“All major religions carry basically the same message, that is love, compassion and forgiveness….the important thing is that they should be part of our daily lives.” – DALAI LAMA
“Men are moved by two levers only: fear and self-interest.” – NAPOLEON BONAPARTE
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Even as the Middle East is slowly becoming an alarming political and military tinderbox, even as three big nations have formed the AUKUS (Australia United Kingdom and United States) to challenge the Chinese hegemonic threat in the Indo-Pacific area vis a viz the South China Sea and even as Iran continues to ignore warning signals from Israel and USA by amassing more nuclear strength, Filipinos in general are fixated on the Quiboloy vs Pacquiao ala-teleserye word war that is now hugging the headlines.
The 42-year old senator from Sarangani has filed a P100M anti-cyber libel suit against the Head Pastor and Founder of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ, Pastor Apollo Quiboloy arising from what the former said were
statements uttered by the latter in his broadcast program as “libelous” that tended to smear his integrity and reputation.
Well, these two chaps used to be good friends before the 8-division world boxing champion broke away from being a PRRD ally when he hurled accusations undermining the leadership of Duterte regarding foreign policy towards China and corruption issues.
The 71-year old KJC pastor, whose members account for 2 million nation-wide and 4 million more abroad and who is a very good friend and supporter of the incumbent Malacanang tenant, reacted quickly to the defense of the President.
Without mincing any words, Q questioned the integrity and honesty of P who earlier claimed to have earned an academic degree in political science from the University of Makati in just 3 months.
Q also asked how P graduated from the Notre Dame of Dadiangas University (NDDU), adding how the boxing champ attended his classes and hurdled his studies when he was busy fighting in the ring in Las Vegas and elsewhere.
How the courts will handle this “glamorous” controversy depends entirely on how the people close around them – the legal teams specifically – will manage the oncoming developments.
The spat unquestionably sprung from a political perspective because the complainant (P) has been perceived to be chasing his presidential dreams in the coming May 2022 national elections.
As to whether the polemics will positively benefit P’s presidential aspirations or not will be revealed in some future surveys.
Mr. P, to my mind will have everything to lose and nothing to gain.
In the first place, with the slow justice system prevailing, it will take sometime before any judgment can be rendered, assuming the prosecutor finds merit in the libel complaint
Q has been unperturbed by the lawsuit and his minions at the broadcast SMNI facility have begun turning out anti-Pacquiao sentiments, painting the Pambansang Kamao as “onion-skinned” (pikon) and reactionary.
Less than a month before the filing of COCs, P has to make the decision to run, or painfully give up his presidential ambitions and just seek re-election or return to private life.
P is either in a quandary or unknowingly treading a crossroads of life.
The opposition is now courting him to join them because obviously he has a commanding following among the masses.
Figure evaluating his psychology as a ring gladiator, you will surprisingly discover the remarkable truth that P never retreats from a good fight.
Meaning, P does not ever regret making hard decisions nor the consequences or repercussions of his actions.
He fought the best of them in all the weight divisions and won a great majority of those that mattered most – the BIG MONEY FIGHTS – walking and laughing his way to the bank.
For one thing, P believes he is a winner and he has done it all.
Take your pick. Q or P? P or Q? (Email your feedback to fredlumba@yahoo.com.) GOD BLESS THE PHILIPPINES!
