Old (Check) Issues

Former Makati Vice Mayor Mercado pulled a Corona-esque revelation last hearing by showing Binay's several foreign bank accounts. All quiet on the VP front this time. No old issue lament, no denial. Otherwise, can PH claim it, especially if proven to be (not so) hidden wealth now? Check mate!, Dra. Binay.

Mediators should likewise be on the look-out for such breaks that shed light on the truth-gathering during sessions with disputants and their respective pieces of evidence.

Tiu and False

There are light moments in the Senate hearings on VP Binay. One such pun was spoken by Senator Cayetano as he related his banter with his staff- that Tiu is also false in this case.

In mediation, that cannot be true, pardon the pun we couldn't resist! True is true, and false is false, as in anywhere else, ideally.

Sewers and Cooks

That first word does not refer to waste, but to weavers of tales. The third word is not about the kitchen, but the propensity for plots. These characters were mentioned during the Senate  inquiry on Binay.

Mediators could likewise encounter these unsavory personalities. They could waste time and be hot-tempered in an effort to push through their hidden agenda. Watch out for them!

E Bola pala

The rumor that the dreaded disease has entered the "Philippine area of responsibility" is partially true. In fact, has been around ever since we have had elections. Binay is its poster boy. He pretends to be poor, denies allegations of corruption, and projects all his faults on his accusers, aside from threatening them. To his trusted minions belong his bank accounts.

Mediators should beware of the likes of B-inay!!! Ask for proof, documents or some other evidence, other than self-serving pronouncements, delaying tactics and too much protest.

Past Tense

That is the title of a coming local movie. How like the situation of disputants before mediation!  Afterwards, they can look forward to future peace of mind and with others.

Copy Catch

Copiers not of the xerox kind, were caught with Cobonpue carbon copies. Banking on the market for cheap buys, fakes have found a ready market, in fact, clients supposedly bringing designs for "execution" of the original.

Why don't fakers just apply as subcontractors for the copied, instead of being saboteurs?

John Wick's Weakness

Was late for a free movie for seniors, but on time for the gore around John Wick. Focused on my pizza slices instead, while looking at the bottom of the screen only. Self-censorship I've mastered. At the end, all John wanted was a pet dog.

Disputes come from a variety of sources- family, marriage, office, organization, church, community, or nation, as acknowledged and experienced by mediators.

When Binay Met Pnoy

When Philippine political titans are from opposing camps, expect conflict especially with elections slowly creeping in. So, it was an example of self-mediation when they met late one night. Mediation's poster boys!

Anti-Dami Law

Antonio Tiu is accused of being a dummy, for agreeing to front for V.ery P.rosperous (daw)  Binay who as paraphrased from his campaign ditty, is "gumaganda ang buhay."

There could be so much subterfuge in mediation. Layer upon layer of concealment is required to cover untruth.  Or as Senator Trillanes calls it, sewing stories together. It takes a  figurative lie detector test of questions to uncover inconsistecies.

Officialdamn

When the late public leader Emmanuel Pelaez was shot in an assasination attempt, he asked a military man what was happening to the Philippines? Now, we add, and its officials?  The president has done unconstitutional fund transfers, while the Vice President is accused of overpricing, unexplained wealth, and having a dummy (not for ventriloquism acts)! Senators are in jail for funding fake foundations for a fantastic fee. Justices and their decisions are also for sale.

When all are turning out untrustworthy, let mediation be the exception.