Christmas in a world at war

This year we’re celebrating Christmas, the holiday of love and peace, in a world at war.

But when was the world never at war? When Jesus was born in Bethlehem – now the front line of the struggle between the Palestinians and the Israelis – Palestine was under the military occupation of the Roman legions of Caesar Augustus. Jesus and Mary had journeyed there to register in the Roman-mandated census – for tax purposes.

Soon after the Magi, the three kings, came to pay homage at the manger, a jealous and paranoid King Herod sent his army to locate and murder the infant destined by prophecy to become King of the Jews. Thus were hundreds of innocent first-born male babies slain. Joseph and Mary, carrying the baby Jesus in swaddling clothes, were forced to flee into the land of Egypt. They were, thus, refugees, too, in a world of refugees.

The Christmas story, therefore, is forever relevant, forever true, forever poignant with an echo of our times. It is forever radiant, too. For it tugs not just at memory but at our very souls.

Just as we sang in our childhood, let us remember those well-loved carols now: "Fall on your knees! Oh hear those Angel voices!"

And as we kneel in humility and adoration, we remember with a child’s certainty where Christmas really lies – in the deepest recesses of the human heart.

* * *

I can’t believe it! There was a monumental traffic jam the other day (even President Arroyo’s car, Ang Pangulo, got stuck in the crush) because the members of the Traffic Management Group (TMG) took time off at the busiest time of the year to hold their Christmas party. They didn’t even wait for some decent hour, when holiday traffic is lightest – say, at midnight or thereabouts – to make whoopee in commemoration of the season!

If this is true, it’s the height of irresponsibility. It exposes us as a nation of slackers and juveniles. There was a time when duty was paramount, and self-sacrifice was the norm. Where has it all gone?

When we were young reporters, we had no Christmases or New Year "breaks." We worked through each feastday to bring in the news, no matter whether the reading public cared or not, busy as they may have been with holiday-making. It was our profession – and we were honored to perform our jobs.

I’m not trying to say that yesterday’s journalists were better than today’s. Modern-day media persons are probably much more skilled at their craft and IT innovative. However, I must say they lack the fire in the gut and the hunger of the cub reporter.

The same seems true, sadly, of our entire society. I’m reminded of Lord Byron’s injunction to the Greeks, delivered in sorrow and disappointment: "Snatch from the ashes of your sires, the embers of their former fires!"

But, as happened in the poet Byron’s time, the fires were banked – and the ashes stirred no more.

* * *

We won’t dwell on the whys or wherefores of Gen. Edgardo Abenina’s resignation from the Land Transportation Office (LTO) and the President’s alacrity in accepting it. We’ve written reams of copy on that already.

Abenina was the third military officer to head that important agency (formerly the Motor Vehicles Office, Bureau of Land Transportation, and Land Transportation Commission). His military predecessors were Col. Mariano Santiago and Gen. Manuel Bruan.

Now, the Chief Executive is giving the LTO to another general – this time a police general, former Philippine National Police Director-General Bobby Lastimoso. When he takes over the job, I trust that Lastimoso won’t fall prey to temptation. Let’s not forget that the LTO, which has agencies in every provincial capital, chartered city and major municipality nationwide, is the fourth biggest revenue-gathering agency of the national government, after the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), Bureau of Customs, and the Philippine Amusements and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR).

However, it isn’t merely its revenue-generating capability that makes the LTO so vital. Equally important, from the standpoint of public safety, are the agency’s twin functions of licensing drivers and the regulation of motor vehicles throughout the land. If the LTO goofs in implementing these essential checks (or "sells" licenses to the untrained, and bus and jeepney routes willy-nilly) public safety along highways and, indeed, all our streets nationwide will be imperilled. In addition, the LTO is also the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) law enforcement arm in the transportation industry.

Having been a police general, Bobby Lastimoso may find it initially difficult to realize that the LTO is a civilian office, not an extension of Camp Crame or Fort Bonifacio. It would also be good for Lastimoso to bear in mind that there are no "secrets" in the LTO. Every shady deal gets to be bruited around by subordinates, not just in the central office along East Avenue in Quezon City, but even in the various agencies in Metro Manila and the provinces.

Lastimoso is coming in clean. Let him stay clean. Otherwise, he’ll never be able to curb the institutionalized graft and corruption in the LTO, especially in the law enforcement division. It’s common knowledge that personnel in this division have been demanding regular "retainers" from the big bus firms under threat of apprehension or the impounding of their vehicles on the flimsiest of excuses.

Cleaning out the Augean stables? This is a labor worthy of Hercules. And Hercules, my friend Bobby is not. But he’s got to try his level best. He might yet surprise us.

* * *

The extradition of one Reynante Pre, who stands charged in San Diego, California, with attempted murder, robbery and mutilation, could be the first extradition of Filipino to the United States since the extradition treaty between the Philippines and the US took effect.

What’s noteworthy is that the extradition request filed by the US government through our Department of Justice (DOJ) was speedily acted upon by Branch 52 of the Manila Regional Trial Court presided over by Judge Edgardo F. Sundiam. The petition filed this midyear was heard by Judge Sundiam last December 5. On December 18, the resolution granting the extradition was issued.

Pending Pre’s extradition on a date to be fixed by the Department of Foreign Affairs in consultation with the US Embassy here, the "extraditee" is being detained at the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).

We can only commend Judge Sundiam for the dispatch with which he handled this issue, where other extradition petitions are still hanging fire.

* * *

Last Thursday, the Judicial and Bar Council finalized its list of 21 nominees for the five vacant positions for Associate Justice of the Court of Appeals. Nominated in the JBC list are thirteen Regional Trial Court judges and eight other nominees from other government offices and the private sector.

Once the list is submitted to Malacañang for the five appointees to be chosen, President GMA and her screening committee will surely be pestered by politicians urging the appointment of their candidates. In our highly politicized country, this is a fact of life that goes with the turf.

On the other hand, Malacañang should put a premium more on integrity, competence, length of service in the judiciary, and industry in choosing its appointees. Competence, industry and length of service in the judiciary can be determined from the nominees’ decisions and backlog of decided and pending cases. On the other hand, integrity (an important qualification) can be assessed from reputation in the legal community. Good members of the judiciary are known in Bench and Bar circles, while corrupt judges – like skunks do – stink in the legal community and business circles.

We hope that Malacañang will not choose its five appointees mainly on the strength and influence of the nominees’ patrons and padrinos. This is an opportunity for President GMA to enhance the reputation of the Court of Appeals. Let her not muff it.