Words of reassurance from military command - JAYWALKER by Art A. Borjal

Even now, the House Prosecution Panel is preparing its roster of witnesses who will be presented in the Impeachment Trial of President Estrada. Of course, No. 1 in the list is Ilocos Sur Governor Luis "Chavit" Singson, the close buddy of President Estrada, who dropped the jueteng and tobacco bombshell. Several other "friendly" witnesses will afterwards be presented to provide evidence that will be adverse to President Estrada. Most probably, among those to be presented will be the investigative reports of the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism.

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And then, expect the Prosecution Panel to present "hostile witnesses", persons who would not want to testify in the Impeachment Trial, because they would not want to harm President Estrada’s defense, but will be forced to. The presentation of "hostile witnesses" is allowed in the courts of law.

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Among the "hostile witnesses" are Atong Ang, Edward Serapio, Yolanda Ricaforte, the close kin of President Estrada, the officials of Land Bank of the Philippines, all the other persons who had a hand in the "paper trail" on the P130 million collection from the tobacco excise tax, Westmont Bank and Equitable Bank officials, and several others, some of whom are now probably in hiding. It will certainly be rivetting to watch and listen to these "hostile witnesses" as they are thrown questions by the Prosecution Panel. Abangan.

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Every now and then, that controversial packaging of President Estrada’s taped televised message to the nation, announcing his proposed reform agenda, as an aftermath of Chavit Singson’s jueteng exposé, followed by that bizarre scene of uniformed top military and police officials, a scene that was pre-taped continues to elicit public comment, mostly negative. I had, in fact, in my November 2 column, considered the television episode as ill-advised and poorly scripted, giving low marks to President Estrada and the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police.

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The AFP chief of staff, General Angelo T. Reyes, whose professionalism and integrity are truly impeccable, as I had written many, many months ago, sent to me his reaction and thoughts on that television episode. In fairness to General Reyes, let me reproduce in its entirety his "Dear Art" letter dated November 11 2000:

We appreciate your comments concerning the Armed Forces of the Philippines in your column dated November 2, 2000.

However, contrary to what was suggested in your space, I, as the AFP Chief of Staff, need not unburden myself of anything ponderous to my office or the whole military organization which I represent. The television episode was an obligatory act of an institution whose mandate is to protect and serve the interest of the nation. The AFP owes it to the people to make public its stand especially when the national constituency so demands.

We have expected that the ongoing clash of views on issues affecting the national leadership would give rise to different perceptions – your opinion on my appearance in that particular show included. As the AFP raked criticisms from certain sectors, particularly as regards the style by which its position was conveyed, it also earned positive comments for timely making known its sentiments.

When I went on television, I was guided by good faith and clear distinction of the role the AFP plays in this political exigency. For me, it is paramount that the public be given a clear grasp of the AFP’s position and that the substance of what I have to say be not missed. We hold true to our statement: "The Public has no reason to fear because the Armed Forces will safeguard the constitutional process and abide by its outcome whatever it may be. Our soldiers are not loyal to individuals but to institutions that guarantee the political and economic rights of the people."

Indeed it is important for us to always look back at the pages of history but I would like once again to assure everyone that we now have a highly professionalized AFP – one that is dearly cognizant of its role to defend and protect the security of the state and its people in accordance with the Constitution.

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Let me cite excerpts from letters I received from readers during the past several days:

Former Ambassador RODOLFO A. ARIZALA, Santiago, Chile: "In your November 6 column, you titled it Isla, because Malacanang was virtually an isla or island when typhoon Seniang hit Metro Manila and Quezon province. Whether such figure of speech is a simile or metaphor, does it imply that the people should better wear their lifevests in case of tragedy as that of the Titanic? I join our people in prayers for peace, especially when Christmas is just around the corner. And hope that behind the dark clouds, there would be a rainbow to remind the Almighty of His Covenant, ‘Never again will there be a deluge’."

ELVIE PUNZALAN-ESTAVILLO: "Thank you for featuring my Thoughts in your column. People not included in my mailing list finally know where to get their copies of my Thoughts. Your act of kindness all the more inspires and motivates me to come up with timely, relevant and inspiring grains of wisdom for sharing my our fellowmen, especially during these most-trying times."

WILLIAN TANG: "Now that the dice is loaded against Erap, it is time to go to the constitutional process of impeachment. It might take a little while, but it is better than a bloody revolution."

ARIEL RABE: "Our congressmen and senators should know when to cease being politicians and when to start being the guardians of morality. They should know, for the sake of God, our country, our children and our conscience, when to draw the dividing line between what is political and moral. It’s not anymore a question of what they intend to do under that political umbrella, but what they can do courageously right within and outside the political umbrella. If they can get out of Malacanang’s umbrella and bravely face the music or the tempest of the times, then our future is secure."

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PULSEBEAT: From its business base in Hong Kong, the First Pacific Company has issued a statement denying that amounts of money were given to President Estrada, in connection with First Pacific’s acquisition of equity in the Philippine Long Distance Company. The payoff rap was, by the way, made by former Securi-ties and Exchange Commission chairman Perfecto Yasay Jr. . . . There is a text message going around, a joke, I’m sure regarding the long-running "Florida Recount." The message said that either the Gore or Bush camp should import, without haste, the dagdag-bawas specialists from the Philippines. Importing the Pinoy dagdag-bawas specialists could put an end to the United States presidential race, the text message explained. . . . Architect Angel Lazaro Jr. sent what seems to be a logical plea to the Commission on Elections: That the five major political parties be banned from participating in the 2001 party-list elections . . . . Thanks to the following readers who took time to send their reactions to me on the raging issues of the day: Ched Augustus A. Aragon, 377 Dr. Jose Fernandez, St., Mandaluyong City, who is taking up MBA at the Ateneo Graduate School of Business; Victor Gaw; Dr. Conrad Javier; Tony Reyes, Everett, Washington, USA; Mon Mendoza, Sta. Mesa, Manila; Willie S. Reyes, San Beda College, High School Department, Manila; Agnes A. Schanowski of Germany; Aida Aguas; Engr. Arnel R. Talens; Jose "Tito" Osias; Miguel T. Sayat of Pasig Greenpark Village, Pasig City; and Julieta M. Sasuman.

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Arturo A. Borjal’s e-mail address: [email protected]