MANILA, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles® )  – This month, the Philippines’ Civil Service Commission (CSC) celebrates its 115th anniversary by asking the close to 1.5 Million Filipino government employees to give money to the country’s richest man, Henry Sy.

Let us explain.

From September 25 to 27, 2015, government workers can avail themselves of 10% discount at all SM Department Stores nationwide, valid on regular-priced items for a minimum purchase of PHP500. SM Appliance Centers will offer 5% discount nationwide, as well as financing promos for select branches in Metro Manila and nearby Luzon. Shoppers at SM Supermarket and SM Hypermarket will get a free item with a minimum purchase of PHP500.

To be eligible for the said promos, civil servants should present their official government office ID or Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) ID card, including an SM Advantage Card, SM Prestige Card, MOM Card, or BDO Rewards Card, according to CSC Announcement No. 53, s.2015.

The common denominator of the promo? Henry Sy, owner of SM.

What all this mean is that government employees must spend, spend, spend, even if they weren’t planning to, and spend their hard-earned money at SM, so that Sy can build more shopping malls.

How about just giving all government employees a food basket consisting of a bag of rice, assorted canned goods and other kitchen essentials? Or give them a voucher towards free rides on buses or the light railway (MRT).

What happened to ‘Matuwid na daan?’ (straight path). Or ‘Matuwid na pag-iisip.” (common sense thinking).