Redefining ‘Armed to the Teeth’
Edgar More-Teeth?
Philippine police with bad teeth got something to grin about Monday when President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s husband handed out free dentures to improve the confidence and public image of the national force.
Mike Arroyo’s “A New Smile for the Toothless” campaign originally focused on market vendors in Manila but was extended to police officers, who earn as little as $157 per month. (full story)
I guess it’s a matter of…uhm…bridging the gap between the haves and the have nots. This should enable the police to take a bite out of crime, literally giving more teeth to law enforcement officials.
But seriously, it’s another form of pogilitics - addressing the symptoms of problems instead of hitting at the root cause. The cops and the military should have proper medical coverage so they can take care of themselves and their family. The intention is good but is it really something sustainable in the long-run?
2 Comments, Comment or Ping
mari
i first read about this in the govt’s website. can’t help but laugh on the title of the project. indeed, medical cover should be a standard benefit amongst military and the like. good thing mike arroyo’s name isnt etched on the dentures. but they shouldnt be showing the cops fitting their dentures on national tv. hay philippine politics
Feb 1st, 2005
markmomukhamo
I sure hope the money for the dentures came from the private sector. I’d had to think it came from taxes what with the ‘fiscal crisis’ PGMA mentioned earlier.
Feb 2nd, 2005
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