"Enoch Pratt Free Library, one of the largest public library systems in the United States and where I presently work as security officer supervisor, is one of the polling places for the primaries. Voters don’t queue and the whole process is over in a few minutes.

"All it takes for a voter is to show his/her election ID and in a flash, his name is fleshed out in the computerized list of voters. He will then be given access card to the voting machine and presto, he can punch in and choose his candidate. Had our government chosen the righteous path and not succumb to the pangs of corruption to improve and modernize our election process, it would not have hemorrhaged with the "Hello Garci" scandal and tainted its hands with the blood of hundreds of victims of election violence.

"Why did I break my silence and decide to get in touch with you after an absence of nearly three years after retirement from the Philippine National Police? It’s because it’s simply sickening that all we can read about the Philippines are destructive partisan politicking and wanton greed and corruption in the government.

"For a simple, retired police officer who spent the best years of his life in the service of the organization, the greed, corruption, scandal and political mayhem is too much, and is what’s driving well-meaning citizens out of the country. I’m not turning my back on my country. It is still, and will always be, my one and only country. But the dolorous confluence of events happening in our country makes a well-meaning Filipino think aloud: Can I still be proud to call the Philippines my home?

"Anyway, regards to the boys at Myther and Friends. I sure do miss our Thursday happenings there, and also the mahjong sessions. I’ll keep you posted on Philippine events here. I always get a great kick reading your column in the Internet.

"So long and keep punching." – Cris Maralit

***

Not a lot of people know it but General Cris Maralit was a newspaperman when martial law was declared. A lot of newsmen lost their jobs. In the case of Cris, he did the practical thing, he joined what was then the Philippine Constabulary-Integrated National Police, the forerunner of the PNP.

Cris was a pretty good golfer and won several club tournaments. The last time he won, the trophy was given to a national official’s son who, the club claimed shot what was for the boy an incredible score. That was the last time that tournament was held. Who wants to play in a tournament where rank apparently had its privileges? Hint: the national official outranked police generals and just about everyone else in government.

***

Here’s one from a non-believer: "Tungkol kay, Lozada at CBCP. Sir, siguro di ka katoliko dahil galit ka sa kanila. (CBCP) Sir, di ka ba masaya kahit papano may nag-expose.

Sir, tuta ka ba ni aling gloria labandera. Sir, naka payroll ka ba sa kanya. Sir, magkano bayad sa iyo sa column mo tungkol kay Lozada.

Trusting to hear from you as soon as posible. Thanks & Regards, Danilo Nical

***

I used your letter just to show that not all my readers are intelligent. The intelligent ones read me for an alternative view on what is happening. If you want to read only what you agree with, don’t read me. I really do not mind. I prefer to write for a higher class of person who allows contrary views to be held by others and respects the fact that not everyone thinks as he does. If I were the kind of columnist with whom people like you will always agree, honestly, I would stop writing. What is the use of writing columns when no one reads you for content but only to convince themselves that their held beliefs are as dogma that everyone must swear to and believe in totally?

***

And here’s another one: "Aw, c’mon, Ducky, do you really believe all those government liars in the Senate hearing last night? Only someone who is mentally dishonest will believe that Jun Lozada was not kidnapped. And I don’t think you’re one.

"By the way, yes, Jun is a sinner, just like everyone of us, including all the members of the CBCP. And I don’t agree that only an angel or a saint (even saints committed sin some points in their lives) can be a credible and truthful witness.

"C’mon, Ducky, you can do better than that. Please don’t disappoint me." – Raul F. Borjal

***

I honestly have never met any angels on this earth but I do think that it is cruel, dishonest and mean to return money given to you as a friendly gesture and to do this publicly in front of a watching world when you could have rejected the money outright when it was given in private or you could have returned it to the person privately.

Making a public event of your returning the money is an unnecessary exploitation of the gesture of a friend who gave you your job with the government, which gave you the importance to be in on the big events that you have also been exploiting. Sorry, but I probably must disappoint you, Rolly. Honestly, I cannot possibly admire someone so mean and slimy.