Former Tourism and Local Government Secretary Rafael Alunan yesterday aired his solidarity with the marchers against China's “imperialism” and national saboteurs symbolized by what he called “our thieving and lying porkers in government”.

Alunan, a Negrense who was in Bacolod City for a University of Saint La Salle board meeting, said corruption in government has allowed China to make a mockery of the Philippines national security.

The serial plunder of hard-earned taxpayers money is sabotage that has severely impacted on our national security, he said.

And national security does not only cover national defense but a broad spectrum that includes food, energy, ecological, and human security, he said.

The billions and billions of pesos that have enriched a few have come at the expense of the security of the Filipino people on many fronts, he said.

Alunan said he will credit the current administration with trying to do something about corruption, “but it has to do a lot more, it cannot engage in tokenism because it won’t solve the problem.”

“It has to stop playing politics and get down on the floor, get its hands dirty, wade through the muck and clean up the mess,” he said.

“I will grant there is an element of sincerity to address the problem but it is not enough,” he said, there is a need to mobilize human, technical and financial resources to bare on the problem.

There is a need for good management and fervor to get things done, and a collective effort of government and society to fight corruption, he added.

CHINA’S IMPERIALISM

Alunan also stressed the need for a collective opposition to China’s act of occupying Philippine islands, reefs and shoals.

They are stealing territory away from us and preventing our fishermen and local officials free passage, he said.

This is part of China’s imperialistic aim to control the South China Sea that is essentially directed against the United States, he said.

By pushing the United States out of the South China Sea, China can control the sea lanes and convert the nations around it into vassal states, he said.

ELECTIVE POSITION

Alunan said he is seriously considering a return to public life through an elective position, but did not give details.

At this point I have to assess many things, including acceptance by the public, he said.

“I may be able to help, given my experience and understanding of how things work in the country,” he said.

He cited his experience in housecleaning as Tourism secretary from 1989 to 92, and Local Government Secretary from 1992 to 96.

Aside from currently being a member of the USLS board, he is an independent director of Pepsi Cola Products Philippines Inc., and Sun Life Canada, and some of its subsidiaries.

He is also chairman of the National Security Committee of the Management Association of the Philippines and the Harvard Kennedy School of Government Alumni Association of the Philippines. *CPG

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