Bits and pieces

We should not be disappointed by the performance of our athletes in the recently concluded Olympic Games in London. First of all, for such a large country with a population of over 90 million, we were only able to send a contingent of 11 athletes. That alone is already a detriment to getting a medal since we’ve limited our chances considerably. This was, as usual, due to lack of funding. One of the main problems is that the Philippine Sports Commission and the Philippine Olympic Committee are always at an impasse on who should oversee and supervise the Olympic team. As usual, with too many people involved, decisions are difficult to reach and time is wasted while several people try to reach common ground. This does not give our athletes the ability to prepare in an arena that is united. They are never sure what is going to happen next and that can’t make it easy for them to focus. What’s more, we should be sending more bets to compete in sports we are actually good at. We excel at boxing and yet we only sent one boxer. Instead we send athletes to compete in a plethora of sports such as Judo, cycling, and swimming. These are sports we definitely have the potential to be good at, but we have yet to show this excellence in the world arena. We need to give our athletes a good start (and more chances to compete at a world level) in order to give them a fighting chance to get a medal.

Other countries like the US and China (who both secured several medals) invest in training their athletes and giving them the best chances to bring home the gold. I don’t think it will take such a huge investment. We do have four years, after all, until our next shot. If we start investing more in our athletic programs now, we will definitely have a better crop of hopefuls at the next Olympics. I may even yet live to see the Philippines win its first gold medal. Until then, congratulations to the athletes who competed this year and who gave their all for their country.

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The choice for the position of chief justice has been narrowed down to eight nominees in the shortlist submitted to President Aquino by the Judicial and Bar Council to replace former chief justice Renato Corona, who was convicted last May 27. Although the President has expressed his disappointment with the list not including his own personal choice for the vacancy, he nevertheless has to make a decision before the end of the month.

As of now, President Aquino has personally interviewed two of the eight nominees. The 90-day period is winding down and he will need to appoint a new chief justice by August 27. Media sources claim the President has interviewed former San Juan congressman Ronaldo Zamora, a former colleague of Aquino in the House of Representatives and Supreme Court Justice Arturo Brion. The other six nominees include Chief Justice Antonio Carpio, fellow justices Roberto Abad, Teresita de Castro, Ma. Lourdes Sereno, Solicitor General Francis Jardeleza, and former Ateneo Law Dean Cesar Villanueva. Though the President has publicly expressed his disappointment that his choice candidate was not on the list, he did assure the public that he will appoint his choice from the list by August 27, 2012. In my opinion, they are all qualified for the post. At least by the end of the month, the decision will finally be made.

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Last Friday I paid a surprise visit to my long-time friend Benjamin Abalos, the popular and well-loved former mayor of Mandaluyong City, and former chairman of the Commission of Elections under President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. I came across a barrage of media — reporters, columnists, news photographers, etc. at his cramped quarters at the Southern Police District in Taguig City. I never imagined I would face the kinds of crowd that gathered at the police headquarters besides the media, police, friends and supporters. I learned that he had just been released after an eight-month confinement after posting a P1-million bail. 

Though the DOJ was surprised that bail was granted, The Pasay City Regional Trial Court hearing the electoral sabotage case against him said the evidence was “weak,” and because of his advanced age and poor health they decided to grant him bail. Electoral sabotage is a capital offense and considered non-bailable unless the evidence is weak. Personally, I feel that after this matter is resolved, the innocent parties will be acquitted.

I was happy after finding out that Ben had been freed and allowed to return to his family. There was BenHur Abalos, the present mayor of Mandaluyong City, who proudly introduced me to his lovely mother, as the chairman of our Tuesday Club breakfast meeting which was held every week at the Edsa Shangri-la Hotel in Mandaluyong City. The Tuesday Club was organized 20 years ago by a group at the coffee shop of the hotel which was then known as the Edsa Plaza Hotel by a trio of prominent individuals, namely the late STAR columnist Art Borjal, Pampanga governor Bren Guiao and Mandaluyong City Mayor Ben Abalos. The group continues on today with members of media, business, and other professionals.

In our relationship, I have come to know Ben Abalos as a decent and humble public official who looks after the needs of his family and the welfare of his constituents. In my opinion, it would be a pity if we lose a man of his caliber. We need this breed of government officials in this country if we want to aspire for progress.