“As President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s administration unravels …. What will be the word, symbol or incident that will brand it indelibly ... Hard to tell.” (“Profligate wardrobes,” Philippine Daily Inquirer 10/30/08)

Yes, it may be hard to tell for greedy businessmen who prosper in our dysfunctional economy (where the rich get richer and the poor get to hang themselves or drink poison with their children). It may also be hard to tell for religious leaders who gain power and wealth by supporting corrupt rulers. Conversely, millions of economically overburdened Filipinos and thousands of victims of political persecution and atrocities “inspired” by this present administration may have only one label to describe the administration and its head: “Gloria Arroyo.”

But trust her closest allies to have a more intimate and fitting description. I believe one of her former Cabinet members, Romulo Neri, once said: “She will do anything to stay in power … She is evil.”

Though Neri remains wary of the Arroyo administration’s brand of evil, he and so many political, religious and business leaders ward off calls for accountability and justice. In the week leading up to the opening of the Senate probe into the fertilizer scam, two more activists, Danilo Qualbar and Rolando Antolihao, were slain by “inspired” gunmen. On Nov. 17 another journalist, Aristeo Padrigao, was silenced. Extrajudicial killings go on unabated.

It seems that justice itself has been slain and silenced by this present administration. And among the many infamous retorts of Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez against those decrying the unjust acts of government, this recent one stands out: “Plead your case with Jesus Christ.” I laughed at this witty line but immediately felt like I was laughing at the degradation of a dear friend. Our justice secretary has equated Jesus Christ with futility. He virtually slew and trampled on the holy name of Christ in our very own hall of justice. The Arroyo-Jesus analogy by Arroyo ally Rep. Pablo Garcia Sr. is not just an analogy, it’s a “succession.” Christ the King is dead! Long live the Queen! And she intends to rule over us indefinitely.

Padrigao’s seven-year-old daughter was hugging her father’s body as she uttered these words: “Wake up, Papa, you’ve spilled so much blood.”

Her innocent words should reverberate: “Wake up, Pilipinas, you’ve spilled so much blood.”

Wake up, Phoenix!

ERNIE LAPUZ (via email)