Tears of joy or guilt?

"Nobody deserves your tears, but whoever deserves them will not make you cry."
--Gabriel Garcia Marquez

By Alex P. Vidal

NEW YORK CITY -- While facing the media after his boss had been kicked out by President Duterte as secretary of the Department Interior and Local Government (DILG), Undersecretary Jesus Hinlo shed tears.
"Inalisan kami ng bodyguards (our bodyguards had been recalled)," Hinlo, who speaks fluent Hiligaynon (dialect of the "Ilonggos") mourned, his voice shaking.
"Mahal namin si secretary (We love the secretary)," retorted Undersecretary Emilie Padilla.
"We only relayed to the President what is happening in the DILG," hissed Undersecretary John Castriciones.
The three, all lawyers, authored the "confidential" memorandum that spelled out dismissed Secretary Ismael "Mike" Sueno's alleged anomalies.

CONFRONT

When confronted by President Duterte during a cabinet meeting in Malacanang on April 3, 2017, Sueno denied the allegations contained in the hurtful letter. 
Not satisfied with Sueno's explanation, the President sacked the country's 16th DILG chief.
Sueno, who had earlier asked the President to oust the three, lost in the most celebrated power play in the Duterte administration.
While Duterte was lowering the ax on Sueno, the three probably waited with bated breath and under suspended terror. "Kami ba o siya ang patatalsikin?"
The three musketeers, all members of the Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte National Executive Coordinating Council, prevailed.
Now, what were those tears for, Usec. Hinlo? 
Joy that Goliath had been toppled? 
Or guilt because some of the allegations in the "confidential" memo were half-truths if not downright hogwash?

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TOLENTINO RECOGNIZED. The Iloilo City Council, through a resolution sponsored by Councilor Joshua Alim, has recognized the "extraordinaire" achievements of New York-based Jhett Dizon Tolentino, who hails from Zone 7, Brgy .Calumpang, Iloilo City during the Council's regular session on April 3, 2017. 
Tolentino is the first Filipino to receive a Grammy Award in the field of music and art, and the second Filipino to bag a Tony Award 22 years after Lea Salonga of the famed "Miss Saigon." Alim, who hails from Sueno's province in South Cotabato, also recommended to the organizing committee of the Outstanding Ilonggo to consider the diminutive Tolentino as awardee.

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DRUG LIST. According to Philippine Drug Enforcement Agenct (PDEA-6) Assistant Director Levi Ortiz, there are currently 20 government officials included in their latest drug list. 
Where are they and who are they? One of them is reportedly a politician in Pototan, Iloilo who is connected with a big family of politicians in Ajuy and Estancia towns. 
We are sure PDEA won't disclose their names. At least not yet.
Before forwarding their names to President Duterte, Ortiz must see to it that there should be no more repeat of what happened to Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog, who was wrongly accused of being engaged in "narco-politics" and was repeatedly shamed by the President in the latter's various speeches.