No pork from solons?

Perspective

You must all have read by now the news report that majority of those in the House of Representatives rejected the call for them to donate some of “their” pork barrel to the victims and communities affected by the typhoons.

For sure, many of you are not surprised with their decision. How can pork barrel-loving people part with what they think is “their” rightful share?

Of course, they will invoke the right of their constituents to use their money in their localities. One only has to check the plight and situation of our people all throughout the country to see whether the pork barrel, in fact, reached the constituents. Had the pork barrel received through the years been used effectively for the improvement of the plight of the constituents of those in Congress, so much lives and damage would have been spared.

Although this may just be a waste of time and space, let us examine their counter-arguments for not parting with any of “their” pork barrel for the typhoon victims.

One, an official says that should there be any realignment of the pork barrel for the typhoon victims , this should be voluntary on the part of the Representatives.

Isn’t that the essence of the request? That the so-called representatives of the Filipino people respond voluntarily to the plight of the needy Filipinos?

Who said that the so-called Countryside Development Fund (CDF) is for particular areas only, not for the entire country? Since when did public funds become the sole property of officials per geographic area? Shouldn’t the needs of all Filipinos prevail over particular constituents or rather over some infra projects in some areas, especially those not affected by typhoons?

And pray tell, why have the funds earlier allotted for infrastructure repairs of typhoon-damaged areas last year not yet been expended for that purpose? Again, is infrastructure more important than the Filipinos victims of the typhoons?

It is so easy for them in Congress to allot another round of budget for so-called rehabilitation work. Had the pork barrel been properly and responsibly used for solid infrastructure projects, there would have been less victims among our people and our communities.

Why release more budget when previous budget allocated and already depleted did not deliver the protective infrastructure and welfare services for our people? Will we entrust any more of our public funds to those who have not yet fully accounted for the huge budget that officials use, year in and year out?

The bottom line is if the officials in Congress saw themselves as Filipinos, not as parochial leaders of particular, limited provinces and regions, then their response would have been more spontaneous, more generous as so many ordinary Filipinos responded wholeheartedly as soon as they saw the pitiful sight of our needy brothers and sisters.

Poor people who had nothing gave their all. Officials with P70 million pork barrel, from the funds of our people, could not even share even a drop from that amount for the typhoon victims? And to think that the pork barrel is not even theirs! “Their” pork barrel is people’s money. Why can’t the solons realign people’s money when the people urgently need the assistance now?

Okay, enough already. No sense talking to those who have unseeing eyes, no sense in arguing with those who have unfeeling hearts. Useless to argue with those pre-occupied with how to stay in power longer than responding to the immediate needs of our needy Filipinos. For sure, they will have their time of reckoning. God never sleeps. Divine justice will prevail.

Still, let us recognize the positive result coming from their reluctance to give back to the needy any portion of “their” pork barrel as well as from the over-all delay or lack of sufficient government response for the typhoon victims. Our people are clearly seeing who are the dominantly greedy and selfish and who are spontaneously and genuinely selfless and caring among our people and officials.

Like EDSA and other dramatic moments in our historically past, our people will definitely vent out their frustration and anger against the abusive, greedy and corrupt at God’s own time and way.

There is a time for everything just as there is always a beginning and an end. Just as typhoons come and go, all calamities, natural or social, will come to an end. Always the sun will usher in a new day, despite clouds and storms.

Rejoicing will reappear among our people. We merely have to stay in faith, to stay the course with the Lord, not with those who think they are gods because of their present undeserved power and unexplained wealth. Let them have their pork and eat this too, if they wish, for now.

Tomorrow belongs to our people. Today, our people are hungry and needy. They do not deserve to stay hungry and needy for long. The typhoons are teaching them that important lesson: that they can change the course of history by installing sincere leaders who truly care for them. Tomorrow belongs to the genuine Filipino people.

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