Sadly, the truth

These days, truth has become such a depleted word. Everyone is practically calling for the truth to come out - the mass media, the senators, everyone… But can we not notice that among those that are shouting for truth are the people whom we all know live and breath lies?

I remember Jun Lozada, when asked by Sen. Santiago, said that he himself is not entirely clean, which is a milder way of saying he himself is corrupt. Now, people say that that is proof Lozada is telling the truth. He is willing to tell all, even to the extent of incriminating himself about his own sins. It takes courage to admit one’s own guilt. Or did he, did he really incriminate himself? How much did he say is he bound to earn from this ZTE deal? How much he say did he receive from the railway project? How much did he say he received from all the projects and contracts of the Phil. Forest agency which he served? Or is he still really just that “Probinsyanong Intsik”?

Lozada said that in government, there is this SOP for every project. We all understand what he meant: that for every government project, there is a standard kick-back. Lozada said something like 10% as the going rate. But didn’t we all believe that the standard is 20%? To this, the senators did not react. They did not agree nor disagree. Their silence obviously mean they believe Lozada. But they cannot agree openly. They themselves have their own projects and are also influential in many other government projects. Surely, and we all believe, these senators gain from all the projects where they exert influence. Now, are the senators – the same senators who demand for truth – also ready to tell the truth about kickbacks of their own?

I am sure Lozada knows more than what he is saying. I am sure he knows all the inner workings of corruption (I am sure he doesn’t need Neri to tell him those). I am also sure that the Senators know how it is to get a kickback from a project. I am sure they know who among them profit from projects and even laws that they pass. I am sure even the mass media knows who among them are paid hacks. Indeed, they all really know the truth.

Indeed, the truth that is being demanded now is only that truth that will bring the President down. If the truth will border on one’s own interests, those truths are impertinent. And that is the reason why PGMA is still around, she is assured of her lifeline. Not anyone can really tell all without pointing to himself as well.

This is much the same way as in the Hello Garci scandal. We all heard (and we all believe that it is her) PGMA talk to Commissioner Garcillano. But the only way to really verify those recordings is to get to the original uncut version. Of course no one can come open with that uncut version lest everyone will fall with her. We can only conclude that perhaps all politicians, both in the administration and the opposition, will be heard to have talked to Garci over the same phone in a not very honorable manner.

So now, while everyone is shouting for truth, the poorest still die little by little of hunger. Sadly for them, many other well meaning people who use to think even only of small steps to help got distracted into joining the lively chorus, which could make the weakest among us die faster.