Is that you Mrs. Ambassador?

Just when I was saying that US Ambassador Kristie Kenney seems to be a really "cool" US diplomat, my phone rings and a friend who happens to be in the same neighborhood as the ambassador started recounting their encounter with a diplomatic convoy.

Apparently the diplomatic convoy came out of McKinley road with flashing blinkers and sirens. The convoy consisted of two large white Chevrolet Suburvans with the recognizable blue and white diplomatic plates. In between the Subs was what seemed like a Lincoln or some large American car with the blue and white 1000 plate number which is assigned only to ambassadors.

As the Forbes Park crowd will tell you, such loud and very public display of police power or privilege is frowned upon in the neighborhood, specially by people who, as the genuine residents term it "are merely renting in their community."

Not satisfied the convoy was also allegedly seen doing a counter flow. The caller was well aware of diplomatic privilege but questioned if diplomatic privilege included violating a law set down by the President herself regarding the unauthorized use of sirens and flashers. Does the privilege which is only extended to the President, the Vice President, the Senate President and the Speaker of the House, also apply to an Ambassador?

Maybe the Secretary of Foreign Affairs can answer that. What happens if the caller or some other Forbes Park resident or average Juan dela Cruz decides not to budge? Does driving an ambassador qualify as driving an emergency vehicle?

I can relate to the caller since I have had my share of abusive self entitled VIPs who surround themselves with security more for show and compliance. As if having motorcycle escorts and back-up could compensate for their INFERIOR personalities and superior insecurities.

The matter can easily be dismissed as just another day in our third world paradise. However, something to do with diplomatic abuse once hounded New York’s meter maids and police officers.

Being the home of the United Nations, New York City was perennially dealing with illegal parking, disregard for traffic laws, and a regular amount of law breaking from diplomats. It got so bad that the diplomats would verbally abuse the police.

The cops got fed up, City Hall got fed up, the New Yorkers got fed up and put their collective feet down and told the UN leadership that tow trucks don’t know how to read! The bosses at the UN finally disciplined its own ranks.

Here in Manila, I can honestly say that the noisy "ALL AMERICAN" convoy was more the exception than the rule. In fact I wonder if it was a genuine diplomatic convoy or another TYPHOON pretending to be a Tycoon.

There was even the case of a sabit-kabit or hanger on in Malacañang who actually bought two black Nissan Patrols, dressed them up to look like Presidential Security Vehicles and used them as part of his convoy.

"His penny pinching however gave him away! Instead of giving his "security" black bush jacket uniforms, he let them wear their regular office wear… BLUE GUARD uniforms. It took a change of government to put a stop to the misrepresentation!

But what can we expect if the Philippine National Police who always pick on motorcycle riders everyday… are the No. 1 VIOLATORS of the no-helmet and no plate number policy.

Look at all the so-called motorcycle escorts, they don’t have plate numbers, the WPD even makes their own, 95 percent of motorcycle riding cops don’t wear helmets, yet these law breaking hypocrites harass other riders. Where Oh Mr. Chief PNP is their integrity?

By the way, after the MMDA is done with their Huli Holiday, can Kuya Bayani and company please spend sometime inspecting and checking out motorists using fake media cards, or alleged "Doctors on call"? We all know they’re circumventing the law, we all know they’ll pulling a fast one while all of us are obeying the law. Why are we not paying attention?

As for the so-called "ALL AMERICAN CONVOY" what I’d really like to know is… Was that you Mrs. Ambassador?

* * *

The rondalla at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport is supposed to be playing a welcome number for Charlie Atong Ang who is supposed to be back in the Philippines today.

No less than Justice Secretary Raul Gonzales has promoted the "homecoming of Atong "Ang." Aside from being the alleged drinking and gambling buddy of Erap, I wonder what new titles and abilities will be attached to the so-called star witness.

If Chavit Singson already gave a first hand account of someone directly involved in the matter, to what purpose will Atong Ang’s testimony be? The prosecution has, if I remember correctly, closed.

Will Atong Ang come up with never before known information, a new crime perhaps? Will he pass muster as a credible witness or will he end up as one under duress, or worse a manufactured witness?

Its interesting that Atong Ang "HAD" to be brought home quickly or the US authorities would release him. It’s like the US forced us or that we had no choice.

The question is, Does the DOJ know what to do with a problem named Atong Ang? Or is Atong Ang going to be used to further delay if not extend the imprisonment of Joseph Estrada until the Arroyo Administration has left office or left town?

Just remember, the longer the man stays in jail, the more he refines his revenge.

* * *

If Erap feels the never ending whip of injustice, imagine what the family and friends of Nida Blanca must be feeling.

Years after her murder, after months of circus like incompetence from the police, and a septic tank full of broken promises from government officials and people of influence, the Nida Blanca case remains untouched!

When the crime is against the Arroyo administration, arrest and judgment is certain and swift even for people days away from retirement, whose ultimate sin was to speak the truth.

It is said that government resources are first channeled to returning Atong Ang than to the pursuit of justice for Nida Blanca. Apparently there is truth to the claim of the opposition that justice is swifter against the opposition.

Whatever happened to the information allegedly forwarded by the Swiss authorities to the DFA regarding a $2 million bribe received by a government official?

Perhaps all we can wish and pray for is biblical justice. No, not the eye for an eye type of swift revenge. Rather the patience and character building type brought about by the prayers of orphans and widows, a heart’s cry that when answered by God would cause us to rethink what we prayed for.

Little do we realize that when Filipinos talk about "pag napuno ang salop" it is actually a biblical reference to God finally getting fed up. When the sins reach heaven. Perhaps in time, even Nida Blanca can rest in peace.