Friday, May 04, 2007

EDITORIAL - April 29 - May 5 Issue

Gonzalez And His P10,000 Trap
The Social Weather Station (SWS) survey showed that 40 percent of people surveyed believed Ms. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo "will cheat" in the coming May 14 election.
But why will she cheat? She is not a candidate for any position. She is already the President of the Philippines and will hold the position until June 30, 2010. She can only prolong her stay beyond 2010 if: 1. she can persuade the people to amend the 1987 constitution of the Philippines including the extension of her presidency, and 2. by extra – constitutional means.
Those who believed PGMA will cheat in the coming election pointed to the offer of Secretary of Justice Raul Gonzalez of P10,000 incentive to any barangay captain in Iloilo City who will deliver 12 – 0 victory for Team Unity as one indication of the probability to cheat. This is the first time in Philippine history that a Secretary of Justice made, in the perception of the learned, is so inept, so stupid. It has sealed Sec. Gonzalez himself in a trap of his own making.
Sec. Gonzalez before TV cameras, radio and TV interviews confirmed he made the promise. According to Gonzalez, his promise is an election strategy, a prize and incentive. According to him, there is no election where candidates will not give incentives to their ward leaders. Has he been doing these before? If so, he must have repeatedly violated election laws.
At first, Comelec chair Benjamin Abalos refrained from giving his comment on the matter. It is understandable for Abalos is normally protective of the present administration. Nevertheless, Abalos was prompted to comment: "anything equivalent to vote – buying is illegal. In vote-buying, even a promise by itself is already illegal." Sec. Gonzalez made a promise to give incentive of P10,000 to barangay captain in Iloilo City who could deliver a 12 – 0 victory for Team Unity. Is Gonzalez guilty of violating the election laws particularly the Omnibus Election Code on vote buying?
According to chairman Abalos, since Gonzalez made the offer as published in the newspapers and shown in television programs, he does not need a complaint to be filed before his office. If Sec. Gonzalez really did it as per newspaper reports, "he might be liable," said Abalos.
Will Abalos order investigation of the Gonzalez offer? The investigation may find out whether Sec. Gonzalez has actually violated the Omnibus Election Code. When the investigation starts, Gonzalez’s position as Secretary of Justice is hard to maintain and his jobs become untenable. He will have impaired credibility and his impartiality as Justice Secretary is highly questionable. But the Comelec has announced the inquiry on the P10,000 offer involving the highest judicial official of the PGMA Cabinet.
In the course of the investigation, what will Gonzalez do? What will PGMA do? Will PGMA fire Sec. Gonzalez? This will be very hard on her part to do. Sec. Gonzalez is a very instrumental man in her election to the presidency. It was Gonzalez who placed "noted" on all election returns objected by the opposition. If PGMA will not dismiss him, will Gonzalez step down?
This is as well very difficult for it will bring great damage to the administration. Will Gonzalez and PGMA succumb to the call from numerous groups for Gonzalez to go on leave while the P10,000 offer is being investigated?
But Gonzalez does not listen to suggestions from extraneous sources. In the words of Amando Doronila, Gonzalez "has a thick hide." In his opinion and analysis, Amando Doronila believes, that the "continued presence of Gonzalez in the Cabinet while the Comelec conducts the investigation affronts public opinion. It highlights the degraded ethical culture of the government, the tone of which is set by the President."
Gonzalez has clearly shown his impunity to act above the law. His dismissal as Secretary of Justice might regain for the government the integrity, equality and credibility of the rule of law in the Philippines. /MP

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