THE APRIL 17 editorial (“Pontius Binay”) of the Inquirer described Vice President Jejomar C. Binay’s decision to involve the public in deciding whether or not to bury former President Ferdinand Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani as “particularly Pontius Pilate-like.”
The analogy is inaccurate.
Pontius Pilate clearly had the intention to free himself from accountability, to “wash his hands.” The Vice President does not intend to give in to public clamor so that he may absolve himself of accountability. In the end, it will be the Vice President who will make the final decision and give his recommendation to the President. But he will only do so after weighing the views of all sectors and groups, not a noisy rabble. Surely, that is not “Pontius Pilate-like.”
We also wonder why the editorial takes issue with a leadership style that is participatory and inclusive. We are certain that the Inquirer is not advocating a return to a leadership that is unilateral and dictatorial. Our people have repudiated such style of leadership.
The Vice President aspires to provide opportunities for the public to make significant contributions to decision-making. We must remember that as a democracy, our government is one that should be of the people, by the people and for the people.
—JOSELITO SALGADO,
head, Media Affairs Division,
Office of the Vice President