His brother’s keeper

By Alex P. Vidal

“If thy brother wrongs thee, remember not so much his wrongdoing, but more than ever that he is thy brother.”—Epictetus

WE’RE not surprised why reticent former Negros Oriental governor Pryde Henry Teves is also now being linked to the assassination of Governor Roel Degamo on March 4, 2023 and the other murders in the province—past and most recently.

The answer is simple: It’s because Pryde Henry is his brother’s keeper.

From the book of Genesis, the phrase “my brother’s keeper” is a reference to the Biblical story of Cain and Abel.

It is generally understood to mean being responsible for the welfare of a brother or other sibling or, by extension, for other human beings in general.

The brother here, suspended 3^rd District Rep. Arnulfo “Arnie” Teves, remained in hiding and may soon be tagged as fugitive if multiple murder raps would be formally filed against him.

The Department of Justice (DoJ) has considered the congressman brother as “one of the possible masterminds” in the massacre on March 4 that killed Degamo and eight others inside the governor’s compound in Pamplona.

-o0o-

By the way, in his “live” vlog, I personally heard Pryde Henry quip, “We can’t choose our relatives” two days after the Pamplona massacre happened.

He seemed piqued and embarrassed that his family was being linked in the ghastly crime and suspected that their detractors may be eyeing his brother as the possible brains.

He appeared frightened and appalled that the long arms of the law would soon come to badger them even if they seemed untouchable and feared in Negros Oriental like the Corleone family.

Was he referring to his talkative and conceited brother Arnie? Yes, no one can choose a relative, a brother or sister, but we can always exercise our moral duty and responsibility to remind or teach them to behave or face the consequences of their misdeeds.

Now that his own world also has apparently caved in following the raid in his property where several high-powered firearms and P19 million cash were recovered, Pryde Henry must be asking, “Am I my brother’s keeper?”

-o0o-

Cain attempted to hide his misdeed by claiming no responsibility for his brother, Abel.

Followers of Biblical teachings often interpret this as a reminder that they are, indeed, responsible for the welfare of other people; in this case, Pryde Henry caring for Arnie vice versa.

Someone who is his brother’s keeper looks out for and cares for others, even if they are not actually related to him or her.

For example, a person who tries to be a “brother’s keeper” might donate his or her time or resources to help others and will place the needs of others before his or her own.

Arnie may still be hiding reportedly in Cambodia as of this writing, but definitely Pryde Henry is responsible, in many aspects, why authorities can’t locate his brother, who is a known troublemaker than a lawmaker.

If Pryde Henry is not a “konsintidor” brother, he would have asked and convinced Arnie to come back from overstaying abroad and to show up to authorities and face the charges against him like a man.

But because he is his “brother’s keeper”, he couldn’t.

After all, blood is thicker than water.

-o0o-

The price of gold was first standardized in late 1717 by Sir Isaac Newton, then England’s Master of the Mint. In coins and later as backing for paper money, it fluctuated with world crises and market forces. After 1971, when the dominant U.S. dollar was no longer tied to gold, the metal became a freely traded, often volatile, commodity. (National Geographic)

Jewelry dominates gold consumption. The metal is also critical in electronics as an efficient, noncorroding conductor; gold-backed investment funds are growing. (National Geographic)

Abraham Lincoln was the first president to have a beard. While he was in office U.S. mascot Uncle Sam received a beard.

(The author, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor of two local dailies in Iloilo.—Ed)