Delicadeza? Are you joking?

Delicadeza? Are you joking?

The stinging indictment made by the Supreme Court, the Senate and the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philiphines (CBCP) against the Commission on Elections headed by Chair Benjamin Abalos, remain unheeded. The calls for the resignation of the Comelec officials have fallen on the deaf ears of officials who have obviously succeeded in stripping themselves of all vestiges of respectability, decency, decorum and morality.

What barefaced shamelessness and brazen insolence! And the chutzpah to hang on to power, influence and notoriety!

In different climes, people of their ilk have been stoned or even lined up against the wall to be summarily executed, or at disgracefully impeached, or at the very least, hauled off to jail. In olden Japan, “hara- kiri” was regarded as a”great honor”. In “seppuku,” the man would sit before an admiring circle of friends and colleagues, at the crack of dawn, facing the rising sun. He was allowed to write down a small farewell poem, and then accept the inevitable yet honorable by the sword of a friend or colleague. This was regarded as an act of sincere penance for a shameful conduct.

In this country, we have a time – honored Filipino value referred to as a “sense of delicadeza.” It is used to be a badge of honor for government officials. The sense of delicadeza is supposed to be an instinctive guide for public officials on how to act or behave in all circumstances, whether in public or private life. In essences, it is etiquette, well-mannered conduct, code of behavior or protocol; in a way, good manners and right conduct.

Besmirch the good name of a government official, or even hint at a misgiving or doubt about his integrity, or associate him with scandal or abuse of power whether true or not and he would be ready to offer his resignation rather than dishonor his family’s name and reputation he is connected with. After bungling billions of taxpayers’ money, the Comelec commissioners take refuge under the Constitution. Couple this with their tragicomical handling of the last elections.

Why are the commissioners clinging to their posts? Is it to make amends and cushion the impact of their plunderous deeds? And with the help of Johnny come- lately Presidential Adviser for Electoral Reforms Hilario Davide yet? Is it the generous allowances, perks and privileges, including the hefty retirement pay and other emoluments? Or is it the hallucinogenic electoral power or the kaleidoscopic partisan influence that goes with the job?

Or the quid pro idea of payback in the concept of “utang na loob”? Or is it a way to depart from the mea culpa that they participated in rigging last elections? Or, is it because the commissioners can be trusted to pave the road map to cha-cha? ‘Delicadeza” Are you joking?