Davao: The center of the universe?
Davao has become the center of the universe for aspiring public officials or political appointees wanting to extend their profitable stay in government. It seems that at least four regional directors of the LTO reportedly went to Davao or met up with someone who is a relative of a very close aide of Rodrigo Duterte in order to negotiate their continued stay in the LTO because their current boss Assistant Secretary Bobit Cabrera seems bent on exposing anomalies in the agency and has been digging up dirt on high ranking LTO political appointees.
Meanwhile, the PNP is obviously affected by talks on who will replace the current Chief PNP. Aside from the list of senior and qualified candidates, there is now talk about two former Chiefs of Police of Davao City as being in the running for Chief PNP simply for their stint in Davao. If that’s not good enough, speculation is ripe that are in a position to “put in a good word” for other contenders.
No matter how you cut it and no matter how tough Rodrigo Duterte may talk, that won’t stop the “survivors” and the termites in government from flying to Davao or finding connections in the DU30 camp as well as their relatives in order to negotiate or even beg to stay in government.
If Rodrigo Duterte opts to choose more people from Davao to fill his government, I am fine with that. But let’s all make sure that the corrupt elements from Manila and elsewhere are not allowed to stay in office or power simply because they manage to make a deal with contacts in Davao. That would be the beginning and the end of “Change” the DU30 supporters are expecting. I hope our friends in media and even the airlines, even hotel employees keep tabs of government officials who’ve been flying to Davao on “Unofficial” business in order to make a deal or be retained as officials in government!
The only way to bring change is for the DU30 administration to base their selection of teammates on competence, qualifications and track record not endorsements or promises to deliver honorariums or financial quotas! As far as the LTO is concerned, it would be worth it for someone from the DU30 team that’s coming to Metro Manila to sit down with LTO Chief Roberto Cabrera to get his insights and discoveries about the corrupt officials that he cannot presently dispose off due to the election ban as well as his limited period in the LTO that ends June 30. If Cabrera does not get a short term extension, the DU30 team should keep him around until after the ban in order to go after a bunch of people who made millions and millions of pesos on an insurance program that was not deliverable, as well as people who’ve had a monopoly of power and operations and collecting monthly honorariums from district heads of the LTO as well as “Investors” who are actual Landlords of the LTO who corner the medical, smoke emission testing and insurance policies sold at those LTO offices. Media practitioners should consciously avoid using the term “Kamay na Bakal” with reference to Rodrigo Duterte’s intentions to implement law enforcement and instill discipline in the country. Kamay Na Bakal or Iron Fist is associated with brutal force, martial law and the likes. Why continue to associate “Discipline” which is good, with use of force or violence? Yes it sounds dramatic, almost theatrical, but it is also derogatory and undermines the legitimate purpose and need for discipline in the Philippines and Filipinos.
After so many decades of reacting to Martial Law, it is time we make a distinction between abuse and discipline and stop using the memory of Martial Law as an excuse to block the need for discipline. Clearly Media practitioners have to discipline themselves when it comes to “Editorial License” and get behind any and all efforts to bring about national discipline.
Over the weekend, many motorists were reportedly inconvenienced by a “biking event” hosted by a private organization. This is not the first time that such events like fun runs and sporting events have caused traffic and inconvenience to motorists. The problem here is that all car or vehicle owners have more right over the roads than pedestrians or event hosts because vehicle owners pay a large direct tax called Motor Vehicle Users Charge or Road Users tax. As such, motorists have priority by virtue of taxes, design and purpose.
Congress, the MMDA and the DPWH should collaborate on the matter and get a law passed banning or restricting the use of roads for sporting events that would undermine the primary purpose of public roads and the rights of motorists especially on Roxas Boulevard since there is more than enough space and inner roads to accommodate a foot race, fun run or bike event.
I don’t know who decides and who makes up the rules concerning traffic flow or routing along Shaw Boulevard. But I sure wish and pray that they could do be more consistent, logical and professional about it, particularly concerning the on again / off again intersection between Capitol Commons and Barrio Kapitolyo.
About a month ago the intersection was closed and all vehicles crossing between Capitol Commons and Kapitolyo had to take a longer drive around. We did however see the logic and supported the idea since it put an end to the bottleneck at the imaginary intersection and reduced traffic build up inside Barrio Kapitolyo. Recently however, rules and routes keep changing. Some days you can turn left into Kapitolyo from Pasig, some days you can’t. Just close the lane once and for all and please install the correct signs so motorists know where they can pass, whether or not they can do a U turn etc. Stop confusing us, we are already confused enough!