Res Gestae
Tupas vs Dulay: Must know in the Capitol standoff (3)
The standoff at the Iloilo Provincial Capitol has caused so much publicity not only to Governor Tupas but also to Justice Secretary Gonzalez (many calls him as the Secretary of Injustice) and the police (whose accomplishments and lapses always make bad... and good news).
At first, I was seeing a shift in the issue, - from the Dismissal of the embattled Governor Tupas, et al to police action. This shift was expected since the police were the frontliners during the implementation of a lawful order against the dismissed Governor Tupas, et al. But as the issue thrives in the airwaves a week after the incident, shifting in the issues becomes multifarious. Though the shifts are anticipated, I could not just imagine what really prompted the many for believing that the implementation of the Order of Dismissal by the Ombudsman was politically motivated. It makes me to believe that these people also think that the case on graft and corrupt practices filed against Governor Tupas, Board Members Cecilia Capadosa and Domingo Oso was also politically motivated. Amo na gid ni ka lala sa Pilipinas? If this is the case, everything that we raise against Governor Tupas will be considered politically motivated. Meaning, my opinion not favoring Governor Tupas could be charged as politically motivated. Oh, that is dangerous!
I have to make clear (though I am not obliged to do so) that I voted Governor Tupas in the past two elections. Whether it was the biggest mistake or not in my exercise of my Constitutional right, I will just keep it to myself. It is basically off-tangent in my goal for writing this series.
Okey, let's go back to the main issue. The Tupases cried (and are still crying) foul for what they consider as "a shameless assault on our democratic institutions." I have to add another line from Tupas' SOPA, "The Capitol is the seat of power for the Province of Iloilo, and decency require our policemen to treat those occupying it with respect and courtesy." I have not heard or know when did Governor Tupas deliver his State of the Province Address (Do I hear anyone saying it was a "privilege speech"?). But, I believe, the lightning crisscrossing our heavens last Tuesday was never a coincidence!!!
Now, may I ask, was there really a "foul play" in the raid (this is more appropriate than "assault") conducted by the police by virtue of a lawful order? I have to admit that seeing the footages in television of the raid in the Capitol drew my sympathy to the apparently lame Governor and his supporters. The only good thing is, I did not lose my rationality... and sanity with the ephemeral. I reminded myself that footages shown in our television are selective... they were clipped to catch attention... not to tell the whole story! And, it would be stupid for one to make judgment on that basis. Did you?
But, I have also to ask: Was the occupancy of the dismissed Governor Tupas, et al (I am referring to the days prior the issuance of Temporary Restraining Order) NOT in itself a shameless assault on our democratic institutions? And, let me add, The Capitol is the seat of power for the Province of Iloilo, and decency require every citizen (this is to include the Dismissed Governor Tupas and his cohorts) to treat those (who are by law mandated to) occupy[ing] it with respect and courtesy.
I don't want to prolong the publicity of Governor Tupas, et al over the issue of standoff but listening to the interviews and press releases undermining the accountability of Governor Tupas in that historic incident, I can't help myself but continue this series.
So, catch me in the next issue of TNT.
(Send your comment and suggestion to rogatepnp@yahoo.com or better yet give me a ring thru 09203025828).