Criminal misconduct on part of Trillanes

SEN. ANTONIO Trillanes IV seems to have a large arsenal of mind-blowing bombshells against Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte at this point in time.

First, he alleged that the mayor told him how the latter shot suspected criminals in the head while they knelt in front of him. The senator’s latest allegation against Duterte is the supposed existence of a bank account containing more than P200 million, which has not been declared in the mayor’s statement of assets, liabilities and net worth.

Don’t Philippine government officials swear to protect this country from disorder, harm, chaos and criminality? Why didn’t Trillanes file the appropriate charges right away for the good and protection of the public or the republic? If he knew all these things, why did he wait up to the last two minutes—with Duterte now leading in surveys and becoming the primary target of criticisms in the media and by influential personalities and groups—before bringing this issue up?

I think Trillanes’ failure to do this earlier is a criminal misconduct on his part and he should be prosecuted for being an accessory in the supposed crimes that he did not report early enough and which he is now using in his pursuit of power.

With his recent accusations against Duterte, his earlier allegations against Vice President Jejomar Binay now seem devoid of real, solid basis.

The senator seems to behave like he is the only one in the know of things. Lest we forget, this is the same person who led armed soldiers in taking over a hotel in Makati during the time of Gloria Arroyo. What does it say about the character and mind of this man? How are we supposed to eradicate organized criminality in government?

I think it is high time we passed a law or amended our Constitution so that aspirants to public office are required to pass psychological and intellectual fitness tests before they can be declared official candidates by the Commission on Elections. We should have zero-tolerance for organized criminality in government.

—JOSE SANTAMARIA, j_e_santamaria@hotmail.com