EDITORIAL: LISTEN UP!

A FILIPINO LAWMAKER is held at the Manila international airport Friday night after his bag yielded 20 pieces of .38-caliber bullets. Laguna Rep. Danton Bueser was on his way to San Francisco, reports say.

The 57-year old politician denies any knowledge of the ammunition and phones Surigao del Sur Rep. Prospero Pichay Jr., now running as one of President Gloria Arroyo’s senatorial candidate.

After the phone call, police free Bueser Saturday morning. Wow!

In a country like the Banana Republic, where influence is more powerful than the rule of law, nothing is impossible, especially if you have allies like politicians and the wealthy. Laws are disrespected.

What if civilian travelers are caught with just a single bullet, or say an Arab man was intercepted carrying two rusty bullets? Philippine authorities are sure to tag them as members of the Abu Sayyaf, perhaps Jemaah Islamiya or even al-Qaeda terrorists and present them to reporters, of course with new t-shirts marked “detainee” and a news conference follows!

This is what the Banana Republic is all about!

Elections in the Philippines are nearing and it’s good that there are many thieves running for public office. Oh! I mean honorable politicians not thieves, pardon me.

And foreign governments are again watching the outcome of the May elections. Again, there will be a lot of cheating, since many politicians are naturally cheaters!

Elections watchdogs should field more people in Jolo and Basilan islands and in the Muslim autonomous region in Mindanao, Zamboanga Peninsula and Cebu, of course! And also in Ilocos region and central Tagalog because these areas are traditionally worst every elections.

In the past elections, Jolo and Basilan islands were prominent because of accusations of massive cheating. Some people tasked of protecting the sanctity of ballots and politicians were themselves involved in cheating – they used gold, guns and goons – just like in Maguindanao!

Responsible Filipinos should stay vigilant and guard the ballots!