Truth or dare

By Rolo B. Cena
Hushed Poppies
Dumaguete Star Informer
13 November 2011

Arguably though, it seems that the Arroyos and her cohorts are in the hook of the new administration these days. As the cases are progressing, the most riveting saga of the century starts unfolding.

As bannered in one of the national dailies, Pres. Noynoy Aquino supports the decision of Justice Secretary Leila de Lima to deny permission to former president now Pampanga 1st District Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to seek medical treatment abroad. The paper added that the President decided to fly in medical experts to attend to Arroyo’s medical condition on the government’s expense.

Sounds great! Sec. de Lima didn’t just make the right decision in the line of duty; she made the utmost decision of protecting the national interest at the same time. In addition, the decision of Pres. Aquino to fly in medical experts from Germany where the former president wishes to seek medical attention did not just embolden Sec. De Lima; it at the same time buoys up the decision itself.

First off, the cases filed against the former president are matters of national interest. Electoral fraud in connection with 2004 presidential election, for instance, where actor Poe has allegedly won the race, has not been resolved. While the dramatis personae of the “Hello Garci” chronicle vis-à-vis “mental lapses” account of the petite lady may no longer be plausible inside the court for the reason that the former election commissioner negated his first testimonies, substantial and unequivocal pressure of witnesses, once again, can be employed to eventually lead to the closure of the case. After all, if Aquino made this brilliant idea, he could be creative and innovative in wooing the principal witness to the case as well.

Undoubtedly, had Sec. de Lima made a decision on the contrary, she would have placed the entire community of Filipino people at the losing end. The illegitimate queenship of the petite lady, that is as despicable as the illegitimacy of the Marcosian Kingship, if not as grotesque and barbaric as the devils in the Grecian “sea of death” would always be the howling and lamentations of the subjects who installed them in the dirt-controlled Palace by the commercially ill and grimy river.

Second off, allowing the former president to seek medical treatment to a country without extradition treaty with the Philippines runs the risk of losing the physical presence of the former president. While the former president, through her spokesperson, announced and kept on announcing, that she will return after the medical treatment, a pronouncement that is as vile Sodom Gomorrah, her promise not to run in the later days of 2004 was a hoax. This is the prize for crying wolf several times.

Technically, there is no “trial in absentia” for nonbailable cases such as plunder. As such, the cases filed against her will not move and consequently, no closure can be made. Again, what is the use of doing all these activities if at all these cases would die a natural death? Will the Aquino administration, or the President for that matter, ever be as credible as his mother, assuming that former President Cory Aquino wears no dishonorable robe?

Third off, the decision was merely to ensure just and speedy resolution of the cases. While she is sick and constitutionally has the right to seek medical attention elsewhere, the decision of bringing into the country medical experts for her condition is enough proof that the administration does not prevent her from exercising her right to live a good and healthy life. In fact, her immediate recovery from her alleged life-threatening illness, assuming that this is true despite negation from government doctors, is also the concern of the administration as this may, in the long run, derail the proceedings of the cases.

Truth or dare: Will the predecessor object the decision of the successor to bring home medical experts for her purpose? With this new development, will Arroyo bring forward new twists and turns that will tickle millions of Filipino viewers of this prime time melo-dramatic soap dish?

Look out for it, Philippines!