Worthy women in politics and government

It has become a stock answer by those against systemic reforms that we should first “reform” ourselves before we can do that. And yet we do nothing to “reform” ourselves. We continue with bad habits and old attitudes and expect to change. So there is a smack of insincerity to that answer. They do not really want either systemic reforms or attitude changes. The late prime minister of Singapore, Lee Kuan Yew, was asked if he could say in one word the secret of the success of his country: ‘meritocracy’ he said. And may I add, especially of worthy women who deserve to be better known and given recognition.

It is good to see that in the huge partnership for constitutional reform by Bayanko and labor federations there are five women in the 15-member Executive Board. It is these women whom we should praise and emulate instead of the undeserved publicity being given to a celebrity for no reason other than she would be a “popular presidential candidate.” For that she has become the darling of trapo politicians. Well, how indeed can we reform a country with such an attitude?

On the Bayanko board are women who have worked hard and continue to work hard for the good of our society. It is among their kind that we should look for potential women leaders instead.

There is Milagros Ogalinda of the Development Workers Union who is its secretary-general; from the National Alliance of Teachers and Office Workers Union (NATOW), Susanita Tesiorna, president of the Alliance of Workers in the Informal and Economy sector (ALLWEIS) which counts millions of independent workers; Florencia P. Cabatingan, chairperson, Development Action for Women; Angelita D. Senorin, president, Voice of the Callcenter Industry (VOICE). These are worthy women who should be given the publicity and honor they deserve for the work they do. They are the exemplars of Filipino women. This column will do everything it can to project the work these women do for a better society.

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On another matter of grave importance that must be known by the public is the stand of the TUCP re the issue of PDAF. Again, because it is not well known, the welfare of workers is neglected by those who should be concerned. Here, too, are dynasties clinging to power they are not entitled to.

This column has received information from TUCP that Raymond Democrito Mendoza has taken over the post courtesy of Comelec, although the rightful nominee for the TUCP party-list is Roland de la Cruz.

Raymond Democrito Mendoza has been accused of releasing part of his PDAF allocation to alleged bogus foundation and suppliers in the total amount of P14 million. Once again it is through Comelec that the questionable election has been made. Unless the public and our legal institutions intervene, we will have the continuous usurpation of official positions for “personal gain.”

Raymond Democrito Mendoza was appointed by his own father who no longer has the power to do so. “The appointive officers of TUCP at the time of Democrito Mendoza’s resignation are considered to have vacated their offices as their appointments were co-terminus to respondent Democrito Mendoza, who was no longer President of TUCP.”

Meanwhile TUCP president Herrera urged the immediate investigation of the lawmakers listed in the report of COA who released part of their PDAF to bogus foundations and suppliers and vowed to closely keep watch on the case.

“A cooperative was included in the list of recipients of the financial and livelihood assistance in 2011 amounting to P13 million granted by Rep. Raymond Democrito Mendoza. The Cooperative never received the said grant.”

Such malpractices demand immediate investigation regardless of party affiliations and such investigation should be carried out with full force and intent of the law, Herrera added. –Carmen N. Pedrosa (The Philippine Star)