I don’t have the exact figure but most Filipinos are living below the poverty line. In some cases, a number of families do not enjoy three square meals a day while others literally live a life of an astray animal by scavenging the trash for a morsel. Whenever food and care come to my mind, it pains to know that pet dogs in America live a better life than some Filipinos. In the States, these dogs have insurance. They are well fed. They even have toys and are exercised. They sleep on a cushioned bed. Their owners give them showers whenever it is necessary and they visit a veterinarian whenever there is a slight symptom of illness.
Sad to say that in this country, a lot of families and individuals do not enjoy such Stateside doggy privileges. The difference is that the suffering and cruelly marginalized or abandoned in this country are human being clothed with dignity and in a religious sense; they carry the face of God.
The recent dinner of Pres. Arroyo and her entourage in the States drew a lot of furor when in downtown New York City; a battalion of Philippine officials headed by the president spent $20,000 in one of its finest restaurants at Le Cirque. Filipinos must not forget that through their tax, they feed these officials. Elected officials in turn must know that their paycheck comes from the people they serve. With that amount, all mouth-watering food and good-tasting wines were at their disposal. If proper etiquette of tipping was observed, another $3,000 (15%) was given to the staff for their service.
When the issue spread like a fire in the prairie, Mrs. Arroyo said in defense that there is no tax payer’s money spent in that unimaginable meal. Instead, Filipinos were informed that Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez (probably a close kin of Imelda Marcos) picked up the tab. Mrs. Arroyo's apologists continue to say that it was just a simple dinner. Filipinos are not that stupid to buy that. Simple dinner at the cost of $20,000? Come on!
This is disturbing. How could a Philippine member of the Lower House who probably receives an annual salary of say, $10,000 spend $20,000 in a couple of hours just for food and drinks?
Most probably, the president is lying. If she is not, the people find it difficult to believe her explanation because of her low rating in terms of popularity and trust which is as good as nil. Assuming that a congressman indeed shouldered the bill, was it appropriate or ethical for Mrs. Arroyo to accept a $20,000 gift?
Even if the bill came from personal sources, it was inappropriate and scandalous for officials from a country perceived to be very corrupt to exhibit such bragging and insensitivity in time of economic downturn and abject poverty.
So, at Le Cirque, the party had a sumptuous French dinner and drinks. Back here in the country, some Filipinos missed one or two of their daily meals. Some were in the Smokey Mountain or in the garbage dumps searching for food. A number could have died because of hunger.
The president and some in her party are known to be schooled by respected universities and colleges here and abroad. Some were educated by the religious like the president. My question is: Did they enjoy their food when they know that here at home people are dying because of poverty and hunger? People are living like animals because of neglect; don't they? People are abandoned by those in power in exchange of their uncontrolled appetite to power and wealth as if these who are in dire poverty are no longer human being. After this life, can they bring a centavo to their final destination? (See Luke 16:19-31 for a related story.)
What probably were the New Yorkers or those who read the article have in mind about our officials eating fantastic food for $20.000? They know that we are a Third World country and for sure they know that our government is rated "A" in terms of corruption and graft!-30-
Sad to say that in this country, a lot of families and individuals do not enjoy such Stateside doggy privileges. The difference is that the suffering and cruelly marginalized or abandoned in this country are human being clothed with dignity and in a religious sense; they carry the face of God.
The recent dinner of Pres. Arroyo and her entourage in the States drew a lot of furor when in downtown New York City; a battalion of Philippine officials headed by the president spent $20,000 in one of its finest restaurants at Le Cirque. Filipinos must not forget that through their tax, they feed these officials. Elected officials in turn must know that their paycheck comes from the people they serve. With that amount, all mouth-watering food and good-tasting wines were at their disposal. If proper etiquette of tipping was observed, another $3,000 (15%) was given to the staff for their service.
When the issue spread like a fire in the prairie, Mrs. Arroyo said in defense that there is no tax payer’s money spent in that unimaginable meal. Instead, Filipinos were informed that Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez (probably a close kin of Imelda Marcos) picked up the tab. Mrs. Arroyo's apologists continue to say that it was just a simple dinner. Filipinos are not that stupid to buy that. Simple dinner at the cost of $20,000? Come on!
This is disturbing. How could a Philippine member of the Lower House who probably receives an annual salary of say, $10,000 spend $20,000 in a couple of hours just for food and drinks?
Most probably, the president is lying. If she is not, the people find it difficult to believe her explanation because of her low rating in terms of popularity and trust which is as good as nil. Assuming that a congressman indeed shouldered the bill, was it appropriate or ethical for Mrs. Arroyo to accept a $20,000 gift?
Even if the bill came from personal sources, it was inappropriate and scandalous for officials from a country perceived to be very corrupt to exhibit such bragging and insensitivity in time of economic downturn and abject poverty.
So, at Le Cirque, the party had a sumptuous French dinner and drinks. Back here in the country, some Filipinos missed one or two of their daily meals. Some were in the Smokey Mountain or in the garbage dumps searching for food. A number could have died because of hunger.
The president and some in her party are known to be schooled by respected universities and colleges here and abroad. Some were educated by the religious like the president. My question is: Did they enjoy their food when they know that here at home people are dying because of poverty and hunger? People are living like animals because of neglect; don't they? People are abandoned by those in power in exchange of their uncontrolled appetite to power and wealth as if these who are in dire poverty are no longer human being. After this life, can they bring a centavo to their final destination? (See Luke 16:19-31 for a related story.)
What probably were the New Yorkers or those who read the article have in mind about our officials eating fantastic food for $20.000? They know that we are a Third World country and for sure they know that our government is rated "A" in terms of corruption and graft!-30-
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