10.30.07 kulturnatib

An open letter to Rep. Eduardo Gullas

Thank you for regularly sending me materials intended for members of the press, though I have not particularly solicited them.

Your last missive, I received recently, is entitled, 'Pardoning Erap Right Thing To Do, Says Gullas.”

After this title, the first sentence goes: Constitutionally perfect and politically correct.

I couldn't help thinking upon reading this that, yes, the creation of the City of Talisay was also constitutionally perfect and politically correct, including the insertion, in the implementing rules, of an exception on the residency rule that
normally applies to those running for an elective position.

This exemption allowed your candidacy for mayor in the said city where you would not have been eligible without that exemption and, consequently, would not be rhapsodized by your successor as being “responsible in the establishment of this gigantic structure . . . builder of other institutional structures of our beloved city,” etc. etc. etc.

This is rather typical of the politics of the rich and powerful of this country where legality is assiduously sought after even if to get there involves not-so-subtle maneuvers and all too obvious self-serving and cynical manipulation of the law.

But, this is directly not about that. There is nothing much to be done about the gigantic and other institutional structures that the Talisaynons are unfortunate, ignorant or unvigilant to have been ushered into cityhood with.

When you say that “We applaud the President's judgment. The grant of pardon was definitely the right thing to do,” who is it along with you that constitutes your we?

You then proceed to educate us on how constitutional, legal and correct the decision of GMA is. All that is Philippine Constitution 101. But, for all your learned elucidation, it somehow misses the point.

At least from the point of view of the most of us whose millions in tax money Erap has been convicted of having stolen, of having brazenly turned the Office of the President into the den of thieves, rackeeters, corruptors and of betraying the mandate of the majority who voted for him.

And what do we get in exchange for the pardon? Erap's shuffling into the limelight once again declaring in all confidence that of all the mistakes (!) he has committed corruption is not among them! Not a hint of remorse, instead, a defiance born of a gamblers insatiable greed and reckless faith that the loser is one who fails to risk a bet.

Except that he has bet with taxpayers money, and not at all your small-time bet at that. These were huge bets, the biggest and most damaging of which was the institutional respect for Presidency and the consequently the moral integrity of government.

Erap is, of course, not a unique figure in our history. But, he is unique in that, despite all odds and the various machinations of those in and out of government, the people of the Philippines together with a determined group of government and private prosecutors have won a landmark victory.

It is this victory that all crooks in government, and they are legion, should rightly be afraid of. For once, a clear precedent has been set. The powerful, after all, can and will be made to face the judgment of law. They will be found wanting, as the case may be, and will be meted punishment accordingly.

For too long, the rich and powerful have gotten away with all sorts crimes, not the least of which is plunder. For too long the powerless have had had to dance to the tunes of the rich and powerful, helpless and hopeless, lamenting, “What can we do?”

And, now, this pardon. Truly, what can we do?

At the ending, you say, "Whether or not he was punished enough for the offenses for which he was convicted is arguable. But what is important is that he was punished -- deprived of liberty for years. And this is what crime and punishment is all about.”

First off, there is a specific punishment for his crime. Clearly this hasn't been complied with. There is, or should be no argument here. What is important is that he was punished? How? In his own mansion? With all the amenities that by all rights every prisoner undergoing 'punishment' should also be entitled to?

Clearly, if this is justice, then there is one for Erap and the powerful and another for the ordinary Juan de la Cruz who populate our squalid, sub-human penitentiaries – notwithstanding fleeting starhood on U-Tube -- subjected to every imaginable indignity that by all rights should be considered cruel and inhuman punishment.

At least, you have openly declared your support and loyalty for GMA, while others, pussyfoot despite the largess they collect for the same support and loyalty.

As for me, I shall wear the black armband.