Thursday, September 28, 2006 Seares: Gloria and Tony show By Pachico A. Seares News Sense
ONE can agree with RT Judge Marilyn Lagura-Yap. Atty. Gloria Lastimosa-Dalawampu had no "concrete evidence" against Rep. Antonio Cuenco whom the lawyer accused of giving money in court to state witness Hung Chin Chang.
British national Hung was arrested and charged with 10 others during a 2004 raid on Mandaue shabu labs. Hung had just testified on his request to turn state witness when Tony allegedly passed a wad of P1,000 bills to Hung.
Tony said preposterous. Yet, politicians' vices/virtues include tipping people who please, GROs or ward leaders. But, good heavens, in court?
Gloria said she never lies. Yet, lawyers and truth, peddlers of jokes/insults tell us, rarely share the same bed.
Judge Marilyn didn't say Gloria lied. The lawyer just exaggerated.
Exaggerating
One exaggerates, word experts say, by magnifying beyond the fact, overstating, over-emphasizing, increasing, or enlarging. Something is shown as greater than what it really is.
Still, there's a fact that is blown up. Did the passing of money occur but Gloria exaggerated it as unethical and insidious?
Judge Marilyn didn't say. No evidence aside from Gloria-said-Tony-said. The word of Gloria's legal aide was self-serving too.
Bitin, the public will say. It was opportunity for theater, a sideshow. And the truth -- kidding.
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ERROR. KBP in Tuesday's News Sense should have read IBP.
