At the same time, Lakas-Kampi-CMD Rep. Maria Milagros Magsaysay of Zambales is wondering why the Aquino administration is “taking great pains in trying to block the investigation of the KKK,” when in the President’s spokesman’s own words, he said: “If you have nothing to hide, then you have nothing to fear.”
Magsaysay said anyone has the right to file a complaint in Congress, the same way as anyone has the right to file a case before the Ombudsman or in the courts, referring to House Resolution 1419 that she and her colleagues filed to investigate Cabinet officials “who have been shielded and coddled.”
Malacañang’s reaction to the filing of the resolution was quick, calling it “character assassination and mudslinging.”
Are they now curtailing the rights of anyone who wants to seek the truth? Do they want to make it clear to the public that under their administration, they employ a double standard of justice: one for friends and one for foes? In their mind, it is okay to malign your foes through trial by publicity but not your friends, even though the resolution stems off from the recommendation of your own DOJ [Department of Justice],” said Magsaysay.
She said the minority does not have to concoct negative issues against the administration, as they are doing a good job of doing so themselves.
“So what are you afraid of Mr. President? Whatever happened to ‘transparency, accountability and daang matuwid that you promised to all of us?” Magsaysay asked.
She added that the President has proven time and again that he is so inefficient by failing to act on matters of immediate concern, especially on issues which would affect his “KKK.”
“For one, he has failed to act on the memorandum of DOTC [Department of Transportation and Communications] Secretary [Jose] Ping de Jesus dated April 6, 2011, that he [Mr. Aquino] exercise his disciplinary power over LTO [Land Transportation Office] chief Virgina Torres, who was charged with gross neglect of duty and gross insubordination,” said Magsaysay.
“But in the case of Special Prosecutor Wendell Barrera-Sulit, the President was quick to jump the gun and had her suspended,” she added.
In the April 6 de Jesus memorandum for Mr. Aquino, the outgoing Transprotation secretary said despite repeated orders from his office directing Torres to pay all of the government’s standing obligations to the LTO’s information technology service provider, Stradcom, Torres refused.
In another instance, de Jesus said in his memorandum that, in August last year, his office directed Torres “to conduct an in-depth and comprehensive review of the existing Private Emission Testing Center (PETC) System currently being implemented and come up and develop a new PETC System, which is more efficient and secure at lower cost to the public.”
However, up to the time de Jesus tendered his resignation as Transportation secretary, Torres has yet to comply with her directive.
De Jesus also recalled an instance where Torres, who is widely acknowledged as Mr. Aquino’s favorite kabarilan, displayed her arrogance, when after being asked to conduct a thorough study on the LTO’s Motor Vehicle Registration Card Project and submit a comprehensive report and recommendation, she simply referred back the matter to his office, saying the Office of the Secretary is “in the best position to decide the case.”
While the Palace seems to turn a blind eye on Torres, last week it announced the suspension of Sulit in connection with the plea-bargain agreement she initiated with former Armed Forces comptroller retired Maj. Gen. Carlos Garcia.
However, Magsaysay noted that the Sandiganbayan has already upheld the Garcia plea bargain agreement, which essentially, cleared Sulit of any wrongdoing.
(Fernan Marasigan)
