Bishop Cruz, Aquino's Men and Jueteng Payola

If Archbishop emeritus Oscar Cruz is standing on a firm ground in his accusation that some of the president’s men are receiving payola from “jueteng”, an illegal game, then it’s time for the president to move quickly and douse the fire of doubt ravaging the sincerity of his government in eradicating corruption. 

Noynoy Aquino’s campaign was anchored on the platform of a reformist government that promised to hatch new sets of discipline in running a believable government Filipinos long dreamt of. Fifteen million Filipinos gave Noynoy the presidential mandate in a landslide fashion believing that as president, he can make a big difference in serving the citizenry with openness, sincerity, compassion and justice.  And of course, with a backbone

The ball is on the president’s hand and it’s time for him to deliver a big and devastating score.

Responding to reporters, the president said that he would investigate Cruz’s claim “if he (Cruz) has the evidence, no matter how little.”

Said in a different way, P-Noy does not recommend an investigation if Cruz cannot substantiate his allegation.  Aquino's promise that there will be no sacred cows in his administration is as good as a bag of wind if he does not care to look into the matter with an intent to know the truth and to prosecute if necessary.  Basking on a high percentage of trust and confidence the citizenry have on him before  the bloodbath in the Park, Mr. Aquino cannot ill afford to let that trust dive  further in the turbulence of  indifference  by crossing his arms to while the hours away amidst the deafening call for a change.  No issue is insignificant not to be given attention  while we recover  from the apathy and dark nights of the past regime.

Cruz must  now come forward as quickly as possible with his evidence.

The suspected and still to be named crooks could be rubbing elbows with the president or sharing  a recess with him.  If Cruz’s claim is true, Mr. Aquino may honestly not know the real score that some  unassuming guys at his back or sides are receiving payolas which could be in millions from jueteng.

A crusader for a long time in stopping illegal gambling, Cruz is not believed to be grandstanding by turning berserk to the press. Now a septuagenarian, Cruz cannot profit anything good if he  lies to the public. Even without the benefit of evidence, it is prudent on the part of the president to initiate an investigation against the still to be named officials. The president doesn’t lose anything in doing so but rather gains a stronger support of the people when he says, “I mean business!” 

In an interview with Kabayan and former Vice President Noli de Castro, Archbishop Cruz is surprised why his group, Krusadang Bayan Laban sa Jueteng (Anti-Jueteng Crusade) has more information on what the government has although the Philippine National Police and the National Bureau of Investigation  are  under its command. These  police agencies enjoy millions of intelligence funds while he and his group have no operating expenses as such to uncover shenanigans and unmask government crooks.

Is Cruz trying to suggest that “see no evil, speak no evil and hear no evil” is said in whisper by the people in the president's backyard? 

This is a litmus test on the sincerity of Noynoy in carrying out his campaign promises. Foremost of which is the eradication of graft and corruption or its reduction to a tolerable level.   Should the president fail to  take care  this issue judiciously, we the people, “his boss”, have the right to yell . . .

“ . . . That's foul! Do your job!” -30-