Resignation is not the answer, justice is
Notwithstanding the long overdue resignation of PNP Chief Alan Purisima, and even with its acceptance albeit with much regrets, the call for the President to step down has been made again, for the nth time by the militant sector. These groups have demanded on all the past presidents to step down. But no chief executive ever took them seriously, with the single exception perhaps of Erap, whom the Supreme Court adjudged later to have constructively resigned. It is the height of irresponsibility for a leader to abandon ship while the ship of state is being besieged by a perfect storm.
Resignation, to our mind, is not the right answer to the nation's "slings and arrows of outrageous fortunes." If ours were a parliamentary system perhaps, it would have been apropos for the head of government to bow out gracefully, and allow the party in power to anoint another leader. That could have been effected flawlessly without causing too much political tremors. But we have a presidential system and the election is just a little over a year from now. The nation is resilient enough to wait. But, in the meanwhile, the President should see to it that justice is done on the massacre of the fallen 44.
If PNoy resigns, then the vice president takes over. And we all know who is the vice president. One columnist wrote in a rather creative sarcasm, that VP Binay is the President's strongest foundation for job security. Unlike others who have demonized him and have prejudged Jojo Binay, I have always granted him the privilege of the doubt and the presumption of innocence. I now discern the motive of the party in power in crucifying the Binays. They have created a strong Binay phobia and by that, have secured PNoy's stay in power. Clever, huh ?
Now back to the propriety of resignation. In the corporate world, I have always been consulted by company owners and HR managers. Should an employee under investigation be allowed a graceful exit by approving his resignation? My consistent answer is always a firm NO. It is unfair to management to just allow an erring employee an easy exit. It is likewise unfair to the employee who shall go under a cloud of doubt. It is better to depart when the investigation has been completed. Guilty or not guilty, at least, both have cleared the air.
And so it is with the nation. If the former PNP chief is guilty, his resignation did not at all erase his guilt. If he was in fact innocent, then what would be the point leaving the post ? Resignation by the President would be the worst option for PNoy to take at this point. A true leader does not leave in dishonor and shame. He does not abandon his people in the midst of too much questions and doubts. Only history shall judge him when the proper time comes. When his immunity shall have been gone with his powers after his term, let him face the music whatever it shall be.
Resignation is the refuge of the guilty. Those who are unblemished, let them stand like a rock. The tainted ones, let them be swept away by the raging surges of history's unforgiving spite. The guilty should not exit with grace. The innocent should not exit at all.
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