Mass distraction

The long-awaited release last Thursday of the Janet Napoles signed-list (the so-called “Napolist”) of legislators and government officials who allegedly received commissions from PDAF funded projects has doused some of the speculation and suspicion surrounding the supposed sanitization of the list. Yet much work remains to be done in terms of vetting the veracity and truth of Ms. Napoles’ alleged dealings.

You must hand it to whoever conceived of the strategy to circulate at least two versions of the “Napolist” together with the database files of Benhur Luy (from which more lists are being created). The clever ploy worked.  In the “pun-ny” words of Senator Alan Cayetano, it has caused a “mass distraction” that can lead to the “mass destruction” of several prominent political personalities (now dubbed the Napoliticians?). Indeed the confusion spawned by the various lists has only benefited those who are truly guilty.  Misery does love company and in this case, the miserable are trying to spread the blame to soften the allegations against them. The subliminal  argument being peddled is that if most legislators were doing it, then the practice of receiving commissions was acceptable and not illegal. There are also those who claim that the Department of Justice and Office of the Ombudsman are practicing selective prosecution and that political allies of the administration are being protected. It seems too early to make such an accusation but it is a point that needs to be monitored.

In this regard, the non-partisan public (and the unpaid media) have to be extra vigilant and discerning.  It is easy to place anyone’s name in a list. It is also easy to cite a transaction or create an explanation for monies supposedly given to legislators. The key is to scrutinize the underlying evidence to justify the prosecution of those included in the list.      

At this juncture, there is no choice but to allow (perhaps even encourage) all of the lists to come out in the open. This jibes with the democratic imperative of creating a free marketplace of ideas. But authorship or those responsible for putting together the list has to be clearly established. Moreover, notarized affidavits must be the norm so that those who misrepresent can be made liable for perjury. (But given the tainted reputations of the culprits who at this point have little to lose, to rely solely on such affidavits would be imprudent.) Finally, those who authored such lists must be made to explain and be subject to cross examination by the “included” and/or their counsels. 

The realistic joke going around is that the PDAF scandal has produced three clear beneficiaries — public relations practitioners, lawyers and hospitals. The latter may need to build more VIP rooms once the warrants of arrest are issued.

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Family ties:  Manila was the venue of the passing week’s three-day Asian Conference on the Family. This was opportune as Presidential Proclamation No. 749 had declared May 12 to 18 as the “National Marriage and Family Week.” Hosted by the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines in collaboration with the Pontifical Council of the Family led by Bishop Jean Laffitte, the meeting drew educators and catechists, legislators and politicians, bishops and family life ministers from all over Asia.  PPCRV chairperson, Ambassador Tita De Villa, who was one of the conference organizers, asked the families of former Chief Justice Art Panganiban, Quirino Rep. Dax Cua and your four centavos to deliver brief remarks.  Let me share some of the things our family said:  

“It is a good time to be a part of the Catholic family. We have a Pope who walks the talk of the Gospel, simply practices what it preaches and feels to be for the people, near the people and with the people.

Asia is pacing the world not only in terms of economic growth but also in respect of spiritual regeneration with the Philippines taking the lead.  Towards this end, the early development and training of a child in both the earthly and heavenly realms — business acumen on the one hand and values formation on the other — are first nurtured and honed in the family.  So it is important that the rights of the family are not only amply protected but also fully supported as it endeavours to live the joy of faith.  

But why is there an inordinate focus on the rights of the family?  Should we also not emphasize its concomitant obligations?  To paraphrase Kennedy:  Ask not what your church can do for your family; rather ask what your family can do for its faith?”

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Word critic:  I train my law students to try to be precise in the words they use. As the saying goes, more talk, more mistake. In this regard, I chanced upon a life style article (in another newspaper) written by a food critic about a new dining facility.  It headlined: “A little pricey, but you get what you pay for.” I thought to myself — is this not a contradiction since if you get what you pay for, then it would not be pricey? I read on: “It isn’t expensive; though it is pricey. The prices are average Makati upscale dining prices, even if it happens to be in Greenhills, which might be the problem. But they’re not exorbitant.” This description confused me even more.  It seems that the author has three price standards — inexpensive, pricey and exorbitant.  I think what he simply wanted to say was the price is comparatively expensive for a restaurant operating in Greenhills. Full stop.  Oh well, I may be a word critic but definitely not a food critic. On the other hand, he seems to know his food. I will take his word for it and try the new dining facility. Enough said.   

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Greetings:  Birth anniversary best wishes to former Chief Justice Reynato Puno and Atlanta-based kasinsin Reina D. Pantaleon.

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“The whole secret lies in confusing the enemy, so that he cannot fathom our real intent.” — Sun Tzu

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