Burden of proof

 

THE continuing senate hearings on the alleged overpriced Makati Parking Bldg and ill-gotten wealth of Vice President Jejomar Binay and his family, and the charges of corruption leveled against PNP Director-General Alan S. Purisima are proving to be indicators of what’s in store for our own local public officials who have enriched themselves while in office.

While the Binays and Mr. Purisima appear to be getting away with it all because they too have mastered the many ways of demanding: “Show proof!”, the same kind of rebuff that then President Cory used pointedly at her detractors who charged her trusted officials of corruption in spite of apparent involvement. But they cannot deny that deep inside, they realize that they, too, can suffer the same fate that befell Supreme Court Justice Renato Corona.

Fortunately today, the justice system, thanks to the impeachment trial of Mr. Corona, the Statements of Assets and Liabilities of public officials have become primary sources of evidence for violating the country’s anti-graft and corruption law. Finally, the burden of proof lies on the public official to prove how he or she could afford a luxurious lifestyle to acquire properties beyond what his or her salary in government can afford.

Here in Pangasinan, people are witnesses to the varying degrees of changes in lifestyles of barangay chairmen, councilors, mayors, board members, governors, congressmen since they assumed their posts. Not a few have started constructing mansions, driving around with brand new SUVs, their spouses overdressed with jewelries, dining and wining in plush restaurants in Metro Manila, etc.

If they are watching the senate hearings on VP Binay and the faster rate at which the Ombudsman is indicting elected officials, they know that their days are numbered. All it takes is to have a Vice Mayor Ernesto Mercado turning against them and voila, all hell breaks loose.

These officials know too well they are now on notice.

 

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Mr. Untouchable?

 

ANYBODY but Gen. Alan Purisima.  Doesn’t it seem to look that way?

While Mar Roxas has obviously gone on a sacking spree to ostensibly rid the country’s police force of perceived scalawags – losing their posts thus far are 14 officers, including 4 of Metro Manila’s top 5 cops – spared of the Interior Secretary’s wrath was Purisima.

And yet, it is Purisima who is presently in the eye of a graft and corruption storm brought on by the general’s alleged ill-gotten wealth (mansion, piggery, hauling/trucking businesses, etc.).  Isn’t Purisima facing charges at the Ombudsman for alleged plunder, bribery and mis-declaration of his SALN (Statement of Assets and Liabilities and Net worth)?

The least that Roxas could have done in a show of transparency and fair play is to ask, if not order, Purisima to go on leave.

Or, has Purisima become the quintessential Mr. Untouchable in the Aquino administration Part II?

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