Dear Editor,

The national budget reflects the complexion of a nation or government. By all means, let us also clamor to strip the local government units of their secret funds as proposed lately by Senate President Miguel Zubiri.

Wise and well-timed. But please don't use such a "suggestion" as an excuse for the Senate or Congress to do wrong in scrutinizing and approving the 2024 budget under everyone's nose, right at everyone's fingertips — fraught with numerous, massive confidential and intelligence funds.

The existence of these secret funds is the reason why we have murderous people and robbers galore in "public service."

Acting resolutely on this one would most assuredly solve much of our persisting, festering problems during and after elections — such as election violence, vote-buying, cheating, overspending, ballot-snatching, political dynasties, private armies, corruption, kickbacks, smuggling, gambling (legal and illegal), protection money, needless road repairs, drug trade, assorted cartels, fund shortages, inflation, economic downturn, etc.

Ridding our officials of these abominable allocations could mean ridding our government of undesirables and freeing the nation from sanctioned oppression and corruption. Filipinos are at last awakening, vigilant over and leery of such dubious, anomalous "acts."

Take away those that make crooks and thugs run for elections and you take away their craving for politics. Do it and you strip them of their reasons to do all that they can — hook, line and sinker, using gold, guns, goons and guile — just to get elected.

"Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people." — Proverbs 14:34.

Dear media, playing your role at this crucial moment of the nation's history (for the good of all) is critical and most needed.

I have studied the proposed budget submitted to Congress by the Department of Budget and Management for next year, 2024. Alas, I got saddened at the result of my study with the following confusing ruminations and questions (among others) in my mind as examples:

Why cut the budget for the Department of Health by P10 billion when it is the department that should be receiving more funds given the fact that health concerns are what our people, especially the poor and marginalized, need the most — first, second, third… and last — for survival?

They don't travel abroad, wear expensive clothes, and eat in cozy, expensive restaurants. What they need is just some meager, lowly food on their table (or papag) to fill their empty, aching stomachs and to heal their sick bodies. Have mercy.

What is the use of building infrastructures (instead of hospitals) and going abroad so often when Filipinos are dying of viruses and sicknesses, and the destitute continue to be rejected by private hospitals, helplessly? Deuteronomy 15:11, Proverbs 28:27, Proverbs 19:17, Galatians 2:10. Gracious God.

Many of our people, especially in the neglected, far-flung areas of the provinces don't even have potable water to drink, and free schools for the children in the poverty-stricken communities/towns to go to. What indeed is the government's priority — an "intel and confidential" department?

Reni M. Valenzuela

renivalenzuelaletters@yahoo.com