Heroes and enemies

Whistleblowers and star witnesses in corruption and criminal cases are the real heroes in our midst. We don’t recognize them as such even after they have put their lives, families, reputations and future on the line just to tell the whole nation what they know about certain crimes and acts of corruption. They have nothing to gain for themselves from their sacrifice, except all sorts of inconveniences and dangers.

It is too bad that the government has not been providing them enough support and protection to enable them to pursue their heroic exploits to a just and honorable conclusion – in order for the truth to triumph and in due time bless the entire country with peace, justice and uprightness.

But I wonder less why both chambers of Congress have not passed a law giving whistle-blowers and star witnesses ample protection and full support, as the government should. Probably, the reason for this is that some legislators have something sinister to hide and they dread the light when it’s their turn to reckon with their own nakedness.

However, the good ones in their ranks should stand and take it upon themselves to pass such a law with dispatch. They cannot say no to the importuning voice within. Otherwise, President Aquino’s “Daang Matuwid” would be nothing more than an empty gong and a clanging cymbal.

Worse and oddly, under the corrupt justice system that we have, people who are supposed to dispense justice put their personal and “partisan” interests on their weighing scales. Hence justice is oftentimes derailed and perverted, and in the end, to heaven’s shock, it is these modern heroes who are adjudged villains.

Thus, Jun Lozada was so hounded to seek refuge, with his family, in a religious community. Others are suffering in humiliation and are making do with the broken pieces of their devastated lives, while some of them are in exile, if not already six feet below the ground, continuing to groan in anguish to this day.

These gallant souls have their bust already sculptured in my heart, for they are true heroes in the mold of those who bravely fought against the invaders of our country for our liberty. The difference though is that whistle-blowers and star witnesses have tougher a battle to fight: to liberate all of us from the enemies inside us.
—RENI M. VALENZUELA,
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