Sense of guilt

Ben Contreras

AT the onset of the Moreno administration in 2013, I met this guy in one of the offices of City Hall. Siempre, being a victim of the past vindictive mayor, he looked okay to everyone. In fact, kind words were attributed to him. But another was appointed one level above him.

“Can he deliver?” This is perhaps the most popular phrase coming from the top man of City Hall. If one can, then he or she is safe in his (the mayor) grace.

Fate would soon be kind to this guy when his superior fell out of grace making his rise inevitable. But it came with a price: blind loyalty.

Blind loyalty can come in many forms. Willingness to die is one. Devoting one’s life to serve is another. But these are still considered the better side of blind loyalty. The worse side of loyalty is being blind to the sins of the boss and the willingness to become an accessory to crimes.

I once wrote about how loyalty made certain people of the past administration rich (millionaires). The only difference I saw and continue to see is that, in the past, they became millionaires after more than a decade in power. The current administration is phenomenal. They became millionaires in so short a time, making them the envy of many and role model for would be sycophants.

Shenanigans are happening inside. But an administration controlled by privileged families makes it difficult for public scrutiny. Any attempt to ferret the truth out would be greeted by a web of shields to protect the great benefactor.

So, who’s building new houses? Who just bought a brand new expensive car? Who’s into illicit liaisons? Who splits with whom? Who has just fallen prey to a sex maniac? Aw, these are just stories of saboteurs. This is how stories are dismissed. Aw, they’re just sourgrapes, not getting what they want and then… And there are plenty ATMs willing to defend the hand that feeds.

But there would be people who can’t take it all anymore and are just waiting for any wrong move. And this is a story I heard about one who discovered something (no specifics to protect the person) and has filed a case against certain people, including the guy initially mentioned here.

Being in power can be very intoxicating. Coercion is one to bring another down on bended knees. And so, whoever holds the purse, wields power.

“Gaipiton ang among sueldo, Sir.” Very effective, I tell you. There are a few who would like to squeal. But they are small people in a pond of crocodiles. “Matumba ang among kaldero, Sir.”

One of these days, the case will blow, hopefully. Would that embolden the others to come out of their rat holes? I hope so. I have one waiting for the right moment.

It is when people think they’re untouchables and surrounded by defenders (kuno) that they become callous. It is when they have the backing of certain big people that they become bold and shameless. But they exposed themselves in public places when they behave with fidgety and uncomfortably, especially in a places known to them as “unknown and unexplored territories.” I call it “sense of guilt.”