UP Ibalon Bicol: Presidential candidates accused of plunder and corruption

Presidential candidates accused of plunder and corruption

11/10/2009 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post

The circuitous trial and conviction of plunder and corruption of ex-pres. Joseph Estrada came to an abrupt end. The transcript of his trial was foul and sickening to read. He was hastily pardoned by his fellow politician Pres. Gloria M. Arroyo soon after his conviction. Arroyo used her executive power to give away clemency. Her decision jibed well with her striking corrupt reputation.

Though one of the stipulations in Arroyo's pardon was for him not to come back to politics---i.e. not run in the 2010 presidential election, Estrada was confident to defy the prohibition. The ex-president from San Juan, Metromanila got a sizeable backing in the old political machinery. Kicked out of Malacanang Palace, it didn’t matter if he was a convict and notorious womanizer who got away from serving jailtime. He wanted to the president again.

In next year's the presidential race, Estrada will face Hermogenes Ebdane, Jr, the former public works secretary who along with members of the Road Board are facing criminal charges of alleged misuse of P56.5 billion road user’s tax. Like Estrada, the former officer of the Philippine National Police (PNP,) is accused of plunder and graft.

Ebdane's corruption charges stem from the collection of the road user’s tax which is part of the vehicle’s annual registration fee. Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago wants the road user’s tax, in the tune of billions of pesos deposited in the National Treasury and included in the National Budget. She asks Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez, another controversial figure (criticized for failures to quickly investigate the corrupt contractor rigging of bids in highway projects) to probe Ebnane.

In Santiago’s recommendations, she wanted the former military officer to account for his money dealings as a public works and highway secretary and road board chairman. Doesn't this sound familiar? Cynical and disappointed Filipinos think the outcome of this investigation will end up empty. Like in the past, almost no one will be made accountable (even if the money loss in government is obviously staggering.)

“With Santiago's charge, speculations are rife that Ebdane, who proclaimed his bid for the presidency yesterday, is just making a mockery of justice. Ebdane, who resigned as DPWH secretary might have proclaimed the bid to skirt the corruption issue and prevent it from infecting the entire Arroyo administration. Others say that Ebdane should be prevented from running in the elections since it is now highly suspicious how he got the money to spend for his electoral bid. Many believe that Ebdane is now using those anomalous billions he got from the Road User's Tax and diverted it to fund his election machinery. Remember that election funds are still unaccountable.”---http://newphirevolution.blogspot.com (11/10/09, Mangubat, P.)

Though the 60-year old Ebnane who is a Philippine Military Academy (PMA) graduate has not yet been tried, Filipinos rather have presidential candidates who do not have dubious integrity. The greed and insincerity of many influential government officers are legendary.

For many years, there are those who live discordant lives without regard of public opinion. They exploit the system to advance their personal ambition, warped morality, the power and money they want to exploit. (Photo Credit: Clipart.com) =0=

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Labels: Department of Public Works and Highway (DPWH), election, Erap, graft and corruption, greed, Hermogenes Ebdane, Philippine Military Academy, Pres. Joseph Estrada, Totie Mesia

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Presidential candidates accused of plunder and corruption

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