Dean Mel Sta Maria Unsolicited Advice.

 

I tell you this, MJMO (I don't have to reveal her name) has all the classic signs of addiction. She's hooked.

Sorry to say that ... but while ordinary mortals like Alfred are burning their midnight candles to the wee hours in the morning, watching Korean melodramas ... MJMO I can say is the walking impeachment encyclopedia this side of Visayas.

Let her talk about the impeachment, and her mouth froths, making the ABS CBN correspondent tiptoes to the nearest exit.

This morning, she shared with me, Dean Mel Sta. Maria's latest observation on why the VP should change strategies before it is too late.

Well, I think the VP's impeachment will have a plenary vote on Monday ... while we still have time, but people are asking: "Did Sara already throw the towel in? 

Well, the bomb is ticking... Tick Tock ... Tick Tock ...

It is quite surprising, with 16 expensive lawyers hovering ... the only legal strategy and primary tactic they can think of is "Strategic Silence" followed by "Loud, Irrelevant Noise?"

As Dean Mel Sta. Maria has pointed out that we are witnessing a fascinating legal experiment. 

The Vice President’s camp has decided that the best way to fight an impeachment is to treat the House Committee on Justice like a toxic ex-partner: Total Ghosting. 

But while they’re busy holding press conferences in fancy hotels, they seem to have forgotten one tiny, annoying detail about the law—Microphones at a buffet or any press conference do not count as evidence in court.

There is a growing belief in the OVP that if you say something to a reporter while holding a bottled water, it magically becomes a legal fact.

• The Reality: You can explain the ₱125 million until your face turns the color of a Davao sunset, but if you didn't say it under oath in the hearing room, it has the "evidentiary value" of about zero to nil.

• The Satire: Watching the OVP press briefings is like watching a basketball player standing in the parking lot, hitting three-pointers, and wondering why the scoreboard inside the stadium still says Zero. You’re making shots, sure, but nobody is counting them because you refused to buy a ticket to the game.

Also the Vice President’s camp keeps complaining that the proceedings are "one-sided." 

And they are absolutely right! It is a state of the art of one-sidedness—created entirely by them.

It’s the ultimate "Stop Hitting Yourself" maneuver:

• The House: "Com Sec, can you please call the VP to come and give us her evidence?"

• The OVP: "No! It’s a trap! We won’t participate!"

• The House: "Okay, then we only have this side of the story."

• The OVP: "SEE?! IT’S ONE-SIDED! Absolutely!"

If you choose to stay in the locker room while the other team is scoring goals, you can't complain that the final score is "unfair." 

You didn't just lose the game; you forfeited it and then complained about the referee’s manner of officiating?

Now comes the Plenary vote on Monday. As Dean Mel notes, the lawmakers have a very simple mathematical problem. 

On one side of the scale, they have mountains of COA reports and testimony. On the other side... they have a pile of "No Comments" and a few viral videos of Harry Roque shouting.

If a Congressman votes against the Articles of Impeachment, they aren't voting based on "evidence"—because there is zero counter-evidence on the record. They are voting based on:

• Option A: Loyalty to the "Davao Dynasty."

• Option B: Fear of a future "Redtagging."

• Option C: Pure, unadulterated fear that the high religious hierarchy will declare them not up to their standards come the 2028 election.

Voting "No" at this stage is the legislative equivalent of looking at a blue sky and saying, "I refuse to believe it’s blue because I haven't seen a press release from the OVP confirming the color." 

It’s arbitrary, nonsensical, and a complete insult to the institution of Congress.

The only place where this "One-Sided" drama can end is the Senate. 

That is the venue where "I deserve an explanation" actually means something. 

But if the OVP continues their "Participation Strike," the Senate trial will just be a very expensive sequel to the House hearing.

Consider this food for thought. You cannot win a debate by staying home and yelling at your television. 

In the world of law, the only thing that matters is what is offered on the table. 

If the defense is leaving the table empty (by not attending) don't be surprised if the judge decides to eat the only meal that was served. (The meal offered by the prosecutors).

Thanks, MJMO.  I agree with Dean Mel Sta. Maria 100 %.