Moving forward

The change in the leadership of Congress indicates that our national political environment finally has significant movement that brings the opportunity for betterment, which is the underlying justification for the “assassination of de Venecia” as a national daily newspaper described the political event. As to whether this opportunity to do well is grasped by those concerned remains to be seen in the days to come. The track record of “walking the talk” of Congress, in particular, and our predominantly Christian nation, in general, indicates a lot of room for improvement in being consistent with what we say and do.

The humbling experience of unprecedented 5-time Speaker of the House Jose de Venecia Jr. being ousted should remind us that as we move forward toward greater responsibilities, the choice between being humble or proud affects our ability to recognize the proper time to step down or let go without being forced to do so which bring along unnecessary pain. We wish former Speaker de Venecia Jr. comforting strength in this challenging time of his life as he now has the perspective of “looking in from the outside” equipped with the valuable experience of having been “inside looking out”. May this experience turn JDV to being part of the solution to the problems confronting our nation.

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The interesting “welcome” of the president and CEO of Philippine Forest Corp., Rodolfo Noel Lozada Jr. by SPO4 Roger Valeroso has created more questions with the conflicting news reports related to his actual whereabouts. He seems to have disappeared, declares his family, prompting Violeta Cruz-Lozada, his wife, to file a Petition for Habeas Corpus with the Supreme Court. On the other hand, Philippine National Police Chief Avelino Razon Jr. declares the missing witness in the scandalous NBN telecommunications project is with his family. Which is which? We are all glued to this story. Another Filipino mysteriously disappears in his own country when he is being called by the Senate to shed light in aid of legislation. Our prayers are with Mr. Lozada and his family that he be restored his liberty in good health, if he is restrained, or be able to assure his love ones of his well-being if he has voluntarily decided to make himself inaccessible.

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Let us end with an attempt to smile as we are reminded that life has a natural balance with this anecdote illustrating a retort. An older gentleman had an appointment to see a urologist who shared an office with several other doctors. The waiting room was filled with patients. As he approached the receptionist, he noticed that she was a very large unfriendly woman who looked like a sumo wrestler. He gave her his name. In a very loud voice, the receptionist said, "YES, I HAVE YOUR NAME HERE; YOU WANT TO SEE THE DOCTOR ABOUT IMPOTENCE, RIGHT?" All the patients in the waiting room snapped their heads around to look at the very embarrassed man. He recovered quickly though, and in an equally loud voice replies, "NO, I'VE COME TO INQUIRE ABOUT A SEX CHANGE OPERATION, BUT I DON'T WANT THE SAME DOCTOR THAT DID YOURS." *