BUREAU OF CUSTOMS OFFICIALS- WE ARE NOT ALL THIEVES

The entire force of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) in one stroke placed in freezing status draws a viscerally vitriolic reaction from the concerned and tearfully lamented: “If you realize it, We are not all thieves.” This sentiment is the same as—the fact that you did nothing to stop the rampant smuggling of contrabands executed right under your noses is no more to the point than the fact that a person who serves as a lookout to the commission of the crime to ensure its execution is not guilty of conspiracy. Do they not see the irony of that? Would they be willing to gamble by saying they have never benefited, ever, by way of accepting their fair share from following the code of silence?

The lack of candor and outright dishonesty through rampant corruption are not without recorded precedent in the BOC. Therefore, the lamentation of those who claimed they’re not all thieves was, in reality, a cover-up to escape the disciplinary consequences of their foiled attempt to extricate themselves from the BOC fiasco.

President Duterte’s decision vis-à-vis the BOC deserves a resounding applause. When we build our power against a system that is rigged against us, when we build a country where all Filipinos are believed and their rights are protected and respected, we can truly begin to overcome whatever challenges we are facing that keeps millions of people in this country from realizing both our potential and our rightful future.

We must build together because this moment requires all hands on deck. It’s time for us to call our family and our friends to act as watchdogs over the unscrupulous public officials and to secure the future we all deserve.

All who are in the government service, elected and appointed, should know that Public interest in an adept and honest public service dictates that Happiness is not money. Happiness is victory. Only those who did not listen to the irresistible and strong desire to join the spree of the moment to commit corruption are the ones that will now see the laughter of a lifetime for them.