Mayor Celso L. Lobregat did the right thing by meeting with members of the PICE (Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers) and the COA (Commission on Audit) to discuss the defects in the construction of the City Council building which created a stir of sorts when former Vice Mayor Bong Ko exposed the case. Now we know where the deficiencies lie and the measures that will be introduced to correct the flaws. In short, the building is top-heavy. The foundation can’t carry the weight of the roof deck, which is cause of the cracks and, perhaps, the leaks. And, as COA said, it won’t be irregular to spend money to correct the defects. Repairing the building, afterall, can save lives. Criticizing how it was built won’t.

Congressman Erbie Fabian also did the right thing by convening his House committee to investigate the GOCCs (Government-Owned and Controlled Corporations) for siphoning millions of pesos of government funds for salaries, wages, per diem and traveling expenses of directors. Take, for example, the Zamboanga Freeport Authority. How much money has the government spent for all the years that it has been in operation? Don’t get me wrong, Chairperson Georgina Yu. How many locators does the Freeport have, so far? (I understand one locator pulled up stakes recently.) Has the Freeport earn anything all these years? Is there a financial report to support its continued existence? While I do not question the competence of Mrs. Yu in managing the Freeport, it would only be obligatory on her part to report to the people of Zamboanga what has been going on in that San Ramon facility the last 14 years.

Fabian’s review of all existing GOCCs must be, as he mentioned, comprehensive. Fat salaries of directors must be slashed. Travels, especially to foreigh lands, must be curtailed. Sus madre, I can imagine how much these GOCCs spend on food alone, not to mention the amount they spend for consultants. Gee whiz. It’s time to get rid of this malfeasance.