If a request made with all sincerity is returned with an equally sincere counter-offer, such gesture must be accepted.

That is what being polite means.

Ped Xing believes there is more than meets the eye in President Aquino’s offer to Pampanga Rep. Gloria Arroyo of the best medical services money can buy for her health woes – free of charge -- provided she drops her request to go abroad.

It’s an offer most people, including the wealthy cannot refuse, but more importantly, it signifies the government’s resolve to serve justice at all cost to an electorate whose sovereign will was betrayed by the powers-that-be in the 2004 presidential elections.

It may have taken a long time—eight years to be exact—for the wheels of justice to start grinding on this monumental election scandal that refused to die down despite vigorous attempts at shameless cover-up.

Like-minded political observers and analysts believe that if Rep. Arroyo is convinced that she is being unfairly treated, then she must be allowed to face her accusers in the proper forum, unshaken by the notion that truth is on her side.

On the other hand, her purported plan to seek medical attention overseas with a highly questionable itinerary and entourage cannot avoid being equated with flight to evade legal questions ands actions using health reasons as an alibi.

Under the situation, the lesser evil for the former president, who is being made to answer for a string of graft and election-fraud cases, is to stay put and face the music, even as the search for expert treatment to her health problems continues without letup.

Mrs. Arroyo owes it to the people she swore to serve on numerous occasions during her entire career as a public servant to clear the air of doubts on the results of the 2004 polls. This she most decidedly owes to herself. 

If her conscience is clear, then she has nothing to worry about. As the saying goes, the truth will eventually set her free although sometimes it makes some people miserable first. 

Meanwhile, let the necessary process take its due course on the charges leveled against Mrs. Arroyo as well as those filed against other members of her family arising from perceived excesses during her 10-year administration.

Bringing these cases to their rightful conclusion would definitely help us redeem what still passes for our national pride and honor, both of which have been serially placed under a cloud of doubt in the past..

Left unresolved, these cases would make us lose face before the international community as a soft state -- weak and indecisiveness in going after crooks in government.

Some sectors say the government is too harsh on Arroyo.

Arguably, it is the rule of law that is at work here. Dura lex sed lex. The law may be harsh, but it is the law.

*  *  *

SOUND CHECK; Ped Xing yields a precious patch for old and dear pal Xundee Caparas. Waiddaminute here! Xundee? What’s with the name change? Has Xerex got something to do with this? Anyway, Xundee wrote: It was another sizzling Friday night (November 4) at  22nd Street    Comedy Bar Zapote Road Las Pinas. Entertainment lovers (like us) feasted on a wide variety of food, drinks, music, and fun offered by its witty talents and hosts. Alexander Phillip Pineda serenaded us with his songs that left us with   “goose bumps” after every performance.  Not only is he witty and funny, he’s got the moves of a Jagger as well. A perfect complement was  offered by his thriving tribe of talents --  the awesome renditions of Nonoy” Tama”  Abnoy;  the Divine Regina who sang “The Prayer” that  left us slack-jawed (she can definitely hold a candle to the high notes of Regine Velasquez); and Ferdie Santos Bernal’s  jokes, songs, and funny antics. Their non-stop stage performance made me wonder where these tireless  talents get their buffet of energy! The adrenaline rush definitely rubbed off on us-- members of the Thirst.day Club who rocked the night away with a turbo-charged  party combo called Ava Band.  For budget-conscious party-goers, the nicest things about 22nd Street are: no entrance fees (Got that? Zero, nada, zilch, wala, wayang gador.) and prices are highly affordable. Hey, waiters are attentive, too. So next time you need to plug in for fun,  remember 22nd Street Comedy Bar  with branches in Zapote Road , Las Pinas (873 8388)  and Marcos Highway, Antipolo, Rizal.  For reservations, please call 6829225 .