Res Gestae
Tupas vs Dulay: Must know in the Capitol standoff (Part 5)
(Last of a series)
If I were to paint a picture of the standoff at Iloilo Provincial Capitol, the silhouette of Secretary Raul Gonzalez Sr. will not even form part of it. Though I am sure, many Ilonggos would insist otherwise. Many want Raul's face sketched all over the portrait. It is so because they really believe that Secretary Gonzalez was the force behind the foiled physical ouster of Governor Tupas last January 17, 2007. Well, they are the Ilonggos who create in their fantasy a kingdom wherein Raul reigns as the mighty King! And, they are the same Ilonggos who think Raul can make and unmake a city! Are they not the ones who coined a misnomer with Iloilo City as the "Gonzalez country?"
I don't submit to the idea that the historic standoff would be credited to the fancy of Raul's invincibility. Much more that I would not submit to most people's imagination that Raul is a King and Iloilo City is his country! Iloilo City as the "Next Big Thing" deserves better than the Gonzalez, be it may the Sr. or the Jr.! Neither would I consider President Arroyo as the mastermind in the dismissal of Governor Tupas. This is so because the Ombudsman and the DILG have Heads with minds, which are not only independent but also probably more rational than GMA's. Hence, the standoff must always be between Governor Tupas and General Dulay!
After the incident last January 17, 2007, the Tupases and his supporters have only this to say: That they were brutalized by the police... that the Capitol as seat of power of the Province of Iloilo was not accorded with respect and decency by the police... that such a shameless assault to the democratic institutions was committed by the police! Meaning, the Tupases are banking on the alleged "mishandling" by Police Regional Office 6 personnel (under the command of General Dulay as the Ground Commander) to absolve themselves from causing the Ilonggos be known, not only here but also abroad, as adherents not of the Rule of Law but of the Rule of the Mob!!!
I will always be proud of EDSA I and EDSA II. But, I will never be misled on believing that the Tupas' concocted People Power was one that would give justice to Ninoy Aquino's "The Filipinos are worth dying for!" Truly, Governor Tupas' version, "The Ilonggos are worth dying for!" besmirched the meaning and relevance of Ninoy's conviction and passion that keep on rekindling in every Filipino's heart when threat to our democratic institutions is truly imminent!
If we would consider January 17, 2007 as the defining moment in our history as people who value democracy and respect the rule of law, we must then hold on to the truth of the issue. The truth is -- the decision of the Ombudsman which held Governor Tupas, Board Members Capadosa and Oso guilty for corruption is a testament of their betrayal to the Ilonggos! The truth is -- Governor Tupas, Board Members Capadosa and Oso's refusal to vacate the Capitol despite the standing order pertaining thereto was a shameless assault on our democratic institutions! The truth is -- Governor Tupas, Board Members Capadosa and Oso are not lame lambs but lions lurking in our Capitol and waiting for something big to devour!
The January 17, 2007 standoff must go down in our history as a day that witness to the heroism of our police. It was a day that would remind us that our police are true to their mandate "To serve and protect" our democratic institutions. It was an event showing perfectly that our police are law enforcers, strong and dependable, against the law breakers! It was a day testifying to the fact that indeed it takes a General Dulay to enforce the law!
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