The Arrogance of Power

PerryScope

Perry Diaz

A defenseless 56-year old man and his 14-year old son were mauled by a town mayor and his brother as their father — a cabinet member and “peace negotiator” — and several armed bodyguards watched. This incident is a sign that the country has gone to the dogs. Indeed, what happened at the golf course is a microcosm of what is happening all over the country today: the arrogance of those in power.

On December 26, 2008, Delfin de la Paz, his son “Bino” and his 18-year old daughter Bambee were playing golf at the Valley Golf Country Club in Antipolo, Rizal when their lives turned upside down at the hands of Nasser Pangandaman, Jr., Mayor of Masiu, Lanao del Sur, and his brother Hussein, sons of Agrarian Reform Secretary and government peace panel member Nasser Pangandaman, Sr. What is really appalling is that the cause for the brutal attack was an argument over golf etiquette, a misunderstanding that could have been resolved amicably.

When the Pangandaman brothers ganged up on the elder Dela Paz, the young Bino pleaded to the mayor to stop beating his dad, “Sorry na po… sorry na po… tama na… tama na po…” (“Sorry sir… sorry sir… please stop… please stop…”). Instead the mayor punched Bino on the face. Pretty soon the bodyguards joined in mauling the Dela Pazes. Bambee tried to stop the beating of her father and brother but to no avail. When someone finally stopped the brawl, the mayor told his caddy, “Hindi nila kami kilala! Sabihin mo nga sa kanila kung sino ako!” (“They don’t know who we are! Tell them who I am!”).

The following day, Secretary Pangandaman, Sr. drove to Baguio to play golf with President Arroyo’s son, Congressman Mikey Arroyo. Such are the lives of those who are in high positions of authority: one day, they attack the powerless; the next day, they hobnob with the powerful.

Indeed, the Philippines today is in a situation where powerful family dynasties have arrogantly imposed their will on the powerless people. Their grip on power is so tight that it doesn’t matter what the people say, it’s what they want for themselves that matters most.

The “checks and balances” that the constitution has provided to protect the state and the people have been conveniently removed in a series of Machiavellian moves that eventually placed the House of Representatives at the beck and call of the President and transformed the Senate into a chamber of “gladiators” fighting among themselves to the amusement of the ruling elite.

And how about the Supreme Court? Until recently it was the guardian of the constitution and the protector of the rights of the citizens. A razor-thin majority has maintained a high degree of judicial independence as demonstrated when they rejected the Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain for Bansangmoro which Malacanang had secretly negotiated with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. But with seven justices retiring this year, will their replacements be beholden to their sacred oath to safeguard the constitution or will they remain loyal and indebted to the President for appointing them to the High Court? It is evident that President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is hell bent in pursuing Charter change (Cha-cha) to amend the constitution before her term ends in June 2010. She has said so and House Speaker Prospero Nograles has said so too. Word has been going around that Cha-cha’s “navigator” in the House is no less than Gloria’s son, Congressman Mikey Arroyo. However, Mikey has been saying that his only interest in Cha-cha is to allow foreigners to own land and have full control of their businesses in the Philippines. But what would prevent anyone from introducing an amendment that would change the form of government to a parliamentary system?

In the past several months, just about all sectors in Philippine society — including the Catholic Church and other religious groups — have voiced out their objection to holding Cha-cha prior to the 2010 elections. Virtually, everybody is in agreement that to proceed with Cha-cha this year would only play into the hands of Gloria who many believe wants to stay in power beyond 2010.

The arrogance of power displayed by Gloria and her political allies has made a mockery of democracy and the rule of law. The people’s sentiments as indicated in numerous polls were treated as mere nuances, thus, ignored. It would seem that they’re saying: “To hell with public opinion!”

But the people are now getting back at them: they use the power of the Internet to fight the abuses and arrogance of those in power. Little did Bambee realize that when she told the story of the beating of her father and brother on her blog site, bloggers all over the world ferociously attacked the Pangandamans.

A few days later, Secretary Pangandaman pleaded to the bloggers to stop the incessant attacks. He said that his family is hurting from the attacks. He made a public apology; however, the Dela Pazes rejected it. If Pangandaman was really sorry, he should call the Dela Pazes and apologize to them directly.

But an apology is not enough. Secretary Pangandaman violated the public’s trust by just watching his sons beat the Dela Pazes. As a cabinet member and “peace negotiator,” he is expected to act in a manner worthy of his position.

There is only one honorable option for Pangandaman; that is, resign! If he doesn’t resign, then President Arroyo should — nay, must — fire him because, at the end of the day, Pangandaman’s performance is a reflection on the President.

(PerryDiaz@gmail.com)