Sunday, April 12, 2009

Finally, President Arroyo did the right thing on Alabang Boys’ case, congratulations Madam!

by Ben Serrano

BUTUAN CITY- There is really also a need to appreciate people who really does his or her homework while head butt those who are sleeping on their duties, the worst is, some are pretending to have fallen asleep when in truth they are fully awake and this kind of people are dangerous. Filipinos call it, “Ang taong gising ay mahirap gisingin.”

And finally, seeing the worsening illegal drug problems in this country, President Arroyo did the right decision on the “Alabang Boys Case.”
Some may don’ like it but on the other hand it will give them opportunity to prove that accusations were wrong.

Madam, kindly take a second look at Caraga Region’s illegal drugs and illegal gambling problems, they are worsening than ever deep insider and reliable information from the field claimed. I pray it’s not true.

Let’s say take a look on who are law enforcers allegedly protecting, coddling and even in doing the business themselves in all illegalities in the region like maintaining video karera machines themselves.

Take a closer look also on the possibility of Narco-Politics and illegal gambling proceeds that go to the pockets of some politicians that will be used to buy votes in 2010 local elections.

Scrutinized also who are involved in wanton deforestation of Caraga’s forest due illegal mining, illegal logging and even illegal construction of roads in the watershed areas. You will be surprised that maybe, and yes maybe your own local political allies are involved Madam President.

Here are the whole news item published today March 22 that appears at national daily, The Daily Tribune regarding President Arroyo’s call for action:

Malacañang yesterday brushed aside a blunt retort aired by prosecutors whom President Arroyo wanted administratively charged with negligence in handling the “Alabang Boys” drug-trafficking case and reminded them to “respect the President’s order.”
Senior State Prosecutor Philip Kimpo described as “unmeritorious” or without merit the administrative charges that President Arroyo wanted filed against him and two other prosecutors.

Kimpo’s retort followed Mrs. Arroyo’s directive that administrative charges be filed against him and Chief State Prosecutor Jovencio Zuno for negligence in connection with the Alabang Boys case.

Another prosecutor, John Resado, who authored a Department of Justice resolution dismissing the drug-trafficking complaints against the Alabang Boys, was ordered charged with bribery.

“We respect the sentiments of the prosecutors but they should also respect the order of the beloved President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. Besides, I read that Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez said they will respect the decision. I hope this will be the case,” Remonde said in yesterday’s interview over government-run Radyo ng Bayan.

The President’s directive was based on a report by an independent fact-finding committee composed of retired Supreme Court associate justice Carolina Grino-Aquino as its head and former Sandiganbayan justice Raoul Victorino and priest Ranhilio Aquino, dean of a law school run by San Beda College.

“The buck stops at the Office of the President. If there are loopholes or if there is a need to harmonize agencies under the Office of the President, the President needs to step in,” he said when asked why the President still has to involve herself in the campaign against illegal drugs when she already has her men on the ground.

This developed as Dionisio Santiago, chief of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), said President Arroyo’s decision to order the filing of charges against the state prosecutors was “well-balanced” and in the “lawful exercise of her authority” as the country’s anti-drug czar.” The President named herself as the country’s drugs czar at the height of the “Alabang Boys” controversy.

“We are happy with the decision and we will abide by the directives issued by the President,” Santiago said.

Based on the recommendations submitted by the Independent Fact-Finding Committee, President Arroyo also ordered the filing of criminal charges against the Alabang Boys Richard Brodett, Jorge Joseph and Joseph Tecson, a direct reversal of a DoJ Resolution dated Dec. 2, 2008 dismissing the case against them.

She also directed the Presidential Anti-Graft Commission to investigate Justice Undersecretary Ricardo Blancaflor for possible violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

The President likewise ordered that Ferdinand Marcelino, a Marines officer seconded to PDEA, and other agents of the PDEA Special Enforcement Service be investigated following allegations they mishandled one of the Alabang Boys.

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