No Bystanders

Janet Napoles with Sen. Revilla and Sen Estrada. Photo by Rappler.com

Janet Napoles is out of the country, according to an employee of the Bureau of Immigration (BI).

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima confirmed on Wednesday night that a warrant of arrest has been issued against Napoles and her brother for the alleged serious illegal detention of Benhur Luy, who first exposed the P10 Billion PDAF scam that Napoles allegedly masterminded. However, before the National Bureau of Investigation was able to serve the warrant of arrest, Napoles and her brother was able to board a flight to Vietnam. The same BI source claimed that Napoles flew on Philippine Airlines (PAL) flight 5J 506 at 4:35 in afternoon, well before de Lima announced the decision of a Makati court to issue the warrant of arrest.

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A few days ago, I read the story of Reynaldo Cacillar - a pedicab driver who "died a tragically lonesome death on June 21, going largely unaided and unattended despite suffering an apparent heart attack or stroke in front of many passersby right outside a university." (Full story here.)

After reading his story, I resolved I would do things differently if presented with the same situation.

Today, as I was walking home, I passed by an elderly woman lying unconscious on the sidewalk. I pass on the same street often and I know it's not the usual spot where homeless people would rest or sleep. Looking at her position, and the fact that one of her slippers was off and on the main road, it seemed she passed out or there was an accident. Foamy saliva was flowing out of her mouth and I wasn't even sure if she was breathing.

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I recently saw a story in Facebook that reminded me of various personal experiences while traveling, and it reminded me that indeed, racism is alive. And that's a sad thing, considering that it's the 21st century already, the age of internet and world travel. But the good thing is, the more people talk about this and the more people speak up and act when they witness it, like in the story below, we are a step closer to a just world.

Here's the story:

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This incident happened four years ago, July 2, 2007.  I am re-posting this to remind myself, and again share with everyone, the lesson that I have learned from this experience. 

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I was in shock. I couldn’t believe it was all happening. The fellow behind me told me to go up the stairs. When I reached the second floor, the other guy pulled out something from his pocket and pointed it at my face. A gun.

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Yes, you got that right.

After being very much against it, I now have a change of heart. I am now in favor of allowing Ferdinand Marcos to be buried at the Libingan ng Mga Bayani. Yes, even with full military honors. In fact, it should be a state burial due a true hero.

But only if the following conditions are met. And I mean all.

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