RAIN OF FIRE

Pardon to a convicted president
CESAR G. BONILLA

The absolute pardon granted to convicted President Joseph Ejercito Estrada by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is worth emulating in the political sphere for the sake of unity and reconciliation. When the ouster of then incumbent President Estrada was eminent as shown by the fiery demonstrations and movement asking for his resignation, it was allegedly offered by then vice-president Arroyo and her minions that if ever he went into exile somewhere outside the country or in the US perhaps, no cases would be filed against Estrada.

But Erap decided to stay in his native land and face whatever cases the government of GMA filed against him. For to him, an innocent person prosecuted or persecuted may not run for there is shame in doing so. He followed the rule of law though there was special treatment with respect to his imprisonment. Unlike ordinary prisoners, he must have been kept and locked in jail and not to somewhere else.

But this privilege can be justified knowing very well that Estrada was forced to leave Malacanang and a little dignity to a former President means respect. Some people in power were dismayed and exasperated by the immediate granting of executive clemency. They opined that Estrada was not remorseful of all his past mistakes and shortcomings. Others said this was for political survival. Be that as it may, the final conclusion attributed to presidential pardon is that, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is a human being capable of forgiving and forgetting the past struggle for the sake of national unity.

Our Lord, Jesus Christ had forgiven Mary Magdalene when a crowd pursued her and let her be stoned to death. The conversion of tax collector Zacchaeus upon seeing the face of his Saviour and Redeemer filled the heart of a sinner with joy. God alone suffices and satisfies. Let us give former President Estrada a chance to amend his ways and live with us like a Christian.
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Human rights are indispensable components of social justice. According to Louis Henkin, human rights are those liberties, immunities and benefits which, by contemporary values, all human beings should be able to claim their ‘right’ in the society. These are regarded by Rebecca Wallace as fundamental and inalienable rights which are essential for human beings -- law which deals with the protection of individuals and groups against violations by governments of their internationally guaranteed rights, and with the promotion of these rights.

The writ of Amparo is the extraordinary remedy to any person whose right to life, liberty and security had been violated or is threatened by unlawful act or omission committed by public officials or employees including private individuals or entities. Individuals have been illegally abducted, illegally detained and tortured and disappeared. The barbarism of extralegal killings, done without due process of law through “salvaging” are violative to the Christian mandate of love and respect as enshrined in the Holy Book of our Almighty Father. The peace and order situation in our country must be the primordial task of the government.

Respect for the common tao must be a doctrinal value for a secure citizenry. There is anarchy when the breakdown of peace and order are designed to create chaos masterfully architected by the lawbreakers, terrorists or those out to destabilize the government for political madness. Until now, the law is impotent in resolving extrajudicial killings in the countryside. ***
Ilocos Norte Department of Tourism officer-in-charge Marie Respicio-Gonzales bared the “festival management workshop” would conducted on Nov. 12 to 15 under the leadership of DOT regional director Martin S. Valera. The group that composed the special projects team had been in constant communication with a group of artists and staffers of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts to refine the concept of the program, “Operation: Tunay na kulturang Pinoy.”

They have so far developed a module on festival management that will be held in the region as pilot project. The group decided to review festivals in Region 1 to select which of them would be used as pilot work that will be improved and recommended for international exposure. The promotion of these selected festivals overseas can enhance especially the DOT’s Balik-Probinsya Campaign in North America.

Culture must be preserved and must be relevant to the changing times. It must be cultivated without sacrificing its true meaning to the everyday life of the people. It must be used to promote tourism with sensitivity – portraying our own culture as the mirror of the unique soul and character of the Filipino nation. This is another achievement of the DOT.
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The province of Ilocos Norte recently celebrated the 150th birth anniversary of the great patriot and painter Juan Luna y Novicio who was born on Oct. 23, 1857 in Badoc, Ilocos Norte. His father was Joaquin Luna while his mother was Laureana y Novicio. Juan finished high school at Ateneo de Manila and at Escuela Nautica. At age 17 he received the Pilot of the High Seas Third Class Certificate. He also took landscape painting at the Academia de Dibujo y Pintura. He studied at Real Academia de Bellas Artes de San Fernando in Madrid where he was an outstanding student.

His masterpieces include: The Happy Beauty and the Blind Slave, The Death of Cleopatra, Spolarium, Blood Compact, Miguel Lopez de Legaspi and Roman Ladies. The commemoration of his greatness is spearheaded by the local government of Badoc under the leadership of Mayor Tom Torralba and Vice-Mayor Den-Den Barlahan.
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I would like to greet the readers of this regional newspaper from MART 1 namely: Annie Agarpao of Pagudpud, Romelyn Barut and Yvette Domingo. Good manners and right conduct are the qualities and caliber of these young ladies.