OPTIONS

For those who have been keeping watch over Philippine politics, those who joined in the campaigns, and others who maintained their distance, we have many options open to ourselves. Number one, we can apply for a post under Noynoy's admin, whether or not we campaigned for him. I think that his administration has to be open to every qualified Filipino man and woman to serve the country within the government (we can also serve from outside, Folks), not only to the members of Hyatt 10, The Firm, and the Liberal Party. So this is actually an open call to Noynoy, please heed the call for openness -- to allow everyone who loves this country and who wants to serve the people, to give them the opportunity to be of service to the country.

Let us stop picking people (leaders especially) who had had their taste of being in the government for many many years. A new face with a new perspective of running an agency or a department is very much needed at this time.

Number two, we can strengthen our foundations, seek funds for us to conduct our own program and projects distinct from what the government will do but which have an impact on the lives of the people. We can carry out our own projects, whether economic, cultural and even political. In this way, we are in touch with the people. Then of course, we need to reach out, not only here in Luzon, but also in the Visayas and Mindanao. Let us give our brothers and sister in Mindanao a good show that we "imperialistic" Manilenos and Manilenas are not out to dominate them but to treat them as equals.

Number three, let us create stronger transparency groups. Let us move heaven and hell to make Congress pass the Freedom of Information Act so that we can unearth all kinds of disbursements especially those that Gma had spent and is currently spending, down to the last centavo.

Number 4, let us have huge billboards in every public market showing the expenditures of the government. The readers will be agitated by how much a bridge could cost when built -- can you imagine, one million per meter? Yes one bridge was worth P40Million and it was 40 meters long.

Number 5, let us have a pool of lawyers that we can maintain to help us prepare all our complaints and briefs against those corrupt officials and departments that are misspending.

Numer 6, let us ask for video cameras to be placed inside Land Registration branches, BIR, and all financial institutions that have public transactions.

Btw, one time, I went to the 2nd floor of a BIR office in Intramuros to buy doc stamps for my filing papers at the Comelec. The person in charge was not by her table. A long line of seated buyers was there. And so I asked if there was anyone next in rank who could sell me the stamps. One woman came. I suggested to her to bring down the table to the first floor. And she said, smiling, "We have to sell here on the second floor to prevent their being stolen." You know what I replied? "Ms., you should not be afraid of the people stealing stamps. We have always given away this country's coffers to thieves." Her smile turned into a frown.

When I left the office, she screamed from another corner, "Magpasalamat ka." No I did not look back; just left smirking. Later on I figured, she might have felt alluded to. Is it my fault if she became sensitive about my comments?

Need I say more?