Opinion

What must Garcia, Ligot be feeling?

February 9, 2011 | 12:00am

Just as Congress’ nationally televised hearings on military corruption climaxed, with more and more officials linked to the scams, nauseating some with the stinky revelations while leaving others doubtful of any fruitful outcome from stonewallers-turned-grandstanders, but rousing most to demand reforms once and for all and scaring plunderers into making empty threats, when ... wham!

This makes us all pause to pray for the eternal repose of the soul of former defense secretary Angelo T. Reyes.

There’s unanimity that Reyes did what he did yesterday because the separate Senate and House inquiries had defamed him. Some are wont to blame the orgiastic pitch of congressional hearings, more so when in front of TV cameras. Others would have wanted to hear Reyes’ side. But it’s past that now, and all too will pass.

As the prolific poet Grace Noll Crowell wrote:

As certain as stars at night, or dawn after darkness,

Inherent as the lift of the blowing grass,

Whatever your despair or your frustration—

This, too, will pass.

* * *

And what of Generals Carlos F. Garcia and Jacinto L. Ligot? Yes, they’re grieving the loss of their friend, ex-boss and recent co-accused Reyes. But what thoughts must be raging in their minds? What must their loved ones be thinking about them?

At the Senate hearing last Thursday I murmured to a seatmate to steel herself, for worse may yet come. I shared the agony my family had gone through, when alternately mocked and menaced for my exposés. And we agreed that while warm bodies and materiel count, nothing beats the protective power of prayer. Unfortunately in our blighted land, foes implicate women and children. But when you know you’re on the side of truth, you are at peace with yourself.

But look at the two aging generals up front. They try to put up a refined front, yet only manage to look pathetic. Both indicted at the Sandiganbayan, one had been jailed for six years while the other never. In tandem they are now undergoing the worst punishment society can mete: not prison but public scorn. Watch the crowd react: whenever the first prefaces his answers to lawmakers’ queries with, “With due respect,” the audience pre-empts him with the line, “I cannot answer due to self-incrimination.” Whenever the second opens his replies with “I’m sorry, Your Honors,” the anticipants snicker, “But I cannot recall.” Surely the two have been told about what people derisively say about them in texts and blogs, coffee klatches and family dinners. Unlike the colonels who have redeemed family honor by telling the truth, albeit late, the two have to bear it for whatever reason. Their families must hate them for the shame they’ve brought home. Sadly it’s like the stigma attached to the heirs of Garcillano, Bedol, Bolante and Ampatuan.

Perhaps they need to rethink their options — before it’s too late. There is no repentance in the grave.

* * *

So apt for the two generals is one of Heidi Mendoza’s poems from her collection, “Pahimakas at Pahalumatyag,” reprinted with permission:

Heneral Ka Kung Tawagin

(1) Heneral ka kung tawagin,

sa balikat mo’y nakapila ang bituin,

Matikas ang tindigan...

Matipuno ang katawan,

Di ka nga ba umuurong sa putukan?

Kung kaya’t tauhan mo’y ikaw ay ginagalang...

O sadyang takot lang sa angkin mong kapangyarihan?

Marunong ka bang yumuko sa matayog mong kinaluluklukan?