I imagine today after Jun and Violet Lozada are arraigned for perjury, Jun will go back to his cell in Manila, while Violet returns to their quarters in La Salle Greenhills where she, Jun and their kids have been living for more than a year under the watchful eye of the nuns and the senate sergeant-at-arms.
I imagine at some point in the day both of them asking themselves as they must have asked themselves countless times over the past year, “Is this all worth it?” I imagine Violet asking herself what an uncertain future willl bring for her and her children.
I also imagine that later today, Mike Defensor and his wife and kids will touch down at the San Francisco International airport, check into their hotel and begin an enjoyable vacation. Also today, Ben Abalos will be holding court at the Wack Wack Golf and Country Club, enjoying a Ben’s Burjer while waiting for the rain to let up enough so he can enjoy a round of golf.
Romy Neri will go to work at SSS and have a quiet day, while Mike Arroyo will do whatever it is he wants to do.
At some point in the day I imagine they’d have some quiet time in the lull between activity to contemplate.
I imagine Defensor, Abalos, Neri,and Arroyo stopping momentarily during the day and thinking, “Life is good, isn’t it?”
Yes it is, guys. Aren’t you glad you’re in power?
I’m glad we can only live a maximum 100 years, 60 years on the average. I’m glad what we have now is not permanent. I’m glad that our life here is just a rehearsal of the real life for all eternity. I’m glad that the way we live our life now determines our eternal destination. I’m glad that life maybe unfair in this side of eternity, but God is the ultimate judge that will give justice for all. We do not know when, but heck I’m sure it will come. Aren’t you glad this is just temporary?
That goes the same for everyone: Jun Lozada, Neri, Abalos, Defensor and Arroyo. And for all of us.
Last Saturday, while preparing my family for the weekend park trip, I noticed Korina Sanchez on Wowowee. If you know that TV show, and you know Korina Sanchez, you’ll conclude with me that they are not an ideal pair. In fact, I would never have thought that hard hitting Korina Sanchez will host along side Willie Revillame. So, I watched closely because this unusual thing means something’s going to happen real soon.
I was right. ABS-CBN’s been talking about Korina’s diamond ring for more than 3 days already. I know they are cooking something. Willie sang a song with/for Korina — another unusual thing. Then, Senator Mar Roxas came in the picture with a red rose on his hand.
We all know it’s all planned.
Long before, my wife Joy and I have been discussing the Mar-Korina love affair and why the heck are they not getting married yet — both are already past their marrying age, both are well established, and as far as I know, they made public that they are actually living in already. So, why not get marry already? I would always comment that come election season, they will. My prophetic vision came true!
We know that Mar Roxas is trailing in all presidential surveys. He would do everything to get a rank higher as we near the election season. He’s done commercials — and I hate how they dramatized it (“Anak, ako na.” Duh!). He’s on Twitter, Facebook and the blogsphere — he’s practically all over the internet. And, of course, the wedding. Korina Sanchez’ popularity will definitely boost his chances.
* * *
But while watching them on TV, and being cynical of Mar’s “tears of joy”, it just hit me. Maybe we should give them the benefit of the doubt. They are human beings too. Korina’s also a lady who dreams of walking down the isle. Mar is probably dreaming of having kids, seeing them grow and play with them as what normal fathers do. They probably want to build a real family of their own. They want to love each other with the security of marriage. While they are public figures, they are human beings too!
I still believe that the timing is done in accordance to Mar’s presidential campaign plan. But I will believe that Mar did propose last Feb. 14 in a Cebu resort, he was touched when Korina said “Ako’y iyong iyo” that led him to sincerely shed tears, and that they love each other — with politics or not.
The entire pinoy blogsphere is doubting them now. That’s the downside of being a public figure. Let this give a different perspective.
I was watching Man of the Year which stars Robin Williams on HBO last night. It’s a political satire of sorts. He delivers political messages done in comedy.
Tom Dobbs, Willam’s character, said:
Politicians are a lot like diapers. They should be changed frequently, and for the same reason.
I couldn’t agree more. That’s why, probably, the current move to ammend the Philippine constitution before the 2010 elections can never get the nod of the people. They want the “diapers” changed. You don’t want to develop “diaper rash”, don’t you?
I was thinking about my feelings towards the latest failed attempt to impeach the president in the house of representatives. I’m speechless, actually. Disgusted, hopeless and speechless. I’ll let Ricky Carandang do the talking in this cross post from his blog.
We all knew the fourth attempt to impeach President Arroyo would not prosper regardless of what kind of arguments or facts the minority congressmen presented at the Justice Committee hearings.
Its never been a question of evidence or eloquence but where your bread is buttered. And for most congressmen, the butter comes from the general direction of the Pasig river.
Many–including sometimes myself–asked “Why do they bother?” It was an exercise in futility so why try? Watching the proceedings today I got my answer. Because they have to.
I have no illusions that minority congressmen are doing this for a number of motivations, including self interest. But none of us is pure and anyone who requires that an accuser must be free from any kind of taint in order to be believed is simply justifying turning a blind eye.
But given the “tainted” motivations of the minority, let me at least say this. The alternative would be a coup. Taking the law into your own hands to extract accountability from the president. The other alternative is indifference. Like most people in this country, we can shrug our shoulders and resign ourselves to the inevitability of defeat, and just let them get away with it.
But Risa, Ronnie, Teddy, TG, Satur, Liza, Rufus, Rafael, and yes even Joe, as well as all the others who made the effort chose to work within the system no matter how dysfunctional it is. Instead of giving up or taking up arms, they went to Congress and did what the law required, thus keeping alive the hope, however slender, that the process can still work.
Are they fools? Maybe, but I take my hat off to those fools.
