Politics and change EDITORIAL 06/16/2010

Politics and change

EDITORIAL Click to enlarge 06/16/2010 Change is a siren song, tempting, it is true, although in heeding it, danger lies ahead, so the legend goes. At this point, the victors, President-elect Noynoy Aquino and his yellows, along with the Liberal Party (LP) members, continue singing the siren song of change, which is good, if they can really effect changes in government and governance. But can they, given the length of time they will be in power and position? They certainly are trying to make that move, with senator-allies of Aquino calling for the resignation of the incumbent Ombudsman, Merceditas Gutierrez, for Aquino’s anti-corruption drive to succeed. They said that Gutierrez, said to be sitting on graft cases against Gloria Arroyo and her aides, has failed to live up to public expectations. Quite frankly, if such would be the justifiable reason for one to resign, then perhaps 80 to 90 percent of our officials — whether in the executive branch, legislative branch or the judicial branch of government should be called upon to resign, as most of them have hardly lived up to the public’s expectations. Said Sen. Francis Pangilinan: “Given her (Ombudsman) track record of absolving suspected grafters left and right, especially those from the present administration, maybe she should not just tender a courtesy resignation but an outright resignation.” Said Sen. Frank Drilon: “The common perception is that the Ombudsman is too protective of the Arroyo administration,” and this would stymie the efforts of new administration’s drive against corruption.... MORE     Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20100616com1.html

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