THE ballad for these two friends could be the proper timing for the post Holy Week reflection. This could be unique because this is about a tragic political incident (not about heroic exploit) in vivid non-literary language.
“Mike” Sueno in his agony in the garden while preparing for his crucifixion simply uttered his last words, “I am a sacrificial lamb.” His friend Digong simply replied, “You are fired!” Bang! Mike was hit … direct to his heart and that caused him sleepless nights and loss of appetite. The lamb, a Christ-like lamb, is a willing victim. His “suffering” was the humiliation that could be compared to a public firing.
This sacrificial lamb shouted to high heavens his non-involvement in any corruption activities while heading the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG). Really, he was like Christ. He was doing his best by trying to bring exorbitant Austrian fire trucks (76 units) in our country that he even personally met the dealer together with his technical experts to see to it that the fire trucks are worth the people’s money.
He was falsely accused of wrongdoings by the officials in his own department who saw other things (not just the fire trucks) … the conversion of his humble farm into resort, the enhancement of the hotel “owned by his brother,” and few little things that made his life colorful. You see … some people pushed Mike to his Calvary. The script isn’t over. We don’t know yet who will be nailed in two crosses at the side of Mike.
The farewell program at the DILG office was very dramatic and superbly acted by minor stars. The spokesmen of his friend Digong in the Malacañang simply said, “There was loss of trust and confidence.” It hurts to say goodbye after being fired. Politics and personal belief do not actually mix. They are like water and oil. This time oil floats as expected.
Mike was instrumental in pushing Digong to run for president. The after effect could be more painful for Mike being a sacrificial lamb. “Loves me? … Loves me not? … Loves me? Loves me not?” It ends up with “You are fired!” Mike should know Digong better than that not unless there is a political Cinderella story behind the president’s smoking barrel.
What happened to Secretary Ismael Sueno is already storm signal number three to all heads of offices and government employees. President Digong’s warning is, “Do it right and we will work together. Do it wrong and we will part sooner than later.” This is a wake-up call and if this will fall on deaf ears, expect for more heads to roll. We cannot underestimate the president’s Solomonic wisdom.
What the President is showing is his loyalty to what the Filipinos want him to do. I was in Davao attending the Association of Tourism Officers of the Philippines Convention when he said, “I don’t want to become a president because if I become a president, I will change the system and many don’t like that.” This could be a part of his changing the system.
We do not enjoy the rolling of heads but this is also a challenge to governors and mayors. Are your department heads and employees deserving of your trust and confidence? Are they not into monkey business with the people’s money? Governors and mayors should initiate the lifestyle check for some government employees who are having two or more live-in partners and living in two or more beautiful houses.
In the spirit of fairness and justice, government employees know their take home pay. We don’t become rich with our salary but some know to become rich even without a salary. That is their ability. That is their skill. President Digong does not want that and he wants the governors and mayors to help him get rid of corruption in the system.
Let men be good and the government cannot be bad. If the government is ill, good men will cure it. Where are the good men in government? There are a lot of them. Only few are bad but they can always contaminate. Let us not wait to become sacrificial lambs. The Holy Week could be a good start to know where we are now.
Are we bad or good? If we are bad, repent and be good. If we are good, strive for excellence. To all the lambs out there, follow the Good Shepherd. He will take you to the green pasture. We hope that the “Ballad of Digong and Mike” would open our eyes, mind, and heart.