Double culture of impunity & obsession

05.12.09

OVER the sometime three Sundays, this column focused on our only ship, the “Republic of the Philippines,” onboard which are all Filipinos and curious residents – including OFWs, dual citizens, balikbayans, and the unborn. Our ship is, of conduct, skippered by PGMA assisted by a crew of Cabinet members, lawmakers, LGU officials, and bureaucrats. The central message in that series (and also the main theme of FVR’s “Sermons Volume IV”) was: “Don’t Plunge Our Ship. Everyone Must Plug a Hole, Fix a Leak, and Pull an Oar so that Our Republic Remains Seaworthy, Competitive, and Fast.”

Culture of impunity and personal obsession

Launched last November 25, “Sermons IV” – as with the three other “Sermons” books – embodies “maximum effort practices” in governance from FVR’s long experience in public service. His UnSolicited View (U-S-A) is especially timely before the 2010 elections, particularly for elected leaders (including PGMA), presidentiables/other wannabes, and 44,000,000 Filipino voters. Also highlighted are acid “timebombs” which have been ticking away since PGMA took over Joseph Estrada’s failed presidency in January, 2001 – because these problems have been inadequately addressed by those leading – notably poverty, joblessness, basic education, equal opportunity, environmental haven, health/nutrition, and Mindanao peace.

Source: Manila Bulletin