Pork barrel, ‘pet projects,’ what’s the difference?
My reaction to the news item titled “Pimentel: What’s wrong with pet projects?” (News, 1/10/17).
Pork barrel used to be called Countryside Development Fund. Then it was repackaged into Priority Development Fund. And now Senate President Koko Pimentel brands it “Pet Projects.”
However you look at them—from all angles, from deep inside—each of those pet projects, defined and enumerated, already come with signs proclaiming, “This pet project is courtesy of Congressman Manhik Manaog and Senator Walang Alam kundi Magnakaw sa Kaban ng Bayan.”
Sir Koko, would it be possible after identifying projects worth millions (even billions) of pesos, a lawmaker would just sit by the side and wait for the projects to be completed?
I could imagine, Jaime Cardinal Sin’s reply: “Katarantaduhan.”
We were not born during the prehistoric era or during the days of the barbarians or in Rizal’s time. The awesome and amazing advances in the computer world and digital communication systems allow to keep ourselves updated on recent developments and fast-breaking events.
Yes, Sir Koko, we can read between the lines, when you just mean to please your fellow senators or when you are using plastic straw to sip DU30 nectar.
There should be a procedure such that, upon identifying the so-called pet projects, members of the Senate or House of Representatives will have their hands immediately tied and then be kept in isolation to prevent their participation in the implementation of the projects.
What “change” are we talking about? Different “pulgas or ticks” sucking the blood of the same dog (kaban ng bayan or national coffers). Pet projects?
ISIDRO C. VALENCIA, Makati City
