This cover of the BizNews Asia magazine has been making the rounds in social media. I shared many skeptics into thinking that this could be another well rendered fake magazine cover remiscent of the Time magazine parody that trolled Inquirer.
So to quell doubts, off I went to the nearest bookstore.
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I was supposed to buy my own copy but when I browsed through the September 30,2013 edition of BizNews Asia, I felt it wasn’t worth my Php 150.00 when I saw the uncorrected COA report that Way Kurat, (ex-Congressman and now Compostela Valley Vice Gov Zamora) still topping the PDAF releases despite the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) admitting to clerical error in listing the simple Representative with a Php 3B Pork!
…Secretary Abad stated that the mistake was due to human error, according to him, the processing of SARO numbers used to be one manually. He already informed COA about the error and the agency has already apologized to Zamora’s daughter.” (DBM Admits Clerical Error on “Way Kurat” P3 Billion Pork Barrel Controversy
by ED UMBAO on AUGUST 21, 2013)
Recall that Way Kurat, the same 3 Billion peso chart topping PDAF Congressman, was celebrated back in 2003 as one who has broken all Congressman stereotypes. For he is the only congressman who wears a dowdy barong and proudly rides his mountain bike plate numbered with an “8” from his rented home in Northview subdivision to the Quezon City Congress complex!
But the guards take only a few seconds to recognize the 51-year-old Zamora, the representative of the first district of Compostela Valley in Mindanao, whose peasant ways and bike riding have made him a celebrity. He stands out among the 200 or so congressmen in Armani suits and P500,000-Rolex watches on their wrists.” (Compostela Valley Rep. Manuel Zamora defies all the stereotypes of trapo congressmen by Luz RImban)
Now, amidst all the Pork scandal, SORRY is all that Way Kurat’s getting especially NOW that his name has made it to the pages of this international magazine?
Amazing that Commission on Audit (CoA) wasn’t able to make the correction right after the DBM’s admission? And why isn’t DBM getting slammed for the crap that has resulted to the infamous Napoles?
Is it because of the political color that imbues this nation? We better change the colors of the Philippine flag then since it’s been a Daang Matuwid with blinders on for the past 27 years!
It is a pity that senators and representatives like Way Kurat become collateral damage to a cover story that elicits a major face palm. That is tragedy when other good men become political apologists and do nothing .
Mike is the author of “Minsan may Isang Puta”, an allegory which has been circulating since 2004 and with over 50,000 likes and shares in social media alone. It won a film grant in 2010 to be included in the multi-narrative Indie film “Ganap na Babae” (International title: Garden of Eve). The teaser, reviews and commentaries are here. The movie was honored as Cinemalaya 2010’s opening film and has won international and local recognition.
The royalties from the initial 150 copies of Mike’s first sole-authored book, The Dove Files, went to a Project Malasakit scholar who graduated Cum Laude in April 2013, the rest was also paid forward to baby Mark who underwent a liver transplant in March 2013.
Part of the royalties of the “Minsan may Isang Puta” book at Barnes and Noble Online goes to support the education of a young Yolanda survivor taking up B.S. Accounting at U.P. Tacloban.
Another scapegoat or fall guy in the form of Cong. Zamora?
It’s been years since I heard of this news about Way Kurat and I didn’t buy it the first time. If there is any immediate good that this #PorkBarrelScam is doing is its absolving Manuel “Way Kurat” Zamora and exposing how “crafty” the Dept. of Budget and Management is; the Commission on Audit, indolent.
Sooner or later, this country’s going to a revolution within the next couple of years. I can feel it.
I am so hoping of a Philippine version of the Bastille this time. Enough with posturing. Off with the heads! LITERALLY!
Revolution? Can we have a real one this time? One that has actual change and not just a change in leadership? Or change in figurehead of the small groups of people that really run our nation?
PNoy’s claim that WE the People are his bosses was nothing more than a pipe dream.
Or at least that’s how it has been looking/appearing since he was elected.
I first came to your country 23 years ago on business. Since then i have been dealing with the same company based in Manila. What has changed during my 23 years of visiting your country and the answer is nothing.
Last month 6 or 7 bombings in Mindanao already forgotten and out of the news, happened before and no doubt will happen again
Cebu, 110 dead when the ferry sunk, happened before and sadly to say will happen again.
Corruption and political scandals. Politicians stealing whats new? Surprise.
Manila flooding, everyone up to there neck in water. Guaranteed to happen again.
Muslims running amok in Mindanao.
Everything in your country is like a repeat cycle with no end or solutions in sight.
Does not matter what system your government introduces all the thieves from the top of the political tree right down to the provincial mayors are all still in place.They will never stop stealing.
Yes your country needs a revolution to sort the mess out once and for all. You deserve equal opportunities, equality and a prosperous future. Not one where you are practically treated as serfs and a few thousand criminal families commonly called politicians bleed your country dry.
On a lighter note give your fellow countrymen a slap wake them up so they see the light and your way of thinking.
After the revolution who will replace throne? Then after xx number or years its election time, Filipinos will elect another batch of retardeds. Back to square one.