Politika at Kasinungalingan: Paano Ginagamit ang Mga Gawa-Gawang Kwento upang Pabagsakin ang Kalaban
Noong panahon ni Former President Benigno Simeon “PNOY” Aquino, nagsimula ang isang makasaysayang impeachment trial laban sa Chief Justice na si Renato Corona. Ang bintang na ginamit upang mapatalsik ang kagalang-galang na hukom ay ukol sa hindi tamang pagdedeklara ng kanyang Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN). Ito ang ginawang pangunahing argumento ng administrasyon ni Aquino upang sirain ang reputasyon ni Corona. Sa kabila ng pagtatanggol ni dating Senadora Miriam Defensor Santiago, napatalsik si Corona dahil sa malawakang kasinungalingan at pagmamanipula sa mga ebidensya. Makalipas ang ilang taon, napatunayan na walang matibay na batayan ang mga bintang, subalit huli na ang lahat sapagkat yumao na si Chief Justice Renato Corona. Isa sa mga itinuturong dahilan ng impeachment ay ang kanyang kautusan na ipamahagi ang mga lupang nasa ilalim ng Hacienda Luisita, na para sa mga magsasaka at hindi para sa pamilyang Aquino. Sa kabila ng mga kasinungalingang ito, ang katotohanan ay unti-unting lumabas, ngunit ang kawawang hukom ay hindi na makakabalik upang linisin ang kanyang pangalan.
Ngayon, tila nauulit ang ganitong klaseng mga intriga sa kasalukuyang administrasyon ni Pangulong Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr. May mga ulat na ang mga gawa-gawang kwento upang sirain ang reputasyon ng kanyang administrasyon ay iniuugnay sa pinsan ng Pangulo, si House Speaker Martin Romualdez. Kasama niya umano si Congresswoman Stella Quimbo na nadulas sa isang budget hearing ng Office of the Vice President (OVP) at hindi sinasadyang nasabi ang “Stick to our plan”, na nagdulot ng pagdududa kung mayroon nga bang plano ang mga miyembro ng Kongreso upang pabagsakin si Vice President Sara Duterte. Bagaman walang matibay na ebidensya, ang mga ganitong pahayag ay nagbubukas ng mga teorya na ang mga kongresista ay nagkakaisa upang mag-isip ng mga estratehiya na magbibigay ng masamang impresyon sa mga Duterte.
Kaugnay nito, ang tila muling pagsulpot ng mga kilalang personalidad tulad ni Mary Ann Maslog, na iniulat na nasa likod ng Textbook Scam noong 1998, ay nagpapakita ng patuloy na pagtatangkang siraan ang administrasyon ni Duterte. Matapos magtago sa Amerika sa loob ng 26 taon, bigla siyang lumitaw at tila mayroong awtoridad upang kausapin ang isang personalidad na malapit sa mga Duterte, si Mayor Alice Guo. Ang kanyang biglaang pagdating at pagsangkot sa mga isyu ng pamahalaan ay nagdudulot ng mga tanong, lalo na’t tila may mga pagtatangkang magpakalat ng maling impormasyon upang siraan ang dating Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte. Ang ganitong mga hakbang ay naglalantad ng malalim na agenda upang sirain ang integridad ng mga dating opisyal ng pamahalaan.
Kapansin-pansin din ang mga pag-aakusa ni Senadora Risa Hontiveros sa mga imbestigasyon na tila pinagtutulungan upang ipagtanggol si Mary Ann Maslog. Sa tuwing tinatanong ni Senador Bato De la Rosa si Maslog sa mga hearing, madalas nakikialam si Hontiveros, na para bang nagbibigay ng mga sagot o hint kay Maslog kung paano sasagutin ang mga tanong. Ang ganitong klaseng mga aksyon ay nagpapakita ng sistematikong pagsuporta ng ilang mga pulitiko upang buuin ang naratibong nagpapabagsak sa mga Duterte, at nagpapahiwatig na may mga nagsasabwatan sa likod ng mga pahayag ni Maslog.
Sa kabila ng lahat ng ito, patuloy ang mga pagtatangka na sirain si Suspended Mayor Alice Guo, na naging malapit sa mga Duterte. Ayon sa mga ulat, dalawang beses na bumisita si Maslog sa kulungan ni Guo, dala ang isang affidavit na naglalaman ng mga akusasyon laban kay dating Pangulong Duterte at sa mga kasama nito, kabilang sina Senador Bato De la Rosa at Senador Bong Go. Pinapipirmahan umano ni Maslog ang dokumento upang maging makatotohanan ang mga akusasyon, subalit lumalabas na isa lamang itong desperadong hakbang upang tuluyan nang masira ang pangalan ng mga Duterte. Ang mga ganitong pagkilos ay nagpapatunay na ang pagpapakalat ng kasinungalingan ay isa pa ring mabisang sandata sa politika.
Kayo na ang bahalang humusga sa mga pangyayaring ito. Ang paggawa ng mga maling kwento at kasinungalingan ay matagal nang ginagamit na sandata upang pabagsakin ang mga kalaban sa pulitika. Mula sa impeachment ni Chief Justice Renato Corona hanggang sa mga kasalukuyang isyu na kinakaharap ng mga Duterte, malinaw na hindi pa rin nawawala ang kultura ng kasinungalingan at manipulasyon. Ang tanong na lamang ay: Hanggang kailan magtatagal ang ganitong uri ng politika sa ating bansa?
During the time of Former President Benigno Simeon “PNOY” Aquino, a historic impeachment trial was initiated against Chief Justice Renato Corona. The accusation used to remove the esteemed judge was related to the improper declaration of his Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN). This became the primary argument of Aquino’s administration to tarnish Corona’s reputation. Despite the defense led by former Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago, Corona was ousted due to widespread lies and manipulation of evidence. Years later, it was proven that the accusations had no solid basis, but it was too late as Chief Justice Renato Corona had already passed away. One of the alleged reasons for the impeachment was his order to distribute the lands under Hacienda Luisita to the farmers, rather than to the Aquino family. Despite these lies, the truth slowly emerged, but the unfortunate judge could no longer return to clear his name.
Today, similar intrigues seem to be resurfacing under the current administration of President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr. There are reports that fabricated stories aimed at damaging the reputation of his administration are being linked to the President’s cousin, House Speaker Martin Romualdez. It is said that he, along with Congresswoman Stella Quimbo, inadvertently revealed a slip during a budget hearing of the Office of the Vice President (OVP) by saying “Stick to our plan,” raising doubts about whether members of Congress indeed have a plan to bring down Vice President Sara Duterte. Although there is no solid evidence, such statements give rise to theories that lawmakers are united in strategizing ways to give a negative impression of the Dutertes.
In connection to this, the sudden reappearance of notable figures like Mary Ann Maslog, who was reportedly behind the Textbook Scam of 1998, shows continued efforts to discredit Duterte’s administration. After hiding in America for 26 years, she suddenly resurfaced and seems to have the authority to speak to a personality close to the Dutertes, Mayor Alice Guo. Her abrupt arrival and involvement in government issues raise questions, especially since there seems to be an effort to spread misinformation aimed at discrediting former President Rodrigo Duterte. These actions expose a deeper agenda to ruin the integrity of former government officials.
It is also notable that Senator Risa Hontiveros has made accusations during investigations that seem to support Mary Ann Maslog. Whenever Senator Bato De la Rosa questions Maslog during hearings, Hontiveros often intervenes, as if providing answers or hints to Maslog on how to respond. These actions demonstrate a systematic support from some politicians to build a narrative that discredits the Dutertes, suggesting a possible conspiracy behind Maslog’s statements.
Despite all of this, efforts continue to discredit Suspended Mayor Alice Guo, who has grown close to the Dutertes. According to reports, Maslog visited Guo twice in prison, bringing with her an affidavit containing accusations against former President Duterte and his allies, including Senator Bato De la Rosa and Senator Bong Go. Maslog allegedly tried to get Guo to sign the document to legitimize the accusations, but it appears to be a desperate attempt to completely tarnish the name of the Dutertes. These actions confirm that spreading lies remains a powerful political weapon.
It is up to you to judge these events. The creation of false stories and lies has long been used as a weapon to bring down political opponents. From the impeachment of Chief Justice Renato Corona to the current issues faced by the Dutertes, it is clear that the culture of lies and manipulation has not disappeared. The only question left is: How long will this kind of politics persist in our country?
In a shocking turn of events, Congresswoman Jinky Bitrics Luistro has recently admitted to the public that her husband is facing a serious rape charge. Rather than allow the legal process to take its course, she took matters into her own hands and made the controversial decision to hide her husband from the authorities to prevent his arrest. This admission has caused widespread outrage, raising questions about the ethical standards of someone holding public office, particularly a lawyer.
Luistro’s decision to run for Congress, it appears, was not driven by a desire to serve her constituents but rather fueled by a personal agenda—revenge. It has become clear that her political career is deeply intertwined with her husband’s legal battles, and instead of using her position for the common good, she is using it to manipulate the system to shield her husband from justice. Her actions undermine the very essence of public service and the rule of law, principles she is expected to uphold as both a congresswoman and a lawyer.
The revelation that she actively concealed her husband, rather than allowing him to face the consequences of his actions, is a blatant violation of legal ethics and civil service standards. As a member of Congress and an officer of the court, she is bound by the law to promote justice and the public interest, not protect those who break it. By choosing to hide her husband, Luistro not only obstructed justice but also used her influence to shield a crime from being properly addressed by the courts. This is not only a moral failing but a serious legal violation.
As a lawyer, Congresswoman Luistro should have defended her husband within the confines of the law, ensuring that he received a fair trial while allowing the legal system to function as it should. Instead, she has chosen to ignore her professional obligations, risking her legal career and credibility. Her actions show a clear disregard for the legal process, one that could potentially lead to her disbarment for violating the very code of conduct she is sworn to uphold. Hiding a suspect, especially one facing a grave charge like rape, is not only a violation of civil service ethics but also a criminal offense in itself.
The question now is whether Congresswoman Luistro should face the consequences of her actions. Many legal experts and public officials argue that she should be disbarred for her involvement in obstructing justice and failing to abide by the legal and ethical standards of her profession. As a public servant, Luistro has an obligation to uphold the law—not to manipulate it for personal gain. Disbarment would not only be a justified punishment but also serve as a reminder that no one, not even those in power, is above the law.
This case highlights the dangers of electing individuals to public office who are driven by personal vendettas rather than a genuine desire to serve. Congresswoman Luistro’s case demonstrates how political office can be used to protect personal interests, undermining the integrity of public institutions. Her actions not only tarnish her reputation but also bring discredit to the legal profession and Congress itself. It is now up to the legal and political system to hold her accountable and restore faith in the rule of law.