Velarde And Villar: The Holy Alliance Made In C-5

"This twin entity composed of Velarde and Villar had been meticulously working together since the Ramos administration to get this one a done deal."

Scrambling to salvage his dipping popularity after the C-5 controversy, Manny Villar has found a worthy redeemer in Bro. Mike Velarde - the founder and patriarch of El Shaddai movement in the Philippines. Signs of the times? It depends on how one sees it. Politics and religion as we all know don't really make strange bedfellows, rather they complement each other's notoriety, when it comes to self-gratification and self-serving interests.

Amidst the seemingly immortalized C-5 issue that has continuously badgered Manny Villar, which may have caused his survey ratings to skid, the flamboyant Velarde is coming out supposedly to take the blame, but apparently playing out the good kid with zero intent (?) of causing harm to government coffers, and in the process exonerating his good friend Manny Villar. This coming out by  Bro. Mike should once and for all put this issue to rest against the 'Innocent One'. It was Velarde who authored the realignment and not Villar. ("Tell it to the doomed fool Mr. Velarde.")

This 'righteous servant of god' has emphatically confessed, that he was the one who directed the realignment of C-5, which has consequently benefited his own company including the companies of Henry Sy and Manny Villar. He only gained a modest and measly 1.2 billion pesos, from aggrandizing the value of his properties as a result of his genius. Manny Villar has absolutely nothing to do with this and has not lifted a finger on the said anomalous transactions. ("Tell it again to your repainted orange sheep Mr. Velarde.") Kudos also goes to Joseph Estrada whose notorious midnight deals made this political payback, a landmark act of worship to those who could serve up his whims. Let's not forget that Bro. Mike endorsed Estrada's candidacy in 1998 and got the support of millions of his faithful followers. But why now ditch Estrada for Money V.?

This latest revelation from Velarde himself is not that surprising, to think that from the very start Velarde and Villar colluded themselves to gain from this anomalous C-5 transaction, according to Senator Jamby Madrigal. This twin entity composed of Velarde and Villar, had been meticulously working together since the Ramos administration to get this one a done deal. And the prize of their hard work - billions of pesos from taxpayers of which a big chunk came from minimum wage-earners, and sick Filipinos who have to endure Value Added Tax (VAT) from every purchase of medicine.

This epiphany of questionable credence only ignites more suspicion, (or  in this case conclusion), that the nearly two billion pesos worth of infomercials is deemed insignificant, compared to the colossal profits Villar had gained from that shady C-5 transaction. Though the general perception surmises that Villar once seated, will take back his campaign investments from government coffers, the man has  already enjoyed immensely from its benefit, and there's no way he could end up in the red. He is after all an exceptionally shrewd thinker.

Now his adrenaline running higher, the tangerine idol grins from ear to ear, and goes on with his celestial campaign slogan of eradicating poverty. Not a few, but multitudes of hopeless gullibles are putting their trust in him. Who would dare to cast doubt in his capacity to snatch the poor out of the shackles of hunger, when he had once swum in their turf literally? And who would choose to ignore the 'anointed one' by the righteous servant of god  Bro. Mike Velarde? One needs not to be in the loop to know, that this 'holy alliance' was conceived for the greater cause of them that worship the golden cow.

While it becomes apparent that Mike Velarde is excited for a Villar presidency, (God forbid), the servant leader (to his flocks) has something else in mind. Not the usual financial favor associated with his endorsement, but a political reward is now being cooked up for the 'man of god' - a likely seat in Congress for party-list group BUHAY, of which Velarde is being groomed to become its representative. If early on he signified his intent of running for president and becoming president, this time around, his eyes are set on the speakership, which is not remotely imminent given the support of a possible Villar presidency.

Although the law bars a religious organization from running as party-list group, Mike Velarde is not keen on giving up his ambition, neither his leadership from El Shaddai. His resoluteness on this  matter,  is all the more firmed up by the support of El Shaddai's spiritual adviser Bishop Teodoro Bacani. According to these 'two holy men', their single most important agenda in Congress, is to prevent the passing into law of the Reproductive Health Bill. So, it is quite clear that these two make up a formidable gang of  constitutional rapists who would strip Constitution of its credibility, when it admonishes that the separation of the Church and of the State is inviolable. To be able to push for their self-serving agenda, not for the common good, but for what its dogma and doctrine dictate, the Catholic Chuch and El Shaddai as one entity, sees no problem in what the Constitution rants.

No one in this universe though has an inherent right to judge a person by his appearance, creed or association. But one's show of character calls for careful discernment. A person who claims to be 'a man of God' is above all beyond reproach. His life exemplifies humility, servanthood, modesty and contentment. He is not a subject of accusations of being greedy and a fraud. He does not enrich himself and his family while his followers wallow in abject poverty. He shares in their predicament. His ministry focuses more on salvation of the soul, and not on earthly promises of prosperity and abundance, using inanimate objects such as a piece of cloth. Here calls wisdom. You will know a tree by its fruit.

From a color perspective, it now seems that the political wave inundating the Philippine archipelago has turned sweetly orange. From so-called religious to righteous, to political turncoats in Cebu of late, to the well-wishers of the fancied Villaroyo marriage, to the balut vendors, and to the scholars of the state in Diliman - there is one synonymous clamor prevailing - an orange presidency. Not completely out of one's conviction, I guess, but this clamor I doubt stems from desperation in the case of the poor, and for the deemed wisest, not a fervent belief in him, but of 'rewards' so strong to resist.

Less than two months ahead, we will be witnessing how the Filipino electorate has grown with time; which message resonates across every household, and if 'change' indeed proves the word to watch. Yes, there are clear favorites, but there is no guarantee that is the change everyone screams from their guts, we will all know nonetheless. And I am extremely excited.

Why Does Manny Villar Dread To Face His Foes?

"The entire nation waited for their champion, to vanquish his 'supposed tormentors' - armed with his esteemed bravado - just quickly dissipated from view."

He did finally speak up. After much speculations that he wantonly avoids Senate grilling - for fear of facing his determined accusers - presidential candidate Senator Manny Villar had his moment. In his privilege speech, he spoke candidly of his just intent to mitigate the hellish traffic situation in the vicinity of C-5 extension - denying all allegations that he benefited from these transactions. His speech sounded very predictable, forceful yet defiant - and carefully crafted so as to sound scrupulous and heartfelt - at times invoking the poor to whom he is indebted and for whom he intended to serve.

The Senate today had put on a show. Our main protagonist is a presidential candidate, who in his bid to refute his accusers was alluding to his political nemeses - as the culprits behind this spectacle. He reiterated that this is nothing but a clear attempt to discredit him, and spoil his reputation, because he is doing well in surveys - claiming his humble beginnings had served as inspiration to the poor.

Senator Manny Villar in his speech, would conjure the gods just to underscore his "innocence" from all accusations leveled against him. He adamantly and repeatedly denies, that he and his corporations benefited from the C-5 project - although a 900-page dossier contains smoldering pieces of evidence that support the allegations. As expected, his speech would delve on the credibility and motive of his accusers, rather than clarifying an issue to prove his "innoconce". Strangely enough, he sounded to be in a campaign mode when at times he would blurt out in Tagalog, narrating his flight from humble beginnings to a successful businessman - to make him more identifiable with the poor, who tend to be credulously gullible to his "groanings".

What transpired was very strange though, as he refused to be interpellated during his speech. If Senator Villar was a true statesman, he could have seized the opportunity and shined brightly by facing his accusers head on - and vindicated himself if indeed he was innocent from all the accusations. Had he spoken the "truth", as opposed to what he branded as "politically motivated ploy" against him - he could have prevailed and consequently gained the trust and sympathy of the people, hence a plus factor for his bid for the presidency. But why in the world would he just disappear after his privilege speech?

This now infamous walking-out of Villar, has already put a dent to the reputation of the Senate as an institution - will subsequently be compounded by a no-show of all of Villar's Senate allies in the next session. Due to a lack of quorum, the Senate failed to vote on whether Villar is to be censured for unethical conduct in connection with the C-5 issue. The Senate allies of Villar's who deliberately prevented the course of justice to take its course, floutingly scoffed at our democracy and the nation's rights to know the truth.

These Senate hoodlums with apocryphal sense of entitlements, are convinced they don't owe the nation an apology. They only showed their true feathers. Behind their panache exhibited in the halls of Senate - also cohabits their stinking self-serving agenda. They just proved to the Filipino people, that their own interests are above the collective whole's. Time and time again, they failed the nation at the behest of political and financial ends.

These celestial names of righteous senators include the mother of all turncoats - Miriam Santiago, the unpredictable Loren Legarda, Alan Peter Cayetano, Pia Cayetano, Edgardo Angara, Joker Arroyo, Bong Revilla, Aquilino Pimentel and the Casper-like almost non-existent mute reelectionist Lito Lapid.

The Filipino nation at this critical time cannot just ignore the mystery shrouded over the C-5 controversy - not with a blink. One of the presidential frontrunners is the man who can shed light on this controversy, chose to perpetually shield himself from the fangs of truth. All the means and avenues are at his disposal, to enlighten the nation whom he owes his stature. The entire nation waited for their champion - to vanquish his "supposed tormentors" armed with his esteemed bravado - just quickly dissipated from view.

Is this the kind of leader we would want to reign over us? Or could this be an ominous warning of an imminent death of transparency and good governance should he gets elected? This demeanor of a presidential frontrunner that derides seekers of truth - in my opinion, has no place in my conscience and therefore has no place in my ballot. As a Filipino, duly empowered to vote, I swear to be wise with my choices -that not even a shred of dubious character and stain of corruption is appended to my candidates.

As part of OFW diaspora worldwide - credited with driving the economy forward - I have the same aspirations that in this election may we vote for the right candidate who could bring our faith back to the government - a government free from corruption, injustices, and self-serving interests. Though this may be remotely possible - with the prevalence of money-politics - coupled with voters' immaturity - whose vote can be swayed by short-term benefit - I don't lose hope that everyone can still be a catalyst for change if we start to do what is expected of us. One thing is certain though - from an optimist point of view - change is possible if we give change a chance.