Begin again

FOR the present administration, it used to be only a question of competence.

This was even softened by the enormity and the immensity of the reforms and the changes that it needed to accomplish and to institutionalize.

This was even tempered by the realization and the acceptance that the system in place was not that easy to dismantle and to substitute.

For the present administration, it is now also a question of integrity.

This is even worsened by the widespread expectation that whatever it lacks in ability, capability and proficiency it makes up for with honesty, credibility and trustworthiness.

This is even aggravated by the almost accidental discovery of a seemingly normal and lawful transaction but obviously elaborate and premeditated scheme.

The issue of the day, so to speak, is the DAP, not previously known by name or appellation, but now adjudged as unconstitutional however good or bad its effect or impact may have been.

There are those who say that it benefitted the people. There are also those who allege that it benefitted, not only the general public, but also some private individuals in collusion with elected officials, as significant portions of the DAP were funneled to bogus NGOs now being investigated in relation to the PDAF scam.

There are those who claim that it was conceptualized and implemented in good faith. There are also those who accuse that either good faith was not present or could not have been present, as the architects, designers or engineers of the DAP are veterans in government service and not amateurs in the ways of the world.

There are likewise those who submit that, even admitting for the sake of argument that there was in truth and in fact good faith, such cannot be presented as a defense, excuse or justification for a patently illegal and illegitimate act, as ignorance of the law excuses no one from compliance therewith.

There are likewise those who suggest that this entire controversy is a thing of the past and we must instead focus on the more urgent and more important issues and concerns besetting our nation, but of course this smacks of double standard which is by no means an acceptable measure and selective justice which is not justice at all.

For the present administration, it has no choice but to overcome the criticisms, whether destructive or constructive, and continue with its efforts and endeavors to uplift the lives of the people, no matter how this has begun to sound as hopeless and as helpless as can be.

For the present administration, despite the supposed gains, real or imaginary, because of old questions on competence and new questions on integrity, it has to begin again.