THERE was collective outrage among bloggers with the Malu Fernandez controversy. There was collective outrage among Fil-Ams at the racist statement from “Desperate Housewives.” Today, we are confronted by a much, much more despicable incident but where is the outrage?
The opposition is and will bleed the issue for their selfish motives. The commentators and opinion writers are having a heyday making various spins and interpretations with Fr. Panlilio’s expose. But where is the outrage?
Definitely, it is not only the few who have spoken that received a paper bag with bundles of money. An ABS-CBN video footage showed other politicians carrying similar bags. The rest may deny getting any money but it won’t change the fact that public perception is that they indeed got money. Delicadeza is alien to them. Garapalan is the name of the game. But still, where is the outrage?
Why are we not out in the streets demanding explanations and even making calls for resignation? Why do we go on with our lives as if this suhulan is just a normal incident? Why is there no collective outrage? No, I am not calling for people power. I am merely asking why have we become so meek and numb as a people in spite of the endless political scandals that confront us everyday.
The suhulan did not really come as a surprise. The suprise is when somebody, thanks to Fr. Panlilio, finally came out to expose the incident. (I am quite disappointed with Gov. Grace Padaca when she claimed on the news that she got a Christmas card from the GMA with P50, 000 but never came out to expose this gift giving incident at the time.) Corruption has become a way of life in our country. We know it happens. It is the P500, 000 that Fr. Panlilio showed to media that gave corruption a “face.”
In his column, Jose Ma. Montelibano said, “Nation building is character building.” Precisely. And that is my personal advocacy. Call it character building, value formation, good citizenship. If there is no collective change in our attitude and ways as a people, we will remain unaffected by the corrupt practices we see and hear everywhere. It is not really surprising why there is no collective outrage with regards to this blatant suhulan in Malacañang.
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October 20th, 2007 at 9:43 am
carlos,
i look at the glorietta bombing from a different angle. i don’t see it as an expression of outrage. my suspicion is that it was perpetrated by those who want to deflect attention. with the bombing, the suhulan is no longer news. the bombing will be the center of the news in the coming days. the suhulan will simply become one of those, at thing of the past just like the hello garci scandal, the fertilizer scam, the overpriced diosdado macapagal highway, the jose pidal expose, the nbn deal, etc. there never was any closure for all of these scandals. the reason why GMA is still in malacanang. the senate may conduct its investigation but public interest has waned by that time. i doubt it very much if the investigators can come up with a conclusive closure with this bombing incident. Oh God, i hope my suspicions are wrong.
October 20th, 2007 at 8:39 am
There’s outrage around. You just have to look better.
But then some people are probably thinking that this is nothing new.
I’m outraged, but I’m too busy to get angry.
October 20th, 2007 at 8:13 am
Peace, be still; Outrage, prevail. Gisingna!
October 20th, 2007 at 7:15 am
The public outrage is there. Feel the public pulse in those surveys, the text messages from radio listeners and TV audiences condemning the scandals in the administration. Aren’t all these the reason why the popularity of the president has gone down to its lowest depths? But, why is there no street protest to show public outrage? There won’t be any because the so-called organized NGOs for social and political change that are initiating public demonstrations against the government have opened themselves to dubious and suspicious motives. One such organization is the Black & White Movement. Some of its members are supposed to be people of high integrity who fought the scoundrels Marcos and Erap. Many initially supported the group but were discouraged and later withdrew when the BWM joined forces with the Erap, the communist leftist groups, and military coup plotters in a common cause to bring down GMA. The people have wised up already and know that this kind of conspiracy will only lead to a far worse political problem for the country that may lead to a junta government that’s why there are no takers. People are asking, why can’t the BWM do it alone and stay away from the infuence of the communist left and military adventurists?
The people have learned the lessons of Edsa I and II. If the president has to go, it has to be through the constitutional process. If she cannot be impeached, the people are prepared to wait till the president’s term expires in 2010. These NGOs will then have the opportunity to bring the president to court to answer for the abuses and criminal acts attributed to her.
The pubic outrage is present, but the people are hardly interested in joining those whose motives are highly questionable in bringing down a constitutional government.
October 20th, 2007 at 6:43 am
why asking for the outrage? the people is fed up of the politicians who is only after for their own interests. we ousted the dictator Marcos in edsa 1 but did his successors improved our lives? they claimed that they are clean but are they? then we unseat Erap in edsa 2 hoping for the change the second time around but still here we are. if we oust Gloria, who do you think will replace her? the opposition? are they credible to handle the country? all of them has in anyway have connections in the past? will the people trust these men or women? then you are asking for the outrage? i am telling you that i’ve been in edsa 1 & 2 but now i will not go to edsa 4,5,6 etc. anymore. i wish to God all these politicians who are claiming they are clean to die. i wish to God all corrupt government officials to die. then and only then that the outrage of the people is vindicated.