THERE IS chaos in the Philippine Senate, a once-revered chamber of Congress where the rule of law was established and upheld. Now, its reputation has been tarnished after shots were fired there and Sen. Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, former president Rodrigo Duterte’s first police chief and primary enforcer of his bloody war on drugs, escaped its premises more than a week ago to avoid being arrested for crimes against humanity on a warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC). His escape was allegedly facilitated by some of his Senate allies.
Brave Filipinos who have witnessed numerous killings have come forward to fight for justice and testify, many of them family members of that drug war’s victims. They found the courage to speak out despite threats from the allies of the former president, who is set to go on trial at the ICC in The Hague, the Netherlands. His daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte, has been impeached again and is also set to face trial in the Senate.
Other investigations into alleged corruption by politicians and their cronies continue in Congress after billions of pesos were allocated to flood-control projects that were later discovered to be nonexistent.
A former Department of Public Works and Highways district engineer in Bulacan has testified, while a former public works undersecretary has agreed to turn state witness. A former Bulacan assistant district engineer has come forward to admit that projects were overpriced or nonexistent. Private contractors involved in flood-control operations have given explosive testimonies, naming numerous lawmakers and other public officials seeking payoffs. A whistleblower has provided critical evidence of cash-filled suitcases delivered to top political figures.
They all have revealed the extent of the corruption in Philippine politics, as most legislators are members of families belonging to the ruling elite. They are members of a disgustingly rich oligarchy living in luxury and ruling a nation that has 12 to 15 dollar-billionaires and over 12,800 dollar-millionaires.
They could help change the country’s poverty index if they would only share their wealth and use it to make life happier and less painful, as well as help end suffering and injustice, and protect the environment and human rights. They also could offer a life of decency and social development to the hundreds of thousands of workers in their companies.
In the Gospel of Saint Matthew, there is a story about a rich, young man who came to Jesus of Nazareth and asked him how he could gain eternal life. Jesus told him to live a virtuous life and obey the commandments, which the man claimed he did.
Then Jesus saw he was a wealthy man and did not condemn him for being so, but advised him to “sell his possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” (Mt 19:21).
Jesus wanted all people to have good food and adequate homes, education, and prosperity. That no one should live in poverty and go hungry is a vital message of his. To help them is to be one with Jesus himself, he said. (Mt 25:31–46). (To be continued)/PN
