FROM THE BARREL OF MY PEN

By Gonzalo “Jun” Policarpio





THE WHEEL OF LIFE





The world we live in revolves around the sun. That’s how we experience day and night.



I may say that our life in this world is also in the process of revolution. That’s how we experience youth and old age.



The Bible says that in heaven there is no night; therefore, in heaven there is also no old age.



Back to this real world we are now in, everything is subject to cyclical movements. That’s the reason we compare life to a wheel: at one time, we may be up, next time we may be down.



A few days ago, I got an exuberant call from my friend and political ally, Dr. Myrna V. Littlewort. I call her that because she, as a hardcore Republican, stood by me come hell and high water against the wishes of the majority that controls the Party in Queens when I ran for U.S. Congress to represent New York’s 5th District last year for the second time. Another friend and political ally who I need to mention in this regard is Tom Long, chairman of the Queens Country Conservative Party who supported my candidacy all the way against all odds.



Myrna told me that the so-called insurgent group among the Republicans in Queens may no longer be the same with its landslide victory in the recently concluded elections of district leaders. She said that Bart Haggerty, the recognized leader of the insurgent group, as well as his colleagues demolished their opponents endorsed by the Queens county leadership. She herself was just elected Republican District Leader in the 35th Assembly District of Queens.



Well, back to the larger and much larger world we live in, I believe God the Creator does not allow anything or anybody to be always in power. That may be His law and principle because only He should always remain in control.



Moral lesson today: It does not pay to be arrogant for God doesn’t like it.



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junpolicarpio@gmail.com

FROM THE BARREL OF MY PEN
By Gonzalo “Jun” Policarpio


WHERE IS THY BROTHER?


A criminal charge of ordering the murder of at least a human being is a very serious matter that should not be taken lightly. Yet in the Philippines where the cost of a human life is going down maybe about a few thousand pesos, the accused generally laughs it off.

In the eyes of justice, every accused is presumed innocent until proven guilty. The burden is on the prosecutor or accuser to produce hard evidence for conviction. Examples of such are a true eyewitness of the crime being committed by the accused, a clear camera or video shot of the person committing the murder, or a true confession of the crime from the accused not obtained under duress. However, other evidence still maybe gathered to help in the prosecution of the crime.

Right now before the eyes of the world via the help of the worldwide media, a former president of the Philippines and an incumbent member of the Philippine Senate are the accused in a brutal crime of murder of two human beings. This is a very serious charge and should not be politicized. No stone should be left unturned during the investigation, so to speak.

But here’s the problem: is there a prima facie case to launch a full investigation of the two prominent Filipino politicians accused of murder or just a mere case of hearsay - he said, she said, they said?

If not, then the media or the press should not allow itself to be exploited by unscrupulous but powerful forces for the sake of politics or otherwise.

It is always easy to lodge an accusation but hard to prove it. It is just and fair under the law and under any court of justice to find out first if there is that element called “probable cause” before proceeding to any investigation.

Remember, the rights of the accused should be protected all the time. It is now time to consider that a person who files a frivolous suit deserves punishment.

End


Junpolicarpio@gmail.com

FROM THE BARREL OF MY PEN
By Gonzalo “Jun” Policarpio


“YES, WE CAN” – FILIPINO STYLE


If Marcos did not impose martial law in the Philippines on September 21, 1972, the assassinated Philippine senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino who was then the most popular opposition leader, should have been elected as the next president of the Philippines. What happened during the Marcos dictatorial regime and after now is now part of the revolving Philippine history replete with drama, melodrama, comedy, and tragedy.

Philippine newspapers just reported that incumbent Philippine senator Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino, son of Ninoy and former President Cory Aquino, is all set to declare his candidacy for president on September 10th after a series of consultations with political and religious leaders supporting him. When this happens in a few days, this is history repeating itself. But this time, I believe, nobody would play the role of another Marcos.

There is no other way to paint the recent death of Cory Aquino and the accompanying funeral and burial procession attended by so many Filipinos as a sign, perhaps from heaven, that it’s time for the bad guys to retire and let the good guys take over the Philippines. As the Holy Scriptures say, there’s always a time for everything.

Though I may have predicted in one of my previous columns that Sen. Manny Villar would be the next president of the Philippines, I am not a prophet. I’m just a simple newspaper columnist and political analyst prone to committing mistakes.

In short, speaking from my senses, I call on all opposition candidates to unite around the candidacy of Noynoy Aquino for president of the Philippines next year for he would be a very good version of the Filipino Barack Obama shouting “Yes, We Can.”

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junpolicarpio@gmail.com