SHE SAYS: STANDOFF
MANILA, NOVEMBER 21, 2011 (TRIBUNE) Dinah S. Ventura (photo) I rely on the law to bring about justice. I expect our leaders to work for the people's good. I depend on my instincts to survive in this dog-eat-dog world.
What is happening to us these days is bringing all three aspects to fore — law, leadership, instinct. In the thick of it, is former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and the case of election sabotage.
It all began with the watch list order against the Arroyo couple, pending investigations on said case against the Pampanga congresswoman and other individuals. Because of her illness, Arroyo requested permission to go abroad for medical treatment. The Department of Justice (DoJ) denied the request, and the couple filed an appeal with the Supreme Court (SC).
The SC, in an eight-five vote, ruled with a temporary restraining order (TRO), upholding their right to travel as no case had yet been filed anyway.
And that's when bedlam erupted.
What happened at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) last week was a wake-up call of sorts for us, Filipinos. When the Arroyo couple went to the airport to leave the country, it created a scene that took many of us aback.
Commotion reigned as the former president, in a wheelchair and neck brace, was being wheeled into the airport. There was pulling, shouting, and pushing. Somehow, the lack of human courtesy struck a chord.
Yes, there is that commonly held belief that the couple could be leaving to escape the election-related case against them, but hey, shouldn't the former president be accorded space and respect especially since she is unwell? Anyone deserves that much at least.
What left a jarring impression, however, was the way government powers appeared to be so confused, or perhaps more aptly, at odds with each other.
I understand why the DoJ decided to prevent the Arroyos' departure. In the first place, their chosen destinations and the gravity of the illness were already questionable. Why choose those countries and be unable to name the doctors? Why leave in such a hurry even though our medical experts agree it is not a life-threatening situation? Given the general distrust in the air, the Justice secretary's actions gained support, believing that she was only acting in the country's interest.
Secondly, the speed in which the Arroyos found their way to NAIA raised questions as well. And all that has happened after that — mabilis pa sa alas kuatro, so to speak — has been pretty jarring.
When the SC decision came out, even before the DoJ received its copy of the decision, the Arroyos were on their way, quicker than you could say, "motion for reconsideration."
On the other hand, we notice as well the speed in which the warrant of arrest came out in a move that practically negates the SC's decision to retain the TRO and require the DoJ secretary to explain her so-called disrespect of the law.
Finally, we are seeing action — a case of national interest is moving, the SC and the Executive are practically at a standoff, showing democracy's balance of powers at work — and yet that air of doubt persists.
At the root of it is uncertainty that pride or vengeance is involved. We hope our leaders remember the fact that they are serving the interest of the nation, and would not lock horns because they want to preserve their personal dignity.
The point is, doubts exist everywhere; no one seems fully credible these days. There is doubt that a Gloria-appointed court would rule against her favor, and there are doubts that the executive is being fair. We can all live by the rules, of course, but what do we do about those niggling questions of the Arroyo sincerity?
At the root of it all is that transformation that we have undergone as a people.
We, Filipinos, generally believe ourselves to be mabait, mapagbigay, magalang, maunawain, maawain. We like to say that we are a hospitable culture, and that, because of our mixed heritage, we are more open and broadminded than most.
We can be so open and naively welcoming that observers among us criticize the trait as something that leaves us open to abuse. Such a thing has been said about the Visiting Forces Agreement, for example, which some social and political leaders say has left the Philippines at the losing end of the deal. This open and trusting attitude has also been pointed out as the cultural flaw that has allowed greedy and abusive Filipino leaders to take advantage of their position for their selfish gain, and keep doing so for many generations.
I think, because of these things, Filipinos are waking up to reality and becoming the product of the times.
In our topsy-turvy world, where dishonesty is rampant and self-important people grab every chance they get to assert their "power," Pinoys are less likely to let things pass without question, certainly not about something that they have been itching to see resolved for many years now.
Our collective memory seems longer now, and we are more involved in the things around us, from politics to environment to many other social issues.
Reference to "the rule of law" only gets our dander up somehow, no thanks to experiences with law-breaking lawmakers.
Those who are not corrupt or corruptible must fend for themselves in a society that has seen too many bad things go unchecked and so many questions left to molder.
I suppose it is not just about the SC and the DoJ, or even the Arroyo camp versus the anti-P-Noy that's bothering us these days — it is also about our long-held beliefs about law and leadership that are at odds with our instinctive reactions to what we have seen and are seeing around us.
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Chief News Editor: Sol Jose Vanzi
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