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Friday, March 29, 2024

2014 dominated by Binay, PDAF and jailed senators

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Like all other years, 20l4, which drew to a close yesterday, contained elements that defined its character and established its significance. The defining elements of the year just past were those associated with the Vice President of the Philippines, the twin programs Priority Development Assistance Fund and Disbursement Acceleration Program, the filing of charges against and incarceration of three sitting senators and the proposed agreement for the creation of a Bangsamoro homeland.

Certainly, there also were good things that happened to the nation and its economy during the year that has just ended. But the issues that mainly preoccupied the people of this country and hugged the headlines were those concerning Vice President Jejomar Binay, the three jailed senators and the government programs that are apparently the fuel for high-level corrupt activity.

The Framework Agreement with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front was the only major positive element in the 20l4 national drama. Intended to finally bring peace and progress to Muslim Mindanao, the agreement is now undergoing congressional scrutiny.

The nation was extremely surprised by the decision of the Office of the Ombudsman to forward to the Sandiganbayan for judicial action the cases filed against Senators Juan Ponce Enrile, Jinggoy Estrada and Bong Revilla for corruption arising from payments allegedly made to them by Janet Napoles. Never in the history of the Republic had members of the legislature, its upper chamber no less, been arrested and placed behind bars. To ray that the jailing of the three Senators restored the Filipino people’s faith in the majesty of the law is to understate the matter.

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The nation was likewise gripped by the unsavory revelations made by former high-ranking Makati City officials about transactions entered into by the city government during Vice President Binay’s long incumbency as mayor. Very high were the audience ratings of the numerous televised hearings called by the Senate blue ribbon committee, with horrific tales of extortion, overpricing of bogus biddings for Makati City projects and amassing of illegal wealth.  Through it all, the Vice President has denied any wrongdoing.

The nation will have more of the same TV fare early this year, when the Binay hearings resume. What the hearings will eventually do to the Vice President’s announced quest for the Presidency is now a matter of universal evaluation.    

The gravity of natural disasters in this country has come to be measured against the destructiveness of typhoon Yolanda and the Pinatubo and Bohol earthquakes. Fortunately, no disasters on those scales visited this country in 20l4, although yearend typhoon Ruby threatened at one point to become another Yolanda.

All in all, by the new normal standards that have come into being, 20l4 was not too bad a year for the nation. Indeed, the year brought its share of good things.

Here’s to a safe, prosperous and stable 20l5.

 

E-mail: rudyromero777@yahoo.com

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