PRESIDENT Benigno Aquino III on Monday, Sept. 22 challenged his administration’s critics to file charges against his allies if they really believe that these officials have been corrupt.
“The Ombudsman in particular is ready to investigate complaints, even those coming from anonymous individuals,” said Aquino in response to a question from a Harvard student about alleged dishonest Cabinet secretaries and public officials working for him.
During his 12-day trip to Europe and the United States, Pres. Aquino bragged about his administration’s achievements in the four years that he has been President. His allies, who have been involved in recent controversies, however, hamper these achievements and taint the government’s image.
Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Alan Purisima, has been on the headlines because of the alleged overpriced renovation of his “White House” inside the Camp Crame and gentrification of mansion in San Leonardo, Nueva Ecija. He is also facing a P100 million plunder charge over his involvement in a license delivery deal.
Social Welfare and Development Secretary Corazon “Dinky” Soliman is recently under attack after the Commission on Audit (COA) revealed that a P5.6 billion budget intended for the Conditional Cash Transfer program remains unaccounted for. Furthermore, COA reported that P2.7 million worth of food packs intended for Typhoon “Yolanda” survivors perished due to the department’s “mishandling.”
Blamed for the Metro Rail Transit 3 (MRT 3) mishap, Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) Sec. Joseph Emilio Abaya was put into the spotlight. MRT 3 train overshot its tracks at Taft Avenue station last August, injuring 38 passengers. Despite the public’s call for Abaya’s ousting, the Palace maintained its trust in Abaya.
Another cabinet member, Agriculture Sec. Proceso Alcala, faces a P1.07 billion plunder charges. Allegations brought upon the Sanlakas party-list claim that Alcala, together with National Agribusiness Corporation (Nabcor) President Honesto Banigued, is said to have bagged P11.4 billion in unaccounted Nabcor funds. The Palace, however says that Alcala “still enjoys the President’s full trust and confidence.”
The most controversial of them all: Budget Sec. Florencio “Butch” Abad was accused to be the brains behind the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP) of the Aquino administration, which in July, the Supreme Court ruled some parts as unconstitutional. Detractors alleged the government for using funds for the Aquino’s administrations’ political gains. Abad attempted to resign but the President did not accept it, insisting that he did not do anything wrong.
They are not only the administration allies to be under fire. Other legislators, known to be friends with Aquino, have been dragged into malicious allegations recently.
The Aquino administration has been acting promptly on the plunder charges to the politicians in the opposition bloc, but what about the allies of the President? If the current leadership is genuine in its intent of “total reform,” then it should start retaliating on the anomalies of Aquino’s allies as well. Sacrifices should be made in order to attain reform.
(AJPress)
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