BY ERWIN ‘AMBO’ DELILAN
“YUTA n’yo naton eh!”
This was part of Councilor Al Victor Espino’s “explosive” line during his speech at the Albee Benitez-led Team Asenso’s star-studded opening salvo held at the Paglaum Sport Center in Bacolod on Saturday night, March 26.
He referred to the other camp – Bing Leonardia’s Grupo Progreso (GP) – which, at the time, was also having a similar activity at the city’s public plaza.
“Ang isyu nila, indi kamo kuno taga-Bacolod. Taga-Bacolod kamo, indi? Pabati-a n’yo sila! Pabati-a sila sa plaza… yuta n’yo naton eh!” Al said while asking the crowd.
Bacolod was literally shocked. A video clip of him speaking in the midst of young and old audiences went viral on Facebook (FB). Netizens “feasted” by liking, hearting and sharing it.
Then horrid comments against him and Albee flooded scores of FB accounts.
For many, it’s unbelievable to hear Al, a well-tutored guy from well-meaning Agustin and Espino clans in Bacolod, uttering that distasteful pronouncement.
“So disgusting!” termed by others.
An incumbent mayor in northern Negros commented, “Bad joke!”
“Yuta” is slang for “de puta”- a common Tagalog expression with roots from the Spanish term for a female whore.
The www.context.reverso.net (specialized in Spanish-English translations) defines “de puta” as either “of a bitch”, “of shit” “of a whore” or “of bastard”.
I sent a private message (PM) to Al’s personal FB account, asking him to elaborate what he said but to no avail still.
Question: Why he did it?
Theorized by some, Al was carried away by his unguarded emotions. Or he just expressed his ill-feeling(s) against Bing and others from GP.
But was it valid? I don’t think so. Al, being an incumbent councilor, is still morally bound to observe etiquette for public officials.
The Civil Service Commission (CSC), pursuant to Section 12 of Republic Act No. 6713, otherwise known as the “Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees”, keeps on reminding public officials and employees to, at all times, be accountable to the people and shall discharge their duties with utmost responsibility, integrity, competence and loyalty, act with patriotism and justice, lead modest lives, and uphold public interest over personal interest.
DIRTY GAME
Politics is a (dirty) game. Politicians “live” above the law and they get to do anything they like since no can stop them. Everyone, therefore, is expected to play such a game – by hook or by crook – to ensure victory.
But whatever the trick is, politicos are expected to behave while in public still. People judge them in so many aspects but mostly on morality. Going beyond the orb of moral standards remains a “no-no” in this Catholic-dominated country.
There’s this norm that shapes us to become morally upright individuals – don’t speak bad words – a reminder from our elders that, until now, we value so much.
Entering Kinder or Grade 1, teacher’s very first instruction to everyone: ““Don’t speak bad words.” It’s a simple reminder yet serving as a potent guide in honing us to grow up dignified.
Thus, it’s bizarre to note that, in the midst of an estimated 75,000 people, Al can afford to utter such line in strangeness.
For me, it’s absurdity!
‘INCIVILITY’
Well, until now, I don’t know how Albee reacts on this. He battle cry is CHANGE. He promises to bring in “something new” in the city (just in case).
So, in spite of sonorous public clamor against his party mates, Albee insists he’ll be the “Captain of the Ship”, thus, understandable that all will (just) follow him later.
Interpreted by many, what Asenso people are doing now have Albee’s “blessing” Isn’t it?
Question: Did Albee bless Al’s incivility on stage?
I texted Albee’s publicist, Ms. Laarni Aguilar, to get any comment but she remains unavailable ‘till this writing.
Explicable!
Al’s “discourteousness” was tantamount to “mockery” of Albee’s change advocacy. It caused another “deep wound” on Albee’s moral standing. Albee is still nursing “wounds” produced by his pro- BBM (Bongbong Marcos) stance. The Bamboo Manalac-led concert-cum-Asenso’s opening salvo was supposedly a diversionary tactic to somehow expunge the “political scar” inflicted by BBM on his mayoral bid.
‘NIGHT OF HEALING’
But it is as if Al spoiled the “night of healing”.
Is Al a political gunner? If he is, then, remarked by a Love Negros’ mayor, “He did it in a very wrong way!”
“I think,” the mayor added, “Albee must change now his strategies before anything will be too late for him.”
In doing so, it is as if he (Al) still campaigns for the other camp, the mayor figured out.
Al, a former GP member, is seeking reelection for a third and final term under Team Asenso.
INFLICT AND INFECT
Well, “change in all things is sweet,” per Aristotle, an ancient Greek philosopher and scientist.
Thus, Albee was somehow right in choosing this word as his campaign slogan.
The problem is: no internalization of this word in his day-to-day actuations, including actions of his other party mates, observed by a Political Science professor in one of the universities in Bacolod.
Change is a broader term in scope and scale. It’ll always lead to complexity if not properly instituted in the hearts and minds of people advocating such.
A classic example to this premise is a piece from world-acclaimed American poet, memoirist and actress, the late Maya Angelou, which says “If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude.”
So, if Al won’t change his “brashness”, most likely, he’ll inflict and infect Albee’s credibility leading to their total vitiate in the May 9 elections.
Too, if Albee can’t impose ultra vires disciplinary action(s) to contain the “tantrums” of some of his party mates, then, he has no “business” to advocate change in Bacolod.
But others say, maybe Al absolutely exercised his freedom of expression.
It could be! Because even the 1987 Philippine Constitution (Article III, Section 4) states that “No law shall be passed abridging the freedom of speech, of expression, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble and petition the government for redress of grievances.”
But wait! In an article published by www.link.springer.com (November 1, 2020) and titled “Justifying Limitations on the Freedom of Expression”, the author, Gehan Gunatilleke of Harvard Law School in Cambridge, MA, USA, said freedom of expression is vital to our ability to convey opinions, convictions, and beliefs to meaningfully participate in democracy.
The state, however, may “limit” that freedom of expression on certain grounds -national security, public order, public health, and PUBLIC MORALS, the author emphasized.
The Bible (in Proverbs 15:4) also reminds everyone: “Gentle words bring life and health; a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.”
Going beyond the orb of moral standards is “perilous”. It could send someone to the bar of public opinion – tricky and tedious then.
So, just behave at all times. Above all, don’t speak bad words!/PN
