No compromise with Criminals

The pronouncement of the incoming President that he will not compromise with criminals may now have sunk into the minds of all.

oOo

No one would argue that in Davao where he was Mayor for over two decades, his recent statement was untrue.

oOo

The incoming President was a former Prosecutor before he became Mayor.

oOo

As a prosecutor, he had developed the instinct of knowing when the accused is innocent and when he is guilty. He files cases in court against those whose evidence is strong enough to establish probable cause. But he also knows when a case is dismissed at his desk due to lack of evidence whether the accused is guilty or not.

oOo

Thus when he said he will not compromise with criminals, he meant business. He also made it clear that he does not care who is involved.

oOo

But he also has a heart. He knows when the accused is probably guilty or is just politically persecuted. It explains why he reportedly offered to grant pardon to former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

oOo

The press was quick to report that GMA did not accept the incoming President’s offer. It must have overlooked the fact that for GMA to accept pardon at the moment is premature. First, the President has not assumed office; second, GMA has not been convicted; and third, pardon can be granted only to one who has been convicted of a crime.

oOo

The President may order the reinvestigation of cases pending in the Department of Justice which is under the Executive Branch of government, but certainly, he would not interfere with cases already pending in court for the latter is under the administrative supervision of the Supreme Court, a co-equal branch of government.

oOo

Overall, it is wishful thinking that some persons detained for being accused of crimes will be helped by the Incoming President to get out of jail by reason of friendship, kindred or whatsoever. FEDJr