Do an Al Capone!

This is the standing order that no less than President Noynoy Aquino told government prosecutors  at least those still doing their jobs  with regards to the plea bargaining case of Carlos Garcia and the plunder cases against Jacinto Ligot, his wife and brother-in-law.

The possibility of these two former comptrollers of the AFP, generals to boot, going scot-free is totally unacceptable, not after all the evidence gathered against them. In fact, even the government prosecutors initially assigned to the case are being recommended for dismissal for “betrayal of public trust” in their handling of the cases! Heads must roll. And to do it, we go by what they did to Al Capone, about 80 years ago: Tax evasion!

Indeed, Garcia may have very well gotten away with millions, judging by his willingness to return about 130 million pesos in cash and properties had the plea bargain pushed through. Why the prosecutors would agree to this is beyond anyone. Garcia’s smug face and absence of any sign of remorse only reveals he has a very comfortable future waiting for him and his family, had he been able to leave the country for good! If the plea bargain was not highlighted by media and covered extensively, he would have joined his criminal family in the US!

To quote a movie line where lawyers were also involved, it’s not sexy but its got teeth! Tax evasion may not be plunder, but it is a way to a means. Government though still has a long way to go before finally putting these generals where they belong. At least it will happen within an administration that has vowed to go after all those who have erred. And it will happen with the ouster of the current Ombudsman, Merceditas Gutierrez. Indeed, she is proving to be one hell of a Gaddafi, by the way she is hanging on to power! So many have advised her to just resign, but she remains defiant much like the embattled Libyan strongman!

Capone was finally put behind bars after more than a decade of crime. These two general’s combined stints as comptrollers may very well sum up to a decade. It is just fitting that they also go by the way of Capone, who was jailed for the rest of his life. Hopefully, their criminal family members as well!