THE MEDIA DARLING

I would like to emphasize that this blog is my personal blog and I write whatever I write and pray and wish that somebody read it. I did not know that writing how I felt about the whole situation made me an instant focus of the media. It’s pretty overwhelming.

I guess the media networks were hungry for information from our side. I do not blame them. So I thank you to all those networks who asked permission to use my blog, I thank the networks who gave up some space for their print or airtime for their program, even though I said no to an exclusive interview. Lastly, I want to thank that NETWORK who did not broadcast me at all. It’s okay. I didn’t want you to anyway.

Today, I am constantly amazed as to how many people have touched my hand, gave me a hug, or approached me just to say that they read my blog and that they are showing their support for our family. I guess our society has changed for the better. But what I am truly amazed is what they tell me after: YOU ARE VERY BRAVE.

This boggles me because I think no child or family member would want to have experienced what we have been experiencing for the past few days. I wrote because I was mad and I wanted to release my feelings. I wrote because I love my father and because I wanted to tell everybody who we truly are. I wrote because EVERY DAUGHTER WOULD DO THAT FOR THEIR FATHER.

As for my new found readers, thank you for spending a few minutes of your time to read what I had to say. If after that you still think we are horrible people, that’s okay. I hope one day we meet you and see for yourself who we truly are. If I somehow changed your mind about us, I hope that there are more people like you. Either way, I respect your opinion as you have respected mine.

I know you’re wondering who Mr. Man is and who the Other Network is. I know I’m also sure that you know whom I am talking about, if not, sooner or later you will.  But unlike him, I am brave enough to say that this is Inna talking. I do not need to pretend that I did not pay a certain personality in a specific network to defend or protect me from rude commentaries or effective question manipulation to confuse viewers/readers as to what is fact and fiction. And this is what I want to put out, if the media or a priest can speculate that my father is a jueteng receiver, can a person like me or any other citizen speculate that specific prominent media personalities receive money to escape public humiliation from the media?

Anyway, I know that this is a touchy subject. What I really want to do today is answer two questions that several media networks have been asking me.

How is our family? We are okay. Coincidentally, today is my Lola’s birthday and the public hearing of my father. I guess its nice to say that it is a good day to celebrate both. It’s a good day to be smiling.

Is there anything you want to add that was not written in your blog? I wish to tell everybody that if you want to choose to be a public servant, you do not only prepare yourself, but also prepare your family, because you may be thick-skinned, they are not.

lastly, WE ARE A FAMILY WHO STICKS TOGETHER. WE ARE A FAMILY WHO BUILDS ON LOVE AND TRUST. 

As he breaks his silence, so will I

Now that my father broke his silence and it seems like OPINION matters, let me share mine. 

What happened to the days when we needed media to speak up for the truth? What happened to the days when we trusted our media to tell us unbiased facts?

I graduated with a Development Communication degree, and our school taught us to always be moral and two-sided. The fact that one network used the word “raid” with the word “breaking news” and with just a photo of a logbook for evidence made me doubt, made US doubt everything that they had to say. I don’t think reporters have the right to tell their opinion, especially to matters like that. theyre suppose to report FACTS. Theyre suppose to REPORT. PERIOD.

To be honest, I am quite upset that my father resigned from his post. Its not because he’ll be at home all the time, but because he’s come so far, he’s done so much, and for what? I keep asking myself why he gave up on the People so easily? I keep asking myself why couldn’t he hold on any longer? I was so proud of him, actually, WE ARE SO PROUD OF HIM. He kept silent. He let the people think for themselves as different facts were unravelled as each day passes. And after all that bad news, he was the only one smiling at home.

But again, I guess a man of his age would know when to step down. When to say that its enough. I guess its when he saw his siblings and mother getting upset for him, his wife getting stressed out for him, and his children affected for him. I guess its when he realized that the only way he can be against the media is not to speak at all, and NOT give them answers. I guess its when he learned from the bus incident that no matter what he says, the media will turn it in a way that he is still to blame. But really, if you ask yourself, if you really REALLY think about it, WHO ARE THESE PEOPLE WHO KEEP TRYING TO PUT HIM DOWN?

Our family never once used this so called “power” or “unique relationship” with the President for our advantage. We still live in the same house, we have the same crew, the same cars, and the same standard of living. We still prefer staying at home and eating lunch on Sundays. We live simply, and we will die simple. My father is not a politician and we are not a political family. We serve the Filipino people because like the president, believe in his daang matuwid life. And so I ask again, WHO WILL BENEFIT FROM THIS POSITION NOW THAT HE HAS LEFT? 

And to you, you know who you are, as I will call you Mr. Man, you may look good, you may have good intentions, but how dare you, enter our home, eat our food, and mingle with our family, only to what? WHAT HAVE WE DONE TO YOU TO DESERVE THIS KIND OF TREATMENT? How do you sleep at night knowing that you are ruining a man’s life only to reach a certain position? And to that specific network, you may be the most popular network now, but if the People finally realize how you CHOOSE to report on NEWS like that, and if you CHOOSE to do it JUST BECAUSE ONE OF YOUR STAFF is related to somebody, shame on you, and shame on the way you report and ruin people’s lives. I CAN NEVER TRUST YOU, AND SO WILL OTHER PEOPLE.

And to the people who were there by our side, and who are still here with us, THANK YOU. Thank you so much for the support, for the love, and for all the prayers. It made us stronger each day. It made us believe that we still had our “kakampi” with us. It made us wake up each day knowing that our true friends are here for us. 

Lastly, thank you for Papa's security. You have all been part of this mess, and yet you are still there to protect him for us. You kept him safe for us, you let us sleep better every time he goes home safe. thank you so much, and although we are truly sad that you are to leave your post, i hope you know that we all treat you as our extended family.

BUT THEN AGAIN, THIS ONLY AN OPINION.

let this help you!