Political Theatre

The day after Drilon and company were released, Sen. Loren Legarda was interviewed live on 24 Oras with Mike Enriquez and Mel Tiangco. She was clearly intent on hogging the limelight, always comparing Drilon's ordeal with Arlene de la Cruz's whom she claims, "napalaya ko." Obviously, she wants to make it appear that Drilon was released mostly through her efforts without paying a single cent to the Abus. She preceded Drilon upon stepping out of the plane and was always beside her during press conferences, wearing white to symbolize peace (she could've held a white dove in her lap as well, to be released a few minutes later).

Problem is, it has been clearly established that Drilon and her cameramen were not released through her efforts, no matter how well-meaning these may be, but through ransom payment. It only makes the lady Senator look stupid. Really. She's been ostensibly kept in the dark as to the real negotiations taking place. Her naivete led her to make statements that only lent credibility to the earlier claims of the government and the Isnajis.

To a certain extent, the Isnajis and the well-dressed lady Senator have something in common: they're all opportunists. The Isnajis saw the perfect opportunity to make some millions (whether or not the elder Isnaji was really the head of the bandits) while Legarda used the hostage situation to boost her career in politics.

Pathetic, no?

As for the Lady Vice Governor who acted as the Drilon family's negotiator, she had the good sense to have a picture of her and the Isnajis counting the bundles of cash taken and handed this over to the police. She claims she didn't want to be "double-crossed" later. In contrast to Legarda's political theatrics, that was a smart, tactical move.