December Article for ECON 222

Article source: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/104525/govt-to-pay-for-gloria-arroyo-detention-at-veterans

Title of the Article:

Gov’t to pay for Gloria Arroyo detention at Veterans

Personal Reaction:

     This year, justice is being served to our former president Gloria Arroyo, for her graft and corruption and stealing of votes. Apparently, President Aquino is holding true to his word of trying to get rid of graft and corruption. They are presently trying to decide what they are going to do to Mrs. Arroyo for her crimes but as of the moment, she is being held in either St. Luke's or has already been transferred to VMMC, a government hospital and apparently the Government is paying the expenses.

     I haven't watched the news enough so I might have skipped out on the reason of transfer, but I sort of disagree with this transfer, and I have a two major reasons in doing so. 

 

     First off is that the government is paying her bills for the transfer and stay of the former president in VMMC, the money used for the payment could have been used to help those people really in need or to add money to projects that the government might put up. If the former president wants to stay at St Luke's where she is already using some of the money she might've "stolen" to pay for her medical bills, I cannot see why they would need to transfer her, because instead of letting her hold on to the money, it would've been better if it return to the government and market, in the form of taxes, purchases and payments. I guess I have not much say in this because the government might have wanted her to transfer to VMMC because it was costly to look after her in St. Luke's so I guess they are being efficient in their use of their resources.

 

     Second is that, while yes, justice is indeed being served and the government might have wanted to keep a better eye on her, and of course, there's equality in treatment, such as the same treatment was given to Estrada in the past. I still think its inappropriate. A person's health, while very dependent on the medications given and a person's own strength, will better improve when he/she trusts the treatment being administered. To be clear, I am not saying that the staff at VMMC is incompetent, I am saying that Arroyo chose St. Luke's because she believes this is the best hospital and that they can quickly cure her and that is an added factor for her getting well. Also, from what information she's been given about the hospital, she might doubt her own comfort during her stay and begin to worry, therefore adding stress to her body. Therefore, if she wants to stay in St Luke's I believe she should be allowed to.

     On a thought with little relation to the article, while I am glad that her crimes have been brought attention to, I am a bit disappointed in how they are handling things. These issues have been going on and are probably being sped up more during the "-ber" months. They might be trying to put everything to an end before the year ends, but I honestly don't like it. As Catholics, we celebrate the birth of our Saviour Jesus Christ during this month of December, but as Filipinos we start to celebrate Christmas even during September. From my own point of view, even if Arroyo and a few others are indeed criminals and that they have wronged a lot of people, we must not be ruthless but give them kindness, because Jesus himself has taught us to throw back bread when we are thrown stones, and are we not already celebrating His coming? In my own opinion, even if he is criticized by others for doing so, if President Aquino were to give kindness to Gloria Arroyo, then I would have a whole new respect for him, because he is living up to being Catholic and even more, living up to what Jesus has asked us to do.