Train to nowhere?

The Philippine National Railways (PNR), which is probably among the most inefficient rail transport systems in the world, has become even worse in the hands of incompetent leadership.

In 2019, the PNR, under then general manager Juan B. Magno, bought from China three sets of trains with standard track gauges. These have been consigned to the junkyard.

It turns out that the trains are not compatible with the existing PNR tracks, which are narrow.

The project cost was P981 million. The government made a downpayment of P147.150 million, representing the 15 percent advance payment. It was paid sometime in October 2021.

Question: Why were the trains bought when they couldn’t even be used with the narrow PNR tracks? Why, oh why!

Why did the leadership of the PNR Employees Association, vigilant as they project themselves to be, allow the purchase of those trains?

Did they also benefit from the irregular project, which cost the government more than P147 million?

This could be the subject of yet another investigation by the Senate Blue Ribbon committee.

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The chief of a unit that polices the police within the Philippine National Police (PNP) is facing sexual harassment complaints from one of his subordinates.

Alfegar Triambulo, Internal Affairs Service (IAS) chief, denies the sexual harassment charges filed by Genevieve Lipura, a married woman, with the Office of the Ombudsman.

It is more likely than not that Lipura is telling the truth. A married woman would not go public and embarrass herself in the process by saying that her boss was salivating over her.

Triambulo should go on leave to make sure that the reputation of his position remains untarnished. It seems that while he investigates rogue cops, it turns out that he’s a rogue himself.

It’s unthinkable, as far as this columnist is concerned, why a boss would propose to have sex with a subordinate, especially when she’s married.

Ang daming babae sa labas, bakit tatalunin pa ang kaopisina mo na may asawa (There are so many women outside the office, why go after an officemate who is very much married)?

The same goes true for employers who sexually harass their female househelp.

Why does this even happen? Your househelp is like your daughter or sister, since you live under one roof.

Another example of an abhorrent person is a teacher, whether male or female, who preys on his or her students.

Yes, sir, sexual harassment is not a monopoly held by male instructors; there are female professors who also try to seduce their male students.

These sexual predators in schools dangle passing grades in front students who are not so bright.

It’s the cuatro o cuarto syndrome. This means the student is given a choice between a “4,” a failing grade, or doing dirty deeds in a room (cuarto) in some cheap motel.

I know of an irate father who beat up a high school teacher in front of his students, for sexually harassing his daughter.

The teacher was sending messages to the 15-year-old girl that included photos of persons having sex.

Aside from being beaten up and humiliated in front of his students, the teacher was also expelled from the school.

But how many other teachers, male or female, get away with seducing their students?

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I hate to bring this up again, but isn’t there a policy forbidding female public school teachers from dancing and gyrating on Tiktok, a social media website, in their uniform?

I’ve seen at least two teachers in uniform dancing and gyrating on Tiktok.

I’ve also seen a policewoman in uniform dancing in front of a male commissioned officer, her movements suggestive of the sex act.

If they want to exhibit their libido in public, will they please doff their uniforms?

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The apprehension that President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. might get arrested when he sets foot on US soil was unfounded.

Some legal experts voiced the concern days before Mr. Marcos’ visit to the US, to attend the United Nations General Assembly. This is because of an arrest order due to contempt of court issued by the District Court of Hawaii against the Marcoses.

However, the US State Department said Mr. Marcos may set foot in the US since he has diplomatic immunity status as a head of state.