By Robert B. Roque, jr.
Last time around, I intended to call out the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) for leaving out the church when it relaxed restrictions on the number of people gathered in commercial establishments at one time starting May 15.
With a return to general community quarantine (GCQ) for areas within the so-called NCR-Plus Bubble – Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal – business establishments like restaurants were allowed to increase their seating accommodation to 30 percent of their capacity from the previous 10 percent allowed under the modified enhanced community quarantine or MECQ status.
Unfortunately for the faithful, Sunday Holy Masses last May 16 were still limited to a physical attendance of only 10 percent. Naturally, our parish priest expressed his disappointment. In these difficult times, he said, that the church has to care for its flock, especially those confused, distraught, depressed, and desperate amid the scourge of the pandemic.
Firing Line cannot agree more, especially since standard health protocols are strictly observed in churches, not to mention most of them being wide indoor spaces that are very well ventilated.
Fortunately, I heard that Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra was mindful of this lapse and almost apologetically admitted that it was by “plain oversight” that the IATF failed to update guidelines on people attending religious gatherings. As a member of the IATF, Guevarra even assured that this would be “rectified” and most likely allow an attendance of 30 percent of capacity during masses and other religious activities in the church.
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I’ve got to hand it to former senator Antonio Trillanes IV for being bold enough to step out of obscurity and say that he’s running for president. Frankly, it is of no consequence to me whatever he decides to do in 2022, but his honesty is refreshing.
I appreciate his coming out with his in-your-face truth – however annoying it might be to some – that he is a political animal making his move on the electorate. Let’s face it, E-Day to vote for new leadership on all levels of elected governance is less than a year away. It is so around-the-corner that the Comelec has begun daily press briefings since May 14 – dinaig pa ang IATF!
In contrast to Trillanes, every other politician out there keeps putting out these press releases saying “it’s too early to talk about the elections,” trying to act prim-and-proper while throbbing ambition wants to rip its way out of their hearts.
They spend half the time convincing the public they’re disinterested in the elections as of now; and the other half of the time building up the image that they are concerned about “additional cash-aid for the poor,” “stepping up vaccination,” “patriotism and the West Philippine Sea,” “uniting against the pandemic” and “lauding the community pantries,” among others.
Don’t get me wrong. These issues are all good. They just reek of hypocrisy, especially when you look who’s talking and realize that you hadn’t seen these people in the picture or heard them lift a finger to help when the pandemic was eating away at their constituents. These are the same officials who’d say, “let’s not politicize the issue” or “focus on the pandemic, not the politics,” then quietly leap from their party to another or loudly criticize their political foes.
Let it be clear, folks – the elections are not until May 9 next year, but the posturing, campaigning, promising, mudslinging, and maneuvering has already begun. Oh, so does the fund-raising! And if you happen to be one of these politicians – stay safe; COVID-19 might not kill you, but your ambition might.
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SHORT BURSTS. For comments or reactions, email firingline@ymail.com or tweet @Side_View. Read current and past issues of this column at https://www.thephilbiznews.com
