Sacred pig

After coming from a developed country like Spain whose impressive infrastructure such as world class airports, high-speed trains and freeway system have all helped make the country thrive with tourism despite the economic crisis, it is easily understandable why many of our hardworking countrymen, specifically the OFWs, are outraged and extremely angry to see enormous amounts of money being wasted on corruption such as they are witnessing in this “kanin baboy” ruckus.

All over the world, many Filipinos are feeling betrayed by the very leaders whom they have trusted — a sentiment keenly felt by overseas workers who are closely watching this scandal, getting updated through the Internet and social media such as Facebook and Twitter. People are aghast at the magnitude of the dishonesty and corruption, furious that their taxes – money that literally comes from their blood, sweat and tears – just ends up lining the pockets of avaricious pork lovers.

There’s every indication that this raging scandal would continue and become a conflagration that could raze a lot of people in its path. News about the alleged involvement of senators have already come out, making it seem that politics is behind all of these, compelling those who have been charged like Jinggoy Estrada to deliver a privilege speech denouncing what he termed as “selective justice.”

While some people may suspect that politics could be behind the filing of charges because non-administration allies like Estrada, Bong Revilla and Juan Ponce Enrile are being singled out — with the three already charged by the Ombudsman in the alleged P10 billion pork scam — the fact of matter is, this scandal gives every indication that Aquino allies and Liberal Party members are also involved. The COA special report had named many other lawmakers from the ruling party that had their funds transferred to fake NGOs.

A close associate of Senator Enrile told me he feels extremely sad that the colorful life of the man he idolized seems to be on its way down, tarnished by “a cycle of betrayal.” In February 1986, Enrile (along with Fidel Ramos) staged a rebellion against Ferdinand Marcos, disclosing that the 1972 ambush on Enrile’s convoy was “staged” to justify the declaration of Martial Law. This was, in the eyes of Marcos supporters, an unpardonable act of “betrayal” by someone who had become powerful and wealthy during the Martial Law years.

Enrile seemed to be at the top of his political career during the Corona impeachment trial — until he changed his tune when he wrote in his book that the 1972 ambush was not staged — contrary to claims he made to reporters at the height of the 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution. Before that, the late President Cory Aquino claimed that she, too, had felt betrayed by Enrile’s attempts to undermine her authority, which is why Mrs. Aquino decided to fire him barely nine months after she became president.

Once again, JPE is being accused of betrayal — this time involving his longtime confidante, Atty. Jessica “Gigi” Reyes. Enrile’s lawyer Enrique de la Cruz came out with a statement saying that JPE never issued any instructions to his staff — in obvious reference to Reyes — to allocate funds for the fake NGOs.

Reyes felt she was stabbed in the back and left hanging out to dry when she wrote in her Facebook account that, “The worst blow has just been dealt upon me by no less than… the man I served with full dedication, honesty and loyalty for 25 years.” As one of our friends remarked — betrayal by an enemy is acceptable; but betrayal by a friend is unforgivable. 

Not surprisingly, a lot of people also feel betrayed by Senate President Franklin Drilon’s adamant resistance to have Janet Napoles subpoenaed by the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, fueling perceptions that the web of corruption has indeed spread far and wide — reaching the highest offices of the land. There is suspicion that other than politics, a bigger reason why Drilon seems disinclined at having Napoles testify may have to do with allegations that he is more friendly with the alleged pork scam queen than he led people to believe. The question being asked is — why then is Drilon allowing the Senate to be submissive to the mere “advice” of a constitutional body?  

Rumors are also circulating that Drilon and Napoles reportedly met at Starbucks near Discovery Suites — where Napoles has an office at the 25th floor — allegedly to “discuss P100 million” reasons why then-Chief Justice Renato Corona should be impeached. The same rumors also claim that Mrs. Mila Drilon and Napoles allegedly travelled together several times — belying Drilon’s protestations that he only knew Napoles “socially.”

Blue Ribbon Committee chairman TG Guingona believes that the testimony of Napoles would wrap up the Senate inquiry into the alleged P10-billion pork barrel funds diverted to bogus projects by fake NGOs and foundations controlled/set-up by Napoles, since earlier testimonies by whistleblowers and other resource persons already provide a roadmap that can help determine where this convoluted maze will ultimately lead to.

Many of us thought this scandal would go away just like the rest of the other scandals. But it seems pretty certain — this raging scandal will not go away that easily. Too many powerful people are involved, and more importantly, many Filipinos all over the world are angry and outraged. It’s clear this is going to be the biggest challenge to the current administration’s “tuwid na daan.” They need to show that indeed, there is no such thing as a “sacred cow,” or in this case — a “sacred pig” – in the Aquino government.

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