By Atty. Antonio P. Pekas
We in the media, we go around, we talk to people and by bits and pieces we somehow get to know the alleged goings on in town. As one whispered to my ears, he has yet to meet a politician who could resist the millions of pesos gambling lords would give them as protection money. When a politician is in power, the money would just come. As long as the gambling operation is going, the golden eggs will keep coming.
How big are the amounts, according to the whisperer, we are not talking of peanuts but big money. Allegedly, in the millions. These will keep coming every few days, not months.
Indeed, as one friend who never got tired of filing his candidacy for a certain political position, “there is money in politics.” That is the secret which everybody knows– the end of the rainbow is not on the side of a misty mountain but in politics.
So, if you are a devout Christian who is against gambling, just don’t think about politicians. Or come to terms with the reality they are not saints.
Another irresistible thing, as far as politicians are concerned are SOPs (standard operating procedures). SOP is an ordinary word among public work contractors. Before a contract is awarded to any of them, the SOP has to be delivered first. The rate is 10% to 30% of the value of the contract. Politicians who demand only 5% are of the better kind and they are rare hereabouts.
No wonder, the national leadership mangled the national budget so as to be able to deliver to their party-mate public contracts from which they will have some share in the SOP. Yes, my dear, in this country corruption goes all the way to the top.
Thus, there is no way we can expect reliable government projects. Who can forget that multimillion bridge in Isabela that collapsed right after it was opened to traffic. The President clearly said heads will roll after investigation of the incident is done. Now they are blaming the bad design as cause and no heads are tolling. Chances are not even one will. It is an insult to the intelligence of the people.
Such shady money are irresistible among politicians during an election period. The very big reason is, money can buy votes. Ordinary vote buying among individual voters will happen at the last minute so one’s opponent will not have a chance to deliver a higher bid.
A religious group, do things at a much bigger scale, by the block voting of their congregation. They are known for making the difference between winning or losing. Reportedly, they go also by the highest bidder. And they also find the offer of politicians during these times irresistible.
Those who cannot offer a decent bid need not even try.
Expecting clean elections? Perhaps only in our dreams.**
