Demoralization sweeps the country - ROSES AND THORNS By Alejandro R. Roces

Civil Service Commission Chairman Corazon Alma de Leon said that the 1.4 million government workers are at present demoralized by corruption in the bureaucracy that has recently been highlighted by the jueteng scandal. In Mindanao, where many Filipino soldiers have sacrificed their lives, the talk is that the war is between the Abu Sayyaf bandits and jueteng warlords.

Armed Forces of the Philippines chief of staff Gen. Angelo Reyes issued this order, "Commanders at all levels shall see to it that their pronouncements. . . are always in line with and supportive of the government policy. . . at no time should any commander speak negatively in public of the government." Would he have given this order if there was no general dissatisfaction in the Armed Forces?

In the Philippine National Police Force, the dissatisfaction is even greater. The war against jueteng is their responsibility, and now Ilocos Sur Governor has openly declared that the top jueteng lord in the country is the President of the Republic of the Philippines.

The latest survey by the Social Weather Stations also shows that the people in general are dissatisfied with the government’s record in fighting graft and corruption. To make matters worse, there is every indication that our president has lost his credibility. Without credibility, you cannot govern. We are sorry to say that very soon we will again go into a period of social unrest that culminated with the People’s Power Revolution, the coming social unrest is going to be nationwide. Yesterday, Makati, Metro Manila’s business center, experienced its second "ERAP RESIGN" demonstration. We just hope that all demonstrations are as disciplined and peaceful as the People’s Power show of force in EDSA.

These are hard times. Many people are out of a job and almost everyday more and more people are losing their jobs. The price of essentials are going up almost everyday. Those who are in power should set the example of how to live modestly. If they cannot live humbly, then the very least they can do is not flaunt their wealth in public. Unfortunately, a great number of people in the government associate wine, women and games of chance as the fruits of success. It is the old cry "What are we in power for?" The statesman is in power to serve the nation and help the people. The cheap politician is there to help himself with the people’s money.

What bothers us most about Singson’s allegations against President Estrada is that it contradicts President Estrada’s alleged policy of "Erap Para Sa Mahirap." The victims of jueteng are the very poor. It is they that gamble a much-needed peso in hopes of winning P800. It is the most shameful exploitation of the underprivileged. Singson’s charges should be thoroughly investigated. Only the truth will set us free.