The cops needed a
better scenario

Amid the furor over the alleged “kidnapping” of Rodolfo Lozada Jr., there was one thing that struck me. The police should not have asked him to come up with a handwritten letter seeking police protection for him because of death threats.

Definitely, that's something that should strike anybody as “unnatural”. Why? Because they must have known that there was already an uproar over his alleged abduction. So that the handwritten request becomes immediately suspect.

Later, for whatever reason, Malacañang itself came out with that as if it were apologizing for the entire episode. They even presented or fall back on the letters purportedly from Lozada and his sister.

That was uncalled for. The PNP itself had already done so much damage to itself without the Palace being dragged into the matter.

Here we see an orchestrated attempt to demolish Lozada's story from the very start. One can only imagine how much more dirt they'll dig up against the hapless “witness.”

Although his appearance before the Senate reportedly was only to tell the truth and nothing but the truth, still one wonders whether the Black and White Movement and the De La Salle Brothers as well as the Association of Major Religious Superiors have their own agenda. This was evident when CBCP chairman Archbishop Angel Lagdameo of Jaro came to the defense of Lozada. So with other members of the CBCP. That made it sound like the Church, has aligned itself behind the whistleblower.

Still, if we were to consider the string of developments, the administration of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is once more on the ropes, fighting for dear life, it one may say so, despite the protestations by Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye that they don't consider the present situation as a threat to the stability of the government.

Perhaps, one thing that the President must do is ask the DOTC to write off the NBN broadband protect. It has become so tarred that insisting on its revival will only stoke again the fire of controversy and never put a stop to the storm.

Meanwhile, I think it's time for us to be distracted from the Senate investigation into something which is no longer existent. The President, herself, had already informed the Chinese government that she has cancelled the contract because of the controversies.

On the other hand, we can expect more bombshells from several directions. The most potentially damaging is the one which ousted Speaker Jose de Venecia vowed he would unleash soon. Perhaps, as soon as the ZTE hearing is terminated.

That shows that there is something more sinister going on. To a certain extent I believe that Malacañang has reason to cry destabilization. Or a sustained guerrilla warfare until the 2010 elections.

By putting the administration on the defensive, the opposition and the anti-GMA forces apparently intend to emasculate the ability of the administration to spring surprises that could undercut their chances by the time of the presidential elections.

Although the administration has written off De Venecia as a spent force, I still believe that the Pangasinan solon is a wily fighter and could savage the administration more than what it thinks he can.

Joe DeV is a networker. He has the tentacles of his influence all over, including inside the administration. Some remain sleepers, ready to spring out when the call is sounded.

The main loser in the current hullabaloo over Lozada is the PNP. Its credibility has fallen flat on its face. Simply because of the amateurish things they had done. Including the spiriting away of Lozada. They could have easily asked earlier the request for police security for the official before his return. Instead, they have to ask him to sign a statement pleading for it only after they had suspiciously taken hold of him under their custody.

Still, that does not mean we should maintain our distance from BacoLaodiat, the celebration of the Chinese New Year.

It is time for us to acknowledge the magnificent contributions to our city and province by the Tsinoys. And the best thing we can do that is by integrating ourselves with them. Enjoy the Chinese New Year.

This reminds me that our generation in Fabrica, Sagay City , grew up in atmosphere where racial discrimination never reared its ugly head. We, the Filipino and the Chinese children, grew side by side with hardly any tension among us.

For example, the children of Tiyo Cente are close friends. We remain close friends. And we treat one another as members of one family, as cousins. We don't impose on one another, but we are always ready to extend a helping hand to one another.

The same with Noel Lee and other members of the Chinese community of our barangay. Perhaps, it is not that we should accept our differences but just accept one another for what we are that's more important.*

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