WHEN PUBLIC SERVICE BECOMES PREEMINENT

By: Norberto Betita

Gratitude is the best compliment!

Sometimes no matter how I tried to be more patient there will emit from my physical system the feeling and drive to be impatient, especially as regards unwanted circumstances, not of my choice, that affect our daily living. Water is life and when faucets are dried despite waterlogged reservoir because of continued rains the beauty of peaceful living also drains. So on December 1, 2017, I posted on Facebook my short grievance, accompanied by my remaining undrained decency and respect for the provider.

Surprisingly in a few minutes I heard a call from Surigao Metropolitan Water District (SMWD) personnel reporting that they have already checked the connection and asked if there was already water in our faucet. As we affirmed, they requested to report the matter to Chairman Manny Kong as they have been monitored of their action.

Just about the time when I finished my post expressing gratitude for the quick response of SMWD personnel, my attention was called by my son and as I went over our door, to my greatest surprise, there was Chairman Manny Kong standing right on our gate with a smile reminiscent of those college days when we were classmates. It was the first time that we personally met since the 1970’s, although we have recently had some short communication through the social media.

He purposely came to follow up the action of his men as regards my Facebook request for SMWD to help restore our water supply as there were unfinished laundries and other chores that required water which were left undone because of the unscheduled water interruption. He was with a SMWD Engineer overseeing the operations. They apprised me of their resolves and assured of continuous water supply. Although I have long since discovered that the problem was not about any other resolves than monitoring, I never attempted to argue to the kind of tipsy engineer as I do not want the Chairman to be embarrassed. For me it was enough that the water has been restored and I felt the real concern of SMWD through its chairman of the Board personally coming into our place just to check and assure us that he is always on call and at hand when public service becomes preeminent. I see no robe of hypocrisy; no sheer display of ostentations, but a crystal clear view of honest expressions of concern for the water users and humility in public service.

His presence is a reminder of his sincerity and integrity in public service. When I apologized for having robbed his precious family time, his prompt and humble response has always been “that is the call I am appointed to do.” Every time I told him that I am reluctant and uncomfortable dealing with him about my water concerns out of respect for his office and position, he would remind me that public service is a public trust therefore position title should be the last consideration. When public service becomes preeminent, call of duty should not slip second in priority.

The festive season is not yet over and rainy days are still on the run. I understand that while water will be overflowing in the reservoirs the accompanying fast accumulation of sediments suspended in the water pipes, due to strong water pressures from the source, result to siltation and eventual clogging and choking of the water flow. Regular flushing of these stored sediments may result to interruptions which is understandable. However, I hope that after this procedural flushing, SMWD personnel in-charge should monitor the affected water lines at the Canlanipa reservoir, as they had been doing before when one personnel was daily stationed right on the reservoir, and to never forget that there is a small pipe that supplies only three households approximately a hundred meters away directly connected to the reservoir. This connection, small as it is, is often overlooked and perhaps ignored, until we raise our grievance, which we never should have wanted to do as it sometimes becomes an irritant both to us users and the SMWD personnel.

It seems absurd that unscheduled water interruptions for these three households very seldom happen in the hot of summer when water is scarce but on rainy days when water is overflowing from the source.

I hope, therefore, that with the Chairman’s candid response and assurance, we will not have to experience as it was last Christmas and New Year 2016 when water came at midnight.

The Lord Jesus Christ whose birthday we will soon celebrate once taught, “For…I was thirsty and ye gave me drink.” When asked, “Lord, when saw we thee… thirsty, and gave thee drink?” He answered, “In as much as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me” (Matthew 25:35,37,40).

I express my deepest appreciation and most sincere gratitude to SMWD and Chairman Manuel Kong for his continued quick action to resolve even our trivial water problems.

THE PENDULUM OF POLITICS IN SURIGAO

By Norberto Betita

In so far as my memory could contain, the Province and City of Surigao had been governed by a few familiar faces and family names which are connected by bloodline whose pendulumic perspective are motivated by yearning desires of freely swinging back and forth into power. It seems that the pendulum of politics in Surigao is generally characterized by multigenerational family substitutions on the seats of power, following the national trends of political dynasties. The contests of power continue to be participated by the same families or groups who had been in comfortable seats of government for several terms, even going back and forth from one political seat to another---from the Province to the City and back.

However, for these families, I do not see their career in politics as a quest to establish political empire. It is just that they are the only ones who had the guts and courage to gamble their resources and face the excoriating and condemning character assassinations bombarded upon them as are common in all political matches. I considered them to be the bravest few as to embark in the dirtiest degrading and humiliating battle of public discourses that harm their good reputations and destroy public confidence; and even risking their lives at times in order to gain power. I refuse even to think that their struggles are motivated by greed for power, otherwise I will miss the opportunity to see the good that they can do and are doing for our community and people.

Perhaps beyond their ostensive desires to serve the public are hidden agenda which eventually annoys the governed, most common of which are issues of corruption. Yet, they also have the daring to stand confident and bold against the melting power of public opinion. They know that those were part of the risk of their political illusions. True or not they are willing to face mounted accusations.

As the political pendulum continues to swing back again and again, the issues of corruption likewise go back and forth, accusations after accusations in unending marathon. The governed hopelessly sits in frustration, while those in power lean comfortably in sovereign seats accumulating resources, legally or maybe at times illegally, in preparation for the next round of political battle.

Time and time again we heard of people in the academe complaining about being governed by the least whose accomplishments are far below expectations. There are those professing statesmen and brilliant political strategists, active civic leaders who find fault of those who are duly elected in positions of leadership. We whine, grumble and criticize, but there is nothing we can do, they have the majority consent of the governed, whether it be through vote buying which seemed to be a common electoral contamination since time immemorial, or by honest individual choice. Such is the price for those who selfishly hide their talents and instead chose to be part of the tired and exhausted political pedestrians.

Through the years we the governed have our common cries for honesty and integrity in government service. We had been hungering and wanting for good and hardworking men and women to be in government seats. We find ourselves demanding, as Arthur P. Stanley had said: “Give us the man of integrity, on whom we know we can thoroughly depend; who will stand firm when others fail; the friend, faithful and true; the adviser, honest and fearless; the adversary, just and chivalrous;” but he said, “such an one is a fragment of the Rock of Ages.” May be they had been there, but we failed to recognize them. So that as the political pendulum continues to swing, our hopes of being governed by men and women of sound moral principle, uprightness, honesty and sincerity only ended up in vain.

Once in a short while the pendulum of politics in Surigao City rested in the middle, when a prominent lawyer, who had never been in the political arena was appointed acting Mayor for a transitory period during the shift of the reins of national leadership from the deposed Pres. Ferdinand E. Marcos to Pres. Corazon C. Aquino in 1986. Attorney Enrique Y. Tandan was appointed for being a man of honesty and virtue; who bears his integrity with conscious dignity. He might not have known it himself nor would he have ever admitted, but in my intimate observation I found him to be such a humble person. Despite his prominence as a lawyer, he sported not an expensive car, but a vintage outmoded open type automobile. He is very straightforward and strict in so far as principles of governance are concerned. His booming voice and temperamental nature are at times misunderstood, but he always had a big heart for those whom he was called to serve, especially those most in need of help. He was determined to fulfill the trust placed upon him. He tried to introduce reforms with undeviating constancy, but he was faced with mounting opposition. It was no surprise though because, “Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds. The mediocre mind is incapable of understanding the man who refuses to bow blindly to conventional prejudices and chooses instead to express his opinions courageously and honestly.” [Albert Einstein (1879-1955)]. After the two-year temporary appointment, he tried to run in the following regular elections, but lost.

So the pendulumic swings resume and the regular participants in Surigao politics are back in power. Since then there had been several shifts of power by the same groups and popular names. In my choosing during the many electoral processes that I have participated, I felt not being a failure for the candidates of my personal choice. I heard so much of the negative issues against those who are sitting in the couch of power, but I rather look at the things that they have done and contributed for the good of the community and people. I found that each of those who served in elective positions of leadership have their own contributions during each of their term of office. They might have been bombarded with negative issues, but it matters not to me, I just trust and observe every good deed that they performed, and be personally grateful. For such I find personal peace. Moral relativism appears to be a collective view among residents in the world of politics. I believe though that there are moral absolutes which can be a more productive basis for good government. But it seems just nowhere to be found.

Although there are many things to consider, one of my personal ways of measuring a government leader’s performance is poverty alleviation. Poverty is a problem that lives on with time. The Greek Philosopher Aristotle, in one of the most profound philosophical declarations said: “Poverty is the parent of revolution and crime.” Indeed, the poor had been the easy recruits to crime, terrorism, insurgency, drug proliferation and the like. For the government to be able to provide opportunities for people to level up and free themselves from pangs of economic deprivation is one best measure of successful governance.

In his inaugural speech about inequality, John F. Kennedy said: “If a free society cannot help the many who are poor, it cannot save the few who are rich.” While the channel between the rich and poor remains wide and the chasm unswimmable for the economically deprived, we can in no wise have a peaceful repose.

In 2003, among the fifteen poorest provinces Surigao del Norte was ranked 7th with poverty incidence of 42.3%. In 2006 we were ranked 9th with 41.6%. And in 2009 we went up to 3rd with 47.9%. (Poverty in the Philippines: Poorest Provinces, http://www.focusonpoverty.org/poverty-in-the-philippines-poorest-provinces/).

In 2012 we dropped to the rank of 26th with poverty incidence of 34.6%. Since then and up to the present our province was never in the list of the top 10 or top 20 of the poorest provinces in the country. This goes to show that the efforts of the administrations during these periods as regards poverty alleviation are acceptable and laudable, although there are yet more that needs to be done. These are periods when Governor Sol F. Matugas was in the reins of the Provincial Government and Mayor Nestor Matugas was Chief Executive of Surigao City. Of course they have not been freed from ignominious negative allegations in relation to their governance. However, looking at the good that they have done and the economic progress and development they have introduced during their incumbency, they deserve the people’s gratitude, especially as they now are in their last term of office as governor and mayor, respectively.

Likewise those in the Provincial Board and the City Council deserve our thanks and appreciation. The Leaderships of Vice Governor Egay; the then Vice Mayor Menor and incumbent Vice Mayor Casurra are worthy of praise and sincere gratitude. So are those members of the Provincial Board and the City council, even those who sometimes are labeled as silent participants, but who had the hand to raise in approval for laudable proposed programs and laws and ordinances.

In about a year and a half the pendulum of politics in Surigao will again swing to another election time. Although we observed that each group of the same color are now starting their recruitment, we are never yet sure who will eventually receive the majority consent of the governed to hold the reins of the Provincial and City governments. What we are sure as it was in the past is that we will have the same popular families and common political personalities that will ring the pendulum sound waves as election time arrives.

While many find this pendulumic political exercise already annoying and ironically obnoxious, yet many of the onlookers amongst the political pedestrians remain like, “The man who goes up in a balloon” yet “does not feel as though he was ascending;” but “only sees the earth sinking deeper under him” (Arthur Schopenhauer).

Perhaps it is high time that we again try the pendulum to rest in the middle by encouraging independent intelligent minds to run for political office and request the majority of the electorate to provide outstanding support even just for a shift to see the difference, as they did to President Rodrigo R. Duterte.

We need not have to wait until our chances and the prospects of our children’s future hang in the balance. There is a need for more of those who are best qualified and fortified by moral ascendancy, now sitting idly on the bench, to turn participants and not just frustrated spectators.

CUT IT OUT OR DO WITHOUT

By: Norberto Betita

The escalating cost of electric bills is getting rocket high as to render the retirees as I and my wife are, with limited fixed income from pensions, incapacitated to afford the most needed beneficial comfort that electricity provides. Such has become a heated and controversial issue in the locality. These recent few months, the actual monthly increasing bills seemed to thump my head with a stern reminder that soon we will be having shortage of funds for our most fundamental necessity---food in our bowl. It socked me to the bones that I was determined to cut it out or do without.

To cut it out is meant to return to the primitive use of kerosene or oil lamps and all those deprivations I have in my childhood; after all when Thomas Edison was experimenting on electric light, he was using oil or gas lamps and candles. But of course I do not want to do that. I wanted to enjoy the blessings of the wonders of electricity and the comforts from technology as these resources complement each other in providing ease and contentment.

While we are enjoying the presence of some of the modern relief and relaxation gizmos at home, I soon realized the truth of the saying that “with great power comes and even greater electricity bill.” Now I decidedly thought that there are those that we can do without if we are to have the assurance that our skyrocketing electric bill might be reduced to the most affordable level. And sadly, the one thing that is dispensable and which contributes so much to the elevated cost is the one that sits by our window and provides us with soothing comfort and deep sleep each night---the air conditioner.

This one comforting item is getting us closer to our grandchildren for all would want to sleep with us during the night, especially at these times of summer. No matter how crowded we are in the room, still we can always have a good night sleep. It is even most beneficial for us---the retirees---whose physical appendages are weakened by age making it hard for us to sleep well in the hot summer night. But now we have to regrettably dish out this appliance from use, maybe temporarily until perhaps when our resources will allow.

To some such a decision may have been unthinkable, but reality drives us to one paramount priority. Provident living requires that we set aside some expense emitting dispensable items and retain the things that matter most.

Well, the consequence seems harsh; we could no longer sleep well during the night. Fans are not equitable substitutes. But we are left with no better choice. While I was thus struggling to get a good night rest, I spent my time writing over my thoughts about our retrogressing circumstance as a result of the invention of the electric meter. Perhaps without it our bills should have been all on flat rate. Anyway, I am hoping that our ailing bodies will eventually be able to adjust to the changing atmosphere and circumstances.

As to the high cost electricity---well, it is a problem not only in the Philippines, but throughout the world. It is not only about SURNECO in Surigao City and the Province of Surigao del Norte. It seems to be a universal concern in different cooperative managed Electric Companies. In 2014, 27 mayors of Lanao del Sur appealed for the suspension of top officials of the National Electrification Administration (NEA) and the Lanao del Sur Electric Cooperative for plunder and corruption charges. (see http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/regions/367614/lanao-sur-mayors-appeal-for-suspension-of-nea-administrator-lasureco-head/story/. )

Many other cooperatives have their own problems too.

To the SURNECO management I felt no offense or resentment. If they might have gone beyond the limits of their authority to the detriment of the cooperative consumers, I leave it up to the Provincial Board and the City Council to question. If they might have done us wrong, they will eventually be made to answer the demands of justice. Nonetheless, as of the immediate moment, it has got to be proven still.

Doing without our air conditioner might have been a discomfort, especially during our most needed night rest at this time of our graying. However, I am still grateful that there is afforded for us a brighter light than the oil or gas lamp and there is electricity flowing into our home to run the rest of our most needed labor-saving appliances.

IN THE SWEET SPIRIT OF GRATITUDE

By: Norberto Betita

Water is life. It is the most essential element of existence. It rounds with the circle of life. It runs in unified agreement with the cycle of our get-up-and-go. And according to Leonardo da Vinci, “Water is the driving force of all nature.” So that when our faucet runs dry the essence of life splits and our temperance is tested, especially when hotlines are likewise closed. Yet when one noble leader steps in and acts in haste to resolve the issue without fanfare, our nature reels back and in the sweet spirit of gratitude we are humbled. Then we realized, as it is said, “that life is simple, just add water.”

I am deeply grateful personally to Surigao Metropolitan Water District (SMWD) Chairman MANUEL KONG for making himself available anytime of the day and any days of the year, whether during the busiest of holidays, on call or Facebook message for consumer assistance. Personally he never failed me, and from his own words of personal acceptance of his responsibility as a noble trust placed upon him to diligently serve the consumers, I believe he did the same to all regular water users.

My first experience of his prompt action was in the year 2016 Holiday Seasons. The day before Christmas we had been wanting of water and we could not contact the hotline. Water came past the Christmas Eve. Then again on the day before New Year our faucets run dry for more than 24 hours. Still nobody answered the hotline. I understood it was Holiday and all are very busy with their New Year’s Eve preparations as much as they were during the Christmas Eve. But I believe that hotlines are purposely installed to cater to calls for concerns 24 hours a day. I tried to find the Facebook account of the General Manager purposely to send him a private message about our water concern. But I found none. I was already impatient and so I posted my grievance on Facebook. What made me even irritated is that our house is just about 50 meters to the Canlanipa housing water reservoir and our next door neighbor had water in their faucets. I was enraged because it was not days of water crisis; those were days of overabundance of water in the rainy season. As we were already grumbling for want of water while preparing our feast for the New Year’s Eve, it dawned upon me that my prominent classmate Manny Kong is a member of the SMWD Board of Directors. I immediately checked on Facebook for his account and found that he was the Chairman of the Board.

I was wondering if he ever will still recognize his old college classmate which he no longer meet in many years. I was kind of hesitant to send him my request as I know that he too was very busy for the coming celebrations. Yet driven by our dire need for such a life sustaining element---water, I sent him a friend request and a private message about my concern requesting him for help. It was about midnight on the 30th of December and surprisingly early in the morning of the 31st I received a notice that he had accepted my friend request and a private message that he had already reported the matter to Engr. Espina. I waited until water came 30 minutes before New Year’s Eve.

The history of our water connections dates back when the Canlanipa Housing Reservoir which was constructed purposely to serve the water needs of subdivision occupants was constructed sometime between 1994 and 1995. I was very happy then because our house and lot was very near the reservoir. In fact our connection was second nearest to the reservoir at that time. However, the reservoir was eventually used as a common supplier for all and to my dismay, the first two of us connected into the waterline had always experienced dried faucets because the water from the reservoir were siphoned and drained fast down the pipes in the lower elevation. Hence, Engr. Orestes Añonuevo and Engr. Ensomo decided that three of us should be given a separate connection direct from the reservoir using a one inch plastic pipe. That resolved the problem for many years. Then about three or four years ago, we have this disturbing water problem back.

Since those celebrated nights of the Blessed Season in 2016, we have had a series of the same concern, but we always waited in patience. Every time this happens I find myself looking at the water reservoir in front of our home and felt like those in the old Visayan adage “Nagdungaw sa dakong linaw, namatay sa kauhaw.” When the same problem arises I tried to exhaust all possible means to find resolve before I finally call on Chairman Manny Kong as it would be an incursion to his personal privacy and also out of respect for his honorable office. But when I do, I am always afforded a share of his busy hours and prompt action.

Last Saturday, July 15th we again experienced the same water interruption at 12 noon when we were just having our lunch. My daughter who was then doing laundry was already enraged because nobody would answer the hotline. At about 6PM, as it was my assignment to prepare for dinner, I found our sink still filled with used utensils. I checked with my daughter if she had called SMWD again. She did but nobody answered. It’s when I decided to send a private message to Chairman Manny Kong. In seconds he favorably responded informing me that SMWD personnel will be coming. While I was thus doing my cooking, I heard somebody calling my name. In a few minutes our water supply was restored. I immediately went to my computer to express gratitude to Chairman Manny Kong and found that he already reported that our water supply was already okay. Of course I thanked him so much and expressed apology for the disturbance, but as always his response is, “That is the call I am appointed to do.” In service, his rank and position was the last thing in mind.

This may be just a matter of triviality in so far as public service is concerned, but it is in this kind of trifling and inconsequential acts of service and kindness to ordinary citizens that makes a government employee a true and real public servant---a servant-leader. John C. Maxwell wrote: "It is true that those who would be great must be like the least and the servant of all...If you want to be successful on the highest level, be willing to serve on the lowest" (Relationships 101, p. 89). “What you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others” (Pericles).

“Gratitude is said to be the memory of the heart” (Joseph F. Smith). I wrote not to please SMWD Chairman Manuel Kong, but to express my deepest appreciation from the bottom of my heart in the sweet spirit of gratitude and in acknowledgement of his simple acts of exemplary service to a lowly citizen as I am. If I am personally to award him for having solved my every-now-and-then concerns for our water supply, I would do as President Kennedy has said, “Anyone who can solve the problems of water will be worthy of two Nobel prizes--- one for peace and one for science.”

It is my hope that he still will find more opportunities to serve in his lifetime, especially as regards his present plans to improve our water system and to other public service where he may be called upon to perform.

A MOTHER CLOTHED WITH STRENGTH AND HONOR

By: Norberto Betita

The dawn of afterlife had finally come and the doors of the hereafter opened to a suffering friend and neighbor---Elizabeth Pasia Quinto, a mother clothed with strength and honor---as she now passed the heavy portals of death. When my daughter announced to us of her passing, the words of the legendary Socrates echo: “Death may be the greatest of all human blessings. The end of life is to be like God, and the soul following God will be like Him.” And the lessons I taught the last two Sundays about the parts of our eternal existence and the glories of life after death, resonate.

Indeed, to our dear family friend Ely, as she is fondly called, and the Quinto family her final departure from this mortal life to her final rest beyond the veil was such a great blessing of relief from pains and sufferings as a cancer patient and the family’s agonizing and distressing view of a dearly beloved. While her demise may have been a sorrowful farewell to a loving mother and wife a few days before the Mother’s Day Celebration, yet her journey to an endless end is remarkably joyful. It is promised, “God shall wipe away all tears from [her] eyes; there shall be no more death, neither sorrow nor crying; neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” [She] that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be [her] God and [she] shall be my [daughter]. (Revelation 21:4,7).”

We were neighbors of more or less 23 years at the Canlanipa Homes. We were married the same year---1974. Our eldest children were born the same year---1975. Her six children and our five kids had grown up together; some had to be classmates in school. We have not had a closest association as we both parents are preoccupied with raising and rearing our progenies, who during those times were in the age of vulnerability. However, being very close neighbors we knew and understood each other and our family challenges. Her husband Hernan and I have one common unknown affliction of many years; hence we sometimes shared each other’s way of dealing with our travails. 

With husband Hernan and daughter Mutya

I knew Ely as an exemplary wife and mother. Her sweet smiles each time we met showed no pretense notwithstanding the weight of her immense spousal and maternal responsibilities of raising four boys and two girls and caring for an afflicted husband. Her motherhood of her sometimes unruly children, as are common to many families, reverberate King Solomon’s description of a woman, “Strength and honour are her clothing;” and her positivity over the future of her children deserved the promise, “and she shall rejoice in time to come. (Proverbs 31:25).” She is the kind of a mother who willingly bore the heavy burdens of nurturing her children to their potentials and who bears with them in their weaknesses and frailties. Her happy countenance past the shadows of despair reflects her understanding of motherhood as a role most essential in time and eternity.

In 2006, she was diagnosed as having a breast cancer and a very delicate surgical procedure was performed to remove one of her breast. She survived.

Time flies fast and we found ourselves among the elderly in the neighborhood, retired and physically drained and fragile. Our children are now grownups. Surprisingly, her enduring motherhood eventually yielded unexpected dividends as to fulfill the promised joy and gladness. The prodigals had come to themselves and returned back to where their mother led them to be. Four were already married, the eldest a single father and a daughter remained single. Four are now gainfully employed abroad. Her diligent mothering paid off and her joy must have been to its highest as she envisioned an abundant life for her children’s families. Indeed, “There are few things more powerful than the prayer of a righteous mother. (Boyd K. Packer).” 

Four of her children

However, nine years since her first breast surgery a relapse of her cancer resulted in complications to the bones and lungs. Soon enough in 2015 I learned that Ely had undergone another difficult surgery. While resources may have been available for her to avail of the best medical remedies, yet old age provided little or no physical tolerance. Her daughter Mutya and Hernan revealed that throughout her ordeal she never complained of too much pain except for short of breath. But her husband told me that even in an air-conditioned room she perspired and felt hot. Although I had not been a witness of her physical suffering, but I am of the belief that it was debilitating and painful as I am reminded of my elder sister who also suffered excruciating pain and eventually died of breast cancer. Ely must have held on to her staying power and great fortitude as to defy and hide her agony and pain from her loved ones for them to shy away from possible terrible worries and stressing concern of her.

Once, while I and my wife were across the street of our home, she and her husband on their car passed by and she flashed for us her usual sweet smile as though nothing serious was happening in her life. Such was my last living view of a mother clothed with strength and honor even my friend and neighbor Ely.

Hernan told me that the night when she was brought to the hospital he did not go with the ambulance but followed later. On his way to finding the hospital room, he was kind of lost, but as soon as he opened the door he saw Ely staring at him. That was to him the last look from her most beloved wife; a gaze for a saddest but loving goodbye after 43 years of a happy and enduring marriage. As Hernan held her tight, life yielded up in submission to the call from her Maker forward into a glorious rest in a place prepared for the righteous. It proved to be their last most loving grip.

Of her passing as a longtime friend and neighbor, memory conveyed the wondrous words of the poet Karen Lynn Davidson:

When such a friend from us departs,
We hold forever in our hearts
A sweet and hallowed memory,
Bringing us nearer, Lord, to thee.

Sunday the 13th of May 2017 will soon come and the whole world will be celebrating mother’s Day. Her children will no longer have the opportunity to greet and embrace her physically on this most celebrated day for mothers. Yet most probably to Ely it was such a glorious time for her to have all six of them in physical lively interaction a few days before she finally leaves this frail existence.

While Hernan, Aris, Hiyas, Mutya, Tyron, RJ and Gringgo and relatives and friends are mourning the bereavement of Ely, many are cheering to welcome her behind the veil. Thomas S. Monson assured: “I am certain that the Lord, who notes the fall of a sparrow, looks with compassion upon those who have been called upon to part, even temporarily, from their precious children [and husbands].”

To the Quinto family I express our deepest sympathies and heartfelt condolences on this their hours of bereavement!

THE KILLING OF A JUDGE

(Opinion)

By: Norberto Betita

In the world today there had been millions and millions of laws enacted as touching the ten commandments of God. Even the four word command “Thou shalt not kill” has continued to stimulate and arouse the faculties of hundreds of thousands and perhaps millions of brilliant minds to debate and create laws purposely to decipher and decode its meaning. Hence, for already such a long time, our halls of justice no longer transmit its intended title, because it has since become courts of law and a public square for brilliant debates of opposing thinkers and law experts from both sides of a conflicting social interest. By my generic understanding, judges sit as an arbiter, the authority upon which decisions are seriously weighed and cautiously made as to serve the call for justice, in accordance with the merits of the evidences and arguments, the rule of law, and after a very conscientious study of applicable laws and Supreme Court decisions based on constitutional mandates as are available and carefully presented. These the judges do for they know that their decisions are subject for review. However, many times they are being misunderstood by the fibs that are being feed in the public’s mind by no less than their subjects for judgment. It is even sad to note that some of the accused, especially heightened criminals, in their insatiable desire to win their cases and avoid incarceration, make their own interpretation of the law and justify their predatory instinct which sometimes results to the killing of a judge. This may have prompted an unknown author to say, “The trouble with the laws these days is that criminals know their rights better than their wrongs.”

Some news headlines continue to echo such grim reminder of the unwanted fate of some of our court judges. These few headlines resonate this forbidding reality---Pangasinan judge died in ambush; Judge handling PIATCO case murdered; RTC judge shot dead on way to court in Baler; Judge shot dead in Bulacan. These may have been only a few, but recently we again have one amongst our roster of judges, although already retired, unreasonably and cold-bloodedly killed in Surigao City while humbly wanting a simple meal for lunch in a poor man’s eatery.

During the incumbency of Honorable Judge Victor Canoy, I often saw his car passed by our home, while a bodyguard in motorcycle tailed in a short distance. He lives just about a hundred meters away from my abode. The two-bedroom house he rented was one among the original dwellings built as a low-cost housing for rank and file government employees. Until now, that low cost house which bedroom measures only 9 square meters, barely enough to accommodate a matrimonial bed, doesn’t show any major improvement as to enhance any desirable comfort that is respectably fitting for a prominent man as an honorable judge and his wife. His kind of life lead my mind somehow to wonder why he lived that long in a crowded dwelling worthy only for the common man, that even his car almost could not fit in. His most humble preference to live in a poor man’s house and his choice of a place to satisfy his want of bread on that ill-fated day when he was murdered in cold blood was such a glaring representation of prominence in lowly apparel.

I am not in any way aware of how much a judge gets for a monthly salary. While I thought that it must have been sufficiently equivalent to such a position of prominence and the high risk that they are exposed to each day as may be evidenced by a need for a bodyguard, yet I am inquisitively snooping at the simplicity of the temporal life of our judges as it was with Judge Canoy. My memory remits a very humble life of a Municipal Judge in our old neighborhood whom I often observed while I was yet in my youth, during his off duty and holidays towing a sow while piglets followed on the street immediately in front of our cottage. Perhaps my late prominent lawyer friend is right when he related to me an offer for him to become a presiding judge, but which he refused for reason of salary, which to him was much lesser than what he earns as a practicing lawyer. If this be the case and the life threats for judges and criminality increases, as again proven by the shooting of a government prosecutor a week immediately after the brutal killing of Judge Canoy, our government and society may one day end up wanting for judges and no lawyers will respond.

I know Judge Canoy early in my college days. He has a voice that touches hearts. He was the judge when I won second in an oratorical contest. His younger sister is a college classmate and a close friend of my wife. His eldest son is an acquaintance of my eldest daughter and his only daughter is a schoolmate of my second daughter. He might not have known me, but I know him as a prominent lawyer and judge. His family life had shown no elaborate demonstration of elevated social distinction. Neither his wife nor children have raised brows of arrogance and conceit. His sending his only daughter in a public high school, while most of his colleagues in the law profession have their children enrolled in expensive private schools, is reflective of his inherent humility and frugality in life.

A fellow church member described him as a singing judge, an active member of the United Church Men of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP) in Surigao City. He conducts the men’s choir. He had been a council chairman and during his tenure, he had introduced projects that were beneficial to the church and its members. He had been an exemplary and respected member of the UCCP.

As I reflected on the circumstances of that tragic event, when he walked alone as a retired judge, empty handed and in humblest of attire, notwithstanding existing life threats, I kind of hear the echo of Paul’s words in him: “…I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.

“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:

“Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day…(2 Timothy 4:6-8).”

As we again witness the killing of a judge, we might raise the same universal question long framed by Job of old, “If a man die shall he live again?” The Apostle Paul did ask likewise, “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory (1 Corinthians 15:55)?” No greater words were ever spoken than those of the angel standing before the empty tomb that first resurrection morn—“Why seek ye the living among the dead (Luke 24:5)?” “He is not here: for he is risen, as he said (Matthew 28:6).” Indeed, "death is not the end; it is putting out the candle because the dawn has come (Thomas S. Monson).”

Tomorrow, his body will be laid to rest and make the grave its mansion, while his spirit lives to sojourn in the world of waiting spirits until the resurrection day. He died a murderous death, but his blood cries vengeance from the ground which only God can repay.

May our Police force finds immediate resolve to this merciless killing that justice may be kept alive in our society.

To the bereaved family I express my deepest sympathies and heartfelt condolences.