‘Black Knight’ of the Arroyo regime?

COLUMNIST AMANDO Doronila, in his column titled “President order a side issue in trial of Gutierrez” (Inquirer, 4/4/11), took to task the Office of the President for firing Deputy Ombudsman Emilio Gonzalez. He claimed that in dismissing Gonzalez, the Office of the President was stretching too far.

The arguments of Doronila and the Office of the President should be placed in a proper perspective. Both Doronila and the Office of the President should be presumed to know what they are doing.

Due process requirements are being complied with. Gonzalez can never be dismissed if he is successful in his appeal. The reverse is true: he may be dismissed should the appellate court decide against him.

Doronila should not ascribe bad faith to the President. The Office of the President is only sending the appropriate message to the public, that in this administration, corruption does not pay. Apparently, the good columnist is standing as the “Black Knight” of the Arroyo administration. Why the change?

—V. EMMANUEL C. FONTANILLA,
[email protected]