“I claim to be a simple individual liable to err like any other fellow mortal. I own, however, that I have humility enough in me to confess my errors and to retrace my step” －Mahatma Gandhi

To public officials: Power is temporary. When given the opportunity to serve the public, one must live a modest life and never steal.
There are arrogant public servants who are “onion-skinned;” indi mo ma-criticize sa media. As a community journalist since the conclusion of the EDSA Revolution, I knew many (in both local and national office) and have crossed paths with them, wherein they proved to be menacing but unreasonable and irrational.
If they aren’t threatening physical harm, they sue for libel. While it’s only a form of harassment－it is only intended to silence journalists as they know a libel case would never be a home run for them－freedom of the press and freedom of expression remain the bedrock of democracy and such overbearing politicians are merely trying to show their critics who is “the boss.”
While they wish to live as kings and queens, many of them are thieves who take advantage of their position to enrich themselves while in office. They are likely unaware of the repercussions that come with every penny they steal－everything is governed by karma.
One reaps what they sow.

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Former Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Director-General Augusto ‘Buboy’ Syjuco, Jr. must have died a sad person. In the final days of life, he fought “hammer and tongs” to clear his name of graft charges but to no avail.
The cases involved millions of transactions undertaken as Iloilo second district congressman and while at the helm of TESDA. His wife, another former legislator, was his co-accused in some of the cases.
Did they really steal? There are arguments coming from either side but there are also those who recognize the wealth they had already amassed prior to taking public office. Regardless, being in the twilight years of one’s life and having to face criminal charges with the possibility of jail time is equivalent to hell. One can only imagine the sorrow and tribulations Syjuco experienced as he was also battling illness and undergoing treatment in Singapore.
He probably didn’t realize many of his cases－some in which he was convicted, others he plead guilty－would outlive him.
God bless Syjuco’s soul.

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Alex P. Vidal, who is based in New York City, used to be the editor for two local dailies in Iloilo./WDJ