Not just a case of transfer of affection

I really did not know why two of my children took up BS Psychology in college. It looked like their mother’s accountancy profession and my education in law were not attractive to them although one of them became a lawyer later. So, my lady Carmen and I then thought that they were just carving the kind of education they thought would serve them in the future. While Beatriz and Charisse were still schooling, a friend made a wisecrack on me. He claimed that my daughters took up Psychology in order to understand my idiosyncrasies. It was incredibly funny.

One day, my daughters explained to me the term “transfer of affection” in the peculiar way psychologists would. According to them, when a person redirects some of his feelings or desires for another person to an entirely different person, there is transference. The lawyer in me learned some human common sense on a topic beyond my ken as I witnessed a recent event unfold rather unexpectedly.

There was an obvious transfer of affection demonstrated by our breed of politicians last Sunday. This was evident when former President Rodrigo Duterte came to Cebu for a supposed prayer rally. During his presidency, Duterte’s visits to Cebu forced (excuse the word) officials of local government units to line up if only to shake his hand. His power seemed to magnetize them. Of course, they all had different reasons for linking up with the country’s number one citizen although many of us believed that self-preservation was their main menu. I was certain many of them disliked his profanities but they would always attempt to strike a conversation with the then president and grab opportunities to have their pictures in smiling faces by the president’s side. I remember mayors like Michael Rama of Cebu City, Jonas Cortes of Mandaue City, Junard “Ahong” Chan of Lapulapu City and Gerald Anthony “Samsam” Gullas of Talisay City always wanting to get the president’s attention.

Known and highly respected political observers believe that the International Criminal Court (ICC) will soon issue warrants of arrest against our former president and his such henchmen as Vitaliano Aguirre, Ronald de la Rosa, Christopher “Bong” Go, Jose Calida, Menardo Guevara, and two former police director generals. There is also an opinion that the presidential daughter’s name will be on the list, even if she holds the second highest ranking position in government. My own humble readings of Duterte’s unenviable position project the period between now and May when the warrants will come forth. Should that happen, he will smell worse than shit. In that event, elected officials of the land, those who respected him like he was not the confessed authority whose blessings brought forth the death of thousands, will deny him. Duterte’s political influence will lay in irreparable wreck.

Last Sunday, where were the political Jones of Cebu? Only Mayor Michael Rama had the courage to show respect to a discarded, nay disreputable leader. Rama’s decency is honorable. An act of gratefulness is always salutary. Perhaps the other known leaders of Cebu island felt the need to shield them away from the foul smell of Duterte’s expected prison cell. In that case, it is not just a simple transfer of affection!