IVAN WHO?
by Donald Sevilla
The guy is the man of the hour and has been the rallying figure behind a propaganda-driven electoral campaign anchored on a platform of anti-corruption that appeared to catapult the then administration’s challenger into the corridors of power at the provincial capitol.
Many were intrigued and still are to this day about the identity of this invisible character who became the faceless symbol of corruption that many were led to believe, caused the downfall of the capitol’s previous occupant.
Just recently a meeting was conducted by the group of quarry operators and the new provincial leadership where this notorious character was again talked about. Yet despite supposed testimonies by victims of his extortion no one came close to identifying his person.
Who really is this Ivan? Some claimed to have handed over bribes in exchange for favorable quarry accomodations allegedly done in a discreet coffeshop somewhere in the city. Even mainstream media played over and over again a voice clip of a conversation recorded after contacting his mobile phone number.
But for all the brouhaha this Ivan character created, surprisingly no one can point him out. Is this guy a real person in the flesh or a made-up fictional character created to reinforce a propaganda narrative?
Until no one can reveal his identity, Ivan remains an enigma and a cloud of doubt hanging over every accuser’s credibility. While the people expect no less than a revelation of this man’s identity, calls for a thorough investigation into his activities can be construed as a mere show for public consumption.
In our colorful world of politics anything can happen and is possible.Where vested interests matter and often prevail, public welfare is lost. Could it be that the players in this saga are all compromised and only care about nothing else but their own cause?
In our material world money walks and talks. Businesses exist for profit.Would anyone sacrifice their business and every opportunity to do so by antagonizing others and incriminating themselves?
As it is, no one wants to be the rat. The giver and the bribe-taker are equally guilty. Would skeletons be out of the closet if anything goes wrong?
Thus it seems best to preserve the status quo.Yet it is possible that everyone involved has come to terms with one another. Maybe it is no longer an Ivan but a different entity, the same dog with a different collar. But was there an Ivan to begin with in the first place?
With money changing hands frequently in a shady world of corruption who is clean enough to safely cast the first stone?
This remains the greatest challenge!
Who is Ivan?