BULLS HIT

Gov’t bribes and jueteng – again
RUDY GARCIA

We are aware that golf is not an ordinary sport. This is not a game that anybody can just go to the market and buy golf bats and balls, then go to the golf course and play. The cost of playing is not a joke since only the few rich and powerful can play. Sad to note but it is a fact that anyone who has the potential of winning in this sport cannot excel unless he finds a sponsor, willing to shoulder the expenses.

I myself would not even think of playing golf, not even in my imagination. Reason is, this is not really my line of sport and also, the high cost of playing is far beyond my reach. However, by the way events are turning nowadays I am now thinking of trying my luck. Lucky are those who play golf and became instant recipients of benefits from underground or secret transactions.

Many times we see or hear news of alleged payoffs and bribe- giving or offering from playmates or golf buddies right at the golf tracks. This is the reason why I now have the second thought of playing golf. Well, this is not like placing a sure bet but as the saying goes -- in every business, you have to invest first before you earn like having to purchase golf bats, balls and outfit.

Never mind how much I will spend just so I can play, but surely, it’s a smart idea to spend a little and earn a big amount afterwards. Earning as much as 10 times or more from your investment is not bad; what with those tempting payoffs and bribes and even a part of those so- called government transactions from your golfing buddy?

Look at those politicians having transactions right at the golf courses. Politicians bribing fellow politicians, and note how much is involved, not just a small amount, but a whooping six digits or more! So, who cares for the golf membership fee, the caddie’s fee, the cost of the attire or how much all in all we have to spend? Compared to the amount to be poured on our bank accounts?

So next time you see me riding on the latest edition of a BMW, or Mercedez Benz, your guess can be right that I have tried my luck in golf and made it easy and quick. But then again, my conscience dictates self destruction is something worst a man can ever regret, so again, I have made up my mind to forget golf bats and balls, evergreen golf courses, golf buddies, tempting offers and so forth.

Now, I realize that playing golf is not my priority, after all I have my children and it is their future I have to think of. At least there comes a time that they can be proud of their father who never played golf.
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The revelation of Pampanga Gov. Ed Panlilio that he was given half a million pesos allegedly at Malacañang is a blow that became another black eye to the administration. The courageous act of this former priest turned politician is laudable and should be set as an example for his fellow politicians.

After all the mega scam exposes and now the alleged Malacañang cash giveaways to government officials, GMA and her allies seem to be in panic. They issue statements which are not consistent. One Malacañang official denied the allegation and claimed that cash giveaways did not come from Malacañang while another Malacañang official said during an interview that the cash given were but early Christmas gifts to the officials. So what is true? Truth is there will be more to follow.

Well, it seems that the stinking odor at Malacañang has started to come out that the public can now smell the bad smell that any kind of gimmick to deodorize it has no effect like this GMA order to investigate the alleged cash giveaways. But, who believes on her anyway? Only her puppies maybe.

The only way that we can bring back in order the Philippine politics and save the country from further political turmoil is for GMA to resign and let De Castro the announcer be the caretaker up to the year 2010. And for those officials, who may also have received cash money, follow what Panlilio did! Come out and reveal what you know! Don’t be bulag, pipi at bingi! Don’t be cowards. ***
After about three days of stopping its operation, jueteng is again on the upswing in Baguio City. Bet collectors or kubradors are again on the streets busy collecting bet money. According to sources, there was already an aregluhan between the operators and some high ranking officials in Baguio and Region I, the reason this illegal numbers game was given a go signal.

Surely, a big amount of money was handed out as areglo to have this jueteng push through. How much, I bet nobody among the officials who may have received the jueteng cash gifts will have the balls to come out and answer this question. Of course an official will not be that stupid to defy an order from his superiors! After all pera, pera lang naman yan, right Mr. City Mayor Bautista and BCPO Chief Supt Guevarra? Nagtatanong lang naman po!
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On the issue of the garbage collection problem in Baguio City, it seems the city mayor stands pat on his order for “no segregation, no collection” policy. Well, this is his way of disciplining his constituents who maybe hardheaded. They refuse to follow simple instructions. But the good mayor should also consider health hazards these uncollected piles of garbage may bring to the community. How about asking our city councilors to make legislative moves to address this problem? Like authorizing every Barangays to institute appropriate solid waste program on their own?

I guess there are a lot of private entities willing to undertake solid waste management through a memorandum of agreement and by this system, the load of the local government and the barangay will be lessened. This will also let every barangay have income or barangay funds through this “pera sa basura” how about it your honorables?
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If one of my bubwit was right that the ‘bingo sa barangay” would be back in operation after the barangay and SK election, then this can be a good news. Right now, it is the illegal jueteng that is rampant in Baguio and bringing back the bingo will eventually make jueteng operators pack their bags.

Looking back, the bingo was found to be a legal numbers game as decided by a court in Baguio. There are a lot who benefited from this fund raising project. The fact that vehicles were donated to the city government out from the proceeds of this project proves that the bingo is advantageous and beneficial to the people and local government. So I urge every peace loving citizen to support the bingo project rather than placing their bets on the illegal numbers game called jueteng, period!