Who’s afraid of the list?

Nora Soriño .

ILIGAN City — Is it the “listee,” the “lister” or the “reciter”?

That depends on the kind of list. If it is “to do list,” and the list goes like 1) wash face, 2) go to the bank, 3) etcetera, the “face” which is the “listee” is not afraid, or the “bank.”

Oh, no! This is getting silly. So let’s get direct to the point. We’re referring,  to the narco list, what else, which involves the barangay officials, the incumbent ones. Because, how can we list those who are not incumbent…

The list, though this isn’t  a list to end all lists,  surely changes the life of the “listee” — forever, I should say.

Take Sen. Leila de Lima. When she was in that “list,” nothing was the same for her anymore especially that the “reciter” of the list was no other than DU30.

Former President Gloria, now a congresswoman, surely felt happy because, with the list, the good senator was on her way to prison.

After making it to the list, there was then a case build-up.

Remember how it was with her when the senator was then the Secretary of Justice?

Some call it “weather-weather lang.”

I think though that  President Duterte has this thing about lists. For one thing, although it doesn’t hold water in court, it has a psychological effect in the persona, the subject of the list, the “listee.” For there’s the fear factor that is generated by the list.

So, when a few days ago, when the cat was let out of the bag — I mean, when the list was finally released by the PDEA — well, there were various reactions.

In this city, the barangays of Poblacion, Sto. Rosario and Upper Hinaplanon, made it to the list. All involved barangay councilors. So, Poblacion barangay chairman Antonio Pacana said he won’t include that particular councilor in his line-up. He did not give a name though. Officials of the two other barangays gave a “no comment” on the matter that is.

Some expressed surprise that Saray wasn’t included. Or Tambacan. These two were known as “hot beds” then. And kind of ah, well, accepted by the people. As in tolerated. (One can’t do anything about it then, anyway).

Pardon the terms, but at the moment, I think these are the best terms — “listee,” “lister” and “reciter” although these are not necessarily acceptable in English. But these days, who cares very much about very good English. As one will only succeed in giving nosebleed to others, if…

Back to the question: Who’s afraid of the list? I think all of the above is the answer. But as to degree, the “listee” is the most afraid, with the “reciter” as the next  most afraid and the “lister,” the least, because he is in the shadows.

And the others are bystanders? That depends on his relationship with any of the three enumerated.

By the way, let’s zero in on fear. They say that in this imperfect world of ours, there’s really nothing to fear, but fear itself. Agree, or disagree?

Maybe, we’ll have to consult the psychologists, er, psychiatrists, whatever…