Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, once dubbed as the Iron Lady of Asia during her Presidency, was served finally the much-awaited warrant of arrest (WOA) in her confinement room at the St. Luke's Medical Center in Taguig last Nov. 18, 2011. Anything short of it could have again be so unpopular that the Supreme Court would be have to bear the brunt once again.
There was a perceived jubilation in the social media networks, particularly Twitter, with netizens short of nailing her to a cross. If latigo were still the prevalent tool for punishment, an anti-GMA could have taken one and with burning eyes whip the former head of state countless times until perhaps she pleads guilty. There were even those chanting to see how this woman suffers, agonizes in pain in the face of her medical condition, calling her names, one even calling her a monster, another one - a dog (though the user did not specify what kind of breed she belongs to).
In the midst of cheers and jeers, ridicule and political paranoia, would it not be smart to pause for a while (STOP), reflect and ask ourselves (LOOK & Listen) how our personal reactions have shaped up? Are we transforming into a gloating nation which enjoys Schadenfreude 
i/ˈʃɑːdənfrɔɪdə/ (German: [ˈʃaːdənˌfʁɔʏdə]) - pleasure derived from the misfortunes of others. If a person is already suffering from his/her perceived shortcomings, should we add insult to injury? If the accused is already desperately saving her face from national and international humiliation, would it be so wise to even fuel negative passions and vibes?
i/ˈʃɑːdənfrɔɪdə/ (German: [ˈʃaːdənˌfʁɔʏdə]) - pleasure derived from the misfortunes of others. If a person is already suffering from his/her perceived shortcomings, should we add insult to injury? If the accused is already desperately saving her face from national and international humiliation, would it be so wise to even fuel negative passions and vibes? Are we taking pride as a nation to see a former leader, who had once earned great amount of respect from the international community for and in behalf of her country, in this bereaved situation? Are we celebrating her current predicament, while international media and community are feasting over our political dilemmas (not De Lima's).
Or better yet ask ourselves, after Erap's detention, have we ever realized that what is happening to this former leader is not simply an isolated case? That it casts doubt and suspicion not only on the accused but on the quality of our Filipino leaders - let alone leave an indelible mark on the credibility of the Filipino as a unique race in Asia and in the world?
