Arrested Development

It was bound to happen.

I knew he would bring it up. I learned my lesson not to argue with him; not that I could not hold my own, but I realized that when we argued, people were already staring which was not good. Besides, it was pointless. Even if I won the argument, I would not really gain anything. He would still believe what he wants to believe. Initially, our conversation was about a mutual friend. That was relieving. I thought, maybe he wouldn’t bring it up. Then, he dropped it. He asked me what I think about former President Duterte’s arrest. I shook my head to indicate that I didn’t want to talk about it. He taunted me that I don’t give a damn about what befell the former President. He asked me if I support the former President. I gave a negative response without explanation. He told me that he respects that. Then, he went on his tirade, how those who believe that the ICC has jurisdiction over Duterte are “patal” or idiots, how all other presidents were all losers compared to Duterte. He was sharing his opinions oh so passionately, with mocking laughter down on Gloria Arroyo and Noynoy Aquino. I was a bit confused there. All along, I have known him to be a Marcos loyalist. Now, he appears to have become more of a Die-hard Duterte supporter overshadowing his Marcos loyalty. I know, I promised myself that I would be kind and not engage in an argument with him, and thus, preserve my composure. But I could not resist it, I gave an itty-bitty comment saying, ”Wasn’t it Marcos who allowed for the arrest?”. He seemed bothered by this undeniable truth. After a short while of pause, he responded that because of that, one of these days, people will storm Bongbong Marcos in Malacanang. Does he mean that Duterte supporters would do it ala 1986 People Power Revolution, and BBM would have to flee again to Paoay (a town in Ilocos Norte, which sounds like Hawaii). Decades of loyalty were won over by a relatively few years of die-hard support.

As if leaving some sort of warning, he told me to watch for the election results. He predicted that people will be voting for PDP-Laban candidates. I thought to myself, that makes sense. In their disapproval of recent events, the supporters might show their support by voting for the candidates endorsed by their Tatay Digong. If that happens and they become a majority along with Senator Robinhood Padilla, would they form the opposition? But are not Senators Hontiveros and Pimentel the opposition? Could there be a two-pronged opposition? That reminds me. Wasn’t Senator Allan Peter Cayetano, then candidate Duterte’s running mate for VP? We haven’t been hearing from him lately.

They say it’s cold up there in the Netherlands. It’s a good thing it will be turning to spring pretty soon. Many voices are crying, “foul”. I just wonder. No one complained when Alice Guo was arrested in Indonesia. (Well, there was that complaint about the selfie.) Wasn’t she arrested when found? Wasn’t she quickly put on a plane in the middle of the night and brought to the country to face justice? Indonesian cops initially arrested her, before turning her over to Filipino authorities. I don’t remember her facing charges in Indonesian courts. I also don’t remember people complaining of any technicality or any illegality of that sort of arrest. It just went on smoothly.

Now, they’re bracing themselves for a probable Sen. Bato dela Rosa arrest. Shouldn’t Atty. Harry Roque be also arrested? Doesn’t he have a standing warrant of arrest from the Philippine congress which should be respected? It’s funny how he suddenly disappeared in the middle of the POGO investigation, and he similarly suddenly appears in The Hague when his former boss is arrested. For months, media couldn’t find him. Now, he’s all over media for everyone to see. Come on. Extradition should be a no-brainer. Not for anything else, but we owe some respect for the institution of the Philippine Congress. Is not political asylum granted for persons who are politically persecuted in their own countries? Atty. Roque wasn’t politically persecuted. He was just made to respond on POGO anomalies. When he couldn’t answer the questions anymore, he just wet kaput.

While all that’s happening, at the barangay covered court, candidates are giving away rice; and residents are watching for rumored distribution of three thousand pesos later at night.

“For we know him who said, “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,”” -Hebrews 10:30