Let it go!, was the sweet refrain, repeatedly uttered by Senator Miriam Santiago, lyrics from an Academy winning song, of the same title. Former TRC head Dennis “Decu” Cunanan was in the hot seat during the PDAF hearings, in the Senate. He affirmed and verified that he indeed talked to the senators who were the ones who assigned their respective PDAFs to the Napoles —fake NGO’s, which turned out to be the infamous funnel for millions of public funds.
It is important to understand that “all persons who can perceive, and perceiving, can make known their perception to others, may be witnesses x x x”( Sec.20, Rule130 ROC);
Decu is capable of “perceive and perceiving”, he can attest to the veracity of the voice of the person who was at the other end of the telephone line. The five senses are the means for perception: hearing, smell, sight, touch and taste. This is the reason why even a blind person by touching, can testify in court, or a deaf person who can use the sign language communicate what he saw. The witness can testify as to who he was talking to on the phone, because each person has his own voice patter or tone of language. Senator Revilla and Senator Estrada are movie stars, television personalities, whose voices are recognizable by the public. Can you recognize their voices? Probably, even the masses can do that. Senator Enrile, is a public figure who for the longest time, made speeches around the country, in person or on television. Surely, no one can mistake the voice of the grand old man, Senate Minority Leader.
Does it matter that he spent at least 14 years as an undergraduate? No. Does it matter that he was apparently kicked out of UP?No. Does it matter that he was still an undergrad when he was appointed to CHED? No. Does it matter that he that he lives in 40 Million house belonging to his brother? Does it matter that the some statements of Luy and Cunanan are inconsistent ? No, because inconsistencies in witnesses statements are indicia of truth telling as to what they perceive. Because each person have their own versions of the story, and it will be evaluated by the judge accordingly, if this information is crucial or not. This is because “interest in the outcome of the case, shall not be a ground of disqualification.” (par.2 ,Sec. 20 Rule 130, ROC);
What matters is that he should “Let it go!”, and tell the whole truth, nothing but the truth. This is what Decu has to deliver, if he wants to qualify as a State witness, entitled to the full privileges provided by law. Who will determine and rule if he is qualified to be admitted to the Witness Protection Program (WPP)? It is the Ombudsman, at the preliminary stage and the Sandiganbayan, if it is already filed in court. There is no timeline as when it will be ruled upon. It will depend on the information given by a witness is crucial for establishing the government’s case against the PDAF scammers. The sad thing is that all these people charged in the PDAF scam includes high government officials who betrayed the people’s trust and are obstinately unwilling to “Let it go”, and return the money to the public coffers.
Maluoy unta mo sa madlang people!
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Author’s email: whelmayap@yahoo.com
