Ang Magiting - The Official Web Site of Rotary Club Makati North
ELECTION TIME
The Week That Was, April 25, 2007
By: Rtn. Robert Syjuco
Election time is just around the corner and we had a speaker, Rene Azurin who was going to discuss what we’re to expect from it. But before that, it was announced that the fellowship scheduled next week at PP Peny Reloza’s house was revised to become an RCMN charter anniversary/induction practice night to be held at the usual practice venue instead. Its quite sad that two of the most proper and upright members, PP Peny Reloza and PP Tony Ortigas are seriously sick.
The fun and comaraderie of Rotary fellowship is evident in the faces of PE Joe Reano, PP Tony Chong, PP Pabling Calma, Pres. Porong Herrera, Rtn George Mercado and guest as shown on photo above.
The forthcoming Distas was also discussed, as well as reciprocal visit to and from our Malaysia sister club for our respective inductions. The speaker was a former investment banker and currently a corp and trial lawyer. He also teaches Business law at the green colored university aside from having a regular column at Business World.
Someone worth listening to I thought and true enough he made sense. He discussed the growing indifference not just among us jaded citizens but even among the youth. The view is that elections just change the faces in power but never the system so “the fat and engorged mosquitoes just get replaced by new and even hungrier ones.” So what do we do?
He suggested changing the environment to change the behavior. First, abolish the pork barrel and other discretionary funds that breed corruption. Next, a justice system that works fairly AND quickly. Lastly, electoral reforms that will reflect the will of the people, meaning, no cheating.
Pres. Porong hands over token of appreciation to the day’s guest speaker, Mr. Rene Azurin. (Photo above)
Makes sense. However, my opinion on this is that people in government are corrupt simply because no one is punished for it. They simply get away with it. Crime pays. Put a big fish in jail and make an example. In the ombudsman, 28,000 graft and corruption cases have been filed and yet do you know how many have been convicted? Thirty.. yes thirty. Mostly low level ones at that. The ratio is 1 conviction to 1,000 cases filed. And the low official sees the one above him steals so he steals too. This goes on all the way to the top. Leadership by example! I hope and pray things will be for the better soon…
President's Corner
So, Happy New Year, damn it!
Before anything else, allow me to wish you all a happy and prosperous New Year.
Perhaps not a few of you are tired of getting this greeting, which probably swamped your mobile phone and e-mail mailboxes. Given the challenges ahead – the global crisis, its repercussions here, the run-up to the next national elections, and others – maybe it will help to hear more well wishes.
So, happy New Year, damn it!
Seriously, the gloomy forecast suggests that this year Rotary is more relevant. Many of us are already feeling the pinch, and the others are probably bracing themselves for the worst. But in a sense, we are still the lucky ones. Imagine the hardship and anxiety of those with lesser means. No matter how difficult our situation is now, there always seems to be someone else somewhere experiencing something worse.
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