Doronila’s tirades vs Aquino baseless, without logic, proves democracy alive in PH

As in his previous commentaries of late, Amando Doronila, in his Jan. 2 front-page opinion piece, unleashes a torrent of abuse against the Aquino administration.

Doronila describes President Aquino’s administration as “vindictive,” “intolerant of dissent,” “engaged in an all-consuming campaign to hold (the Arroyo administration) accountable for past wrongdoing and abuse of office,” and “(disinclined) to respect due process in bringing cases against its targets.”

But pray, tell me, what is wrong with P-Noy running after Arroyo and others in her administration who took part in massive wrongdoing and abuse of office? What does Doronila want P-Noy to do? Give them plaques of appreciation and confer state honors on them?

Doronila laments the “deployment of the superior powers of the state against the weak and disadvantaged—no matter how popular that regime is.” Who are the “weak and disadvantaged” that he refers to? Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo? Former First Gentleman Mike Arroyo? Chief Justice Renato Corona? Former Comelec Chair Ben Abalos? Retired Maj. Gen. Jovito Palparan? They don’t look “weak and disadvantaged” to me, they are big fishes who should rightfully belong behind jail bars once found guilty by the courts.

Doronila also accuses P-Noy of “making the Judiciary and the Legislature subservient to the President.” We can perhaps ask Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile whether he feels P-Noy is encroaching on his authority or trying to impose his will on the Senate. If not, Doronila’s fears are totally unfounded,  or maybe sheer paranoia.

Doronila concludes that what we have is an “undemocratic government.” The fact that he can speak out freely without government soldiers awakening him in the dead of the night and hauling him off to prison is ample proof that democracy is alive and well in the country with P-Noy at the helm.

—RINCHIE ADVINCULA,

[email protected]