Not a few of us doubt that the former Speaker has plenty of beans to spill. But we likewise doubt his willingness or courage to face the consequences of surfacing in the Senate as witness against the President. I think it would be more self benefiting for him to paint a pragmatic excuse to stay in safe waters far from pressures that may be worse than those that Jun Lozada went through.
A wise politician and businessman formerly allied with President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo would be better off playing ball with Malacanang’s occupants than turning against them, because the process could be ugly and painful in the immediate and long term. However, if, as the congressman says, his revelations may “bring down the presidency” because of the enormity of evidence he can show, then let it be so — if that would be finally good for the country.
De Venecia would be a credible witness considering his affiliations and affinity to those who were and are in power. But if in his heart De Venecia discerns that he is only motivated by vengeance and his subconscious desire to wrest back his great political powers, then I think he should take back his words humbly and sink into a peaceful state of ignonimity.
On the other hand, if he truthfully believes that he has what would make this country take the path of moral revival and recover from its sinful and corrupt governance (as is seemingly the commonly accepted impression or nationwide belief) then, unfortunately for him or not, the moral responsibility rests on his shoulders to cooperate with the Senate and give all that he has to give in an objective, fair, and just volume of information.
De Venecia’s situation is like that of an officer in Mel Gibson’s “We Were Soldiers” — he called in a “Broken Arrow” condition and had bombs dropped a few meters from his own lines, placing even his own self at risk of getting napalmed but in the end saving the battalion from certain annihilation.
Such is the call that would need courage and true patriotism. because the officer believed he was fighting for a good cause. Now, for De Venecia, he would have to ask himself if he has the same kind of cause. If not, then the Senate better forget his appearance and submit its report “finished or not finished.”
Victor Manalac, Taytay, Rizal (via e-mail)
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August 5th, 2008 at 1:24 pm
You have to have guts and balls in order to reveal such kind of illegal activities… that involves high ranking officials and no other than the (illegal) president…
And I don’t think JDV has two balls and guts to do it… because if he wants… he does it with out any excuses and delays…
He might be waiting for the moves of the palace… with his plans, before initiating his next move to avoid checkmate…
These people are very intelligent and very wise… but has really no sense of public service but self service and especially no Conscience…
July 24th, 2008 at 4:08 pm
JDV is not going to say anything because his one of Gloria Arroyo, Parther in crimes! Even if his going to tell the truth nothing but the truth I’m pretty sure Gloria Arroyo, Going to throw him in jail if not going to have his kill if he ever open his mounth. After all JDV knows all the corruption Gloria Arroyo, Et al. Has been doing!
July 22nd, 2008 at 9:52 am
Tolits asks:
July 21st, 2008 at 10:59 pm
Not long time ago, the so called “Hyatt 10″ had severed their relationships from GMA Administration and had forced her to resign as President of the Republic. Just recently, JDV also had broken his relationship with the Administration due to perceived NBN anomaly. The common denominator on both actions is graft and corruption on the highest level of the government.
The Hyatt 10 (Boncodin, Dinky Soliman, et all) and JDV previously being the privy to all highly sensitive transactions of the government from fund allocations, loan negotiations, to revenue collections, etc. are also presumed as members of the “Party”. We can easily surmise that in one way or another during their previous closed relationship with GMA, they are aware of those questioned transactions or had access to some documents that they can use as hard evidence to charge GMA with Plunder as what Erap experienced.
My question is why not even a single of them is not in possession of any documentary evidence that will cause GMA’s removal from office? I’m now convince that these group including the Opposition are only interested to grab powers prematurely because they are impatient to wait for the completion of GMA’s term as President.
If JDV can sustain all the allegations against GMA considering the NBN anomaly then, let him testify in the Senate Investigation. He should submit factual documentary evidence/s to support his statements otherwise, better stop this circus as we are tired of seeing it.
——————-
That’s an interesting question Tolits.
I think it’s precisely that so many allegations are made and no proof or evidence is presented that makes the opposition less credible than they should. The presence of critics is good in a freewheeling democracy. I would worry more if there is none or just a few but the danger of making too many allegations that cannot be substantiated can also backfire against those making them as their actions can also be perceived as political blackmail or smear campaign, thus their credibility suffers too. It is true GMA has become unpopular because of all this, but don’t you notice the opposition is not wildly popular either?
As I see it, GMA is not exactly blameless for what is being attributed to her. To be fair, granted that she is faultless and may not be directly involved in the anomalies, I still believe she has to take full responsibility as President since all these allegations of corruption are allegedly happening in her admin. And if such is the case, then she has lost control of her own people like those running the Bureau of Customs and other money-generating government agencies and corporations.
Take the case of the fertilizer fund that Bolante allegedly squandered. Here is a case when no documentary evidence need not be presented. All that is needed is for this admin to press for the return of Bolante to face the court after all those funds are taxpayers’ money. The fact that this has not happened frustrates the people even more. Then there’s the Neri issue on executive privilege. What else will people think other than these are attempts at cover up?
It’s not surprising anymore if GMA’s image will hit rock bottom. I’m not accusing GMA of corruption until it’s proven, but her lackadaisical attitude towards all this is almost like abetting corruption. In my book, GMA is a terrific economic manager, but a very poor political leader. I feel sorry for her there’s little credit and gratitude given her in spite of her herculean efforts to make economic reforms. Her basic fault lies in that she accommodated too many unworthy people to join her admin in return for political favors and loyalty to her. Now she’s paying a lot for all those mistakes. I hope history will not be as harsh with her.
July 22nd, 2008 at 5:00 am
Should the former speaker De Venecia speak?
Speak for what? If he ever speaks… this is my question. LOOK WHO IS TALKING? or Better Be… He can speak his role during Marcos years. I don’t understand why we keep on opening what was closed.
Masyadong tayong makulit. The Supreme Court said NO!!! and let it stand as NO!!!. If we don’t follow, there will be disorder. Let’s respect what the authority has said.
As they say “better late than never”, but “aanhin pa ang damo kung patay na ang kabayo.” or “hindi na pwedeng bumangon ang patay.” Sarado na ang nitso.
July 21st, 2008 at 10:59 pm
Not long time ago, the so called “Hyatt 10″ had severed their relationships from GMA Administration and had forced her to resign as President of the Republic. Just recently, JDV also had broken his relationship with the Administration due to perceived NBN anomaly. The common denominator on both actions is graft and corruption on the highest level of the government.
The Hyatt 10 (Boncodin, Dinky Soliman, et all) and JDV previously being the privy to all highly sensitive transactions of the government from fund allocations, loan negotiations, to revenue collections, etc. are also presumed as members of the “Party”. We can easily surmise that in one way or another during their previous closed relationship with GMA, they are aware of those questioned transactions or had access to some documents that they can use as hard evidence to charge GMA with Plunder as what Erap experienced.
My question is why not even a single of them is not in possession of any documentary evidence that will cause GMA’s removal from office? I’m now convince that these group including the Opposition are only interested to grab powers prematurely because they are impatient to wait for the completion of GMA’s term as President.
If JDV can sustain all the allegations against GMA considering the NBN anomaly then, let him testify in the Senate Investigation. He should submit factual documentary evidence/s to support his statements otherwise, better stop this circus as we are tired of seeing it.