Greatest performances of prosecutors, defendants

“Don't lower your expectations to meet your performance. Raise your level of performance to meet your expectations. Expect the best of yourself, and then do what is necessary to make it a reality.”

—Ralph Marston

 

By Alex P. Vidal

 

WE are glad prosecutors and defendants who will clash during the impeachment trial of Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio have been identified.

They’re a mix of callow, unripe but sharp and seasoned trial luminaries from some of the country’s top law firms.

There’s no doubt stars and jacklegs among the House of Representatives and private prosecutors will either shine or plunge into the ravine when the historic trial begins in June or July 2026.

It will be the greatest performances of their lives in as far as their reputation and career in the legal and political arenas are concerned.

If they fumble, it will be hard to erase the lousiness from the mind of public. They must come to war armed to the teeth, so to speak.

If they sparkle, some of them will become icons in the legal profession and their political stocks will multiple.

In such a gaseous but peppery legal combat, there should be no room for carelessness and inadvertence. Good luck, attorneys.

 

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The trial involving the second highest elected official in the country will be watched “live” by millions of people, including those living outside the country who follow the political events and intramural in the Philippines.

Doubting Thomases who sneer at the so-called “Duterte or DDS senators” in the upper chamber acting as both "judges" and "triers of law and fact" can’t conclude with finality the “Duterte or DDS senators” will not vote for conviction.

They should give these ornate senator/judges the benefit of the doubt especially if the prosecutors will present incontrovertible and damning pieces of evidence that will leave no room for doubt.

Public opinion and, to some extent, pressure will certainly matter heavily on the decision of each senator/judge. Conscience is another thing.

It’s a vital, God-given internal faculty acting as a "judgment of reason" or moral compass.

Conscience functions as a built-in warning system—similar to pain sensors—that identifies right from wrong, guides behavior, enables moral reflection, and maintains personal integrity, often leading to peace or feelings of guilt.

Thus, even if some of them are dyed-in-the-wool diehards of the Duterte political clan, they might think twice about risking their own political future if they realize there’s no chance the vice president can wiggle out from the huge mess and thereafter say goodbye to her 2028 political ambition.

 

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In my opinion as a ring official and sports scribe, the 12-round WBC heavyweight world championship fight between defending champion Oleksandr Usyk and challenger, world kickboxing champion Rico Verhoeven, on May 23 at the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt was stopped prematurely.

DAZN Pay-Per-View and the DAZN Ultimate Tier called it “the worst stoppage of heavyweight title fight history.” Not really.

There were world heavyweight title and non-title clashes in the past that also ended in controversy after the referee “haphazardly” intervened. The Usyk-Verhoeven bout was not the worst.

But I agree that the third man in the ring should have given the Dutch challenger the opportunity to continue fighting until the 12th and last stanza after absorbing a knockdown in the 11th round.

The challenger had the opportunity make history and pull off one of the greatest upsets ever in boxing as he was leading in the scorecards when the stoppage came.

Verhoeven was fighting the perfect fight for nearly 11 rounds, making Usyk look ordinary, and widely led on the scorecards. Usyk dropped Verhoeven with about 25 seconds left in the round. Then Usyk threw a flurry of shots after the bell had sounded, and the referee stepped in to stop the bout.

(The author, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor-in-chief of two leading daily newspapers in Iloilo, Philippines.—Ed)

 

A lesson from Socrates for Pia, Bato

“Know thyself.”

―Socrates

 

By Alex P. Vidal

 

THERE’S no law that prohibits members of the legislature from crying, but in the case of Pia Cayetano, she needed and wanted it.

In his 1972 hit song, Wildflower, Skylark belted, “Let her cry, for she’s a lady. Let her dream, for she's a child. Let the rain fall down upon her. She's a free and gentle flower, growing wild.”

Crying didn’t reduce Pia Cayetano as intellectual Lilliputian.

What she did was a complex physiological and emotional response that may have served her three primary purposes: social communication, emotional self-soothing, and biochemical release. Human nature.

Although he sent away the crying women in his jail, Socrates (c. 470–399 BC) believed women share the same natural capacities, intellect, and virtues as men, and are equally fit for governance and the military.

He believed the only fundamental difference is that women are generally physically weaker than men.

But the classical Greek philosopher from Athens, who popularized the famous saying, “I know that I know nothing,” didn’t like weeping women.

 

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When Socrates’ wife Xanthippe and the other women began weeping loudly before his execution, Socrates instructed his friend Crito to escort them home, as recounted by his student Plato in the Phaedo.

History tells us Socrates did this because he wanted to face his death with measured peace and dignified composure, believing that a man should pass away in quiet reverence rather than amidst wailing.

Later that day, historians recounted Socrates also lightly scolded his male followers for weeping, forcing them to hold back their tears.

Like Socrates, some members of the Senate minority bloc led by Panfilo Lacson and Erwin Tulfo may have felt the same way.

Aside from being alluded to when Pia Cayetano sobbed,” Walang ni isa sa inyong nangamusta sa amin” (no one from among you bothered to check if we’re okay) while recalling fearing for her life and saying goodbye to her children, men in the minority bloc may have felt slighted and uncomfortable like Socrates, the wisest man in Athens according to the Oracle of Delphi.

 

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Also, while ICC fugitive Bato Dela Rosa fled like a very scared rabbit, Socrates did the opposite when given the opportunity to escape from jail.

In fact, history tells us Socrates could have saved himself, but he chose to go to trial rather than enter voluntary exile.

In his defense speech, Socrates rebutted some but not all elements of the charges and famously declared that "the unexamined life is not worth living."

According to history, he could have proposed a reasonable penalty short of death but initially refused after being convicted.

Socrates finally rejected an offer of escape as inconsistent with his commitment never to do wrong (escaping would show disrespect for the laws and harm the reputations of his family and friends).

Socrates died in 399 BC by drinking a lethal dose of poison hemlock. An Athenian court convicted him of impiety and corrupting the youth, sentencing him to execution.

Rather than accepting exile or fleeing, he chose to abide by the law, peacefully accepting his fate among his followers.

Dela Rosa, 61, as of this writing, remained in hiding after escaping from the Philippine senate building at 2:30 o’clock in the morning on May 14, 2026.

Efforts to arrest him are now being undertaken by the NBI and PNP on orders from the Department of Justice after the Supreme Court rejected his petition for a TRO.

(The author, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor-in-chief of two leading daily newspapers in Iloilo, Philippines.—Ed)

 

 

Under attack: Iloilo capitol real; Philippine senate bogus

“Without a plan, there's no attack. Without attack, no victory.”

—Curtis Armstrong

 

By Alex P. Vidal

 

THERE’S a stark contrast between the “attack” that occurred on January 17, 2007, when heavily armed units of the Philippine National Police (PNP) forcibly entered the Iloilo capitol building and the “attack” that allegedly happened in the Philippine senate on May 13, 2026.

The Iloilo capitol “attack” was real because it was led by some 200 police personnel, including elements of the combat-ready Regional Mobile Group (RMG) in full battle gear, moving onto the capitol grounds as part of efforts to enforce an administrative dismissal order and related orders against then Governor Niel Tupas Sr.

The Philippine senate “attack” was bogus; it was only Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano’s figment of imagination scandalously immortalized by relatives of Judas Iscariot who called themselves honorable members of the majority bloc and their minions.

There was real and present danger during the Iloilo capitol “attack” as “invaders” encountered resistance from irate civilian supporters of the late governor who had barricaded parts of the building and held vigils inside.

The only danger in the Philippine senate “attack” was the stray bullets that would have ricocheted and hit civilians, including journalists trapped inside. Thank God it didn’t happen.

 

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Armed with long firearms, the cops, with imprimatur from the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), wanted to implement a removal order issued by the Office of the Ombudsman. They broke down gates and glass doors to gain access to the building.

The accounts of police officers pointing firearms during the operation sparked national criticism and indignation over the use of force and alleged violations of human rights.

The Iloilo capitol “attack” was real, documented, it happened in broad daylight, caught on videos, and witnessed by people from all over the world.

We cannot speak the same way to describe the Philippine senate “attack.”

Gunshots only erupted inside the Philippine senate as the dramatic standoff unfolded around Senator Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa, former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte's police chief wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for his alleged role in a drug war that left thousands of suspected drug addicts and pushers dead.

They were fired by panicky and trigger-happy senate sergeant at arms Mao Aplasca and his men as “warning shots” when NBI agents allegedly tried to sneak inside the senate building, which was belied by the CCTV.

 

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The senate shooting occurred at approximately 7:45 pm. inside the Batasang Pambansa complex in Pasay City, Metro Manila. No casualties were reported.

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) had been insisting no agents were deployed to arrest Dela Rosa and clarified that the gunshots were not fired by its personnel.

NBI Director Melvin Matibag said the bureau had been ordered to stand down.

Reporters present at the scene confirmed members of the Philippine Marines detailed to the senate fell into formation in the right wing of the building minutes before the shots rang out.

The personnel were wearing bulletproof vests and cocked their long firearms before journalists were asked to vacate the building.

It’s a big joke for Cayetano, et al to insist that an “attack” had occurred in the senate. The DILG and the PNP have already investigated the matter and recommended to the Department of Justice (DoJ) several charges against the culprits.

(The author, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor-in-chief of two leading daily newspapers in Iloilo, Philippines.—Ed)

 

 

Treñas-Mabilog city hall meeting a positive sign

“We are each other's harvest; we are each other's business; we are each other's magnitude and bond.”

―Gwendolyn Brooks

 

By Alex P. Vidal

 

ALTHOUGH many politically mature Ilonggos are leery of the upcoming meeting between Iloilo City Mayor Raisa Treñas-Chu and Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Undersecretary Jed Patrick Mabilog, it may be viewed largely as a positive sign in as far as active collaboration between two public officials is concerned.

Many embittered supporters of the two Ilonggo leaders may feel a little bit uncomfortable since they both belong in the metropolis’ fractured political alliance, but the meeting may also be considered as a step closer to the much-desired reconnection or reunification if the words still exist in their vocabularies.

Things did not work out politically when Mabilog came back on September 10, 2024 from a self-imposed exile after spending seven years in the United States.

The political format and alliances changed dramatically when Mabilog’s ally, Iloilo City Rep. Julienne Baronda, severed ties with Mayor Raisa’s father, former Mayor Geronimo “Jerry” Treñas, who used to be Mabilog’s benefactor.

 

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Whatever antagonism that ensued thereafter when lines were immensely drawn might still be fixed, in one way or the other, when Usec Jed and Mayor Raisa hookup and discuss programs, cooperation and solidarity for the good of the Ilonggos.

The upcoming city hall get-together, of course, has nothing to do with rumored plans of Councilor Miguel “Megs” Treñas to run for congressman in 2028.

Ditto with Mabilog’s rumored candidacy for city mayor in 2028.

“Has nothing to do” means any political event in the near future may not be part of agenda while the DILG official and city mayor are in the honeymoon stage of integration and reconnection.

Councilor Megs is the city mayor’s brother and son of former Mayor Jerry.

Mabilog, who once earned the ire of former President Rodrigo Duterte during the past administration’s brutal war against illegal drugs, has not yet publicly announced he’s interested to reclaim city hall.

He first assumed office as Iloilo City mayor on June 30, 2010 after being elected to the position in the May 2010 national and local elections.

Mabilog, 60, served for three terms until October 30, 2017.

 

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Summer’s forecasted “volatile mix” of historic heat has officially arrived early. NYC is shattering a 30-year record this week with a punishing heat wave pushing triple-digit RealFeel temperatures, though we’re still technically in spring.

Brianna Perry of Secret New York City reported that the extreme weather has triggered Air Quality Advisories (in effect through 11 pm May 19) and an official Code Red Alert. Additionally, the National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a Heat Advisory from 11 am Tuesday, May 19, through 8 pm Wednesday, May 20.

We have been advised in New York to call 311 immediately to dispatch an outreach team if we see anyone on the street who appears to be in distress due to the heat.

This came after the New York City (NYC) Department of Homeless Services (DHS) officially declared a Code Red during periods of extreme, dangerous heat and humidity.

Specifically, a Code Red is triggered when: The heat index hits 95°F or higher for two or more consecutive days and the heat index hits 100°F or higher for one or more days.

 

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During a Code Red, shelter options are expanded and enhanced outreach is deployed to protect the city’s most vulnerable unsheltered populations.

High heat is a silent killer. It’s crucial to monitor ourselves, our friends, and our neighbors for warning signs of heat exhaustion or heat stroke such as: Hot dry skin (or excessive sweating), trouble breathing, rapid heartbeat, confusion, disorientation, or dizziness, nausea and vomiting.

While the heat affects everyone, those at the highest risk include adults aged 60 and older, young children, and individuals with pre-existing health conditions (like heart disease, diabetes, respiratory issues, or cognitive impairment).

(The author, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor-in-chief of two leading daily newspapers in Iloilo, Philippines.—Ed)