Unmasking the brains behind Bubby’s killing - JAYWALKER by Art A. Borjal

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has identified the killer of Bubby Dacer and his driver. This does not mean that the case has been solved. The NBI has the bigger job now of pinpointing the motive behind the killing and identifying the brains behind the dastardly crime.

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Agents of the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Task Force have been unmasked as the perpetrators of Dacer’s killing. Who ordered them to do it? Who had the motive or motives to snuff out Bubby’s life? Circumstantial evidence can provide some answers. But the best way to collar the masterminds behind the crime is for the NBI to get direct evidence.

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Somehow, former PAOCTF chief Panfilo Lacson, who is running for a Senate seat under the Puwersa ng Masa, must clarify the involvement of his men in Dacer’s killing. He cannot evade clarifying the matter by merely saying that the principle of command responsibility does not apply to him as PAOCTF headman, because what was committed was a specific crime.

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It is better that Ping Lacson speak out on the issue of Dacer’s killing. Keeping mum will merely heighten the suspicion that ousted President Erap and he had a hand in the crime. Note that Erap had suspected that Bubby Dacer, with a helping hand from Gen. Joe Almonte, was behind the spate of very negative stories about the Estrada administration. In other words, this could have been the motive behind the heinous crime.

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Lacson is in a dilemma, though. Taking a high media profile on the Dacer killing might open many other cans of worms involving him and his men. This could greatly jeopardize his chances of making it in the Senate election. Even now, Lacson has been eased out of the Magic 13, as borne out by the latest Social Weather Stations survey.

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Note that the issue of the Kuratong Baleleng rubout case is still fresh in the minds of many Filipinos. Many have not yet forgotten the seemingly-credible testimonies of the two cops who turned state witnesses but eventually, because of fear and the long lapse of time in resolving the court case, were probably forced to recant their version of the incident. And there are many other crimes – like kidnap for ransom, drugs, bank robberies – that have been associated with the PAOCTF. Somehow, Lacson’s name will be dragged into these cases.

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Last week, The Philippine STAR featured, in photos and in text, the grandeur and beauty of Malacañang’s Presidential Residence. Engr. Aber Canlas, well-known as the human dynamo and the aksyon agad man of the Department of Public Works and Highways during the Marcos administration, who was credited by The STAR for renovating and rebuilding what was then called the Malacañang Guest House, felt bad, though, over the fact that his name was wrongly written. It was "Abner Canlas" and not "Aber" that came out in the well-written STAR feature article. Apparently, Aber treasures his name most dearly.

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What many people do not know is that it was also Aber Canlas who rebuilt Malacañang Palace, the place where President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and the First Family, now lives. According to Aber, the old Malacañang Palace was in bad physical shape, a place in disarray and with structural defects, when he began the rebuilding and repair work. Today, the magnificent work done by Aber and his workers can be seen in the majesty and grandeur of Malacañang Palace, a testament of the creativity of the Filipino.

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How one wishes that the Macapagal-Arroyo administration can have creative aksyon agad men and women like Aber Canlas. They are the kind of civil servants that the country badly needs now, people who can make good things happen at the soonest possible time. Ours is a race against time – to rebuild our country, to reshape the moral fiber of our people, to lure back investors, to buoy the people’s morale and confidence.

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The authorities concerned must show political will in handling the case of the 2,000 squatter families whose squatter shanties at NIA Road, right at the very heart of Quezon City, were gutted down by fire last Thursday evening. These squatters should not be allowed to rebuild their homes in that same public place. They must be resettled elsewhere, in more pleasant surroundings.

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Those squatters at NIA road have been coddled and protected by government officials for such a long period of time, mainly because of their voting clout. Thus, even though their shanties were an ugly eyesore in Quezon City, and their staying there always posed a health and fire hazard, in addition to the fact that their squatting was patently illegal, the authorities concerned did not make any positive move, but merely played deaf, dumb and blind. Thus was how the squatter colony at NIA Road built. What a big disservice to the ideals and vision that President Manuel Luis Quezon had for Quezon City!

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I condole with the family of Maestro Redentor C. Romero, whose mortal remains were interred yesterday. Red Romero, who nurtured the National Philharmonic Orchestra to full bloom for many, many years, and won honors for our country during his countless stints with prestigious national orchestras all over the world, frequently interacted with me on matters pertaining to our culture and the arts. Indeed, his love for the arts was overwhelming.

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During the years. Red Romero sent to me cassette tapes, compact discs and other recorded materials on Philippine music, both pop and high-brow. And Red, too, oftentimes lent a helping hand to the Good Samaritan Foundation. I never knew Red Romero was sick of cancer, for he bubbled with zest for life and joy of living, of course, through music.

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Red Romero’s countless friends and admirers will miss his inspiring and moving musical concerts with the National Philharmonic Orchestra. But he will always be with us, whenever we listen to those haunting and beautiful songs and musical numbers that were popularized through his efforts and commitment. Farewell, dear friend, until our paths cross again!

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Here is the inspirational text message of the day:

There’s energy not found in food,

Strength not found in vitamins,

His name is Jesus!

Make Him a big part of ur life.

Good morning!

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And how about this one?

6 ways to be happy:

Free your heart from hatred

Free your mind from worries

Live simply

Expect less

Give more

and always thank God

4 d blessings.

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My e-mail address: <[email protected]>