The news story, “Kingdom lends SR 375 million for road projects in Philippines region” (Feb. 10) elicited, at least to me, both joy and sadness. I felt grateful to the Saudi government for granting the amount to the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) to be used for its various infrastructure projects that should help boost economy of this southern province in the Philippines.

At the same time, I felt sad because, as usual in Philippines, a significant portion of this amount will go directly into the pockets of corrupt politicians. I just hope that a mechanism to strictly monitor actual expenditures (i.e., financial audit), will be in place, at least to curb the rampant corruption this country is known for.

Because in the end, it is the Filipino tax payers who will shoulder paying all the loans the Philippines took from other countries — loans that were used by corrupt government officials not to build infrastructures, but to sustain their luxurious lifestyle! — Chester Abaya, By e-mail