What anomalies would you like the Truth Commission to look into?

Ric Vergara, Calamba: All kinds of anomalies they can unearth. Dapat wala silang pipiliin.

Felix Ramento, USA: Asking the Truth Commission to go after other alleged wrongdoers is like barking up the wrong tree.

Anomalies in the Arroyo administration

Edwin Chinel Monares, Rizal: The big controversies during the administration of Mrs. Arroyo should be looked into in order to put a closure to these issues and for the whole nation to move forward. I wish the Truth Commission luck in uncovering the truth on all of these issues that have divided the nation.

Deo Durante, Camarines Sur: It should investigate the controversies and questionable deals that the past administration was involved in. However, I am afraid that it may only end up like the PCGG that is being questioned due to rumors of highly paid salaries and expenditures.

Miguelito Herrera, Cabanatuan City: Anomalies of fraud and corruption concerning the NBN ZTE deal and the Fertilizer Fund scam are among the many corruption scandals that hounded the GMA administration. I hope the Truth commission will be fair in its judgement.

Germi Sison, Cabanatuan City: Although I find the Truth Commission worthless as it will have no bearing in court proceedings, it would be worthwhile investigating and coming out with conclusive findings on all perceived public anomalies involving former President Gloria Arroyo, her family members and relatives, and her allies. Although their findings are only recommendatory, I am afraid that if such differ from that of the Ombudsman or of other prosecutorial agencies, there will be confusion or open-endedness in whatever decision the court would promulgate.

Lydia Reyes, Bataan: I would like for the Truth Commission to investigate overspending in the past administration and where the money went. Please also look into the missing GSIS funds if you can.

Louella Brown, Baguio City: The anomalies I would like the Truth Commission to look into include: the sacks of rice rotting in NFA warehouses, the inability of the PCGG to sequester ill-gotten wealth, the NBN-ZTE deal, the “Hello Garci” controversy.

Dr. Dennis Acop, Baguio City: The Truth Commission should get to the bottom of every lie associated with the last administration some of which are as follows: the Comelec-Mega Pacific contract scam, Macapagal Boulevard scam, Hello Garci scam, NBN-ZTE scam, Jose Pidal scam, DepEd noodles scam, Swine scam, World Bank scam, North Rail Project scam, Euro Generals scam, SEC scam, Road Users Tax scam, C-5 scam, etc.

Jim Veneracion, Naga City: They are the ‘Hello, Garci’ scandal, the fertilizer scam, NBN-ZTE deal and all the killings of journalists and human rights violations during PGMA’s government.

Rey Onate, Palayan City: Investigate all the anomalies that happened in the Arroyo administration to put an end to all rhetorics about graft and corruption and to establish a culture whereby all outgoing leaders will be investigated about the truth in their administration. Lahat focused sa Manila, yung Mindanao problem walang solusyon. Mamaya magising tayo isang umaga, ang Mindanao wala na.

Ernesto Oliquiano, Las Piñas City: All alleged anomalies of the previous administration should be looked into. I doubt, though, if the Commission can finish its job before P-Noy’s term expires. To cite a few, the ZTE-NBN deal should be the first subject of investigation as it is one case where high officials of the administration are seemingly involved. Next is the overimportation of rice. It’s an injustice that tons of insect-infested rice should be left rotting in the NFA bodegas while millions are starving. Another would be the reported bonuses and perks in the MWSS. Again, as a retired government employee myself, I feel that giving such bonuses and perks to officials of one agency while others have to content with their 13th month plus an extra cash gift is immoral. And last but not least is the reported pouring of millions from the calamity fund to the district of the former President. For me, this is a shameful act, if not a form of vote-buying using taxpayers’ money.

Dr. Jose Balcanao, Benguet: Firstly, all anomalies that involve plunder like the ZTE deal and fertilizer scam must be probed. Secondly, the Commission must look into the ‘Hello Garci’ scandal, which involves systemic election cheating. Other cases include the overpricing of infrastructure projects, extrajudicial killings, bribery, and overspending and misuse of public funds. People’s money that was misspent must be returned to them in the form of better delivery of basic social services.

Anomalies in government offices

Armando Tavera, Las Piñas City: Anomalies in some government offices. But, it has to be substantiated with concrete evidence para hindi lalabas na allegations lang lahat.

Ricardo Tolentino, Laoag City: I hope that the Truth Commission probes all anomalies, especially those purposely kept away from public knowledge. I know for sure that dozens more will be unearthed.

Unresolved cases from Marcos to Arroyo

Dennis Montealto, Mandaluyong City: From the time of Pres. Marcos to Pres. Arroyo, there have been so many unresolved cases. We need closure.

Gerii Calupitan, Muntinlupa City: a) Ninoy’s murder, Hacienda Luisita massacre/CARP exemption, Mendiola massacre, Kamag-anak Inc., the Prince of Darkness’ generator scam in Cory’s six-year term, b) the Bataan Nuclear Plant, Manila Film Center, Bliss Housing, etc. anomalies during FM’s 30 years; c) PEA-Amari, BCDA, Clark Expo, Alabang Stock farm anomalies during FVR’s time; d) Dacer-Corbito double murder case, etc. during Erap and Ping’s term; e) Hello Garci, fertilizer scam, NBN-ZTE, etc. during PGMA’s nine-year term. If P-Noy is serious in his quest for RP’s reformation, then he should know the truth behind these unresolved cases ASAP.

Erwin Espinoza, Pangasinan: I suggest that the Truth Commission also look into all big scandals before the Arroyo administration. Huwag lang si Arroyo ang puntiryahin.

Nila Fragante, Cavite: Economic anomalies and questionable EOs from Cory, Ramos, Erap, PGMA to be fair.

Involvement of Arroyos on jueteng

Renato Taylan, Ilocos Norte: The Truth Commission should look into the alleged involvement of the Arroyos in the illegal numbers game of jueteng nationwide.

The Truth Commission will have its hands full

Robert Young Jr., San Juan: The Truth Commission has a limited life of two years to investigate anomalies during the Arroyo administration. I think it will have its hands full without dealing with those of previous Presidents as some sectors suggest. They should even limit what they will include because there seems to be too many, starting with Perez’s alleged $14-million IMPSA commission, the Macapagal Blvd., NAIA 3, ZTE-NBN fiasco, fertilizer scam, pig scam, rice importation scam, questionable PAGCOR and PCSO disbursements, not to mention the Garci scandal and others.

Desuel Pardo, Mandaluyong City: Look into the records of the DOJ, the Ombudsman, the Solicitor General and both Houses of Congress where there are many cases involving government officials and high-profile personalities that have no closure to date. The alleged shady transactions in the police and the military that prompted the Oakwood mutiny and Manila Penn siege should be investigated, too. These are to be added to the cases involving PGMA, FG, Mikey Arroyo and high-ranking officials of the PGMA administration. I doubt if they could finish resolving these cases in two years time with unquestionable findings.

One or two major cases would suffice

Jose Fabello Jr., Cagayan de Oro City: As conceptualized, the Truth Commission was to put a closure on anomalies that seem to be forever “open-ended”. There are several, but one or two of the major cases would suffice.

The ‘Hello Garci’ scandal

Eufrocino Linsangan, Isabela: I believe that all Filipinos want to see a closure to the ‘Hello Garci’ scandal.

June Deoferio, Cavite: I’d like a closure on the ‘Hello Garci‘ anomaly, which saw PGMA publicly admitting her guilt to the public. All anomalies during the period of GMA administration that involves government funds and illegal transactions should also be investigated.

How the pork barrel is spent

Rey Ibalan, Antipolo City: The Truth Commission should look into how the pork barrel of congressmen and senators are spent.

The Truth Commission is toothless

Leonard Villa, Batac City: If the Truth Commission serves as a fact-finding body only, it would be a toothless lion. Let’s entrust the responsibilities to the DOJ and office of the Ombudsman.

C.B. Fundales, Bulacan: The Truth Commission, as created by P-Noy, can’t resolve alleged anomalies for prosecution. It’s a toothless body viable for more political bickering.

Josh Pacatang, Dipolog City: There is no Republic Act or Presidential Decree authorizing the President to create the Truth Commission. Besides, all acts of state are presumed valid and duly funded. Even if already constituted, it cannot probe anything.  

An insult to the justice system

Jess Ludovice, Metro Manila: For me, the Truth Commission formed by Pres. Aquino is an insult to the integrity of the Supreme Court. It is tantamount to saying that the Supreme Court is inutile in finding out the truth for whatever case it handles. If anybody wants truth, all they have to look for is evidence, not in forming another useless commission which is just a waste of time, money and effort. If there is strong and credible evidence, even the lowest court of the land could come up with the truth.

Cris Rivera, Rizal: There are irresistible cases, but I’m not that keen on having the Commission, with its borrowed duties and without any legal authority, to look and probe these.

It should find ways to curb corruption

I.Q. Calata, Parañaque City: The Truth Commission’s work should not be confined only to anomalies where former President Arroyo is accused of being involved in wrongdoing, but all graft and corruption perpetrated in line functionaries. The Truth Commission should not only look into the culpability of those involved in the alleged anomalies, it should chart the modus operandi used in every act of misdeed in government for remedial purposes and in aid of legislation. It’s time we looked into the causes of moral degradation and find ways to curb them.

Let the investigation begin

Ruben Viray, Antipolo City: Investigate alleged anomalies in their records and files, if they have any. Their findings will be recommendatory in nature anyway, and have to be further validated by concerned government agencies. Let the investigation begin.

Why can’t they stop jueteng?

Pedro Alagano Sr., Vigan City: While I find the Truth Commission as a vehicle of vengeance, hatred and divisiveness and a mere diversionary tactic to camouflage the potential failure of P-Noy’s administration, I’d rather ask why they can’t stop the operation of jueteng, which is illegal but still flourishing until now. His actions might boomerang on him when his term ends especially if the successor is not a partymate, thus, we have to brace ourselves of a vicious cycle of vendetta.

AS I SEE IT

Patrick Miranda, Marikina City:  I sincerely believe that people who rally against anything under the sun are a nuisance to society. Everything for them is wrong except themselves.

Dianne Aquino, Caloocan City: By not exempting plates ‘7’ and ‘8’ from number coding restrictions, the administration now is giving our lawmakers reason to buy another vehicle using their pork barrels. Ha ha ha!

REACTIONS

Estela San Pedro, Bulacan: I agree with Robert Young. Let us contribute whatever, however, whenever, wherever we can to help Pres. Noynoy make our country great again.

Edwin Castillo, Tanauan City: To Federico Pascual: If Ricky Carandang is a propagandist, then ABS-CBN is the propaganda network of P-Noy, better than NBN-4, RPN-9 and IBC-13 combined!

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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