But he must have come away impressed and edified by the way Mrs. Pimentel stood by her man.

In this age when conjugal discord is rife, the cardinal discovered that in the Pimentel household, the opposite is true.

Harmony in the home is one of the paramount instructions given a couple availing of the sacrament of holy matrimony.

***

Mrs. Pimentel told the cardinal that while her husband might filibuster, it was not to delay the canvass.

She said that the church calls for all to seek the truth "because the truth will set us free. Nene was seeking the truth on who is the real elected President."

The cardinal did not argue the point. Instead he thanked her, which emboldened her to ask him to pray for her family.

In short, it was a rather amiable conversation.

* * *

Political friends of the cardinal, whether they be from the administration or the opposition, could have assured him that there was no need to call the Pimentel residence.

First, Sen. Pimentel, having invested so much time and effort in what he believes to be a just cause, cannot be deterred from doing what he has to do.

Second, there is no question that the administration-dominated Congress will ignore the charges of cheating by the opposition, declare President Arroyo the winner and proclaim her as such – all before the June 30 deadline.

The majority determines the rules and it determines the conduct of the canvass.

* * *

The opposition is free to question the certificates of canvass which are full of erasures or which differ from the originals, copies of which were furnished opposition representatives.

The canvass committee of 22 will take note of the charges but will canvass the totals of the questioned certificates of canvass just the same.

It is a no-win situation for the opposition and it knows that. Opposition leaders like Pimentel believe that they just cannot turn over and go belly up. They will go down fighting.