Philippines aid scandal

I'm grisly amazed at the amount of cash raised by the uk public. I think we all knew that some of the aid would get "sidelined" by officials but if they are stock piling it and diverting it to those not actually in need of it then it's a disgraceful situation. It'll put the Phil's government under the spotlight. Whether anything any good comes of this news piece we'll have to see. To be honest I don't think it'll change a thing. Corruption and greed by those in any sort of power out here is too engrained for it to change.

From the Daily Snail

Here's a news report from GMA regarding US Military MRE (Meals Ready to Eat) being openly sold in a Manila Mall - despite bewing maked "Not for Resale".

this is such a shame but I am not really surprised although this has been happening before with people getting their hands on MRE's and instead of eating it, they would sell it.

I wanted to give some money to the cause but knew that it would most likely be nicked by some official and never be used to help the people who most need it; fortunatly my friend who recently married a Filapina in Manila gave my money to her and she hired a truck and bought stores from the shops in Manila and then drove to an area in need so at least my small contribution was used properly.

As I have said before such lack of morals from government down may eventually fuel a true revolution in the Phils the people need a leader such as Mandela motivated by service principles not pretty words.

I have not yet completed my read of these posts. I will but I did read UK food sold in shops ....

I returned to Tacloban on 1st. December, 2013 from 10 days R&R in Nepal with old Foeces friends.
Now in Cebu with Cristina & Nephew & JIMNY 4x4. 10th Dec, '13.
It is a 2 hour drive + 5 hour ferry trip. Had dinner with Sis-in-Law who is working in Cebu while her Tacloban office is re-built.
We are on a "Grub Run" for Christmas shopping & Diesel Generater parts Etc.. The new Honda gasoline Gen. runs smoothly but is only used
for 2 hours after sunset to charge torches & Cell 'phones for us and the neighbours.
The Black Cloud of shock & depression has lifted from Tanauan and the smiles and
laughter has returned to these wonderfully resilient people. 1036 bodies were delivered by the Sea Surge to its termination less than .5 Kl.
from our home.
Yesterday we bought fresh Magnolia chicken in Tanauan. A great treat for us.
Yet 3 bodies were removed, by Ambulance, from the rubble across the street as we shopped. The stench remains.
It is only the buildings/homes where owners have returned that are been
cleared. The other buildings also contain bodies BUT NO ONE in
authority ???? is seen to be doing a thing of use.!!!
NO FOREIGN RELIEF, WHATSOEVER, HAS BEEN DELIVERED TO OUR VILLAGE.!
Foreign Media are being fed LIES......... The currency of the PI Government.!
We live 1 mile from the edge of town, Tanauan, along the main highway.....
A 7th. Day Adventest mission did do a one day stop in the village last Sunday and had 4 Foreign Doctors and 2 Philippino Dr's. God Bless them.

Tom

I also heard from an American that some politicians are withholding some of the aid in their prospective warehouses and putting their names on the side of the aid containers, so they can be recognised and hopefully be re-elected next time.

Is this true?
Either which way it is disgusting!

I nearly posted something like that under the Mandela thread. I was thinking exactly that.

I don't think that will ever happen here. I get the impression memories are very short here and people will vote for the last person that gave them something / appeared in a movie / paid them the most to cast their vote for them. Education in the majority of the population is low and I think this makes them more impressionable to suggestions / rumours etc. For instance I've already been asked several times whether I think the Chinese started the typhoon.

People here in general, in my opinion, will in a year forget how long it took for them to get aid, the poor performance of the government at all levels and vote for the bloke who's face was on the side of the couple of aid packages the received while he hoarded the rest in his warehouses or sold it off in shops in Manila.

No. As Stu rightly says, memories run short here. Added to which I've been told, by a couple of highly-educated Filipinos that those who might question the whole ethics of Philippine Politics - the better educated middle class - prefer to move and work abroad. Which is precisely what they will be doing and Perth Royal Infirmary will be having a new surgeon and trauma nurse join them after Christmas.

What would it take then for the people to "educate" themselves? I cant see much difference between the "Rich-Poor" apartheid practiced in the Phils and the struggle in South Africa

The Filipino people have voted into presidency the son of their very own Nelson Mandela!
I seriously doubt that very many ordinary Filipinos will be able to tell you very much about the African version!

Certainly not overnight.

We know Filipinos in that business of re education and it takes time and effort and perseverance.

Not all educated middle class Filipinos elect to jump ship.

But aren't those that can make a difference ( the educated middle class) in the very small minority in this vastly over populated, poor country?

It sometimes takes the four horsemen to wake up the folk

It seems that way. But for some the effort is worth it.

No denying that, look at Thailand. Saying that what's happening over there probably wont change anything as the same government will probably get re-elected. I just get the impression that corruption and greed is so embedded in the culture of those that wield any power here that it can never and will never change. Those that have it will never let it go and if they get removed / overthrown they'll just be replaced by others that will do exactly the same given time but with a slightly different spin on it.

Power corrupts.