THE entire country is doubly proud that our very own Manny Pacquiao is once again given singular honor, this time by Time magazine, by featuring the “Pambansang Kamao” in its cover accompanied by a five-page article which chronicles the rags-to-riches journey of the pride of the Filipino people.

We, too, are proud, considering that very few people all over the world are so honored by Time. We can only say congratulations, Manny, and on the eve of your ascent toward your rightful destiny, we pray for your victory against Miguel Cotto, and attain boxing immortality.

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Today, as I write this column, the world celebrates the November 9, 1989, fall of the infamous Berlin Wall which ushered in the end of the Iron Curtain. The world rejoiced that the last and most vivid vestige of communism was brought to an end, and the subjugated people held hostage by the wall finally savored the fresh air of freedom.

It is, of course, to the lasting credit of then-Soviet leader Michael Gorbachev, who listened to the aspirations of people behind the Iron Curtain to be free, giving true meaning to his policy of perestroika and glasnost, which eventually led to the dismantling of the Berlin Wall and the Iron Curtain.

Now, several decades later, the world is still celebrating because, indeed, after so many years of communism where thousands of freedom-loving East Europeans died in their attempt to flee from the grip of totalitarianism, the world refuses to forget what it was like living under tyranny.

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This column congratulates the new appointee to the Supreme Court, Justice Martin Villarama Jr., who, after having been endorsed by the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) nine times, was finally appointed to the highest court of the land.

Justice Villarama deserves this high position. I have known him and had, in fact, interviewed him when I was a senior member of the JBC, and I have no doubt that he will give honor and prestige to his office, the High Court, and the judiciary.

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The announcement by oil companies that they will limit their services to motorists is, to my mind, a subtle form of blackmail because of the refusal of Malacañang to lift Executive Order 839, which puts a cap on gas prices.

So far, however, the oil companies are still catering to the needs of motorists so we should just bear with them. But should this gambit of gas companies proceed, which might make it very difficult for motorists to purchase gas, then the government must act decisively, otherwise it will be rendered inutile in protecting the interests of the public.

Remember that the government is doing its best in defense of public interest, and it is not an easy job because it is handicapped with so much limitations and conflicting objectives. The announcement to shorten the business hours of gas stations is a dramatization of the demand to lift the cap on gasoline prices, and the government should not fall for this ploy.

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Law-enforcement agencies, especially the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), should not relax after their success in decapitating the Alvin Flores Gang.

I am convinced that this gang is not totally eradicated and may regroup or join forces with other criminal elements and strike when things appear less dangerous, because law enforcers tend to relax their vigilance after a successful operation.

But as the police have discovered, this gang has members coming from many areas in the country and, in fact, owns safe houses in different locations, allowing them to easily regroup and resume their illegal activities.

I think the NBI and other law enforcers must continue pursuing these criminals until the last gang member is either dead or put behind bars. Also, the police must see to it that whatever assets are recovered are examined and secured, and the accomplices who are identified and captured must be neutralized so that their capability to launch other criminal operations is effectively destroyed.

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I wonder whether our advertising agencies that are governed by moral and ethical standards are faithful to their own limitations.

I mention this because there are some advertisements splashed across the pages of major dailies, which are nauseating to most readers, and I wonder what the Church has to say about this.

More often than not, advertisements feature pictures of seminude women in sexy poses that ooze with sex and earthly pleasures. In one ad, which invites women to slim down, it features a frontal pose of a bikini-clad woman with legs spread apart.

If ad companies and advertisers have some sense of moral values, why are these kinds of ads allowed? What about the newspapers which publish these ads, do they agree with this blatant display of feminine exploitation?

I agree that these kinds of ads are vulgar and an insult to the sensibilities of this very Catholic nation.

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It now appears that former Public Works secretary Hermogenes “Jun” Ebdane Jr., the wonder boy of the small town of Candelaria in Zambales, is finally in the presidential race by his proclamation as the official standard- bearer of the Lapiang Mangagawa party.

Considering the costs in underwriting a presidential campaign, does Jun Ebdane now has the wherewithal to fund such a campaign and be a viable candidate? I remember a comment from Sen. Manny Villar that if one does not have P1 billion, he should not attempt to run for president of this country.

We know, of course, that even P1 billion is not enough. So how many billions does Ebdane has for his campaign? Who are his financial supporters who are willing to risk a fortune for his candidacy? Or does he also have people who will contribute P1 for his campaign like Noynoy Aquino, who has Hacienda Luisita behind him?

Does this mean that Ebdane was able to save a lot of money when he was PNP chief and as secretary of the public works department?

Sen. Miriam Santiago, who is seeking answers to her questions, will she unwittingly provide solid answers to some hard questions? Just asking.

3 Responses to “In defense of public interest”

• 1
  Kiko Mallorca
  November 13th, 2009 13:39

  I am proud of Manny Pacquiao. I am proud of being an Ilonggo. I am ashamed of Raul Gonzalez Sr. He gave Ilonggos a bad name. Nakakahiyang Ilonggo. Shame on him for wanting to be mayor. Never underestimate Raul Gonzalez’s greed. That’s the driving force of his desire to be in politics!
• 2
  Edward Rubite
  November 15th, 2009 10:26

  “The only thing he does care about is his homeland. As long as he is giving back, Pacquiao will remain pleased.” That’s what Freddie Roach said about Pacquiao.
  Raul Gonzalez ought to learn a lesson from the boxer. Except that Gonzalez is too corrupt to ever change. The only way he gives is to the barangay captains… he gives them a weekly allowance… in other words, he bribes them!
  Raul Gonzalez does not believe in giving back to his homeland. He only believes in taking whatever he can take. He is exactly what Obama refered to as “thise who want to cling to power through corruption and deceipt.”
• 3
  Lemuel Junsay
  November 15th, 2009 13:57

  Manny Pacquiao is a hero, an inspiration to all Filipinos. Raul Gonzalez is a criminal who has not been caught, a source of shame for all Ilonggos. He is in bed with criminals… brutal murderers and drug pushers. Pacquiao earned his wealth through old-fashioned talent and hard work. Raul Gonzalez got his wealth from bending the law in favor of criminals. He is one very crooked politician, the most corrupt DOJ secretary of all time.
  Pacquiao makes lives better. Gonzalez causes much pain and suffering to Filipinos. Pacquiao is uplifting, Gonzalez is cruel and destructive.
  Pacquiao is humble and classy. Gonzalez is an arrogant pig who has no breeding. DUGONG ASO!!!!!

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