By Reni M. Valenzuela
Who trivializes what is huge shows himself nuts.
BBM and Sara are only incidental in the brewing storm/controversy between the two of them. The issues involved in the squabble are much larger, incomparably larger than any biggies figured in the fracas.
The “rift” is nothing “personalized” between any two people or groups of people in and outside the government, unless one is myopic who can see nothing beyond what his diplopia (and diploma) can allow him to see.
President Bongbong Marcos has just belittled the “official” threats and tantrums of Vice President Sara Duterte. He was quoted as saying, ” “In the larger scheme of things, Sara is unimportant…” Oh, no sir! How can a vice president who may succeed you any day in case something happens to you be “unimportant”? “In the larger scheme of things,” at the end of the day, the issue is not between you and Sara.
Further BBM declared that all is “… for nothing. None of this will help improve a single Filipino life. As far as I am concerned, it’s a storm in a teacup.” That is being naive, Mr. President, as far as Heaven is concerned. The storm is real, serious and the matter is no trivial matter, as opposed to your idiom. I beg your pardon, your excellency, because I diametrically disagree with you.
If you are crooning a song, you are not only crooning out of tune. You must be singing/playing a piece from somewhere in time before melody and lyrics combined was invented.
Why the sudden reversal? It was not the “about face” I referred to in my latest published article which letter I earlier emailed to you in Malacanang and to other top officials of the land? Your every word now is everything contrary to what you are supposed to be saying (and doing) — antithetical and adverse to daylight realities, as open and solid as the blatant, brazen, defiant murderous words and spirit of your VP.
To certain pundits: Why connect to politics what is basically and tightly connected to finding the truth and crying out for justice and promoting righteousness and upholding integrity among our officials? That’s the larger view. And to many lawyers, please: Magtalakay naman po kayo ng batas na parang may isip kayo (at kaluluwa). Can you not discuss laws like you have common sense (and soul)?
Politics in the Marcos-Duterte “storm” is irrelevant, just consequential. However, VP Sara is correct. Why single out in the fund misuse probe the office of the Vice President and the department she used to head if the probe is not for politics or for political ambition purposes? Answer that, dear Speaker of the House and members of the investigating Quad committee.
But whatever your answer may be and whether or not your intentions are pure/tainted, there can be no excuse for the evasive or abusive to hide the truth and elude accountability.
You are doing just what you must and should, dear congressmen — by unearthing some likely or apparent massive anomalies, “in aid of legislation” or for the advancement of transparency and probity in governance — but never (as in never) for the political advancement of any one of you. Clean up your acts and hearts. Empty yourselves of little devils.
The usually quiet Archbishop of Manila, Cardinal Jose Advincula, has called for prayer and sobriety the other day amid the “brewing political storm” between BBM and Sara, between the Marcoses and Dutertes. But what “political”? There is a “storm,” right. But where’s the “political storm”?
What is political about trying to do what’s right on the part of certain functionaries in the government who perform their job well? The Catholic prelate admonished, “It is our prayer that they may have the humility to listen to each other with respect and act together for the sake of the country.” Huh?
With due respect, our dear Cardinal: Are you aware of the problem or root issues in the “storm”? Or are you just joking? Or perhaps you are talking about a different “rift,” if indeed you are serious with your prayer — a rift between two kids in your parish who are wrangling over chocolate candies. Maganda na po sana at nakialam ka na sa problema ng bansa (sa wakas), sablay nga lang po.
It should have been wonderful for all, now that you’ve broken your silence (at last) about what’s happening in our country as a pastor. By speaking out, you have made yourself better than the deaf and mute (and callous) in other churches, “Christian churches,” whose interests and concerns (and burdens) transcend no borders outside their “gospel” and “missions,” nothing beyond their respective, selfish, minute, parochial, pharisaical “towers” — or “logo” world.
But you did it, dear cardinal. You’ve just sorely missed the point. Wise up. Sort yourself out, servant of God.
One wealthy, motherly senator offered counsel to BBM and Sara (in an ambush interview), and this is more pathetic. Here’s her advice: “Sana magbati na lang sila.” (May they “forgive and forget”). Wow! That’s classic. Huge. Truly entertaining.
Dalawa lamang po talaga ang madalas na matagumpay gawin sa atin ng mga tagapuno natin sa bansa. Kung hindi man nila tayo paiyakin ay patatawanin nila tayo nang labis-labis at lubos-lubos (nang luhaan). There are indeed two sure things that our leaders successfully do to us as often as they can. If not to make us cry, they will make us laugh exceedingly and uncontrollably (in tears).
“The government solution to a problem is usually as bad as the problem (if not worse)” – Milton Friedman
“When the righteous increase, the people rejoice, but when the wicked rule, the people groan.” – Proverbs 29:2
Email: renivalenzuelaletters@yahoo.com
