'Public humiliation'

One of the worst things that anyone can do to a Filipino is to subject him to shame and humiliation. The concept of “hiya” or “pinahiya” which in this sense means being subjected to ridicule or a state of disgrace — can be utterly devastating that it can eat away at someone’s self esteem and drive him to commit violence against other people or worse, against himself. Such was most likely the case with the late Defense Secretary Angelo Reyes who chose to end his life with a single bullet — after he was subjected by his perceived “enemies” to public humiliation. What made it worse was when his family, whom he was reportedly very protective of, was being dragged into the fray.

As Filipinos, we are all especially sensitive to anything that is considered as a personal affront. To be the subject of any kind of humiliation can be nightmarish especially for those who are sensitive about their reputation. Shame, according to psychoanalysts, is a highly emotional state that shapes or dictates a person’s thoughts and actions. And because shame is such an unpleasant experience, people go to great lengths to avoid it, and sometimes, people resort to extreme measures to avoid an emotionally and psychologically devastating experience.  

The thought of his family being subjected to the kind of pain and turmoil he was experiencing no doubt contributed to the depression felt by a military man like Angelo Reyes. Close friends who saw Angie days before he killed himself described how he was helpless and depressed, repeatedly saying, “They are determined to crush me.”

From the time they are born, Filipinos are taught — indoctrinated even — about the importance of preserving family honor and to refrain from doing anything that would destroy or besmirch the family name. And when the accusations of wrongdoing came, perhaps Angie Reyes felt that he had let his family — especially his mother whom he was close to — down. Unfortunately in this country, the presumption of innocence is more often than not buried in the frenzy, with people quick to judge someone as already guilty by mere perception. In other words — you are deemed guilty first beyond reasonable doubt then you have to prove yourself innocent. With the slow excruciating pace of our justice system — you’re already in your death bed — you’re still trying to prove your innocence. 

In retrospect, many who watched that fateful Senate hearing are aghast at the realization that anyone could in fact be driven to take his own life because of shame and humiliation which one can suffer from legislators.  While no one will argue that the Senate should get to the core of the corruption that has shaken the ranks of the AFP, and blighted the image of the military institution, it is clear the hearings should now be conducted on a higher plane instead of degenerating into a showbiz “chismis” type of inquisition. Parliamentary immunity from suit is a privilege given by the Filipino people to Senators and Congressmen — a privilege that must be used responsibly out of respect to their constituents.

When a “resource person” gets “invited” to such hearings, technically he is a guest and therefore, should be treated with elementary respect — not subjected to insult or ridicule, in the same manner that one who is invited as guests in their homes should be treated with some form of courtesy. Obviously the Senate (or Congress) is not a court.

Clearly, there is a need to re-examine the way Senate and Congressional hearings are conducted. Everybody now agrees that these hearings and investigations supposedly “in aid of legislation” sometimes degenerate into personal inquisitions “in aid of persecution,” with the proceedings becoming an exercise in public humiliation. Interestingly, any ordinary man-on-the-street who saw the confrontation between Reyes and Trillanes has the general perception that “Trillanes was out to get Reyes and exact revenge.” Or as one major newspaper headline concisely summed it — it was “payback time.”  

While media in this instance should not be faulted, acting only as messengers, they must not forget that they, too, have a responsibility — and that is to make sure that facts are correct and reportage should be made factually without putting any slant or color in their story. It was unfortunate to read about Angie asking — in fact begging — for his side to be printed in the newspaper front page because he was not allowed to defend himself at the Senate hearing.

This was a military officer who was extremely proud of his achievements. In his lifetime, he had experienced what it was like to climb the ladder of success and reach the pinnacle of his career, holding four different Cabinet positions. And then suddenly, his world turned upside down with that one Senate hearing that virtually reduced him to almost nothing, with a former junior officer repeatedly berating and lecturing him.

Trillanes himself was incarcerated, charged with rebellion against the state and then subsequently given amnesty by the present dispensation. In many instances, Trillanes would cut Reyes off in mid-sentence and would tell the latter that he “may not” speak. The worst however, was when Reyes was categorically told by his former underling: “You have no reputation to protect.” For a proud man like Angie Reyes who was idolized by his children, being treated with such disdain for many people to see was simply and totally unbearable.

Secretary Angelo Reyes desperately wanted to speak at the Senate hearing and defend himself, but was brusquely told to shut up. With his death, Angelo Reyes has been silenced forever.

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