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September 21, is
an easy date to remember. In 1972, it was the day democracy died. Marcos declared
Martial Law.
Martial
Law resulted in the country being transformed into a destitute nation, her people
becoming slaves oppressed by a tyrant.
Marcos
was so corrupt, he was noted in the Guinness Book of Records for kleptocracy.
Kleptocrats
are people who are sick with an uncontrollable desire to steal mainly through
graft and corruption.
On
that note, we are reminded of a City Square deal that is disadvantageous to the
city to the tune of over P1 billion in 25 years. We are reminded of the P19-million
Gallares Street concreting that is almost double the DPWH standard.
We
are reminded of the P15-million supplemental budget for the Dampas lots, in total
that far exceeds the market or zonal value of total area targeted to be purchased.
We
are reminded of the millions of unliquidated advances and missing vouchers.
Marcos
made the Batasang Pambansa a rubber stamp legislature and we are reminded of a
Sangguniang Panlungsod that would dance the waltz in this age of rock, the Big
Boss says so.
Marcos
made a mockery of the justice system by appointing only friendly judges and we
are reminded how many judges have turned into puppies in the wake of persuasion
- gentle and otherwise.
Marcos
padlocked media and allowed only his lapdogs to bark and we are reminded of local
media subjected to tax harassment, physical and verbal violence.
Marcos
made the military his toy soldiers and we are reminded of a police that has become
docile in the face of swertres, drugs and threats to community by violence of
a mysterious group.
Marcos
corrupted the bureaucracy and we are reminded of city auditors and city accountants
refusing the mandate of law for transparency by refusing to provide public documents
to the people and passing the buck to COA.
September
21, 1972 was 37 years ago. But looking around the city, we are reminded that perhaps
Mr. Marcos has not left at all.
For
Comments: email to bingo_dejaresco@boholchronicle.com
Or editor@boholchronicle.com
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