The Silence of the Tongs

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It is unclear where the word “Tong” had originated, but in the Philippines it is a slang adapted as part of the vernacular referring to fee, commission or share in terms of money for favor, service or the tolerance of activities that crisscrossed the borders of legality and morality. It may equate to protection money, grease money or kickbacks. The recent Philippine "pork barrel" scam that allegedly involves hordes of elected and appointed government officials had resurrected the usage of the slang “tong” in mass media and the public at large as an  expression of abomination. Senators were called “Senatong” while Congressmen were labeled as Tongressman. Except for the few high profiled members of the legislative body, majority choose to keep silent amid the scandal. Their silence resonates not only on the issue of the kickbacks but also on the current situation of great national importance, the invasion of the Philippines. Generally, there is nothing  in public knowledge that a caucus or its equivalent is held to discuss the issue of the West Philippine Sea and its occupation by the Chinese by these so called Tongressmen and Senatongs. Nothing substantial has been discussed or resolved to offer a semblance of support and assistance to the beleaguered executive branch. One cannot help but think that the Senatongs and the Tongressmen had lost the appetite for service along with the lost of the "pork barrel" fund. One can only surmise the degree of silent lamentation on the demise of the porkbarrel fund. Seemingly,  there is difficulty in getting over the fact that what they had invested, worked and hoped for is gone. Truly, the pain must have been intense and heartbreaking, but the Senatongs and the Tongressmen know better. Life has to go on and work has to be done in the light of the clear and present danger the country is facing... but something else is still keeping them.


It is a common knowledge that the majority of these Senatongs and Tongressmen are affluent. They have to protect the wealth they have accumulated, and greed dictates that they have to get more. These are some of the reasons they ran for public office, for the clout, the influence and the power to protect their wealth and to further the growth of their business interest. The latter can only be possible in the atmosphere of peace and order, even a simulated one. So much so, that to invoke nationalism and national pride through resolutions and actions is to distort that atmosphere of peace and normalcy which they fear will lead to distortion of funds, budgets and priorities that could impact on their own. No... no... no... they cannot be a party to that. They are more of a businessmen than public servant. One is a fool to believe that the latter exist in general  on these current crop of elected officials. For all intent and purpose they should be regarded as political goner after the scandal, but then again ignorance, stupidity and amnesia will put them forth... on to the next season . It will be “Hello again to the, Honorable? Tongs” and "Welcome to the house/s of Tongs"

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