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Friday, November 18, 2005
Editorial: Garci's book
VIRGILIO Garcillano as author? That may well be the case if there is any truth to Mayor Vicente Emano's claim that the former regional director of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) will write a book that would detail the names of the politicians whom he allegedly help win elections.
The claim made over Emano's favorite radio station is buttressed by the mayor's assurance that the source is "very reliable." As to when and how it would be published only this source knows for sure.
The timing of course could not have been more suspect owing to the reported release of a joint committee report that states there were attempts by Palace allies to quash or suppress testimonies and evidence detailing alleged election cheating on the part of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's camp.
While Cavite Representative Gilbert Remulla may cry foul over the premature leaking of the committee report--in that part of the country timing should be the key to a potentially highly explosive disclosure as evidenced by the "Hello Garci" CD scandal--the public would anyway get wind of the news which is nothing new if studied in context.
If and when the book is to be published the book may be the commissioner's swan song as public officials would certainly do everything to cover their tracks. A possibility is that the book may have been done already and is set for release because Garcillano may have died or been killed.
You know how these books come about. If it is a tell-all book and lists down names of actual politicians and--perhaps--detail any alleged plans by President Arroyo to mangle the elections, the possibility that this is a posthumous work is high since this would effect a compromise in Garcillano's security.
It had been speculated by not a few people that the Palace is trying to hide Garcillano in order to handicap the inquiry into the controversial CDs. If the former Comelec commissioner decides to disclose details in his book it would mean betraying the Palace trust.
Then again Emano's claim may likely be all hot air and intended to add yet another layer of mystery that would feed public curiosity and fascination as to the whereabouts of this former Comelec official.
This book if it does exist or if there are any actual plans to complete this would be akin to the so-called "blue book" kept by brothel madames or pimps containing the list of their favorite clients.
For officials in the Comelec who allow themselves to be used by politicians are far worse and make commercial sex workers (CSWs) as saints since the latter only uses sex in order to survive.
In contrast Comelec officials who allow themselves to be prostituted by these politicians betray not only the Filipino people but the office whom they have sworn to maintain with integrity.
And by making this claim on Garcillano the plan may be to distract the public from the impending House committee report that would in effect justify the claims of the opposition and add fuel to the fires of public outrage against President Arroyo.
To which one can only say "Abangan ang susunod na kabanata."
(November 18, 2005 issue)
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