Aquino to Jail the Corrupt

In an address to American businessmen in New York, Pres. Noynoy Aquino was emphatic in telling them “We will jail the corrupt”.

Oh well, I admit that I am one of the millions who believe that P-Noy is the X-Factor in eradicating graft and corruption in the country or at least in trimming them down to an acceptable level if the first is not possible.

The president is explicit and stern in telling us his intent in fighting corruption in his famed inaugural speech and occasional official statements --- the latest of which was delivered in the Big Apple.

While Mr. Aquino is in the US, jueteng-issue outburst started by the exposé of Archbishop Cruz followed up by Sen. Miriam Santiago’s conflagrated the nation. Tagged in the revelation are influential persons, high ranking active and retired government and military officials raking millions and receiving payolas from the illegal game. One of the accused is Interior Undersecretary Rico Puno, a target-shooting buddy of the president. When questioned by the Blue Ribbon Committee in the Senate, Puno looked to be “high” if not retarded in giving stupid answers that he cannot remember his friends and even relatives. To be kinder to him, he has to get a professional help from his selective Alzheimer disease.

When he comes back it is believed that he deals with the issue extensively and we curiously wait what he has to tell us.

All of the named allegedly involved in jueteng denied that they have a hand in it. That is another way of saying that Archbishop Cruz and Sen. Santiago; “the liars” were just spreading lies. Smarter butts demand evidence proving that they are indeed in jueteng. Some say that they have done nothing illegal since they are in Small Town Lottery (STL), a legal front of gambling.

Of course no one admits guilt. However, the non-acceptance of guilt does not automatically exonerate the accused or prove that he is indeed innocent. How many who were put on trial and eventually to death said before the judge that they are innocent and only to be convicted for their crimes?

Now, how can P-Noy send to jail corrupt officials if they too reason out “What evidence you have?” If there is no evidence does the story stop there? Since there is “no evidence” in the jueteng issue, we just let the illegal game exist and when more scandals are dug up, another useless hearing or commission will be set up? Come on, give us a break!

Would it not be better if the government extensively investigates the named? What is wrong in investigating to know the truth?

The accused has nothing to fear if they indeed have nothing to do with jueteng.

It’s time for Mr. Aquino to show his fang and political will in fighting corruption if he is really serious with his campaign promise.

I don't want Pres. Noynoy to be ridiculed. -30-