Noblesse oblige

I personally believe, it was just plain and simple courtesy when Comelec Chairman Benjamin Abalos greeted Bukidnon Governor Jose Zubiri and wife Vicky when they celebrated their 45th wedding anniversary in a Manila hotel last week.

But, considering the hotly contested election issue between their son Migz and Sen. Nene Pimentel's son, Koko for the 12th slot in the Senatorial slate, Abalos should have avoided going to the Zubiri's table to greet the Zubiri couple.

People afraid to be accused of discourtesy are always advised, "Discretion is the better part of valor."

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There is a well known French term "Noblesse oblige." This means "Nobility obliges." In Europe, particularly in France and England, noble birth always imposes the obligation of high-minded principles and noble actions. Likewise high positions like that of Court Justices or even those judges in lower courts have to uphold the dignity of their office and their person.

Comelec officials, like judges, who have to sit to judge controversies must impose upon themselves the aloofness to avoid being suspected of bias.

It's not only their aloofness. Their over-all behavior is also important in social functions.

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Comelec Commissioner Resurreccion Borra would come once in a while to Bacolod. He avoided meeting with politicians. Which should be.

The last time he came, he spent more time with me, being a boyhood friend and my not being a politician. I interviewed him over television where I hammered him on the Comelec's failure to punish cheaters that has led to many election cheating.

He promised Comelec would give an example. But I am afraid Lintang Bedol will just get a slap in the wrist. But then Borra is not the Comelec chairman.

I can tell Borra what I think and he knows it is a sincere criticism. And I support him because I know he is an honest official. Media is very supportive of him too,

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When many boards of canvassers failed to proclaim reelectionist Antique Gov. Sally Perez, Borra sent there a team, called the "Negros Forces," composed of three lawyers, Daisy Real, former provincial director of Comelec here and now with the office of Borra in Manila, incumbent provincial director Jesse Suarez, and Bacolod Comelec director Mavil Majarucon.

They canvassed the votes and proclaimed Perez who scored a big lead but was questioned on technicality. People in Antique and media there were impressed by the decisiveness of the Negros Forces.

I talked with both Daisy and Mavil during the dinner following Mayor Leonardia's inaugural rites last Monday.

Their answer was if a Comelec official can survive Bacolod with Allan Zamora, he can survive anywhere. They said there are more brilliant lawyers here and that sharpened them.

I believe the main reason is their confidence, believing they can handle any election issue because they have their dignity and credibility intact.

In Bacolod they don't hobnob with politicians. Chairman Abalos should learn lessons from our "Negros Forces". They will always be the respected Comelec officials.

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I personally sympathize with RTC Judge Anastacio Rufon who, I read in the papers yesterday, was meted a fine by the Supreme Court for what I believe is a painful accusation a judge can get from the Supreme Court, "gross ignorance of the law."

I hope from now on my friend Judge Rufon will take the time to study the cases in his sala. I heard of complaints against his decisions but then I thought, judges cannot please everyone.

The work of a judge is very difficult. There are two parties. A decision will make one party happy but the other unhappy. And if a decision is not well studied, the suspicion is there are some monetary considerations involved. This is the most painful.

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I am a court mediator, duly authorized by the Supreme Court, I don't make decisions but just bring the parties to an agreement.

There were instances when a litigant invited us for a lunch or dinner. I always politely refused. Even a cup of coffee.

When one is a judge, he must be wary of invitations or extra closeness to litigants. It can spell danger to his reputation. No matter how fair he tries to be.

But the best tests are the lawyers. They know who are honest and who are not among judges here.

My condolences to the bereaved family of the late RTC Judge Victor Cuñada. Vic was a well-known columnist when he joined the bench. He was a no-nonsense columnist and though new in the bench, had also earned a good name for the courts and himself.

His remains lies in state at the Alisbo |Memorial Chapels in Burgos St. Interment will be at Bacolod Memorial Park after the 9:30 a.m. service.*

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