THIS is the story of a corrupt, but pretending to be straight, employee of the BIR.
Way back when he was still “powerful,” this guy always sported the latest brands in shirts, shoes, watches, cellphones, was always travelling first class all over the country, and take note of this – he was always seen as the very generous giver in the group.
As the generous giver, he was always quick to dip into his pockets for some “loose change” kunohay nga tag-linibo.
Yes, dili ra pod kaayo hambog ang hinampak.
So generous was he that he always make it a point to pay the meals, and drinks, of other costumers in other tables, simply because they repeatedly praised him for his looks, his kind ways and that sort.
His looks, never mind, he has curly hair, a visibly protruding tummy, balding too and a weird sense of color combination in his apparel. And yes, he is chubby and short.
But his physical “prowess” was always outmaneuvered by his deep pockets, pasabot – mga binandol nga tag-linibo, in both pockets ha.
He was always the “favorite” friend of the entertainers, especially the girls. All because no one could beat him when it comes to quickness in drawing his tools, his linibo of course.
But fate has a way of cheating fun.
* * *
One day, news came out that 6 BIR officials and employees were slated to be interred in the bureaucratic rice mill, one of whom was our guy, the hinampak.
And the reason?
Well, somebody reported the group’s shenanigan in the office and the report immediately went up until it reaches the ears and eyes of the chief BIR man in Manila.
The reaction was swift.
The 6 were initially “cordoned,” meaning – placed under restricted movement, one way of saying being under watch 24/7. This period of “suspended personnel animation” went on for about 2 weeks. Insiders in the BIR said there was a probe being conducted involving the shady activities of the 6.
When asked about the restriction, the hinampak simpy said dunay performance audit, period.
As vague as could be.
* * *
When the transfer/floating order came – because they were “banished” to other provinces and detailed at the office of the RD with no clear assignment or functions, the shock was of epic proportion.
They could not believe the verdict because they thought they had their bases covered. They though the administrative clout of their master – the RD – would protect them from administrative harm.
But no, the special order was effective immediately. And like a blinding smoke, the news travelled from ear to ear.
His close friends, sympathetic mostly, deferred from asking confirmation from him directly, maikog mostly.
But when the hinampak held an emergency meeting with his business staff and employees, he had one word about his impending transfer – gidawat na lang nako ning promotion kay dugay na ni gi-offer.
Promotion my head.
While the hinampak made it a point to stick to his “promotion” yarn, his fellow hinampak in the group of 6 was openly voicing out his frustrations and in the process, spilled out the real Mc Coy.
Ang gipalakaw nga estorya sa ikaduhang hinampak, giinitan kuno sila sa ilang amo maong gibutang sa floating status ug gibalhin sa laing region.
Buking. Wagtang ang iyang “promotion” ek ek.
This time around, wagtang na ang waldas nga left and right. Wa nay nahot kay naundang na man ang pangilkil kada adlaw. Di na ganahan mokuot sa bulsa kay pinasingotan na man ang kwarta niya karon, di man parehas sa una nga kwartang binandol pero pinaspasan lang.
