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Opinion

Revenge, threats, and regrets

CTALK - Cito Beltran -

Just when everybody thought that the ZTE scandal had come to an anti-climactic death, Filipinos are now treated to a more sinister episode that forebodes of revenge, retaliation, betrayal – all spiced up by veiled or open threats.

After staging a dramatic home spun resignation we now have Citizen Ben Abalos giving dire warnings (or open threats?) to Joey De Venecia and Secretary Romulo Neri. Ben Abalos has been repeatedly quoted by writers and reporters as saying that now he is no longer saddled by his position at the Comelec, he can devote all his efforts at getting back at his enemies.

Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago and Sen. Joker Arroyo have also been vocal and expressive about drawing blood from whoever leaked information from the Senate executive session as well as who is behind the accusation that the two have been running interference for the administration.

Speaker Joe De Venecia must now contend with 40 Malacanang zealots who allegedly have made a pact to remove De Venecia. Sadly, they couldn’t agree on not eating anything until they disposed of JDV. It would have been interesting to watch who expired first.

Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano has become the target of a new rumor designed to entangle him with the long controversial businessman Enrique or Ricky Razon whose name is like some celestial body that has a habit of seasonally “appearing“ in controversy laden businesses or projects such as what happened in Subic Bay.

In the latest Senate agenda, I heard Sen. Biazon wants to determine what is behind the Razon magic that seems to cause shock or awe upon cabinet members. Perhaps Sen. Biazon should do his research as far back as the Cory administration.

This way we can all know if all those rumors about how influential Ricky Razon is are really true. How much truth is there behind the accusations that even in the Ramos administration he could overturn decisions on biddings and “walk away” with the project even when someone else actually won? 

Perhaps Sen. Biazon can go further and investigate campaign contributions of businessmen to certain senators, congressional candidates etc. At the very least find out what role and relationships exist that may have National Security interests and what legislative measures could be formulated to address potential Anti Trust matters and security risks that results from allowing certain corporations or businessmen to control key facilities, even industries that have national security repercussions.

At the very least people are now making bets on who will fold his cards or blink first, the Marine or the Mestizo?

Clearly everyone has their mind on Revenge or Threats, yet few realize that to walk this road ultimately brings you to Regrets. I have learned this twice in such a life-changing way that I must share it with all our readers.

When my Dad died a sudden death 13 years ago, one of his loyal friends tried to do us a favor by short cutting certain financial procedures. She clearly meant to help us as her last act of friendship.

Unfortunately things turned out to be more complicated and her actions placed her in jeopardy.

Following her professional experience the lady opted to turn the entire matter to company lawyers who in turn froze all action on the transaction. In short we were faced with the post funeral nightmare of paying the BIR, the mortgage on his house, lawyers fees, bills and salaries with nowhere to get money. What added to our pain was that my Dad’s friend was advised to avoid any communication because of legal concerns.

For months we hoped against hope that things would improve but they simply got worse. I ended up having to sell my Dad’s favorite car and killing a lot of his favorite fighting cocks because there simply was no money to preserve the assets, even the pets. All those months I tried to fight with prayer a slowly rising anger within me. On the outside I was trying to be an encouraging Christian but on the inside I was hurt, angry, and confused. How was I suppose to talk to God about this when he said “pray for your enemies”.

Well I did. I remember the exact words I prayed that night: “Lord this person has caused us so much pain. So much hurt because of what she did. I pray that she too would experience what she has caused”. It seemed the only thing to do, to be honest and to turn it over to God. At least I didn’t do the hurting myself. After that I simply forgot all about it and concentrated on more important things.

A month later I remember driving down Ayala Avenue around 7 p.m. everything was covered with Christmas lights, it was the night before Christmas and I wasn’t sure how to deal with the first Christmas without a father. Then the phone rang. It was Tita Rina, my Dad’s long time second in command. From the tone of her voice I knew something was wrong.

I learned that the lady who had caused such great complication just lost her Dad, On Christmas Eve. I closed the phone, slumped on the steering wheel and just cried and cried. I learned a very important lesson then. No matter how much hurt I felt, it was not enough to wish such great tragedy on a fellow human being. I also learned never to ask God for revenge because his revenge could also hurt us or judge us.

Many years later, I shared a table with the lady who I did not even recognize. But when she identified herself, I immediately confessed the past and asked for her forgiveness. That night we were both healed because of the lessons we learned.

The second story involved someone who had caused such a deep hurt because of a false accusation. For more than a year I prayed to get over the hurt and the anger that would rise up every time someone would ask or tell me they heard about the false accusation. But this was one of those spiritually piercing hurts that seemed almost impossible to heal.  A month ago I really cried out to God and honestly spoke of the hurt, the humiliation and how much I wanted to be healed.

Two weeks later, I learned that person’s spouse had been paralyzed and bed ridden. I honestly felt as if someone broke my heart. I felt so bad for the person and in that very moment I was also healed when I realized I cared.

At this time when everyone is thinking of Revenge, remember, Revenge will lead you to regret.

ALAN PETER CAYETANO

ANTI TRUST

AYALA AVENUE

BEN ABALOS

BIAZON

CHRISTMAS AND I

PERHAPS SEN

RICKY RAZON

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