Dave Achondo
AFTER a heated exchange of words between city traffic czar Jose Edgardo Uy and Councilor Zaldy Ocon, they finally made amends, buried the hatchet and could finally start working on how to fix this hellish traffic problem of this city. But...
How about Ric Emmanuel Agustin the traffic enforcer who was allegedly slapped by Ocon for writing him a citation ticket? Did they bury that hatchet, too?
On one hand, Ocon said he did not slap anyone. On the other hand, the witness who saw and even held the councilor at bay in case he would slap Agustin the second time around was from the RTA, and it was confirmed by Task Force Hapsay Dalan chairman Uy. So it’s hard to believe the tale that Ocon didn’t lay a hand on Agustin.
To add injury to insult, Ocon went on and bashed the RTA by saying, “Mga traffic enforcers walay mga batasan. Ako mismo gipakaulawan. Kulang og seminar ang mga traffic enforcers.” He even pushed for Uy’s ouster. But what irritated me the most was when Ocon said, “Dili gani kahibalo mangayo og pangatahuran. Ako mismo biktima.” If he was the victim does it even give him the right to slap Agustin or anyone for that matter? I think not.
Agustin deserves an apology from Ocon as simple as that. As one of this city’s councilors, he knows it is the right thing to do. I’m sure he Agustin could take a few punches in the gut (he’s a grownup) and being slapped isn’t as painful. But it’s different when you get slapped in the face--it’s degrading.
You see, for me, I would rather have someone punch me than get slapped. Getting slapped in the face from someone only means your inferior to them and the thought of that does not sit well with me. It is quite insulting.
It’s a form of bullying, and I hate bullies. They’re the reason why I picked up my first Eskrima sticks and thought myself self-defense in the first place. I hated being pushed around by someone simply because they are above me or bigger than me.
Not to rain on anyone’s parade, I am truly glad that they have reconciled among themselves, but don’t forget the real victim. Incidents like this just don’t blow over overnight. It will be remembered.
In a political sense, I think Ocon may have just hurt his political career with one slap. Duterte has a bigger chance of getting away with slapping a corrupt individual using Ocon’s statements. We’ll just have to wait and see in the next election if people would still trust and elect him into office.
In the spirit of Christmas, it is about the right time to ask anyone you have wronged for forgiveness and let bygones be bygones, and to be humble and being the bigger man to admit you were wrong. An apology goes a long way in life especially when you mean it.
I have yet to hear any developments from the city council’s blue ribbon committee regarding the issue or whether or not they have started looking into the matter. They shouldn’t brush this issue aside either simply because Agustin is a mere RTA deputy, and Ocon is a councilor. He shouldn’t go unpunished, and whatever the committee decides, if they punish the councilor or not, Ocon should still apologize.
Forgiveness goes both ways. If Agustin deserves an apology, Ocon deserves forgiveness. Para happy angPasko!
