Itlognitopacio

Imagine the Atty. holding a
butcher's knife whenever
Gloria is abroad.

Wherever this issue of ex President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's flight from prosecution will lead to, people will remember only one thing---Atty. Ferdinand Topacio's balls.

While I'm writing this, I just can't stop myself from laughing. That's what I like about Filipino politics, there will always be someone who gives us some reason to laugh.

Imagine how serious Elena Horn was, or how "agit" Raul Lambino is, when here comes Atty. Topacio, supposedly the best of the two, daring us that he will cut one of his testacles off if his clients do not show up by December.

Just to prove how serious he is and how loyal Atty. Topacio is to his wealthy clients, he is risking his "manhood" just to prove a point.

That's the thing--when you know that you are just prevaricating, it is very hard to convince yourself and others that you're telling the truth. That's why, you'll end up messing yourself in the process just to prove a point.

I imagine Atty. Topacio sweating out every single second Mrs. Arroyo is in Singapore or Germany or Spain. I picture him holding a knife out while his clients enjoy themselves somewhere in Spain or Portugal.

I just don't know what will his client, Mrs. Arroyo now thinks.

Imagine, instead of a damocles sword hanging above Mrs. Arroyo and her husbands heads, it would now be Atty. Topacio's balls instead.

I don't know how much the Arroyos paid Atty. Topacio, but, if I were in his shoes, I would not dare sacrifice my balls just for the Arroyos.

For nine long years, Mrs. Arroyo led a brutal regime which respected no one. I just don't know how many "balls" were crushed during her regime, but the telling tale of hundreds of desaperridos or political detainees jailed and killed, shows you that the Arroyos do not really care if one or some of their loyal allies lose one or two of their balls.

With Gloria filing another motion to the Supreme Court, this time to enjoin the DOJ from not enforcing the TRO, the ball, so to speak, is again, before the Supreme Court.

A New Day will dawn

On July 5, a very significant event will happen to each and every one of us. In this day, the planet Uranus will have its retrogade. It will affect all the movements of the planets. It will also usher in a new way of thinking, newer perspectives and new relationships. Some say, it will be totally revolutionary.

Two days from now, expect to witness another revolutionary event--with the inauguration of president-elect Senator Benigno Aquino III. As the 16th president of the Philippines, many expect Aquino to perform far better than his predecessor, Mrs. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Two things why this event is revolutionary: first, Aquino's "lean and mean" team of Cabinet members is composed of young and old faces. His Executive secretary, Atty. Ochoa, is a young and highly efficient man. He represents the incoming successor generation, composed of people in their early forties and fifties. Ochoa is expected to perform better than his predecessors, and I will say it forthrightly, he deserves to be called a better version of Eduardo Ermita, who served for three administrations.

Ermita, to the minds of many, represent stability and continuity of whatever is good in this republic. Ochoa, to my mind, deserves to give us a service better than what Ermita did in three generations.

Second, people expect relevant changes in their lives. People expect prices of basic commodities lower or at least reflecting their true values. People expect at least a lowered electricity bill in the coming month of July and probably, even lower water rates. Of course, who would not want lower gasoline and diesel prices?

For this to happen, Aquino should marshall his energy secretary to hammer out a respectable compromise with these giant oil companies. Or, better, ask Congress to totally scarp the Oil deregulation law and replace it with a better version. Order his trade secretary to ask unscrupulous companies under pain of punishment, to give the correct prices of their goods and not resort to cartelism or other harmful trade practices. Order the security forces to go after smugglers, slap charges against them, and put them behind bars. Or, even better, revive the death penalty and make examples of these economic saboteurs.

The minimum that the people expect Aquino to do is simply give them a chance to live respectably and with dignity. And what do I mean by this?

If there is a clamour to improve the business environment, more than this, improve the quality of life of the people. What many of our people demand of government is simply give them the chance to eat at least three times a day, make their salaries enough for their kids to study, have some money for transportation and at least a few pesos in their savings account. Filipinos are easy to please. Just make them enjoy the finer things in life and all is well.

Revolutionary this will be if Aquino sticks to his campaign promises---eradicate graft to improve the economic life of the people. The people is sick and tired of promises of change especially coming from politicos. They want concrete solutions to their problems. They expect government to do its part and make life easier for everyone.

Now, if the incoming administration will just be hoopla or just act like its doing something good or what people say "paporma lang" or " gaya-gaya kay Obama", then, nothing will happen. Even if , say the entire people support Aquino and do the "12 Little Things Every Filipino Can do to help our Country" (the "rule book" written by Atty. Alex Lacson), but government is unresponsive and adamant against change, then, nothing really will happen. This will justify the earlier models for change advocated by genuine revolutionaries.

This successor generation, as represented by Aquino, Ochoa and Escudero should do its best to prove that they are not the same old dogs with new collars. They are scions of traditional political families. They should do the opposite of what their fathers did. Or, improve what their ancestors did.

I am giving this administration the benefit of the doubt, and people should do the same. Its too early to comment against this administration.

Alex Lacson: " If you want change, here's the number to remember: 23"

Alex ` Pinoy' Lacson has one thing to say especially those who want real change:


IF YOU WANT CHANGE, REMEMBER THE NUMBER 23. Thanks.

Lunch Coup

Human rights lawyer Homobono Adaza and three ex-AFP officers were arrested yesterday afternoon. Sources say they were going to eat lunch together when agents of the CIDG pounced on them. They were immediately hauled to Camp Crame for questioning and later brought to the PNP hospital for the routine medical checkup.

And what was the alleged crime? It's the nebulous crime of concocting a coup in their minds. What a downer!

Is there a crime such as this?

I've been a law student and nowhere do I find such a crime existing under the Revised Penal Code. There must be an overt act emanating from the "desire" to commit a crime, before an act can be considered criminal.

Going to lunch with the intention of discussing a crime is not punishable under our laws. One can discuss committing a crime all day or all year if one wants, but without an overt act, it's nothing.

Reports say lawyer Raymund Fortun was the one who filed a complaint against Adaza. It is not clear why Fortun did that stupid thing. Maybe Fortun wants to gain publicity again?

Authorities should release these men from detention. If they don't do this within 48 hours, they are liable for illegal detention.

Something deeper

Was Adaza's arrest connected with the recent successes in court by the Marine standoff officers? Adaza stands counsel to legendary Col. Ariel Querubin, one of the original founders of the Young Officers Union (YOU). Was this an attempt to deprive Querubin of rightful counsel?

Or, this is part of government efforts to nip a budding destabilization attempt? Remember that the Black and White Movement announced early yesterday that they'll be launching weekly Friday mobilizations prior to the opening of Congress this July. Is this part of it?

Reports also say that former Col. Raffy Cardeno, the alleged brains behind the slaying of former YOU spokesman Baron Cervantes was also caught. However, if this is true, then Raffy should have been arraigned along with the four other men arrested. As this is being written, no word as to the arrest of Cardeno.

One thing is clear--government is cracking down its enemies. And for what? I thought government has already extended the olive branch to the opposition. I thought there's a political truce already? Why all these?