Gospel truth

Will gospel truth be followed from now on in this administration? Will gospel truth no longer be elusive? Will there be a stricter policy versus unverified information, unreliable news sources, lies, and fake news so commonly accepted these days?

Roque used this term “gospel truth” when he explained to the press about the November 7 resignation of Santiago of the Dangerous Drugs Board.

Last November 1, Santiago commented that the the Nueva Ecija mega drug rehabilitation facility was “impractical” and “a mistake” and that the money should have been used instead to fund smaller community-based programs for drug dependents. Duterte said he was offended by “the very incongruous statement” of Santiago. An ABS-CBN report said “Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea relayed, Duterte’s instruction for Santiago to step down.”

Duterte also earlier fired former DDB chairman, Benjamin Reyes, for contradicting Duterte’s number of drug users in the Philippines

Last November 21, Roque explained that Santiago was dismissed not only because of his comments critical of Duterte’s mega drug rehabilitation facility but also due to complaints about “his alleged junkets, purportedly from the DDB Employee’s Union,” and “accepting a gift from a suspected narco politician.”

The DDB Employees’ Union immediately issued a statement denying the complaint letter. The union also clarified that the person who allegedly signed the complaint letter was not a union member.

The very next day, Roque quickly shifted to damage control mode. His words: “I’m sorry if there’s been any misunderstanding, but I’ve reviewed the transcripts. I was very clear — if there are allegations in a complaint — we did not say they are the truth. And that is why I understand, General Santiago was somehow hurt. But I emphasize, we have never alleged that they are gospel truth.”

And we are back, not to gospel truth, but to the truth according to the gospel of this administration. Their version of truth needs no reliable evidence or proof- it is also intended to confuse. To illustrate –if “they (the allegations in a complaint that he reviewed) are not the truth, not the gospel truth,” then why even pass these on to the press and the public or use these as the basis for firing Santiago?

Remember this government’s case versus Senator Leila de Lima, against Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, and other critics of Duterte? Or the innocent drug addicts?

Shoot first, character assassination first. Never mind if there is no proof, no evidence. This is the gospel truth version of this administration.

What is the truth about Duterte’s revolutionary government plan? Did Duterte say the truth in his speech last November 21? He said: “Ang sabi nilang revolutionary government, coup d’état, ’wag ninyong intindihin ‘yan, malayo ‘yan (They talk about revolutionary government, coup d’état, do not mind them. It’s far-fetched).”

“Me? I build a nation. If the Armed Forces cooperates with me, if this is something there is good in it, fine. We can work together.”

Will we believe that Duterte will not declare a revolutionary government?

Didn’t Duterte also say before, among others, that 1.) He will not run for president; 2.) He will resign if the drug war ineffective after six months; 3.) That he will immediately resign if “anyone among his children is proven to be involved in corrupt practices?”

Duterte ran for president, has not resigned after six months of ineffective drug war, and he cannot resign yet because there is no ongoing government investigation into the smuggled P6.4-billion illegal drug shipment from China involving his son.

Will we see the truth ever become gospel, God’s truth soon?