Where did the pandemic money go?

It would be an invaluable public service in the encircling gloom of disinformation and political dirty tricks — when even the convicted’s delusions of greatness are accepted — if the Inquirer could be persuaded to publish a summary table of pandemic funding. Perhaps an ongoing reporting?

We are in dire need of facts, particularly as the elections approach. Thinking has to be fed, judgment improved, and, as someone said, in a democracy people have a right to change their minds. And without accountability, there can be no good governance. I am reminded of Robert Sarnoff’s definition of finance: “It is the art of passing currency from hand to hand until it finally disappears.” Let us at least be allowed to watch the trick.

Some basic questions to consider:

How much has come from the public purse?

What has been donated from other governments (which ones, how much)?

What has been contributed by international agencies (which ones, how much)?

Which local corporations have contributed (cash/kind/both) and how much?

How much has been borrowed from banks (give details)?

Which government agencies have received funding and to which undertakings have these been appropriated?

What balance remains and what are the projected uses for this?

I am sure there are other noteworthy points of reference that could be raised by expertise. Bernard Levin writes passionately that “… the terrible truth is that evil, when it is in arms, can be defeated only by arming good.” Perhaps the Inquirer can assist with the latter. Corruption has become such a swaggering Goliath in our political culture that one almost gives up hope. However, a few well-aimed stones might still do the trick. A David could do it.

VIRGINIA CALPOTURA, RSCJ
strvirginia@yahoo.com.ph