What can you say about the proposed creation of a Truth Commission to put a closure on anomalies in the Arroyo administration?

Rico Fabello, Parañaque City: How about a closure to the Ninoy murder or the Bolante case or the Ampatuan backhoe murder case? I can go on and on. The truth is out there but it’s uglier than we think.  

Norberto Robles, Taguig: I am in favor of creating a body to look into alleged anomalies in the GMA administration but they should come up with a better name than Truth Commission. It seems inappropriate, judgmental.  

A welcome move

Leonard Villa, Batac City: I welcome the move which will uncover the truth. Alleged anomalies must be investigated so that nightmares won’t haunt us forever. Truth shall set us free.  

Eufrocino Linsangan, Isabela: That could be a big wish come true for the country that suffered for nine years. Let the people behind those anomalies be answerable for their crime.  

Edwin Chinel Monares, Rizal: It’s a brilliant and timely move of P-Noy. We need closure on the controversies that have divided the nation.  

Alexander Raquepo, Ilocos Sur: It’s a welcome act by the new President. It may be just another Commission of the many commissions, committees and other ad hoc groups organized but I am optimistic that it can deliver. The objectives and other terms of references, though, of this Commission should be laid down.  

Romeo Caubat, Masbate: This Truth Commission is very urgent, more urgent even than the Cha-cha proposal. People who make a mockery of our justice system must suffer the consequence.  

Ella Arenas, Pangasinan: It’s a very good idea to put a closure to all the corruption committed by former President Arroyo. As Erap said, “Para naman maranasan niya ang makulong.” And I think all involved should be jailed.  

Ed Gulmatico, Bacolod City: It’s very timely and necessary to put the nation back on track. The slew of anomalies perpetrated by Arroyo and her “evil conspirators” are an albatross hanging forever on the necks of ordinary Filipinos. While PGMA and her cohorts, just like the Marcoses, are enjoying the luxuries and fruits of their robbing the nation blind, destitute Filipinos absorbed all the desperation, hunger and hardships as an aftereffect of their devilish regimes.  

Lucas Madamba, USA: I agree, as it will help investigate the mysteries behind the Arroyo administration.  

Col. Dennis Acop (Ret), Baguio City: Totally agree. Go for it. After nine years of lies, it’s about time to go back living in truth. In fact, we will need truth first before we embark on any public policy intended to benefit the general welfare and not just the interests of a select few. There can be no national advancement if past victims are ignored while guilty parties do not only go scot-free but also even feel vindicated by the lack of sanction against them, legal or moral. The Truth Commission signals the beginning of another new era towards genuine reform. It is the first battle into a long, protracted war.  

Maricel Maralit, Naga City: I am in favor so that those who are guilty will be brought to justice and then we can all move forward.  

Concepcion Gaspar, Laoag City: The Truth Commission is one body that will take responsibility for gathering evidence to justify the filing of cases against ex-PGMA. We should take advantage of P-Noy’s reign as he is hell- bent on reversing the bad image of the Philippines especially when it comes to corruption. Those who are guilty, deserve to rot in jail.  

June Deoferio, Cavite: It is a good move by Pres. Aquino to penalize the Arroyo administration for their anomalies and corruption.  

It’s a divisive move

Benjamin Nillo, Las Piñas City: We don’t need a Truth Commission at this stage of the P-Noy presidency. It’s a divisive move, and would only do more harm than good.  

Cris Rivera, Rizal: Sounds good, but is there anyone in Congress who’ll light and hold the candle? Better set aside vengeful thinking. Let’s move on.   

I doubt if it will be fruitful

Eric Gopilan, Quezon City: It’s a good move, but I doubt if it will be fruitful. Ferreting out truth in unsolved anomalies is easier said than done.  

Ruel Bautista, Laguna: PGMA, like Marcos, has a brilliant mind. She won’t carelessly leave trails that would pin her down.  

Jim Veneracion, Naga City: Let there be justice in a just government, but it’ll be an uphill quest because PGMA had no transparency.  

C.B. Fundales, Bulacan: How can a Truth Commission possibly put a closure to issues with only circumstantial evidence for prosecution? The PCGG and Agrava Commission had stronger cases but failed.  

Alex Katigbak, Parañaque City: Any commission to be created is nothing but a make up or facelift for it won’t have a litigation or prosecuting power under the law. Whatever facts it gathers will be used only to recommend prosecution in the hall of justice.  

It shouldn’t end up like the PCGG

Joel Caluag, Bulacan: I hope the Truth Commission will not end up like the PCGG.  

Germi Sison, Cabanatuan City: There are many anomalies dating back to before the PGMA administration that needs closure but is it necessary to create a Truth Commission? Can’t the DOJ do the job? If they cannot, would the proposed Commission succeed? Or would it end up like another PCGG that has not completely finished its task after 24 years? They have the NBI and other government agencies to help them put closure to those unsolved cases. But we should not put more importance to the Aquino-Galman case as only God, in His mysterious ways, will show the whole truth someday, somehow.  

Ignacio Anacta, Metro Manila: I believe that it’s a positive step towards healing our beloved country from the deep-rooted cancer of systemic corruption in government service. Many of our so-called leaders were just enriching themselves while pretending that they were leading us to a better future. I truly pray that this Truth Commission will not end up like the PCGG, and instead bring out the truth and put those who are guilty behind prison bars.  

The commission must have a timetable

Ed Alawi, Davao City: The Truth Commission must have a time frame of not more than six years. If no case is filed within this time span, abolish it, lest it become another PCGG.  

Rey Onate, Palayan City: Create and organize it fast. It should work according to a timeline or else it will not accomplish anything except mapasikat lang ang mga pangalang laos rin.  

Don’t let it turn into a witchhunt

R. Los Baños, Las Piñas City: Unprecedented, given that the transfer of power was orderly and peaceful. After all those years, they just don’t want to give the lady a measure of peace. That said, for as long as it does not turn into a witchhunt, I’ll go for that Truth Commission so that at the end of all these, both the accused or accusers can collect or pay their just dues whatever the findings of the commission may be.  

Roque Paghinayan, Metro Manila: I hope this Truth Commission will not be used for witchhunting or propaganda by the Aquino administration.  

Proble all unresolved anomalies

Joe Nacilla, Las Piñas City: I am in favor of the creation of a Truth Commission but not to limit the investigation of anomalies under the Arroyo administration lest it be interpreted as a form of vengeance. It must include all unresolved anomalies of previous administrations.  

Nazario Elbo Jr., Iloilo City: The Truth Commission will only be credible if it also encompasses the ill-gotten wealth of the Marcoses.  

Jun Montebon, Parañaque City: Why go after the Arroyo administration only? Takot ba si President Aquino kay ex-President Ramos at sa mga Marcoses?  

Manuel Abejero, Pangasinan: That exactly is what we need. The suspicions, accusations, allegations of misdeeds by the previous administrations, since Marcos’ time, should be put to rest, those found guilty jailed, and the innocents absolved. These accusations and alleged misdeeds are like heavy grapnels every new administration has to pull in the course of its governance, adding strain to what is supposed to be smooth sailing to progress. It’s time to move forward.  

Dennis Montealto, Mandaluyong City: Bring it on! And while they’re at it, put closure, too, on the Ninoy Aquino assassination, the Maguindanao, Mendiola and Hacienda Luisita massacres, the disappearance of Jonas Burgos, among others, and so many other anomalies of past administrations that beg for answers and justice, if they are really bent on finding the truth.  

Erwin Espinoza, Pangasinan: Cardinal Rosales is right in saying that the Truth Commission should include, too, other previous leaders and not only ex-Pres. GMA.  Rey Ibalan, Antipolo City: It should not be selective. All pending sensational graft and criminal cases, not only those under PGMA, must be resolved.  

Gerii Calupitan, Muntinlupa City: This Truth Commission is actually an attempt to pacify PGMA haters, while camouflaging P-Noy and Company’s vindictiveness. If they are true to their word, why not probe the reborn Marcoses, FVR, Erap and Kamag-anak, Inc. as all of them committed the same sins against the people: Kurakot Unlimited.  

Armando Rivera, Las Piñas City: Kung magkaroon man ng closure sa anomalies ng Arroyo administration, does this mean we can expect the same closure on the assassination of Ninoy Aquino?  

And then what?

Felix Ramento, USA: It’s one thing to fulfill P-Noy’s campaign pitch to prosecute PGMA for her sins, but eventually reaching a conviction is another.  

Ric Vergara, Calamba: The Truth Commission is a welcome proposal but what will again happen after conviction? Pardon na naman? Niloloko lang ninyo kami.   

Pedro Alagano Sr., Vigan City: I see it as a waste of time and resources. The Truth Commission will go on a fishing expedition but can only recommend and not put a closure on the alleged anomalies in the Arroyo administration as the Court of law has the sole power to resolve cases based on hard evidence. Well, I’ll just wait and see as to the outcome because commenting further negatively will jeopardize my views or comments.  

L.C. Fiel, Quezon City: I hope this Truth Commission can really ferret out the truth about the anomalies in the GMA administration. The South Koreans have shown the world how they put a closure on anomalous administrations by sending their top leaders to jail and these leaders admit their mistakes. Sa atin binibigyan na ng pardon, nakakatakbo pa sa eleksyon.  

A chance for PGMA to clear her name

C.B. Manalastas, Manila: The Truth Commission will be a welcome venue for GMA and her allies to answer those accusations so that once and for all they can clear their names.  

Ernesto Oliquiano, Las Piñas City: I am for it. The sooner the Commission can resolve these cases, the better for everyone to put an end to the issues once and for all. This is also an opportunity for the Arroyos to clear their name. If they are really innocent, then they should welcome the proposal with open arms. The Commission, however, should not limit its task to probing the anomalies of the previous administration. It should also include possible anomalies that may be committed under the present administration. This is one way to reduce, if not totally eradicate, corruption in the government. The Truth Commission, if it does its job well, will serve as a deterrent, a Sword of Damocles hanging over the heads of the entire bureaucracy.  

Lydia Reyes, Bataan: Former President Arroyo should be investigated to give her the chance to clear her name.  

Juan Deveraturda, Subic, Zambales: It should be favorable to former Pres. GMA because the truth, if she is not guilty of any wrongdoing, shall set her free from all unfair allegations and unfounded accusations.  

Jose Fabello Jr., Cagayan de Oro City: A lot of Filipinos, mostly GMA critics, will be very happy with the proposal. I am hoping, too, for a final closure to the endless criticisms thrown at her, valid or otherwise.  

Johann Lucas, Quezon City: If former Pres. Arroyo is innocent and not involved in large-scale corruption as alleged, then she can sleep soundly. But if the Truth Commission finds her guilty, then she would need a platoon of legal giants to defend her and pretty soon, legal fireworks are bound to spark. I’m Filipinos around the world will be all eyes.  

It must be made up of legal experts

Dr. Jose Balcanao, Benguet: The Truth Commission should be composed of legal experts who shall not have any personal connections with former Pres. Arroyo. The commissioners should have proven competence, honesty, and integrity. They should make judgments about Rep. Arroyo based on facts. That way, every Filipino will see that every lie, even if buried nowhere, will always be found out.  

It will be a redundancy

Reynaldo Mosuela, Metro Manila: It would be useless to create a Truth Commission. We already have the Department of Justice, among others, to investigate the said alleged anomalies.  

Elmo Cruz, Manila: Would this not be more of a Venganza Commission or a Threat Commission? There are many government agencies that can do the investigation, prosecution and promulgation of judgment, so why create a special commission that will mean more expenditures and media mileage for nothing?  

Aren’t we being selective?

Jun Montebon, Parañaque City: Why zero in only on the Arroyo administration? Wouldn’t this be a case of selective justice?  

Let’s give it a try

Ruben Viray, Antipolo City: Yes, it’s fine. However, I believe that Justice Hilario Davide faces a long and winding road ahead in trying to put a closure on the anomalies in the Arroyo administration. This is a tough job for the Truth Commission but let’s give it a try.  

Renato Taylan, Ilocos Norte: If there is already enough existing cases to be filed backed by solid evidence, then the creation of a Truth Commission is in order.  

Why Davide?

Miguelito Herrera, Cabanatuan City: There’s nothing wrong with President Aquino’s effort to seek the truth concerning anomalies hounding former President Arroyo but everything is wrong in naming former Chief Justice Hilario Davide to head the commission. Davide is part of the scandalous means by which the Supreme Court justified Arroyo’s ascension to the presidency in 2001 even in the absence of a constitutional basis for such ascension. Davide himself was the subject of an impeachment complaint that his peers scandalously quashed by ruling against Congress from ever touching it. This is one appointment that many can’t find wisdom in.  

Elpidio Que, Vigan: The Truth Commission of our landslide President is most welcome, especially in its mandate of investigating the Arroyos and their political allies. However, I am for it to have prosecutorial power lest it would be like a toothless tiger looking for food prey. Also, though P-Noy has trust and confidence in former Chief Justice Hilario Davide, as head of a truth commission he may be of questionable integrity. He was the one who swore in eager-beaver Gloria Arroyo as the accidental president, the propriety and legality of whose assumption to power is still being debated by legal minds.  

Justice Davide is a good choice

Ishmael Q. Calata, Parañaque City: Well, with former Supreme Court Chief Hilario Davide there, I am comforted at the prospect that the investigation will be just and fair to all concerned. He is a highly respected person  an exemplary member of our Order, the Knights of Columbus.  

Rodolfo Talledo, Angeles City: Davide is a man of integrity who fully understands the rudiments of the law. Being biased to appease noisy quarters is not his kind of medicine.  

JUST ASKING

M. Sunico, Caloocan City: What is the role of PNP personnel detailed in community posts in fostering discipline and peace in the community? If all complaints and requests for assistance will be referred to the barangay officials everytime, what are they in our communities for?  

Ferdinand Rafer, Cavite: Escudero criticizes PGMA for the budget deficit. The Senate approved the 2010 budget, and he knew it from the start, so why raise a howl now? What is he up to?  

Views expressed in this section do not necessarily reflect the editorial position of The STAR. The STAR does not knowingly publish false information and may not be held liable for the views of readers exercising their right to free expression. The publication also reserves the right to edit contributions to this section as it sees fit.

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