Arachnophobia

The fear of spiders, according to an article I recently read in National Geographic (yes, I still prefer to peruse through the classic magazine rather than watch the televised offshoot), may have actually been shaped by centuries of human evolution. Extensive research suggests that over time, mammals have developed the perceptive ability to focus on things seen as threatening, such as snakes and spiders, and to respond emotionally with a feeling of fear. 

It is such a relief to know that my abject anxiety whenever one of these eight-legged creatures pop out of nowhere is actually part of our natural defense system and not just irrational behavior. After all, spiders are the dominant terrestrial carnivores, according to a related article. They have a huge influence on the ecosystem, and predominantly use webs to catch their prey.

In my quest to learn more about arachnids and to understand my phobia, I found myself likening these animals to the characters involved in the long-running NBN-ZTE saga. They have the power to sway the general populace, and weave elaborate tales with the intention of bringing down many irreproachable victims.

For one, Rodolfo Noel “Jun” Lozada Jr. has managed to enthrall televiewers and readers with his sobbing and what now seems to be contrived humility. A case in point is his Valentine’s Day courtroom visit relevant to a petition for the Writ of Amparo filed by his brother Arturo.  He was given a celebrity welcome when he arrived at the Court of Appeals (CA) 17th Division, with court employees requesting for photos with him and chanting, “We love Jun”. It is quite revealing how he has earned so much sympathy from members of the Senate, the opposition, the media and the masses. His phenomenal popularity is illustrative of the web of accusations he has spun in order to snare hapless as well as targeted individuals.

One of his first pronouncements was that the Philippine National Police (PNP) took him against his will, when he disembarked last February 5 from Cathay Pacific Flight 919 upon arrival from Hong Kong at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1. No less than the Solicitor General Agnes VST Devanadera, who is leading the team in defense of government respondents in the petition for a Writ of Amparo filed by Lozada’s family, found it improbable that he was abducted, stating that Lozada had all the chances to alert other passengers at the airport if he had been taken against his wishes. “There was no use of force. He was very relaxed when his security detail picked him up,” said Devanadera, after watching security footage of Lozada being escorted out of NAIA. This film clip has also been shown to the public on news programs.

Another one of the tales Lozada shared with the media and relayed in his Senate testimony was that his life and liberty were threatened, and that he was in constant fear from the time he was picked up at the airport until he was brought to La Salle Greenhills. Witnesses and respondents attest that he was at complete liberty to use his mobile phone at the airport, and did in fact make a couple of unsupervised phone calls throughout the length of the trip. (One of the calls, it is now reported, was made to a lady with whom he has had a long  intimate relationship). In addition, only two people accompanied Lozada in the vehicle that transported him from NAIA to Greenhills — a driver named Jaime, and Rodolfo Valeroso. Both men confirm that they were seated in the front seats of the vehicle while Lozada was alone, unrestrained in the passenger seat behind them. The now celebrated star witness reportedly removed his coat, leaned back and even kicked-off his shoes as soon as he got into the car — undeniable evidence that Lozada was very relaxed rather than besieged.  He spoke repeatedly and freely to different persons via mobile phone and invariably told the parties on the other line that he was fine.

In addition, when Jun requested to be brought to La Salle Greenhills later that evening, he was immediately brought there to be with his wife and children. Even then, Lozada made nary a whimper that he was abducted or that he was being provided police security against his will. He could have easily requested the La Salle brothers to send his security detail away, but he did no such thing.

Finally, in the Lozadas’ petition for the Writ of Amparo filed against five government officials, namely President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, Police Director General Avelino Razon Jr., General Angel Atutubo and Rodolfo Valeroso, the petitioners have not submitted a single affidavit as required, to substantiate claims that the respondents are responsible for any specific, concrete threat or violation to the life, liberty or security of Jun Lozada. In the meantime, the names of these people including countless others, are being sullied with abandon by a man who, if you ask me, has all too quickly been proclaimed a hero, even in the same breath as Ninoy Aquino!

What a tangled web this man has weaved — but alas, it may only be a matter of time before the proverbial rain, washes this spider out!