The
opening words of the Preamble of the Philippine Constitution are, “We, the
sovereign Filipino people…” What do these words signify? These words mean that
the ultimate authority of the government emanates from the people in whom
sovereignty resides. People exercise authority through the representatives
elected by them. These representatives conduct the functions of the government
in accordance with the wishes of the people.
The
essence of government was to provide security and welfare for its citizenry--
to make life easy for the people and ensure that they were adequately protected
and provided with good things of life. But it was indeed paradoxical that the
vast majority of the populace was unable to afford even the basic necessities
of life, which are food, water, and shelter.
The
irony is that the corrupt public officials in the government are living in
utmost luxuries—owning several expensive cars, hopping from one mansion to
another, from condominium to condominium whichever pleases them at any moment,
spending money left and right in classy hotels and restaurants toasting
champagnes here and abroad. A grossly-out feeling when you think they are
wasting people’s money.
Indeed,
when it comes to power excesses in government, public officials are free to do
as they please, and they usually emulate each other. They have everything in
their fingertips while the people have nothing even in their thoughts.
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