The Enemy Of My Enemy Is (Not) My Friend

I’m beginning to wonder if Filipinos are really fed up with government graft and corruption. Recent developments in the local political scene are giving me the idea that some Filipinos don’t really care if our government continues to be run by grafters and corruptors.

Just consider the fact that the Nacionalista Party has offered ZTE deal witness Jun Lozada a slot in its senatorial line-up. Of all people, Lozada? The same Lozada who during the senate hearings on the controversial ZTE broadband deal admitted that he himself was involved in some anomalous transactions when he was the head of the Philippine Forest Corporation.The same Lozada who admitted that he can tolerate and accept certain levels of corruption. Yes, the same Lozada who coined the phrase “moderate your greed.”

As of this posting, Lozada is being held at the headquarters of the Manila Police District for a perjury charge filed against him by former Presidential Chief of Staff Mike Defensor. As can be expected, Lozada and many of his supporters are crying foul over his arrest. They are claiming this is the handiwork of the Arroyo administration. I couldn’t care less if that is the case or not. What I care about is the seemingly misplaced notion that Lozada is a symbol of hope.

There’s an old saying that goes, “the enemy of my enemy is my friend.” This is basically the doctrine at play here in this whole Lozada vs. Arroyo epic. I don’t know about you but the fact that it is makes me doubt if there is still hope for the Philippines.

I hope those who will read this post especially those who support Lozada will not take my words out of context. Like many other Filipinos today, I too would like to see an end to the current administration and, if possible, for justice to be served. But, to pin my hopes on someone who was also part of the anomalies that attended the ZTE broadband deal is something I just cannot do.

Glorifying Lozada as some sort of hero or symbol of hope just because he is a potential thorn in the administration’s side will not do this country any good.

I’m sure many of those who have chosen to support Lozada are doing so out of a sincere desire to see a better Philippines. However, I have serious doubts about the motives of those high up in their chain of command (assuming one does exist) and those political figures who stand to gain should this movement or whatever it is called succeed.

I’m just like everyone else who wants  a Philippines that is free from graft and corruption. I too have had it with public servants who think they are above the law. But, I just can’t accept the idea that I should be friends with the enemy of my enemy to achieve what I think is right. I just don’t see how supporting one dubious personality to get  rid of another would be a statement against the evils plaguing our government. I also do not see how such an approach would ensure that the ultimate goal of cleansing the government will be achieved.

Can we not do better than this?

Are we just against the sinner not the sin?