Sun.Star Cebu

Time for Cabinet shakeup

- By Reni M. Valenzuela

Something uniquely good and unpreceden­ted is happening in the BBM administra­tion, if we would discern. A case in point among others is burdening our people (notably the ordinary ones and small businesses) with more taxes seems to be last and least in the President’s mind to do.

The unseen phenomenon may manifest in the future in various other forms and which could lead ultimately to national salvation if BBM would remain human (frail, though, as he is) and God-fearing, and if he would be humble and open enough (hopefully) to listen fully to the voice of reason, the cries of the poor, the importunin­g of conscience, the call for justice, and to Solomonic wisdom.

I support the P100 or P70 wage increase proposal, but where are the promised benefits for our seniors, PWDs (persons with disability) and war veterans, much less the P1 million for our living centenaria­ns? My mother celebrated her 101 years on the planet on Monday, Feb. 19, but what are our officials waiting for before they make their promise happen, while the centenaria­ns breathe? They voted overwhelmi­ngly for House Bill 7535, but after the voting, they fell asleep and are still sleeping one year hence.

Progress and developmen­t “para sa lahat” (inclusive) may not be far too distant to reach, with the advent/imperium of truth and righteousn­ess shining brightly to bless the country, and bless every Filipino abundantly -- with “politics,” political ambitions and self-interests (burned and pulverized) at the back burner of every public servant office, and with corruption/ imbecility beaten black and blue via the omniscienc­e, omnipotenc­e and incorrupti­bility of the King of kings and Lord of lords.

Time to overhaul our rotten justice system and time for the shakeup of people in authority that handle “justice” matters in all the three branches of our democratic institutio­n / government. Such a move is imperative and urgent. Retain the good ones, though, but never those who are afflicted with the worst form of anopia -- an extreme condition of blindness (and insensibil­ity) due to the absence of eyes (and heart) -- because of politics, crookednes­s, “utang na loob” and influence-peddling.

If that happens, my dear countrymen, the result could be phenomenal which repercussi­ons could cause us, the Filipino people, to rejoice and over which the future generation­s would exult in jubilation as they cherish the opus, and which rare, spectacula­r account they would love to keep on reading and recalling gladly and proudly as Filipinos, over and over again. History is unfolding.

But why do some pundits appear to have castigated some senators in their “unutterabl­e” words when they recently rebuked fellow officials for doing things wrongly and/or for performing badly? What’s bad about calling a spade a spade? Passing a million bills on a single and final reading isn’t equal to accomplish­ment and is not something to be proud of.

Quality above quantity. Action above pledge. Service above self. People above party mates. Probity above partisansh­ip or kinship. God above all.

Where were the complainer­s when the former president ranted at almost everybody (including God), when he openly cursed and spewed venomous words? Silent in dungeons. “Hyperbolic,” they said. Forthright­ness, however, was what was admirable about Rodrigo Duterte. It set him apart from others in a positive way. He just overdid it and did it the wrong way, for the wrong reasons.

Look at what “civility” has done to our country? It continues to lead our leaders and people deeper into liturgy, apathy and inaction -- even amid sanctioned abuses, ruthlessne­ss, shamelessn­ess and crookednes­s? “Civility” with each other, among our officials, can be equated to numbness and callousnes­s, even heartlessn­ess a la Mafia conspiracy among its cabals.

Political “trapo.” How many do we have them in our Cha-cha dancing government -- sila na mga pangiti-ngiti, palakad-lakad at paikot-ikot lang sa kanilang upuan nang tila walang ibang iniisip kundi pulitika at pamumuliti­ka lamang. But go ahead, sirs and madams, issuing a subpoena to the “Son of God” is in order.

As much as we want to be “civil” to everyone all the time and in all circumstan­ces, we cannot and should not. With the destructiv­eness that are being wrought by official inanities, one administra­tion after another, since time immemorial, what the nation needs is some truth-shaking -- a temblor with maximum magnitude so that justice and righteousn­ess would rise in and rule over our land.

I am not encouragin­g bruteness, but for Christ’s sake, we need boldness and courage for us all to be awakened from slumber.

My mother has a sharp tongue for wrongdoers and I adore her for it. Happy birthday, Mom. I love you.

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