In bad taste

Criminal and administrative cases have been filed against NCRPO chief Police Maj. Gen. Debold Sinas and 18 officers including five other generals in connection with the now-infamous mañanita given to Sinas on his 55th birthday. The birthday bash was done while Luzon was still under ECQ. Mass gatherings of any kind aren’t allowed at this time. PNP chief Gen. Archie Gamboa immediately defended Sinas saying social distancing was observed. How can there be social distancing within a single house with many guests? The guests even queued up for food at a buffet table while a band played.

The government doesn’t even allow churches to open to worshippers because it is prohibited under ECQ. Wakes aren't allowed either, as well as barbershops, parlors, and gyms. Even under a modified ECQ these still aren’t allowed, what more under ECQ? So what makes them so special? Because they are allies of the administration? Because the police always had the backing of President Duterte? Surely when all these guests start eating, their face masks come off. I'd like Gamboa explain that one.

Photos of the party were posted on the Facebook page of the NCRPO Public Information Office itself, but have since been deleted. Smart. If there was nothing wrong with what they did, why remove the pictures? Sinas claims some of the pictures were taken from past parties but pictures show him wearing the same shirt. He had an answer for that as well. He wore the same shirt in past parties. Must be a lucky shirt.

Supreme Court Associate Justice Marvic Leonen compared the retirement ceremonies for a retiring magistrate with 40 years of service which was conducted only through teleconferencing. No mass gathering which he stressed weren’t allowed. Surely, many celebrated their birthdays under ECQ but couldn’t hold parties. Village officials or the police might storm them and start making arrests. DILG Sec. Año said Sinas' party was a "big no-no" under lockdown and should be have been halted immediately, which Sinas didn't. A clear case of res ipsa loquitur, if you ask me.

Sinas' party just shows bad taste. The police are supposed to follow the law, not ignore it. I wonder what would happen if a member of the opposition threw a similar party and posted photos on FB? Do you think they will have the opportunity to explain or just be arrested right away with police citing knowledge of a crime committed through the pictures? Can you say "double standard"?

Sinas has since apologized but not without constantly defending the incident. Didn't DOJ Sec. Guevarra said saying sorry wont absolve anyone from suit, pertaining to the idiots who placed a bounty on the president in social media? Surely they said sorry for what they did. Who believes they could even come up with the kind of money they posted. Senator Panfilo Lacson is asking for a little compassion towards Sinas as he has already apologized, “as he has been bashed, criticized and pilloried both on social and mainstream media.” He adds, “We may also want to consider his long law-enforcement service and his share to keep Metro Manila safe from the virus” while not suggesting forgiveness or absolution. Well Sinas' is a public figure and all this comes with the territory. He should have known better, being a law enforcement officer. And compassion? All I have to mention is Winston Ragos.