Let Caringal, Verzosa testify at Russ embassy

KEEP BLOTTER OPEN: Suddenly curtailing media access to the police blotter where complaints and concerns of citizens are entered is ill advised. Director General Jesus Verzosa, national police chief, should keep that document accessible round the clock.

The police blotter is a public record. No court order or clearance from PNP gatekeepers is needed by media to read it.

The PNP has explained that it just wants to prevent the publication of news that may violate the privacy of individuals mentioned in the blotter, and the writing of stories based on one-sided or incomplete information.

Managing the news or supervising the work of reporters is not part of the job of the PNP. If newsmen get into trouble by writing inaccurate or unfair stories based on police blotter entries, that is their problem — not of the police.

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WHO PAYS?: Russian authorities have summoned Verzosa’s wife and former Chief Supt. Jaime Caringal to Moscow to shed more light on Nov. 13 into their alleged failure to declare excess money when they journeyed to Russia last month.

What if Mrs. Cynthia Jarin Verzosa and Caringal — who were with the delegation to the 77th Interpol General Assembly in St. Petersburg on Oct. 7-10 — claim they do not have money for the return journey?

Since they had been caught carrying a bundle, the Russians might not swallow that line. But if they do claim they cannot afford to travel again, will Moscow be willing to foot the bill for their plane fare, lodging and incidental expenses?

Consider also the expenses for their lawyers. The duo must be assisted by counsel during the investigation that could lead to prosecution.

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RISK OF SNUB: The PNP cannot give travel funds to Caringal, 56, because he has been retired since last Wednesday. It also cannot order him, a civilian, to fly to Moscow.

In the case of Mrs. Verzosa, who is also a private citizen, no public funds may be spent for her. (No problem, we can be sure the doting husband will produce whatever the missus in distress needs.)

The point really is not whether or not Filipinos summoned to Moscow can afford to travel, but whether or not they can be legally forced to submit to an investigation halfway around the globe.

I suppose they can ask to be excused. The customs office where Caringal and Mrs. Verzosa have been ordered to appear is not even a court of justice with coercive powers, but a mere administrative body.

The problem is that if they do not show up as summoned, Russian authorities might proceed to file charges and declare them fugitives.

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SIMPLER ALTERNATIVE: Ironically, the Interpol itself — including our own PNP and National Bureau of Investigation — might then be asked to help arrest the subjects on sight and deliver them to Moscow.

Relax — It need not come to that dire scenario, really.

A better alternative, I think, is for the two Filipino subjects to offer to answer questions at the Russian embassy in Manila assisted by lawyers.

Russian investigators can either come to Manila or fax/email the questions to their embassy in Manila to be answered following appropriate procedures.

After all, it was the Russians’ fault that they did not complete their investigation while the two Filipinos were in their custody. Caringal and Mrs. Verzosa did not escape, but were cleared and allowed to leave in regular fashion.

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BISHOPS’ CALL: It is sad that some Catholic bishops issue inciting calls for a new government without offering alternatives or explaining what kind of government should be installed, how, and under whose leadership.

Without enlightened pastoral guidance, vague calls could lead to unrest and destructive activities instead of rallying the population for well-thought-out reforms.

One such call came days ago from a “Circle of Discernment” that included Jaro, Iloilo, Archbishop Angel Lagdameo, Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Oscar Cruz, Bataan Bishop Socrates Villegas, Masbate Bishop Joel Baylon and Legaspi Bishop Emeritus Jose Sorra.

It would help galvanize the masses if Lagdameo, president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, could get at least a majority of the CBCP to reinforce the call.

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CREDIBILITY: Better still, before making such a call, the good bishops may want to flesh out their alternative government framework, and nominate persons to lead the new system.

Or the bishops can link up with credible civic groups and use the CBCP’s influence to whip up mass action — reminiscent of the spiritual guidance that then Jaime Cardinal Sin provided the EDSA Revolt that toppled the Marcos dictatorship.

It is not clear if the Lagdameo-led move will require amending the Constitution. If it does, what mode of amendment or revision does he want?

Without these basic details, the bishops’ call for a change of government — like similar recent calls — will hardly make a dent on the national consciousness.

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FIREMAN’S JOB: Malacañang officials met days ago with Lagdameo and reported forging an agreement that the Palace would provide the clergy information on government projects in the dioceses.

Trying to engage the prelates, Budget Secretary Rolando Andaya said the bishops will be given a list of projects and asked which ones they want given priority.

He said he was not asking the bishops to soften their stand or withdraw their earlier statement.

“It is not our intention to soften the CBCP’s stand but to strengthen (it),” he said. “Not through persuasion but to get them as partners.”

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