Using people’s names in vain

When it comes to using people’s names in vain and gullibility, the Philippines certainly ranks one of the highest. Its so unbelievable how many people in government as well as the private sector have been victimized by name droppers and “fabricators” of lies and allegations. In fact the degree of gullibility in the Philippines is reflected by how many people believe in “Fake News” or Tsismis (gossip). But the problem with our level and extent of gullibility becomes dangerous when it results in graft or when it results in public humiliation or when someone’s life is placed in danger.

For instance President Rodrigo Duterte regularly receives “Intelligence Reports” or a list of “public enemies” especially alleged “Drug Lords” or “Protectors.” Another list he gets is a list of “corrupt” or abusive government officials. Good or bad, the President has never hesitated to divulge or publicly expose the people in such lists and in most cases the people mentioned protest their innocence to high heavens and in the worst case end up having to present their case in heaven! We all know that there have been a number of misses and mistaken identities in the past so the President has pulled back a little on the public exposés.

But while the President has exercised caution with those lists, we have not heard of anyone being publicly chastised or punished for including the names of innocent people. In fact, it would be interesting to find out how Malacanang punishes people for submitting inaccurate or defective information like the time Gen. Dionisio Santiago was mistaken for another Santiago who received a mansion from drug lords.  Most people think that only poor people or political enemies are victimized but I recently learned about a case when the husband of a provincial governor was maliciously inserted into the latest edition of the Narco list being submitted to the President.

It seems that the name of the Governor’s husband was spitefully included by some law enforcement official because the Governor’s husband could not or would not accommodate certain requests either for large sums of money or promotion in rank or assignment. We can only imagine the shock and anger of the Governor and her family given the fact that getting your name into the Presidential Narco list is the equivalent of a death sentence whether political or real life.The victim in this case has long had a reputation for being involved in the numbers game but was never ever associated with drugs.But because they are supporters of President Duterte, they are unable to publicly speak out against the malicious insertion of the man’s name in the Presidential Narco list which is both  life and politically threatening.

I hope one of the President’s men would be kind enough to share this bit of information with “Tatay Digong” and convince the President to order a review on the background and lifestyle of each and every person who contributes to or formulates the presidential Narco list because there are truly wicked and spiteful people who would happily endanger others especially when they believe that their fabrications won’t come back to haunt them or punish them. When lives are placed in jeopardy, our intelligence must have integrity and truth.

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If some corrupt law enforcers have no problem inserting innocent people’s names in a Narco list, there are some corrupt businessmen who have no fear and no problem using an official’s name in vain.

After writing an article about Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez’s anger with the LTO, I found out about two Tsinoy brothers who desperately tried to shortcut the procurement and bidding process of the LTO for vehicle license plates and their tactic was to name drop using the name of Speaker Alvarez. One of  the Tsinoy brothers first called on Asec. Edgar Galvante and pushed for special consideration and favor to supply the license plates. Galvante politely declined and suggested that they comply with the pre-bidding requirements. The name dropper returned a week or few days later and sought out the Executive Director at the LTO main office and once again started name dropping the Speaker’s name. But this time, he reportedly placed a license plate on the table and said: “I guess you know why I’m here” suggesting that it was all moot and academic.

Fortunately, the Executive Director was not fazed and made the same suggestion that his boss had given. Instead of accepting defeat, the Tsinoy operator went to see a Regional Director, again name dropping and saying: “I’m sure the LTO Chief has someone who does negotiations behind the scenes.” But just like the previous occasions, he got shut out and told to join the bidding. As it turns out, the Tsinoy brothers are just one of many operators who fearlessly use the name of elected officials in vain and for profit. They even kept referring to “The Davao Group” and a Duterte supporter and now political appointee for Cebu.

This two situations teaches all of us to be careful about name droppers and blindly trusting reports or information just because they are from “the Intelligence Community”. One official told me that their policy is quite simple: If the President did not send written directions or endorsements, nothing happens. On the other hand, there is nothing wrong or illegal in calling the person whose name is being used in vain or name dropped. In fact many officials I know actually appreciate the heads-up or the request for confirmation, because it shows that you are being careful as well as protecting the officials name. There is always a way to reach the official concerned even the President of the Philippines.

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