By Alex P. Vidal
“By doubting we are led to question, by questioning we arrive at the truth.”—Peter Abelard
“SHAME on you,” Filipino comedian Janno Gibbs lashed at people who tackled the controversial death of his award-winning actor father, Ronald James Dulaca Gibbs, a.k.a. Ronaldo Valdez in a press conference on January 15.
Almost a month since his dad died on December 17, 2023 in a bizarre manner, Janno was still seething with anger at people who “disrespected” his dad’s body when it was videoed and reportedly leaked in the social media, and at those who wanted to ferret out the truth.
Janno was furious when he first appealed to the public to “respect our privacy” a day after the incident happened in Quezon City where initial reports indicated Ronaldo, 76, was found with a gunshot wound while seated on a chair in his room with a gun allegedly in his hand, suggesting he might have accidentally pulled the trigger.
Now that Ronaldo’s thought-provoking death is slowly ebbing from the people’s memory, Janno, accompanied by his counsel, Atty. Lorna Capunan, suddenly came out swinging and haranguing those who “didn’t respect” his dad’s death and their family’s privacy.
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If Janno wanted the public to stay away from news regarding his dad’s controversial death, the logical thing to do was avoid the media and refrain from calling for a press conference.
Before the press conference, no accurate detail was given to the public about Ronaldo’s case. Was he murdered or did he commit suicide?
The public has the right to know because Ronaldo was not only a celebrity, but also a famous potential victim of a heinous crime.
No one, not even the Quezon City police investigators, has ascertained yet whether Ronaldo killed himself or a member of the household murdered him, as of this writing, or more than a month since the incident occurred.
There has been no official finding whatsoever from competent crime investigators and authorities as to the real story behind Ronaldo’s death.
The people—his legions of fans—have the right to know.
Janno’s saber rattling has no effect to the fans’ desire to find out the truth.
If truth will be hidden—or won’t be unravelled officially—we can’t blame the public to continue to speculate as the only vehicle to finding out what really transpired on December 17, 2023, like what happened to the cases of Alfie Anido and Pepsi Paloma in the 80s.
Were they murdered or did they kill themselves as alleged in the initial reports? Truth continued to be elusive.
Instead of barking “shame on you”, Janno should shut up, pave the way for a transparent and no-nonsense investigation, and let the people know the truth.
It will set the whole Gibbs family free.
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Time flies so fast. I made my first court appearance in the United States in the sala of Judge Kenneth Freeman at the Superior Court of the Los Angeles County Stanley Mosk Courthouse in Los Angeles on January 13, 2010 afternoon.
I was a “witness” in the People vs Roach case. I was grilled in the witness stand by two white lawyers—a male and a female—for 45 minutes.
Before I could say something—or before the defendant’s lawyers threw their first questions—a court officer asked me to stand up and raise my right hand and “swear to tell the truth and nothing but the truth. So help me God.”
This exposure in the American judicial system made me realized that jury trials allow 16 juries (14 individuals and two reserves) to make findings of fact and render a verdict for the trial.
The judge decides questions of law, including whether particular items of evidence will be presented to the jury.
The United States’ jury system is a key component of freedom and democracy. Juries are composed of average citizens who actively participate in deciding the outcome of legal disputes brought to trial. People who make up the jury are chosen at random from the community.
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GOOD NIGHT, POUNDS. We don’t have to dream about weight loss. One way to make it a reality: Relax for 20 minutes before bed, suggests Dr. Dawn Jackson Blatner, author of The Flexitarian Diet. Winding down before hitting the pillows helps keep us out of the kitchen (and away from tempting leftovers). Let’s try mellowing out to soft music or soaking in a warm bath.
HELP PREVENT EATING DISORDERS. Adolescent girls who eat five or more meals a week with their families, are about one-third less likely to develop dangerous eating patterns (like self-induced vomiting and using laxatives or diet pills) than those who dine with their folks less often, reports a recent study from the University of Minnesota.
PISTACHIOS LOWER CHOLESTEROL. A daily 1.5-ounce serving (74 nuts) can drop LDL 9 percent, significantly cutting our risk of heart attack disease. The nuts’ phytosterols appear to help stop the absorption of cholesterol from other foods we eat. That amount equals 240 calories, but it’s the same as 1.5 ounces (48) of not-so-healthy corn chips. (Source: Pennsylvania State University.)
MEDICAL BILLS. “Support our Troops” paraphernalia; however, gov’t-issued brochures and videos featured a slightly different slogan during the WWII era–“Don’t forget– Put it on before you put it in.” During the Second World War, many soldiers returned home with veneral diseases, costing the gov’t millions of dollars in medical expenses.
CONDOM BLUES. About 28 percent of men have lost their erection as soon as they put on a condom. (Source: Kinsey Institute)
SAVING OUR PLANET. Let’s push away pests. The smell of camomile deters most small flies. Let’s make our own pesticide by infusing camomile flowers in hot water for 10 minutes. Let’s spray on plants to prevent pests alighting.
SAVING OUR PLANET. Let’s close our doors. Let’s remember to close doors behind us when entering or leaving rooms. Many people don’t realize that shutting doors, especially if they lead onto a hallway or to the outside, helps conserve a lot of heat by cutting down on drafts.
FAITHFUL HOUSEWIVES. Women who are housewives are, as a whole, more faithful than working women. (Kinsey Institute)
PRISON TERM. Up until 1884, a Victorian-era woman could be sent to prison for denying a husband sex.
(The author, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor of two daily newspapers in Iloilo.—Ed)
