Traitors all

I join the country in expressing disappointment over Romulo Neri’s refusal to divulge what he and gloria talked about regarding the anomalous broadband deal with the Chinese.  If you recall, Neri testified before the Senate that he informed the sitting president about Benjamin Abalos’ “Sec, may 200 ka dito” bribe try, to which gloria reportedly told Neri “not to accept it.” 

             I think it wasn’t gloria’s opposition to bribes per se that made her issue that uncharacteristic command to Neri.  Perhaps she thought the 200 million bribe is better cornered by her husband than this bureaucrat.  Remember that Big Mike had a stake in the deal as he met with all the players involved, even menacingly pointing a finger at Joey de Venecia and telling him to “Back off!”  For all her faults, Imelda has never been accused of cornering “commissions” in such an obvious manner—she just shopped in New York.  This country’s first First Gentleman (gag!) is in the thick of the dealings every time.  And he has no qualms in doing it.  She has her feisty unica hija Lourdes to always defend him anyway.

            The verdict on Neri is out: he has been found wanting.  Personally, I think Neri is a traitor to the Filipino people.  He could have grabbed his moment of greatness and came clean with anything that could have implicated gloria’s complicity in this.  He owes the people the truth much more than he owes gloria his loyalty.  If he does not have anything on gloria he should not have invoked the executive privilege doctrine whenever the questioning came close to implicating her.

* * * *

Much has been written about Joker Arroyo.  Many thought he was the good Arroyo.  His contributions in the fight against martial rule and its abuses were legendary.  That could never be taken away from him.

            But Joker’s luster is dimming a bit these days.  If the Inquirer report is factual, Joker might have betrayed himself and the people when he prevented Neri from talking about what he knew about gma’s role in the billion-peso broadband anomaly.

            The Joker of old would have ordered Neri to tell all in the interest of justice and truth.  Today’s Joker leaned on Neri not to talk.

            The turning of leaves among the bourgeois is always more complete.

* * * *

The same Inquirer report said that Budget and Management secretary Nonong Andaya invited himself to the senators-only executive session to allow Neri to come off clean.  Surely, he was there to remind Neri the Palace is looking at him.

            Neri is a coward.  The Senate is dumb.  Andaya is a goon.  gma is a turd.

* * * *

Just what did the Filipino people miss because of all these?

            The opportunity to learn the truth.

            The opportunity to rise up in anger over the daylight robbery happening before their eyes.

            The opportunity for another start in creating a just and progressive society with an honest and clean government.