LETTER TO THE EDITOR - They say we've been lying, cheating, and stealing all the way!

In a tv interview, a prominent lady lawyer lamented on how miserable our image have been as a country and people. As we all know, we've earned the title as one of the most corrupt in the world. "Now," she said without throwing the blame on anybody, "is the time to stop lying, cheating, and stealing for the sake of the country."

But, who's going to cast the first stone? Everybody is saying, "I'm not a liar, I'm not a cheat nor a thief." On the other hand, standbys in the streets would ask: "Kinsa ba goy dili nato bakakon, dili tikasan ug dili kawatan?" That ends the story.

But why wait for the first stone? Why don't we just stone ourselves, bang our heads against each other, and determinedly put a stop to lying, cheating, and stealing? Lisud no?

That's the root of the problem. That's why, after throwing out two duly elected presidents on the issue of lying, cheating, and stealing, we haven't gotten rid of the dilemma and today we are still asking who are lying, cheating, and stealing. Mag-unsa na man lang ta, ini Bai?

Will somebody volunteer the solution?

(Sgd) Antolin M. de la Serna
Guadalupe, Cebu City

Statement on the extradition of Mr. Calvin Tan

Nearly a year ago, the largest, most sophisticated metamphetamine hydrochloride or 'shabu' laboratory was raided in Mandaue City. The investigation pointed to Mr. Calvin Tan as the mastermind behind the largest shabu laboratory ever found in Southeast Asia.

I congratulate the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, the Philippine National Police, the Department of Justice, the National Bureau of Investigation, and Cebu City Representative Antonio Cuenco and all other concerned parties for the extradition of Calvin Tan from Hong Kong. This was the result of their tireless efforts over nearly a year to bring the suspected mastermind of the three mega-shabu laboratories found in Mandaue City to justice.

Now that the final piece of the puzzle has arrived, the people of Cebu may finally rest assured that justice will be done. I am sure that we will now be able to determine the full extent of the operations in Mandaue City and we will finally be able to weed out their local supporters and bring them to justice as well.

(Sgd) Hon. Gabriel Luis Romualdez Quisumbing
Provincial Board Member
6th District, Province of Cebu
Chairman-Committee on Dangerous Drug Abuse Prevention

Let us be - for the Philippines

In the midst of all these political controversies, I would like to share my comments and humble opinion as a concerned citizen of this country.

First of all, I believe that some people should start accepting that Filipinos are getting wiser every year in choosing candidates for government offices and not all actors and actresses who run for office win. I think it is high time they start accepting this fact.

The problem nowadays is that some people just couldn't accept or believe they lost and simply couldn't move on. I think this is pride at work and they need to examine themselves more closely.

Second of all, I want to remind the Filipino people that we have only one country and we must love her. We must, in our own ways, work toward peace, economic development and political stability. While there is no clear and sufficient evidence of poll fraud, let us give our due support to our government.

Let us not unnecessarily involve ourselves in mass actions, protests and rallies that further destabilize the government and cause great harm to our country. Let us not be swayed by some people who pretend to fight in the name of justice, truth, morality and uprightness but who are in reality full of malicious intent, political ambitions and are themselves tainted with the very crimes they accuse others of.

I call this "hypocrisy." These are the works of "presidential wannabes." Let us therefore exercise prudence and vigilance.

Lastly, whatever the outcome of the impeachment process, I still believe its wise to choose a "lesser evil" president, one who will lead this nation to a better tomorrow, one who has specific reforms and agenda that can put food on the table for every Filipino family.

I am no GMA fan but what I know is this: I am for the Philippines and what is best for her so I choose the lesser evil, if you know what I mean.

(Sgd) Ellen See Lim
Mandaue City