Hitting An Enemy

Philippine Politics |

By MAJOR TOM | February 6, 2007

Representative Alan Peter Cayetano was ‘hitting an enemy’ in a sense that in tagalog parlance, ‘nakabangga siya ng maling kalaban’. I don’t know how the English counterpart of this oft-repeated term in Filipino slang or if there is one. Probably, ‘hitting a wrong enemy’.

When the House Committee on Ethics recommended a 45-day suspension against the now beleaguered congressman, it comes now to the fore the fact that the First Gentleman is never an easy enemy, he is one huge headache. You could say when he is bad, he is so bad. First Gentleman Mike Arroyo went to almost every forum possible---even filing a case in court for libel (despite limitations set by parliamentary immunity)---and despite that the committee he had approached in Congress should only be limited to the regulations of conduct and other actuations of a congressman or congresswoman like for example absenteeism, tardiness and sleeping in the class. “I did have not committed any improper conduct” was all Representative Cayatano could utter after he heard the committee resolution that sought to suspend him---without pay.

We do no exactly know the right specifications of ‘improper misconduct’ as spelled out in House rules and guidelines---whether or not being able to present enough evidence to one’s claims or charges could be referred to as an improper conduct by a congressman while serving the House (This could possibly be tantamount to libel but not exactly ‘improper conduct’ as the house rules prescribes. Libel's proper forum is through the regular courts.). But for certain, the First Gentleman got what he wanted. Power and influence could mean the world in this part of the globe.

And thus all this only shows how the First Gentleman could be a ‘wrong enemy to hit’. If you thread on him, you’re probably ‘hitting the wrong enemy’.

It sounds so much like 'skinning the wrong cat' or ‘milking the wrong cow’ but I think the meaning is entirely dissimilar or even opposite.

18 Comments »

1. vic says; February 7, 2007 @ 4:32 am

   I can't for certain know the circumstances why the Congressman made the allegations against the President's spouse to the effect on both of them. But allegations from a member of congress, which by the nature of his office should not be taken lightly, can not just be dismissed without even the proper authorities, the Police or Auditor General looking at the allegations. There are times when an opposition politician may have an information to his allegations or evidence, but due to confidentiality of the source may have to with hold them for that reason. The Onus here is for the alleged accused Public official or member of his/her households to clear his/her name in a very straightforward and unequivocal means and if that happens the accuser who exposed himself for being malicious has no place in the hall of congress and should resign or be impeach and tried. just my thoughs as I see it.

2. ipanema says; February 7, 2007 @ 8:25 am

   hmmm...I made comment early this morning. Nasan kaya yun?

   Anyway, I think the congressman forgot to have evidence at hand. It's not easy to accuse anyone by simply saying those things. Where did he get the info?

3. verns says; February 7, 2007 @ 11:50 am

   I saw one report in TV Patrol where Mr. Arroyo and his brother laughed at Senator Cayetano because the latter made a minor mistake in his statement. The younger brother (actually I don't know who's younger, I think the one from Negros?) was pretty sarcastic. Anyway I don't follow this issue so I don't know much about it. But poor Senator Cayetano. I feel like he's the only one fighting this fight.

4. Major Tom says; February 7, 2007 @ 2:34 pm

   To Vic: I got your point vic but I was just amazed how the FG seems to be able to get his away around Congress, I can't help but feel and think that smooth maneuvers have been made.

   To ipanema: He should have been more cautious and not lackluster, now he dug himself this hole.

   To verns: It used to be that when a big issue is made against people like the First Gentleman, there would be more than one on the one side, like a group making a fuzz. But now---I guess that's what Cayetano made some blunder---he seem to be so alone, with no back-up ika nga, or a Tonto to his being The Lone Ranger.

   To:

5. snglguy says; February 7, 2007 @ 3:52 pm

   The FG's penchance for hitting his detractors with libel suits shows that he's more of a bully rather than a gentleman. Besides, where there's smoke, there's fire di ba?

   Who knows? One day he might start suing bloggers...

6. verns says; February 7, 2007 @ 4:45 pm

   yeah...I thought it was a "live together die alone" kind of thing. Now he's all alone. But I don't know if he really has a basis for all his allegations. But Sngl maybe right...when there's smoke, there's fire.

7. Major Tom says; February 7, 2007 @ 8:32 pm

   To sngl: I was actually worried about that bro, (FG suing bloggers) so I had some hard thinking last night. Indeed, he seems to be muscling his way into the halls of congress and the courts. I wonder if he ain't busy with some other occupation that he gives a lot of time to these suits and maneuverings.

   To verns: The fact that he can't show any proof allows a whole lot of 'beyond reasonable doubt' that his allegations lays on fragile ground. However, I too could adhere to sngl's notion, about the smoke spewing somewhere.

8. Daphne says; February 7, 2007 @ 8:37 pm

   Representative Cayetano should know when to stop making false accusations when evidence has been presented to show that the FG has no bank account in Germany. Cayetano is probably just milking enough public mileage so people will remember to vote for him in May. Well he isn't getting my vote.

9. iskoo says; February 7, 2007 @ 9:55 pm

   i am just curious how this incident would affect the candidacy of P.Cayetano for senator. sorry if i am out of topic i may be barking at the wrong tree, hihi

10. Major Tom says; February 7, 2007 @ 10:42 pm

    To Daphne: it would surely do him good at this time; many say he was lucky he wasn't expelled at all, just suspended.

    To iskoo: It may be positive or negative. It depends. But mostly, I think Pia has her own personality separate and independent from Peter Alan, voters won't be thinking so much bout this hullabaloo when they ponder on whether or not to vote for her. It could be an isolated case some sort of...

11. bing says; February 7, 2007 @ 11:03 pm

    before going to combat, a soldier should always be prepared. and a soldier doesnt go alone. how will he survive with a multitude of enemies who are bigger and meaner?

    in my opinion, as much rep. cayetano wanted to show the Filipino people the bad things that the arroyos are doing, he must have done it with caution, and with a careful plan. mali ang strategy. the teevee showed nobody wants to dare side with him obviously. it's a lone fight. bumabangga sa pader, 'ika nga.

12. bw says; February 8, 2007 @ 10:48 am

    Dunno but I'm sick and tired of the first gentleman being in the limelight all the time. Overexposure na. Call me whatever but in other countries, spouses of national leaders are never engaged in any political capacity or lobbying activities. This Mike Arroyo guy seems to be in the front pages of the papers all the time, from alleged payolas to watching Pacquiao at ringside in LasVegas. It's so sickening

13. Major Tom says; February 8, 2007 @ 11:18 am

    To Bing: Parang ganun nga ang dating...nakabannga siya ng matinding kalaban. At least by now, he could be more cautious.

    To BW: That's what I had also noticed; he's like a male version of Imelda, always within the eye of the storm. Usually, first ladies---or first gentleman in this case---involved themselves merely in civic activities, like charities and ribbon-cuttings, sort of to sweeten the image of the president. But now it is not at all happening...

14. Prab says; February 8, 2007 @ 9:55 pm

    Even if Alan Peter Cayentano would've had evidence, I wouldn't think it would prosper in Congress anyway, knowing that administration congressmen were the majority.

    If the two impeachment complaints and the Garci episode, which had evidence didn't prosper, what more his allegations.

    Yep, I agree, he was barking at the wrong tree. But then again, the publicity that will be/was bought about by his issue will help a lot with his candidacy. Wether good or bad, it still IS publicity.

    It's just insane though that FG Arroyo had to go all out, and unleash hell. I don't know if this is related but, didn't he also idiotically sue lots if individuals for libel? Tsk tsk.

    Thanks for visiting my blog, btw.

15. Major Tom says; February 9, 2007 @ 7:15 pm

    To Prab: You're veryt right Prab, in a forum like that, it's all about the numbers and even if there'd be enough evidence it won't matter at all. Power and influence becomes a major factor in this kind of exercise; which at that, becomes merely futile.

16. Prab says; February 10, 2007 @ 10:34 am

    It's a shame though that if people like Cayetano go to the streets, they'll be called supporters of the NPA by the government, especially by Raul Gonzales. Does Crispin Beltran and the rest of the Batasan 5 ring any bells?

17. Major Tom says; February 11, 2007 @ 9:10 pm

    To Prab: That's what so ironic about our system---so-called as democratic---when just simple and factual protestations could become insidious to the government.

18. Jay Beloso says; March 8, 2007 @ 3:51 am

    How can we have a government as corrupt as this one, have a first "gentleman" be this currupt, and have leaders who do nothing? i am proud of what rep. Cayetano is doing. I wish my congressman here in Bicol did the same.

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