By Amado P. Macasaet
Below is the text of a letter sent by RG David (romeogdavid@gmail.com regarding the Senate investigation of Vice President Jejomar Binay.
Kaibigan,
VP Binay has refused to respect the Senate’s invitation to clarify issues hurled against him and his family. Instead, he wants the hearings stopped and to pursue the matters to just be filed in the court (sounds like a GMA line...heh heh heh!).
Some quarters believe that Congressional investigations are non-productive and should be stopped and the issues should be left to the courts to resolve because our Congressional institutions are not sufficiently mature to properly handle this investigative task unlike the United States Congressional institutions, from where we patterned the practice of investigations under the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee.
I can’t agree with the suggestion. To stop Congressional investigations just because our institutions are not sufficiently mature is an injustice to the people. As citizens, how will we ever know the hidden issues if not uncovered by Congressional investigations, how can we feel comfortable that are interest as citizens are protected if not uncovered and can we participate in the crafting of possible solutions if not for Congressional expose? It is not the task of the Judiciary to expose wrong doings but to determine culpability.
We all know that our Judiciary is equally immature in more ways than one. But at least through Senate investigations, although an imperfect mode, discussions of public interest are openly conducted by public officials who are the elected voice of the people
The solution to the concern that our Congressional institution are not yet sufficiently mature to handle the task is to help mature the investigative and oversight process of the institutions, not to abandon the process just because it doesn’t measure up to personal standards of those under scrutiny. The question is who are they to question the standard? So far, it has been good enough for the people; otherwise our Senators and Congressmen would have had to change their ways to satisfy their constituency to stay in office.
If left to the courts, we should note that with fewer personalities to influence the outcome of any investigation, those who have stolen billions can easily afford to bribe their way out of their problems with the proceeds of their Graft.
Court personalities are just human and also susceptible to corruption. It is not hard to imagine that they will find difficulty to refuse the temptation of a significant bribe to compromise their decision. Unlike in a full-blown Congressional Investigation, a cover-up is not possible since the issues are ventilated in full view of the constituency.
At this point of the Binay Senate hearings, maybe it would help defuse public tempers, frustration and patience; discussions should solicit public suggestion as to possible legislations that can be crafted from the investigation.
This would give us all a sense of participation and defuse public sense of helplessness and frustration. For one, I see the need to review and strengthen the anti-dummy law to plug an often used avenue of corruption and circumvention of the law.
Re VP Binay, his refusal to face the Senate with nothing but irrelevant excuses...this is not acceptable. His continued disrespect to the elected spokesman of the people, the Senators and the Senate as an institution, projects himself to believe that because he is Vice President of the Philippines, he is above accountability and the law.
True or not, it is immaterial if he believes that his inquisitors have prejudge him but more importantly, his Senate appearance is his political responsibility to convince the public that the issues hurled against him are unfounded by answering the issues with presentation of documented and irrefutable proof to refute the issues. It is his golden opportunity to convince the public. Politically speaking, the ultimate judges are the Filipino People to whom he is accountable. The people have entrusted this task to ask the hard questions to their elected representatives, the Senators.
For this reason, if he plans to seek the Presidency, VP Binay should face the Senate and the People in the Court of Public Opinion. The people need to know if he can and should be trusted to be President of the Philippines.
On another issue, due to the fact that VP Binay has publicly admitted to having an illicit affair, this conduct is inconsistent with the key principle of the Boy Scouts of the Philippines. Foremost of which is to be “Trustworthy”,
“Truthful” and “Morally Upright”. Therefore, he should have the decency and shame to save the institution he claims to love and leave the BSP. He has used the institution for his political gain. Now it is time to go!
With Head Scout Binay’s immoral admission, the BSP should immediately address this issue. It must stand on its Key Principles and rid themselves with further association with Head Scout Binay. Otherwise, their continued tolerance of his conduct will be suspect. Binay’s continued presence in the BSP will just corrupt and tarnish the good name of the institution, Boy Scouts of the Philippines. SHAME! SHAME! SHAME!
The ARROGANCE of VP Binay and his Family at this point will only get worse if he becomes President. I can easily understand the concern and apprehension of some members of the Church who were present at the closed-door meeting between VP Binay and CBCP.
Salamat sa inyong pag malasakit sa Bayan. Mabuhay Ka Kaibigan!
RGDavid
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Email:amadomacasaet@yahoo.com
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