2 of 3 RSP applicants have political backers

Of the three applicants to the post of regional state prosecutor in Central Visayas that Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez had submitted to Malacañang for selection, only William Canta, the assistant prosecutor of Talisay City, has no political endorsement.

A copy of Gonzalez’ letter to President Gloria Arroyo, submitting the names of the three nominees for the regional post, showed that he mentioned the names of politicians backing for the appointment of Cebu City prosecutor Fernando Gubalane and even acting regional state prosecutor Llena Ipong.

The secretary did not say about anybody supporting Canta but, in his letter endorsing Ipong, he specified that Ipong had the backings of two congressmen: Reps. Edurado Gullas (Cebu, 1st District) and Antonio Cuenco (Cebu City, South District). The former Region 7 state prosecutor, Antonio Arellano, had also endorsed Ipong.

The Freeman noted that Cuenco had endorsed both Gubalane and Ipong. The other endorsers for Gubalane were Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, Rep. Pablo Garcia (Cebu, 2nd District), Rep. Raul del Mar (Cebu City, North District), and Mayor Tomas Osmeña.

Some political observers have raised questions about political endorsements especially on the credibility and objectivity of the applicants once they are appointed. These political observers said what would an appointee do when he or she will eventually handle a case involving his or her political endorser.  — Fred P. Languido/RAE