Nipping Evil at its Bud

Just a few days after the Holy Father's visit in the Philippines, when the country felt blessed with mercy and compassion, the Supreme Court has surprisingly extended these theological attributes to Joseph Estrada, deposed Philippine president and incumbent mayor of Manila. The High Court, voting 11-3, dismissed the disqualification case against him.  Supreme Court Spokesman Theodore Te says: "The majority characterized the pardon extended by Mrs. Arroyo to Mr. Estrada (in 2007) as absolute, thereby restoring Mr. Estrada's qualifications to stand as candidate in the last Mayoralty elections".

Voting for the dismissal were Justices Teresita Leonardo-De Castro, Presbitero Velasco Jr., Arturo Brion, Diosdado Peralta, Lucas Bersamin, Mariano Del Castillo, Martin Villarama Jr. , Jose Perez, Jose Mendoza, Bienvenido Reyes, and Estela Perlas-Bernabe. With the exception of Reyes and Perlas-Bernabe, the others are Arroyo appointees.  It seems to me that the first nine justices have remembered their patron, with help of the other two Aquino appointees.  One cannot fail to surmise that this court acted as an Arroyo court!

Voting against the dismissal were Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, Justices Antonio Carpio, and Marvic Mario Victor Leonen.  Carpio is the lone Arroyo appointee among the three.

I have been vocal against Estrada's candidacy for mayor of the city of my birth way back in 2013 due to the plunder case of which he was found guilty of by the Sandiganbayan (anti-graft court). Apart from this case, I didn't buy the idea that Erap would just run for a term before retiring (Is there a retirement age in politics? Come on! Imelda Marcos who's older than Estrada is still in public office).

It is unfortunate that Arroyo has granted presidential pardon to a mandarambong (Tagalog for plunderer) not so much for the good of the country, but more for her political agenda. And because Erap had done these sins with impunity (highlighted word borrowed from the the late Msgr. Nico Bautista who once told me how Estrada behaved as a public servant) and never showed any remorse, the pardon became a ticket for him to run for the presidency in 2010 and then the mayoralty in 2013. With the disqualification case being dismissed, this kapalmuks (thick faced) action star-turned-politician is ready for a come-back to Malacañan (God, forbid it!).

I hope that Alicia Vidal and former Mayor Alfredo Lim, the case's petitioner and intervenor respectively, would file a motion for reconsideration. 

Meanwhile, days before this infamous court decision was made, Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago filed Senate Bill 2568 that seeks perpetual disqualification for a public servant convicted of plunder, even if pardoned by the president. Plunder, as defined by Republic Act 7080 as the accumulation of ill-gotten wealth through a combination or series of overt criminal acts in the aggregate amount of P50 million by a public official. According to the feisty solon, the theft of such amount is "is unforgivably criminal, and no person who is capable of such act has a place in public office”.

According to the editorial of the Philippine Daily Inquirer: "Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago’s bill seeking the perpetual disqualification from public office of a government official convicted of plunder—even if pardoned by the president—is a timely corrective to the looming threat posed by Estrada running again for the presidency in a never-ending effort to vindicate his name. The bill deserves wide public support and should be passed by Congress, if it knows any better. A crime is a crime—more so if it’s as heinous as plunder. Popularity does not expunge it; otherwise, we can dispense with the justice system altogether and look to the horde, like the old Romans did, for a thumbs up or a thumbs down on a person’s guilt" (http://opinion.inquirer.net/82095/miriams-measure)

I commend Miriam for filing this bill. In spite of her lung cancer, she continues to serve the people by passing bills such as this. If P-Noy is dead serious in driving the final nail on corruption's coffin, he should mark this bill as urgent. Should the bill finally becomes a law, that would be a sound legacy he could leave his countrymen.

St. Thomas Aquinas, whose feast is celebrated as of this writing, once said "To bear with patience wrongs done to oneself is a mark of perfection, but to bear with patience wrongs done to someone else is a mark of imperfection and even of actual sin".  Filipinos are know to be matiisin (forebearance) to the point that we are being robbed in broad daylight. If we condone the likes of Erap and Arroyo (Politicians scratch each others back!) it won't only be ourselves bearing the brunt of their wickedness.Our children and our children's children would surely suffer, the way they are/will be liable to pay the country's debt servicing thanks to Ferdinand Marcos (and his successors). Enough is enough!

'Tis the Season to be Thankful!

As I write this piece, family and friends across the pond are celebrating Thanksgiving Day, an annual national holiday to give thanks for the harvest and for the preceding year.  The Albanos in Staten Island, New York have been holding a football game during this celebration since 2007. 

Apart from the harvest and the blessings of the previous year, the gifts of life and love are to be remembered, celebrated, and be grateful for.  Just a day after this year's Thanksgiving, 2 members of our clan are celebrating their birthday.

First on the list is my uncle and godfather, Dr Paulino "Sonny" V Albano Jr.  Ninong Sonny (picture here on the left with his youngest son Manong Paul and grandson Christopher Paul) is the eldest in his brood.  A successful cardiologist in New York, there is no dull moment with him.  I remember the happy times we've spent during our vacations in Ilocos Norte.  Christmas 1998 was really memorable.  After having breakfast, we were supposed to go straight to Bacarra where then Mayor Pacing Velasco was expecting us. He suddenly decided to change the itinerary as he wanted to see relative who was not in speaking terms with our family.  I felt rather nervous at the prospect of going to their place, but was surprised that we were graciously welcomed for lunch.  After exchanging some pleasantries, Ninong Sonny (who was sat between me and this relative) went straight to the point: he wanted to mend the fence.  I felt relieved - not because of the food (Yes, there were lots of them!), but because of the peace that came forth from that event.

With Lolo Paul and Lola Piling now gone, Ninong Sonny has assumed the patriarchate of the clan.  As he once told me, he is the takbuhan (center) of his siblings as well as his nephews and nieces. Personally, there have been instances in the past when he became our kasangga (protector), standing up for our defence.  

It was nice to see him again during my visit to the States last year.  He expressed satisfaction with how Nidz and I are doing.  Before we bid adieu, he told me how the clan has kept itself together, the way his parents have wanted it.

Many happy returns on your 74th birthday, Ninong Sonny!  Thank you for all your kindness.  Keep up the good work of nurturing our clan.  May the good Lord bless you!  We love you!

Next on the list is my cousin, Alexis Albano (pictured here on the left with her sisters Pinky and Ate  Ritzie and cousins Ate Dia and Ate Mia). Ate Leli, as I would call her, is the second daughter of Tito Alex and Tita Peachie Albano.  When we were kids way back in the early 80s, they were our next door neighbors.  We often played and sometimes fight (Kids that we were then!).  Later they moved back to the States, however we kept in touch with them every now and then. I heard that she studied at the West Point in the mid 90s.  Knowing how prestigious this institution is, I felt proud of my cousin!  The last time I saw her was in 1999. It's a shame that we didn't see each other last year.  

Ate Leli got married this 24th (same day as her Dad's birthday).  I'm sure this event gives more reason for celebration on her natal day.

Wishing you all the best on your birthday, Ate Leli!  Congratulations to you and Jessica as you begin a new life together.  God bless you both! See you soon! 

***

Kudos to Representative Manny Pacquiao for winning the match against Brandon Rios!  There have been many moments when the Philippines is at its low and then you'll hear news of a Pinoy boxer winning!  What a saving moment indeed for Pinoys! This is something to be thankful for!

But what if you hear things such as those politicizing the relief operations for Typhoon Yolanda victims?  Remember those bags with the seal of the Vice President of the Philippines on it?  The VP's excuse: it was his friends' doing. Tell it to the Marines!

Or how about the allegation that the Department of Social Welfare & Development (DSWD) has left relief goods to rot?

Or how about these men, disguised as airport staff at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), who would help tourists and balikbayans move their baggage only to extort money on their hapless victims? I heard that they are protected by airport police.

To these and other people of the same ilk, you deserve our kutos (a knuckle blow on the head)!

***

The Virgin Mary, under the title of Immaculate Conception, is the Patroness of the Philippines. In preparation for her feast day on Monday December 9 (the actual feast is December 8, but because it fell on a Sunday, it's moved on the following day), I would like to invite all Catholic Pinoys to recite at least a decade of the Rosary from Saturday November 30 up to Sunday December 8.  Let's ask her help that our country would rise again from the many challenges it has faced or is currently facing this year.

Persevere, Change, Witness

Last Monday, August 26, a great crowd of Filipinos marched to Luneta to protest the corruption besetting the government.  The PDAF (a.k.a. pork barrel) scam was on top of the list of the most hated forms of corruption that involved a number of legislators on both houses of Congress. Previous to the Million Man March, President Aquino announced that he is abolishing the pork barrel. I am against the pork barrel since I first started to hear about it when I was in college as it reeks of corruption and traditional politics.  For me, it should be the governors and mayors who must dispose this to their constituents. After all, they are the ones who get in direct contact with people. Not the legislators who, by the nature of their job, must create laws.

When P-Noy made the announcement, I was overjoyed that I posted on Facebook that he is abolishing it.  My excitement backfired.  P-Noy won't abolish it until 2015. And his own pork will not be covered by the abolition!

At any rate, people marched to the streets to air their protest. As a sign of unity with them, Chiara and I wore white that day, the color of the protester's attire.

A day after that protest, we celebrated the feast of St Monica.  This great saint is known for her perseverance in prayer. Her sacrifices bore fruit - first, the conversion of her pagan and adulterous husband Patricius and later, the conversion of her restless and unsettled son Augustine.  

Imitating St Monica, Filipinos need to persevere, to be vigilant lest the Evil One outmanoeuvres us. Lest the pork becomes bacon, sisig, bagnet or lechon for the corrupt and callous-faced politicians and their minions.

Following St Monica's feast day, is her son St Augustine's fiesta. After his metanoia, this "son of many tears" (as what St Ambrose described Augustine in his previous life) would later become a bishop and doctor of the Church. The Catechism of the Catholic Church has mentioned quite a lot of St Augustine's writings.

As a nation, like St Augustine, we need to have that metanoia, that change of heart.  Giving funds at the politicians' discretion is an occasion for sin.  Issuing statements that belie irresponsibility and incompetence is uncalled for.  Incidentally, PDAF scam matermind Janet Lim-Napoles has turned herself over to P-Noy on St Augustine's Day. This is a good sign of conversion. I hope others concerned would do the same.

As of this writing, the Church commemorates the Passion of St John the Baptist.  The Lord's cousin and forerunner called a spade a spade.  His humility and truthfulness were the foundations of his call for repentance. His brutal frankness annoyed Herod and especially Herodias. Later on, this incestuous woman had her way of having this great prophet beheaded.

"Aming ligaya na pag may mang-aapi, ang mamatay ng dahil sa iyo", goes the final line of our National Anthem.  Following the footsteps of St John let us bear witness to the truth even to the point of shedding our blood for it.

Persevere. Change. Witness.  Three essential course of action the Philippines has to take to be saved, to be renewed.

***

Talking about the Philippines, you may or may not heard the news that the Komisyon ng Wikang Filipino passed a resolution way back in April to use "Filipinas" instead of "Pilipinas" to recognize our history and development as a nation.  When I was in high school, the subject Pilipino was changed to Filipino because the modern alphabet has already included 'F' in its roster.  Fair enough!  But I am sceptic about changing how we call our country. Imagine changing the seal of the President into "Sagisag ng Pangulo ng Filipinas". How about "Pambansang Awit ng Filipinas"? Or (when communicating with a compatriot) "Saan ka sa Filipinas?".   I am comfortable with Pilipinas!

Domesticated Truth

Being a Martial Law baby, everything that I could see on TV, read on the newspapers, or hear from the radio were good - the economy was doing well, there was peace and order, everyone  seemed happy. Ferdinand Marcos was our champion. He was the country's savior.

That mindset was shattered that fateful 21st day of August 1983.  It was a Sunday and as I watching TV, there was this scene of a lifeless man clad in white on the tarmac of what was then the Manila International Airport.  I heard from the newscaster that the man was assassinated (that word was new to me then!).   Who was this man I slowly found out as the days went by.

Angelicum School (now College), where my brother, cousins, and I were studying at that time suddenly became encircled by a rosary of people making their way to neighboring Sto. Domingo Church where this man's remains lied in state.

I read in the papers that he was Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino Jr, a senator of the Philippines until Martial Law abolished Congress, gagged media, and trampled on human rights.  But what made my eyes really open were accounts I heard from Manong Teddyboy, my first cousin who was older than me. 

Manong Teddyboy, being the eldest among the magpipinsan, would discuss with us (while riding our grandparents' Ford Fiera to and from school) who Ninoy was and his struggles. If I remember it correctly, my cousin didn't mince words to say that the dictator was the one responsible for Ninoy's assassination.  At first, I was shocked. Could Marcos, the country's champion, do it?  

In spite of that shock, I gradually started to look at our country with a different pair of eyes.  The truth that was domesticated by the dictatorship, the kind of truth that is in favor of Marcos' Bagong Lipunan has been replaced by the real truth embodied Ninoy's bloodied corpse. Doña Aurora Aquino, Ninoy's mother, when asked why she didn't have the remains cleansed and dressed up, said she wanted people to see what Ninoy's adversaries did to him.

Distressing as it may be to the beholder, people viewing Ninoy took away with them a true sense of the nation's situation, a nation that was in tatters not the one that Imelda tried to portray via her fine terno, jewelry, and signature umbrella.  That fateful day in August 30 years ago sparked the need for change. It took three more years for that to happen when Marcos fled and Cory assumed the presidency.

Through Ninoy's death, democracy was restored. And so, since 1986 we have been enjoying freedom of the press, check and balance of the three branches of government, our right to elect, etc.  It is annoying to hear people say "Walang nangyayaring ganyan noong panahon ni Marcos" (Nothing of that sort happened during Marcos' time.). Well, our media was gagged during his time and so only the domesticated truths are known. To say that nothing vile happened during the dictatorship is 100% non-sense!

We complain about the corruption and callousness of our leaders, the PDAF scam, etc.  Who said that the truth will all be pleasant and favorable?  Even Jesus told His disciples that the road to salvation isn't easy.  Didn't John the Baptist forewarn his audience that the Promised Messiah will baptize them with the Holy Spirit and fire (ouch!)?

Let's face it. Democracy has its defects. It may not cure graft and corruption. Investigations may go on ad nauseam.  The truth it promotes or aspires to uphold may be ugly, painful, or divisive.  Still, it is the truth. Live with it!