Opinion, Philippine Daily Inquirer

Posted on | February 25, 2010 | No Comments

Dear Editor:

This is to clarify certain points that a reader, a certain Jocelyn Gonzales, publicly raised about Sen. Manny Villar’s ads (“Money” talks, PDI opinion page, Feb 17, 2010).

1. That “the line between truth and claims gets blurred”, that claims can be turned into truth with Villar’s ads, Goebbels (Nazi propagandist) of Hitler proselytizes so. Unfortunately, even Ms. Gonzales believes in the dictum of repeating a lie to appear true.

The truth in Villar’s ads is that we can still rise above the sorry state of our country, that even in utter poverty (“nasubukan mo na bang maligo sa dagat ng basura?..,”) and, despite the miserable conditions of the poorest of the poor, there is still hope. Even Rizal offered hope to our subjugated people. In fact, great leaders distinguish themselves by moving forward despite great odds. And successful leaders are not necessarily from the creme de la creme of society inherited from rich parents. They can be with the common folk.

As to Villar’s attitude in the Senate hearings on the C-5 project, there is nothing wrong with answering the accusations with facts. No matter how much Villar’s political rivals gang-up on him, it doesn’t change the fact that: 1) there was no “double insertion” into the project; 2) land prices are based on official valuation and computation; and, 3) there is no moral and legal wrong in doing business while in public office.

The truth is the truth no matter how much you bend, twist, spin, or cover it up. Calling Manny as “Money” as Ms. Gonzales and other pundits are wont to repeat doesn’t turn him into cash.

2. That the people endorsing him are just there for money – Dolphy with his “high maintenance families”, Revillame “who only recognizes money”, and Satur Ocampo and Liza Maza, as Ms. Gonzales maliciously claims, “have sold out”.

Dolphy and Revillame have their high-paying jobs even before the ads. Satur Ocampo and Liza Maza have been steadfast with their principles at the pain of intensified repression and fraud.

Those people whom Ms. Gonzales mentioned are with Villar’s campaign because he was able to unite a really broad coalition of social, political and cultural forces. It was because of his platform for the poor, the deprived and the oppressed – a cause which even the Church recognizes. We should not reduce everything to money. Doing so cheapens human beings.

3. Finally, Ms. Gonzales warns the voting public against being swayed by the ads. She says we would truly deserve “leaders” like GMA’s immoral and stolen presidency. This would be of “our own doing.”

I think Ms. Gonzales should not blame the voting public. Twice in our recent history we removed immoral leaders. No, we don’t deserve fake leaders. Don’t blame the people, blame the government. Vox populi, vox Dei.

Thank you again for accommodating this reaction.

Miguel Ortilla

Ateneo de Manila University

Loyola Heights, Quezon City

23 February 2010

The Opinion Editor

Philippine Daily Inquirer

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