THERE HAVE been times in the past when I disliked Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago, especially when she got on her high horse and called other people names. There are people out there who are just as smart, but less caustic, and less self-aggrandizing. I must say, however, that I totally agree with her on more than a few occasions when she tagged a few people as “bobo” (dense).
Inquirer’s March 29, 2015, issue had an article from which I quote: “Santiago has filed a bill to ensure that elected officials be made to answer administratively for illegal acts committed during their preceding term.” Junjun Binay’s defenders claimed he should not be made liable for the alleged anomalies incurred during the construction of the Makati City Hall Building II during his first term starting in 2010 up to 2013. Their defense was based on a Supreme Court ruling that reelection to another term condoned the official’s misconduct.
Santiago avers that such is a cockeyed simplification of the problem. She further asserts that the first qualification for public office should be honesty and integrity. I do agree with her wholeheartedly but, sadly, we have a dearth of those officials. With the current slew of plunder and corruption cases being brought against politicos, one may conclude that the mindset of some who ran for office is to enrich themselves.
Binay had balls to have agreed to this kind of defense, but did he not pause for a second and think how this would reflect on his character, ethics and morals? Anything to get out of his predicament, I guess. Indeed he may have balls, but they are neither ethical nor moral. With this development, I can only conclude that the Binays’ moral compasses have definitely gone completely awry. What a hairy situation.
I must applaud Senator Santiago for taking steps to correct a faulty law, which could allow crooks and dirty politicos to walk away scot-free. I thank her for her vigilance and, as much as I disagree with some of her antics, may her tribe increase.
—ARTHUR BUAN, toorobuan@yahoo.com