Letter to the editor

Where is the lawsuit?

Dear Editor, 

A lot has been said about Congressman Tomas Osmeña using the seal of the City of Cebu on two Dodge Cars used by his security detail and his arrogant stance in maintaining that he can do whatever he pleases even on his trisikad (though I doubt he has any) because the cars are gifts to him.

For me though, the real issue has been muddled by the side-issues that stems from this utterly selfish act of Osmeña. Let us check the laws that are supposed to protect us from politicians using and abusing their authority and power for personal gain.

The Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act of the Philippines (RA 3019) states that: It is the policy of the Philippine Government, in line with the principle that a public office is a public trust, to repress certain acts of public officers and private persons alike which constitute graft or corrupt practices or which may lead thereto.

In section 3 therein, the law states that corrupt practices include: Directly or indirectly requesting or receiving any gift, present, share, percentage, or benefit, for himself or for any other person, in connection with any contract or transaction between the Government and any other part, wherein the public officer in his official capacity has to intervene under the law.

Receipt of any gift or present is clearly prohibited by the law, now, why then did Congressman Tomas Osmeña during his previous term as City Mayor, accept a gift of two Dodge Charger cars by Bigfoot founder Michael Gleisner, a client of the City of Cebu for the lease of a lot at the South Reclamation Project. Furthermore, the gift-receiving congressman lobbied in Congress for the support of the German Gleisner's grant of Filipino citizenship thereby allowing him to purchase properties in the Philippines and to engage in business with the same benefits as a local.

The acts of Osmeña are on record, the law is clear, the only thing missing in this whole story is the conviction - the most essential thing. To stop corruption to permeate our systems, we must make examples of violators, a symbolic hanging of their cut heads on stakes perched on the country roads. To remind these public officials that the people are watching.

Respectfully,

Arnold C. Tugunon [email protected]