Accusation against General Sabban unbelievable

How did a “straight and honest Quezon City judge” named Tita Villordon get into a land scandal in the city?

“She’s so straight and honest, Mon, it’s impossible she could have been bribed by a con-man” into issuing an order transferring ownership of prime lots in Quezon City to Wilfredo S. Torres, an ex-convict.

The words of praise came from a fellow judge who I will not name.

Granted she was not bribed, then she’s a dimwit for listening to Torres who was convicted of estafa in 1979 and served time in the National Penitentiary.

Torres was granted conditional pardon by President Marcos, but served the unexpired portion of his term until he was again pardoned by President Ramos.

So, Judge Villordon is not corrupt, but she’s dull-witted – which is worse, being honest but dull, or corrupt but brilliant (like a female politician we all know).

How the heck was Judge Villordon convinced by Torres who was once called “king of squatters” by then housing czar Mike Defensor?

Why didn’t the “straight and honest judge” look into the records at the Land Registration Authority (LRA) which says that all land titles held by Torres are fake and spurious?

If you ask me, I’d rather choose a corrupt but brilliant official than an honest but dull one.

A corrupt but brilliant official has redeeming factors such as his competence to hold office. He can still change or get satiated and issue straight orders.

An honest but dull-witted official is beyond redemption.

As a Filipino saying goes, “Walang gamot ang katangahan (Dullness has no cure).”

* * *

Quezon City policemen who accompanied Torres’ group in taking over prime lots in the city, including a school campus, were probably paid handsomely for their effort.

The cops were members of a SWAT (special weapons and tactics) team which are used only in serious cases like hostage-taking.

But taking over prime lots is not a job assigned to elite police units, but to private security guards.

I wonder how much the cops received from Torres.

* * *

It’s unbelievable for Marine Lt. Gen. Juancho Sabban to have profited from the negotiations for the release of international Red Cross workers who were held hostage by the Abu Sayyaf bandit group.

Sabban is such a fine officer and gentleman.

If the accusation were leveled against former Presidential Adviser Robert Aventajado, who headed the negotiations for the release of the hostages kidnapped by the Abu Sayyaf at a Malaysian resort and brought to Sulu, then the accusation is credible.

Aventajado was in the thick of the negotiations for the release of the foreigners, mostly Europeans, in April, 2000.

I can attest to the fact that Aventajado was always in touch with Abu Sayyaf leader Robot.

While I was having dinner with Aventajado in the thick of the Sipadan hostage crisis at the Peninsula Hotel, Aventajado’s phone rang.

He inadvertently mentioned the caller’s name, stood up from our table and went to a corner where I could see him.

While he was talking with Robot over the phone he was laughing and looked like he was having a good time.