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Philippines
Thursday, March 28, 2024

Illegal raids

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I can’t believe it. I refer to the inclusion of several former members of the Aquino administration who are included in the indictment for the anomalies in the MRT 3.

The charge sheet claimed that nine, I repeat nine, members of the Aquino cabinet conspired and knew what the former transport officials were doing, but did not try to stop them.

Among those were former Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima, Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, Science and Technology Secretary Mario Mometjo, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan.

They supposedly knew what was happening at the MRT 3. But what would make the conspirators in the mess?

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The effect is that it loses its impact. The credibility of the claim has been eroded.

I have no love lost for the Aquino administration. But if all those mentioned were guilty of plunder, why not include President Aquino himself?

* * *

Here is an eye opener in connection with the bloody war on drugs.

Police raids of illegal drug suspects without judicial warrants violated anti-torture and other individual rights—the right to privacy, enshrined in the 1987 Constitution, according to Associate Justices Antonio Carpio and Marvic Leonen.

Likewise, the Constitution presumes innocence of people until otherwise proven in a court of law, and the right against searches and seizures.

Justice Carpio was very clear when he said policemen who conducted a case buildup against drug suspects who refused them entry could be held liable for violating the right to privacy. This is what happens when cops claim the suspects fight back—“nanlaban.”

For his part, Leonen asked the petitioners—“If a suspect does not open the door, what happens to the suspect? If you do not open the door, something will happen to you, is it not correct?” So there is a threat.

Leonen also said that when somebody is under a coercive process, to make that person do something then that in fact is torture, according to the law.

When these two magistrates reveal their sentiments on the war on drugs, we cannot but conclude the sentiment if others.

If the Supreme Court decides that this is illegal, what’s next?

* * *

Whether or not former Dangerous Drugs Board head Dionisio Santiago is guilty of the charges brought against him, he is already guilty in the eyes of the people.

What is painful is that Malacañang based its charge on mere allegations from a union, which later denied sending it. Now Malacañang claims that the real reason Santiago was sacked was because he called the Palace’s pet project a mistake and impractical.

And indeed that mega-rehabilitation center in Nueva Ecija would be a mistake. It is located so far away from communities where parents can easily interact with those being rehabilitated. Rehabilitation should be community based.

* * *

Now he is changing his tune. I refer to President Duterte’s call to the military to ignore talks about a revolutionary government even as he warned of arresting rebels who threaten national security.

It is obvious the President knows that a revolutionary government has no basis in law. He also cannot be too sure of the support of the military.

* * *

If wives have not yet completed the Christmas shopping, they will surely have problems. The traffic gridlocks are getting worse every day.

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