Good Morning Judge: The Journalists’ Hazards

THE hazard that a journalist faces in the performance of his calling is brought to the fore in the case of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi who was reportedly killed more than two weeks ago atinside the Saudi Arabian consulate in Istanbul. Khashoggi is reported to be “a critic of the country’s de facto ruler Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.” He reportedly died in a fight inside the consulate. Reports are that Turkish officials suspect that Khasshoggi, 59, a Saudi national and US resident, was killed inside the consulate by a team of Saudi agents and his body cut up. It has been reported that Khashoggi’s case has caused international outrage and “frayed political and business ties between Western powers and Saudi Arabia, a staunch US ally and world’s No.1 oil exporter. Reports are that US President Donald Trump expressed dissatisfaction on the results of the investigation and threatened Saudi Arabia with “very severe consequences until we find the answer.”

I was viewing the Congressional Investigation of the reported smuggling into the country of P6.8 billion worth of “shabu” or crystal meth and I cannot help but give kudos to Deputy Customs Collector Maria Lourdes Manaoang for her steadfast, firm and courageous testimony before the investigating panel of possible collusion between Custom Commissioner Isidro Lapena and the importers of the prohibited drugs. Her straight forward answers to the question of the investigation panel chairperson that she does not mind her transfer to different customs offices including Legaspi port but her demotion in rank because of her stance is unacceptable thus forcing her to file an appeal before the Civil Service Commission. I believe that our country needs more government officials of her caliber. In fairness to Customs Commissioner Isidro Lapina, however, he claims that “drugs syndicates are pitting his agency and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) against each other in order to undermine the government’s campaign against illegal drugs.” Be that as it may, it still behooves upon Lapina as Customs Commissioner to leave no stone unturned in purging out smuggling of illegal drugs through the Manila International Container Port (MICP).

TRIVIA:

Congratulations to Junie Badiola who celebrated his Nth birth anniversary the other, October 23, with a dinner-fellowship among his friends at their residence at Lomeda Subdivision.

Congratulations also to my good friend Boy Claro, manager of the Asian United Bank, whose Nth birth anniversary was also on October 23.

Birthday greetings also to my cousin Monico “Boy” K. Imperial whose Nth birth anniversary was likewise on that same day.

In my own behalf and that of my spouse Minda may I express our sincere congratulations to Sir Knight Salvador “Badong” Cajot of the Mons Jorge Barlin Assembly and that of his lovely spouse. They are celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary today, October 25, with a dinner-fellowship at their residence in Bagumbayan, this city.

QUOTATION OF THE WEEK:

“WHEN YOU LOSE THE CAPACITY TO DREAM, YOU LOSE THE CAPACITY TO LOVE AND THE DREAM IS LOST.”

POPE FRANCES

FOR OUR WORD OF LIFE:

“AS THE DEER LONGS FOR STREAMS OF WATER, SO MY SOUL LONGS FOR YOU, O GOD.”

PSALM 42:2