You better watch out/You better not cry/You better not pout I’m telling you why….He’s making a list/And checking it twice/He’s gonna find out knows who’s naughty or nice….
This Christmas carol takes a mighty significant tone this Christmas season, rich in clichés and innuendos.
Under the 1987 Constitution, the President (we did Estrada), justices of the Supreme Court (now Chief Justice Corona), officers of constitutional bodies like the Ombusdman (we did Gutierrez), Comelec, COA, etc. can only be removed by impeachment.
What a bummer! An impeachment of a Chief Justice filed 12 days before Christmas. It all started when Cory’s only son said: “The emperor has no clothes!”
In response, the imperial magistrate said: “Sticks and stones may hurt my bones, but words can never hurt me!”
As media reports go, it is more than just sticks and stones, but they speak of blind loyalty, the woman behind the man, and propensity to enjoy the perquisites of power, a sense of infallibility, rightly or wrongly.
It seems that there has to be an inventory of those who were naughty or nice while in public service.
Good for those who were nice, the Filipino people are forever grateful, as Jesus said: “For whatsoever you do to the least of my brethren, that you do unto me.”
Those who have been naughty, one may ask: “For whom the bell tolls, it tolls for thee?”
Yes, it seems that more people in government will be facing charges for committing acts/omissions, amounting to illegality/criminality.
This Christmas will be different as there is a sense of foreboding as to the consequences of the rift between the executive and the judiciary.
However, Filipinos are patient, hopeful, and positive that democracy and its systems of check and balances will work in their favor.
This is a test of nerve — corruption is the scourge of the nation — it won’t end, until we start somewhere, wherever it exists. P-Noy is serious about making every public official accountable to the people, and this is popular with the people.
Each and every taxpayer is shouldering the salaries and wages of public servants who serve their own personal interests. What happened to the social contract theory?
Think about the fact that it was FPJ who won in 2004, and the previous administration had to stay in power, by whatever means, fair or foul.
As a consequence, these officials installed by a non-elected president are bent on carrying on her legacy.
Let’s give our legislators a chance to do their constitutional duty, for after all: “There is nothing to fear if there is nothing to hide! “
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
