IMAGINE THE unexpected turn of events that greeted the first few days of September – ousted Bamban mayor Alice Guo arrested in Jakarta, Indonesia on September 2 and deported to the country after two days, and then fugitive celebrity pastor and self-proclaimed son of God Apollo Quiboloy arrested on September 8 after eluding arrest for several months over human trafficking, sexual abuse charges and bulk cash smuggling.
It seems like we are on a roll as far as the enforcement of the law to its fullest extent is concerned. People are now asking if this is the spark we have been waiting for so that our honourable lawmakers and law enforcers can finally put their act together.
Is this even for real?
Far from it. On the day of the reported arrest, we see very disgusting pictures flashed all over the news. First, a group shot taken inside a vehicle of a visibly relaxed and all-smiles Guo together with agents from the National Bureau of Investigation and Bureau of Immigration.
Second, a photo of Guo taken in what appears to be a lobby or lounge with Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos and Philippine National Police chief Rommel Francisco Marbil, where the dismissed mayor is shown striking a pa-cute pose with her uncuffed hands framing her face.
Compare these photos to the arrest of ordinary Filipinos who are treated every inch a criminal and are subjected to police brutality in all forms and in varying degrees. There are no groupies or selfies, and no special treatment of any kind. For some suspected drug pushers, an inhumane arrest might even prove to be a lot sweeter than an execution right on the spot, in the guise of the now infamous “nanlaban” playbook of many a police officer.
As for the 74-year-old pastor and founder of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ church, we are left clueless as Abalos posted only about his arrest in Davao without providing any details. Was he arrested or did he surrender voluntarily?
As expected, Vice President Sara Duterte came quickly to Quiboloy’s defense. Citing the deployment of almost 2,000 police personnel, Duterte criticized the government for what she considers a “grave abuse of police power” in executing its operations to arrest the pastor, who is also facing franchise violations of his Sonshine Media Network International and several other charges in the United States.
When Guo was again summoned to appear before the Senate hearing, it did not take long for her to make a mockery out of the investigation – lying repeatedly about her real identity, dodging questions and providing no real and concrete answers typical of, in the words of former Sen. Panfilo Lacson, a “trained and smart foreign spy.”
So where would the investigations go from here?
Let us not get too excited. Let us taper our expectations from our lawmakers who are supposed to demand accountability and ensure the full and just implementation of the law in these two high profile cases. We have seen this before and it will happen again right under our noses.
Like the PDAF cases and other stories of graft, corruption, abuse of power and authority, the Guo and the Quiboloy cases will end the way we have always expected. Sad but true. The script has long been written, reviewed and rewritten all over again. The usual actors have mastered their lines and perfected their roles to the delight of the powers that be who serve as the show’s directors. We have always known the ending to this saga. It is just a question of when the ending will disappointingly unfold before our every eyes. So, hold on to your seats. Welcome to the grand moro-moro con zarzuela y comedia dela chenes!
