Courting disaster or pumuporma

“Be careful what you wish for” or “pride comes before the fall” are just two of many proverbial warnings that the Bible gives us on how to think and how to conduct ourselves in private and in public.

August has been filled with instances where a number of people have casually or intentionally behaved in a manner that they think would make them look tough, brave, fearless or risk takers. Some were merely careless.

The first to grab my attention were several activists who made their “conscience call” to the AFP, not for a coup d’etat or a mutiny but to abide by their constitutional mandate, specifically Article 2, Section 3 that states: “The Armed Forces of the Philippines shall be the protector of the state and the people.”

My immediate reaction to no one in the room was: “Be careful what you wish for!”

Even if the AFP withdrew their support or removed a president, it is no guarantee for a smooth transition of power or way of life.

In the Old Testament, Israelites got fed up with their spiritual leaders, so they asked to have a king just like neighboring kingdoms. By doing so they traded the benevolence of God for the dictates and demands of a human king. They paid dearly as they became subjects.

The same has been true in Southeast Asia where people turned to their military to oust or remove idiots or incompetents only to be under dictators, plunderers and mass murderers.

Have we forgotten that it was the Filipino people who rescued the leaders of the military and the police from FM which resulted in People Power – EDSA 1.

*      *      *

Secretary Vince Dizon has been jumping from one office (BCDA) to a department (DOTr) to another department (DPWH) that people have lost track of his current status.

His constant transfers may be the measure of trust and confidence of PBBM, but people are now concerned he would reach his level of incompetence as cited in the book “The Peter Principle” because he is not an engineer.

The previously well-groomed, mild mannered Sec. Vince has transformed into a prematurely old, harassed and “PI” cussing Cabinet secretary. Dizon is visibly exhausted or utterly frustrated and affected by all the problems and corruption in government or the job has gotten to him.

Dizon may be intentionally using curse words to emphasize his anger and how he relates to our national anger against the corrupt, but at his level it now reads that he is getting emotional and losing his cool and executive judgment.

What worries me is that Sec. Vince Dizon could be courting disaster in terms of his health and better judgment. Instead of cursing the air, Dizon ought to list down every “suspect,” charge them, have them arrested and presented by the PNP or NBI while Sec. Vince gives the details to the media.

But before anything else, Sec. Vince should treat himself to a spa weekend, get a shave and haircut and learn to delegate or share the burden.

*      *      *

I was surprised to see accounts on social media accusing Sen. Raffy Tulfo of insulting a “witness” in the ongoing impeachment trial.

To be fair, there is nothing new in the accusations that legislators habitually insult, berate and bully witnesses, even resource persons, invited to Congress. In the case of Sen. Raffy Tulfo, there has always been an expectation that he would always conduct himself as a gentleman.

What made things bad for Sen. Raffy Tulfo was labeling a “female” witness “stupid” and arriving at a motive and judgment of the individual under question.

Regardless of political color, every senator-judge is duty bound to be impartial and act with propriety. The action and statement of Sen. Raffy Tulfo came across as bullying and “making porma” for public consumption.

*      *      *

My mentor for many years always says, “Less talk, less mistake” – unless of course you are intentionally performing for public consumption or have been advised by your comms team and political group to lighten things up.

One guy who has always been known for his calm, quiet, diplomatic demeanor is DND Secretary Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro, who has been crossing swords with the Chinese embassy and its Ambassador to the Philippines.

It may be that Gibo firmly believes it his duty as an official and as a Filipino to stand up and rile the Chinese side in the WPS conflict and that is fair.

I actually complimented him for putting a pretend journalist in place for attempting to reframe the Philippine position in the WPS and antagonize or insult him during an international press conference.

However, some people I know are wondering if there is more to the very public verbal fencing of Gibo, who has been making “giba” the Chinese embassy’s actions and declarations regarding undocumented Chinese workers?

Is the DND secretary simply doing his job or is he just one of several individuals scaling up their public presence or “pumuporma” in preparation for the 2028 elections?

When Gibo first attempted to run for president, one of the mistakes attributed to his loss was preparing too late, coming in weak as a public figure and depending on the administration machinery.

Given how Risa Hontiveros, Jonvic Remulla, one of the Tulfo brothers are being lined up for 2028, Gibo may be working on his image as “matapang” and capitalizing on an issue close to many people’s hearts.

Just be careful of burning bridges and relying on the unreliable.

*      *      *

Email: [email protected]