The Filipino people are grateful to the 20 senator-judges who convicted Renato Corona for betrayal of public trust. The saddest part about the three who chose to acquit was that no one expected otherwise. It was disturbingly obvious from the beginning of the trial that their verdict would be not guilty.
Marcos is only being true to his genetic predisposition. Defensor-Santiago is the consistent strident oddball whose mood swings, though possessing shock-value, are best ignored or dismissed as just another episode. But one of the loudest and most frequent post-impeachment question was — “What on earth happened to Joker Arroyo”?
From his days of being a fervent advocate against Martial Law and a hardnosed campaigner for “pag bad ka, lagot ka,” he seems to have lost his footing down the slippery slope of political manure and pragmatic alliances. At 85 years, the last round before the irrevocable exit, Joker might want to seriously take stock of his legacy and reboot the moral compass that seems to have hung.
The netizens have taken to calling Marcos, Arroyo and Defensor-Santiago, MAD or DAM as the case maybe. Marcos will be in the Senate until 2016. Arroyo will graduate as a Senator in 2013. And Defensor-Santiago is supposedly moving on to the International Criminal Court, unless the online petition launched by those who feel she might cause embarrassment for the country, dampens her bid for the post. Obviously the trio felt they had nothing to lose by ignoring the call of their constituents for a corrupt-free government.
The political analysts who predicted a close count if not an outright acquittal, must have been so surprised by the outcome. Just like the overwhelming 188 Congress votes that set the impeachment bid in motion, the vast number of judges who handed down a guilty verdict was awesome, far more than the 16 votes required to seal Corona’s fate.
That’s a clear message that P-Noy’s vision of “Daang Matuwid” is actually shared by most Filipinos. The much-maligned surveys definitely echo the true sentiment of the people. We are sick of government leaders who have stolen from the coffers and abused their position of power with arrogance and impunity. We want the tumors of corruption permanently frozen, radiated then excised. The discerning electorate should declare them unfit to perform their duties as public servants. This message should also be sent to those in Media and private sector who blur the boundaries of right and wrong, distorting moral values and undermining reform.
A dyed-in-the-wool politico once chuckled and quipped that the biggest political party is neither Liberal nor Nacionalista but the “Llamadista” party. He was referring to the specie of populist officials who place their bets on the side with higher odds for acceptance and support. They have little use for a conscience and are bereft of critical thinking skills.
Self-styled forecasters predicted that only 11 senators were hardcore anti-Corona, four were staunch pro-Corona while seven plus the presiding judge were still on the fence. As D-Day drew nearer, one even said that Chiz Escudero and Jinggoy Estrada would find Corona not guilty. As we all know by now, they were dead wrong. Had they put their money where their mouth was, they would have lost the shirt or blouse off their backs!
The Internet was abuzz with all sorts of conjecture and observation as to why the voting ended at 20-3 for conviction. Some said the re-electionists had no choice but obey their constituents since 2013 was just around the corner. Many snide remarks targeted those who sounded like they were campaigning while explaining their verdict. Bile and venom were spat at some senator-judges who used their two-minutes not so much to elucidate on their judgment but to self-aggrandize and bemoan their own parallel fate and experience.
Now that the ignominious Corona chapter is closed, the grand prize question is Quo Vadis? Where are we going? Is GMA next? Who will be the new Chief Justice?
All indications show that the Philippine economy is already taking off. If only we had a working airport, we could fly higher and faster. The astounding first quarter 6.4 percent growth outperformed the entire East Asian region. This is further boosted by Moody’s upgrade from “stable” to “positive.”
A financial analyst from Nomura said, “_._._.we think the reform momentum is strong enough to provide a further lift to public sector spending but also, importantly, private investment.” Anti-P-Noy pit bulls may now have to find another angle of attack. After all, it’s the economy, S——d! The straight path to inclusive growth is beginning to bear fruit. And this time, the numbers are for real.
As for the less-than-real ex-president, it seems that she has crossed the line from charges of technical malversation and election fraud, to making witnesses disappear. If she was faking or exaggerating her health issues before, this time her problems are genuinely life threatening. So far, the score is P-Noy plus 1, GMA minus 1.
The names of Senator Frank Drilon and BIR Commissioner Kim Henares have been dropped as possible replacements for Chief Justice. Both have balked at the suggestion. Drilon would have been a good choice since it was during his watch as DOJ Secretary that big fish like Teehankee and ex-Mayor Sanchez were jailed for their crimes. But he prefers his Senate seat. It seems that some want Kim Henares out because she’s doing such a terrific job and tax evaders would be relieved if she left BIR. That’s precisely why she should stay put. Whoever gets the CJ job will need the stamina and will to repair a damaged institution and lead it in the right direction.
The shower of blessings has started to pour even for the undeserving. Although a Utopian society is probably unattainable, enlightenment for those who have wallowed in the dark for so long is not such an impossible dream. Let’s keep on praying.
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