How solid is evidence versus PDAF suspects?

We can all agree that the pork barrel scam is one of the most, if not really the most, serious and broadly encompassing cases this nation has had in years.  The need for the immediate prosecution of those behind it—not so much Janet Napoles alone as her cohort-lawmakers too—certainly goes without saying.  What, then, is taking Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales so long to formally file the case with the Sandiganbayan?  Hadn’t she been earlier quoted as saying those involved should already get the best lawyers in town?  Is the much-ballyhooed truckload of evidence that Justice Secretary Leila de Lima sent her not yet enough?

Alas, if that is how turtle-paced the Ombudsman has been in handling this case, then no one may really blame the Department of Justice for asking the Department of Foreign Affairs to cancel the passports of the senators and congressmen involved.  The DOJ has clearly no problem with Napoles who is already in jail without bail.  There is a big problem, though, with the lawmakers against whom no formal case has yet been filed with the proper court; they may escape anytime to foreign lands with their passports remaining untouched.

Of course, De Lima’s action is highly debatable—legally, morally or whatnot!  That is for the high court to eventually rule on.  But whether or not the lawmakers do really pose a threat to national security while inside the country is not really the point.  The point is, methinks, by its recent action, the DOJ may be showing its slip too early in the game.  I mean, chances are De Lima may not be dead-sure the government has really an air-tight plunder case against the lawmakers—as indeed the Ombudsman’s failure to endorse the combined DOJ-National Bureau of Investigation findings to the Sandiganbayan indicates.  As it may yet take some time for the DOF to act on the DOJ’s action, one earnestly hopes the latter’s ostensible impatience does not yet lead to sheer panic.

—RUDY L. CORONEL,

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