Elinando B. Cinco By Elinando B. Cinco   One of the wittiest, but full of significance, sermons delivered by the late Cardinal Jaime Sin that I can recall was about the bravery shown by women, especially the “tres Marias,” during the crucifixion of Jesus. The prelate said the disciples of the Christ, as well as men identified with Him, went into hiding for fear of being tortured and thrown into underground cells. They feared the crowd composed mostly of Jews would lynch them, not counting the spear-armed Roman soldiers. The men all disappeared from Jerusalem. In fact, Cardinal Sin noted, at the crucifixion at Mount Calvary, there were only three women present, except for Joseph of Arimatea, who helped take down the body of Jesus from the cross and prepared Him for burial. They were Mary, the mother of Jesus; Mary, the wife of Cleopas; and Mary Magdalene. Clearly, it was the three “Marys” who were brave enough to face the Roman soldiers and centurions during and after the crucifixion. And finally the prelate said, “Now I pay my tribute to those three women who I can compare with those in the Cory Crusaders and Gabriela.” Today, 30 years after that sermon by the Cardinal, there are more brave women who are undaunted by the threats of President Duterte, and are boldly facing him squarely, in a manner of speaking. And if the public calls the cases these ladies are facing as “a legal battle,” then I can call them as the ones manning the frontline of defense. My first nominee is Sen. Leila de Lima, now in detention for more than a year at the PNP Detention Center in Camp Crame. She has the distinction of being the first woman government official thrown into jail by the Duterte government when it took over administration in July, 2016. She is fighting for her freedom that was stifled on the basis of affidavits written by some convicts who were bundled up to the House of Representatives to testify on her alleged involvement in the drug trade in the Bilibid prison. Second is the soon-to-be-tried by Congress or removed through a quo warranto petition, Supreme Court Chief Justice Lourdes Sereno. The problem is the House has not yet made up its mind as to what or how many impeachable offenses to charge her with. Whatever those are, the Chief Justice is ready to face them. Third, is the “fightingest” head of the Office of the Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales. Asked sometime ago if she feared the prospects of being charged with some blurred violations, she had this for an answer, “I am not afraid of Duterte.” And fourth, Vice President Leni Robredo who is now facing an election protest. By herself even without really trying, observers say, she exudes a so-called “clean image” that becomes her built-in shield against critics. Hence, those are the “Formidable Four.” Fearless lady-lawyers whose main credentials are their distinct grades received when they took the bar examinations. They will be crossing swords with the most powerful man in the land who flaunts around own that he only got 75 percent rating when he took the bar. On the other side of the fence, manning the offensive drive of President Duterte are two media-savvy ladies: PCSO board member Sandra Cam and PCOO Asec. Mocha Uson. It could not be denied for some reason or another – whether official or otherwise – these two ranking females attract news attention for the administration. As neutral observers say, it appears that controversy is inter-woven into their personality. Take for example, Sandra – everybody’s favorite fiery Bicolana – has acquired an expertise in producing controversies that tend to project attention to her side. She can very well use this to the advantage of the administration. While Mocha is reputedly believed to have some five million followers of her social media blogs, an asset that converted to votes for the Chief Executive in the 2016 polls. Fence-sitters claim that just waiting in the wings is PAO chief Persida R. Acosta. Her crowd-drawing adroitness is seen as effective in bolstering the side of the government in any public controversy. Her appearance in a number of public hearings in both Houses are sure-fire arsenal of a Duterte offensive thrust. Finally, let’s veer our attention to the Duterte women nemesis overseas. Leading the reportedly Filipino anti-administration groups and personalities in the United States is Loida Nicolas Lewis. The Nicolas family originally from Sorsogon province owned the respected brand of home furniture Nicfur. Her company, TLC-Beatrice International, has business operations in major European capitals, as well as in continental United States. International Criminal Court Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda is reportedly preparing examination of extra-judicial killings in the Philippines, prior to filing formal charges against the government. President Duerte has ordered her arrest if she comes to the country to pursue her investigation. Agnes Callamard, United Nations rapporteur, earned the ire of government officials when she came over, reported some findings without coordinating with local authorities. Reportedly a specialist investigator on extra-judicial killings, she too is a persona non grata in the Philippines. UN special rapporteurs Victoria Tauli Corpuz and Cecilia Jimenez Damary are also blacklisted here, according to published reports.