alleged violations of human rights by Alfredo Lim and Panfilo Lacson. Why have these suddenly-enraged politicians kept so quiet, for so long a time, against the brazen violations of human rights, day by day, hour after hour, by criminal elements that are doing their evil, wicked things with utter impunity and such great ease?

Every day, almost everywhere in our country, thousands of people are victims of human rights violations. They are harassed by tong-collecting policemen. They are forced to fork out grease money, under-the-table, to crooked government workers. They are maimed by undisciplined jeepney and FX taxi drivers. They are denied the service that they deserve from government bureaucrats. They are cheated of their wages by unscrupulous employers. They are robbed and kidnapped and raped. Aren't all of these people being victimized of their human rights?

It is easy to understand the rantings and ravings of leftist groups against Fred Lim and Ping Lacson. That is the leftists' cause and passion: to shake society's stability. What is hard to understand is why the politicians are riding along with the left, making it appear that there is a groundswell of opposition to the Estrada administration's tough stance on law and order.

The truth is that an overwhelming majority of the people are sick and tired of all the anarchy and lawlessness prevailing in our country. And they want hard-fisted, tough action against all the anarchists and law-violators, including cops and soldiers and public officials wearing rogue's uniforms. Exterminate and pulverize the criminals and anarchists -- that is the people's deafening message to Fred Lim and Ping Lacson.

The pending bill in Congress restructuring the power industry is bringing out the best and the worst in men. For instance, one arrogant high energy official is reportedly unhappy over the present committee version now being deliberated upon. He allegedly tried to insert a provision that would have installed himself as the consumer- protection czar, in effect diluting and emasculating the Energy Regulatory Board of some of its important powers.

It is not hard to understand that this ranking energy official wants to be a consumer-protection czar, for he seems to be a high-flying consumerist himself. He wears pricey Rolex watches, Ferragamo shoes, and drives a luxurious 4 by 4. Recently, he acquired a spanking new four-wheel drive to add to his collection of name brands. What is surprising about this bigwig's lifestyle is that he has a monthly salary of only P30,000.

Many observers hope that the vigilant members of the House committee on energy have already spotted this energy exec's brilliant power play. But even now, this guy is stealthily trying hard to torpedo a legislative bill that even his superiors are supporting, and he will not stop unless he gets many of his pet provisions in. Talk about power-tripping.

Here are some updates on the activities of the Good Samaritan Foundation:

* Andrew Braid, the husband of Florangel, is celebrating his birthday this month. He has opted to ask Flor to donate a wheelchair to an indigent beneficiary instead of buying him a gift.

* Realtor B. Al Hernandez, my friend of olden days at the Manila Overseas Press Club, read my column about Lynne Mhar Doydora, the Cagayan de Oro child sick with leukemia. Al sent a P1,000 check to lawyer Gloria A. Delgado, the mother of former Napocor head Guido Delgado and the 68-year-old lady who passed the 1999 bar exams, asking her to hand over the check to Egdon Eduria of Xavier University, who is taking care of the kid.

* P.G.C. of Tandang Sora, Quezon City, sent a donation of P3,000 (PNB 0030807).

* FANG of Tondo, Manila, donated P3,000 (Chinabank 924810)

* L.D.J. of Antipolo City sent P1,200.

* The GSF gave P1,000 to Sharmaine Ortega, the three-year-old toddler who is undergoing treatment for her heart problem.

* 22-year-old Dolores Santiago of Nueva Ecija, the girl whose spinal cord was destroyed in a grenade-throwing incident in Manila, got P3,400 for her physical therapy at the St. Camillus Polyclinic in Pasig City.

* A gentleman with the initials R.M. of Grace Park, Kalookan City, sent P1,500.

Presidential classmate Rafael "Paeng" Buenaventura, governor of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, reacted to my column item about the disabled-unfriendly BSP building in Davao City. According to Paeng, the renovation of the building, to make it comply with the Magna Carta for Disabled Persons (R.A. 7277) and the Accessibility Law (Batas Pambansa 344), is a top priority. Even now, Paeng said, pre-construction activities have begun. Alleluia!

Paeng Buenaventura also dropped by the Bangko Sentral building in Cebu City. He scribbled a handwritten note to me, saying that the building is disabled-friendly. At last, we have a ranking government official who always makes it a point to look at the accessibility features of the various buildings and offices under his supervision and control. Cheers!

Have you passed by Quiapo Church lately? If you have not, do so. You will be amazed at the transformation of Plaza Miranda, from its bare asphalt surface to a marble-granite surface. The plaza also has arches and columns, festooned with hanging plants, giving it an image of an oasis amid concrete barren surroundings. Manila Mayor Lito Atienza deserves a pat in the back for this architectural project. By the way, Hizzoner also intends to give a face-lifting to Plaza Moriones and Plaza Noli.

PULSEBEAT: Gen. Panfilo "Ping" Lacson, the super cop, told me that the Pajero gang has virtually been busted. I hope that all the other gangs that make life hard for law-abiding people will also be exterminated and pulverized . . . The 2000 Inter-Cities and Municipalities Chess Team Championship, hosted by Davao City, will be held on February 24-27 at the plush Royal Mandaya Hotel. The Philippine Chess Federation, headed by DILG Assistant Secretary Jesus Ingeniero, the Department of the Interior and Local Government led by Secretary Alfredo H. Lim, and the City Government of Davao headed by Mayor Ben de Guzman are co-sponsoring the national event.

Art A. Borjal's e-mail address: <[email protected]>