“LET us not be hasty in giving credence to what he is saying. From what I heard and read, he has been lying at every turn. His motive? Of course, to save himself!” These are the words of Secretary Delfin Lorenzana of the Department of National Defense. Finally, there is a sane thinker in President Duterte’s cabinet.
Bikoy has been politicized at the onset. Apparently, some fans and supporters of the administration are as equally “spineless” as the yellowtards they criticize. The focus should be on the claims of Bikoy and not who will favor from what he said. When he started all these, the minions of the admin were as dismissive as their critics. Now that the tables have been turned they are as happy and as eager than those they call dilawan. In an equal measure, this is the observation and accusation of any analyst who favors the president.
There is one simple approach that would allow us to responsibly and sanely address the issue. This is where Secretary Lorenzana got it right. Let Bikoy present evidences that would substantiate his claims. Bikoy has to establish that the world where he lives in, the world he portrays in his narrative is true.
In Bikoy’s world, the Liberal Party, Senator Antonio Trillanes, and the Otso Deretso candidates are guilty of sabotage against the president. He further alleges that Jesuit priest Albert Alejo was involved, and meetings and plots against the president were made in clandestine offices in the Ateneo de Manila University and the De La Salle University. If all of these are true, then let him present the details. When did this happen, how did this happen, and where exactly did all of these happen are among the basic questions that need truthful answer.
Apparently, there is something obvious in Bikoy’s statements. Trillanes, the Liberal Party, and some sectors in the Catholic Church are critical of Duterte for different and not necessarily related reasons. To accuse all of them as dilawan is “simplistic” and “childish.” Needless it is, in fact, to establish that the people mentioned are, in plain words, “an opposition” to the administration. But, for “heaven’s sake” this is not what Bikoy should prove. It is a given that the oppositionists don’t like Duterte, and it is completely pointless to keep on repeating what is “obviously obvious.”
On the contrary, the accuser should spread his sheets full of hard facts. Let’s be honest, there are many people in this country who do not like the president. It would be fearful if one day all those who do not agree with the government on anything, especially those who are in prominent positions, could just be named and be included as a character in Bikoy’s world.
But, wait! There’s more! What about the things that Bikoy said about the “real narcolist?” Should we just concede that all the things that he said at first were not true just because the tides have changed and things are becoming more favorable to the administration? If the truth is what we are looking for – for the sake of good governance in this country then we might as well start investigating everything.
In a country where selfishness abounds, liars abound all the more. In front of us is a big mess. Politicizing this mess, giving it a color and using it for our advantage especially because we are paid or driven by any interest to do so is another equally bigger mess. If he’s telling the truth, then let him go through the process.
Just the same though, we insist on fairness, and hopefully the allies of the president in the senate will take note of this. For now, Bikoy has not given us anything concrete. All he has is “chismis”, something we all enjoy for breakfast.