Edgardo J. Angara
BEING stubborn in pursuing misdeeds is one of the shameful legacies of the Arroyo government. For instance, despite the public outcry against the midnight madness sale of government assets, the Arroyo administration continues with its selling binge. This is the third time I am writing about this issue and by the looks of it, this will not be the last. The rush sale of government assets continues, faster as the May 10 elections approaches.
Why am I worried about these sales? Because it is obvious, as many others in the opposition camp have pointed out, that the government is apparently doing this to raise huge sums of money to ensure victory for Mrs. Arroyo. She desperately needs the people’s mandate to legitimize her position and power.
Only recently, the Arroyo government sold a prime government property of Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) located in the heart of the tourist area in Malate, near Adamson’s University. This is the latest addition to the series of questionable sale of government assets under the Arroyo administration. These sales do not only reflect bad decisions but also, and more apparently, bad motives. For why should all this happen now, and at such a manic frenzy, when the President is a candidate in the coming elections?
As I have mentioned before, this administration’s selling binge does not only involve government assets but also national patrimony. The historic Fujimi-Kudan property in Tokyo, is being secretly disposed of, at terms that are clearly disadvantageous to government.
Vice President Teofisto Guingona has confirmed the plan by Malacañang to award a 50-year lease to foreign companies to develop and manage Philippine properties in Japan.
Built in 1934, the Fujimi Kudan structure serves as official residence of Philippine ambassadors to Japan. Selling it reflects the Arroyo administration’s disregard for its historic and patrimonial character.
In July 1990, the Supreme Court had ruled that the executive department has no right to dispose of properties belonging to the public domain without congressional approval.
Other properties being auctioned by this government are the 75-year-old, 107-hectare National Center for Mental Health in Mandaluyong; the transmission facilities of the National Power Corp., estimated to be worth over
R110 billion; the government’s 10 percent stake in the Manila Electric Co.; a 90 percent stake in Philippine National Construction Corp.; a piece of property owned by the Food Terminal, Inc.; a Makati property presently housing the International School; a stake in the Philippine Postal Corp.; and certain assets and equity in television station RPN 9.
Already hatched were two questionable deals on the supply of liquor and luxury items at the Duty Free Philippines (DFP) and the contract for the construction of an MRT train route between Bulacan and Quezon City. Both contracts consist of terms that put the government at a disadvantage, but to the advantage of certain people close to the President.
If Mrs. Arroyo and her henchmen in government think they could get away with all these, they should think again. Congress is taking note of their decision lapses. And a non-government organization, Bantay Yaman ng Bayan, is keeping an eagle eye and taking a record of these misdeeds.
The end does not always justify the means. We should keep our people informed about these sinister acts designed to win their votes. These should be exposed and opposed. Being given their right to information should empower our people to make an intelligent verdict at the polls.
