Stop harassing Palafox, please

Whenever I go over the coffee table book written for architect Felino “Jun” Palafox as I did last weekend, I feel so proud to be a Filipino.

Palafox, a world-renowned urban and environmental planner, embodies our people’s creative genius.

One of his masterpieces was the transformation of a decommissioned coal-fired power plant along the polluted Pasig River into Rockwell Center — now a retail and financial hub complete with fashionable residences — in the heart of Makati City.

Methinks that if Palafox’s urban and environmental designs for many cities and towns are followed to the letter, the Philippines will become one of the most beautiful countries in Asia despite the blights.

But Jun Palafox’s crusade for a beautiful Philippines is being hindered by a P61-million libel case filed against him by former Sen. Edgardo Angara.

His court appearances have prevented him from attending many local and international engagements.

Palafox complains of being “harassed and persecuted” by Angara, now our country’s ambassador to the European Union.

He says the libel case stemmed from his exposé on the Angara family’s alleged involvement in corruption and land grabbing over the construction of the Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport Authority port in Casiguran, Aurora province.

Both he and the former senator-turned-envoy are residents of Makati and yet the libel case is filed in Pasay City.

Last week, Palafox was in Davao, Cebu and Siargao for urban planning meetings but Judge Francisco Mendoza would have none of his reasons for being absent and issued a third warrant for his arrest.

According to Palafox, the previous warrants were issued while he was abroad, promoting “tourism and investments for our country.”

“Mon, I’m being persecuted for allegedly maligning a politician’s good name,” he told me.

Palafox says he doesn’t want to end up like his friend, Quintin Paredes San Diego, who railed against political dynasty and founded Movement against Dynasty, and Fr. Jufran Talaban, parish priest of Casiguran town.

San Diego was killed by armed men in his resort in Aurora.

Father Talaban, on the other hand, was wounded when a grenade fired from a launcher hit his bedroom in the town convent, said Palafox.

Talaban, who has been helping the land grabbing victims, continues to be harassed, he told this columnist.

Let us come to the aid of a national asset who doesn’t grease the palms of officials when he takes part in a public bidding if we want honesty and decency in our government.