On Aug. 4, 2011, Sen. Migz Zubiri resigned due to new testimony and evidence that he benefited from electoral cheating in the 2007 senatorial contest. Inside the paper’s opinion pages, an Inquirer columnist, known for his having crossed from the side of truth to the opposite side, insisted that Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (GMA) won the 2004 presidential election.
Applying memory and conscience to discern the truth, it may be recalled that Chavit Singson at first topped the Maguindanao 2007 senatorial count which the GMA slate swept, with Sultan Kiram in the eighth slot. Singson was later overtaken by Zubiri in the official count of the Commission on Elections. Zubiri at that point was the GMA candidate with the best chance of overtaking Koko Pimentel in the 12th spot. In the recount made by the Senate Electoral Tribunal (SET), Pimentel emerged as the real winner.
With so many witnesses now coming out, it won’t be long before it is shown that the massive election fraud in 2004 was used as the framework for a 2007 repetition, particularly in Maguindanao. It may be that the impunity shown in the 2004 and 2007 election cheating is what led to the atrocity now known as the Maguindanao massacre.
For his family’s honor and for the country’s healing, Zubiri did right in resigning. But as his resignation is discussed in coffee shops, let’s not forget many other topics concerning how to move the country and our families forward. For one, media must police its own ranks: paid hacks shouldn’t be allowed to ply their trade as easily and profitably as “envelopmental” journalists are now doing. Also, bishops should reestablish the value systems of their flock even if they have to do this without SUVs and with less funds from PCSO and Pagcor. Officers in the police and military must protect the nation and the people, and not be made blind, deaf and mute when crimes like electoral cheating and overpricing are happening in their backyard. It is hoped that President Aquino’s Sona (State of the Nation Address) call to take things personally, together with Zubiri’s brave resignation, can teach us all that we do need to make our own contributions. With a little thought as to what we want for future generations, each of us should be able to discern what “my” commitment should be.
Those attending the weekly Friday afternoon sessions of the Corinthian Coffee Clutch (CCC) are beginning to define such commitments by listening to any and all proposals that relate to nation-building. We are trying to discern where each person can help, and then take action to implement specific projects. Zubiri and Pimentel may want to join one of our meetings to pick a venture where both of them can show to fellow Filipinos that we all must do something to unite and bring our country back to self-respect, political civility and economic progress.
—JOSE OSIAS,
jzosias@gmail.com