Politics of destruction

I feel people. I also know people, well, more often than not. My dad was like that. He had a gut feeling about who was “good” and who was “bad.” This is why I am dismayed to see Butch Abad being “persecuted”—blamed for the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP) and called on to resign. For whatever people may say, from my dealings with him over the years, Abad is as good as you can get.

I first met him when he was education secretary. I went to Batanes and stayed at the inn named after his mother. I saw the garden he set up and felt the place he grew up in. Talked with him. The man is simple, uncomplicated. And absolutely decent.

I have dealt with him because as chair of the Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission I naturally have dealings with the head of the Department of Budget and Management. Invariably my dealings with him were aboveboard. I met his daughter Julia; she too is so decent. The family is as decent as you can get.

It is unfortunate that he is embroiled in the DAP mess. The question is: Is there any hard evidence that he misused funds? The Supreme Court says he went beyond accepted government procedures in reallocating savings—a practice of every administration since 1986! The interesting question to ask is why now? I can understand why he would have wanted to find some way to fast track the disbursement of funds for development, given the bureaucracy inherent in government. It really can be frustratingly slow.

The question again: Has Abad ever misused public funds? Misused as in stolen or used for personal gain? In fact, his reforms at the DBM have saved the taxpayer billions of pesos that have been used to provide important services to our people. If he had wanted to steal, he would have had many chances to do it but instead he guarded our money and spent it wisely.

The truth is, he has been quietly finding ways to improve how public funds are spent and it shows. In the esteros where I am directly involved, the third party impact assessment found exciting achievements in terms of deliverables in health, environment, economy and even happiness. And there was no way we could have done all that if we did not have government support. From the National Housing Authority to the Department of Public Works and Highways, to the Metro Manila Development Authority.

Everyone working together.

Look at the data. There have been unprecedented gains in increasing investments in social protection, basic education, public health, infrastructure, climate change, social housing, defense, such that the economy is hailed to be the fastest growing in Southeast Asia. All this without imposing new taxes (except sin tax), and even borrowing less. All these are being recognized the world over.

We have an investment grade rating—first time ever to show as proof. Overseas we are applauded. And here the architects of our rising economy are being vilified. Huh?

When I read the news, sometimes the agenda I feel is not a stand on right and wrong but rather—aha—there is an opening we can take advantage of! Aha, we found a way to hit P-Noy, let’s play it up! It’s the politics of destruction. It feels more a hitting-back kind of thing. If the person is from the other camp, destroy him regardless.

The politics of destruction will do good people in government an injustice. It can’t ever be positive when we tarnish reputations and discourage good people from joining government. And what if good people are no longer willing to join government? We leave it to the corrupt and power-hungry? Is this really what we want?

Don’t get me wrong. If there is proof that Abad or anyone has misused money meant for the public good, let them answer for that. But before we condemn anyone, let’s look at the evidence. Let’s look at the facts. Let’s look at where we are now, what has been done for the country. Let’s not nitpick. Let’s look at the bigger picture and then make a stand.

And I have made mine. And I feel and think it is the right one. I support Abad. This country is going the right way. Let’s keep our eye on the ball.

This is more than about Butch Abad.

Gina Lopez is chair of the Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission.