From Poverty to Death Row
December 7, 2007
by Ricky Gelido
In the past weeks, the public’s attention has been focused invariably on the NBN-ZTE broadband deal, the blasts from different places of the country and the Manila Pen siege by Sen. Trillanes, among others including the curfew implementation. But in the midst of chaos, the public – more specifically the government – must be concerned with the case of an OFW whose fate is hanging on the balance: Marilou Ranario.
Ranario, a 33-year-old teacher from Surigao del Sur, went to
Granting that there has been negligence on the party of Ranario, that is not the main issue anymore. The government should take all the necessary last-ditch efforts to stop the execution of Ranario. There is stll time. The government should take up the cudgels to save a soul who was driven away to another country because of poverty.
This is not the first time, though, in the history and stories of OFWs to have some of them abused, maltreated or worse, be in the death row. Do we still remember Flor Contemplacion, Sarah Balabagan, Sarah Balabagan, Reynaldo Cortez and Rodelio Lanuza, among others?
Year after year, there is an exodus of Filipino workers to other countries. Somehow, they become of help - through their remittances - to the country’s economy, the reason why they are considered “new economic heroes.” But there is a glaring truth, however, in seeing them go abroad. Isn’t it poverty, joblessness and hopelessness in their homeland
They all left the country for “good” only to find out for themselves that they had to fight for their existence. Driven by poverty, they went abroad to try their luck. They were forced to choose to be away from their relatives only to land – for some- in the dens of maltreatment and abuses. They went abroad presumably to rescue their families from deep economic distress only finding their own lives being risked.
Despite being a teacher, Marilou Ranario preferred to be a domestic helper. Had she not been driven by poverty and just remained in the
From poverty to death row. Such is the plight of Marilou Ranario. And she is not the only one. #
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“CASH GIFTS”
November 19, 2007
by Ricky Gelido
Pampanga Gov. Panlilio, Bulacan Gov. Mendoza and Rep. Abante are just some of the officials who admitted having received money in Malacañang. The giving of money happened when the impeachment case against Pres. Arroyo was still a threat.
Several events – advertently or inadvertently perpetrated to divert issues – have dwarfed the cash dole out. Just when the “cash gifts” issue was getting hotter, the Glorietta blast shocked many Filipinos. Just when the issue was a cauldron steaming hot, the Estrada pardon was served.
The two gargantuan events eclipsed the alleged bribery issue. But it was only for a short period.
After the Glorietta blast and the Estrada pardon though, Rep. Abante resurrected the issue by telling the public that it was Rep. Villarosa who handed him the P500,000.00.
Parties and personalities have come out in the open to tell the public of source of the money.
In an Inquirer report, “Puno insisted that the funds came from the Union of Local Authorities of the
But who would believe the intricate web of lies? Don’t the admissions and denials imply the hiding of something? Don’t they vibrate in one song saying that Arroyo knew nothing about the bribery? Weren’t several explanations given to possibly exonerate Arroyo?
While there is a senate inquiry now, the Philippine Trial Lawyers Association (PTLA) accused Governors Ed Panlilio of Pampanga, who first exposed the cash handouts, Leo Campos of Misamis Occidental, Joselito Mendoza of Bulacan, and Emilio Macias of Negros Oriental; and Representatives Antonio Cuenco, Rachel Arenas, Bienvenido Abante, Mauricio Domogan and Tomas Dumpit Jr. for bribery. When will the source(s) of the money be sued with a bribery case?
With the Batasan blast, it is said that the cash gift issue has taken the backseat. But no matter what happens, this “bribery” issue will always hunt the president and her administration. No matter how many denials and admissions will appear, the fact still remains that cash gifts were given in Malacañang. And the President has no knowledge and has nothing to do about the giving?
This will be added to the very “short” list of alleged anomalies in the Arroyo administration.
No Corruption in the Philippines
October 27, 2007
by Ricky Gelido
We are living in a country that is economically stable. We are living in a country that is free from corruption. This is the
The Arroyo regime has never been linked to any alleged corruption. It was not connected with the P728 Million Fertilizer Scam of Joc Joc Bolante, former Agriculture Undersecretary. The President herself is not related to Jose Pidal who has an unexplained wealth of P200 million. The President has nothing to do with the overpriced
The P1.3 Billion Peso Poll Automation contract and the allegedly anomalous $503 Million Northrail Project are questionable but the regime could not be blamed. The controversial $329 Million ZTE National Broadband Network deal can not be considered part of corruption.
Millions or billions of money are not involved in anomalous contracts. There’s no corruption at all.
Malacañang and the President are pure enough that should not be dragged by the latest issue: the alleged giving of money or “cash gift” – bribery to many - after a breakfast in Malacanang.
But then there are whistleblowers.
Gov. Ed Panlilio of Pampanga was the first. Bulacan Governor Jon-jon Mendoza seconded the Panlilio declaration. Some other elected officials came to the open later. Negros Oriental Gov. Emilio Macias III, Cebu Rep. Antonio Cuenco, Bulacan Gov. Joselito “Jonjon” Mendoza and Pangasinan Rep. Rachel Arenas are among those who admitted that they received money.
Another one who admitted receiving money is Manila Rep. Bienvenido Abante. In a report, Abante said that the President was around during the distribution. But President Arroyo is totally innocent about this; that’s why she ordered the PAGC to investigate the matter.
There were already witnesses to the cash windfall. But why the silence of Malacanang? Questions arise. Was the money given with a receipt? Was it given in cash so that there would be no trail? From where was the money? The Department of Budget already issued a statement that the money did not come from its office. Still no bribery?
Excuses are everywhere. Squid tactics are all over. Diversionary issues are always present. All to hide the truth about the lies?
We don’t have a
Such an illusion!
Penned by Ricky Gelido for Magandang Balita newspaper editorial (October 2007)