“God does not love corruption.” - Qur’an (al-Baqara) 2:205
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IN THE past few weeks, at the height of national and local elections, I kept myself at the distance. Avoiding discourses on politics, specifically criticizing political parties and candidates who wanted to seize power for another round, or for another new wielder.
My reservations are that for one, it was not like the old times, where your opinions are respected and addressed through formal channels. Today, if your opinion did not meet to the likings of either political camp, you get called out in social media, make it “viral” and question your opinion. Sometimes, with violent repercussions.
Other than that – “maturity.” It was not like before that you are rooting for someone, with all your life. I am demystified by that premise about political loyalties, and so, I am giving all politicians fair chances, albeit some were never palatable to my taste.
Especially in local politics, I just observed, and let the stories come to pass. Why would I bother, even, I was not a voter yet of Cagayan de Oro or Misamis Oriental. And maybe because, talks about local politics became toxic in the inside and outside, let alone that once upon a time the office was run under a dogma that the central universe of journalism is but only politics (rolling of eyes is an understatement, a manifestation of shortsightedness).
But Friday, May 10, was different. It was perhaps the foulest and most pathetic attempt of derailing political opponents.
I was referring to that fake resolution, allegedly signed by the Commissioners of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Manila, ordering the dismissal of incumbent Cagayan de Oro City mayor Oscar Moreno, and his underlings way back in the provincial capitol days from assuming in any government or public office, and in effect, making Moreno allegedly “disqualified” of his candidacy as mayoral re-electionist.
After a series of verification and interview from sources, most reporters know those materials to be fake.
For the record: Moreno still has to answer the accusations hurled against him and his co-accused. And may the Sandiganbayan or the Ombudsman will hand a fair judgment as consequence to their actions.
But fabricating a Comelec resolution just to prove Moreno’s blunders, would not make the accusers righteous enough. It not only reeks of desperation, but it just invalidated their cause to convict Moreno with high moral ground.
This would make the public think (except those who are slaves to their political masters), that all these accusations against Moreno and others can be all made up, as well. What other lies the opposition have made all this time?
Instead of running in due course, putting Moreno accountable (if there is any), they lost it the moment they began propagating those falsified documents. We are not even talking about anonymous trolls, which might experience similar fate to Rodel Jayme or the person named “Bikoy.”
The falsified Comelec documents may be intended to be disseminated to the general public, in a last-ditch effort to sway votes towards Moreno’s mayoral rivals, but if the documents were meant for the media as a piece of expose, the propagators are thinking too low of the community press.
But sorry, not all members of the media can be manipulated with lies, and be duped as the perpetrators wish to do. An insult to the intelligence of the press? Maybe.
Until then, after all the ballots have been counted.
(nefluczon@gmail.com)