When convicted murderer former Batangas governor Antonio Leviste was caught outside the New Bilibid Prisons, this erupted into a congressional inquiry and in the end, this incident confirmed many rumors flying around that many rich inmates were not truly locked up in prison, but rather they had certain “privileges” that only a corrupted system would allow them to have. We’ve already heard those reports that the Ampatuans were also given special treatment in jail.
These “sleeping out” arrangements are sheer proof of the inequality that exists in our country today... that the rich and powerful convicts can go in and out anytime while the poor have no choice but to remain in jail. While this incident happened at the New Bilibid Prisons, I’m positive that this is also going on in other correctional facilities throughout the nation.
Decades ago in Cebu City, I heard that corrupt prison officials would “allow” an inmate to go out of jail to assassinate certain personalities for a fee. When the job was done, the policeman handling the investigation would get baffled as to why their manhunt could not produce a suspect. This was because the killer was “safely” back in jail. I’m not sure if these things are still being done, but, yes, it was discussed by radio broadcasters back in the old days.
For this latest fiasco, we expect Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) Director Ernesto Diokno to tender his resignation; after all I would like to believe that under the new P-Noy government they must have finally introduced the word “delicadeza” to the people who President P-Noy appointed, something which the opposition used to chastise former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. But no sir, Director Diokno claims no direct responsibility and is not about to resign. Hence we expect President P-Noy to fire the man. But even that, P-Noy is wavering. It shows what a wishy-washy President he is. Fire Diokno and I will have more respect for P-Noy!
P-Noy has been blaming columnists for his deteriorating popularity. Instead of blaming us columnists, it is high time for the President to look at himself in the mirror and ask himself this question: “Will firing Diokno improve my image or bring it further down?” Only P-Noy can answer this himself, but he knows that he must make the right decision on this case.
Meanwhile, Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago came up with that cockamamie idea of “charging” the rich prisoners hotel rates so they can come up with better accommodations. This stupid idea only serves to widen the gap between the rich and the poor. Sen. Santiago forgot that Lady Justice is depicted as a blind woman to ensure that there is equal treatment in meting out justice.
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Last Monday, a distinguished Philippine STAR columnist, National Artist for Literature Alejandro “Anding” Roces, passed away due to complications from pneumonia. I met Anding only a couple of times when he was with the late Sir Max Soliven where we had a great conversation.
But I will always remember Anding not just as a columnist of The STAR, but also as one of the first columnists I used to read in my young days when he was with the defunct Manila Chronicle. Allow me to reprint a tribute for Anding sent to me by a good friend, former Sen. Rene Saguisag.
“No life story of Anding Roces would be complete without mentioning that he was one of the gallant 21 led by Ninoy Aquino in 1976 who decided to run in Metro Manila as LABAN, knowing fully well that Macoy would not allow them to win. LABAN was cheated fair and square, as had been expected.
“Anding scintillated with his jokes. One example was his recounting that KBL lead candidate Imelda campaigned in the National Mental Hospital where she was cheered wildly. In the last pavilion, only silence. She asked why, and was told, very sheepishly, ‘Ma’am, this is the pavilion of the cured, about to be sent home.’ And his dazzling Espiridon Escombro jokes. A raconteur nonpareil. It should also be mentioned that he boycotted the April 7, 1981 elections and was charged by the Comelec, which asked him to explain why. His answer: ‘The right to vote comes from the state; the right not to vote comes from God. Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and to God the thing that are God’s.’
“Acquitted by courageous Makati Municipal Judge Elo Ynares-Santiago, the first ever to defy the dictator, pre-Ninoy’s 1983 salvaging, he told us, his MABINI lawyers, ‘You know I was sure I didn’t register. But, after listening to your cross-examination, I think I did.’ Really? This may partly explain why we lawyers, as in the case of St. Ives, when we are canonized, the people are astonished. Finally, Anding was the consummate good-natured put-down artist. Once cuz Chino passionately vowed to do this and to do that to fight Macoy. ‘Chino,’ Anding said, ‘You’ve done enough for the country. Why don’t you just pay for our merienda?’ Rene Saguisag.”
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For e-mail responses to this article, write to mailto:vsbobita@mozcom.comor mailto:vsbobita@gmail.com. Avila’s columns can be accessed through http://www.philstar.com.