Consumers Domain
More of Raul's senselessness
"Everyone is entitled to be stupid, but some abuse the privilege."
--Unknown
Our fellow Ilonggo Raul Gonzales Sr. should be named as the national shame. The actuations and declarations of Raul is a manifestation of how this politician is nothing but a hollow piece of material. Raul is trying to hide his lack of intellect by uttering boastful assertions -- the know-it-all type of statements. But unfortunately for him, it is really hard to hide one's idiocy.
Raul's latest comment is connected to the decision on the Subic rape case. At a press conference in Malacañang, Raul accused Judge Benjamin Pozon of having an "agenda...to please the Left" and "get the kudos and hosannas of certain sectors." He also added that, "He just wants to prove that he is Judge Pozon; from an unknown entity now he's popular."
Can you imagine that coming from the country's Secretary of Justice? What is the basis of his assertions? At least in asserting that Raul is senseless, this column is citing the why and how. In fact knowing Raul, he is the type of trapo who "wants to prove that he is Justice Sec. Gonzales". Raul has been known to utter senseless remarks as if telling the world: "There is nothing you can do. I can say anything that pleases me. I'm the Secretary of Justice."
If those personal views against Pozon came from an ordinary person on the street, it is acceptable. But coming from a Secretary of Justice?! How ironic could you get? If there was an injustice or a law has been violated then he should proceed with correcting such by utilizing proper legal procedures and refrain from issuing comments against an independent judge who happens to have a different view.
Another question is why Raul and cohorts are so sensitive of the plight of the American rapist? Well, Raul's reply was that he was "a little disturbed that a judge does not recognize that the treaty can affect the relationships between two countries."
Raul also added that keeping the convicted rapist at the Makati jail could strain the relations of the US and the Philippines especially that Bush raised the issue to the new Philippine ambassador to the US.
I mean the son of an American family raped the daughter of a Filipino family. Now they are concerned that the American family will be hurt because the penalty to the rapist includes 50 push-ups when the rule said 50 jumping jacks.
Raul and our government should interpret the provisions of the VFA in favor of the country and more so of the victim. We as a nation are the aggrieved party. This is not a case of rape alone, this is also matter of sovereignty and national pride. Let the Americans and their lawyers do the lawyering for themselves, they have more than enough resources to do that.
Further, the rape itself is what could have strained the Philippine-US ties. It is this trampling on our sovereignty in the guise of joint military exercises that would have moved us to damage our relations with the US. It is this bullying tactics of Washington that should cause us to strain this often lop-sided relationship.
Raul and his boss Gloria Arroyo would have been commendable if they utilized this event to tell the Americans that if they don't want to obey our laws and submit to our justice system then better abolish this VFA.
(Send your comments and reactions to: for text messages to 0919-348-6337; for e-mails to ianseruelo@yahoo.com; and for blogs to http://consumersdomain.blogspot.com.)