Res Gestae
Tupas vs Dulay: Must know in the Capitol standoff (Part 4)
January 17, 2007 is history and must be remembered as a milestone in the Ilonggos' fight for corruption. Notwithstanding the issuance of TRO, the decision of the Ombudsman which held Governor Tupas, Board Members Capadosa and Oso guilty of enriching themselves with the ilonggo tax-payers' money is an indication that together we can win the battle and eventually the war against corruption.
I feel a bit frustrated, however, as many Ilonggos tend to forget the essence of the standoff and allow the Tupas camp to rob them of their rationality... and sanity! After the stand off, the Tupases launched a campaign condemning the alleged "overkill" and portraying themselves as the helpless lambs in our democratic institutions.
Was there really an "overkill"? Who among us can claim to have understood fully the Police Operational Procedure (Rules of Engagement, as many used it, is not applied in such a case) and say that indeed there was an "overkill"? The Tupases invest on our lack of knowledge to gain our support and win our sympathy. They are good at that. Their decades in politics bespeak their expertise, if not mastery, in manipulating the minds of the Ilonggos in order to remain on the pedestal. Namanguan na gid sila sa mga Ilonggo mo... and worse many Ilonggos also consider themselves as such. (Unfortunately, I too did in the past two elections)! What a pity!!!
We will expect that the Tupas camp will continue to condemn the blitz at the Capitol, for without it they can hardly make excuses of their proven guilt! It is disappointing that, even in his SOPA, Governor Tupas, instead of presenting the blueprint of his projects/programs for CY 2007, delivered a speech filled with emotions which could be mistaken as a local version of Kapamilya's Maala-ala Mo Kaya or Kapuso's Magpakailan Man.
It has to be remembered that the Capitol incident was beyond all emotions... it was a display of conviction! However, it was clear that the Tupases dwelt on their emotions! They locked themselves inside the Capitol and barricaded the grounds against the "assholes", as Tupas Jr called the police. Oh, certainly, many have not seen that footage! Otherwise, it would be known to the public the kinds of breeding these apparent underdogs have.
Now, who are the "assholes"? The police who acted upon a lawful order? Or, the Tupases who, upon the receipt of information for their dismissal, vehemently refused to vacate the seat of power for the Province of Iloilo? Mine are the questions, yours are the answers! Do I have to remind you of Boboy Syjuco's definition of Capitol? "Toril ni Niel"! This was why a video footage shows Tupas Jr barking at the police "Maano kamo di? Wala kamo di labot. Amon ni teritoryo!" Now, it is proved that Boboy was not making stories!!!
Thus, I have the conviction that implicating Secretary Gonzalez, in particular, and the GMA administration, in general, has NO bearing on the issue. Gusto lang kita patalangun sang natungdan! They are in panic to translate their waterloo into a political propaganda... to sweep the victory in the upcoming election. Ano pa bisan ang mga wala labot e-implicate nila! Tama na, sobra na ang drama, please!
Indeed, it really takes a real man to accept defeat! Had Governor Tupas, et al. respected the Order of Dismissal by the Ombudsman, I would surely admire them for their heroism! As my mentor defines it, a hero is one who represents the will of the people... or in the present case... of the Ilonggos. And, the question is, what is the will of the Ilonggos? To clear the Capitol with the dregs... the misfits... the corrupt... the Tupases!
The series continues! Catch me here every MWF!
(Send your comments and suggestions to rogatepnp@yahoo.com.)