When Miriam meets Corona

What shall we grieve more over today? The heartbreaking loss of our Jessica Sanchez at the American Idol contest, or the success of Chief Justice Renato Corona in confounding impeachment court?

***

I woke up yesterday hoping that the first news I would hear was that Jessica Sanchez had already assumed the American Idol title. Seems I had forgotten, or maybe disregarded the warnings from both friends and wire articles that, as had happened in the past four or five Idol contests, a white American, and a male one, would make it. I truly thought that Jessica would be a shoo-in, since black man Joshua Ledet had been eliminated, and making Philip Phillips, a white one, win could raise racial issues.

***

But I was thinking as a Filipino, and half of Jessica’s blood is like mine. And perhaps it was because the Pinoys in the U.S. were running such a determined campaign for her to win, that the white Americans also trebled their effort to give the crown to Philip. I am amused at the indignant suggestion of a Pinoy in the U.S. demanding a recount of the votes! Does he suspect a dagdag-bawas operation from the Idol management?

***

Anyway, it’s over, and Jessica has proven to the world what great talent she has, and I am sure her future as a singer – if that is what she wants to be – is assured. Remember that the head of a big recording company had been reported as saying that he even wished she would not win so he could sign her up immediately. Cheers, girl! And we are also very, very proud of you for being such a good sport, for showing a maturity far beyond your years. You will go places, and we will still be rooting for you.

***

As for the Chief Justice On Trial, it looks as if he is not going to get away as easily as planned. Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile, head of the senator judges hearing his case, has firmly demanded that he present himself to the court today, or else. Meaning, they will decide and rule on his case, with or without his presence, since he seems not inclined to face cross examination. One can only wonder what he will be up to today – if he does come to court. In the meantime some doctors have already confirmed that it was no heart attack threatening him. As his own lawyer had admitted, Corona did not eat his dinner the night before, and also did not take lunch before coming to the Senate, so he must know what that could induce.

***

If I had a malicious mind, I would think that all the dramatics about hypoglycemia, short breaths, etcetera, could be preparations for some face-saving, like quitting “for health reasons” and “on doctors’ orders”. But I do sincerely hope he will be at the hearing today, mainly because I want to see how Madam Senator Miriam Santiago will deal with him. Will she train her bulging eyes and pursed lips and shriek at him, too? Or will she handle him with kid gloves, citing his delicate condition? I saw glimpses of her while Corona was reciting the speech he was privileged to deliver, courtesy of Senator Enrile, and there didn’t seem to be fire in her eyes that time. If at all, she looked sympathetic, but I could be misreading her.

***

What about this talk about the defense team led by former Justice Serafin Cuevas already wrangling among themselves? In an interview, Cuevas confirmed that he was about to quit, but Corona prevailed upon him to go on. It seems their initial misunderstanding was in the decision to call Ombudsman Conchita Morales to the witness stand. Then Cuevas also hinted that one of their panel members was too talkative and had been imprudent in talking to the media. If they are still together, behind the Chief Justice, it could be that they do not want their actions to be compared to what rats do when they sense the sinking of their ship.*

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