ILIGAN City ― One time in a gathering of media personnel, I was suddenly called upon to make a speech, and among the things I said was:
“It is said that ‘the truth shall set you free.’ But whose truth is it? Is it my truth? Your truth? His truth? Her truth? Or anybody else truth?”
These all came back into my mind when a radio commentator was arrested here early last week. Eleno “Jun” Bacus said that in his work he “can’t avoid hitting someone in the quest for justice,” or words to that effect.
But Atty. Leo Z, who gave him that four counts of cyberlibel said that after his exposé of the transactions at city hall in this administration under city mayor Celso G. Regencia, not only him was attacked on-air, even members of his family too.
Such as the health of his wife!
A case of “ad hominem,” as former mayor Lawrence Cruz said. Meaning “verbal attack” on the one who made those reveals. So as to “divert” the “attention” to the one who made the expose. Or “squid tactics.”
Now, that’s something I learned about these creatures called “squids.” Ha ha ha. But this ain’t no laughing matter.
Atty. Zaragoza said that he had filed these cases long before the election season, and it’s only these days that it came to this point. Of having the court come up with warrants of arrest. Because of the processes, it takes a long time.
In their face-off at the barangay level, Atty. Z said that he (Bacus) was told by Vice Mayor Jemar Vera Cruz to do it (attack the lawyer on-air verbally). So, why should he be the one to be sued in court?
The attacks came “daily” the lawyer said. To recall, Atty, Z’s reveal among other things consisted of “overpriced” rice which he said took the supplier took only a few days to get paid while other suppliers took several months, “overpriced” equipment, eliminated the basement parking area of a market project but not the budget for it, and several other similar practices. The Commission on Audit showed these things too in their annual reports.
But these were all “ignored,” he said. He revealed all those things after he resigned as city administrator in 2019.
There was this live video during Bacus’ arrest which had somebody saying not to video it yet because “Doris is coming!”
This “Doris” creature, to note is also mentioned by Atty. Z in his narratives regarding city hall’s projects. She is among the city’s “favorite” employees.
So, it was understood that she was then instrumental in coming up with the P240,000 bond, or P60,000 for each of the four cyberlibel cases.
The lawyer says he will pursue these cases to the end.
Another lawyer, Vermin Quimco also has cases versus this guy. The narrative too is similar: again “ad hominem.”
These two lawyers to note were once upon a time supporters of CGR administration. Until they saw something rotten there. So they have these versions of well, their “truths.”
So, whose truths will make which one free? Or whose truths will make someone a “PDL?” Please don’t ask what those letters mean. Speaking of truths in the international scene, we have a place that is struggling between two “truths.”
Simplistic, though it seems of putting it, Ukraine is in between the “truth” according to Vladimir Putin and the “truth” according to Joe Biden and allies and NATO.
Oh by the way I heard someone say that the latter means “No Action Talk Only.” I couldn’t say whether I agree or disagree with that someone!
(Email: norasorino2@gmail.com)
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