The Senate and the Executive department are on a collision course over the spate of killings and vigilanteism, given President Rodrigo Duterte’s vow to end criminality, illegal drugs and corruption in three to six months.
Senator Leila de Lima has asked for a Senate investigation into the killings; this has been supported by Senate President Frank Drilon and the others. Meanwhile, Solicitor-General Jose Calida has vowed that his office would defend the police to the limit. Presidential legal counsel Salvador Panelo labeled the Senate probe as “baseless” and “in aid of media mileage.”
But the spate of killings of suspected drug dealers has become a cause for concern. The police and other law enforcement agencies have already killed more than 500, according to research records. According to the police, however, the number is 103.
That there have been many killed in alleged shootouts is alarming because it indicates that the police may have resorted to extra-judicial killings and other forms of violence. The rights of the pushers have been violated.
Since we still live in a democratic space, every man or woman has rights under the law. Yes, even if he or she is a suspected drug pusher.
By simply looking at photos and video clips of those killed, it is quite obvious that the President’s campaign against illegal drugs is directed only against the poor. Why is this happening?
Drug lords don’t live in shanties. They are either outside the country or incarcerated at the New Bilibid Prison.
We still have to see the police and other law enforcement agencies, like the National Bureau of Investigation and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, going after movie stars and other celebrities. It’s an open secret that those who frequent private clubs and discos in Metro Manila and other urban centers are also in the drug trade.
Obviously, the police, NBI and PDEA are hesitant to touch these big names. Is this not selective justice under the Duterte administration, reminiscent of BS Aquino’s regime?
People around the President, whether they like it or not, must realize that the Senate is mandated to fiscalize the executive branch of government. That’s the justification of its mandate to investigate “in aid of legislation.” What legislation, they ask. That will depend on what violation the police, NBI and PDEA have committed.
The President and the people around him have to understand that the end cannot ever justify the means.
Mr. Duterte may have won the presidency on his promise to eliminate criminality, illegal drugs and corruption. This vow, however, does not justify illegal and unconstitutional means to attain them. Duterte is a lawyer; I am sure he knows it.
This is why I doubt whether Mr. Duterte can really deliver on his promise, unless he declares martial law or a revolutionary government. He will ride the tiger, from which he will never dismount lest it devour him. The President should remember that those who do not learn from history are bound to repeat it.
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Is it true as reported that BS Aquino knew about the existence of the 23 local executives coddling or conniving with drug lords and dealers?
The same list is now in the hands of President Duterte.
If indeed, BS Aquino knew all along that there are local executives in cahoots with drug lords, then in effect, he cannot be faultless in the pervasiveness of the drug menace.
Obviously, BS Aquino did not go after the 23 local executives. In his mind, the May 9 presidential and senatorial elections were more important.
But for a President to act on available information such as this is not just dereliction of duty. It could be interpreted as conniving with the perpetrators of the drug trade. BS Aquino is accountable for what he allowed to happen. These days, he is no longer immune from suit.
If the five police generals publicly named by President Duterte as protectors of drug syndicates can be made responsible for their involvement, so should BS Aquino, who reportedly knew those 23 local executives but did not lift a finger, also be made accountable.
I’d even go further to say that the spate of killings began shortly after President Duterte’s victory. And BS Aquino did nothing even as all these had been happening during his time.
If neophyte Senator De Lima wants to be truthful in her proposed inquiry into the killings, she should include the fact that BS Aquino did not do anything about the problem.
We are all watching you, Senator De Lima.
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Some Supreme Court justices known to be lapdogs of BS Aquino III are said to be against the demurrer of evidence or outright dismissal of the plunder case against former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.
The plunder case against Gloria involves the P336-million intelligence fund transfer from the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office. The former president wrote “OK” on the document. And for this, she has been languishing under hospital detention for almost four years simply because BS Aquino wanted her to be the poster child of his so-called fight against corruption through his hypocritical Daang Matuwid.
The tragedy of it all is that while Gloria’s co-accused have all been granted bail, the frail former President remains under hospital arrest, obviously upon the orders of a vindictive BS Aquino III.
President Duterte had wanted to pardon her, but that would mean Gloria acknowledges her guilt. How could she be guilty of plunder when she did not profit from the transaction—not single centavo?
The Supreme Court should do Mrs. Arroyo justice by dismissing her case.