As expected some people quickly alluded Cesar Mancao’s willingness to testify against Sen. Panfilo Lacson to a grand plan to discredit him. Politicians including Loren Legarda (who has dramatically plunged way down in her survey ratings as presidentiable) are quick to defend the beleaguered Lacson as soon as Mancao arrived from the US. We should not depart from the real issue- not political persecution but a quest for truth and justice for Dacer and Corbito who were summarily executed 9 years ago. Lacson has been in the defensive since Cesar Mancao gave his affidavit months ago. Granting that his allegation that Mancao was pressured into testifying against him is true- it does not, in anyway, diminish the truth in Mancao’s testimony. Apparently, it was Lacson who advised Mancao and Michael Ray Aquino to go to the US to avoid being implicated in the Dacer-Corbito double murder case in 2001. Too bad Teofilo Viña, another police officer who can shed light into the case, was killed in 2003. Another important character, Glenn Dumlao who turned state witness in 2001 also fled to the US. It will be a strong corroboration of Mancao’s testimony if it is true that he (Dumlao) is willing to testify anew after he is extradited. Those who are trying to muddle the issue by alluding to a plot to persecute Lacson are diverting the issue, thereby trampling upon the clamor for truth and justice by the Dacer and Corbito families. Justice for Dacer and Corbito!!!
The recent directive of President Obama to restore funding by the US Government for clinics that perform abortion all over the world was welcomed by the pro-choice advocates but drew a flak from pro-life advocates and the Vatican. In a rally held by both parties in San Francisco last week, a Filipina pro-choice advocate said in an interview that she is happy with the directive because it upholds the human rights of women. She even asserted that although she is a Catholic, she believes that her Church should not meddle with the affairs of the state. People who use the same argument would cite the separation of Church and state enshrined in the constitution whenever the Church upholds morality. They missed the point. Abortion is a moral issue on which the Church claims competence.
The Church (not only the Catholic Church) believes that life begins at the moment of conception. It is her moral obligation to advocate this reality based on divine law. Women who say that abortion is a right are misguided or are simply ego-driven. While it is true that they have right over their bodies, it is an absolute truth that no one can ever claim a right over the life of others (even the unborn).
I feel privileged to be in the United States on the day Barack Obama was elected as the first African-American president and on the day of his inauguration (both events will be cherished in history). I must admit that although I do not like Obama’s liberal ideology, I admire his eloquence in speech. This gave him greater advantage during the campaign period. However, speeches are only words. As he assumes the office as a President of the most powerful nation, Barack Obama should now begin to walk the talk. He must now take the first steps to fulfill his promises and perform the task of leading a nation that is currently in recession.
I was elated to hear the Rev. Rick Warren mentioning GOD and JESUS in his opening prayer during the inaugural ceremonies this morning. A commentator in one of the cable news networks was pessimistic on whether GOD or JESUS will be mentioned because the United States is a pluralistic country not only because of diversity in race but also because of diversity in religion (there is a deliberate move by the extreme left to remove GOD and JESUS in the picture). President Obama should not fall into the prodding of Godless individuals who even look forward towards removing the word GOD in the dollar bills. When GOD is removed in our lives, it will not be a change but a transgression. Obama’s battle cry was change, and change has indeed happened through his election. However, change itself can become a hindrance if it were made merely to discredit an opponent and not for altruistic purpose. Real Change can only be achieved if it is directed by GOD through JESUS. That kind of change will surely make a difference.
The controversy that stemmed from the resolution by DOJ prosecutors for the dismissal of the case against the so called “Alabang Boys“ opened a can of worms. DOJ secretary Gonzalez and the other officials involved are making a fool of us Filipinos by playing naïve about the gravity of the matter. For, how can one explain why the lawyer of the accused was the one who penned the release order for his clients? All Gonzalez could say was that it was unethical on the part of the lawyer. This made me believe that such thing was an ordinary occurrence in the DOJ (lawyers of the accused writing the decision or order release). It is a blatant usurpation of authority to use the letterhead of the DOJ, but he (Gonzalez) seemed to have tolerated it by not investigating the matter immediately. If it were not for the PDEA officials standing their ground, these things would not have been exposed.
At the congressional hearing yesterday, Gonzalez vented his ire on Major Marcelino (who has become an epitome of integrity in public service) instead of reprimanding the lawyer who used his letterhead. As Congressman Cuenco said, “ He should have reprimanded him, scolded him, raised hell and castigated him. I don’t know why he did not do that.” The DOJ has become DOI ( Department of Injustice) under Gonzalez. He, along with the other DOJ officials involved should resign!
The present congressional hearing on the matter should result into new legislations on drug enforcement- there should be a special court for drug cases. On the other hand, the PDEA personnel should take seminars on standard operations procedure in conducting arrests and buy-bust operations so that cases will not be dismissed merely on grounds of technicality.
While in the United States during the election period, I feel privileged to have witnessed their kind of Democracy at work (not necessarily at its best). There are things that I liked and I hope that those things will be applied in the Philippine Electoral system. But, there are things that I disliked too.
What I liked:
- The two party system: This ensures that there will be no turncoats or "balimbings". Politics of issues and not personalities is promoted.
- The speedy counting of votes: As soon as the polling stations have closed, the winner can be known. It is the very opposite of our electoral system in the Philippines wherein it takes more than a month to know the winners in national elections. Our electoral system should be automated as soon as possible.
-The statesmanship of the losing candidate: Hearing John McCain conceding defeat as soon as he was informed of the final count manifested his statesmanship. It made me wonder if defeated candidate (in a clean and honest election) in the Philippines can ever be capable of such gesture. Being an active PPC-RV volunteer during elections in the Philippines, I can say that almost all losing candidates claim that they were cheated.
What I disliked:
- Mudslinging: This is an aspect of Philippine politics that happens even in the United States (or did we learn it from them?). Both parties were guilty of this in their paid advertisements. It came really harsh when demolition jobs were done against VP Candidate Sarah Palin- particularly when false stories spread that her baby with special needs was the child of her daughter and that she had to cover up for her.
- Media Endorsement: In my humble opinion, this should be prohibited. For, how can the media remain objective if they endorse candidates?
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.
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.
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.
The arrest of media people in the Failed Revolution at the Pen brought about so many questions that need to be answered. Is there a limit on journalists’ participation in such situation? Are they obstructionists or just doing their job? I surmise that in their zeal to fulfil their job they have unwittingly become human shields for the rebel soldiers. It was part of the perpetrators' game plan to have them stay inside the hotel. The military and the police were in a quandary as to how they could attack the “rebels” with the media people inside. They had to device a softer attack. There could have been bloodshed had the media people left the rebels and their civilian sympathizers led by an ageing political butterfly, an ageing street parliamentarian, an ageing bishop and a running priest. Trillanes and Lim could have been killed without them. Why would the perpetrators want the media to remain with them? Aside from media mileage, the perpetrators and any pundit knew the obvious- if media people have been hit by stray bullets, the international community will raise a howl and it will ignite a broader indignation from the people. Such scenario could have resulted into GMA’s downfall.
The media should follow a protocol in such situation (I do not know if there is an existing one) so as not to endanger their lives. Neither should they allow themselves to be used. They are intelligent people, they ought to know when they are being used or not.Their being handcuffed and arrested, though, were an overreaction by the police. The police could have just brought them for questioning at the Makati Police Headquarters instead of the long tedious ride to Bicutan. But of course, the authorities were sending a strong message to intimidate the seemingly partisan media (their threat now is “sue us and we will sue you too”). It is part of what they termed as “shock and awe” response.
There are no winners in this, only losers.
Controversies and anomalies came one after another (this blog will sound like a handbook in criminal law if I write them all here), yet Gloria Macapagal Arroyo seemed not to care. She remains unperturbed because of her control of the lower house which assured her of protection from impeachment. The tipping point has now begun as yet another set of anomalies have tainted her governance. These things have proven only one thing- she is incorrigible! Her most recent blunder is the hurried granting of pardon to the convicted plunderer- Joseph Estrada only a month after his conviction. The granting of pardon at this time is besmirched with opportunistic motives as she is now on the edge of a cliff. She did it for political survival. By such actuation she now casts a dark shadow over the glimmer of hope for our justice system brought about by the conviction of Joseph Estrada for the crime of plunder last month.
When the “Hello Garci” controversy erupted, Mrs. Susan Roces said over national tv: “Ang mandaraya ay kapatid ng magnanakaw" (some people even made a text joke about it by saying that GMA's marriage to Mike Arroyo is null and void because they are 'magkapatid'). As GMA hastily granted pardon to Joseph Estrada, I can also say: ANG MAGNANAKAW, MADALING NAPAPATAWAD ANG KAPWA MAGNANAKAW!
As one of the convenors of the ERAP Resign Movement in
From among the topnotch lawyers of ERAP it was only Estelito Mendoza who gave a logical reaction based on the verdict and based on law. Others, most notably Rene Saguisag, were fallacious. He showed a book to prove that all special courts like that of the special
Senator Jinggoy Estrada and some of his father’s lawyers have questioned the conviction on the basis of Jueteng Payola and the kick back on the Bell Corporation stocks sold to to GSIS and SSS. They said that these are not government money as if to impute that the plunder case is confined to public funds. I am a Canon Lawyer not a civil lawyer. But, one does not have to be a civil lawyer to be able to understand the following Provisions of Section 1, d no. 2 of the Republic Act No. 7080 (An act Defining and Penalizing the Crime of Plunder) which states: “By receiving, directly or indirectly, any commission, gift, share, percentage, kickbacks or any other form of pecuniary benefit from any person and/or entity in connection with any government contract or project or by reason of the office or position of the public officer concerned;”
Others have also reacted and said that there are more government officials (GMA included) who should be charged with plunder. To them, I say, gather evidences and file cases. If there is something good that should come out from the guilty verdict on ERAP aside from the triumph of our judicial system, it should be that it stands as a warning to those who hold power and use it to enrich themselves because no matter how powerful they are, the long arms of law will eventually catch them. Our justice system should now be consistent in punishing the guilty no matter how powerful he/she is and no matter how unpopular the decision may be. Dura lex, sed lex.
