Reveille : Where is Virgilio Garcillano?
Ramon J. Farolan
Inquirer News Service
MORE than a month ago, I asked the question: Where is Virgilio Garcillano? One would think-considering what the President is accused of doing during the May elections-that Garcillano's presence and testimony would help clear the air regarding the electoral tampering charges being made against the Palace. That is, if there was no basis for these charges. On the other hand, if the opposite is true, then this explains why Garcillano has not been heard from for such a long period of time.
There are all sorts of rumors as to his whereabouts. A few weeks ago, Garcillano was reported to be in the company of my good friend, Public Works Secretary Jun Ebdane, former PNP chief and a member of PMA Class 1970. Ebdane vehemently denied having any knowledge of Garcillano's whereabouts. Last week, Ebdane's name cropped up again in connection with another prominent personality. Michaelangelo Zuce who, a few days ago, made startling revelations before a Senate inquiry on jueteng, is reported to have come out in the open with his explosive testimony because he heard that Ebdane was looking for him. What is it about Secretary Ebdane that makes a man come out with confessions while seeking protection for himself because Ebdane is interested in him?
At any rate, wherever Garcillano may be-in Singapore, in London or right here at home-I hope that he remains in good health because he has much to share with us not only in terms of expertise but also in terms of understanding why the Commission on Elections should be replaced by a new set of officials.
Perhaps, Garcillano is busy writing his memoirs. I have two suggestions for the title of his literary endeavors. First would be: "Hello, Garci!-A review of favorite recordings of 2004." Another possibility would be: "How I Elected Presidents-A case study on applied mathematics in electoral tabulations."
Speaking of the Comelec, let me refresh our short memories once again. The Supreme Court, in its decision of Jan. 13, 2004, directed the Ombudsman to determine the criminal liability over an award by the Comelec of automated counting machines for the May, 2004 elections to the Mega Pacific Consortium. It also directed the Office of the Solicitor General to, in effect, recover the P849 million which was spent for these machines, which were never used. We continue to have faith in the Ombudsman and the Solicitor General and hope our people can be updated on the progress of their investigations on the matter.
What puzzles me is that, considering the gravity of the charges against the Comelec-part of the Supreme Court decision reads as follows: "Comelec awarded this billion-peso undertaking with inexplicable haste, without adequately checking and observing mandatory financial, technical and legal requirements"-there have been no moves to impeach the members of the Commission in the House of Representatives, which is the only way to get rid of members of a constitutional commission. And we talk our heads off about electoral reforms!
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My column last week was on the subject "How to help our country." From the calls I got, the message struck home with a lot of people asking how to get hold of the booklet. Just as interesting as the contents of the book, is the life of its author, Alexander Ledesma Lacson.
Alex Lacson, now a senior partner at Malcolm Law in Legaspi Village, Makati City, is a graduate of the UP College of Law, Class of 1996. He is also a member of the Philippine Military Academy, Class of 1987. (Alex-once a member, always a member.) He didn't quite make it but in his senior year at the PMA, Alex was one of those considered for the position of Baron (first captain or brigade commander) of the corps of cadets. He was appointed one of eight company commanders. The appointment meant he ranked quite high in the estimation of his tactical officers.
Alex got into difficulties early in his senior year. This was compounded by family problems, which led to his leaving the Academy and finishing law at the University of the Philippines. But his love for the Academy has never waned and he has generously contributed to efforts aimed at making the PMA an institution our people can be proud of.
Regarding the PMA, Alex says: "It is important for the Academy to give its students some room for mistakes. For everyone needs to be given a second chance. For it is in the second chance that a person is allowed the opportunity to correct himself. It is therefore in the second chance that a person grows and learns and matures. It is in the second chance where a person learns wisdom, the concept of right and wrong. This is where the spirit is fortified. This is how character is best developed.
"On a personal note, I sometimes think of what would have become of me had PMA given me a second chance to correct my mistake. . . I think I would have become a good soldier, as good a soldier as I had dreamed for my country.
"PMA has been good to me. Somehow, it liberated me from the hellish environment of my home at that time. It taught me to dream of big dreams, it taught me how to be strong despite having a frail and asthmatic frame. But more important, it taught me the righteous path."
The armed forces may have lost a good man in Alex Lacson. But there remains hope for our country because of people like him. (For copies of his book, alacsonph@yahoo.com, or Tel. No. 840-0338 to 41.)
