...Learned Things on a Visit to Uncle Jun...

Today was the first time I got to visit Uncle Jun since he was "detained" in the Manila Police District. I think I've already mentioned most of my thoughts in my previous painfully long blog, so I guess I'll just add my learnings from today:

1. On Mike D's Perjury Case

Sister Mary John, arguably the most vocal among the sisters helping Uncle Jun out, explained Mike Defensor's prejury case: In the senate inquiry, Uncle Jun told the senate that Mike D told him to deny the kidnapping, while in the Supreme Court/Court of Appeals/wherever, Uncle Jun said that Mike D told him to deny knowledge of the NBN-ZTE deal. I don't see it contradicting. And both were said. Magkarugtong un eh. Kaya naman na-kidnap dahil mei alam. Grounds for perjury? Anyone?

2. MTC RTC TC TC

Now I understand what happened regarding the warrant. The perjury case was already dismissed long ago by the judge in the Municipal Trial Court. Then Mike D appealed to the Regional Trial Court and I think the judge there found "basis" for Mike D's case, and ordered the MTC to issue an arrest warrant. So that's why my uncles were trying to ask a contact if Uncle Jun's case has already gone back down to the MTC from the RTC.

3. On Principle and Refusing Bail

My dad explained the whole "principle" thing about the bail. Money is no object. Everyone is offering to help him out, and it's not like 6k is an insurmountable amount of money. Thing is, by posting bail, he is "legitimizing" Mike Defensor's accusations.

Parang, kunwari, kakain ka. Sabi, maghugas ka ng kamay dahil "madumi". Ikaw, sa sarili mo, alam mo namang naghugas ka na, eh tutuloy na lang sa pagdampot ng pagkain. Pero, kung nag-hugas ka ng kamay ULIT, pinapatunayan mo lang na "madumi" nga ang kamay mo.
(my analogy. baka ma-kasuhan pa ko eh)

Hence, he'd want to battle it out in court. However, I don't think I quite understand, whatever happened to "innocent until proven guilty"? Why is he going to be behind bars if the court hasn't finalized a decision yet?

4. A Quote from Uncle Jun

"Umaray lang naman ako. Kurot sila ng kurot, di naman ako umiimik, tapos ngayong umaray ako, pinapalabas nila, na ako pa ang kumurot sa sarili ko" -On Mike D's press release claiming Uncle Jun is "using" him for his "political ambitions".

5. Lies and Not Telling the Truth

Inconsistency na un. Sa mata ng korteng bayad.

Anyway, it's funny to think that Mike's case is essentially grounded on Uncle Jun lying/not telling the truth, while Malacañang is claiming that they never said anything about "ordering/requesting" Mike D not to pursue the case anymore, as Mike D claimed in front of just about everyone through the presscon he had RIGHT BEFORE FLYING TO THE US TO WATCH THE PACMAN FIGHT.

"Karangalan" ng pamilya nya? I don't hear his wife crying "justice". I don't see his kids looking "oppressed". Frankly, I think it's mainly because they're too used to people criticizing Mike D for the lapdog that he is, that these things aren't new to them.

Wala namang masisira kung dati nang sira.

6. The Master Planner

Uncle Jun's detractors are claiming that he's got some kind of "master planner" behind him. A year has passed, and yet there are people who still follow him, there still are media people who cover him, and they never seem to be out of the public's eyes. Sister MJ said probably the Holy Spirit is their "master planner".

Nobody wanted this. Uncle Jun lived in La Salle for the past year, and at some point in time NOBODY talked about him, unless it was brought up. Then Mike D pushes for his case. And now everyone's talking about Uncle Jun again. Uncle Jun didn't ask for all this attention, but Mike apparently lit a fire. The judge, in denying Mayor Lim's motion for "recognizance", also lit a fire in other people. And now, people's eyes are looking again.

Do we pay media to cover Uncle Jun? No. We don't even call them. The only time we initiated contact was back in Feb 4, 2008, when Ate faxed them on Uncle Jun's flight details for his arrival from Hong Kong. All the rest that followed, it's just them trying to contact him.

7. On Present and Future

Right now, he's relatively safe, but tomorrow's going to be another story. Tomorrow (May 4) is supposedly the day the judge serves the commitment order, but where Uncle Jun is going is all up to the judge. As it seems, there are 3 parties that is requesting to take custody of Uncle Jun: the senate, the sisters, and Mayor Lim. But the decision still rests on the judge's hands, as to where Uncle Jun will end up; either among one of the three, or in the Manila City Jail.

On May 6, the eve of Uncle Jun's arraingment, we're inviting everyone to "Light a Candle for Truth". There will be a gathering in front of the Manila Police District (along UN Avenue) at 6PM for us to light our candles together, or if not, you can probably do it in front of your own houses.


(Bulleted/numbered and mei effort ang pag-bold and whatnot, para mabasa ng mga tamad magbasa ng mahaba.)