Truth has its own way of manifesting itself

My father used to tell me as a kid that truth can never be hidden because those who hide it know about it. It must have been providential that I chose the Gospel passage “I consecrate myself for their sakes now that they may be consecrated in truth (Jn. 17:19)” as the theme for my ordination to the priesthood. These words have seemingly permeated my innermost being because in the performance of my ministry, I made it a sort of conviction to involve myself on issues that call for transparency, honesty and accountability- the pillars of truth. In such undertaking, I have noticed that it is not an easy task to unravel the truth. There are instances when the truth is concealed in order to hide one’s wrongdoing. There are instances when even the obvious cannot be perceived by people who are unwilling to be bearers of truth. There are instances when the truth is hindered by people who play blind so as not to tarnish other’s reputation. And worst, there are times when people get killed for being mouthpiece of the truth. In the midst of such attempts to obscure the truth, I have noticed that the truth has its own way of manifesting itself. An example in recent memory is when the erstwhile champion of truth and transparency in public service Senator Joker Arroyo tried to point out bad faith on Jun Lozada’s part because he talked to other senators prior to his coming out in the open on his knowledge about the anomalies on the ZTE deal. Lozada proved him wrong by admitting that he talked even to his wife.

In the pursuit for truth, one should have patience and faith. No amount of threat, alibis, attempts to cover up and legal eloquence can conceal the truth. My recent endeavour in pursuit for truth has proven this all the more- with prayerful disposition, proof for truth comes out even as there are efforts to hinder it. No matter how uncertain the odds are, when the truth comes out it will shed light to what is obscure, both rendered and per se.

Through God’s grace, truth manifests itself and it should never be compromised by those who grasp it.

Fr. Robert, please don’t play into Malacañang’s hands…

I am saddened that Fr. Robert Reyes, a colleague not only in the priesthood but also on social issues, criticized the bishops by saying over national tv that the CBCP toned down its statement on the ZTE scam because the bishops fear that donations will stop coming. In doing so, the touted running priest has unwittingly played into the liking of Malacañang. A Church divided will surely be a cause for rejoicing for them. I moderate my words, lest I might aggravate the effect which Malacanang would be so pleased to see, as a fellow priest reminded me that criticizing Fr. Robert will only make them all the more happy.

Hence, this is just a wake up call from a lowly “probinsyanong pari” to a flamboyant priest: Fr. Robert, please do not play into Malacañang’s hands by sowing intrigue and division. The enemy is not the CBCP. While you are free to say what you want to say, you cannot drag people into saying what you want them to say.

As an individual, I join my voice to the clamour for Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s resignation but I do not impose it upon others. I respect the CBCP exhortation to “pray together, reason together, decide together, act together," which was also criticized and belittled by the Philippine Daily Inquirer on its Feb. 15, 2008 editorial which seems to have been written by a priest. The way I understood it, the CBCP cannot as of yet call for Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s resignation because it still has to discern the truth as it unfolds based from credible witnesses and evidences. As a canon lawyer, I must stress that the CBCP is a collegial body which does not issue pastoral statements based on the whims and caprices neither of a priest, a bishop nor a group of bishops.

This might be it…

The damaging testimony of Rodolfo Noel Lozada, Jr. on the ZTE mess that has tainted the already besmirched regime of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo might just ignite the swelling of stronger clamour for her to resign. Although the testimony of Lozada did not, in anyway, directly implicate GMA on the ZTE scam, logic makes it obvious that she is involved through her husband. Malacanang’s lieutenants were quick to say that Lozada’s testimony did not incriminate the First Gentleman, but again, logic would tell us that Abalos’ involvement in this hullabaloo could not be without the blessings of the powers that be. On the other hand, the senators should go beyond grandstanding (some senators appear to be investigating in aid, not of legislation but of their 2010 ulterior motives). Sad to say, nothing has ever happened in senate investigations of anomalies like this except that it has effectively ensured the said senators’ selfish agenda. Cases should be filed in courts and laws should be legislated to compel transparency in similar transactions.

Of Political Vendetta and Sour Graping

The recent event at the Philippine House of Representatives showcased dirty Philippine politics at its best. Speaker De Venecia was ousted as a consequence of his son’s expose on the ZTE broadband deal. Though the Arroyos in Congress deny it , the machination is pure and blatant political vendetta. Pushed against the wall, the trapo in De Venecia suddenly tried to mutate into a crusader against graft and corruption stressing on his moral revolution vision, implying that Arroyo is corrupt and that he knew about the cheating in the 2004 presidential election. He griped about having helped President Arroyo in her political career and bragged that he stood by her amidst all the anomalies that besmirched her Presidencyl. He re acted like a sour graping child. His wife was also shown on tv saying that she knows also about the cheating in 2004. The thing is, why are they only speaking now when those issues have died down? Such actuation would confirm that pure intention is rarity and ulterior motive abound ln Philippine politics.

The only good thing that I see in this event is that it paved the way for a new leadership. I hope that the new leader will be better than De Venecia. On the other hand, let us keep our fingers crossed that De Venecia and his wife are really serious in exposing everything they know and substantiate their accusations so as to spark a real strong clamour for the ouster of President Arroyo.