Time to heal wounds, forget retribution - Teodoro

DAVAO CITY, Philippines - Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr. yesterday said it’s time to heal the wounds of Filipinos, wounds brought by years of politics of retribution.

“It is time that the wounds of the Filipinos heal. Let’s forget retribution. Let’s heal. We should move on,” Teodoro said.

Teodoro, who arrived here to address the 17th national congress of the National Movement of Young Legislators (NMYL), was hoping for an end to the “politics of putting so much energy and resources to get somebody jailed.”

“It is sad because to me it perpetuates a culture of vengeance,” said Teodoro, who earlier signified his interest to run in next year’s presidential elections.

Teodoro lamented how “truth and justice” have become bywords for politicians seeking their own political agenda instead of pursuing the greater good of the people.

“Truth and justice have become euphemism for political vengeance,” he added.

Teodoro is among those reportedly being considered as standard-bearer by the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrat and Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino (Kampi).

But Teodoro was quick to point out that healing and moving on do not mean that he would tolerate wrongdoings.

“I am not saying we should tolerate bad things. But let the proper forum handle it, which is our justice system. The country’s justice system should further be strengthened in the effort to go after those who have committed wrongdoings, including graft and corruption,” he said.