Genuine responders vs. the abusers

With grateful hearts, we join the whole country salute and applaud all frontliners and rescuers who braved the latest super Typhoon Kristine and those who will again be there for our people now that Typhoon Leon (international name: Kong-rey) is moving west-northwestward towards Tuguegarao City.

Daghang salamat! Mabuhay po kayong lahat!

Even before she was elected, former Vice President and present Chairperson of Angat Buhay Leni Robredo had already been a responder during typhoons.

An authentic, genuine, sincere, consistent responder for our people, especially the needy.

Despite Du30’s isolating her from his administration and withholding funds for her office, Leni Robredo reached and assisted millions of our distressed Filipinos with her genuine style of service – systematic, inclusive, transparent, consistent, sustainable, God-centered.

What a contrast to Du30’s daughter’s brand of politics.

A FB post entitled the Tales of 16 Milyon noted that “Leni Robredo was able to raise PhP 16 Million plus in just two days for the typhoon victims compared to Sara Du30’s PhP 16M spent in just 11 days for “renta ng safe house.”

Beyond the recent funds/supplies/and other forms of assistance and support her network of volunteers and donors extended to the typhoon victims, Leni Robredo raised the bar of public service even higher.

Egine Oquindo’s photo of Leni Robredo submerged in chest-high flood waters while conducting relief operations at Zone 6, Sto Ni?o in Abella, Naga City about 4 p.m. on Thursday, October 24 went viral!

Netizens were quick to send comments like this one – “lumusong sa baha si VP Leni para mamahagi ng relief goods. Never fails to inspire.”

She did not have to wade in chest-level floodwaters herself but she did. For sure, she did not do that for photo ops. Not for show, not for campaigning.

Direct, spontaneous, sincere public service remains Leni Robredo’s inspiring brand of leadership.

What a big loss for the nation whose voters preferred quick cash from insincere politicians. Will our voters be wiser next elections and elect genuine public servants and responders?

Will the Filipinos unite as well to demand accountability and transparency from government officials and agencies responsible for the waste of public funds for flood control?

Did you know that the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) had a budget of   ?61.42 billion for flood control for the Bicol region?

Why was Bicol almost fully submerged in flood waters, thousands of families displaced and millions worth of properties and lands destroyed?

Where did all those billions for flood control go?

How many Filipinos will heed this reminder of Heidi Mendoza, ex-Chief of the Commission on Audit -

“Kung may bagyo...ang dalas sisihin, yung mga kaingero. Yung mga nagbabahay sa gilid ng talampas. Nagtatapon ng basura sa mga ilog.  At mga kanal. Pero... paano po yung mga ibinoto natin na nagpayaman sa Flood Control Projects? Hindi lang Bayanihan, Pagtutulungan sa mga pangangailangan ng mga naapektuhan. Kailangan din ang Bayanihan... sa pagtatampok at paghahanap ng pananagutan!

Maging wais para hindi tayo ang tumatangis!”

How much more public funds for flood control/other projects will be wasted, how many more victims/ loss to properties will be reported, all because the corrupt/greedy/abusive in government/agencies are allowed to thrive and linger?