Let the cards fall where they may

I’m glad that despite many ups and downs, and many questionable moments, democracy is still alive and well in our country. Despite the protestations of the many pessimists who are not in favor of the recent findings of the PNP Board of Inquiry (BOI) on the Mamasapano clash, I feel that the board did its job in the best way possible despite the many hindrances and limitations they faced.

There are the naysayers who feel that Malacanang first vetted the report before the board released to the press and public, but I don’t agree with that. Just because the BOI requested for a few more days to complete the report doesn’t mean that they passed it through the Palace to get clearance. That’s just conspiracy theory hogwash and again, I feel that the fact-finding board did an excellent job.

Despite the many limitations they faced, including not having access to interview all persons involved, the BOI did it’s best to go over the evidence and gather all the facts from an unbiased perspective. I have to join in on those that laud the clarity of vision that went into the fact-finding mission. After all, the BOI always made sure to remain transparent throughout the process and even conducted press briefings while the investigation was ongoing. They also welcomed public participation in their inspections and were very forthcoming about what they lacked throughout the process.

Let’s face it; there will obviously always be objections to the findings – on all sides. It’s a very delicate situation and with so many people involved and so much on the line, it’s only natural that so many people want to be involved. The most important thing is to present all the facts and be as truthful as possible. After all, the BOI findings team – lead by Police Director Benjamin Magalong – did reveal some controversial conclusions including stating unequivocally stating that “the President allowed the participation of suspended Chief Philippine National Police Director General Alan Purisima despite the suspension of the Ombudsman” – a fact that the President and his spokesman are still debating.

I think that even at the beginning of the process the BOI knew it would be butting heads with the powerful players involved, but the most important thing it had to do was get to the bottom of everything to find the truth. After all, at the end of the day, the truth is all that matters. I think that they did just that. I commend Police Director Magalong who is showing true fortitude by standing by their findings even in the face of pressure from all sides. Even former PNP chief and senator Panfilo Lacson expressed his support for the findings and said the team has come up with a credible report despite pressure from higher ups.

Now the question remains – since the findings have been collated and released, and the facts have been presented, what comes next? I truly hope that it doesn’t end here. Getting to the bottom of things is just step one in the process. Making sure that whoever is responsible is held accountable and that it never happens again is the next important step.

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Amidst the continuing bad news about the Fallen 44 and the corruption cases that are hounding our current government, there was a spot of good news that came out as well. This was the business report that our foreign direct investment soared 66 percent to a record $6.2 billion in 2014 from $3.7 billion the previous year. And I feel this will continue to climb in the months and years ahead.

With China clamping down harder on Macau, the Philippines is fast becoming the gaming destination in Southeast Asia and a favorite spot of high-rollers all over the continent and neighboring continents as well. Indeed, Manila has become a very attractive tourist destination, especially with great gaming destinations and the rising Entertainment City in Manila.

I truly hope this increase in foreign investments will help boost our economy and more importantly provide more jobs at home for our countrymen. Like I mentioned in my previous piece, I think that what Indonesian President Joko Widodo is doing by trying to bring his countrymen home is very admirable and I hope we can follow suit. I think so many Filipinos would be so happy if they could have the chance to come home and still earn enough to support their families.