Another first in RP’s political history - JAYWALKER by Art A. Borjal

Another "first" in our country’s political history has just been notched: Issuance of a warrant of arrest against a former President of the Republic. To avoid being put behind bars, even for a brief moment, ousted President Joseph Estrada posted bail before the Sandiganbayan before the close of office hours last Monday, April 16.

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Erap’s problems begin when the Sandiganbayan acts on the plunder cases against him. Here, the offense is unbailable. Which means that Erap, just like all other ordinary criminals, will have to spend all of his waking and sleeping hours in a prison cell, as the trial of his plunder cases goes on at the Sandiganbayan.

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One wonders how Erap, used to a lavish lifestyle, is going to adjust to the life of a prisoner. Inside a prison cell, there are hardly any amenities. Erap will thus have to go through a lot of sacrifice and inconvenience. But then, he might just be able to ease the burden of his present travails, by making believe that his predicament will redound to the benefit of wife Loi, who is running for the Senate as his surrogate, and improve the chances of the rabidly pro-Erap senatorial candidates of the Puwersa ng Masa.

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On the day that he posted bail, Erap appeared forlorn and worried. He hardly uttered any word to the mediamen who wrestled to cover his appearance before the Sandiganbayan. Yes, there are indications that he will, in due time, be unable to withstand the mental torture that is now giving him sleepless nights. In other words, his show of bravado is eventually going to collapse, just like a standing deck of cards.

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On the political front, the prevailing guessing game is whether it will be 8-5, 9-4, or 10-3 in the Senate race, in favor of the People Power Coalition candidates. As of now, the PPC bets within the Magic 13 are Frank Drilon, Johnny Flavier, Joker Arroyo, Serge Osmeña, Jun Magsaysay, Manny Villar, Kiko Pangilinan, and Ralph Recto. Closing in into the winners’ circle is Boy Herrera, who is banking on the labor and Visayan vote to give him a landslide vote.

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At this stage, it is hard to count out Obet Pagdanganan, who is expected to surge nearer the Magic 13 with the help of local government executives, governors and mayors who worked closely with him when he was president of the Governors’ League of the Philippines. Of course, Bobby Tañada and Winnie Monsod could make it, if the current movement for a 13-0 vote is sustained in vote-rich urban areas in our country.

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On the opposition front, fighting for survival are Edgardo Angara, Miriam Santiago, Dong Puno, Johnny Ponce Enrile and Ping Lacson. Two independent bets, on the other hand, appear assured of berths in the Magic 13: Noli de Castro and Orly Mercado. For Mercado, though, the trend, as shown by poll surveys, has been a downward skid in the popularity ratings game. This means that Orly could be in trouble, if the Senate candidates who are now occupying Nos. 12 and downwards make a late surge.

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Arlene B. Mirandilla-Escalante has set up a web page for seminarian Abraham ‘Bambet’ Mirandilla, the young man whose dream of becoming a priest (he is just a year or two away from being ordained) has suffered a setback because of his kidney disorder. Yes, Bambet is the one I wrote about a few days ago, in response to an urgent appeal from Bishop Jesus Y. Varela of the archdiocese of Sorsogon.

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The contents of the web page were so well-prepared I have decided to convey these to Jaywalker readers, just to give them a clearer idea of why Bambet deserves to be helped. The article is entitled "Please Help Bambet!" and Arlene says "He’s my brother. He’s a seminarian. And he needs a kidney transplant."

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In the web page http://members.tripod.com/bambet/index.htm, you will find the following:

Bambet is Seminarian Abraham B. Mirandilla Jr. He has been in the seminary for more than 15 years and is already done with his Theological studies. He is so close to becoming a Deacon and then a Priest. Sad to say, his dream of becoming a servant of God is temporarily clouded by his present health condition.

Last January 2000, he was diagnosed with kidney ailment and since March of the same year, he’s been on a twice-a-week dialysis. The cost for this treatment is enormous. Our family has pooled all our resources. Generous friends and relatives sent their contributions. My father borrowed money from all possible sources. Somehow we came up with a decent amount only to find out later that even that was not enough for his dialysis treatments.

With a dwindling fund for the medical treatment, all of us who love Bambet dearly felt very scared, helpless and emotionally weak. We prayed a lot and poured many tears asking God to help us through this ordeal. Then God’s miracle happened. A matched donor came forward, willing to give Bambet another chance in life. She’s a pre-school teacher and a sister of a Jesuit priest. Now, Bambet is scheduled to undergo a kidney transplant operation at the National Kidney and Transplant Institute.

As with his dialysis treatments, the cost of the transplant surgery is way beyond the family’s means. Thus, we’re turning to people who will be kind enough to extend assistance. We are appealing to your compassionate hearts to help Bambet and our family raise the amount that is needed for the pre-surgery, operation and post-operation expenses.

God has been and is assisting Bambet all the time. We had some generous relatives and friends who are doing beyond what is expected of them to gather the amount for his weekly dialysis. To them, we will forever be grateful. May God continue to bless them and their families for their kindness and compassion.

Now, all of us are faced with this tremendous task of raising the amount for Bambet’s transplant. Thus, we appeal to you for help. Our family, relatives and friends are doing everything we can to come up with the amount but our effort is not enough. PLEASE HELP BAMBET. WE APPEAL FOR YOUR PRAYERS AND ASSISTANCE. Kindly give him a chance to become a priest…to serve God, the community and you.

If you decide to help, kindly send contributions to:

The Good Samaritan Foundation
Bambet’s Fund
Unit 1-B RM Arcade
Ramon Magsaysay Blvd., Quezon City
Philippines
Tel. # (63) 716-1399 or (63) 716-1499

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God bless you… Mrs. Socorro Jean Carretero Asoy… your generosity and unparalleled selflessness is remarkable. Our family cannot and will never forget your act of kindness. Thank you for giving Bambet another chance to be strong again and thanks a million for sharing a part of you. May God keep you safe and bless you always.

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Bambet is greatly thankful to his friends… Without them, his medical treatments would not be possible.

Rev. Fr. Chito Tagle and the Tahanan ng Mabuting Pastol (TMP) community have been constantly there for Bambet – spiritually, emotionally and financially – ever since they learned about his health condition. TMP has been his second home and the community is his family away from home.

Msgr. Jesus Y. Varela, Bishop of Sorsogon Parish, sent a letter of appeal to Mr. Art Borjal. He and the Diocese of Sorsogon priests are doing their best to help Bambet raise the amount needed for the surgery.

Mr. Art Borjal, a philanthropist, journalist and columnist of The Philippine STAR, upon receipt of the letter from Msgr. Varela, devoted portions of his column on various dates to bring Bambet’s case to the public. Moreover, he is in contact with the NKTI to make arrangements for the surgery. Please click on to the following links if you want to read his column of April 4, 2001.

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