Before the filing of certificates of candidacies this coming October, the Commission on Audit should have the time, the focus and the commitment to inquire into the books of accounts of municipalities, cities, provinces, and the offices of congressmen, both the regular and the sectoral representatives. There are enough indications that many if not all of their expenditures may not have strictly adhered to the stringent standards, policies and procedures of allocations, bidding, disbursements and spending, as demanded by the COA rules and as provided by the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act. There should be no excuses and no exceptions. Apply the law to all. No ifs, no buts.
The problem with this government is that its regulatory agencies are only very unforgiving in relation to opposition cities and municipalities, while the administration's minions and subalterns are turning a blind eye viz-a-viz many local government units whose heads are affiliated with the Liberal Party, and those aligned with the ruling coalition. It is high time that this administration walk their talk and stop cuddling and shielding the LP-affiliated mayors, governors, congressmen, and other officials. Those who have nothing to hide, those who have no skeletons in their closets should not be afraid of any audit. But those who have been blatantly squandering public funds should better prepare.
There should be a law that should require a COA clearance as a condition precedent prior to being accepted by the COMELEC as a bona-fide candidate. Any incumbent mayor, governor or congressmen, and even senators, vice presidents and presidents, for that matter, should be cleared by COA before being allowed to run for reelection. If the government is very strict with minor personnel in government, with more reason that the COA rules be made to apply without any exception to elective officials. Moreover, the law should be clarified in order to make it explicit that the Aguinaldo doctrine should not be made applicable to malversations of public funds.
The Aguinaldo doctrine is a big travesty of the justice system and a great monstrosity in our legal system since a politician who commits a bug crime including plunder and malversation of millions may be exonerated by the mere expedient of winning in the subsequent elections. This incongruously institutionalized mockery of justice should be totally erased and written off from our rule of law and from the procedures in the administration of justice. Under this doctrine, a congressman may steal billions from the public coffer and then erase his liability by just winning in the next elections, even if his victory is obtained by gold, goons, and guns.
All of us are aware of how some or most mayors, governors, and even barangay captains manipulate public biddings in their own turfs, and this is not just in Makati as alleged and publicly denounced. The problem with the Senate is that the eyes of Senators Trillanes and Cayetano, and Pimentel are just myopically focused only on Makati, as if the Makati alleged shenanigans are not endemic to all local government units. The Senate, with all due respect, does not look beyond Makati, as if the Makati LGU is the only one under clouds of suspicions. The truth may be shocking. Everyone's hands may all be unclean.
By the way, talking of senators, why don't they have their hundreds of consultants be also audited so that we shall come to know that, after all the posturing of self-righteousness, there are many "pots calling the kettle black." After all, what is bad for the goose should also be bad for the gander. Let the COA do their work without fear or favor. Audit all barangays, towns, cities, governors, and offices of senators, vice president, and even the president. He should lead by example and open the books of his intelligence funds and many alleged DAPs and PDAPs. He who comes to court must do so with clean hands. No ifs. No buts. And no exceptions.