The Manila Times: Summer of Good Governance
Summer of Good Governance
By: Harvey S. Keh
The Manila Times
I’m glad that someone finally filed a plunder case against former President and current Pampanga Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. Former Solicitor General Frank Chavez recently filed a P 550 Million plunder charge against Arroyo, former Executive Secretary Alberto Romulo, former Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) president and chief executive officer Francisco Duque III and former OWWA administrator Virgilio Angelo. The case is in connection to their alleged misuse of the OWWA Funds which are supposed to be used only for the welfare of overseas Filipinos. According to Chavez, these funds were diverted to PhilHealth in early 2004 with the approval of Arroyo. The said funds were used to help boost the re-election bid of Arroyo in the 2004 national elections. It is no wonder why for the past years many of our overseas Filipinos who encounter problems abroad have a hard time in getting assistance from the OWWA since their funds have been depleted and used for another purpose.
Other Corruption Scandals
I am sure that many Filipinos have been waiting for justice to be served to Arroyo and her cohorts which has been involved in several graft and corruption scandals during their 9 years in Malacañang. This will also help in further solidifying the present administration’s commitment towards stamping out all forms of graft and corruption in government. Many of us are also waiting for prosecution of those who also took part in the NBN-ZTE Broadband deal and the Fertilizer Scam. I feel for Jun Lozada and his family who sacrificed several years of their lives just to be able to fight for the truth but up until now not one of those who perpetuated the NBN-ZTE deal has been brought to justice. If this continues to be the trend even in this administration, I wouldn’t be surprised if whistleblowers and truth tellers will no longer come out with their exposes. The only major roadblock that seems to hamper these efforts to jail these crooks in our government is the institution that is supposed to be the one to prosecute them which is the office of the Ombudsman. It would be good for the general public not to let up in its pressure to ask our Senators to immediately vote to impeach the Ombudsman so that we can finally hold these corrupt officials in the previous administration accountable for their actions.
Children from Brgy. Old Balara doing their artworks
We Heart Preventive Health Program
This summer, the Kaya Natin! Movement for Good Governance and Ethical Leadership (KN) is launching several good governance initiatives. Good governance doesn’t only mean the absence of graft and corruption in the government but more importantly, it also stresses the need for efficient and effective delivery of important basic services to the people. In the 3rd district of Quezon City, KN recently launched its We Heart Preventive Health Program that aims to educate residents of Brgy. Old Balara about the importance of staying healthy in order for them to avoid getting sick. This is done through art workshops that are given by volunteers led by KN Core Group member Stephanie Sison, to children from the baranggay. During these art workshops, the children are taught different ways on how to prevent particular sicknesses such as diarrhea, flu, cough and colds. At the end of the workshops, the best artworks will then be made into a calendar that will be given to the households in the baranggay. Through this initiative, KN hopes to be able to help our only KN Champion in Metro Manila, QC Rep. Bolet Banal in promoting quality healthcare in his district. For those who want to donate or volunteer for this project, you can send an email to sd.sison@yahoo.com or you can also contact the KN office at (02) 434-1458.
Good Governance Summer Writing Workshop
For college students who are currently looking for something worthwhile to do this summer, KN is offering a free summer writing workshop that will train participants on writing inspiring feature stories. The workshop will be facilitated by notable writers and editors whose stories have already been published in our country’s major dailies such as The Manila Times, Philippine Daily Inquirer and the Manila Bulletin. Aside from this, participants will get a chance to meet and interact with the KN Champs such as Ramon Magsaysay Awardees DILG Sec. Jesse Robredo and former Gov. Grace Padaca who are known to exemplify effective, ethical and empowering leadership. The summer writing workshop will be held from May 18-20,2011 at the Ateneo School of Government, Ateneo de Manila University, Loyola Heights, Quezon City. If you are interested to apply and register, you can contact Wendell Balderas at (02) 434-1458 or you can also send an email to knmovement@gmail.com.
Comments are welcome at harveykeh@gmail.com .
