All about truth

Are there still a few honorable men in Philippine society who would raise their right hands and swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth —- and really mean it? As it looks now, you can probably count these fellows in one hand. And this sad reality can be evinced from the startling revelation of Senator Sergio "Serge" Osmeña III that, indeed, ransom money was paid for the release of some hostages of the Abu Sayyaf, in the latter’s Dos Palmas Resort caper, and that he himself, Serge, the son of the great Serging Osmena, was a facilitator in the transfer of the money to the hostage takers.

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In various hearings of Senate and House committees, countless public officials, among them military and police top brass, had taken the witness stand where they raised their right hands, and swore to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. And what they said was that no ransom money was ever paid for the hostages. If Serge Osmeña is to be believed, with regards to his first-hand admission of his complicity in the payment of ransom, then all those sworn statements about telling the truth would become meaningless, one big joke.

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Now, the question is: Is Serge Osmeña telling the truth? His track record would show that he is a credible fellow. But then, another question arises: Why did Serge take such a long time before he came out publicly about his role in the payment of ransom? Which is very strange, considering that the matter of ransom payment and hostage-taking are transcendental importance to the entire nation.

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Serge Osmeña’s disclosure about the payment of ransom for the release of millionaire Reghis Romero had an equally shocking follow-up a few days thereafter. Serge said that military and government officials shared part of the ransom money. And the Cebu senator hinted that the highest-ranking soldiers played a major part in the money deal with the Abu Sayyaf. This naturally drew a sharp reaction from Defense Secretary Angelo Reyes who, without mincing words, challenged Serge to present evidence or else resign from his Senate post. Angie Reyes even set a deadline for Serge to present proof – six months. Now, let us see if the senator will cower under the verbal barrage from the soldier.

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"Operations Christmas Joy" began last Tuesday afternoon at the children’s ward of Quezon Institute. There, staff members of the Good Samaritan Foundation distributed food, toys and other gift items to the sick children confined at the charity ward. "Operations Christmas Joy" is an annual undertaking of the Foundation undertaken through the support of kindhearted individuals and socially-oriented entities that wish to bring some form of Christmas joy to indigent children confined in the charity wards of hospitals during the Christmas season.

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After Quezon Institute, the Good Samaritan Foundation visited the children’s charity wards of UERM Memorial Medical Center and the Pasig City General Hospital. Other hospitals that will be part of "Operations Christmas Joy" are Quirino Memorial Medical Center, San Juan Medical Center, East Avenue Memorial Center, Philippine Orthopedic Center, Lourdes Hospital, Rizal Provincial Hospital, Ospital ng Maynila, and several other medical centers.

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Retired Ambassador Rodolfo A. Arizala, writing from Santiago, Chile, suggests that we should now try considering a doctrine of American President George Bush: the option of "trial by military commissions" for terrorists who wage war against a country or government. He also suggested taking a long, hard look at another "Bush doctrine" in fighting terrorism, which is to hold those "that harbor them and feed them and house them and hide them accountable for their behavior as well."

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Arizala made his suggestions in the light of the fact that Philippine civil courts appear to grind very slowly in dispensing justice, forgetting perhaps that "justice delayed, is justice denied." But then, the former envoy cautioned that we should avoid having a "kangaroo" court in our country.

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"Do we have the ‘guts’ to adopt the Bush doctrines in the Philippines to effectively fight crime and terrorism? If we are able to do what President Bush is doing for his country and people, perhaps we in the Philippines would not only be walking tall but taller," he said.

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Mike del Rosario, a medical practitioner, wishes to let everyone know of a new modus operandi experienced personally by his aunt while she was motoring along the C5 Fort Bonifacio area.  The incident happened at around 5:45 a.m. while she, her husband and their driver were along the route.

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A woman who was about 55 years of age, carrying a three-year-old boy, suddenly crossed their path. The driver was quick enough, though, to step on the brakes, only hitting the woman with a very slight thud on her side. But then, they were taken aback when the woman suddenly threw the kid toward their vehicle, obviously wanting the boy to get hurt.   As a result of what the woman did,  the kid was hurt and broke his front teeth, and had a bloodied face.

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Within seconds, there was a huge crowd that gathered around their vehicle. Luckily, it was not a hostile crowd although some men were taunting them like hell.  They then took the kid and the woman into their car to a nearby hospital, but all the while,  the old woman was hysterical and demanding that she use their cell phone, to which Mike’s uncle acceded. That was a move he was to regret.

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A few minutes after the incident, Mike’s uncle began to receive threats through his cell phone. Apparently, the old woman’s use of his cell phone was designed to enable the racketeers to get the cell phone number of Mike’s uncle, and then to harass him.

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At the police station, the couple was told that similar incidents have been happening at the C-5 for quite some time now. And you know what? The word is that there are some law-enforcers who are behind these devilish schemes.

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Dr. Del Rosario suggests that motorists should be alert all the time. "There are so many stalkers out there and we really just have to be more than three steps ahead of them. Never panic and remember to always use your head," he said.

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Aida Aguas, a US-based Filipino, noted that there are more American products being advertised in the Philippines through media than in the United States. "Being in the Philippines is like being in America," she said. And looking back to the past, she rued that she can no longer find her favorite Kapampangan restaurants and her favorite stores. "Every big store is Chinese-owned. There are McDos in every corner where there are also Chowkings, Greenwich, Shakeys, KFCs, etc. It’s good we still have a Goldilocks!," Aida said.

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During her current visit here as a balikbayan, her purse got slashed in Dau, Mabalacat in Pampanga the other day. A woman who was sitting in front of her attracted her attention and stared at her for a long time. Apparently, that woman was in cahoots with the guy who took her wallet, after slashing her bag. The thieves also got Aida’s cell phone.

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One lesson Aida has just learned is to be always alert. Make everyone, including a woman, a suspect. Also, balikbayans must not talk to strangers, but always be very alert. But then, Aida has a question: Are there still policemen to whom one can run to if one is the victim of a theft or robbery? In the meantime, she must learn how to enjoy the remaining days of her visit here in her land of birth.

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Thoughts For Today:

God weighs each cross we are to carry.
He makes sure it is not too light to make us complacent
nor too heavy to make us bitter and helpless.
Today is the tomorrow you worried about yesterday.
Was it worth it?
Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrows,
it empties today of its strength.

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My e-mail addresse <[email protected]>.