It seems that the “Daang Matuwid” backbone program of Pres. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III had just struck an iceberg and the reputation of his administration is sinking fast simply because everyone already knows that when it comes to his KKK, Kaklase, Kabarilan and Kaibigan, P-Noy will defend those guys all the way.
The unexpected iceberg that struck the Aquino regime is an out-of-the-country corporate rift between the co-owners of the Wynn Resorts, Ltd Mr. Steve Wynn and Mr. Kazuo Okada that made headline news in many US newspapers. In that Wynn Board meeting, Mr. Wynn accused his pal, Mr. Okada of making improper payments to gambling regulators in the Philippines. Given the fact that the gaming industry breeds on money, which is the root of all evil, I’m not surprised that this accusation was thrown at the Philippines. After all, corruption is endemic in our government agencies regardless of what P-Noy says about his “Daang Matuwid.”
The US news report on this case got an instant denial from Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) Chairman Cristino Naguiat Jr. who said that his name was being dragged into this boardroom rift between the two gaming magnates and even dared to say that these accusations was “politically motivated.” Politically motivated? Who made that accusation against him, surely it’s not former Pres. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. Come now, this never even happened during her reign. No sir, there’s no politics on this one… but greed, greed and more greed! I thought that JDV already suggested for all to “temper their greed?” No one listened to JDV.
Even without any formal or official investigation, the Palace Rasputins went into high gear clearing the name of Mr. Naguiat Jr., saying that the accusations of getting a room plus, plus is “Industry Standard practice.” Shades of Political Adviser Ronald Llamas? I don’t think that Mr. Steve Wynn would make such a public and a very damaging statement against his very close friend unless something was indeed cooking in the Philippines?
Clearly Malacañang is in the damage control mode where even his local radio barkers are so busy defending the Pagcor Chairman and clearing him of any wrongdoing. What I would have expected from P-Noy, if he were truly sincere in his anti-corruption campaign, is for him to create an independent investigative group to look into this case, more so that it depicts the Philippines in a very bad light… that after all, despite our electing into office political leaders avowed to eradicate corruption, they have not made a dent in their anti-corruption campaign.
Sensing perhaps that this case is causing international problems, suddenly, P-Noy created a committee that would conduct an investigation headed by Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa, purportedly “to give the Pagcor Chief a fair trial” so he can answer all the allegations thrown at him so he can defend himself. Now wasn’t that a quick turnaround? But should we praise P-Noy for changing his mind in defending his pal?
Not so fast! Why should P-Noy’s loyal lapdog Sec. Ochoa head this investigative body? Like what we suggested, shouldn’t the President create a more independent body composed of people from the judiciary, civil society or the Church? Why Ochoa? So this investigative body can turn into a whitewash commission? Surely, P-Noy is smart enough to know that his critics will pounce on whatever findings Mr. Ochoa would reveal to the public. This is not a damn if you do, damn if you don’t case.
What we are seeing here is the Aquino regime’s double standard of justice. From the President’s own words, his standard for Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona is “Show that you have nothing to hide, open up your dollar accounts.” But for Mr. Naguiat Jr. “He is considered innocent until proven guilty.”
These Presidential statements are poles apart and is our clear proof that Mr. Aquino has a double standard of justice… for his friends they are innocent until proven guilty, for his enemies, they are guilty already unless they prove their innocence. How can P-Noy claim that his fight against CJ Corona is to fix our justice system when he himself is showing the nation that he has a double standard of justice?
What’s wrong with the President, he cannot even exercise simple basic logic? Allow me to quote a very relevant Bible passage from Matthew 13:12 “To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given, and they will have an abundance of knowledge. But for those who are not listening, even what little understanding they have will be taken away from them.” Today, the INC will hold a huge rally against the P-Noy regime; I suggest that he turn back to God now because he is losing even his little understanding.
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For e-mail responses to this article, write to vsbobita@mo-pzcom.comor vsbobita@gmail.com. His columns can be accessed through http://www.philstar.com.