Stop coddling KKKs, Estrada advises Noy

Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada advised President Aquino to act decisively and avoid giving his allies caught dipping their fingers into irregularities a kid gloves treatment to get through a hail of criticisms over the “KKK” or his favored Kaibigan (crony), Kaklase (classmates) and Kabarilan (target range shooting buddies).

“If there are erring officials in his administration, they should be placed under investigation. Afford them due process and if they’re found to be liable or found to be the culprits, they should be made to suffer the consequences,” the senator said.

“They should be made to face the music, not coddled,” Estrada added.

The Senate leader made the remarks in the light of a series of criticisms thrown at Malacañang, particularly at the Chief Executive due to the relentless allegations of favoring his close allies and associates.

The latest criticism came from Butuan Bishop Juan de Dios Pueblos who called on Aquino to save the country by

rebuking the tirades made by the bishop.

“He’s the least credible person to make such criticisms. He’s a known ally of Arroyo and that lessens his credibility,” he said.

“My advice to him, please do not meddle in government affairs. Lest he had already forgotten, there (is a principle) of the separation of the State and Church in our (1987) Constitution,” he said in berating the religious leader.

Sen. Franklin Drilon, a party mate of Aquino in the Liberal Party (LP), was the first to raise a howl over the bishop’s resignation call.

Those who conveniently kept their mouth shut when the Filipino people expressed their outrage against the massive corruption under the Arroyo administration are the least credible persons to make the same accusations against the President, Drilon said.

Estrada also urged Malacanang to act with haste on pending cases of corruption such as those now confronting the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

Two more military officials had been added to the plunder charges filed by former AFP budget officer, Col. (ret.) George Rabusa last Thursday before the Department of Justice.

In his amended complaint-affidavit, Rabusa included the current chief of the Northern Luzon Command Lt. Gen. Gaudencio Pangilinan and Maj. Gen. Ernesto Boac along with state auditors Manuel Warren, Arturo Besana and Crisanto Gabriel.

The five add up to the growing list of persons in plunder case Rabusa made nearly two months ago. The current number is at 17.

Rabusa came out as Estrada’s surprise witness during the height of the Senate investigation on the plea bargaining agreement issue concerning former AFP comptroller Maj. Gen. Carlos Garcia, who had been charged of amassing ill-gotten wealth.

“I’m calling on Justice Sec. Leila de Lima. She should dispose of the plunder case against the generals such as those against (former AFP comptrollers Lt. Gen. Jacinto) Ligot and Garcia and all other cases of corruption in the AFP.

“I’m sure it will all end up with the Office of the Ombudsman anyway,” he said.

Pangilinan, the senator divulged, is reportedly being eyed as the next Bureau of Customs (BoC) chief based on the information reaching him.

Estrada, for the first time, revealed that long before Rabusa testified before the Senate blue ribbon committee, he notified De Lima of the nature of the statements that the former subordinate of Ligot and Garcia, even telling her that the latter is willing to spill the beans, so to speak.

“I even called the President (before Rabusa came out). So the ball now is in the hands of the DOJ,” he said.

“First off, if he did not go out in the open, all these charges of irregularities in the military – conversion of funds etc. – would continue to this day and while there were reforms made, they can’t guarantee that they would not be juggling the (AFP’s) funds,” he said.

Estrada emphasized that his statements should not be misconstrued as criticisms to the administration, being considered a political ally, he’s entitled to make unsolicited advice, if only to call the attention of the Executive to act on some pressing matters.

resigning, since he is “not worthy” to lead the country and that groups are seriously “preparing” for his ouster.

“He (Aquino) does not plan, does not study, does not make his own decisions, and just lets his friends make the decisions for him. Poor Philippines. The job is not for him. The earlier he will be out of his post, the better for the Philippines. He is not really worthy to be a President,” Pueblos was quoted as saying during an interview over Church-run radio station Veritas, accusing him of cronyism.

Pueblos also stated that he knows of a group that is already plotting to seriously unseat Aquino because of his being unworthy of the presidency and his cronyism.

While Estrada expressed concern over issues of corruption, irregularities and ineptness of some of Aquino’s officials, he, however, came to the defense of the President. –Angie M. Rosales, Daily Tribune