In the absence of any strong stance from the CBCP over the issue of corruption in the country, the Jesuits Community had finally taken the cudgel to let the people know how sick is the government today.
At least, something had been done to lend support to what Jun Lozada had been espousing for. But these past few weeks, Lozada’s crusade almost evaporated into the thin air. Does this mean to say that corruption in government is just a welcome thing. if it is, why not do something to correct it? But instead of correcting the problem, some top government officials are on all out war to defend illegal activities in government.
Added to this is the latest report by the Commission on Audit that an estimated P5 billion in taxpayers money intended for pig loans to small farmers nationwide could not be accounted for. Reports said the farmers were only asked to sign a paper to make it appear that they got the piglets in exchange for P300 per signature. What a mess?
This huge sums of money is much bigger than the P700 million fertilizer scam. What’s happening to our country generals? It is sickening to hear that these things are happening without the people knowing it. What is unnerving is that the now secretary of agriculture used to be connected with Quedancor, before he was appointed to his present post. Now, Arthur Yap is telling the people that he was the one who instigated the investigation of this big scam. Tell it to the marines, Mr. Secretary!
This anomalous transaction took place during the time of Cito Lorenzo as agri secretary. It’s good to hear that he is no longer a government official. Otherwise, he should be covered by the E.O. 464. But I doubt if Mr. Lorenzo would like the idea of being called to attend a public hearing to shed light on the scam. By now, the good senators are already thinking of what questions to ask. Just make sure that Mr. Lorenzo is still available even before any public hearing will take place. As you will know, there’s a lot of ways to skin a cat.
In this kind of anomaly, PR practitioners are again feasting for this opportunity to come and save the image of those involved. From my stand point alone, I never thought that the agriculture department would be the biggest milking cow of all the other known graft-ridden agencies of government.
Known as the only government agency that could help the poor farmers, it has become an easy source of looted funds for the personal pockets of some top officials whose mindsets are always on the lookout on where to source out funds from the general appropriations. In the government, there are really officials who are skilled when it comes to this kind of modus operandi. I just hope that the idea did not come from the budget department itself.
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