Cut the whining and start working!

It’s unusual for a member of the House of Representatives to be whining about having to work during tropical storms. Perhaps it’s a case of being too mouthy as to trigger the foot and mouth syndrome.

For instance, Rep. Diego Benavente asserted that there was no pressing matter to hold sessions last Wednesday and Thursday. He claimed that government employees were released because of the storm. He uses it as a reason to lodge a lame excuse that must interfered with his house-to-house canvassing.

Speaker Benigno R. Fitial snapped right back that the House would hold sessions as scheduled “rain or shine”. Said he: “If the weather poses a threat, I would have called it (session) off for I’m equally wary of the dangers of putting people’s lives in jeopardy. It’s pure common sense”.

Now, let’s take a closer look of the greater questions here, Mr. Benavente. Any public servant who’s true to his oath of office would have instantly questioned at what point (weather condition) are employees released from work to prepare for the impending storm:

1. Tropical conditions where the storm is headed directly to the islands, therefore, poses a threat to everyone? 2. Upon declaration of Typhoon condition 2? 3. Any tropical condition even with the knowledge of an ill-defined storm? 4. Just any condition to grant an additional holiday for public sector spoil brats?

The fact is: the recent storm was ill-defined and never seriously posed a threat to residents of these isles. Why then were public sector employees released from work? Beats reasoning, doesn’t it, Mr. Benavente?

Most businesses were opened all day Wednesday and Thursday. However, most can’t transact business with pertinent government offices because they were shut down Thursday.

Mind you, the government payroll per hour is around $600,000. It’s a loss of more than $4.8 million because someone decided it was fine giving employees another unearned loot in taxpayers money.

This ill-conceived administrative decision didn’t factor-in other exorbitant expenses incurred during the two-and-a-half days of cool though unearned holiday. It includes thousands of dollars for food catering (free food), hazardous pay, night differential, supplies, etc.

It’s a matter of policy and guarding the public coffers, ascertaining that vague policy matters aren’t abused with impunity as in the recent monsoon storm. That it was raining and you were lazy to report to a House session is no excuse whatsoever to complaint about having to work. After all, the taxpayers are paying you to work. Dios miho!

If you feel otherwise, then let those who understand the full measure of their fiduciary obligations meet the expectations of the people they represent in both chambers, di ba?

Better yet, the election law should be amended requiring all those who have declared their intentions for the two top seats to take leave of absence from their current post.
Resignation should follow for the victor. Why must taxpayers be coughing out for your biweekly loot when you’re out stumping the villages?