Jobs, jobs, jobs; Build, build, build; and Kill, kill, kill

No, we do not believe that all the extra-judicial killings and summary executions should be branded as state-sponsored. That is unfair, unfounded, speculative, and conjectural. There is no evidence supporting that accusation. If there are, then let the victims go to court, and seek justice. I do believe that the government does not want to kill people. Nevertheless, I also hold the view that whenever policemen perform functions, and their lives are in danger, they can defend themselves. Rather than be killed in line of duty, they are authorized to terminate the threat. If there are aberrations brought about by sheer imprudence, recklessness or lack of care, then the guilty should be prosecuted, tried and, if guilty, meted the full extent of the law.

But the government should not limit its responsibility to just fighting the drug war. The “Build, build, build” program of this administration has been envisioned to trigger faster and less expensive movement of goods and services in and around the country, and thus spur economic development. But development is futile if only benefits the taipans, moguls, business magnates, and tycoons. The recurrent cry among the masses is how the fruits of economic development could filter down to the poorest of the poor. Industrial and economic progress without social development is elitist. They shall only make the bankers, shipowners, giant mall entrepreneurs, and industrialists, richer and more and more powerful. The poor shall remain marginalized, powerless and weak. Democracy remains a farce and the oligarchs continue to rule like tyrants and emperors.

What the poor need is “Jobs, jobs, jobs.” They need to survive because they have young children to feed and to send to school. They should be able to afford decent healthcare and education. Most of all, they need food security and decent shelter. They need protection during natural and man-made calamities. They need steady income to pay for rent, utilities, and other basic needs. They need cash flow to be able to pay the transport cost for their mobility. They need money for communication. If the government cannot spur investments that would create job opportunities, at least the same government should not harm the business sector and the industry by a rampage of inspections. They should not drive foreign investors away by brandishing the threats of declaring them as labor-only contractors. They should help business firms and not terrorize them.

This government, and all governments for that matter, are expected to address the most critical needs of the people: food, food, food; housing, housing, housing; and more, more, more.