Dilatory tactics

If you look back during the past year, ever since the plunder case trial of deposed President Erap Estrada started, you will notice a pattern in the Defense strategy. All legal moves and initiatives were directed towards stopping the beginning of the proceedings. "Dilatory tactics" is an apt term to describe the Defense ploy. And boy, how Erap’s lawyers used every trick in the book just to delay the court proceedings!

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Under normal conditions, it is the Defendant who would opt for a speedy trial. For the sooner the court proceedings end and a "Not Guilty" verdict is arrived at, the sooner the Defendant is able to get out of his prison cell. But in this particular plunder case against Erap, it is the Defense that obviously wants the trial to stand still, even though it means keeping Erap inside his special prison cell. And it is the Prosecution that is agitating for a speedy trial.

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What could be the reason behind the Defense ploy? Analysts can only conclude that the Defense is afraid of the possible Sandiganbayan verdict. Yes, they suspect that the Prosecution has proof beyond reasonable doubt and can convincingly show that a "Guilty" verdict should be slapped on Erap.

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Now that Erap has resorted to a media blitz, which is part of the strategy to divert the people’s attention away from the plunder case, it would be wise for the Supreme Court to reconsider its stand on allowing television coverage of the Sandiganbayan trial. That would balance things off, considering that Erap is now using media to win pogi points for himself. Putting the court proceedings before the TV cameras can make the people see for themselves the truth, or what is closest to the truth, behind the issues raised by the Prosecution.

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Remember Franciso M. Calilan, the former Olympian/Asian gamer and one of the country’s best basketball players during his time? Well, he recently lost all of his worldly possessions when a fire gutted his house. And now, he badly needs help.

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The plight of Kiko Calilan was brought to my attention by Engr. Jose Rizalino C. Nocon, a member , the nephew of Calilan. And he is appealing for help for Calilan from Good Samaritans, especially those whose lives he touched during his glory days as a basketball great, such as former Ambassador Danding Cojuangco, Lito Puyat, and former Manila Mayor Mel Lopez.

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"I am doing this without his knowledge as he is ashamed to call on these people for any help. While we in the family circle will definitely provide him whatever assistance we could to the best of what we have at the moment, I am benevolently asking your assistance in this regards," Nocon said in his note to me. For those who want to help, Engr. Nocon may be contacted at Tel. No. 850-8575.

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Former Ambassador Rodolfo A. Arizala, writing from Santiago, Chile, shares the view that the Philippine economy is starting to pick up, something that could be attributed to the firm stand of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on important national and international issues such as on the "Balikatan" military exercise. For such "tough stand" and language used by the President, she has been criticized by certain sectors of the press and observers of the Philippine political scene.

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Arizala recalls to mind what Nicolo Machiavelli wrote more than four centuries ago in his classic book The Prince. On the question whether a Prince "is better feared more than loved," he said: "The reply is, that one ought to be both feared and loved, but as it is difficult for the two to go together, it is much safer to be feared than loved if one of the two has to be wanting."

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Arizala said that in the opinion of Machiavelli, "A prince, therefore, must not mind incurring the charge of cruelty for the purpose of keeping his subjects united and faithful." However, Machiavelli warned that a ruler should make himself feared in such a way that if he does not gain love, he should avoid being hated. In other words, "fear and the absence of hatred may well go together" to effectively govern a country.

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Arizala’s said that Machiavell´s dictum is being put to a test in the Philippines as well as democracy. The final result? Abangan.

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Teresita O. Marasigan has several questions to ask about HMO, in particular about Health Maintenance Inc. of which she and her family were members. She is now turning 65 years of age and she has been told that she would no longer be able to avail of HMI services. Earlier, her husband, who is a diabetic and has a health problem "graduated" from HMI membership, also because of old age.

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Now, Ms. Marasigan’s query is why, at a time when they need it most, HMI services can no longer be availed of. The purpose of HMO is thus defeated, she said. And she recalled that when the HMI agent was offering her HMI membership, his "selling point" was "peace of mind." It was this factor that made her decide to put her entire family under HMI membership.

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Ms. Marasigan pointed out that the need for health care increases as people get older. To terminate HMI membership on the basis of turning 65 years old thus defeats the purpose behind HMO. "Since health care becomes a great and heavy necessity when we grow old, then why delist HMO members at a time when their health care needs grow," she said.

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Thoughts For Today:

Walking with God is the best adventure,
finding God is the best achievement,
and having God as companion is the best source of happiness.

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Love cannot be measured, bought or sold.
For it to be valued at all, it must be given freely.
Remember, God loves you freely.

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My e-mail addresses: [email protected] and [email protected]