‘Run from’ to ‘run for’

Actor Robert Blake a.k.a Baretta often said “Don’t do the crime if you can’t do the time.” Back then the assumption was that if you get caught you go to jail. But in the Philippines, all that crime and punishment stereotype has evolved into something very different. Politicians and businessmen realized that in order not to do the time, the best strategy was to be a criminal Forrest Gump by running or skipping town, leaving the country and avoiding arrest. Back in the ’70s and ’80s, very few countries had extradition treaties with the Philippines so it was all quite do-able. Even political enemies or targets skipped town and much of that happened during the Marcos dictatorship and Cory Aquino’s rise to power.

After President Cory Aquino stepped down, many “criminals,” “wanted individuals” and businessmen who ran off with investors’ money during the Marcos era turned to negotiated surrenders or return of ill-gotten wealth. No one made a fuss about it, expecting that the government would be getting back all the stolen wealth. Unfortunately, getting back all the ill-gotten gains remains unfinished, while some people turned into the fox guarding the hen house as they used their position to get contracts and commissions related to the pursuit.

From there people who were accused or indicted or scheduled to be arrested changed tactics by going down south under the protection of rebels, warlords or politicians with guns, goons and gold. A senator and an election commissioner reportedly did that. The southern backdoor has been used by many individuals as an escape route, but as extradition treaties started to gain ground and the southern rebels turned into kidnappers, many politicians and criminals resorted to “hospital arrest,” “house arrest” and “negotiated” detentions with privileges, especially for those belonging to big political families or parties. Even the very charges against them became subject to negotiation and some managed to be released even before they were judged because of “humanitarian considerations.” Many individuals who were dragged to court and jailed during the PNoy Aquino administration have largely gone scot-free, not because of the brilliance of their defense lawyers but the skills of their “Abogados de Areglo.”

In the last decade or so, the strategy seems to have gone from “Running From the long arm of the law” to “Running For public office.” One popular strategy among politicians and administrations is to “stack the cards” or fill up key government offices as well as congressional and senatorial slots with individuals loyal, supportive and protective of a partymate or political leader or president. Setting up this “rear guard” is meant to block or protect someone from being investigated, charged and ultimately prevent arrest. Whether it’s a judge, justice, ombudsman, congressman or senator, the reality is that rear guards have existed for many years and because of their inherent powers and duties, it has been difficult for ordinary citizens and the media to go after both criminals and corrupt politicians. By June 2022, things will probably get worse as the current administration, which will surely be hounded by investigators and accusers, is planning to get control of the Senate in the same manner that it already controls the House of Representatives.

If that is not enough, we now hear and read of the media spin and tactics of the Duterte administration where the current President has decided to run for vice president, while his daughter is being pushed forward and being convinced to run for president. While many critics call all of this as greed for position and power, others believe that the fear of future prosecutions is so evident that the architects of the “Run For Office” strategy no longer bother to hide or mask their goal and intent of using elective positions to protect them from future accountability.

Whatever their real intention may be, those who are guilty of a crime need to remind themselves that the Philippines has had a decent number of high ranking public officials who’ve gone to jail or been detained: presidents, senators, generals, mayors, while many other elected and appointed officials have been subjected to public exposure and humiliation. The wheels of justice may grind exceedingly slow but it rolls or turns forward. We have extradition treaties, we have the Anti Money Laundering Council. There is now a BSP-endorsed bill to lift the Bank Secrecy law, we have an Anti-Plunder law. To his credit President Duterte set-up the 888 complaint number, while the DTI set up the Anti Red Tape Authority which hopefully will continue beyond Duterte’s administration.

Recently many Filipinos realized the valuable role of the Commission on Audit or COA after it posted their findings on the different government agencies and how they mismanaged funds and accounting processes. All we have to do is to look at our neighbors in the region and see what is in store. South Korea used to hit the headlines for prosecuting national leaders and religious leaders in spite of their clout and popularity. The Koreans simply got fed up with so much corruption that they let their voices be heard and did not stop until the status quo and the system were forced to change. Nowadays, what we read about is how government and public groups have gone after rich and powerful businessmen who’ve corrupted or bribed government officials. It does not matter how big a conglomerate you are, public opinion will take you down.

As the Bible reminds us there is nothing hidden that will not be revealed and everything will be in God’s perfect time. Say a daily prayer for our country and politicians, that God Almighty would raise godly leaders for the Philippines. Bless you all!

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