Truth

A friend opined that the Senate was wasting time re-investigating "the Hello Garci Scandal" and should be doing legislative work and not re-opening the case.

This got me to express my opinion that at this point in time, I think finding the truth i.e., that which is in accordance with reality, on this case is of greater importance before passing new laws especially when the executive arm of our government, as well as, the military leadership is hounded by being labeled as liars. Furthermore, the current administration has proven it can go against the Constitution it has vowed to defend in the instance of the Executive Order 464 that was judged to be unconstitutional by the Supreme Court. To pass more laws at the expense of not finding the truth would be more a waste of time as the truth matters because reality matters.

We cannot go on helping build a strong Republic "where the weak become strong and the strong are just" when we are unable to handle the truth. When more questions arise in search of answers to previous questions asked. At the rate we are going, we shall become a "questionable republic - where the weak become weaker and the strong are unjust", and as we advise a drug addict the addiction must be stopped. We must find the truth and know how to handle the truth not only in the alleged cheating in the 2004 Presidential Elections but also in the following controversies:

The testimonies of Emerito Lipio alias Ka Tibo, Marlon Manuel alias Ka Carlo, and Melissa Concepcion Reyes alias Ka Liza that the missing Jonas Burgos was kidnapped by "comrades out to purge him on suspicion he was pilfering funds of the movement allegedly as a political and intelligence officer". On the other hand, the mother of Jonas insists that her son was abducted by members of the Army's 56th Infantry Battalion and alleges that the presentation of the three witnesses by the Philippine National Police is part of the "grand cover-up" of Jonas' case.

The disclosure of former detainees Raymond Manalo and his brother Reynaldo, that the University of the Philippines students Karen Empeno and Sherlyn Cadapan are alive and are held at an Army Camp located in Limay, Bataan while the military leadership has consistently denied having custody of the missing coeds. There is a need to know the truth on the above cases as we have entrusted the implementation of national policy to the executive and enforcement of law and order to the military. What ever we debate upon as there are always "two sides to a coin", many others and myself believe that "Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free "(John8:32). We need to be free from being untruthful by being truthful.

*****

At the height of a political corruption trial, the prosecuting attorney attacked a witness. "Isn't it true," he bellowed, "that you accepted five million pesos to compromise this case?"

The witness stared out the window as though he hadn't heard the question. "Isn't it true that you accepted five million pesos to compromise this case?" the lawyer repeated.

The witness still did not respond. Finally, the judge leaned over and said, "Sir, please answer the question." "Oh," the startled witness said, "I thought he was talking to you."*