About six years ago, a popular president was removed from office on charges of plunder. The event heightened expectations that no one is above the law and that corruption in this country can be overcome through the rule of law. It also, sadly, polarized the country.
Volunteer lawyers collaborated with government prosecutors in building up a case that eventually won the day, despite legal giants defending the accused. We salute these prosecutors' noble and courageous efforts. The landmark conviction by the Sandiganbayan last 12 September 2007 on the plunder case seemed to signal the turn of the tide in the crusade against corruption. Finally, we had a very "big fish."
It seems this hope could become short-lived. A hasty Presidential pardon threatens to undo the gains in the anti-corruption and good governance work. While we respect President Gloria Arroyo's prerogative in granting clemency, and while we recognize that justice must always be tempered with compassion, we questions the wisdom of the pardon at this point in time.
First, it does not give the former President a chance to truly redeem his dignity and to restore broken relationships since the first step towards such restoration would have to admit one's guilt, express contrition, and ask for pardon. He has not done so on all counts.
Second, the hasty pardon sends a signal that government does not really care about anti-corruption and good governance. The signal is that if one is powerful, wealthy, and popular, one can get away with plunder. It also makes fools of all who worked so hard who took risks to gather all the evidence and dismisses their work like they never mattered. It discourages whistleblowers and anti-corruption champions.
Third, it raises more questions and concerns than it answers or resolves. How do we deal with other convicts, why don't they all get pardoned? How about the ordinary BIR clerk convicted of plunder and who remains in prison? How do we teach our children that crime does not pay in light of the indecent haste of the pardon? Will unity that is based on political exigency really unite the nation?
The hasty pardon betrays the spirit of EDSA. Small wonder our international ranking regarding graft and corruption has gone from bad to worst. We at Barug Pilipino, a nationwide network promoting a graft and corruption-intolerant Philippines, of the Dilaab Movement call on all Filipinos not to give in to despair but rather to remain prayerful and vigilant. All is not lost, despite this temporary setbacks. Barug stands undeterred.
We are all part of the problem of graft and corruption. Let us become part of the solution.
The Barug Pilipino Working Group:
(sgd) ENR. ERNESTO ABOITIZ; (sgd) MS. GLADYS CENIZA; (sgd) MS. HEIDI MENDOZA; (sgd) MS. TERESA TEJERO; (sgd) FR. CARMELO O. DIOLA; (sgd) MS. ANBERN RODIS; (sgd) MR. DARYLL ESTRADA; and (sgd) MS. MA. CRISTITA LOPEZ (sgd) VICKY ORTEGA