I saw Talkback’s replay today at ANC and boy was I super glad to see Atty. Adel Tamano looking cutesy as ever. But seeing him on t.v. meant only two things: (1) that he had to speak in behalf of the opposition, UNO, and (2) that he was being interviewed for his supposed cameo appearance for one of Jinggoy’s upcoming movies. Even though it sickens me to sit and listen to him cover for Erap and his sudden change of heart to accept the queen’s forgiveness, I just couldn’t grab the remote and change channels when my dad was right there sitting beside me.
The program’s topic was phrased as “WILL ERAP’S PARDON BE GMA’S DOWNFALL?” or something to that effect. I wanted to laugh and text a reply to the show, but remembering as it was a replay, I had to restrain myself in my seat and tolerate whatever crap I had to hear from the opposition guys, Sen. Pimentel and Atty. Tamano.
Of course, as I’ve pointed out in an earlier post, Erap’s pardon is no laughing matter because it violates almost all known logic that moves the judicial system of this country, not to mention the moral discretions and infinite mercy and tolerance that our politicians have for ‘popular and powerful’ criminals such as Erap. Up until today, I still couldn’t believe that after almost 6 1/2 years of trial to put Erap behind bars for plunder and especially after the guilty verdict by the court, the main oppositional character begged for a pardon from someone he and his team doesn’t even recognize as a legitimate president. And after all the catfights and the propaganda the opposition put out against PGMA, all of it was wasted for self-preservation.
The thing that I couldn’t understand is this: why would the administration be stupid enough to believe that Erap will not really run for a public office in the future? Can they trust a man to fulfill his promise when he had betrayed the ideals of his party, his own group of men? Clearly, something is amiss. Turncoats are everywhere in Philippine politics; the faster they could turn their backs, the longer they could stay in the game. Nevermind their honor or whatever beliefs they have, being able to make a living out of politics is more than enough motivation for them to subsist with damaged reputations. If Erap can turn his back on the opposition’s ideals, I think it’s only logical to assume that he can and will do the same to the adminstration. Well, even is he doesn’t run himself, his cronies are still there to do his bidding.
This Erap pardon thing has got to stop, really. Although the legality of the pardon is backed by the constitution, the majority of the people are irked because they see this case as an exemption. By giving almost no care to the guilty verdict, people are likely to think that criminal politicians can get away with anything, that they can exert influence over their verdicts and turn it to their advantage. A very good example, PGMA and her marvelous team of 190 congressmen who filed a weak impeachment case against her to protect her from more serious suits.
To be honest, Erap’s pardon doesn’t have anything to do with PGMA’s downfall; his doing is a natural phenomenon in this country. And as if something like that can bring down the Queen’s illegitimate kingdom. The opposition would have to do better than that.
3 Comments
November 4, 2007 at 12:49 am
erap’s pardon only proves that pgma can do anything with impunity. she and her minions may be untouchable now, but someday there’ll be a time for reckoning. they won’t get off the karmic wheel that easy. they will reap what they sow.
November 7, 2007 at 7:20 am
Let’s say Erap honors his word that he won’t run for public office. He could always have one of his henchme…err…underli…err…loyalists appoint him in some government capacity if they ever make it to government again, you’ll see.
November 8, 2007 at 5:16 am
volume-addict:
as if we dont know that. sadness.
thanks for dropping by! =)