We watched with dismay the appearance of former Senators Rene Saguisag and Joker Arroyo in the Senate last Jan. 29 to lend their all-out support to Makati Mayor Junjun Binay, who was brought before the blue ribbon subcommittee to answer questions about corruption charges. They said they were there to make sure the “human rights” of the mayor would not be violated. To our consternation, that hearing was aborted obviously due to their “concern” and “intervention.” Sen. Koko Pimentel, the subcommittee chair, was a pathetic sight as he unexpectedly turned soft and apologetic to Binay! After all the fuss his committee created in having the mayor “arrested” for refusing to appear and answer questions, he ended up whimpering and babbling something like: “Ok, if that is your pleasure, Mr. Mayor, we will respect it and not force you to answer questions anymore, so you can go.” What the heck was that?
To Saguisag and Arroyo, here’s a question: What about the “human rights” of the people deprived of their right to a life of decency and prosperity in return for the taxes they pay? To paraphrase what Pope Francis said during his recent visit to the country, corruption in government takes away resources from the people, especially the poor. After decades of lording it over in Makati, the Binay dynasty has done so little to ameliorate the plight of people still wallowing in poverty—in the city’s slums, along the “riles” (railways), under elevated highways, or what-have-you!
Saguisag and Arroyo seemed not in the least interested to hear the truth about any allegation of corruption against their “fellow human rights lawyer,” now Vice President Jejomar Binay. They are circling the wagons around their beleaguered friend and his family na para bagang aping-api na (as if they have been so abused)! The Binays are now said to be billionaires, while Saguisag and Arroyo seem like paupers by comparison. Aren’t they even wondering how their former “human rights” buddy (who handled cases supposedly pro bono like them) has become so rich?
—RIMALDO PACIFICO, pacific.rim.aldo@gmail.com