Be merciful to Corona?

House Minority Floor Leader Dante Suarez has begged the administration to show “a little kindness” to ousted Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Renato C. Corona, saying that the man is “professionally dead”, and there is no need to add to his burden. Filing case after case for forfeiture and tax evasion add up to Corona’s agony.

* * *

By immediate impulse or a reaction of an “oo nga naman”, appears normal- even right. Yes, Corona is professionally dead (as of the moment) and has become “a downtrodden man” after his impeachment. Indeed, “kalooyi ta naman….kuno”

* * *

On the other hand Mr. Suarez should be shown again the symbol of Lady Justice with a weighing scale and blindfolded which mutely explains of justice for all, in whatever status in life one is in. No one is above the law, so the overused adage says. More so if the official is the top Justice official of the land, he should be the epitome of what and how should justice be implemented and managed under our democratic system of governance.

Not to declare the correct SALN deprives the government of the much needed revenues. By pursuing the case government prosecutions may yet discover ill-gotten wealth and if found guilty of amassing them, the money should be recovered and put in our national coffers. And the former CJ should be behind bars. If we did it to former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo why can this not be done to Corona.

* * *

Let NOT this government commit the blunder of manifesting “kindness” to the alleged greatest plunderers in the history of this land committed at the height of their exercise of absolute power under Martial Law of the Ferdinand Marcos- Imelda Romualdez conjugal dictatorship. The PCGG flip-flopped in their actions that up to now after 26 years or so these ill-gotten wealth cases have yet to be resolved.

In fact the heirs of that dictatorial regime happily are back and laughing their way to political power, influence and leadership again.

* * *

To add insult to injury PCGG, through the Dept. of Tourism, plans to exhibit the costly jewelries of former flamboyant First Lady Imelda Romualdez Marcos for tourists to behold before it will be auctioned off. It shall be a tourist attraction they say and for what?

Jewels, especially this much valued ones may attract tourists but the notoriety at how these were acquired should not be paraded before the world.

* * *

So let this government be true to its battle-cry of “matuwid na daan”. If the case(s) will not be filed against the former Chief Justice then it shall be the same ugly common belief that the rich, the powerful and influential is beyond the reach of our laws. This government has to prove that indeed we are now on the right tract. If Corona is guilty put him in jail otherwise he shall be vindicated. He may yet land on the political battlefields if credibly freed…. A good promise for one who is talented, but again he has to clear his besmirched reputation.

By: Alvin Gz. Arpon

Short URL: http://leytesamardaily.net/?p=32459