September 8, 2025 | 12:00am
Usually sufficient, these of us preventing for good governance develop into our personal worst enemies. We demand purity amongst these doing battle towards evil.
That’s human nature, I assume. Even Christ needed to admonish his disciples in Mark 9:40 that “whoever shouldn’t be towards us is for us.” Jesus is saying that somebody performing in his title, shouldn’t be an enemy however an ally.
Bam Aquino and Kiko Pangilinan have been demonized for compromising with the enemies. By no means thoughts that their transfer was strategic to maximise their effectiveness in a Senate populated by grasping, self-serving politicians.
There are some who’re making an attempt to convey down Vince Dizon, citing his affiliation with Alan Peter Cayetano and his magic palayok at Clark. I can perceive the skepticism however would let that go as long as I can see Vince delivering outcomes we’d like now.
I have no idea Vince that nicely however the few occasions I interacted with him satisfied me he’s simply somebody making an attempt to do a superb job. We noticed DOTr initiatives begin shifting once more in his brief stint because the company head.
Prof. Dindo Manhit, a lead convenor of Democracy Watch Philippines who has labored with Vince, thinks Vince’s “tenure on the DOTr confirmed what management seems to be like when it’s targeted, progressive and grounded in public service.
“He fast-tracked long-delayed rail initiatives, launched cashless practice funds… His time there was brief, however his impression was evident.”
Constructing public belief is his high precedence. He’s additionally burning the midnight oil engaged on the 2026 funds, ridding it of insertions that have to be eliminated.
I name him “the energizer bunny.” He’s in every single place seemingly on the similar time. He’s agile and unafraid to do what he should with out the bureaucratic gibberish we get from folks just like the DPWH Secretary he changed.
Well being activist Dr. Tony Leachon cites what Vince has accomplished within the few days since he took over at DPWH: Known as out collusion in bidding; slammed family-linked companies gaming the system; ordered a nationwide pause on all regionally funded DPWH initiatives; requested lookout orders for contractors and officers tied to ghost flood management schemes.
And sure, he fired the Bulacan district engineer who admitted signing completion certifications for ghost initiatives. And ordered the perpetual ban of two ghost venture contractors.
We’d like somebody who shouldn’t be afraid to make heads roll now. BBM doesn’t appear inclined to make these decisive strikes himself so it’s a welcome reduction he acquired somebody to do the soiled job for him.
Sadly, we don’t have extra officers who’re like Vince, fast to ship on what the nation wants. It’s a pity that BBM has such a lean bench in his Cupboard.
I can’t consider even yet one more Cupboard member who’s as busy cleansing up the bureaucratic cobwebs which have plagued us. The one different official that involves thoughts is Gen. Nicolas Torre however BBM fired him for doing his job. Torre saved us P8 billion in congressional funds insertion to buy 80,000 assault rifles the PNP doesn’t want.
This is the reason I hope Kim Henares turns into the subsequent Ombudsman. She is the one one among the many candidates with a observe document of getting her job accomplished whoever will get harm.
It will take braveness that BBM most likely doesn’t have to call Kim as the subsequent Ombudsman. We would like heads to roll as quickly as potential and solely Kim can ship on that want. The worst factor BBM can do is appoint a politician or somebody with hyperlinks to politicians and vested pursuits.
And why is it taking BBM so lengthy to represent the investigating committee on ghost initiatives? The Home can’t examine itself. Neither can the Senate. The way in which their separate investigations are being accomplished exhibits they’re making an attempt to guard themselves.
On this regard, we should always cheer on Congressman Toby Tiangco. By no means thoughts that he may also have a P529-million insertion for funding flood mitigation initiatives in Navotas. By no means thoughts that Tiangco is performing like a hypocrite. We’ll take care of him later.
Proper now, allow us to hear every thing he needs to say as a result of he does know some darkish secrets and techniques.
The existence of a small committee except for the bicam shouldn’t be usually recognized till Tiangco publicly requested that its report be launched. The report incorporates names of members in addition to adjustments they made within the funds.
He’s additionally proper to ask that his fellow Congressman Zaldy Co and former Rep. Stella Quimbo be requested to make clear how they dealt with the funds. Tiangco is testing the sincerity of the Home management to get into the underside of ghost initiatives.
At this level, Tiangco is a wanted ally in our effort to ferret out the reality behind pork funds and ghost initiatives. Tiangco himself could also be tainted however that’s OK for now as long as he helps in clearing the mess.
That is additionally how we should always view BBM. There are those that say we should always don’t have anything to do with anybody from the dictator’s household that plundered the nation. That’s self-defeating within the face of our actuality.
Moreover, preventing BBM is boosting Sara. Do these purists need Sara as an alternative? The truth is, the pinks ought to consider a tactical alliance with BBM for 2028 as the one approach to cease Sara.
BBM is able to clear up the mess and it’s in his curiosity to try this too. Allow us to work with him to get that accomplished with out absolving him of his obligation to pay the inheritance taxes on his father’s property which the SC stated is ultimate.
If an individual helps us win incremental good points in our combat for good governance, he isn’t an enemy. We should make progress, even incrementally, or danger bodily mayhem as in Indonesia.
Boo Chanco’s e mail deal with is [email protected]. Observe him on X @boochanco
