EDITORIAL - Derailed by politics

Can anything be accomplished in this country without being ruined by politics? Yesterday the Philippine National Police launched an investigation of reports that local government officials in Bohol were hoarding relief goods for distribution to earthquake victims and driving away volunteers of the Philippine Red Cross. The local officials reportedly wanted to claim credit for the distribution of goods.

As of yesterday, volcanologists had recorded over 2,500 aftershocks in the quake-hit areas. Evacuation centers are overwhelmed as residents, worried that another powerful earthquake will strike, refuse to return to the houses that managed to survive the magnitude 7.2 quake. The evacuees are in urgent need of all types of relief assistance. Politics should have no place in this calamitous situation, but if the reports are accurate, this is not the case.

The situation gives urgency to the enactment of a law against epal, or politicians claiming credit for projects and programs funded by Juan de la Cruz, foreign governments, multilateral institutions and private organizations. Aware of this practice, some foreign partners of the government in projects such as the conditional cash transfer have made it clear they would pull out their support if politicians get into the picture.

Like the enabling law banning political dynasties, however, the epal proposal is unlikely to ever be passed. In the absence of the law, the best that can be done is to prevent epal politicians from derailing the implementation of programs and delivery of public services, especially something as urgent as relief for disaster victims.

If possible, appropriate administrative charges must be filed. Disaster victims, particularly registered voters, must also be briefed on who is responsible for holding up the delivery of aid. Emergency relief cannot be held hostage to politics.