All roads lead to Malacañang

There is never a dull moment when Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago presides over a Senate investigation. And Tuesday’s Senate investigation into the three construction firms blacklisted by the World Bank was no exception. The tone was immediately set by the feisty senator at the onset, who had no intention of letting pass the investigation with its usual long, arduous course where, technically, nothing is achieved nor accomplished in unraveling the truth behind the World Bank ban on the guilty. Immediately, the absence of those invited by the Senate to participate in the investigation – Sec. Gary Teves of the DOF and Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez – sent Santiago ballistic, accusing them of insulting the Senate’s invitation, as they were well aware of the World Bank’s findings months ago! Santiago is an intelligent woman. She knew better than to expect that someone like the notoriously evasive Ombudsman mercy Gutierrez would actually subject herself to a probe. Santiago’s was clearly theatrical — but a necessary tool to get the message across to the passive public.

As the investigation went on it became evident that lying under oath has become routine in these proceedings. Eduardo de Luna, president of E.C. de Luna Construction Corporation was present at the hearing, and stated under oath that he only met with First Gentleman Mike Arroyo three times. But the personal appointments diary of Mike Arroyo, somehow secured by Sen. Ping Lacson, shows that in 2002 alone, de Luna had met with Arroyo in at least 20 occasions! De Luna is, perhaps a distant cousin of Jimmy Paule, that other straight-faced, glib-tongued man from another investigation?Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane bore the brunt of Santiago’s wrath. It is common, accepted knowledge that the DPWH is mired in corruption. Santiago spared no time in asking who the contacts of these three construction firms inside the DPWH were and that these were those consistently blessed and profited with the juiciest projects.According to Ebdane, he “doesn’t know anything” about these. But who does know anything about corruption in governance in this administration anyway? Jocjoc Bolante gives the same defense. So does Benjamin Abalos. So does Romulo Neri. So does the First Gentleman. So does President Arroyo. I wonder. Could the otherwise, sugar-coated Luli Arroyo also believe there is no corruption in her mothers’ government?

Santiago’s exasperation merely reflects that of the nation’s, after all these investigations — with some running into months on end — eventually ending up with nothing more than verifying what everyone already knows, we are simply all the more convinced that corruption in this administration is its first and last order of the day. Corruption is rampant, unabated, well protected and with impunity. All roads lead to Rome. In this case, all roads built on graft and corruption apparently lead to the Palace. It is about time that justice truly prevails, and that its wheels start turning freely. It is time to see those involved in the systematic siphoning of the people’s money, have their lifeblood siphoned in the confines of a prison. In the eyes of these people, we, the governed and the taxpayers, are so easily fooled into believing they are innocent, and that the law actually favors them in the sense that the burden of providing witnesses and proof of their crimes lies with us. Even the very process of the law favors these insatiable thieves — the bloodsuckers. It is no wonder every crime syndicate has made a home here in the Philippines. If an outside organization can easily find fault with the bidding and awarding of contracts, why can’t our own authorities do the same? 

In some countries, this administration would have long been thrown out and even shot by firing squad in the popular town square. Some of us speak out and fight. Most of us let it be. We do deserve the government we not only elect into office but keep in office.