Let them see Imelda’s jewels

Well! The Philippines has finally landed among the upper half in the list of the world’s most competitive countries. It is now the 65th in the list of 144, which means a jump from its former ranking of 75th. To whom do we credit this “promotion”? Malacañang has already hinted that this is due to the world perception that we are now trying hard to eradicate corruption and promote transparency. Let it be.

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The source of this information was the World Economic Forum report for 2012-2013. Now all we need to do is keep on trying so we can be further upgraded. In the meantime, it’s a good feeling to have, not being at the very bottom everytime some survey from international bodies come out. This is supposed to be the first time we have rated so well, perhaps we can manage to go higher next year?

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An exhibit of Imelda’s jewels? Why not? In some countries, even in the United States, museums where outstanding jewelry pieces are exhibited are very popular. From photos I have seen of some of the collections of the Imeldific One, they could outdo even those of some empress of olden times. I doubt if even Queen Elizabeth of England has a hoard as extensive as that of the former first lady of this country. I heard, however, that her children will not even think of selling, or auctioning off the gems, arguing that they are not government property – yet.

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In the meantime, therefore, that their ownership has not been determined, why not show them to the people so they can, at least, enjoy the sight of such priceless items that could be worth more than the proverbial King’s ransom? Let them feast their eyes on the gems where the money for roads, bridges, schoolhouses and even water systems could have gone. Just make sure no itchy hands manage to touch them while on display.

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A congressman, noted for his defense and sympathy for former president Gloria Arroyo, is now speaking up for the ousted chief justice of the Supreme Court. Rep. Danilo Suarez of Quezon Province and asking the government to ease the pressure on Renato Corona and family, who are now facing serious charges of tax evasion from the Bureau of Internal Revenue. Suarez apparently believes that the Coronas have gone through enough, and deserve to be spared this new problem.

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But isn’t there an internationally accepted belief that the only things certain in this world are death and taxes? Shouldn’t the Coronas have known this and paid their taxes faithfully? The BIR has enumerated the years when they failed – maybe refused – to pay their taxes due. And the amount is nothing to sneeze at, the reports say it is almost P150 million. That is hurting to the poor wage earner, especially salaried ones, who can never get away from paying taxes, because these are automatically deducted from their payrolls. They are the ones watching if a former chief justice can get away with it.

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One more chance. That seems to be the themesong of the Obama administration as sung by his wife Michelle during the national convention of the Democratic Party in Charlotte, North Carolina. Give him another four years, Michelle Obama appealed to the huge crowd. She admitted that her husband had not done so well as he had been promising, but another four years may do it. Of course she did not also say that they should give her another four years to be first lady.

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Somebody has reportedly proposed that the members of the Supreme Court should vote for the one who will be their Chief Justice, and it must not be the president who will appoint him or her. One can just imaging the politicking that will take place if that plan is adopted. Or the court will also be like the board of a corporation choosing among themselves who will head them. Neither option seems palatable. Having a Judicial and Bar Council picking the “possibles” seems a better procedure. Anyway, as shown in their last exercise, they did not even include the one perceived to be the President’s choice.*

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