Making it public

By the time this article reaches print, chances are Filipino Netizens interested in news and politics have probably seen a video file I uploaded on Facebook and YouTube. The video material covers the now controversial meeting between DILG Secretary Mar Roxas and Tacloban City Mayor Alfred Romualdez.

I have long known about the existence of the video where DILG Secretary Mar Roxas allegedly pressured Tacloban City Mayor Alfred Romualdez to “Resign.” That video was taken on Nov. 14 and I heard about it Nov. 25. I first caught a very short glimpse of it Nov. 26 in Tacloban City. It was not the only video taken of the now controversial meeting. There are at least one or two other individuals who found the discussion so interesting that they also recorded it on their mobile phones. In fact one individual was seen/heard on a separate recording questioning who “he” was and why he was recording the meeting. The person identified himself as city hall media but was still forced to close his phone camera. I have also recently heard about a “phone conversation” related to the controversial meeting but have not heard it myself.

I had, if I wanted to, access to the video and it stayed there like fish bait. I was not the only media person who learned about the video, there were others. The only difference is that I ignored it, choosing to focus on writing about how people were and can help the millions of victims of Typhoon Yolanda. I actually wanted to stay out of the squabble except when it reached a point when Mar vehemently denied asking for a letter of resignation and anyone who claims such was a liar. Then I got curious. So I asked Mayor Alfred Romualdez what the real story was.

Instead of giving me his version of the meeting, he simply said: “See for yourself.” After that Mayor Romualdez handed me a copy of the video and said: “I leave it up to you to decide what to do with the DVD.”

So why did I decide to upload the video? The video is crucial because it is a “black box” that recorded what key players and officials were saying and doing at the height of relief and rescue operations 6 days after the typhoon. It gives observers an accurate recording of the state of mind of the individuals and exactly what the status of engagement was between the local government and the national government. Finally, it’s a free  comment and objective testimony of what Mar Roxas said versus what Alfred Romualdez said. All this I believe meets the standards and doctrines of professional journalism.

As far as the discussion is concerned, most people who’ve seen and heard the video cannot understand why the national government needs “permission” from a Mayor of the City Council to assist in a disaster of global proportions? If as Mar Roxas stated later in the meeting that “a General cannot be under a Mayor,” why then would the President of the Republic of the Philippines, who by the powers vested in him by the Constitution can declare martial law, declare a state of emergency or appoint himself as concurrent secretary or head of a government agency, why would he need the permission of a Mayor or city lawmakers to send help and reinforcements?

Since Mar Roxas was the President’s alter ego on the ground and head of the Department of Interior and Local Government, Mar Roxas is in effect the boss of the Mayor and the City Council. So why did he need a “We Surrender” letter from the officials of Tacloban City? It is interesting to note Mar’s concern about a legal backlash against the national government for helping. I personally have never heard of anybody suing any government official or government for that matter for helping without permission!

The tragedy in all this was while Mar was frantically trying to get Romualdez et al to say “We Surrender,” the whole world was in the backyard distributing aid and helping. 

Someone also pointed out that a resolution has no binding power to it, a resolution on the other hand is local legislation which cannot be superior to the Constitution or national laws.   

I watched the video several times. The decision to upload the video on social media did not come easy, and I sincerely sought the counsel and wisdom of many.

I prayed hard on whether or not to upload the video and the Lord led me to the Book of Esther Chapters 3 & 4. In summary the 2 chapters recount how Esther is forced to report a plot to the King at the risk of losing her life for violating protocol. Esther is told that if she does not act, the Lord will send someone else to do his will, and Esther could still forfeit her life and that of her family for being disobedient to God.

Then I asked my wife Karen, then I asked my publisher Miguel Belmonte, I communicated with someone in Malacañang, then I asked my Pastors and friends in Christian media. This entire process is what I have been taught and what I abide by before undertaking something quite serious. It is a process intended to filter real motive, purpose and conformity with God’s will.

As a columnist I have license to inject my opinion, but for today I withheld comment in order not to affect viewer opinion.

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Last Monday I joined members of the Land Rover team that went to Tacloban City for our mandatory “debriefing,” or psycho-social processing done by The UP-PGH psychiatric department. At he start I did not think much of it, but now I strongly endorse it for everyone in need.

What I learned is that the process of debriefing does not operate on a set time line. People have different tolerance levels and some people can go for months or years before acting out their trauma. These can be manifested in nightmares, hot temper, rashes, abusive language, social withdrawal, binge eating, nap attacks, sleepless nights, increased alcohol intake or use of anti-depressants and lack of interest in regular business matters.

Those directly affected are the immediate victims while first responders and volunteers like our group are classified as “hidden victims” because they never see themselves as victims. Those coming out of Tacloban shared common issues: guilt that they did not come sooner, haunted by their inadequate numbers and resources, angry at the government’s slow or lack of response, feeling they need to return and do more, and contempt for people who seem to be unaffected or unconcerned by the tragedy on the ground. We also realized that first responders and volunteers are purpose driven even with their material possessions such as vehicles while those who are porma driven or all form and no purpose tend to overrate or over value material possessions.

In terms of learning, we realized that government under past and present administrations has consistently been inadequate and not in a position to fully address such annual calamities and that we in the private sector need to commit ourselves to the task. While prudence dictates being careful, we must position ourselves, ready and as near as possible to the affected locations and not wait for the all clear before we assemble and launch or we’re too late. While we respond to disasters we must have fun helping and not suffer while doing it.

Ultimately, as traumatizing as these experiences have been, we will do it again because that is who we are: We are Volunteers.

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