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SEEING many of the senators try to uncover every dirt in town
reminds us of sniff dogs or the posse that relentlessly pursues
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. Or of the righteous Inspector
Javert stalking every suspect in a vengeful pursuit of justice.
The Senate has hardly finished some of its
investigations, has not finished writing the report on completed
ones, and is currently has its nose into the broadband network deal,
but some members are already urging the blue ribbon committee
chairman to open new inquiries.
Sen. Loren Legarda wants a probe into the
cyber-education project of the Department of Education and the
reported bribery of congressmen and governors at the presidential
palace.
Sen. Aquilino Pimentel Jr. seeks an
investigation, in aid of legislation, of the Northrail and the
Southrail railways projects. He suspects a Westrail project is in
the works.
Sen. Francis Escudero says something smells in
the acquisition of the x-ray machines by the Bureau of
Customs. The $150-million deal for the scanners were part of a shady
agreement related to the $1.1 billion government-to-government loan
arranged with China, he said.
A resolution to look into the Manila-Beijing
agreement for a joint exploration of parts of the Spratly
archipelago being claimed by the Philippines is in the drawing
board, according to insiders.
Ask who suspects the construction of Macapagal
Avenue by Manila Bay is overpriced and there will be a mass raising
of hands.
A sense of perspective and sobriety is emanating
from the office of blue ribbon chairman Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano,
who wants to give each issue proper study to ensure responsible
investigation and to make sure that each probe produces useful laws
and solutions.
At the rate the frenzy for investigation is
going, according to a Senate watcher, it is likely that the senators
would ask for an investigation into the 1897 execution of Andres
Bonifacio by Gen. Lazaro Makapagal and an aide on orders of Emilio
Aguinaldo.
Failing that, the senators would probably ask
for an inquiry into why the government has failed to end the
39-year-old communist New People’s Army insurgency.
When asked whether the recent SWS findings on
the low public ratings of the senators had anything to do with the
probes, the observer said that, too, could be the subject of an
inquiry.
Lozada’s graduation speech
“Education Secretary Jesli Lapuz said Friday
star witness Rodolfo “Jun” Lozada Jr. can speak before students,
parents and teachers during graduation rites as long as he does not
create controversy and incite the youth to go against the
administration.”—The Manila Times, March 7
My dear fellow Jedis:
Seeing you in your togas and caps, I cannot help
remembering my own high school graduation (sniff) when I wore a
cheap sando because I could not afford a toga (sniff). Mahirap lang
kasi kami (We were dirt-poor). Probinsyanong Intsik pa. (Bawls).
Excuse me. Mababa kasi luha ko (I cry easily).
Can I blow my nose? Thank you. But being poor did not stop me. I
went to college and finished my engineering degree. I joined the
government and became head of an important office, which enabled me
to join an exclusive golf club.
You, too, can succeed. Dream by all means. Being
ambitious isn’t bad. Bubukol ‘yan balang araw (Ambition will
bear fruit someday). But being rich and famous is not everything.
Success is good, but moderate your greed. Character is more
important.
Do not depend on luck or the lotto grand prize.
Triangulate your life so you could plan and prepare for your future.
Resist temptation, especially easy money. When
offered a suspicious deal, for example, do not ask, will this mean a
20 percent commission or will this embarrass the family honor?
It’s a jungle out there. Life is an ecosystem
of corruption. We have a dysfunctional system. Do not be on the dark
side.
There is a greater reward for hard work than for
the easy path. Avoid suspicious offers of friendship, such as when
someone you hardly know offers you P500,000 because he does not want
you to be lonely in a foreign land. Avoid the permissible zone or
the comfort zone.
Rather, make your money the honest way. Earn it.
Saving could create what I call patriotic money during your
retirement. Kumota kayo habang bata (Build your nest while young).
Live a good life so you could leave your
children and grandchildren a good legacy. Huwag magtahi-tahi ng mga
kasinungalinan tungkol sa inyong sarili (Live an honest life, not
one of lies).
I wish to thank you and all the young Filipinos
for supporting me and believing in me. But to tell you the truth, I,
too, have made many mistakes. I have made some bad judgments in
office. I have not been a faithful husband. Mea culpa.
Congratulations on your commencement. Climb
every mountain. Ford every stream. Dream the impossible dream. Walk
in the light. Attend every antigovernment rally. And please
contribute to my fund. Mabuhay!
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