The good and the bad

WHAT President Aquino could not, and refused to do, the Ombudsman did – it sacked former PNP Chief Director-General Alan Purisima, himself a former provincial chief of Pangasinan! He was given his due after Malacanang thought it could arrange a deal that would allow the disgraced police chief to keep his retirement benefits and privileges after he served his suspension.

This is an unprecedented account in the annals of the Philippine National Police, and finally, a strong message is sent to would be police directors that no one is immune and free from the long reach of the law, no matter how high one gets in the police organization.

There are, and there are corrupt police officials that have found sanctuary in the touted brotherhood among them. Fortunately, we have honest and principled police officers that outnumber them and will neutralize the bad eggs to help keep the image and integrity of the PNP as a respectable and honorable organization.

The citation, therefore, given Dagupan City’s chief of police P/superintendent Christopher Abrahano for his impressive partnership and dedicated service to the community is in stark contrast to the news of the dismissal from service of a four-star director, Mr. Purisima. The citation and the dismissal make for an instructive lesson on the sharp contrast between the professional career of a dedicated servant and a corrupt and shameless cop.

And from our book, Deputy Director General Leonardo Espina has succeeded in showing the way how one can rise through the ranks with one’s integrity intact, with his head high as a distinguished and honorable police officer. May his tribe increase.

 

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Mad ‘spare tire’

WE virtually copied the American Constitution except for one provision:  The election of a vice president.  In US elections, the winning candidate for President automatically carries with him his running mate to the White House.  This is good as it connotes a harmonious relationship between the President and his “spare tire” while they are in office for four years or another four years if reelected to a second and final term.  Why this was not adopted when the 1987 Philippine Constitution was chiseled out of the Edsa Revolt following the ouster of the Marcos dictatorship in 1986 we cantankerously consider as a major slip.  Look at what Jojo Binay is doing now. After quitting the Aquino Cabinet, the vice president has practically gone ballistic, if not outrageously mad, hitting the P-Noy Administration.

Should there be a revival of a Cha-Cha (Charter Change) talk, we strongly suggest the adoption of the US system of electing the President and his Vice President.  One vote for both.

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