“Those involved in the anomalies and their lawyers are equally responsible for the outcome of the ICI’s investigations”
The ICI or the Independent Commission for Infrastructure claims that by year end we can possibly get some convictions.
But the question is: can we recover the money stolen from us?
Remember the money stolen from us by the people who committed anomalies in flood control projects, non-existent or not completed hospitals and centers could amount to trillions of pesos.
This is where lawyers can come forward to give their opinions because I am sure that many of those involved in anomalies have their own lawyers.
As a lawyer myself, I feel it is incumbent for these lawyers to advise their clients to return the money they stole to cut their possible convictions or lighten their sentences.
Otherwise I will suggest, as a lawyer myself, to go on record to tell the public who their lawyers are.
I know this is not usually done that clients should reveal their lawyers, but I also believe it is incumbent on the lawyers to tell their clients or those involved in anomalies in connection with flood control projects or any other projects done or half done by those involved in the DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways) to use their money as a sort of bargaining to lighten their possible conviction.
Otherwise, I hate to see lawyers becoming complicit with their clients and go on committing anomalies.
It is incumbent on the part of these lawyers to make their clients reveal everything for the sake of the public good and the security and the development of the country.
Some lawyers, I think, say in the vernacular “ Bayaan mo na sila.” ( meaning “They can answer for themselves”).
But I believe it is more than just a mere relationship between lawyer and client.
It goes beyond that.
The reason for this is that as far as the public good is concerned, the money stolen in these anomalies are hurting the country, money which could have been used for the public good, considering that the biggest problems of the country are poverty and hunger.
I am particularly concerned there are so many ghost hospitals and health centers, considering that those centers are of great importance to people in need.
The fact remains the Filipino people who need hospitalization, health centers and health care are the victims of those greedy people involved in the ghost hospitals and health centers, Santa Banana.
While those people involved in rampant anomalies in public works might get their due, it is more than the loss of the money of the Filipino people being involved in this case.
It is the security and development of a nation at stake and I would suggest the President should consider the crime committed by those who stole the money of the people, especially those involved in health care.
Right now, foreign investors are having second thoughts about investing in the Philippines because of what is happening.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. should consider rampant corruption in public works as economic sabotage.
I have been saying this repeatedly, that perhaps it is time the Filipino people, who are mostly Catholics, changed their mind about the return of the death penalty.
The reason why I am advocating this – I used to be rabid about my anti-death penalty advocacy – is that one of the reasons people commit crimes which affect the public good, like rampant corruption in public works, is that there is no death penalty in the Philippines.
Santa Banana, I would even suggest the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, which issues licenses to lawyers to practice law, should be giving seminars to lawyers to advise their clients that when it comes to stealing money from the Filipino people, it is equivalent to stealing their future.
I also believe one of the subjects taught in law schools is the importance of cases of theft of public money.
It is a different case when people steal from ordinary people, but in this case of rampant corruption in public works, it is stealing money from the people and it seriously affects the security of the country.
I believe those involved in the anomalies and their lawyers are equally responsible for the outcome of the ICI’s investigations.
