Si Vis Pacem, Para Bellum

Hole of Justice
by Peter G. Jimenea


Si Vis Pacem, Para Bellum


This Latin expression means - if you want peace, be prepared for war. The idea came into my mind after reading the column of Adobo Ilonggo who tagged my name in his article to ascertain I'll have the entire story in my facebook account.


He also posted a Youtube in the facebook featuring Manuel "Boy" Mejorada, the former Iloilo Provincial Administrator, who is then filing a graft case at the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas against Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog.


But as noted, the essence of the writer's work is in defense of the mayor as he had been throwing barrage of negative tirades against Mejorada, the Iloilo Press Club Pres. Rommel Ynion and Panay News publisher Dan Fajardo.


Adobo Ilonggo disclosed that the Iloilo Press Club building and the other  businesses of Ynion in the city has no permit. Despite the notice of no-permit violation, the press club officers continue with the building construction as the claim hinted at.


This is not new. Anyone accused of involvement in corrupt deals is expected to put up a strong defense. We are not surprised if Mayor Mabilog and Cong. Jerry Trenas will hire an expert in counter-arguments and stone-walling to protect them.


Those who want to go after corrupt officials should also prepare for a tough legal battle ahead. But what complicates this problem is the ongoing press club building construction that Adobo Ilonggo claimed to have no permit insinuating the mayor may use it for counter-offensive.


Add to this the locatorial clearance that needs the signature of the mayor before a structure can occupy a specific site in the city government property. The press club has  nothing to worry had former Mayor Mansueto Malabor signed all its documents before stepping down from office, but he did not.


Now Adobo Ilonggo is emboldened to pomposely engage with the group of Mr. Ynion in verbal tussles under the shadow of a covert identity. Perhaps, he fears for his life on the perception that once he is identified, he may end-up a Lechon-Ilonggo, not Adobo anymore.


Besides, Facebook or WordPress is not a Senate Session Hall where lawmakers are shielded by Congressional privilege and can slander people merely on rumors and defective evidence. Thus, a pen-name Adobo Ilonggo keeps him away from litigation in eternity.


But he is widely believed a barking dog let loose by the boss to run after IPC Pres. Ynion and group who had been critical to the mayor. The city mayor is a little president. He personifies the law that holds the community together, either bearable or miserable. But the local media practitioners had also been dreaming of a press club building to call their own.


This scenario has compounded the problem. If the mayor is vindictive and determine to give the Iloilo Press Club officers a runaround in the construction of their building, he can do it. But he must think twice as this move will only create more enemies for him.


The mayor is already in the pot but if he jumps into the fire that is a personal prerogative. On what seems a tireless attacking of Adobo Ilonggo against Mejorada, the latter has already proven his worth as shock-absorber to spare the boss albeit sort of - sound idiotic. 


The man has created an impression that he is only good when talent brings in the dough for his coffers. Besides, he has already an idea that the prize at stake in this Ynion-Mabilog war is worthy of the battle he is fighting for.


There's no Palestine and Israelite in this war, only two major players of a terrorist group. Oddly enough, the dreamed peace of the city mayor seems to have disappeared because he continue to uphold the absurd hand-over legacy. Yet, he cannot get off the hook easily as his smart predecessor does. 


Maybe, the most logical solution to be drawn is ...... see the title!