A crisis within a crisis

The worst thing that can happen in a crisis is to discover that some people who should be part of the solution are actually becoming part of the problem, thereby creating a crisis within a crisis. What makes a complete mess of it all is when politicians are the crisis within a crisis.

While all available hands are on deck to contain and address the crisis caused by the “oil spill” in Cavite, it seems that competing politics has become a serious obstacle in the proper resolution of the oil spill problem, because officials associated with the Remulla and the Maliksi camps can’t seem to get past their political rivalry and their need to outshine or out PR each other. From what I’ve learned, a certain Mayor Ricafrente openly resents the intrusion or meddling of Cavite Governor Jonvic Remulla in what Mayor Ricafrente believes is his turf, his responsibility and therefore he should be “in-charge.” On the other hand Governor Remulla finds it unbelievable that Ricafrente would be sensitive about turf and politics since the Governor also has a say in a matter that can affect large parts of the province as well as businesses and livelihood.

This pissing contest I’m afraid is nothing new among Cavite politicians. Go back 4 decades and their predecessors in office settled matters with guns, goons and smuggled PX goods. Pride and politics have always been a constant in Cavite politics, but at a time when cooperation not competition should be the mindset, the impression that Ricafrente and Remulla would rather piss off each other than help each other, is pathetic. Curiously, DILG Secretary Mar Roxas does not seem to be as interested in the matter as he is in forensic science of bombing scenes. I guess he does not want to become collateral damage of Cavite politics.

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Speaking of pathetic, I could not believe what I was hearing on radio a few days ago as one radio announcer was interviewing an officer of the Coast Guard in the early days of the Petron Cavite oil spill. As a lecturer on media management and communications, I sat glued to the radio listening to the official share all the available information directly and indirectly connected with the oil spill. He ping ponged between the oil tanker/ship and Petron as the two possible parties, he gave estimates on the amount of oil spilled, he talked about criminal liability, he cited laws on environmental protection etc., etc. The official was so informative I would have been very impressed, except for one thing. Being an official of the Coast Guard the agency who in turn will probe, testify or file a complaint against the party or parties responsible, the official should not have made statements that could prejudge the situation and future case.

Since he had no scientific means or company actually doing a metered study of the oil spill or discharge, calculations and estimates under such serious circumstance are deemed irresponsible and alarmist. From what I gathered divers had not yet gone into the area nor had they filed reports so he jumped the gun with figures that up to now remains undetermined. In fact how much oil or diesel spilled cannot be accurately determined or measured. Had he been one of my “students” at the Development Academy of the Philippines, I would have suspected him of pandering to the media or trying to use the event to recover face from their embarrassment resulting from the DOJ determination of homicide in the death of a Taiwanese fisherman.

The US Navy has a motto that goes: “Loose Lips Sink Ships.” In the oil spill case, motor mouths should be dry-docked.

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Speaking of spokespersons, I mentioned to a couple of friends who are lawyers that I’ll be doing a piece about lawyers who double or dabble as paid spokespersons for their clients as well. The practice has become so commonplace that no one thinks much of it. But the fact of the matter is that all lawyers as well as the Integrated Bar of the Philippines should review this practice because it is no longer about legal representation or giving comments before and after hearings or trials.

The ugly or disturbing truth in the matter is that playing spokesperson for clients has gone down to the level of lawyers extending their “credibility” or “integrity” to clients who are publicly despised or whose reputation is completely tarnished. It is all about PR or image management and has nothing to do with “lawyering” and presumably has no bearing or purpose inside the courtroom.

According to a Christian lawyer, if we were to read the oath made by lawyers, they actually swear to a high standard of excellence and upholding the law. Unfortunately, many lawyers today are too busy upholding the public image of their clients by being their “Talking head for a fee.”  Reflecting on all of these, it is interesting to note that many lawyers who followed this practice had momentary glory but eventually became yesterday’s news. That is the curse for lending or selling one’s public image or credibility, 30 pieces of silver buys you a pauper’s grave for your career. 

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Two things that can kill you out there are dengue and HIV. Unfortunately the news media as well as the Department of Health can’t, won’t or are too busy with other things to sound the alarm.

Practically every week or every other week, one of our friends asks for prayers because one or two of their kids have come down with dengue. In fact I have never heard from my friends as often as I do now which is ironic because the last DOH announcement I read was that the number of dengue cases was going down on the average. So what does that achieve except give the DOH something to crow about and make people relax or put their guards down. I remember telling Secretary Enrique Ona that instead of hyping up the decrease, we should increase the reminders to warn people that dengue is a very real, serious and deadly threat especially against our children!

The same thing goes for the increased number of HIV cases. Statistics don’t help much. But if people know who and how the disease is spreading it would certainly help people deal with the problem. So when will the DOH officials have enough courage and compassion to say it like it is: HIV is alarmingly on the rise and it is mostly spread from male to male. Gay or straight don’t make no difference. It is not about gender or preference. It is about saving lives!