The Manila Times

Connect the dots

-

cars publicly destroyed, were they intact when they were destroyed or had vital and expensive parts been spirited away? Is it reasonable to be suspicious despite the photos?

Why is Chief Justice Sereno’s impeachmen­t investigat­ion in Congress turning out to be the most boring show on television? Why is the perennial cast of characters, some of her fellow justices in the Supreme Court intoning accusation­s about her EQ (emotional quotient, not intelligen­ce quotient) misdeeds rather than outright impeachabl­e offenses? Why is this teleserye taking so long? Why is the plot so obvious there is no more suspense? Is it normal to pass a so-called Name those flying colors? Does such a test predict the future?

While at it regarding legislativ­e hearings, is everyone from legislator­s to staff to witnesses starving that food has to be constantly in front of them? Why is their consumptio­n of food paid with taxpayers’ money so much an integral part of the hearings as it takes place with full television exposure? Can’t they have a recess for them to wolf down the food like in schools? Must the audience guess what kind of sandwich is being eaten, what type of coffee served (espresso, cappuccino, Americano, barako?), the type of pancit? Is that a turron dessert, with or without

We have all directly heard the remarks from Malacañang despite the blips on television, what is your opinion of the translatio­n of them sound like the correct translatio­n with the authentic tone? Or, are they a faulty if not false equivalent, as in censored? Would this translatio­n job be considered easy, entertaini­ng, relished by those who have to do it?

What about the audiences that are the recipients/ witnesses to these remarks, are they amused, intimidate­d, bothered? Read the body language; is it concealed, inhibited, constraine­d, as in scared? What kind of atmosphere are we in?

terms (about a year) and are grateful, honored, extremely happy to have served the abbreviate­d time? How authentic are these reactions? Why do they not jibe with what the government press announces re Which side can we believe?

a heinous crime, enough cause to be precipitat­ely fired without an investigat­ion? What about some - sonal assistants, relatives, hangers exempted from the sudden travel ban? Why not outline the condi before retroactiv­e sanctions on the uninformed, if not innocent?

Why is Charter change being rushed with hardly any inputs from the general public? Why is the com- mittee appointed to study them made up of perceived friends of the administra­tion rather than a crosssecti­on of the public that would include critics, academicia­ns with a track record of intelligen­t accomplish­ment, citizens of well-known integrity, and ordinary folks from the spectrum of sectors that make up the public— workers, urban and rural folk, middle class and lower class, students, citizens, business people, profession­als like nurses, teachers, service workers, yes, maybe some lawyers but not too many?

Why is the Bangsamoro (BBL) bill not publicly discussed regarding whether it is constituti­onal or not (a perennial debate)? Why not prepare it with full public informatio­n to all that it is convincing­ly within constituti­onal limits so that there won’t be last-minute hitches and disappoint­ments after raising expectatio­ns?

Finally, what is our financial situation after the free university education, infrastruc­ture spending, raising of pensions, disaster rehabilita­tion, military salary raises, for the Department of Budget and Management that demands clear and understand­able answers.

What is the real score on the media with threats of taking away franchises, shutting down critical outlets, demonizing journalist­s? Is it possible to reeducate the powersthat-be on the role of media, that they are not expected to be loving puppies or comfortabl­e kittens?

Finally, if you have connected the dots, what do they tell you?

Happy post-Valentine Greetings. Believe in Love!

 ??  ??

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from Philippines