A nation of rumors

It is truly amazing how the American people, after the Sept. 11 terrorist attack in New York and Washington, have banded together, in an overwhelming demonstration of unity, behind president Bush and the American flag. It is such sense of nationhood, of oneness behind a common purpose, that enables nations to overcome their various crises.

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In the Philippines, the opposite is what we see. While we as a people should be busy and spending our time trying to resurrect our economy, to improve our lives, to make things better for our country, here we are – eternally, it seems – wrangling and fighting and bickering and bitching over things that are so inconsequential. Worse, we exacerbate the sad and sorry situation we are in, by making believe that bad and mythical things anchored on rumor and gossip are gospel truth. And the irony of it all is that our so-called national leaders are the ones involved in bitching and rumor-mongering.

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Take the case of First Gentleman Mike Arroyo. Just because he is the husband of the President of the Republic, he is the object of unfounded attack and unproven rumors. Yes, despite absence of an iota of believable proof, he has been charged of committing crimes and irregularities based on first impression.

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The rap that the First Gentleman tinkered with funds of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office to promote the senatorial bid of four candidates is an allegation that never ever went through a relatively-thorough preliminary investigation by his accusers. Had the accusers been more deliberate, they might not have tried to grab the media limelight, for the sake of delicadeza.

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Our country is facing so many problems: Joblessness, sluggish economy, poverty, terrorism and crime, etc. These have to be confronted, if our nation is to move forward. Yet, instead of uniting behind our country’s leader, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, in coping with these crises, here we are in a senseless, irrational effort to fracture, factionalize and divide our people. How sad and pathetic!

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After the Estrada administration was toppled by People Power 2 and then Vice President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo assumed the presidency, there was one ranking official in the Estrada administration whom I fervently hoped would be retained by President GMA. He was then Bureau of Immigration and Deportation Commissioner Rufus Rodriguez, a man of great talent, dedication, creativity and integrity. As BID head, the former law school dean and a truly cultured and learned man displayed the kind of enthusiasm and rectitude that spelled genuine public service.

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It is heartening that President GMA has tapped the services of Rufus Rodriguez as the next Philippine Ambassador to Germany. Considering his professional credentials, he will be a big asset to our country, one who will be able to open new windows of opportunity for our people in the German republic.

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Although Rufus is identified with the Estrada administration, President GMA has given this factor no value at all in her choice of persons to head sensitive posts in her government. This is as it should be, because there is great need to harness the talents of everyone to contribute to our country’s welfare. Rodriguez, I am sure, will do our country proud in his new job at Bonn.

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As to the so-called career officials at the Department of Foreign Affairs who are gripping and whining over the appointment of Rodriguez as Ambassador to Bonn, let them bury their grievances in the meantime while President GMA tries to get the best minds, whether oppositionists or on-career foreign affairs officers, to help in nation-building. National unity, not tradition or protocol, is our country’s need of the hour.

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Let me thank, and ask God to bless the following Christian-hearted persons for sharing some of their blessings with the less fortunate in life, through the Good Samaritan Foundation:

* Luigi & Lance of Dumaguete City, P1,000 (Metrobank) 1100023501)

* Anonymous, P5,000 (PDCP 280)

* Jose Tinga of Agusan del Norte, P500 (PMO 6906124)

* Yolanda H. Paguio of Insular Life, Balanga, Bataan, P5,000 (UCPB 0198341)

* Leah Angela P. Tan, 9-year-old Grade 3 pupil of Holy Spirit College, Quezon City, P100

* Anonymous gentleman from Alabang Hills Village, Muntinlupa City, P5,000 (RCBC 0033543)

* Anonymous donor who used a stationery with the words "Lovely Girl" and with the handwritten note "Prayer for peace and forgiveness," P500

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PULSEBEAT: If traffic jams are a perennial plague at Ortigas Ave. Extension in Cainta and Pasig City, it is mainly due to the unrepaired leaking Manila Water Company pipes near Buli Bridge, St. Joseph Subdivision/Riverside, Countryside Subdivision, in front of Bank of San Mateo near Mariwasa, in front of Sony Service Center, and in front of Baliwag Lechon Manok. The info came from Pio D. Pre Jr., OIC-district engineer of the DPWH… Paging Dr. Conrad G. Javier, M.D., of Cleveland, Ohio. A Teofidez E. Calvero, president of the Urdaneta High School Alumni Class 1950, wants to know if you are the "long lost" high school buddy belonging to Class 1950 of Urdaneta High. If you are, Batch 50 would like to know your home address in Cleveland, so that they can contact you, after half a century. Calvero’s address is Doña Loleng Village, Urdaneta City, Pangasinan… In the meantime, Dr. Javier sent a letter saying that in the US, there is a growing number of prominent Americans who would like the war against terrorism to end through "peaceful negotiations."

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Thoughts for Today:

Through prayers, God hears more than you say.
He answers more than you ask.
He gives more than you desire.
All He needs is your time.

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The best things in life
are not material things.
They are songs to sing,
dreams to pursue,
joys to ensure,
love to share,
and people who really care.

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My e-mail address: <[email protected]>.