A question of credibility

CORRUPTION is one thing, murder is another. The storm that is currently rocking Pangasinan is gravely serious because it involves top political personalities – a congressman and the governor who are accused of masterminding the cold-blooded killing of a mayor. And more than just the implication of the crime imputed and the alleged involvement of Governor Amado Espino Jr. and 1st District Rep. Jesus Celeste in the murder of Infanta Mayor Ruperto Martinez last December, it is the credibility of the justice system that is at stake.

If Espino and Celeste are justly implicated by a credible witness, then due process must be served, and served quickly. The urgency of a speedy resolution to the charges is inextricably linked to the fact that it is election season and both of those charged are in the running under the rival party of the ruling faction under President Benigno Aquino III. It is hard not to sense politics in the controversy when the candidate of Aquino’s Liberal Party for governor is the lone opponent of Espino who has already won convincingly in the last two elections and is now gunning for a third and last term. Unless the accusations are immediately proven or dropped if unsubstantiated, the charge will again be perceived as plain political harassment being orchestrated by Malacañang, much like the recent and still unresolved accusation that Espino has been on a big take from jueteng operations in the province.

The Department of Justice and the National Bureau of Investigation under it must step up efforts to resolve whether Espino and Celeste indeed plotted the murder of Martinez. If they are confident that their 16-year old witness is telling the truth, then by all means go to criminal court. If not, the least they can do is admit their folly in as big a public pronouncement as they did when they announced the charges in media. Dragging the case would be tantamount to murdering the political run of Espino and Celeste and robbing Pangasinenses of the chance to make clear choices in the election.

Espino and Celeste deserve to have their name cleared before the campaign period starts next month or otherwise they should be brought to justice. Pangasinan and the family of Martinez need their peace. No one should get away with any kind of murder.

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Human, too

WHY some expressed shock over the resignation of Pope Benedict the XVI was a little bit of a puzzle. But to many, it should not have come as a shock. We tend to agree. First, the Pope resigning his post proves that he, like every one of us, is human, too. Second, because the Pope got old like every one of us would, too, he fell prey to the ravages of aging. Who could stop the hands of time, so to speak? Benedict XVI has said he is tired, physically and mentally, becoming the first Pope in six centuries to resign. At 85, he deserves his peace. So, instead of giving him the sarcasm of disbelief as many of us had seemed to have unduly accorded him, we should have even applauded him—and continue to applaud him—for being so straightforward and honest to the flock that he leads.

Let us wish him well, and pray that Dear God will give him more strength to enjoy a burden-free life in the sunset of his earthly existence.

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