THE CULPRIT (declamation)

THE CULPRIT

The Republic of the Philippines

Versus Rolando Madlang Bayan
Criminal Case No._________

...................Yes your honor I am Rilando 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?
 LRT BOMBING

Bread. Bread. . .spare me a piece of bread. Believe me, I don't want to society but fate
dooms me to this deplorable situation.

We used to be a happy family. Dad was a good provider until that pitiful day in May. All I
could remember was Mom crying over the sad news of Dad's untimely death. He died in
an airplane crush and his remains was nowhere to be found.

Mom gallantly took her responsibility as our guide and provider. Benjo, Mom and I made
up the happy family we were once.

A day before New Year, we took the LRT to evade the heavy traffic. I was in pink dress,
matched with a pink ribbon. As I mused with towering edifice on our way to lola, a great
Commotion ensued. Mom embraced me tightly to shield me from apparent danger.
Everything went fast. BOOM. . . A DESTRUCTIVE EXPLOSION WENT OUT.

"RIZZA, take care," she said and finally loosened her hold on me. Her look was gloomy
and slowly she closed her eyes as she gave forth her last.

"Mom." I cried out loud as I struggled to get out from the broken seat. As I looked at the
crowd, I saw everything in disorder; people in commotion and crimson blood oozed from
my Mom's forehead.
"Mom," I cried bitterly embracing her lifeless body. Everything went dark, darker until I
found myself in a hospital. Worst, Benjo was nowhere to be found.

What awaits a small, incapable girl like me. Nothing but a the bare truth of misfortune-
darker than the hundred nights. . . uncertain than a thousand blank reality.

Bread, bread. . . give me a piece of bread.

 A CALL FOR MOM AND DAD

Ring... ring... ring... is it the phone? My, it's two o'clock in the morning yet. But wait. It is
Dad. Has he just got home from the business meeting, maybe... poor Dad! He works so
hard for Mom and me.
I walked on tiptoe to the door ( another honking was heard ). Oh, is it Mom? Yes and what
happens? She looks drunk, swinging her way to the sala.

All I hope was to give them surprise but I get, instead the biggest surprise in my life. Dad,
my hero leads a Cassanova lifestyle: wine, women and party. And Mom, the lady behind
the recent fund raising campaign is the exact opposite of the image she projected in that
last week's PTA event. A cheat, a liar. How could they do this to me? "You brute," Mom
shouted, You think you can always hide things from me? I saw you with your secretary,"
and she started throwing things at Dad.

"Stop that, Matilde." And he pushes Mom hard enough to the wall.

Is this the home I was eagerly looking forward to return for a vacation? And Dad, is he
worth emulating? My Mom, what has gone with her? I got out from my place.

Mom, Dad what's wrong? Benjo, good you are here. Dad managed to say. We can no
longer go on this way anymore. It's no use of hiding things from you I must confess. I love
you son. You are the only reason of my staying here. Now it is for good. I must leave the
house. Son, please understand. He went up and in an instance he came down with his
luggage. Mom seemed to be in the state of shock. All she could do was cry.
Benjo, my son. I can no longer hide the truth. Your Dad and I are never happy. We have
to part ways. Please, Son try to understand.

I bite my lips to hold my tears but I held Mom by shoulders. Mom, why has this happened
to us? Have you ever thought of the effects on me? That happened a long time ago.
I do not know where Dad is now. It took me long to gather the prices of my broken dreams.
All I know is I am very much affected by what happened to us.

To you fathers and mothers present in this hall now, I challenge you to step forward to
prove you are not cowards like my own Dad. I challenge you mothers to stay firm and
unwavering, never to let your family break.