A trivial offense, another lapse
Inquirer News Service
IN ONE of his recent columns, Neal Cruz stated: "The fact alone that a candidate (Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo) entertained officials of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) at her home before an election is already a violation of our laws and rules of ethical conduct. No amount of media blitz or evasive answers can change those facts. She willfully violated our laws and that makes her unfit to be the leader of our nation."
Such comments have become laughable. The President remains in power despite the "Hello Garci" scandal. What makes Cruz think that this "minor" violation of the law has any bearing at all? Compared to the "Hello Garci" scandal, the dinner with Comelec officials is nothing but another trivial incident. Even if Ms Arroyo admits that she invited the whole Comelec and gave its staff "envelopes," those acts can be excused as just another social gathering and as another lapse in judgment.
Her willful violations of the law have become a common, everyday thing. She is still in power and will stay in power for as long as she likes, because in her eyes the Filipino people don't care anymore. I am sure she has even become bolder now, as can be discerned in her speeches. She and her family will keep on looting the country because the Filipinos have become uncaring victims ready to let an erring President get whatever she wants.
MARK LEE (via e-mail)
