Of whiffs and stomachs

Were you able to watch “Bohemian Rhapsody,” the movie based on the life of Queen frontman Freddie Mercury? Rami Malek, the actor who portrayed Mercury in the movie, won an Oscar for Best Actor. Because of the movie, songs of Queen have been getting a lot of airplay, including "Another One Bites the Dust.”

Last Friday, the Palace announced that PCSO General Manager Alexander Balutan was fired due to "serious allegations of corruption." This took place one day after Balutan stated that lotto ticket sales have gone down after prices of tickets were subject to a 20-percent increase due to the TRAIN Law.

Winnings of over P10,000 were also subjected to a 20-percent tax. Because sales are down, jackpot prizes do not immediately increase. Huge jackpots are responsible for attracting people to buy tickets.

I remember the former Dangerous Drugs Board chief Dionisio Santiago. He was also let go because of alleged corruption and for repeated trips abroad supposedly bringing with him his mistress and favorite staff.

His firing occurred several days after commenting that building the large drug rehabilitation center in Nueva Ecija was a mistake. His predecessor was also fired after contradicting the number of drug addicts in the country.

Your position in government becomes precarious the second you contradict Duterte or his policies, unless you belong to his inner circle. If a whiff of corruption were really enough for the president to let you go, then there are some who must be wearing heavy perfume.

But one day after the Palace's statement regarding his sacking, Balutan said he resigned from PCSO because of "something he cannot stomach.” He did not further explain nor elaborate.

He said that when he assumed as general manager of PCSO, he told all employees that “if somebody from the Office of the President or Congress would ask or order me to do something which I cannot stomach, I will resign.” Strong words indeed. But what exactly are these things?

Balutan has his share of supporters, most from retired and active military personnel. Balutan was a major general of the Philippine Marines, who fought Moro rebels in Mindanao. He is a distinguished soldier and received several honors.

He stood by his superior officer when the latter exposed vote-rigging in the 2004 elections, which incidentally was won by then president and now House Speaker Arroyo. But if Senator Lacson, also a graduate of PMA, were to be asked, Balutan should be charged in court.

His impression of Balutan apparently changed after the Senate hearings on PCSO operations, particularly the Small Town Lottery where the alleged corruption occurs.

If the Palace believes that Balutan is indeed involved in corruption, then by all means charge him in court. This would also be an opportunity for Balutan to speak about these things “he cannot stomach.”

I really wish these innuendos would stop and people just say what needs to be said. All these statements about integrity must be backed up for people to believe them. A situation of “he said, they said” simply does not work. At least for those who think.