The gift of
discernment is needed

We really must pray God to grant us the gift of discernment to be able to clear our minds of the confusion from the present ZTE-NBN broadband Senate investigation. We seem to have fallen victims of psychological warfare and react to statement and actions based on emotions.

That is why we see the country divided into two warring camps – those for President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and the anti-Arroyo forces.

And, Monday, we saw the officers of the Armed Forces and the Philippine National Police marching, arms linked together, to announce their loyalty to the Constitution and the commander-in-chief.

That is supposed to be a welcome sign. But beneath that protestation of being apolitical, we also see the awareness by the Armed Forces and the PNP that they now hold the balance of power. And the fact that they are united in that awareness is something dangerous. And they have started flexing their muscle.

In short, they are serving notice to the general public that, for the moment, they remain committed to the Constitution and have opted to  remain professionals sworn to abide with their solemn duty to protect the people.

But politicians must also be warned against hectoring the officers and members of the two armed groups. The most dangerous point has been reached. They are now united by a common bond.

Now, the two other major institutions that can balance the power in a democracy are the Legislative, and the body politic. Unfortunately, neither of the two are that powerful now. Congress is driven by rivalries and political infighting. And the body politic is just as divided.

Perhaps, one can look at it from another vantage point. The national government and local governments. In short, it is good that the LGUs remain committed to the national leadership. But they are being encouraged as the AFP to throw their weight behind the current demands by opposition forces to demand the ouster and resignation of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Unless we adopt caution in our efforts, something is gotta give soon. And we envision the country reaping the harvest.

The other side of the coin is that the justice system is still functioning and operating. In short, it does help rid the misfits from both organizations – the AFP and the PNP. Thus, what is dangerous is the demand to short-cut the judicial process and just oust the “dictator” despite misgivings about that.

So far, the bulk of demonstrations and protest actions are in Metro Manila with a sprinkling in the provinces. But if worse come to worst, Manila can easily be isolated and encircled by outside forces. In short, it has limited boundaries and trouble may easily be controlled.

From the strategic view point, control of the capital does not necessarily augur well for whoever deems it proper to grab power from the President. They can easily be isolated and pummeled into submission.

Thus, there is need for us to develop the gift of discernment. We must be able to distinguish what has been done so far by the Senate in unmasking the truth about the ZTE-NBN broadband deal.

President Arroyo just threw a monkey wrench on the ongoing Senate probe. This, by her admission that she had noted flaws in the contract before she flew off to the People’s Republic of China to sign it. The question – why did it take her eight months to have it cancelled? And in-between she could have tossed the matter to an independent commission of non-partisan investigators. But she did not. And, besides, she could have demanded for the production of the missing contract which, reportedly, had been stolen from the hotel room of a key government official.

Besides, she reportedly had the contract cancelled. Which contract was rejected? That only serves to deepen the mystery. In the first place, where and why is it defective?

Second, that threw into the wolves’ den the key officials who had all the while been defending it as above-board. And that includes DOTC Secretary Leandro Mendoza, Assistant Secretary Lorenzo Formoso, and acting CHED Secretary Romulo Neri. And others, of course.

But, I think, the best thing that can happen now is for the Ombudsman to file charges against those involved in having crafted the flawed contract. But, again, the vital question – which or where is the flawed contract?

At this juncture, the country seems to have fallen for the testimony of R. Lozada and the others in the Senate probe. And, yet, they have not presented to the Senate and public an iota of evidence. Only their testimonies. Credible, yes. But that is still far from the smoking gun which the senators wish for.

This may explain the seeming reluctance by the bulk of the public to participate in protest action. Only in Bacolod have there been a big enough crowd. But even then, we were just like a headless mob, circling around without full awareness of what is going on and what the facts are.*

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