To give and not to count the cost

The disaster response to the catastrophe spawned by ‘Sendong’ has been overwhelming. The disaster, to say the least, has brought out the inner kindness, heroism and compassion from people. Just as much, however, it has also unveiled self-absorbed, selfglorifying people who used the disaster response to further their political agenda.

Such is the case of Congressman Benjo Benaldo.

He published an entire page of political gimmick in Gold Star Daily (page 3, January 3 2012 issue), parading his achievements with an overload of cheesy ‘Sendong’ photos that screamed, “I HELPED. I really did. Seriously.” There was a photo of him hugging a flood victim. His eyes were glistening with tears as he wrapped his hands around the victim that you’d think it’s taken straight from your teledramas. It was too self-possessed and very painful to look at – maybe more grotesque than photos of ‘Sendong’ corpses.

Another photo shows him standing like a boss in front of a helicopter with the caption: “about to take the helicopter to bring relief goods to Besigan.” Apart from it being reminiscent of a teenager’s photo album caption, it showed just how vain he is that he had to let people know every single thing he does. We may very well expect to see an ad of him with the caption: “Me, ironing my clothes for the congressional session later” or “Me, brushing my teeth before my privilege speech on the RH Bill.”

The sincerity of his intention to help the flood victims may not be questionable, but it has been tainted by the very fact that he shoved right to the people’s faces what he has done. Apparently, he is on a publicity campaign to try to secure a win in next year’s election.

This brings into mind the “Anti-epal” bill currently being deliberated in Congress. It basically makes illegal the vanity of politicians like Cong. Benaldo who are using public money to perpetuate their political and social power.

As early as now, the campaigns for the 2013 elections have already started, what with the already emerging political gimmicks like that of Cong. Benaldo’s. Thus, the need to expedite the proceedings for the “Anti-epal” bill well before the election should be in order.

It’s amazing how Cong. Benaldo and many other ‘epal’ politicians are so full of themselves that they can still think of politicking even in desperate times like ‘Sendong’. Having studied in XU and Ateneo de Manila, he should know better the Ignatian principle of giving and not counting the cost.

He is doing the exact opposite. And he is not alone; many other politicians just do it in subtler ways.

To use cheesy photos of the disaster response to shout to the world that one has helped is already ethically problematic and devilishly vain. To use the photos, the victims and the disaster in politicking using public funds is more than overkill.