|
Friday, September 23, 2005
Editorial: Kapalmuks
IT IS hardly surprising that National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales evaded questions from the Senate committee regarding that controversial multi-million dollar Venable law firm deal that got nearly consummated under our noses recently.
What was a little surprising is that Gonzales got sick as a result of the Senate hearing, which got him incarcerated so to speak, the first Cabinet official to be imposed that penalty as per reports.
Surprising in the sense that Filipino government officials have long been associated with brazenness and arrogance when being confronted by allegations of corruption rose before the media or in the courts.
There's a Tagalog expression for this: kapalmuks or short for kapal ng mukha; or baga sa nawong in Visayan, a favorite expression of opposition Councilor Zaldy Ocon when referring to his favorite targets which is translated literally in English as "thick-faced."
Gonzales may perceive the Senate committee hearing with as little respect or as much contempt considering that they're not like the courts. Just look at how former Commission on Elections (Comelec) commissioner Virgillio Garcillano snubbed the congressional hearings despite a warrant issued on him.
After all the public views Senate committee hearings as being in aid of re-election rather than legislation. And Gonzales thought he could pull the same maneuver with the senators were it not for the public outrage over the Venable contract.
So what he had was a "rude awakening" and a reminder that not everyone in government is as pliant as he and others of his ilk is in following the Palace orders. As he himself had admitted the President knew about the contract all along and gave him the green signal to go for it.
Why President Arroyo would approve of the contract when she knew all along that public sentiments would run high on that contract we could only guess but certainly it was a trial balloon of sorts to determine if she and her administration could get away with such a flagrant act of abuse.
When the impeachment proceedings went favorably for her it didn't translate to popular support and so when reports of this Venable contract came to fore the Palace wanted to quash it quickly in order not to court public revulsion.
Otherwise if they proceeded with the contract they are more than shameless "kapalmuks", they're crocodiles that deserve to be removed off the endangered list and be declared open season for all hunters.
(September 23, 2005 issue)
Write letter to the editor. Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board. Click here. |
|
[return to top]
[home]
[network page]
|
LOCAL NEWS
BUSINESS
OPINION
SPORTS
LIFESTYLE
FEATURE
SUPERBALITA
|
