Standing one’s ground DIE HARD III Herman Tiu Laurel 02/08/2010

Standing one’s ground DIE HARD III Herman Tiu Laurel 02/08/2010 President Joseph Estrada stood his ground when he defied the importunings of the Edsa II plotters in 2001. Although they tried but failed to force him to sign away his mandate to the presidency through a resignation letter, he surprised them all the more when he flatly rejected two proffers by then Justice Secretary Nani Perez for a life of exile and fugitive ease. Through it all, President Estrada faced the people and his accusers squarely; weathered the storm of defamation, as well as, six years and six months of detention to clear his name; and compelled his tormentors to exonerate him of the crimes they charged him with. This is the only real reason President Estrada continues to stand proud today as the only tried-and-tested leader in the presidential elections of 2010. Others who may have been ahead at some point but showed feet of clay are now falling by the wayside, swept into the dustbin of history. Certainly, for those who take flight at the moment of life’s greatest challenges, the future can only be bleak. Where there is no truth or courage, there is no hope. In the past week, we have seen two key figures in Philippine politics dispel any notion of their courage under fire. One is Sen. Ping Lacson, presidential almost-ran, who flew the coop after an arrest warrant became imminent. The other is Sen. Manny Villar, who had an apparent show of bravery by taking the rostrum to defend himself after a week of hiding behind his acolytes, only to drum up a dramatic defense, complete with appeals about his so-called humble beginnings and legalisms to paper over allegations of ethical violations, then suddenly running off to evade questioning by his peers. Another presidential almost-ran found himself with feet of clay much earlier. This very young and successful politician practically had the august seats of power tailor-made for him. He rose high and fast with glib and flashy elocution, yet his inner stuff was never really tested — until his moment of truth came and he buckled the challenge of fulfilling his promise. It turned out that his advocacy never stood on solid ground but was only held by the palm of one oligarch. When that was pulled away, there was nothing left. I have a different take on another young man turned politician, Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV, who has always stood his ground and paid the price. There is a future in this young man in the same way that the future proved brighter for President Estrada after his detention. Meanwhile, there is this other presidential candidate who anchors his candidacy on the ground that his parents supposedly built, believing that he can stand well on it. But his “I will not steal” pitch is just that, pure glib, prompting only a few to buy — at least, not counting those who have half a brain to work with. Corruption is a social and organizational phenomenon. It is easy for anyone to mouth what this candidate has been saying in his TV and radio ads. But what is not being said is that many fortunes are rooted in several original sins, just as history never fails to point out how the revolutionary coffers of the Katipunan, for instance, wound up as entitlements of a certain family, which was then multiplied through two generations of cacique political-economic horse-trading and land-grabbing.  Now doesn’t that claim (“I am not a thief”) sound familiar to an infamous quip once made by a senator? Sen. Jamby Madrigal’s aunt, the late Sen. Pacita Madrigal, who said that “the rich do not steal,” was deservedly stupefied when the late great Sen. Claro Recto uttered on the pre-war Senate floor a slightly altered retort turned admonition: “The rich, do not steal.” Thus, Aquino III can never truly say that he will not steal — although admittedly, as it once was for his mother, it can still provide a “good” cover for others like the Hyatt 10, with their PeaceBonds sophistry, who will want to cash in. Which then begs the question: How on earth could he ever fight government, corporatist, and social corruption with such characters around? Estrada has his Cabinet’s record to show for: NOT one accused of any malfeasance. Even Cory Aquino cannot say the same of her own, especially since her Executive Secretaries Noel Soriano and Joker Arroyo, Kamag-anak Inc., the “Northern Alliance” of jueteng lords, were all a smear on her seven-year-term as recounted in detail by Prof. Cecil Arillo’s Greed and Betrayal. Whose candidacy then among the presidential frontrunners really has a leg to stand on? Only one. As Erap used to say right after his knee surgery, he now has bionic legs — and boy, are they stronger than ever! (Tune in to 1098AM, Sulo ng Pilipino, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.; Global News Network, Destiny Cable Channel 21, Talk News TV, Tuesday, 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. on “Untangling RP-EU Tuna Fishing Lines”; also visit http://hermantiulaurel.blogspot.com) (Reprinted with permission from Mr. Herman Tiu-Laurel) Source:  The Daily Tribune ALTERNATE URL: http://www.classicposters.com/commentary/20100208com4.html

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