ISN’T it scary to think that taxpayers’ money is used to pay for so-called “ghost employees” in the government?
Apparently, some public figures want to really “please” their wives, children, relatives, supporters and their cohorts and that’s why they are on their payrolls.
Needless to say, this practice of giving out salaries to persons who do not work should stop. This may be happening not only in the Senate or the House of Representatives, but in other government agencies as well.
So while we diligently pay taxes and all kinds of fees to the government so that we may all receive better public services to ensure our safety, health and education, some officials get portions of these funds so that only them and their loved ones could live better lives. Meanwhile, the majority continues to grapple with life’s bitter economic realities.
Others question the motive behind the request to the Office of the Public Auditor to investigate the hiring practices and office accounts of certain senators. But the public has the right to know where their money goes.
Others question the timing. “Why only now? These things have been going on for some time now, even during the previous administrations,” they say.
It’s a terrible thing to say that this has been happening for so long. This shouldn’t have happened. It should be stopped. And if they knew that this has been going on for years, why is it that they did not do anything about it or did not report it when they found out about it?
It’s about time that corrupt hiring practices in the government are investigated. It is no excuse that certain senators who requested for an OPA probe only want to get back at their colleagues due to the recent failed coup attempt in the Senate. They have every right to do the things that will protect public interest. That’s the reason why they are in office in the first place.
This isn’t all about politics. This is much more about accountability, responsibility and public trust.
So what if Sens. Ramon S. Guerrero and Pete P. Reyes were the whistleblowers? Who else would have exposed all this corruption?
So what if their critics say they just want to get back at the Senate leadership? The most important thing is that corruption should be exposed.
Guerrero or Reyes or whoever in the Senate could also be investigated if they, too, are reportedly violating the law.
Meanwhile, let OPA do its job. Let the public know what their officials are capable or incapable of doing.
If the senators have nothing to hide and if they are true to their public announcement that they “welcome” any investigation, then let the probe proceed.
As for the embarrassment that all this has caused to the senators, their families and friends, the best remedy is to do your job right because you may not see yourself in the Senate again.
