DOJ vs PDEA War

 It is difficult to determine truth from fiction in the war of attrition between the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA). With spinmasters muddling the issue with each passing day, one can no longer be too sure who is telling the truth and who is passing off lies.

 For sure, somebody is pulling someone else's legs. The DOJ and the PDEA can't both be right - although they can both be capable of a certain degree of dishonesty and insincerity.

 At the rate truth is routinely being distorted in this country, people cannot be faulted if they have lost faith in the system they no longer care about how this will end. With the administration's proven skill in disposing of the ZTE Broadband and Hello Garci scandals and the Arroyo impeachments in Congress among other things, who can blame them if they feel that way?

 The Bolante investigation seems to be headed the same way and no one will be surprised if the Alabang Boys bribery scandal follows suit. If practice makes perfect, then there is no better proof to that than what's going on.

 Indeed, one cannot but shudder at the sight of State Prosecutor John Resado leveling his accusations against PDEA lawyer Alvaro Lazaro as though he has not done anything wrong.

 While the hearings still have to determine (if at all) the truth or falsehood of his claims, Resado definitely has no compunction about his failure to disclose this crucial detail prior to the last hearing.

 Has decency really gone to the dogs in this country? Is there nothing left of civility at the very least?

 And what about Lazaro? He was combative in prior hearings, sounding very much like a man who had nothing to hide. When Resado spilled the beans however, Lazaro was no different to a man whose hand was caught in the cookie jar.

 Will anybody please tell us what the real story is?

 In other places and other times, it does not need much for people to own up to their shortcomings at the first sign of disclosure. Today, people can be so shameless as to deny complicity even in the face of overwhelming proof.

 And yet, while it difficult to tell truth from lies, let us not lose sleep over that. In due time, or more appropriately, in God's time, truth will be known. Much like separating the chaff from the grain and goats from sheep, justice will take its course.

 No doubt about it, divine justice is the great equalizer.