By Boy Guingguing, Sunday Post Publisher
Interest is a very strong word. Regardless of who is involved, the degree of involvement is always strong. For instance, there is the expression that in politics there are no permanent friends, no permanent enemies. There is only permanent interest.
I am reminded about a sad incident involving the mother of a young man who was killed in a gang-related incident many years ago. Still stricken with grief and crying out for justice for the death of her son, the mother went to a distant relative who is a prominent politician in the province.
The mother expected the politician to help her because he is known to be very approachable and supportive. The public perception is that he is one who goes out of his way to help people in need. In other words, he looks good to everybody.
Imagine the mother's disappointment when the politician told her his dilemma.
"Unsaon man nako ni ha? Amigo man gud nako kaayo ang amahan?" That was how the politician answered when his help was asked in the quest for justice.
The mother could not believe her ears. This man has always been known to facilitate the needs of people. This man always had a way of saying things to give the perception that he cared and that he will do something.
That time, the politician did something she did not expect. He turned her down.
This was one thing the mother needed most – justice for her son. She would give the world just to bring the people responsible for his death to justice. She loved her so much and now he is gone. The only way to prove that love is to bring his killers to face the music.
But the response of the politician-relative came as a complete surprise to her. She was so disappointed that she decided not to press charges anymore. Although she knew the killers, she felt that if her politician-relative could not help her, then the father of the suspect must be very powerful.
The mother is still grieving over the death of her son. She is still grieving because his killers are still out there, laughing, enjoying life while her son has long been buried. She is also grieving because every time she reads about her politician-relative, all she reads is his genuine desire to help people.
She is also grieving when he reads about the father of the suspect. He is known in the community as a very religious man. He belongs to a very respected family who is not associated with any wrongdoing.
The mother continues to pray earnestly that God will intervene so that her son will get justice. She hopes that even if her politician-relative will not help, there will be other people who will help her.
As for the father of the suspect, she leaves him and his family to God.
There are no permanent friends, only permanent interest. I cannot wait to see the day when interest dictates that the politician-friend help the mother get justice.
Abangan ang susunod na kabanata!
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