Monday, October 13, 2008 Nalzaro: The devil in Soc’s heart By Bobby Nalzaro Saksi
MANY have observed, especially reporters covering the Talisay City Hall beat, that Mayor Soc Fernandez’s character has changed since the issue involving his controversial son Joavan broke out. When Joavan’s latest caper came out in the news, the mayor evaded reporters. And when he did grant interviews, he was very sensitive when it came to some questions.
Before Mayor Soc and Sun.Star Cebu reporter Garry Cabotaje’s “encounter,” the mayor also snubbed the news team of GMA 7 Balitang Bisdak, headed by Cecile Quibod. The mayor was even captured in the camera attempting to cover it with his hand. He shooed the cameraman away, and lashed out at Cecille, saying he didn’t like her line of questioning.
Soc was also quoted as saying: “Tell your anchors in your sister radio station to stop attacking me.” Well, I don’t know who Soc was referring to. We have several anchors at dySS Super Radyo. Cecile was really shocked by hizzoner’s behavior. She didn’t expect him to behave that way, as he is known to be a religious person who always displays fatherly qualities. Tiaw nimo nang kaguwapa anang Cecille unya gi-snub lang ni Mayor Soc.
Then there was the Soc and Garry “encounter,” when the mayor confronted the reporter if he was part of a PR (public relations) firm that launched a black propaganda against him and his son. That also shocked Garry, as he did not expect the mayor, whom he held in high regard, to do that. Soc argued that he did not like Garry’s line of questioning as the reporter acted like a prosecutor. The mayor, though, later clarified that he was only joking.
That scenario was also captured by a GMA 7 camera. Well that was Soc’s alibi to avoid any backlash from the media. I am also surprised by the mayor’s strange handling of the media. I know Soc as a quite and calm person. Does the mayor suspect someone being behind the bad propaganda against his family? If there is such a PR firm, then we can assume that one of the mayor’s political opponents is paying for it. And who are these people? Could it be Gabby Leyson, Johnny Delos Reyes, Vice Mayor Lani Abarquez or Councilor Allan Bucao?
Oh come on, Mayor Soc. Don’t blame other people for your personal and political woes. Blame your beloved adopted son and yourself. Even His Eminence Ricardo Cardinal Vidal, who has been following the issue through the media, advised you to discipline Joavan.
If you only opened your eyes a long time and heeded the advice of some of your well-meaning friends, the issues confronting your son would not have been blown out of proportion. The problem with you is that you are being blinded by your unconditional love for your adopted son. You failed to foresee the implications of your action in protecting him. You did not foresee that in doing so, you have committed sins and highly immoral acts, which all violate the teachings of God, of which you were tasked to spread.
These are your sins, Mayor Soc. You lied when you claimed that you did not intervene in the case of your son by offering monetary consideration to complainants. Yet you succeeded in persuading them not to pursue their case through bribery and using your power and influence. You used government resources in “buying peace” with complainants by offering them employment at City Hall. Is this highly immoral? Are our government’s laws also the laws of God?
Mayor Soc, the devil can take different guises, especially when it is testing a person’s faith. It will quote scriptures and will eventually “penetrate” the person’s weakness. I think the devil here is your adopted son and the devil was able to penetrate a spot in your heart because the devil saw that your love for Joavan is your weakness. Wake up Mayor Soc and fight that devil inside your heart.
