A cut above the rest

By Gloria Ramos
Cebu Daily News

Together with the senators and the nation, we stood in awe watching Heidi Mendoza detailing what she knew about the corrupt practices in the military. Her revelations might have shaken the institutions concerned, including officers at the Commission on Audit (COA) where she was one of the auditors. But we have no reason to doubt Mendoza’s words. Her courage, honesty, fortitude and patriotism amid the threats to her life put her a cut above the rest, many of whom still choose to be wrapped in their comfort zones. She is truly this epoch’s Gabriela Silang – a hero who dared to speak the truth and fearlessly face the consequences.

What she had to and will go through because of her expose will forever change not just her but her family. Heidi is aware of that, being no babe in the woods. But she loves this country so much that she is willing to sacrifice everything – and I mean everything.

Who would relish life as a protected state witness, forego a “normal” lifestyle and join the challenging and solitary paths that heroes like Jun Lozada took?

For some people, giving up a career and the perks that go with the position at Asian Development Bank is not the smartest way to go. But, no second thoughts about it, Heidi Mendoza chose exactly that option.

Her sterling example inspires Filipinos, especially our youth, who are in dire need of genuine leaders and role models. Yes, many are proud to know that there are more heroes in our midst.

Even before the Senate hearing, we already know Heidi as a selfless public servant and a true patriot. She is just like Efren Peñaflorida and others who chose to do their work, and who could not be swayed to dance with the wolves.

Not many are aware that, years back, Heidi launched in Cebu City her book, “A Guide to Investigation of Common Procurement Fraud and Irregularities” – another of her extraordinary gifts to us and our country. Acknowledging, in her words, the “creativity of the corrupt,” in writing the book, she wanted more citizens to understand the procurement process, to watch out for the red flags of procurement fraud and to help empower us to be more involved in improving our government system and minimize, if not eradicate, corruption.

Heidi reminds us that “fighting corruption is not only a responsibility of government… it is the responsibility of every citizen.”

We cannot allow Heidi Mendoza to feel alone and lonely. Let us actively support the crusade for good governance and a corruption-free society.

The writings on the wall are very clear. Unless we fight corruption and stop the untold damage that it has inflicted upon our values, psyche, society, institutions and life support system, there would not be much left for the next generation to live for.

Magpakabana. Makialam.

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President Aquino’s issuance of Executive Order No. 23, which bans logging in the country, is an answered prayer. Finally, we have a President who will not hesitate to exercise the much-needed political will to restore the ecological health of our dwindling forest ecosystems. EO 23 is a recognition of an urgent need for all stakeholders to respond to climate change by taking care of and increasing the number of natural protected areas and the biodiversity and livelihood they support.

The log ban provides the perfect opportunity for everyone to help reforest, on a massive scale, our denuded landscape. We can start in our own backyard and community. I read about an emerging trend abroad of throwing seed “bombs,” for seeds to grow in vacant lands under a nourishing humus-like environment. I wonder if this practice can be considered as a form of “assisted natural regeneration.”

Hopefully, the President expands the moratorium to cover unsustainable projects such as mining and coal. Likewise, it is high time for the President to hold accountable the DENR and local government officials who are terribly remiss in the job of implementing our environmental laws such as the Clean Water Act of 2004, the Clean Air Act of 1999 and the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000.

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It was an honor to be part of Reimagine Pilipinas Bukas, a gathering of the country’s movers, shakers and cultural icons in Antipolo. With naninindigan denizens like Jim Paredes, Noel Cabangon, Marian Roces, May Paner (a.k.a. Juana Change), Vince Lazatin and a host of others behind its conceptualization, the experience proved to be distinctly unique, inspiring and made one feel more hopeful about our future. Replicating it all over the country was highly recommended. Reimagine Cebu conference is certainly timely. Cebuanos in the group included Sen. Serge Osmeña, former UP president Dodong Nemenzo, Neil Huele of Step Up, Tony Oposa, Jr. and the “best actor/director” at the conference, the dynamic Leon Flores. The event was, like Heidi Mendoza, a cut above the rest.

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Heidi shows the way

By Malou Guanzon-Apalisok
Cebu Daily News

Expressions of support from ordinary people and civil society groups for former state auditor and whistleblower Heidi Mendoza continue to pour in. Whether it is by way of mass actions, community prayers and messages through social networking sites like Facebook, they are unmistakable signs that people believe Mendoza gave a truthful testimony about large scale theft and corruption in the military.

I got an invitation last Saturday to join the mass action led by Fr. Carmelo Diola of the Cebu-based Dilaab Movement. I missed the event due to a previous commitment but I gathered the early morning program for Ms Mendoza at the IT Park in Lahug, Cebu City was a success. Many people who were jogging or sunning around the IT Park enthusiastically joined the activity upon hearing that it was to demonstrate support for Ms Mendoza. A Eucharistic celebration held at the St. Jerome Bible Center in Mabolo at 6 p.m. capped the day’s activities for Heidi, whom Fr. Melo calls “a truth-teller who speaks from the heart”.

Meanwhile, Dilaab Movement executive director Tess Tejero launched a parallel campaign among FB users to change their profile photos with a picture of a lighted candle, a symbol for watchfulness or vigilance.

Heidi’s revelations come like light in the darkness. By virtually lighting a candle, netizens are saying they listen intently to Heidi’s revelations and are keenly watching how government reacts. They want to know why despite tons of evidence of unexplained wealth on the part of former military comptroller Carlos Garcia, special prosecutors want to forge a compromise agreement with Garcia instead of charging him for plunder.

People want a just and speedy resolution to the charges of corruption levelled against the military echelons. We are often told that vigilance is the price of liberty and Heidi has shown us the way.

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Malacañang recently called on members of the Armed Forces to squeal on corrupt military men, like what Lt. Col. Antonio Ramon Lim did during the Senate Blue Ribbon committee hearing last week. Lim served as budget officer under Garcia.

Hot on the heels of the revelations of military whistleblower Lt. Col. George Rabusa about the send off gifts or “pabaon” to former AFP Chiefs of Staff Angelo Reyes (P50 million), Roy Cimatu (P80 million) and Diomedio Villanueva (P160 million), Lim came out and corroborated part of Rabusa’s statements that P160 million was disbursed from military coffers and delivered to Garcia supposedly as “pabaon” for then AFP Chief of Staff Diomedio Villanueva. Lim revealed he prepared and delivered the P160 million in batches to Garcia.

Corruption in the military is oftentimes likened to organized crime by the mafia, a separate or self-ruling organization where the boss sits on top. The Sicilian criminal society group which spread to Italy and the US spawned gangland wars that stand out for violence and deaths but especially for a culture of corruption that invaded societies in and out of government. In the US, the mafia is referred to as National Crime Syndicate whose extortion and gangland deaths in the 1950s triggered legislative hearings that exposed the tentacles of the mob in and out of government.

The mob scenario in the context of the AFP is frightening and I can understand why Heidi Mendoza is very distressed whenever she appears in legislative hearings with Carlos F. Garcia just a spitting distance away.

The question is, despite all resources at its command, why is the government helpless in going after corrupt government officials, in particular those in the military who, per Heidi’s account, helped themselves to government funds as if they owned the money?

One of the answers maybe gleaned from House records on the 2004 legislative hearings on military corruption. The hearing was initiated after Garcia’s wife and two sons were arrested by US immigration authorities for bringing in $100,000 to San Francisco, California in December 2003.

In the course of the legislative hearings conducted by the House committees on defense and banks, then Ilocos Norte Rep. Imelda Imee Marcos revealed that a group of defense contractors and retired as well as active military officers had put together a P50-million fund to stop ongoing inquiries into the ill-gotten wealth of AFP generals. Marcos said she had “insider information” about these efforts to stop the probe of generals. In a published report that did not provide details, Marcos said a “war chest had been put up in order to bribe and blackmail people into silence.”

Marcos told reporters covering the hearing, “These people have started getting fidgety. They have well-paid people now digging muck against potential key witnesses and even those leading the investigation.”

Now if only Marcos could come forward, and in light of public awareness that Heidi has generated, citizens provide verified information on favored defense contractors and their military contacts
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