Corruption is the main issue on this whole “flood control project” subject. Slowly getting to the bottom of it, we’re all hoping though that this won’t get flooded with excuses… or end up drowning or be washed away into the sea of oblivion or locked in an “archive cistern”. Or more likely, “cease turn” (turn off the stop button)… That’ll be a major turn off. It’s not that similar corruption cases get “archived” as a means to move forward… If only we can press the “fwd” button to fast track it instead… Along the way however, there’s the high rate possibility of a whitewash. Again, we’re talking about billions of kickbacks. As might be expected, there’ll be payoffs. Not to mention, there are powerful people behind it. And by “not to mention”, omission and silence come with a price, as much as there are the fall guys and scapegoats. Some are called contractors, actors, media practitioners, et al. Money talks, people listen; money dominates, “those paid off” are subordinates… And as systematized and secured as a kept secret, OTP seems to stand for “On The Payroll”. “Nothing much to prove” means “it’s not that much to pay if only to “silence” who might prove otherwise” or who could trumpet the “inspirational lies”. No receipt, only reset. Move forward…

We usually hear, “Nothing much we can do, let’s just move along. Moving forward…” While “paying it forward” seems to be taken quite literally. So, how do we move forward when what’s rather employed is the “pause” button. While “rewind”, through the ongoing investigation, doesn’t cover all the backtracking prerequisites. “Play” is for show. Are we being played to hope for nothing? Would it be like the usual, nothing will come out of it? This whole flood control project corruption hearing for instance, is it a pretentious spectacle to cover up the truth? Is it a circus with a roller coaster of emotions, circumstantial evidence and discreditations among other factors for inconclusivity? Who’s in power? Who’s in control? Who’s going to take the fall? Who’ll be held liable? Will someone even be held accountable? So many questions that’ll be left unanswered. Simply because it’s been planned all along… We’re likewise flooded with excuses and premeditated defenses. We’re rowing our boats down the stream wherein just beneath us, truth is drowning.

We’re so used to braving the waters yet right under our noses is what impedes our proper breathing. “Ngo-ngo, nga-nga, nge!” What now? Let’s rock the boat and dive-in a little deeper (pun intended). Just in case the flood control gets fixed, will there be no more flood amidst heavy downpour? Or will it nonetheless get filled up and overflow still, given the volume of garbage that clogs it? The point of spending billions would certainly raise not just water but the sea of opportunity amongst diverse entities who’d dip their toes and get their feet wet for all its worth… and it’s worth a lot – – – of money. That said, are we addressing the issue properly? Flooded or not, to dryly put it. It’s like trying to alleviate traffic with costly alternate routes when in fact, the cause of a bottle neck is the convergence of “undisciplined” drivers and “awaiting” traffic enforcers. While “apprehensions” may be “seen” as a deterrent to traffic violations or some commendation-worthy disciplinary action, it further causes a pile up… Much like garbage that clogs floodways. Multiplying with the volume of flood water are the unconcerned populace apathetically disposing of their garbage everywhere and the capitalists who see the opportunity to make money. Thus, as Senator Ping Lacson pointed out, more than flood control, “greed control” is what we should rather focus on. Discipline is likewise needed.

Are disruptive and wayward exploits and undertakings tolerated in the pursuit of profiteering? It has become part of the supply and demand of capitalism. Come to think of it, if there’ll be no more problems to address, no need for budget allocation kickbacks… And they don’t want that… That’s why, are we going to tolerate all of these? Going back to the corruption issue being heard in the senate, will plunderers actually face criminal liability? What if the reason why they’re there is to actually drown any issue against them? By drowning, it’s not just washing of hands but washing away as well of every possible hint of evidence. Or defensively present an inverse argument. Denial is another one. If only we’d wear the right goggles to see that the cracks and seepages may have started ahead of time. And behind those fissures are “prominent fixtures” (figures). Offense being the best defense, they’d present receipts of posturing against the wrongdoings they’re apparently capitalizing from. Much like how one of the most flood-prone areas is “positively” taking it, (saw this one on social media) they’re wittingly cheering themselves on with “Go Bulacan” but when read backwards, it says “Nacalubog (sa baha)”. There seems to have a hidden message we ought to decipher much like that “defensive offense” context. FOR EXAMPLE (and if I were to be sarcastic): If I were some official from the affected area, chances are, I’d also sweet talk my way into winning the hearts and votes of my constituents as I emphasize the need for a “hefty-priced” solution the area is plagued with. However, behind it all, that was just some means to serve as proof to negate my involvement in any form of corruption (“to debunk is to the bank”).

Sarcastically, in moving forward, be defensive. Be offensively defensive. How do you do that? Look at Richard Gomez, his intention to defend the lower house where he’s a part of, considering how it’s plagued with graft allegations, he went for the jugular against Mayor Benjie Magalong who is bravely exposing the corruption in general. Trying to live up to his name “Goma”, as rubbery as he wanted to show how Magalong bit off more than he can chew, it sprung back at him. If he’s not guilty, there’s nothing to be defensive about. But that of his was even offensively defensive. An apparent attack dog that consequently bit off his own “goma-like” (rubbery) ego more than he can chew. Then, another one from the lower chamber, Lanao del Sur 1st district Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong, also found a reason to bark. His taking offense based on Magalong’s “moro-moro” remark wasn’t even taken from its used context. By alluding to the insensitivity to the Muslim community with the use of a slang term which basically means the same thing, he’s likewise using his sensitivity to that of his own cause if only to discredit Mayor Magalong’s respectability as something people shouldn’t take seriously. All the more, Adiong is creating a divide between Filipinos. Corruption under sham pretence is a serious problem Filipinos are faced with regardless of faith and religious affiliation, and Adiong’s concern is rather “for the few and far between” offensive term used for how it’s staged? He just had to “ADD YUNG bagay na yun”, probably it’s what “insertion” means. “Bad, yet (the) insertion” such as that, is Adiong barking to protect someone? Speaking of moving forward, “Abante” (Manila, 6th district Representative) is “going forward” with so much entitlement. He’s more concerned about their reputation than the people’s welfare… It’s not well, it’s not fair for him to “umAbante” ahead of the case given the implication’s conflict of interest within their chamber. And he even had the audacity to demand an apology from the one among a few trying to solve the problem… “Atras Abante?”

Come to think of it, “back and forth” (atras abante) has been the direction where we’ve been taken for a ride in resolving corruption. Nothing has changed. Yet. This time though, our hopes are a little higher. Or still afloat… The flood control issue is just one of many corruption cases. The Philippines is flooded with a lot of it. From small time to big ticket projects, corruption persists “as much” as the deceitful worldly aspirations continue to lure us into giving in. And to do so, there are enablers who mask these materialistic desires and ambitious as the end goal. Sadly, it’s their mundane basis for inspiration. Though this has been a common practice among many, two of the country’s influential media personalities are in hot water. Pun intended considering that “hot water” is also indicative of a good life compared to the victims’ dirty and chilly flood water. As they’ve surmised, both features with the same context were “meant to inspire” considering the Discaya’s rags-to-riches story despite the means of how it was unfairly “engineered and contracted”… In their defense (or damage control), instead of an apology, they’re rationalizing their act with a “feedback sandwich” approach. No amount of even a pair of good reasons can sandwich a bad deed as it’ll nevertheless taste as bad. It likewise contaminates the whole provision. Both Korina Sanchez and Julius Babao have openly denied getting paid ₱10M “representation” (which was just a sample amount btw) even though they weren’t directly named. Aha! Direct hit on their guilt? Advertently, their “vlog feature” was “directed” to be a hit. Their intention wasn’t to inspire because it’s the featured subjects who wanted to be featured for all their intended publicity’s worth. It was “worth something” alright… Karen Davila admitted that she denied to feature such propaganda. Whereas, we saw a circulating video of Senator Allan Peter Cayetano pointing out this sort of trend to two of their known “influencer-attack dogs”… If they’re contemplating on filing cyber libel charges for damages on their reputation, it’s just ironic how that reputation they’re protecting has actually been smeared by what they did. If you do so, you’re a part of that corrupted system… Rather, take one for the team. Flooded with different and contrasting sentiments, you’ve served a purpose through an exposé that showed another means of tolerating and patronizing corruption through enablers who are as guilty in allowing these sorts of perverted “inspirational stories and achievements” to thrive… It’s another corrupt practice that we are made aware of; with the involvement of the media this time. All “VICOs” of good governance’s brand of bravery…

And as we move forward, amidst powerful enemies, against the power of money, how do we do that? Let us not put our guards down. The main proponents and perpetrators of corruption are of course equipped with their defenses. They likewise believe they’re the good guys guided by the spirit. Probably the “ghost” in their “mystical” projects… They’re ready with their defensive arguments. They are monied. They are powerful. Big names they have. They’re not just prepared to safeguard their names and reputations but stocked up with a counter attack on our hope, the Good Governance advocates. By all means, they’ll discredit Benjie Magalong, Vico Sotto, Ping Lacson, Mayors for Good Governance and team, et al. They’re far from perfect. They most likely have their own flaws. But they’re fighting for the right thing this time, for us. For every Filipino. For the Philippines. And so, protect them by all means. Let’s treat this, as well as them, as our last hope. Let’s defend it with our faith… Against the offensive attacks on moral standards and decency… FWD! Faithfully We’ll Defend! Flood ‘em With Defense! And as Tito Sen has put it with conviction, Lord, have mercy on us.