A Picture Says A Thousand Words

If we do not know the situation, we will feel nothing wrong with the picture. But as the adage goes “a picture says a thousand words”.

What are some of the the messages this picture tells me? First, both officials traveled three hours by plane to Indonesia to arrest the ex-Mayor. In other words, the government spent a large sum(However, the report says the plane was used at no cost to the government), and a lot of its manpower to arrest Ms. Guo. That fact is certainly nothing to smile for.

Second, the subject deceived the authorities into believing that she was in the country only to surface somewhere in a foreign land, with the help of police in another country. And when she is caught, the offcials pose for a picture, smiling. In the strict sense, she should have been handcuffed. Maybe that is the main reason why the ex-Mayor was smiling. She was not handcuffed.

Third, we can say there is a reason behind that smile. Sen. Risa Hontiveros revealed that 200 million pesos was spent by Ms. Guo to bribe her way out of the country. Did she also spend the same amount to be flown back to the Philippines in a private jet, without being handcuffed? Money talks. The POGO is a billion-peso business. There is always enough money to bribe anyone.

Buying Time?

The actions of Sec. Abalos is very surprising. Remember it took him a long time to file charges against the ex-Mayor. With all the lawyers and confidential funds at his disposal, it took him more than a week to press charges and many weeks to get the Mayor dismissed from her post.

It looked like he was buying time to let the accused think of a strategy to help her get the advice of counsel and “fix” things in her office and her bank accounts.

Under this theory, it does not help to know that, based on reports of LGU officials and on his inclusion in surveys that he is going to run for Senator. He is probably hoping that the publicity and all the smiles will help prop up his popularity.

POGO Polls

Question: is campaign funding involved here? An estimate for a successful run for a senatorial position is 800 million pesos. Will funding from POGO help any candidate? Most likely. There are still many operating in the country.

And I have heard a PAOC official say that if there is no complaint, the POGOs can continue operating as in the case of the POGO island in Cavite.

The nasty news I heard which I hope is not true, is that most of our Senators are connected financially with POGOs all over the country. Could this be the reason why most Senators do not participate in hearings on the POGO or if they attend, they barely say a word?

In the House of Representatives, creating the Quad Com where four major committees join forces to get to the truth is a stroke of genius. It speeds up the process and the public can focus. It makes the saying “two heads are better than one” a reality in both live and recorded TV and YouTube (meaning you can watch it anytime). The public knows where our legislators stand. This is essential in a democracy where there are credible elections.

Consequences Coming

Pres. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. took a tough stand against the continued operation of POGOs in his State of the Nation address only two months ago. His words are now being transformed into action further boosting his effectiveness and popularity in preparation for the 2028 election where he will choose a successor to run and take his place.

This move by the leaders of Congress enables the people to know and participate. Those found to be causing this problem are expected have a poor showing in next year's election. Those who will emerge victorious in this conflict have an advantage for 2025 and 2028.

In a few months, the persons in that picture will regret it was taken. The thousand words expressed in public opinion will mostly be against them. It will haunt them for a long time.

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