Last Saturday (July 22, 2017) I had an unexpected treat added to my usual breakfast fare: an Inquirer Opinion section that had all the reads I enjoy and need. Usually it’s just the Saturday fare of Solita Monsod’s column and an occasional revelation from a commentary.
But that day was special. There was an editorial on the seemingly ignored but burgeoning murder rate. The previous night, I wondered after watching the news what was being done about the blatant murders of prosecutors, doctors, barangay officials, squatter residents, etc., etc. This after hearing the official Palace spokesman saying that the crime rate had gone down. Where?
There was a Solita Monsod column on the tax reform bill. Guess what? The poor will not benefit from it.
I learned about a Russian auditor responsible for a US law on human rights through Edilberto de Jesus. Somebody did something right, and those who are doing wrong should be very afraid, if not of justice in this world, then in the next.
And a letter to the editor from the eminent Rene Saguisag on the Ombudsman ruling on former president Noynoy Aquino has put a sobering perspective on an issue that has stirred up some people (the usual suspects) to call for blood. If that group is serious about crime, read the editorial.
And finally, there were stories from a wise woman, Lourdes S. Bautista — Mam, as we call her. I read her feature as if she were just in front of me, sharing with me inspiring things, teaching values as we sip our coffee.
Thank you, Inquirer, for last Saturday’s issue, which had me drinking more coffee than usual — but what a breakfast.
PEACHY E. YAMSUAN, Quezon City