Tuesday, July 10, 2007 Cabaero: ‘Jumping the gun’ By Nini B. Cabaero Beyond 30
TWO incidents the past days — one in the national and the other local — are having people jump to conclusions.
The awaited Sandiganbayan decision on the plunder case against deposed President Joseph “Erap” Estrada had people preparing for a verdict. Newspaper advertisements have issued calls for sobriety whatever the result, and talks have circulated about a guilty verdict. But the graft court already said it would take weeks, even months, before it could render a decision.
The impending result of the congressional race for Cebu Province’s 4th district between Benhur Salimbangon and Celestino “Tining” Martinez III also had their supporters in a fighting or a celebratory mood, depending on which side of the fence they are in. As of 4 p.m. yesterday, no winner has been proclaimed. But a decision was expected an hour later. Yet, one camp has been congratulated in several advertisements in Sun.Star Cebu the past days.
They are jumping the gun or taking action too soon, before the appropriate time and without waiting for the final decision or proclamation.
On the Estrada case, full-page advertisements came out in Manila newspapers warning the public that some sectors might want to exploit the situation, sow discord or destabilize the country once the verdict is handed down.
The ad said, “The court has spoken. Our duty is to uphold the rule of law. This is the way of democracy. Let us put Erap’s case behind us and move on. Due process has been observed. Let the rule of law prevail. We help each other during disasters.
This is the spirit that should prevail for the sake of peace and harmony in the face of the challenge that confronts us now. Let respect for the law prevail.”
The ad was titled “Erap: Guilty or not guilty, kelangan bang may gulo? (Does there have to be trouble?)” and was signed “Mahal Kita, Pilipinas” as author of the advertisement. Opposition leaders said the ads were the handiwork of President Arroyo who wanted to condition the minds of the public; but her officials denied the allegation.
The Sandiganbayan has 90 days after the June 15 oral summation of the prosecution and defense — or up to September — to hand down its verdict on the plunder case. The court has yet to speak.
Closer to home, we saw newspaper ads predicting and congratulating the outcome of the congressional race for the province’s 4th district. Candidate Salimbangon was named in the ads as “congressman-elect” even if at that time there was still no proclaimed winner.
The sad part about jumping to conclusions or, in these cases, assuming a guilty verdict for Estrada and a Salimbangon win in the 4th district congressional race is if you turn out to be wrong. Congratulations, if you are proven right. If wrong, there would be some red faces and some wasted funds.
