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Thursday, February 23, 2012

The crocodiles are crying foul

By Cito Beltran

A well-intentioned lawmaker has put forward the proposal that henceforth, television and movie producers should stop portraying members of Congress as the “contrabida” or the bad guys in TV shows and movies.

I can understand how some of the rare breed of uncorrupted, legitimate and godly legislators may feel every time the title Congressman or Senator is associated with crocodiles, alligators, snakes, piranhas, adulterers, bigamists, thieves, liars and hypocrites.

On the other hand if animals could talk, they might also protest the association as an unkind slur on their nature, which is primarily based on feeding and survival and the fact that they only kill what they eat and they only eat what they need and not more. Some bigamists and adulterers might also claim that they only screw around but they don’t steal from taxpayers and they only lie to their wives or husbands and not to God and the entire nation!

Yes it would seem unfair if the “good” people are unfairly dumped into the pig pen where the swine feed in the pork barrel and keep on breeding future “swine” and political piglets.

But can you legislate against public opinion or impression? Can the passage of a law change how the general public sees most legislators? Is it the fault of TV and movie producers when “art imitates life”?

I understand the sentiments of the legislator since many in media also feel slighted when people generalize and label “media” as corrupt, as AC/DC or attack and collect-defend and collect, and as partners in “envelopmental” journalism. In fact there is probably just as much screwing around inthe industry as there is in Congress as well.

But unlike the legislator, we in media cannot legislate. We simply accept the fact that there are always rotten fruits that fall from the tree and do our best not to associate or be contaminated by them. The minute we deny the corruption in whatever form, that’s the time when we have corrupted ourselves. Unfortunately most media outfits can’t and won’t exorcise their demons in the form of corrupt employees, because the compromise and corruption in media come in many forms and one does not throw stones when you live in a glass house.

Legislating against the prevailing public perception or image is like repainting an old tomb. You can make it look white and sparkling clean but everyone still calls it a place for the dead: A tomb.

The legislator would have received more recognition and applause if he had submitted a proposal that would ban members of Senate and Congress from being in TV shows and movies during their term or incumbency. That might actually be a more legitimate bill considering we now have four Senators and God knows how many Congressmen and Congresswomen who are part-time TV/movie actors and actresses as well as part-time legislators. In fact the bill or the law should even stretch its coverage to local government officials many of whom are more of entertainers than working local officials.

But that of course is a totally different thing.

Before any attempts are to be made to stifle or restrain freedom of expression or frustration, the honorable gentleman from Congress should probably start by looking into the accusations, allegations or cause of public contempt against members of Congress that has led to art imitating life. You won’t solve the problem by making the public or media look bad. We are not the problem, you are.

Aside from the perceived or actual abuses of legislators, the honorable gentleman should put a “mirror” to the members of Congress and ask: What was done about it? When members or their staff were involved in vehicular accidents or brawls in golf courses or bars, did the Ethics Committee ever do anything to sanction the offenders?

When a member of Congress was exposed for adulterous relations, what did the leaders of Congress do? Cite the member for conduct unbecoming of an elected official or congratulate the bastard for hanging his dirty linen in public?

To the honorable gentleman who proposed to restrict freedom of expression and legislate hypocrisy, forgive us Sir if you are slighted, but if you wish to be treated with honor and respect then begin by cleaning up your own “House.” While you may not be guilty by commission, you might be because of omission.

All this reminds me of a precious line that my dear Mother Marita taught me back in my College days. It comes from “Hamlet” written by William Shakespeare:

“To thine own self be true and it must follow, as the night, the day, thou canst not be false to any man.”

* * *

The recent report of plans to increase terminal fees at the NAIA reminded me of things that seem to be taken for granted in the new administration.

Last Friday as I drove past NAIA Terminal 3, I could not help but notice the difference between a commercial venture and a government operated facility. Terminal 3 was so dark particularly the car park area while the area where Resorts World was located was so bright and well lit; you could read a book from the street lights. This is our premier airport facility in the Philippines yet Cebu International Airport seems to be better lit.

By the way, our airport authorities should explain why several air-conditioners at the Silay Airport in Bacolod were not working and why Legazpi, which now has a constant flow of tourists has not been blessed with a bigger and better airport? Is it politics or is it because someone at DOTC does not like Governor Joey Salceda?

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