Politics kills!

It was a shock to all and a tragic end for a decorated military officer, Angelo T. Reyes. Some say he served his country with honor, dedication and integrity. Others allege him as an arrogant and corrupt official. I see him as a man who was diligent in his work in the military but made a big mistake when he entered the political arena. This was his downfall – he allowed the powerful to use him, to use his talents and skill for greed and avarice.

Five years ago, when Reyes was invited to speak at the MOPC DILG Night, I remember him calling my dad “Manong Max”, he flattered my dad by saying, it was a very rare moment for him to be seated beside an “authentic hero”. How fate calls upon us – now they lie beside each other at the Libingan Ng Mga Bayani.

As the DILG secretary then, he spoke on Sustaining the Gains and Moving Forward as a Community – where he said that no matter what happens in national politics, robust communities will make our democracy endure. In his speech he gave snapshots of what the DILG was trying to achieve and hopes of enlisting the help of the media to harness public support for the programs of the department.

He expressed his belief that if a society has a high level of criminality, it is a clear reflection of a more basic problem – a lack of respect for the rule of law, engendered by a weak sense of community. It indicates that many members of that society, for lack of a common purpose, would go to great lengths, “even beyond the law” to get ahead in the pursuit of selfish ends.

Reyes had a distinguished career in the military and was a recipient of various awards, including the Philippine Legion of Honor (degree of officer), military outstanding achievement medal, seven Distinguished Service medals, and cavalier award from the PMA Alumni Association. Given all these accolades, I cannot help but wonder, what would have happened if he just remained a soldier throughout his life and stayed away from politics.

The minute Reyes stepped on that platform at the EDSA Shrine to show support for the ascendancy to power of GMA, he actually sealed his future in the political arena. As the years went by, unconsciously he was being eaten alive by the corrupt system to the point of losing sight of what he so earnestly believed in.

I remember what my grandfather, Benito T. Soliven told my father before he died: “If you are thinking of moving into politics someday, my advice to you is that you not do so. You are good at writing. Use your skill in the service of God and country. Spare yourself the heartache and disappointment that come with politics. For in politics, even those friends who pledge their unstinting support of you, and their willingness to lay down their lives for your sake, will renege on their word and double cross you. Spare yourself much sorrow, my son! Your pen is what will enable you to serve both God and your fellowmen!”

Why did Reyes commit suicide? Was it to save his family from further pain? Or is there an even stronger force that made him kill himself? We may never know. But the truth of the matter is, when everything is said and done, only Reyes and his family know what really happened. Deep down in the recesses of their hearts, they know why it had to happen. As to whether his action was an admission of guilt or not, it is not for us to judge. We can only hope that whoever that strong force behind all these is still able to sleep. Politics divides, politics kills, and politics hides all the things we will never know.

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Many Pinoys seem to be confused on why the President stood his ground on the China-Taiwan issue. Before we accuse PNoy of making a wrong move, we need to understand that the Philippines recognizes the One-China policy. The problem is, we seem to be torn between China and Taiwan because we have also continued our relations with Taiwan through the Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO) and the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO).

One-China policy is the principle that there is one China and both Mainland China and Taiwan are part of that China. This policy is a requirement for any political entity to establish diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China. Countries like the Philippines that have diplomatic relations with Beijing recognizes that, “the government of the People’s Republic of China is the sole legal government of all China.

Even the United States has promised to follow a One-China policy and has maintained only cultural, commercial and other non-governmental relations with Taiwan.

The recent deportation of 14 Taiwanese by the Philippines to China is just right because it was done for national interest and in accordance with the One-China policy. However, the Philippine government must keep in mind that in addressing this issue it must pass through the political agencies like the MECO – I guess for courtesy only.

So, whatever the Philippines has conceded to do in line with the One-China policy, must be done. China must be allowed to sentence the 14 Taiwanese to follow proper protocol and then send the group back to Taiwan. It looks simple but has become complicated due to the state of hostility between the two sides of the straits that up to this time has not ended.

Unfortunately our OFWs in Taiwan are once again victims of such circumstance – but that’s life. Our government should work on keeping our people in the Philippines to stop the saga of OFWs around the world.

By the way, I heard Ambassador Francisco Benedicto, our envoy to Beijing has resigned from his post due to medical reasons. Honestly, I do not believe he is sick. I bet he was a victim of how P-Noy and the DFA has poorly treated the previous administration’s core of diplomats. Well, if you ask me, many of these ambassadors (if not all) who have faithfully and painstakingly served this country were just brushed aside by this Administration without proper protocol of diplomacy to end their work/term. Sanamagan! How coarse can you be?

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The Philippine National Surfing Convention has come up with a series of events to promote ‘green’ sports to help conserve the environment thru surfing and skateboarding. I hope that sports enthusiasts will make time to attend the Angat Dagat Eco Festivals on February 18 to 20 at The PARK Surf Camp in Real, Quezon – a first of a series of nationwide campaigns on eco-awareness, eco-preservation, and eco-tourism.