An apology is not enough - DIRECT LINE by Boy Abunda

I don’t know retired Brigadier General Bayani Fabic and I’m sure he doesn’t know me either. But I know of him now, after he was mercilessly slapped by San Juan Congressman Jose Mari Gonzalez during the commotion that ensued after Speaker Manny Villar immediately read the articles of impeachment after the prayer in the House of Congress session last Nov. 13.

I was stunned, the first time I saw it. But as I would see the replays of that despicable incident, I started to get angry.

A man in his mid-60s, General Fabic reminds me of my late father in many ways. A big man who was there when things happened at the town plaza or municipio. A big man with a soft heart. A man who never watched from the gallery. He was always onstage, not necessarily centerstage but he was always there where the action was. And tatay never backed out from a fight.

General Fabic also reminds me of Papa Erning Quintana, Bong’s father. Bong is my domestic partner. Papa Erning was in the police service for almost 40 years. He retired five years ago without a mansion and without millions of pesos in the bank. But Papa’s dignity is intact. After retirement, he found a job at the San Lazaro Hippodrome watching over hor—ses and people as security chief. Papa Erning at 62 and after 40 years of police service should be resting in some modest rest house where his grandchildren can play with butterflies and fireflies. But Papa didn’t earn enough money to have a resthouse at Woodlands in Tagaytay. He had to continue working to support a family. Thank God no one has dared slap Papa.

Congressman Jose Mari Gonzalez displayed excessive cruelty when he slapped General Fabic, unbecoming of a human being who happens to be a member of the supposedly august Chamber of the House. The old man almost fell had not someone caught his arm. Perplexed and stunned, General Fabic was clueless as to what happened. Former matinee idol, mestizo Congressman Gonzalez took it upon himself to slap an old man – just like in the movies – except there was no director who shouted, "Cut!"

From the footage I saw, it seemed that he called General Fabic to go near him – the old man unsuspecting that he was going to be hit. The image of Congressman Gonzalez slapping General Fabic will forever haunt us – a people beaten and whipped by Illustrados for centuries. Sadly, you remind yourself that it’s not over yet.

An apology is not enough. Speaker Fuentebella was quoted to have allegedly said that, "Let’s put a stop to this issue. After all, Congressman Gonzalez has apologized." Speaker Fuentebella, if this is an early indication of how you’re going to run the Lower House – Mr. Speaker, please, may I go out – I’m running home.

Congressman Gonzalez should assess himself – is he fit to be a member of the House of Congress that makes law premised around the well-being of every Filipino regardless of color, age and social status? Congressman Gonzalez outburst was irrational and xxxxxxxxxx.

An apology is just a fist step but I think it’s not enough. When is the next explosion? Do we run away from Congressman Gonzalez everytime he gets angry?

General Fabic, I don’t know you personally. But you must fight for justice. First, you are a human being. Second, you are a soldier. Soldiers don’t run away from a good fight. "Dignity doesn’t have a price," Papa Erning would often say.

Take away the pain inflicted by the harsh, mestizo hand of Congressman Gonzalez. Think about the pain inflicted on your pagkatao. I called your office last week because I wanted to do a story on you. I wanted people to get to know you better. Who are you? Are you an upright man, the way I think of you? Why are you still working as Sgt.-At-Arms of the House of Representatives? Aren’t you supposed to be rich? After all, you’re a retired Brigadier-General. Generals are rich and powerful men. Are you the good man I think you are? Your family, how did they react? Your wife? If we know you better, we will understand the pain you had to bear and the cruelty inflicted upon you.

You made me cry because I could not help but remember my late Tatay and Papa Erning.

But Tatay and Papa would have fought to the end.