Journalist Spearheads Ombud Petition To Resolve ‘Pork’ Cases

by Alex P. Vidal

“In a state where corruption abounds, laws must be very numerous.” - TACITUS

An Iloilo-based journalist and former official of the provincial government has launched an on-line petition asking Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales to resolve cases in the P10-billion “pork barrel” scam involving high government officials in less than one year.

Stating that “delays cause injustice and deepen the culture of impunity for corruption,” Manuel Mejorada posted the petition on change. 

Mejorada, inducted by Pres. Corazon Aquino as president of the Iloilo Press and Radio Club in 1990, stated in his petition, to wit: “WHEREAS, the media exposes on the P10 Billion Pork Barrel Scam involving Senators, Congress People and NGOs put up by Janet Lim-Napoles have rocked the entire nation, causing grief, shock and anger among its citizens over this grand theft of the public treasury in a country where more than 70 percent of its people live in abject poverty; 

“WHEREAS, such corruption have taken deep root in the country’s institutions over a period of time, and the perpetrators have grown emboldened to continue with their activities under the “Matuwid na Daan” government of President Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III because only a handful have been prosecuted and convicted; 

“WHEREAS, while due process is a sacred right for those accused, complainants, too, are entitled to see a speedy and just resolution of their grievances and complaints, and the delays in the resolution of cases which often take years in the Office of the Ombudsman tilt the balance in favor of the corrupt; 

“WHEREAS, it is not only the complainants who are affected by the unreasonable delays in the conduct of preliminary investigations by the Office of the Ombudsman, but the respondents as well if they are innocent of the charges, because for as long as the cases are pending, they hang over the heads like swords of Damocles; 

“WHEREAS, the most effective deterrent to corruption is swift punishment for those who are guilty without giving up their right to due process; 

“WHEREAS, in many instances, elected officials are absolved of their offenses and go-scot free from their administrative liabilities because of the delays that result in the cases being overtaken by their re-election, in which case the Aguinaldo doctrine set down by the Supreme Court becomes applicable; 

“WHEREAS, the basic principle of the Rule of Law is jeopardized by these delays, and there is now an urgent need for the Office of the Ombudsman to impose deadlines on the resolution of cases that are brought before this Honorable Body; 

“NOW, WHEREFORE, we respectfully PETITION the Honorable Conchita Carpio-Morales to impose a deadline for One (1) Year from the time the issues are joined and resolve the cases based on the evidence on record; at no instance should the cases go beyond a period of three (3) years from the time of filing.  (Signed) Manuel P. Mejorada, Villa San Lorenzo Subd., Lapaz, Iloilo City” /MP