THE CULPRIT (declamation)

THE CULPRIT

The Republic of the Philippines

Versus Rolando Madlang Bayan

Criminal Case No._________

      ...................Yes your honor I am Rolando Madlang Bayan docked in Criminal Case #27890 for multiple murders and drug trafficking. Yes, I pledge guilty to the crime I do not intend to deny. Come, sentence me to the ultimate capital punishment I deserve but I beg of you to listen to me.

      This is how it happened. Many years ago in an obscure village, a healthy boy was born to a woman who had a name in a flickerville. My father was a man who had a name to himself. I was the fruit of their secret relationship. After my birth my mom got back to the world of make believe just to accept many more rejections. Offers started to come just a little and all her misfortunes were charged to my unexpected coming. She called me a jinx, her misfortune, her failure. Until one time she died of overdose of sleeping pills. Her untimely death added to my sufferings. My own father disowned me for reason he alone knows. Society condemned me. The pang of rejection was even bitter. I started on my own. Living the hard way until I found myself hooked in the business of drug trafficking.

     You brand me as evil, but have you ever tried to give me the chance to live decently? You call me wicked but has it ever crossed your mind that you too had a share in shaping me into a hoodlum?

     During the pitiful night, there was raid. We were surrounded by men in uniform. From my place I know the man who led the raiding team was the man responsible for my birth ... My own Dad ... I could have killed him that very night. I could have vindicated the injustice he had done but blood was thicker than water ... I made painful decision. I surrendered and handed him my revolver, I know I would answer for the many crimes of murder I had done but I am sure with my decision my father will earn another feather in his cap. It would mean a promotion for him.

      Your honor, now on your hands lie the verdict. Who is the real culprit? The man who sold prohibited drugs to sustain a living or the man who turned his back from responsibility? The man charged of multiple murders or the decorated man who led me to this horrible crime?

THE PANG OF MISFORTUNE (Declamation)

THE PANG OF MISFORTUNE

Klang. Klang. That's the signal, yes, two hours more is left. Do you hear that? At four this afternoon I will have my rendezvous with death at the lethal injection chamber. I pledge guilty to drug trafficking and multiple murder. I know I deserve that ultimate capital punishment, but listen to my story. You too have a share in forming me into a hoodlum in this dog eat dog world.

I was a matter of fate by destiny that I grew up in an area fast a accelerating in this orbit of moral decadence. My mom died a few days after my birth. Lola brought me up as dad, a policeman was a footloose and fancy-free family man.

Outcast yes, I am , a bitter pill to swallow but more bitter than this was the pang of rejection. Dad disowned me for the reason he alone knew. Society condemned me fo mom's indiscretion, a fault not of my own making.bb

I did not ask to be born but they gave me life just to wallow in poverty, in shame and in anger. All around me were dark shadows of frustrations: pre-marital sex, women of loose morale in heavy make-up, indecency, gambling, vices of all kinds, graft, corruption. Name them and we have them all in our place.

At first, I lived as an errand boy then as a messenger for this oldest trade of flesh to sustain a living. I graduated to selling prohibited drugs while sniffing once in a while to get into the world of make believe to escape reality of life. That was how life was with one like me who has no choice but to stay living that hard .

One night, in my usual routine I had some small packages of prohibited drugs to deliver to my valued clients. I was intercepted by a man in uniform and was consequently caught in the act. i could do nothing more but to face the situation. Instead of submitting myself peacefully to the authority I managed to grab the revolver and shot him flat dead. Once , twice, until several policemen came to his succor. I shot aimlessly not minding anymore who might get hurt until I no longer knew how many lives were lost.

God forgive me! But you people of the Philippine Republic who accuse me of drug trafficking and multiple murder I also accuse you before the seat of the Most High, God the all knowing, all wise Judge for:

- having failed me with our lawmakers who themselves are law breakers,

- having taught me life's bitterness just with your words not coupled by your witnessing,

- having done nothing to fight moral decadence that has swept and pestered our country now.

I know I have but few minutes to live. Before I submit myself to face the Maker, I ask you People of the Philippine Republic to atone for passive participation in the mess and corruptionour country is faced with. Do something to save our country, save the Philippines, save our youth. Capture the lost values through moral recovery.