IT'S like the title of a Tagalog movie but not quite: it sounds tentative and lacks vigor.
Not as brutally specific as “Isang Bala ka Lang, Judge" or as chillingly lethal as "Pugotan ng Ulo si Judge."
The line "Your day will come" may be a wish for the judge's death but, flippantly, one may see it as hope for his day of glory.
In his letter to the court administrator, Toledo City Regional Court Judge Hermes Montero quoted what the city mayor said at a July 15 flag ceremony at City Hall.
Sonny yesterday publicly admitted having said it.
He intended it as "a promise of reckoning" to the judge who sentenced City Councilor Ricardo Rafols Jr. to 20-40 years in jail. Rafols was accused of not returning city-owned kitchen utensils worth P209,000 when his term as vice mayor ended in 2001.
He won as councilor in Sonny's slate last election but died in prison last July 11. The death fueled the enmity of Rafols supporters and kin towards Montero.
The ambiguous statement “May araw ka rin" hardly qualifies as a criminal threat. But the judge isn't suing the mayor. He cites the mayor's declaration, with other incidents in Toledo City, mainly to convince the high tribunal that the life of the executive judge is in danger.
'Ginoo ra'
Sonny in a way admitted the danger when he asked sympathizers not to harm Montero: "Ayaw intawon. Ako'y pasanginlan (Please don't. I'll be the one blamed)."
The mayor said, "Ang Ginoo ray mahibawo niya," in effect leaving reprisal to God. A curse maybe but not a threat. It doesn't mean though the judge is not at risk.
(paseares@sunstar.com.ph)