Less balikbayan boxes for Christmas?

Glory Hallelujah! International flights will soon be landing at the Bacolod-Silay Airport, with the South Koreans leading them. The announcement that teams of golfers from that country will start flying in this December, is very welcome news, indeed. It could mean that flights from other countries may also follow suit later, making our local airport an international one at last!

But what if the city mayor of Bacolod objects and protests against such progressive developments the way he would not accept flyovers and other projects he cannot claim to be his?

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Who cannot help sympathizing with the families of the 224 unfortunate people who happened to be on that Airbus carrying mostly Russian civilians back to St. Petersburg that had crashed in Sinai, Egypt? All those in the plane, including crew members perished in what does not look at all like an accident. The latest reports indicate that the Airbus had exploded in mid-air, and this seems very possible when one sees footages of the wreckage of the aircraft on the ground. It looked as if it had been crushed to smithereens, which is not at all what is usually seen during ordinary crashes. While we pray for the victims, let us hope that the culprits who did that heinous deed can be identified.

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Airport officials have noted that there are fewer balikbayan boxes coming in from overseas workers this year than in previous ones. Ordinarily, senders of those goodies make sure to dispatch them early so their loved ones can get them before Christmas. Perhaps they have been scared off by those reports about inspections and taxing of such boxes, and are refraining from sending gifts. Or they may have been scared by stories of “laglag bala”, and are avoiding problems both for themselves and their addressees.

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Will claiming that the charges against one had been caused by an “honest mistake” help? The mayor of Camalig Town in Albay resorted to that excuse, claiming that her “voluminous work” had led her to overlook the acts for which she had been charged, found out that it wouldn't work. The Sandiganbayan sentenced her to eight years in jail, just the same for overpaying a company for repairs and carwashing of town government owned vehicles.

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Theirs should be among the sins that are said to cry to the heavens for vengeance. And the heavens did, through the decision of the Ombudsman to slap charges against the vice mayor of Makilala Town in North Cotabato, and four other municipal officials for padding the cost of eyeglasses intended for senior citizens. In 2012, the group allegedly reported the price of the eyeglasses at P99,000, when it should have been P6,280 only! An outraged resident reported the anomaly and the five are now facing charges for violation of the Code and Official Standards for Public Officials and Employees, as well as the Government Procurement Reform Act.

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Another official of Marinduque has been charged for usurpation of official functions, which is a criminal case. Regina D. Reyes had been a candidate for congresswoman, but the Commission on Election had disqualified her for being an American citizen. But she assumed the functions and duties of a member of Congress, attended sessions, received allowances and benefits of the office. With the charges against her filed, she is now required to post bail of P10,000.

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I know that the Reyes family is very prominent in Marinduque as I used to know someone from that province who was related to them. So, is Regina Reyes, the disqualified congresswoman related to the Marinduque Governor, Carmelita Reyes, who has also been charged for technical malversation and violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt practices Act? The governor has also been ordered suspended by the Ombudsman for charges related to the P728 million Fertilizer scam, for which she is accused of procuring fertilizers without the required public bidding.

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The report that China is easing its one-child policy and allowing couples to have two, made many of its citizens rejoice too soon. As of yesterday, what came out in the media is that couples should not take the report too seriously yet, because the rules are still being studied and the regulations being formulated. So hold it, all ye eager beaver parents, you might get penalized for starting a second child before all the rules are out.*

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