An Atrocity On Top Of...

Justice Secretary Agra may be just doing his job. But it's a job that will change his life. Because his decision on the Maguindanao Massacre outcome will be judged in history.

Malacanang is at it again. Another Secretary is again at the center of a controversy for having made a decision to dismiss the primary suspects of the Maguindanao Massacre. And they are quick to point out innocence on the decision, saying it is entirely the conclusion of Secretary Agra. This line of action is not surprising. For the past 9 years, the Arroyo government has had a solid track record of using its loyal Cabinet members as henchmen for its grand designs. This kind of thing is consistent - from Recto to Neri, Devanedera, Gonzales, and all the other poor souls who allowed themselves to be used in the name of loyalty, corrupting their very spirit in the process. It is like literally selling their souls to the Devil.

In that scenario, like a scene lifted from Dante's Inferno, we all know the henchmen are victims. And that the true source of evil, is the one who manipulates. So suffice it to say, it is really this govenrment's hand working. Isn't it obvious that with the election getting near, and the Ampatuans unique skills of delivering an absolute landslide vote for this government's candidate, that such an event is inevitable? It is a predictable script.

The real tragedy here is the stupidity and false loyalty of the good secretary. Agra is virtually no one. But he seems intent in making a name for himself as the most stupid Justice Secretary in Philippine History. He not only is making obvious how he is a mindless follower of political loyalties of this administration, he did it in a fashion that would attract the most notice.

With less than a month going into the election, does he really expect that such a stunt will not draw attention? Is he, like probably this government, making a paranoid anticipation that if their candidate didn't win the election, the loyal Ampatuans will really get the justice they deserve? Perhaps they have reason to be scared, the closest rival of their candidate just appeared in Time Magazine.

The result is people going out to the streets again to condemn the heinous decision. And now the media, the Senate, and no less than the people themselves are watching. I do not really know if Agra can still salvage himself from this. No amount of legal parodies can protect him. His stupidity was revealed early. History may not be sympathetic with it.

I hope the story does not end here. Despite all that we experienced in this country, despite this government, I want to believe that truth always wins, even if it is stupidly bastardized.