As of this writing, Isidra, the elder sister of Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao is being hunted by the police because of her alleged involvement in illegal gambling operations in General Santos City. Wire reports say that the boxer turned politician has given his word that he will not meddle in his sister’s case.
The Pacquiao family was quick in denying the charges.
There is nothing wrong with that.
An accused with strong evidence against him when asked for his disposition can declare his innocence of the charges. Chief Supt. Felicisimo Khu, police chief of Central Mindanao has said that authorities had long suspected Isidra’s house as a front for “Last Two Digits”, an illegal game of chance widespread in Mindanao. Khu further said that the police raid confirmed Isidra’s house as a base of operation.
If the police statement is to be believed that they had “long” suspected the house as an illegal gambling front, why is it only now that they ordered the raid? What is the role of Isidra in the Last Two Digits? Is she a gambling lord? Is she a financier? Suppose so, where did she get her capital which should be in millions? We all know the humble past of their family. If she is a gambling lord, is it possible that she has political and military connections before that she remained unscathed until recently? If she had their protection, were these influential and powerful people in her payroll?
It sounds impossible to believe that Isidra is brave enough to be by herself in running an illegal gambling without the protection of the so-called “untouchables”. As if she went to war with a mere bolo like Lapulapu’s.
How sure we are that Manny does not know anything about the alleged illegal activities of his sister?
Although Manny is a freshman politician, is there no possibility whatsoever that that he will not “discuss” the fate of his sister with his colleagues in the lower House and his other famous and influential friends and fans to draw their “sympathy”?
Isidra is innocent. We wait for the final say of the court of law. In the meantime, the case of Rep. Pacquiao’s sister could just be a tip of the iceberg. There could be close relatives of government officials engaged in illegal activities such as tax evasion, smuggling, drug trafficking, illegal gambling, carnapping , Mafia-style extortion and others. All of these challenge Pres. Aquino’s determination in prosecuting these bad eggs.
So, what’s next? -30-
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