Miriam to Aquino: Why silent on pork?

MANILA, Philippines – Daang matuwid? How come you were silent on the pork barrel scam?

Sen Miriam Defensor Santiago posed this question to President Benigno Aquino III, saying he should have discussed the controversy in his State of the Nation Address (SONA) last Monday, July 22.

“Bakit walang imik doon? Dapat sabihin dahil ang tema o theme ng administrasyong ito ay daang matuwid laban sa korapsyon,” Santiago said in an interview on GMA News TV on Wednesday, July 24.

(Why was he silent on the issue? He should have discussed that because the theme of this administration is the straight and narrow path against corruption.)

“There should have been a specific discussion on the problem of corruption and telescope it to the anomalies connected to the pork barrel,” Santiago said.

Santiago joined other lawmakers, bishops and analysts in questioning Aquino’s silence on the alleged P10-billion pork barrel scam involving at least 5 senators and 23 congressmen, as reported by the Philippine Daily Inquirer. Rappler also reported that even administration allies gave funds to questionable NGOs, based on Commission on Audit reports.  

Santiago said the reports are “very scandalous” and merited a discussion in the President’s annual report.

“Magtatanong ang taumbayan magkano ba ang kinikita ng bawat senador at congressman doon at gaano ba katagal ito. Dahil estimate ng isang diyaryo, P10 billion, b as in baboy, na ang kinita.” (People will ask how much the senators and congressmen earned from this and how long it has been going on. Because one newspaper estimates it’s P10 billion, b as in baboy or pig.)

The National Bureau of Investigation and the Ombudsman are conducting probes on the alleged scam. The Palace has said Aquino ordered a thorough probe, “no matter where the evidence leads.” 

Santiago reiterated her call for the lawmakers to go on leave, saying even ordinary government employees face preventive suspension amid allegations of irregularity.

“Bakit kung mataas ang katungkulan mo, pakapalan mo lang ng mukha mo, sige ka lang nang sige doon na nagsusupetsa na ang buong bayan na nagnakaw ka ng daang milyon?” 

(How come when you occupy a high post, you have the gall to stay in your position even if the entire nation suspects that you stole hundreds of millions?)

Among the senators tagged in the scandal is Santiago’s fierce rival, Senate Minority Leader Juan Ponce Enrile and his allies Sen Jinggoy Estrada and Sen Gregorio Honasan II. They have said they are open to any investigation on the issue.

Santiago was not able to attend the SONA but watched it on television as she is suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome.

Malacañang has defended the omission of topics in the SONA, saying the President had limited time to mention all sectors, and already had a lengthy speech.

‘Like student lengthening paper’

Santiago also scored Aquino’s media advisers for the almost 2-hour long speech.

“No one can keep his concentration for two straight hours. The President should just focus the SONA on bullet points, the most important points, because people in Malacañang and Congress already know what he says because that’s our job. The purpose is to make the man on the street understand his message.”

Santiago cited unemployment and underemployment as the main issues Aquino should have zeroed in on.

“Kamukha sa college na lahat na lang pati footnotes ilagay mo sa paper mo. Ilagay mo sa likod, endnotes, huwag sa main pages. Huwag mo ilagay sa harapan dahil magagalit ang propesor sa iyo. Magsususpetsa na lang siya na wala kang masabi. Maling-mali iyon, masyadong mahaba,” said the former law professor.

(It’s like you’re in college and you include the footnotes in your paper. You should put that in your endnotes, not in the main pages. Don’t put it in front because your professor will suspect that you really have nothing to say. That is so wrong, it was too long.)

On the election of Aquino ally Senate President Franklin Drilon, Santiago said there was no surprise because their ruling Liberal Party (LP) controls the Senate and Drilon was already Senate President for 3 times.

Santiago commented on the possible lack of checks and balances with the LP leading both the Senate and the House.

“That’s always the risk in a democracy. There’s nothing you can do. The problem is when the senator or congressman just passes laws because Malacañang says so. That would be tyranny of the executive branch over the legislative branch. It’s up to the senator to decide based on principles.” 

The senator also reiterated her suggestion for a SONA uniform, slamming lawmakers who act like peacocks in extravagant attires.

READ: Oscars of PH? Miriam wants SONA uniform

She said a uniform is best to avoid the ostentatious display, like the robes senators wore during the impeachment trial of former Chief Justice Renato Corona.

“Makita tayo ng kabataan, sabihin nila, ‘Ah yun lang pala ang senador eh, basta magarbo ang suot mo, senador ka.’” (The youth will see us and will say, ‘So that’s what a senator is, you just wear fine clothes, you’re already a senator.)

“Dapat tinatanong din ano ang IQ mo, saan ka naggraduate, ano nagawa mo sa buhay mo bago ka magsenador. Kung wala kang masagot, tahimik ka na lang, huwag ka paikot-ikot doon. Because it’s so offensive to the proper sense of values!” 

(They should also ask what your IQ is, where you graduated, what you did in life before becoming senator. If you can’t say anything, just keep quiet and don’t prance around.) – Rappler.com