Marañon and Suharto:
What a difference

There seems to be a parallel in the happenings in Indonesia and Negros Occidental these days. At the Pertamina Hospital in Jakarta , the former president of the country, Muhamad Suharto is fighting for his life which has been on a see-saw for several days now. The latest report says his doctors have diagnosed multiple organ failure and they are struggling against the infection creeping throughout his system. In Bacolod City , at the Riverside Hospital , our Governor, Joseph Marañon, also lies ill and his family and constituents are storming the heavens with prayer for his recovery. Because he is a well-loved and highly respected leader, the messages being sent to him are that he is still needed by his people.

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Only the fact that they are both dangerously ill can be considered the similarity between Joseph Marañon and Suharto. The latter, although credited with the progress and development of his country, is still remembered with rancor by many of his people for the corruption that had marked his administration. He also has several points to settle as far as violations of human rights are concerned. The people who gather near the hospital are divided among those whom he had favored, and want him well, and those who are disappointed that he may not live to face the charges against him.

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What a contrast to the case of Governor Marañon, whom his people truly admire, and would snatch him from death if they could. There may be a few who, in their idea of a prank, had passed on messages about his alleged demise, but the greater majority are praying for him and his family at this crucial moment. Are there people in Indonesia also praying as fervently for Suharto? It is doubtful, and his detractors even say he is only kept alive because he has a charmed Javanese royal dagger, and is protected by black magic!

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As of late last night, we know of many in Bacolod who continue to pray for Governor Marañon. At gatherings, people recall how much he had done in the six years and seven months that he had held the office. I think he has outdone all his predecessors, and will leave very solid markers of his administration. He does not position himself as a wonder boy or a technocrat, but he gets things done. He returned the provincial government to the capitol, transformed Mambucal, cleared the area near the capitol, batted for agricultural reforms, and many others. In his down-to-earth and folksy manner, he just managed to get things done.

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We in the media have not known of any conflict as far as covering his office is concerned. We have never known him to accuse, berate or physically abuse any member. What you see is what you get, is an expression we could use on him. He doesn't hedge issues, nor ahs he been known to attempt to meddle in media affairs. And that is why, among the thousands who are praying for him now are a lot of media people.

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Meanwhile, it seems as if there are Filipino workers everywhere in the world, even in countries where violence is the order of the day. A bomb blast destroyed parts of the Kabul Serena hotel, said to be the plushiest in Afghanistan , killing seven people. As of last night, it had been determined that one of the victims was a Filipina who was working in the health department of the Serena. The other foreign victims included an American and a Norwegian, but their names have not been released as their next of kin have to be informed yet.

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Do our officials all have coups on the brain? A national daily yesterday mentioned the word FOUR times on its front page, a no-no in headline writing. One head said: “Coup, destab moves by Reds – NCRCom”. Another said “Villar: No coup in Senate”, then one said “Erap: I'm victim of coup, not plotter”, and another was “AFP belies palace coup threats…” And then the army Chief of Staff makes “pakipot”, saying he does not believe there are such coup plots. But Senator Rodolfo Biazon, himself a former general, sniffs at this, saying all these airing of coup plots and so forth are intended to justify the extension of Esperon's term. Ah! Su des ka!*

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