Cheers for the Supreme Court

In a nation of rumors, the initial message, whispered or uttered behind closed doors, was that the Supreme Court vote on the Anti-Plunder Law was to declare it as unconstitutional. After some time, the message that filtered out was that it was a deadlock. "Anybody’s ballgame," said an unconcerned observer.

* * *

The two sides involved in the issue, though, were worried. If the vote was close, the advocates for constitutionality feared, money would talk. And who else but the camp of deposed President Estrada had a lot of money?

* * *

But then, civil society felt that there was still a "conscience vote" in the highest tribunal of the land. That in the end, the majesty of the law, and not the oodles upon oodles of money laid at the doorsteps of the magistrates, would prevail. "There is hope that the Anti-Plunder Law could be declared constitutional," members of civil society intoned.

* * *

When we met at the Board of Trustees meeting of AY Foundation last October 22, former Senate President Jovito Salonga whispered to me that the Supreme Court decision on the plunder law might be issued a day or two thereafter. Senator Salonga waxed optimistic that the vote for the law’s constitutionality would be positive. Seven, or even eight justices, might vote to declare it constitutional," Jovy surmised.

* * *

Senator Salonga erred on his forecast about the date of the issuance of the Supreme Court resolution. However, he was more than correct on his assessment of the vote on the crucial issue. Not eight, but ten, voted to declare the Anti-Plunder Law constitutional. Certainly, the High Tribunal’s action on this most important matter is going to heighten public admiration and respect for the Davide Court.

* * *

I have an account of the evangelical worship service held during the wake for Nida Blanca, the versatile actress of the 60’s and 70’s who did 163 films in the Philippines. She did two movies with Gary Valenciano, whose wife Angeli Pangilinan took the trouble of spreading the word about Nida’s worship service.

* * *

That Friday night, some Christian friends decided to put up a service since everyone was mourning, gossiping, and we felt we needed to put some dignity to her wake. Gary sang Kathryn’s song,  a beautiful tribute to a good woman who passed away, and "We are the reason."

* * *

Nida’s screen partner for many years, Nestor de Villa, read the gospel and was crying as he shared their precious friendship and how she had accepted the Lord early this year, and how she enjoyed her Bible studies. After his talk, Nestor asked the overflowing church – there must have been 300 fans outside – who wished to accept Jesus. So many raised their hands!

* * *

Nestor then asked the crowd to stand up.  Nearly the entire congregation stood up.  There were about 350 inside the church.  We saw the grand dame antagonist of all time, Bella Flores, humbly raise her hand. Movie actors and actresses, gay people, politicians were all raising their hands.  Nestor de Villa broke down.  What Satan used for evil, God used for good.  Praise God!

* * *

Retired Ambassador Rodolfo A. Arizala sent a noteworthy reaction to my column item about Dr. Max Walsh, an Australian consultant, who met a lot of hassle in the postal service in one of the towns in the Philippines. As a result, Dr. Walsh decided to withhold investing some P1.6 million in the Philippines.

* * *

The incident reminded Ambassador Arizala of a statement made by Benjamin Franklin, as written in a book read by the envoy when he was still in grade school.  Franklin’s statement read:

For want of a nail the shoe was lost,
For want of a shoe the horse was lost,
For want of a horse the rider was lost,
For want of a rider the battle was lost,
For want of a battle the kingdom was lost–
And all for want of a horseshoe nail.

  "Could it be said that for want of a little attention, a huge investment in the Philippines was lost?," Arizala asked.

* * *

PULSEBEAT: A group of US military retirees in Iloilo, who would like to do something for the youth, they plan to put up a "Boot Camp" or "Summer Camp" where participating youngsters can be taught subjects on leadership, ethics, love of country, culture, religion, and even good driving habits. What this group needs, under the leadership of Nick Roces, with home address of 7 St., Lawaan Village, Jaro, Iloilo City, are benefactors who can help them push through their project…. Greg Alabado of Chula Vista, California, USA, thinks that true customer service is what is lacking in Philippine business. In the US, he said, the "customer is always right." In the Philippines, in contrast, customers are treated "like they are asking for favors"…. Rene de Leon of UP Diliman, Quezon City, wants to know why the Casman Drug Store along Quezon Avenue, Quezon City, refuses to give discounts to medicine purchases by senior citizens. Yet, there is an existing law mandating such discounts, he said.

* * *

THOUGHTS FOR TODAY:

The sun promises a beautiful day,
yet sometimes it fails...
God promises a bountiful life,
and He never fails.

* * *

Blessed is he who has learned
to admire but not envy,
to follow but not imitate,
]to praise but not flatter,
and to lead but not manipulate.

* * *

My e-mail addresses: <[email protected]>. and [email protected]