Punishment equal to crime

Only a seasoned actor and politician like Senator Bong Revilla could breathe life into a scandal that died a long time ago, and the career of a sexy poster girl whose now a part time actress.

Senator Revilla gave a privilege speech yesterday condemning a sex video presumably taken without the consent of at least one of the performers featuring the controversial Hayden Kho formerly popularized by Dr. Vicky Belo and an un-named sexy star. Senator Revilla focused on the assumption that the video was “ill-gotten”, pirated and presumably masterminded by one of the featured performers, namely Dr. Hayden Kho.

Short of leading a lynch mob, Senator Revilla spared nothing to express his revulsion that no less than a “Doctor” like Hayden Kho would violate the privacy of their act or whatever relationship he had with the un-named actress that everybody knows. Revilla was so angry that he challenged the Philippine Medical Association and the Professional Regulatory Commission to strip Dr. Do-Video of his license to practice medicine.

I hope Senator Revilla does not hold his breath waiting for that to happen because he will probably die of “Self inflicted suffocation”. Of course it could still happen if Senator Revilla talks to physicians who have a bone to pick with Dra. Vicky Belo for lost business.

The speech of Senator Bong was certainly worth the effort, the issues certainly valid but it raises more questions than answers. The first is why only now? Seriously. I don’t really know what’s going on and I tend to be on Senator Revilla’s side, but in fairness, a lot of people who are so fed up with “yesterday's” scandal are wondering why Senator Bong spoke out only now.

The next question is, haven’t you got more important things to do than strip “Dr. Do-Video” of his license? Some would point out that the sex was a private matter and the crime of the “Ill-gotten” video is the concern of the offended party. Blame it on bad timing or a “Hayden Kho type indigestion”, but a whole privilege speech on the person and not “the act”, sort of distorted the basis for Legislative privilege.

Another reaction was the issue of who really gave away the “Ill gotten” video? Senator Bong may be correct in assuming that one of the parties, involved set-up the video, but since it was a private party it could also have been consensual. Of course a lady never tells! But the biggest “What if” in the scenario is, what if someone else outside of the performers actually set up the camera and distributed the video to get back at either of them.

Bottom line to all the questions would be, why is Senator Bong leading the charge instead of the injured, scandalized un-named actress? As a lawyer puts it, you have to have legal personality on the complaint. Of course if you feel indignant about something and you have the privilege to a no-liability speech, why not?

After all is said and done, we once again have to be reminded that we are judged or screwed by the company we keep. In this case, going to bed with a married man, or somebody else’s “Boy Toy” is just the first step to getting into trouble, scandals and complications. 

As for Senator Bong, I would suggest a little temperance and strategic thinking. The recipe he has been handed may seem to be the perfect feast on the Senate floor but just like fish, yesterday’s scandal stinks when you try to serve them again.

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Because we punish no one

Governor Gwen Garcia of Cebu was equally angry and scandalized yesterday but not about some ill-gotten video. What really angered the number 1 Cebu official was discovering that Cebuanos were paying about 5 pesos more for every liter of fuel compared to Metro Manila.

The night before a female TV presenter of UNTV was shown lodging a complaint against alleged members of the Quezon City Police for an unwarranted flag down of her car, an illegal search of her personal belongings and conduct unbecoming of an officer.

Last week no less than the President gave orders to review all drug related cases filed by the police but did not prosper for lack of interest or absence of policemen at the hearings. Just to thicken my point, you can also monitor the arrest and detention of foreign fishermen caught poaching in Palawan waters.

All of the stories above have repeatedly and continuously happened over the years. The question is why do this crimes or abuses repeat themselves? Simple. The guilty often walks free because of collusion or omission. Quezon City cops have been in the news time and again, more than cops in other cities or provinces.

They are not really suspended or removed from duty, they simply stay at the headquarters while other cops patrol the streets, risk their lives, and live with the consequence of their abuse. The PNP has one very serious disease, which is called “cover-up” or “arbor” as in taking in cops who should have been charged, judged and fired.     

The oil companies continue their high and mighty spirit of non-cooperation because none of their executives have actually been dragged to a legislative, executive, or judicial hearing while a travel ban is imposed on them. I learned this tactic from a lawyer fighting an uncooperative Japanese executive. The minute he learned that he could not leave the Philippines unless he cooperated, everything was quick and painless.

In the end, it’s not just political will. It’s imposing the law. Punishment does not make instant saints, but it certainly makes the sinners think twice!