EDITORIAL - No room for bungling

Prosecutors are reviewing the fertilizer scam for the possible inclusion of other respondents in the graft complaint. Other deals believed tainted with corruption are also being reviewed. The Office of the Ombudsman is set to look into reports of misuse of Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office funds during the previous administration, with the fund diversions approved by then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo herself, according to former PCSO general manager Rosario Uriarte.

A hold-departure order has been issued for Uriarte, while the Bureau of Internal Revenue has started running after former PCSO public relations manager Manuel Garcia for P18.91 million in unpaid taxes. The Senate Blue Ribbon committee is also set to look into PCSO vehicle donations to several Catholic bishops.

The campaign against corruption appears to be in full swing. Inevitably, the biggest cases are pointing to the involvement of former top officials led by Arroyo, whose imprimatur was needed for the questionable deals to push through.

Those tasked to go after the corrupt should prepare for a tough legal battle ahead. The amounts involved, such as in the PCSO intelligence funds, warrant indictments for plunder, which will not allow defendants to post bail, and which can send those convicted to prison for life. No one embraces that fate willingly; anyone accused of involvement in corrupt deals can be expected to put up a strong defense.

These battles will not be fought in the court of public opinion, where the judges are quick to condemn, but in a court of law, where evidence must prove guilt beyond reasonable doubt. This is not the Senate session hall, where lawmakers shielded by congressional privilege can slander people based merely on rumors and defective evidence.

Good government can take root if allegations of wrongdoing are backed by evidence and sufficient proof is presented to establish guilt. The resignation of an ombudsman who was perceived to be a major hindrance to the Aquino administration’s anti-corruption campaign leaves prosecutors with no more major excuse to lose corruption cases. There is no room here for bungling and sloppy work. Serious accusations have been hurled, and the accusers should be prepared to prove their case. Failure to do so opens the administration to accusations of vindictiveness and conducting a witch-hunt.