In the end only one thing counts

“The UP Law (debating) Team has defeated Greece after defeating Argentina and is now among the top 8 in the world… Hope you can catch tomorrow’s match. Should UP Law win in the morning, there is another match in the afternoon/evening with the world championship set for Saturday. Good luck to the team. Their performances have been sterling. They have won six matches — three to go.”

Atty. Ramon Paterno, Washington DC based World Bank executive, former UP debater and former member of the UP Student Council, emailed this to various recipients.

In turn, his email was forwarded to me with a comment by my friend Ed Maranan, a martial law detainee and one of the most prolific writers in the Philippines. He has won an unprecedented 33 prizes in the prestigious annual Palanca awards for writers. In college, Ed and I were also members of the UP Student Council and debaters. His comment:

“After this stint, they should come back to shore up or replace the hapless prosecution team in the Corona impeachment trial. We need those debaters here! But then again, when these brilliant debaters become wizened lawyers after a few years, they could end up being the defenders of the corrupt and the powerful following in the footsteps of the handsomely rewarded (names two notorious mercenary talented Filipino lawyers) and their ilk.”

My thoughts: At this stage of the trial, I am not really too concerned about the prosecution’s performance. While they are not exactly legal eagles, they got the job done. They have presented enough convincing facts and evidence indicating guilt. On the other hand, the defense has also prevented the admission of hundreds of thousands of dollars as evidence — also indicating guilt. The title of a previous  column summarizes the situation: “The issue is Corona’s guilt, not the prosecutor’s competence.”

Recent surveys’ show that 3 out of 4 Filipinos believe Corona is guilty and should be removed from office. The ordinary Filipino citizen who wishes only for a better country, a more honest court system and a better life for all — sees the truth more clearly than some sophisticated Senator-Judges whose minds and hearts are muddled and blinded by personal and party interests. At this point, it should be clear to the public which Senator-Judges are  trying to suppress the truth by citing all kinds of legal technicalities to prevent  relevant evidence from being admitted.

Nevertheless, with 75% of Filipinos believing Corona is guilty and wanting him removed, he is finished – whether eight or more intellectually and morally dishonest Senators acquit him or not. This expression by such a huge segment of the population for his removal is a carte blanche go ahead signal to  President Aquino (and the people) to do what needs to be done to remove Corona from office.

Most Filipinos understand that for the good of the country, the national interest compels that if this impeachment  mechanism  meant to expel erring key officials does not work – other more effective measures must be utilized. Common sense and out of the box imaginative thinking are often needed to solve problems that cannot be solved conventionally.

Maranan’s concern about some young men and women eventually using their talents and intelligence primarily to enrich or empower themselves without concern for moral principles – is food for thought – especially maybe for new graduates — and also for all of us during this Holy Week. His comments brought back college and law school memories — to me a time for intense searching for answers to the question: “What is life all about?”

Apparently, intelligence and talent has nothing to do with whether individuals live their lives morally or not. Some of the most brutal and greedy rulers were highly intelligent people. Many corrupt officials are not only very intelligent but also highly educated.

In the material world, there is always tremendous pressure to the individual to make money, to have power, to succeed — especially in a third world country like the Philippines where so many people are poor but aware of the good things money can buy  and the personal power that it brings. Maranan and I were surrounded by many extremely intelligent colleagues when we were at the University of the Philippines. When I studied law here in the U.S., I also had some really brilliant classmates. Some schoolmates have become very successful in politics, business and other fields.

To gain wealth and power, some have not hesitated to lie, cheat, be corrupt or even do worst things. In this planet, this way of life is often handsomely rewarded. The man with the money and power is king — no matter how many have suffered because of his or her transgressions. Some say that it must be difficult for such a man or woman to look into the mirror everyday and not feel shame. Perhaps those with some trace of conscience may still feel some shame.

But for an individual whose way of life has been one of continuous lying and cheating —  to validate his dark ways,  his attitude  is even one of pride and sneering contempt for others: “I am smarter than you. I have dared what you have not. As a result, I have much more than you. I am richer and more powerful. I am noticed while you are ignored.”

There is no end to the ambition of such a person. He may enjoy the pleasures at his command but does not understand the gentle quiet happiness of a person with a clean conscience. He will never be truly happy because he is a driven man — whose life is based on illusions. As long as there are others who are wealthier or more powerful — he feels unease and unhappiness.

A hundred years or so from now, we all will be dead and gone from this earth.  Whether we were wealthy, powerful or famous would then mean absolutely nothing (unless we used these to create a better world). The only question that will eternally be relevant is: Did we live our lives consistently choosing good over evil?

“What will it profit a man to gain the whole world but forfeit his soul?” Jesus Christ.

Note: The California State Bar honors Atty. Ted Laguatan as one of only 29 lawyers officially certified continuously for more than 20 years as Expert-Specialists in Immigration Law. He also does complex litigation involving human rights, accident injuries and wrongful death cases. Email [email protected] Tel 650 991-1154. San Francisco area address: 455 Hickey Blvd. Suite 516, Daly City Cal 94015