I’m talking about the federalization lawsuit. No one supports it, except for 1) the usual suspects in the private sector, who are still grieving over the garment industry’s demise; 2) your closest political allies; and 3) the politicians who, like migratory birds, are always in search of “better climes”: jobs, contracts and other favors.
Guest workers oppose your lawsuit because they believe “something good” will happen to them (i.e., green cards) under federalization. There is no use talking sense to them, sir. It’s like telling kids there is no Santa Claus.
Most locals, who are voters, are also in favor of federalization. They know that its ultimate goal is to have zero “transition” — nonresident — workers.
Politically then, you must see to it that this issue goes away as quickly as possible. But it’s not going to be forgotten if you continue to resist the Open Government Act request of Rep. Tina Sablan. Your lawyers’ arguments didn’t convince the trial court. Filing an appeal means that, next month, we will all be talking about this issue again and by then, you might have to disclose the documents anyway, triggering another cycle of unfavorable news and commentaries.
What is there to hide?
Why are your legal advisers opposed to releasing the billing statements — or even the summary of the billing statements?
The judge, Tina said, asked the same questions.
”What possible disadvantage will this create for the government? What government function will be compromised? The judge didn’t find [the assistant AG’s] explanations particularly compelling,” she said.
Apparently, the assistant AG believed the documents might show that the government had not been keeping up with payments, or that it was delinquent, or was paying partially.
But everyone knows that already. Ask CUC. Ask the Retirement Fund. Ask government vendors and suppliers. The administration itself has said the lawsuit would cost around $50,000 a month.
Tina — and she’s not alone — suspects that the government is not entirely paying the amount that the law firm is billing the governor.
“Maybe there is a third party involved that is paying” for the lawsuit, she said.
Senator Frica, who is conducting a research on the government’s horrific spending habits, noted that in FY 2007, the governor’s office spent $239,370 on professional services. This went up to $338,689 in FY 2008. She estimates that for FY 2009, the total cost will be $538,332.
Why? What for? And who’s getting it?
Ultimately, the people will know. But you don’t want them to know in July or August when the campaign season has already kicked into high gear.
It’s way better to dump the documents now, brace for the expected backlash from your critics, and move on.
Besides, sir, don’t you want the people to express gratitude to the private individuals chipping in for the lawsuit? (That is, if there are such persons.)
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A good public servant. Since I arrived on island in 1993, I’ve had the pleasure of knowing and working with dedicated Philippine consuls/consuls general — Renato Villapando, Generoso Calonge, Julie Heideman and now Wilfredo Maximo.
They did the job they were supposed to do, and did it very well indeed.
Some kababayans expect more from the consulate, but consuls are diplomats, not magicians. Besides, the services provided by the consulate are paid by taxpayer money. Overseas Filipino workers are no longer required to pay the Philippine income tax, which means that if we want to see more of these services, then we will be asked to pay for them.
Consul General Wilfredo Maximo, in any case, served the Filipino community well. One of his achievements that I truly appreciate is the creation of a Filipiniana section at the Joeten-Kiyu Public Library.
Thank you Con-Gen at mabuhay po kayo!
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