Fair play

The quotation "It is not whether you win or lose but how you played the game" displayed prominently at the Silliman University gymnasium taught alumni the greater importance of fair play i.e., respect for the rules or equal treatment of all concerned.

This is the current test our Comelec continues to undergo as the national canvassing of votes enter its final stages where sleepless nights are in store for the senatoriables still ranked 10th to 14th. As each day passes and more news of "clerical errors" on certificates of canvass, Maguindanao's fantastic election returns and a continuing pile up of election protests tests the fairness of our Comelec, as well as, the patience of a simmering minority.

The issue of citizenship used to postpone the proclamation of Negros Oriental 1st District Representative-elect Josy Limkaichong has a lot of heads shaking as to the timing of the protest. However the greater majority still believes that the issue will soon be resolved, as the Commissioners will need to make a decision. This incident puts into light the change of mind of Malacañang on the appointment of Sandiganbayan Justice Gregory Ong whose appointment to the Supreme Court was withdrawn due to the citizenship issue. The citizenship issue was also hurled at Peter Cayetano and lest we forget at the late Fernando Poe, Jr. Sure it takes a lot of time, resources and effort for some to prove that they are a natural born Filipino while very many take their citizenship for granted.

* * *

The announcement that the move to change the Constitution (cha-cha) will again be part of the legislative agenda has the battle lines of Administration and Opposition close their ranks and the numbers at the lower house favor the proposal while the numbers in the upper house do not favor the proposal. So what is new?

* * *

That more administration's candidates at the local executive levels won is a show of support for the current administration in one perspective. The other perspective is that the failure of Team Unity to garner the majority of the Senate seats available is a sort of "loss of confidence vote" on the administration. The truth of the matter is that we are divided as a nation and working together politically remains illusive.

* * *

Let us end with an anecdote to encourage everyone to play fair. A fellow is getting ready to tee-off on the first hole when a second fellow approaches and asks if he can join him. The first says that he usually plays alone but agrees to let the second guy join him. Both are even after the first couple of holes. The second guy says, "Say, we're about evenly matched, how about we play for five bucks a hole?" The first fellow says that he usually plays alone and doesn't like to bet but agrees to the terms. Well, the second guy wins the rest of the holes and as they're walking off of the eighteenth hole, and while counting his P380, he confesses that he's the pro at a neighboring course and likes to pick on suckers. The first fellow reveals that he's the Parish Priest at the local Catholic Church to which the second fellow gets all flustered and apologetic and offers to give the Priest back his money. The Priest says, "No, no. You won fair and square and I was foolish to bet with you. You keep your winnings." The pro says, "Well, is there anything I can do to make it up to you?" The Priest says, "Well, you could come to Mass on Sunday and make a donation. Then, if you bring your mother and father by after Mass, I'll marry them for you."*