RIGOBERTO TIGLAO’S columns are worth reading only if one wants to sense what is worrying those who have betrayed the Filipino people. His musings mostly echo the fears and tendencies of false leaders like Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo who have proven to be quite skillful in twisting (with various inducements, not the least of which being the resources plundered from the Philippine treasury) even the most principled individuals, like Tiglao and Joker Arroyo, into fawning and pathetic yes-men.
Tiglao’s July 28 column attempts to slant President Aquino’s Sona (State of the Nation Address) comment to “take things personally” and equate it with the “Rage” and “Kill” recently seen in the Norway bombing and slaughter. With the recent revelations of electoral fraud, unbridled plunder and criminal impunity by Tiglao’s masters in the past nine years, it is easy to see why the past is now returning to haunt the evildoers, perhaps even pricking their conscience and stoking their fears. And these fears include the possibility that a few groups, like those whose relatives were lost during the Maguindanao massacre, would not only be unforgiving but also vengeful, even to the extent of going into “Rage” and “Kill” in their grief and anger.
Indeed, the absence of Rep. Gloria Arroyo and her sons and relatives on the day of the Sona is yet another indication, by body language, of the setting-in of karma. Why did these members of Congress feel there was no choice for them but to miss the Sona? Were they concerned that the media might catch their guilty reactions during the televised coverage? Does the truth hurt? Wasn’t their absence also “taking things personally? And are they now on the verge of “Rage” and “Kill” as suggested by Tiglao?
Tiglao and his masters, who can rationalize and write as well as any of the most demented terrorists, will all have to look at mirrors sometime. And when they do, and if and when they can properly take things personally, it is certain that in their heart of hearts, they would really like to say, “I’m sorry.” That’s one truth that may really hurt Tiglao.
—JOSE OSIAS,
jzosias@gmail.com