Don’t revive old wars

I received lots of feedback on the column on inherent rights. Francis P. Carlos of Valenzuela emailed me thus: "If I were Iggy Arroyo, why do I have to give satisfaction to Senator Ping Lacon by signing before him my signature? Doing so will only earn mileage points to his candidacy and prolong the issue/investigation. Mike and Iggy Arroyo have challenged Lacson to go to the court. Is Lacson man enough to challenge them in court?"

From Rodel Ocampo: "Is Mr. Ignacio Arroyo entitled to his right to privacy? Absolutely! Is Mr. Jose Pidal entitled to the same privacy? With all the serious allegations in the air, I doubt! Can the private affairs of Mr. Ignacio Arroyo be questioned? I believe so, for as long as it is related to the Jose Pidal account, the existence of which the Brothers Arroyo already confirmed.

"The Supreme Court cases being cited as precedent should be examined in light of the Lacson Exposé, the sweeping charges raised against the ideal account, and the admissions already made by the Brothers Arroyo, whether jointly or separately. The validity and regularity of the question, and the necessity or compulsion for an answer, can best be appreciated in light of those circumstances.

"Truth, more than the cloak of silence, is the best guarantee of non-interference under Art. 3 of the Philippine Constitution. To speak out the truth would be to put closure to all the speculations, idle so far for lack of material proof, that are being peddled by the camp of Senator Lacson. Unfortunately, the answers or non-answers and demeanor of the brothers Arroyo in the two Senate hearings militate against the entitlement to a right meant to protect the individual from "arbitrary interference. . . I say to Mr. Arroyo, either one of them: Answer all the questions. Answer with forthrightness. And the truth shall set you free. In fact, it should set the country free from today’s crisis."

ON ANOTHER FRONT: I have always been a believer and advocate for peace. That’s why I spent time to promote peace among brother Filipinos where peace is desired, or where peace is endangered. Conflicts or wars dissipate our energies, to say the least, and, worse, result in the irreparable loss of human lives.

These were my thoughts when I read former Sen. Johnny Ponce’s renewed attacks against the Lopezes. JPE trained his guns against the Lopez group for an alleged "sweetheart deal" between Meralco and its independent power producers.

"I will not dwell on the nitty-gritty of such a deal but a few of my industry friends tell me that the new Energy Reform law mandates that all distribution utilities like Meralco cannot buy more than 50 percent of its power requirements from an affiliate. This is precisely to ensure that there will be other power providers. Claims that the law allows a utility to buy from an affiliate up to as high as 90 percent are inaccurate, my friends tell me. JPE is arguing from the wrong facts.

What puzzles me is why JPE is so fixated against the Lopezes. He expressed surprise over the revenues of a Lopez firm, when other power companies, foreign ones at that, and even a government firm like the National Transmission Company (Transco) are earning so much more. I understand that revenues and earnings are just half of the story. They must be viewed relative to the gargantuan amounts in the billions of dollars, not pesos, invested in capital infrastructure projects.

For a change, the former senator should acknowledge the key role of the Lopezes in funding and building major industries which doubtless contribute to building our nation. The Lopezes have chosen to invest their entire fortune in the Philippines, while many others selfishly stash away their treasures offshore.

The Lopezes‚ exile and suffering during the dark years of martial law have not weakened their resolve to plant and grow their stake in the future of this country at a time when many entertained the thought of abandoning it. There is truth to the Biblical passage which runs, "Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also". The Lopezes continue to put their treasures where their heart is – in establishing and growing businesses imbued with public service.

JPE should take a second look at this family. If they were at opposite camps in times past, especially during those martial law years, let the past be left where it belongs. Don’t revive old wars.

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