EDITORIAL – More accusations

He has the goods on First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo. That warning was issued yesterday by Bulacan Rep. Willie Villarama, who weeks ago had blown the whistle on a Cabinet member who supposedly received a $2-million payoff. The so-called $2-million man was later identified as Justice Secretary Hernando Perez.

We are grateful for whistle-blowers, especially those who do have the goods on the public officials they are accusing. Corruption has become so rampant in this country it seems impossible to stop. But our gratitude would be greater if the accusers could present more proof about their allegations.

Villarama’s friend and former boss, Manila Rep. Mark Jimenez, eventually supported the Bulacan congressman’s accusations against Perez, giving potential investigators leads on the $2-million money trail. But Jimenez admitted that the money went to businessman Ernest Escaler, who was supposed to turn over the payoff to Perez. Escaler has denied that the money went to Perez. From all indications, it will require a court order to make Escaler talk further about the $2 million. He’s back in town after a brief trip to the United States, but no one seems to be in a rush to compel him to talk.

Jimenez and Villarama then trained their sights on the First Gentleman, accusing him of accepting millions of pesos from Jimenez for a charity foundation when Mrs. Arroyo was vice president. Jimenez and Villarama can’t agree on the amount involved. And there is disagreement between the contending parties on how to describe the money. Was it a donation to charity or a bribe? Was there a quid pro quo for the money?

Jimenez can probably shed more light on this case. But by today he is likely to be on a flight to the United States, after finally deciding to face indictments on tax evasion, mail fraud and illegal campaign contributions. That leaves a fuming Villarama warning that he has the goods on the First Gentleman.

If Villarama is telling the truth, he will do the nation a favor by sharing what he knows, and making sure he has the goods to back up whatever accusations he will hurl. People want to know about wrongdoing in government. But accusations that are never substantiated – which is what all the charges hurled by both the opposition and administration these past two years have turned out to be so far – are further destroying the nation’s weak institutions. Legislators should be correcting the situation instead of aggravating it.