THE guys at my favorite watering hole in Daly City are, as usual, confused about the state of affairs in the Philippines.
And, as usual, they turn to me for enlightenment. I oblige, of course, knowing that in the land of the blind, the one-eyed is king.
Take the Sin Tax, hailed by President Noynoy Aquino himself as “an early Christmas gift to millions of Filipinos.”
In signing the bill into law, he glowed over the fact that the higher taxes on cigarettes and liquor would generate billions in revenues, much of which will go to the country’s universal health care program. Just as important, it would be good for the health of the masses who will be “discouraged from smoking and drinking.”
The logic, in case you haven’t caught on, is that the higher cost of cigarettes and liquor will make them unaffordable for the teeming Filipino masses, thus forcing them to quit the addiction.
“I don’t think the Sin Tax will discourage smoking,” says Johnny, who is a GI – a Genuine Ilocano. “It will simply encourage cigarette smuggling and clandestine cigarette manufacturing.”
“But that’s the beauty of the Sin Tax,” chimes in Mario, a known Aquino admirer and apologist. “It will encourage entrepreneurship, which is part of PNoy’s long-term economic program.”
Asked to explain, Mario gives the example of jueteng, which has flourished mainly because it is an illegal activity. According to him, a new generation of Bocalans will make a killing from cigarette smuggling, while local officials will make millions from protecting the illegal manufacture of cigarettes.
“And all of that money will go into the economic mainstream, just like the remittances from OFWs,” beamed Mario.
“And think of how much money will be generated from manufacturing illegal liquor!”
At this, Pete looks up from his glass of beer and joins the conversation.“According to reports, PNoy does not plan to stop smoking.”
“That’s because he can afford the higher cost of cigarettes,” says Johnny. “The Sin Tax is only intended for the poor.”
“Isn’t he setting a bad example?” Pete presses.
“Not exactly,” says Mario, ever ready to come to Aquino’s defense. “In fact, PNoy will be making a supreme sacrifice. He will deprive himself of the good health that the Sin Tax will provide. He would rather leave it to the poor to enjoy those benefits.”
“That,” he adds with a flourish: “is what you call, Selfless Leadership.”
I have some difficulty following Mario’s defense of Aquino. It almost sounds like Tito Sotto’s justification for plagiarism.
Mario continues: “If PNoy should develop lung cancer, he might even present himself as an example of the hazards of smoking.”
“That,” Mario concludes: “is called Leadership by Example.”
Pete, who is a former ad agency copywriter, can’t resist the opportunity for a pun: “I can almost see Aquino’s communications geniuses creating the slogan, ‘Kung walang yo-si, walang Big C!”
“Hey, did you hear about the massacre in Cavite?” Joe the bartender calls out from behind the bar. “Just like the massacre in Connecticut.”
I point out that, as a result of the mass killings, Aquino intends to enforce strict gun controls, just like Barack Obama.
“But will he apply the rules to himself?” asks Joe.
Once more, Mario comes to PNoy’s defense: “Of course not. PNoy is Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. That entitles him to all the guns he wants. Strict gun controls are only for the masses.”
The folks at the watering hole can’t understand what they’re hearing. First, a Sin Tax to discourage smoking and safeguard the health of the masses – except the president of the country, who will not stop smoking. Then, strict gun controls applicable to everyone but the president, who is a gun enthusiast.
“Shouldn’t the law apply equally to everyone?” asks Gerry, who has been quietly listening to the exchange.
“Not in the Philippines,” says Johnny. “In the Philippines, every province or town has its own set of laws. And when you hold a position of power, you are a law unto yourself. Take the Ilocos Region – that’s an independent republic ruled by the Marcoses.”
Being an Ilocano, he says that with unveiled pride.
Johnny also gives the example of Cebu, where Governor Gwen Garcia continues to defy the Department of Local Government, which is supposed to have authority over the provinces.
“Garcia is being supported by Vice-President Jojo Binay, former President Erap Estrada and Senate President Johnny Ponce Enrile,” says Johnny.
For perspective, Binay also defied Malacañang when he was mayor of Makati and he was ordered suspended. Ponce Enrile rebelled against Marcos.
And Erap was expelled from the presidency by Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and a compliant Supreme Court.”
“Everyone of them made his own rules,” concludes Johnny.
“Palakasan lang iyan,” Pete concedes. “Take General Palparan, who has been in hiding for months. His comrades in the military can find him if they want to, but they don’t want to.”
Another example of palakasan, points out Pete, is the conflict between the Church and the Aquino government over the RH Bill.
“I understand the bishops are planning to campaign actively against those who voted for the RH Bill,” says Joe, the bartender. “They are counting on the Catholic vote to make sure those candidates lose.”
“Isn’t that getting involved in partisan politics?” asks Gerry, who is executive director of a non-profit entity which enjoys 501c3 tax exempt status.”In America, a non-profit is prohibited from involvement in partisan politics. If it does, it loses the 501c3 privilege.”
“The rules in America don’t apply in the Philippines,” butts in Pete in obvious frustration. “What applies is the Golden Rule.”
“And what is that?” ask the folks in the watering hole.
“He who has the gold makes the rules.”