YOU DON'T KNOW JACK

Many of my friends have been asking me lately why I support Jack Enrile's candidacy for a Senate seat. I answer them with a question too by saying, "why not?" Jack and I have known each other well to know that he is a sincere person and has never fired a gun at anyone in anger. I know this for a fact after many years of association with him. Hence, it is but natural for me to come to his defense as a friend, even after his critics simply refuse to listen to his rationalities. Here are some of those nagging questions which he himself has repeatedly answered already -- and my two cents as well:

ON THE ISSUE REGARDING ALFIE ANIDO'S DEATH:

Jack has a genuine fear for God, unlike many of us religious freaks who think that going to church on Sundays is enough to land a front seat in heaven. Jack is not a religious man but a spiritual one. This means his relationship with God is private and personal. I think any man who fears God will think twice (and even thrice) before snuffing out another man's life. Time and again, he has maintained that he arrived at the Anido residence after Alfie had already taken his own life. It amazes me how some narrow-minded individuals would believe in a brazen lie, a rumor, and then insisting that others, like gullible them, believe it too. Of course, this was a tragedy not only for the Anido family, but also for the Enrile family. For Jack's reputation would be besmirched by a fairy tale which hounds him to this very day. In addition, I received A-1 information that on the last eve of the EDSA putsch, a son of a top General was seen in Malacanang Palace shredding several documents, including an official report by the Presidential Security Command (PSC) clearing Jack Enrile of the blame that he shot and killed Alfie Anido. But he failed to shred the document in its entirety because he was in a rush to flee. In short, even Jack's own enemies would eventually find nothing to link him with Anido's death.

ON THE ISSUE REGARDING HIS ABSENCES IN CONGRESS:

Jack is a results-oriented person. While it is true that he has not been too keen with himself by actually being in Congress physically, he was however, going around the countryside consulting with farmers and fishermen and the labor force who work tireless days to bring food to the marketplace, which in turn land on our dining tables.  Tell me one member of Congress who has practically been to most parts of the country. I think they'd rather stay inside their air-conditioned rooms mentally computing pork barrel allocations and their corresponding commissions. But this is not to say that he lacks in balancing legislative work in the House. As such, he has authored House Bill No.553 or the Kasambahay Bill recently signed into law by President Aquino. In addition, House Bill No.4819 or the Credit Access and Protection Reform Bill, House Bill No.549 or the Anti-Monopoly Bill, and of course House Bill No.4626 or the Food for Filipinos First Bill. This bill serves as Jack's sterling advocacy on Food Sovereignty for the country. So, would you rather choose a member of Congress with a perfect attendance in the House, or one who works with his constituents, in and outside his district?  I'd certainly pick the latter any time of the day. And like I always say, "plataporma, hindi puro porma!"

ON THE ALLEGED ILLEGAL MINING ACTIVITIES IN CAGAYAN PROVINCE:

Jack is for responsible mining. That is why I foresee him pushing for the creation of an Environmental Protection Agency or an EPA, equipped with police powers to apprehend on site destroyers of our environment like illegal miners, polluters, and poachers of our oceans. This is like the same agency in the US which really is the watchdog and attack dog for all enemies of the environment.

ON THE RICARDO MANALAD SHOOTING IN SILAHIS HOTEL:

I was in the same place that night in 1981 with some other friends. But I was in the lobby of the Silahis International Hotel. Jack was atop at the Stargazer Disco, far from where Manalad was standing. Jack did not order the shooting of the latter. His bodyguard acted on his own accord. He was not ordered to do that tragic act. The bodyguard I believe has since served time in jail.

ON THE ALLEGED SMUGGLING OF VEHICLES IN THE CAGAYAN FREEPORT ZONE:

Recently, a Supreme Court ruling has ordered the ban on the importation of luxury vehicles in the country via the Cagayan Freeport. But how does one really "smuggle" vehicles from a freeport zone? It sounds oxymoronic to me. Jack has reiterated his call for all to respect such ruling from the High Court, and moreover, has ordered the ARREST of any such person or persons involved in smuggling activities there. He says that if the locators (that's what they're called) believe that the Supreme Court order is unlawful, then they could file for a Temporary Restraining Order or a TRO. He said that those who are perceived to be engaged in alleged smuggling operations inside the port must come clean and come out in the open to prove themselves to be otherwise. Anything short of this stands to create suspicion among the public and must be investigated immediately to dispel rumors about it.

And oh, by the way, this post was NOT paid for by the FRIENDS OF JACK.