I rarely blog about politics because I don’t really prefer writing long pieces on it. My quick thoughts or reactions on political issues usually just end up on my Twitter or Facebook wall. But since this day is a historic one for our country, I, along with many other Filipinos who have at least one social networking account, would want to have a say on it. I had better share them now while my thoughts are still fresh from the oven.
The internet is abuzz with everyone’s wide array of opinions on the matter. But there are particular insights or aspects that I really feel strongly about.
I would have voted for conviction myself.
I admit that I am no lawyer and therefore my legal take on the matter should merit nothing. (Funny how 12 of the senator-judges aren’t lawyers either but by virtue of public popularity, their opinion on it mattered). But I would like to think that I have a good sense of justice and with whatever little legal wisdom I incurred by watching The Good Wife, Suits and Fairly Legal, my opinion will not be totally nonsense.
I was never completely updated with updates from the impeachment trial up until the appearance of Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales in the latter days. I would check out headlines every now and then so I was aware that the entire battalion of prosecution counsels were no match to defense counsel Serafino Cuevas. And as much as I hate to commend Lito Lapid (I never ever voted for my Cabalen, and that is another story), the simple explanation of his vote was in essence also mine. Article 2 states “failed to disclose to the public his statement of assets, liabilities, and net worth as required under the constitution” , and straight from the horse’s mouth, he did fail to declare quite a number of assets (all $2.4 million and P80.7 million worth of bank accounts).
Frankly, his sorry palusots just won’t cut it. It doesn't take a Cal Lightman to figure out that he's lying. He just doesn't enjoy my whole trust. And I'm not saying so because I have allowed myself to be swayed by the often childish tirades of PNoy against Corona. Corona did himself in when he took the stand in his impeachment trial. One would think that a Chief Justice who is presumably being falsely accused of a crime would know how to prove his innocence via logical and legal arguments. Instead, he resorted to outrageous appeals to pity and suspension of disbelief, and even feigned illness.
Miriam needs to have a slice of humble pie.
When it comes to knowledge of the law and its sensible interpretation, Miriam Defensor-Santiago is definitely a league of her own. One could not help but be awestruck with her intelligence and wit especially when it is in full display not only within the august halls of the Senate, but also outside. But while everyone is quick to proclaim her as their “idol”, I am turned off by her arrogance and self-righteousness. Yes, she is undoubtedly intellectually superior to everyone else, but she need not rub it in our faces all the freaking time. While her showcase of intelligence is definitely amazing, without humility, it’s basically just noise for me.
Now I am definitely not questioning her vote to acquit, for it is obvious that she made that decision objectively, considering that she lives and breaths the Constitution. I just don't admire the woman as if she's the saving grace left in a government filled with politicians just as corrupt as the next one. Remember, this woman once voted to not open the infamous "second envelope ". She's not exactly the poster girl for and champion of transparency and good governance, considering her political alliances in her entire career. If there is one person I'd rather give a second life to investigate everyone in the government, it would be Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales. Not only is it in her job description, she has to moral ascendancy to do so.
It makes no difference anyway, everyone is corrupt. They are all hypocrites.
Sadly, this has a ring of truth to it. But I dislike this particular perspective of opinion because to me, it reeks of hopelessness and apathy. So why try, because its useless anyway, have we really come down to that? Are we really that hopeless as a nation and a society?
Corona is not the only crook in government right now. That he has been impeached by fellow crooks is a great irony in our history indeed. But if his impeachment and eventual criminal conviction (Hopefully! Because if not, he just might end up being written as a victim in our history books) paves the way for a stronger crackdown on the rest of his disgusting ilk, then by all means. Unfortunately, we might never get all of them in this lifetime, but for future generations, the standard will at least be high.
This is not the end, but only the beginning.
Corona's conviction doesn't solve everything. PNoy and his administration still have a long way in delivering their campaign promises, but I think it will at least be easier. They have one less major reason to fail, so if they still do, then the shame will be on them. I join everyone else in hoping that whoever is the next Chief Justice, he or she will be the epitome of integrity, competence and true justice for all. He or she had better not be an puppet to the Chief Executive who has appointed him or her, one of the many things I detest about Corona.
Arroyo must be panicking right now.
I couldn't care any less that she is my cabalen in Pampanga. It doesn't take away the fact that she represents everything that is wrong in our government. She had no business in appointing the next Chief Justice but she did anyway, thinking that she could get away with it via technicalities. I sure as hell hope that she, Corona and the rest of their kind will stay healthy and live longer lives so that they get to pay for damaging our institutions. I hope to live to see that day.
Now that the impeachment trial is over, maybe they can really start to get some more, important stuff done? The passing of the Freedom of Information Bill and the Reproductive Health Bill, that construction project to connect NLEX and SLEX to decongest Metro Manila traffic, just to name a few -- how about they finish these tasks already so that the country's many problems starts to be solved one major problem at a time?
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