‘Co was practically frothing in the mouth as he spoke angrily about the apparently huge missing funds for flood control and road projects.’
THE disparity between Sen. Joel Villanueva’s figure of some P60 billion and of Ako Bicol Party-List Rep. Elizaldy Co’s P6 billion on the approved amount for flood control projects in the Bicol region indicates something fishy.
We are told that the ongoing rate of “patong” or overpricing on various projects has gone up from 30% to 40% per project.
Co claims that only P6 billion has been earmarked for flood control and national roads, miserably minimal considering that large areas have remained prone to massive flooding and devastating typhoons.
In the face of the massive destruction caused by super typhoon Kristine in Bicol, Villanueva now says he will scrutinize how the budget was being applied.
Budget Undersecretary Cielo Magno clarifies that Co was well aware of the approved budget for Bicol since he was one of the representatives of the Lower House to the bicameral budget deliberation during which the P60 billion was approved.
Co was practically frothing in the mouth as he spoke angrily about the apparently huge missing funds for flood control and road projects. Through the years, Malacanang and Congress have ignored the creation of several oversight-legislative executive committees on the implementation of government projects mostly shot with corruption, extortion and bribery. President Bongbong Marcos should truly set an example by leading the campaign against corruption and bribery in government.
Deep inside him, the President is probably striving for vindication of the sins of his late father’s regime. Many people now understand that, despite the political risks, his break with the Dutertes was a signal that he would not stand for any cruelty or abuse against his own people.
He knows that EJKs cannot be regarded as a political question which the Dutertes have portrayed it to be, but an incredibly deeper issue that strikes deep into the soul of every Filipino. This is somehow a clear expression of the President’s remarkably caring and strong character, and helps reverse what has been the public image of the Marcoses for many years.
For sure, serious legal and civil issues would hound him and his family, and ultimately threaten his government’s political stability, if he chooses the “narrow road” of opening up to what is true and noble.
President Marcos could comply with calls for civil damages on the family’s tax obligations which would deliver a strong positive impact. His trust ratings have been mounting, a strong public confidence he should value, recognize and inspire him more to be attuned and deeply responsive to the people’s basic needs, especially during calamities and emergencies.
Head Pastor Manny Manansala of Live in Victory Christian Ministries delivered a powerful preach last Sunday on “fighting the good fight” and not the wrong one. The Bible says that “we do not struggle against flesh and blood but against the principalities’ powers and evil forces in the heavenly realms…” He stressed that we should resist our emotional urges to engage anyone in verbal or physical conflicts. For these are works of the devil who are triggering people’s anger, bitterness, fear, vengeance, unforgiveness, depression and anxiety.
Pastor Manny reminded Christians of Romans 8:37: “But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us.” He meant Sin, the World and the Devil which we are fighting against in our daily lives. He points out that the commemoration of All Souls’ and All Saints’ Day regrettably provides a demonic activity that has deceived the country for countless decades.
The Bible is very clear on such detestable practices which openly manifest and inspire demonic figures and images imbibed in themselves and their homes. Ephesians 5:11 “Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.”
