We have witnessed how the administration struggled helplessly to the point of paralysis in the face of calamity. In a stark contrast, we see on Facebook posts how the Office of Vice President, ostracized by Malacanang and the House of Representatives, quietly did what ought to be done, helped the hard-hit victims of the howler “Kristine” in Bicol Region.
If there is any vital lesson that can be elicited from the scene of devastation is learning what is a decisive leader and what is a wimp.
Amidst the raging killer typhoon the phalanx of defender and propagandists of Malacanang and the HoR shamelessly defended their patrons. They chorused “how can one stop typhoons”. There is nothing that can be done until the raging winds and floods settle down, conveys President Marcos.
The devastation also revealed the obscene and despicable political bias of the print and broadcast media who not too long ago jointly pledged to uphold the truth. Each entity stonewalled the on-going activity of the Office of the Vice President which had promptly prepared for the coming of Kristine. Before, during and after it hit Bicol the OVP Satellite Office (the propagandists and HoR bystanders call these “safe houses of VP Sara” ) truckloads of relief goods were being readied and later distributed to victims.
When floods ebbed BBM on board a chopper is seen in the front pages of newspapers, social media and TV. Then they asked: “Nasaan si VP Sara?’
In the aftermath more than 100 victims died as government rescue teams waited for floods to recede. Someone managed to post on FB a snide observation complete with pictures showing over 3,000 police force dispatched to arrest Pastor Apollo Quiboloy but not a single policeman sent to rescue victims.
What happened and why so many victims perished remained unanswered. More typhoons are predicted to come before the year ends. So far except for the structure which collapsed after being rammed by a fisherman’s banca, none of the 5,500 flood control projects which cost Filipino taxpayers ₱1.3-trillions has yet to be found.
The nation has actually given up on those invisible flood control projects. It merely hoped that when another typhoon is expected, the rescue and relief apparatus are ready. By the looks however no one seemed to be on top of the situation. Is the leadership that inutile?
