THIS is tsismis time.
A businessman heaved a big sigh of relief when a big-wig politician got indicted big-time of multiple criminal cases and is now considered “at large.” Simply said, “at large” is running off, or in flight or simply missing or cannot be located.
Because the politician is a wanted person, a fugitive from justice so to speak, he is now out of commission and the businessman is given a new lease of business life.
What is the story behind this?
* * *
The businessman is engaged in the business of transport of goods and passengers, including rolling cargoes, between two provinces in the Visayas.
Right now, business is brisk and very lucrative. There is no competition and service is good so commuters and drivers alike are comfortable with the schedule of trips, including the fees collected.
Back then, it was very problematic and the businessman had to persevere in order to break even and sustain the operations. Slowly, the motorists came to realize that it was better to transport their goods thru the roro vessels of the businessman or bring their own vehicles when they visited the other province because the freight was not that high.
And besides, travel time is short and it wouldn’t take long for the roro vessel to cross the seas dividing the two provinces.
Very convenient and practical indeed, especially during inclement weather when travelling the seas is difficult.
Then last year, things changed drastically, as recounted by the businessman.
* * *
One fateful day, a visitor came to see the businessman in his office and demanded a short time for a meet.
Without mincing words, the visitor right away introduced himself as representing the politician and he was only relaying a business proposal.
Naturally, the businessman was instantly “awakened” from a noontime stupor, a bit alarmed and his senses stretched to the limit.
Who would not be?
The politician is notorious as a “pacman,” having gained notoriety for gobbling up various businesses here and there thru his usual highhanded manner. In other words, ilado na sa pagka-tulisan.
And what was the business proposal?
The visitor took his time as he called up somebody on his cellphone and when he got the other party on line, he said the businessman was right in front of him and ready to talk to him about the “business proposal.”
* * *
Over the phone, the politician asked the businessman if he recognized his voice and when the businessman nodded in the affirmative, he came up with his proposal.
“Tagaan ka nako og usa ka milyon karon, padayon og operate sa imong negosyo sud sa 5 ka tuig unya inig ka-human ana, ako na nang imong negosyo,” was the proposal.
Naturally, the shocked businessman could not say a word. Or, he was too shocked to even utter a word.
And the politician ended the conversation with,” so mao ra to ha, nagkasabot na ta.”
And that was it.
* * *
And that was last year.
Following that conversation, the businessman was a troubled man. He could not sleep.
He tried to talk to members of his family, his relatives, his businessmen-friends, even some politicians and lawyers and asked them for a plausible way to address the problem.
And through it all, there was only one scenario offered – lisod nang tawhana og maoy kontrahon kay maundang ang imong birthday. The message was clear enough. And there was no reason to even doubt it.
Thus, nobody could offer him something that would ease his mind.
Tiaw bay tagaan lang ka og usa ka milyon ug lima ka tuig, unya mawagtang na ang imong negosyo nga dugay nimo gimatuto?
* * *
He must have been praying so hard that one day, his prayer was heard and granted.
News came out that the politician is out of the country and is involved in a very serious and liberty-threatening drama.
Because of the legal entanglement, the politician is now prevented from returning and his chances of enjoying his physical freedom are slowly getting smaller and smaller each passing day.
Yes, he is slowly sinking into that deep dark crevasse called legal limbo.
The businessman offered his thanks to the Almighty and is now taking immediate legal action to ensure that the threat would not materialize.
* * *
Meanwhile, a priest is taking heat these days.
He is doing good in his priestly duties, so good that he has become widely popular and constantly gets invite to celebrate the Holy Mass. Unlike many priests of yore, he delivers his homily very well, and the way he delivers it leaves a lot to digest mentally and spiritually.
While he is so good as a priest, he is also good in providing advice in other fields, education for example.
So now, he is into consultancy. And later became good at it too. And a lot of offers soon came his way.
Naturally, his personal income grew and very soon, this attracted some attention.
And the “marites” in the diocese started to spin some nasty tales. Thru wild speculations and insinuations, he was subjected to a “kangaroo proceedings” and was told to pack up and leave a certain school.
He was so hurt and deeply embarrassed but stood his ground – he committed no canonical infirmity whatsoever. He also told some of his friends that he was just preparing for the time or eventuality when he could no longer perform his priestly duties and would only be living and surviving at the mercy of the diocese, or his family.
Tiaw ba nga ang tanan namong kahago during the best years of our lives among gihalad sa simbahan ug sa katawhan unya sa panahon nga matiguwang na mi, pasagdan na lang mi didto sa priestly home, maghuwat na lang og dunay mohatag og donasyon o hinabang unya kon magsakit na mi, magproblema na mi sa among panginahanglan sa hospital ug sa tambal, unya wa nay motabang namo?
Anyway, when it was eventually discovered that he was just baselessly and maliciously charged, the diocese turned 180 degrees and pleaded that he work back in the school.
No dice he replied because he’s been deeply hurt and would not venture anymore into another encounter with the “marites” of the diocese.
Right now, he is into deep reflection and also contemplating of “resolving” his personal crisis.
