Models of media martyrs

Scores of media people in Manila were arrested by police when they joined the group of the rebel soldiers led by Sen. Antonio Trillanes and Brig. General Danilo Lim at the Peninsula Hotel in Makati .

When I looked at the picture on television, I didn't see one of them worried. Some were even raising their arms to show the handcuff, enjoying the “compliments” given them by the police.

They knew they would be released soon. And even if charges would be filed against them, such could not get to first base. They are not rebels in the first place and were there to perform a job.

Suppressing media or oppressing media people is welcomed by them, like a turtle being thrown into the water.

Many of these media people believe being arrested, jailed or harassed is a sign of their being effective. They become models of media martyrs.

Let's face it, had media people not been there those rebels might have been gunned down, with no one recording or witnessing what happened.

***

This is the best of times. This is the worst of times.

These are the first sentences in the book of Charles Dickens “The Tale of Two Cities.” It compared the two cities of Paris and London after the French Revolution.

I can see the similarities between France and the Philippines after the Edsa Revolution that saw troubled times.

Yes, while this is also the worst of times, this can also be the best of times. Out of this chaos, we might can find order after 2010. But, that depends on who is the leader we will elect as President.

***

Actually, ever since he won as Senator, I never agreed with how Trillanes did things. Right after he won, air got into his head, that before he was sworn in, he started opening his mouth and kept on shooting from the hip. He vowed to have the President resign.

Naturally, GMA had to defend herself. And she saw to it, Trillanes could not sit as Senator. I recall even Sen. Gregorio Honasan and Sen. Rodolfo Biazon, both military men like him, cautioned him to rein in his thoughts. He did not.

I sympathize with him and I also don't agree with what was done to him. But, in life you cannot get all what you want.

The President may have her faults. But, former President Ramos said it well, the other day, if the President steps down what is the option? Ramos did not see a better option. Let GMA finish her term.

***

The problem is GMA is piling upon herself the anger of the people with graft and corruption being charged against her left and right.

Thursday, the day that saw the siege of Peninsula Hotel, the banner line of The Inquirer was the involvement of the President's brother Diosdado Macapagal Jr., known as Boboy, in the Transco transaction involving many billions of dollars.

Corruption in the country is so much. Many of the transactions with government are with corporations from China . And true to what Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago said, China did not only invent civilization, it also promoted corruption.

The problem with these corruption issues is they are always alleged to have the involvement of the President or her family.

These may not be all true. But many people believe that. And that accounts why in the survey the President's rating is going down.

***

Trillanes alone, even with the support of Danny Lim, and Teofisto Guingona and some Bishops and a running priest cannot topple this government.

The problem is as all these rumblings continue, there will come a time when the people will get fed up with the President and although they may not drive her out of office before 2010 her image will be so tattered and battered that she'll retire as a pariah.

***

Give it to General Geary Barias. It was his coolness that led to a peaceful end of the crisis last Thursday. Geary is cool and good in crisis management. Was it not Secretary Puno who ordered the arrest of journalists?

I recall some years ago, there was a near shootout between two peace officers, Col. Amado Marquez, police chief of Bacolod and Col. Camilo Gonzales, commander of the Regional Mobile Group in front of Ceneco.

Mayor Oscar Verdeflor sent a police team, fully armed led by the police chief to padlock Ceneco for refusing to pay taxes. Ceneco called for help from Col. Gonzales of the RMG. Both met there with platoons of soldiers with them. There was a confrontation, both police officials their hand on their side arms.

Then provincial commander Barias arrived on time. He didn't say a word. He signaled with his forefinger the two Colonels to get into his car. The two meekly obeyed. The media people were disappointed. There was no action.

But had somebody fired a gun, there would have been bloodshed. Thanks to Gerry Barias. He saved the day.*

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