Hole of Justice: A Messy Police Conduct

Hole of Justice: A Messy Police Conduct: Hole of Justice By Peter G. Jimenea A Messy Police Conduct   The PNP indeed is between the people and crime. This is the rea...

Hole of Justice: A Messy Police Conduct

Hole of Justice: A Messy Police Conduct: Hole of Justice By Peter G. Jimenea A Messy Police Conduct   The PNP indeed is between the people and crime. This is the rea...

Hole of Justice: A Messy Police Conduct

Hole of Justice: A Messy Police Conduct: Hole of Justice By Peter G. Jimenea A Messy Police Conduct   The PNP indeed is between the people and crime. This is the rea...

Hole of Justice: A Messy Police Conduct

Hole of Justice: A Messy Police Conduct: Hole of Justice By Peter G. Jimenea A Messy Police Conduct   The PNP indeed is between the people and crime. This is the rea...

Hole of Justice: A Messy Police Conduct

Hole of Justice: A Messy Police Conduct: Hole of Justice By Peter G. Jimenea A Messy Police Conduct   The PNP indeed is between the people and crime. This is the rea...

Hole of Justice: A Messy Police Conduct

Hole of Justice: A Messy Police Conduct: Hole of Justice By Peter G. Jimenea A Messy Police Conduct   The PNP indeed is between the people and crime. This is the rea...

Hole of Justice: Hole of Justice: A Covert Operatio

Hole of Justice: Hole of Justice: A Covert Operatio: Hole of Justice: A Covert Operatio : Hole of Justice By Peter G. Jimenea A Covert Operation The May 13, 2013 election is only few...

A Messy Police Conduct

Hole of Justice

By Peter G. Jimenea

A Messy Police Conduct

 

The PNP indeed is between the people and crime. This is the reason why we support the programs of the Police Regional Office 6 (PRO6). RD C/Supt. Agrimero Cruz should know that our TV program Kape kag Isyu can prove this claim.

 

But what happened last week at the PNP Check Point in La Paz District is what got this writer so irked about. Most likely than not, few police officers manning the checkpoint have stepped over-the-line of pardonable behaviour.

 

The idea of putting up checkpoints in different areas of the city is good for peace-loving citizens. This will prevent if not intimidate the bad elements of society especially hired-killers riding in tandem on motorcycles to carry out their evil plan.

 

It is also to curb the proliferation of unlicensed firearms and other deadly weapons. But deliberate or not, few policemen failed to uphold the Plain View Doctrine the law advised them to observe while conducting a checkpoint.

 

The televised incident of arrest conducted by the policemen against a man allegedly having dried marijuana leaves in his motorcycle at Puerto Real in La Paz District is a bad joke with consequences.

 

As shown in television, it is very clear that after a policeman inspected the driver’s license and other documents of the man stopped at checkpoint, a pack of dried marijuana leaves was reportedly seen partly hidden in the motorcycle.

 

For a PNP checkpoint having video coverage during operation seems an extra ordinary case. But would it suffice to pin down the man when the Plain View Doctrine was superseded by the conduct of search which should not be the case?

 

The clear site of scrutinizing the driver’s license and inspection of the motorcycle engine and chassis numbers by the police is already a conduct of a search without the valid search warrant issued by the Court.

 

This is not what we think police business at checkpoints is all about. But police power can be misused, over-used or abused. Well, the officer-in-charge has a lot of explaining to do as this is a shame to the uniform they are so proud of.

 

Except for the few honest officers, whatever motive they have to pin down the man, they should know that it violates human rights. We have heard cases similar to this before being done by some police officers in exchange for … you know what!

 

Sometimes we are treated by reports of a Miranda Doctrine in Reverse – “guilty until proven innocent!” This is why the Bill of Rights in ARTICLE III of the Constitution occupies a position of primacy to the fundamental law way above the articles on government powers.

 

One more thing: The Court values liberty and will always insist on the observance of basic Constitutional rights as a condition sine qua non against the awesome investigative and prosecutory powers of the government.

 

The recent incident should not be taken for granted. A weak case creates an impression without affirming the perception of harassment. Police powers should be a sound one and to be exercised in accordance with the tenets of justice and fair play.

 

People in the PNP institution must lead by example. Before you can make a man do as you say, make him first believe in what you say. The discretion should not be abused because in every police action, there is a concomitant obligation.

 

Hole of Justice: A Covert Operatio

Hole of Justice: A Covert Operatio: Hole of Justice By Peter G. Jimenea A Covert Operation The May 13, 2013 election is only few days away. But it is not the issue...

A Covert Operatio

Hole of Justice

By Peter G. Jimenea

A Covert Operation

The May 13, 2013 election is only few days away. But it is not the issue that got us so excited bout.  This early we have already noticed some party leaders who overly professed what they covertly undertake.

 

Sad to say, but the ones who get screwed in the end are the trusting candidates, the poor victims as usual. As campaign leader of the party, it carries a simulated thrill of staying as gap between the theoretical and practical. Thus, nobody can openly campaign for any party candidate unless coursed through this leader, or you get screwed too.

 

Nobody noticed that while they are all busy rowing the boat, this leader is also creating a hole for the boat to sink. Perhaps, only  God’s intervention can bring the survivors to the river bank safely. Good for this traitor who has another boat in standby just in case.

 

The difference between principle and preference is rarely understood much less explained in clear understandable language. But that adherent principle to push upward all the top-three candidates of their party was distorted by the insertion of preference. It is really true, honors change manners.

 

As observed, the betrayal has created doubts and suspicion among supporters of the party and thus, encouraging dissention. Reports continue coming in that this group are campaigning GOMA - Gonzalez for congressman and Mabilog for mayor. Well, I have yet to hear one for the Trenas-Ynion tandem.

 

There are about thirty people working for a partylist that confirmed this report. They even asked how did this happen that an entrusted leader of the party has another preference instead of campaigning straight for its top 3 candidates. Yet, despite the dark smoke, the culprit claims there is no fire.

 

It is really true, the greatest security risk of an organization is not from outside force but from within. No government has been toppled by the rebels without the help of its own military force. I know Juan Ponce Enrile and Gringo Honasan subscribe to this!

Integrity is one’s own thoughts that strictly adhere to the moral standards and behavioural conduct of man. But based on the findings, it creates an impression without affirming the perception that what is somewhat missing in the empty life of this campaign leader is to die with dignity!

 

I hate this political strategy. Unfortunately, it is a part of the game. There’s no truth to what they say that all is fair in love and in war. By, watching the show, I felt being pushed harder to the wall. They forgot that I can give them the taste of what it takes if the push comes to shove.

 

The way I look at these people, they are Capone of theit times. They should know that riding in two-boats is not always good. Besides, it is only for them and their colluding troops that what they did is good. This is not what I think an honest campaign leader’s business is all about.

 

Remember, he who offends when drunk shall be punished when sober and God protects him who is good. The time is not yet too late for you sinners to repent. Yes, late repentance is seldom true but true repentance is never too late and by doing so, as to contrition for what you did, apology shall be accepted!

 

As I repeatedly said, politics is dirty and contagious. Most often, it transfigures the underworld business of the wise and clever. I don’t know where you belong yet, but I hope to have made your day in this column. You ask for it. Unlike me who asks others to make my day!

Hole of Justice: A Heavy Cross for Boboy

Hole of Justice: A Heavy Cross for Boboy: Hole of Justice By Peter G. Jimenea A Heavy Cross for Boboy The Commission on Audit (COA) has put additional weight to the heav...

A Heavy Cross for Boboy

Hole of Justice

By Peter G. Jimenea

A Heavy Cross for Boboy

The Commission on Audit (COA) has put additional weight to the heavy cross that Cong. Augusto “Boboy” Syjuco is already carrying over his shoulder. This can put a lowly government employee in the brink of insanity if he is placed in Boboy’s shoes.

 

In a Consolidated Resolution signed on March 08, 2013, Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales found probable cause to indict Syjuco and some officers of the Technical Education Skills Development Authority (TESDA) for irregularities in the disbursement of public funds re: Ladderized Education Program of TESDA (LEPTES).

 

COA discovered that the training equipment and testing tools delivered by V.G. Roxas Co. under the LEPTES program particularly LEPTES-02, LEPTES-03 and the Nordic Development Fund (NDFTES), were of low quality and overpriced. Thus, a Violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act or RA 3019.

 

This is injustice for Syjuco because the perceived persecution is in time for the 2013 election. Boboy believes this is the handiwork of his adversaries to compel the Ombudsman and COA, a government watchdog, not only to bark but also to bite him.

 

True, Injustice lies fairly in delayed resolution than erroneous decision that can be appealed immediately. It is widely believed that this untimely filing of cases against Syjuco caused him prolonged anxiety and tied his integrity, assets and properties to media and academic scrutiny.

 

Unfortunately, the state auditors are unfriendly to him. They cited examples of overpriced items such as incubator jar priced at P15,375.00 but has an attached price tag of P149.00 only. Forgotten to untie? Then a hatching bucket valued at P43,750.00 but the price written was P900.00 only.

 

Another is a dough cutter priced at P48,507.46 but the canvassed priced as well as that paid for in previous procurement from another supplier in 2005 was only P120.00 or an overpriced of P48,387.46. COA also reported that P70,962,614.24 out of P133,035,366.24 worth of training materials and testing tools still remain unutilized.

 

As they say, dura lex sed lex - it may be harsh but that is the law. Perhaps Boboy failed to notice that judicial remedies are subject to misuse, over-use and abuse. But he can blame nobody, qui peccat ebrius luat sobrius – he who offends when drunk shall be punished when sober -  you know what that means.

 

Besides, he has no legacy for his constituents to crow about. Unlike US Pres. Bill Clinton, who won his re-election bid despite the White House scandal raised by the “kiss and tell” Monica Lewinsky because of the economic gains of the US under his administration.

 

The Ombudsman doesn’t have to explain anymore. Like BIR Commissioner Kim Henares who denied the purpose of coming here is for the filing of a tax evasion case against UNA candidate for city mayor Rommel Ynion. All motives redound to political persecution as what the earlier claim hinted at.

 

What’s more, if Courts have prerogative to relax procedural rules of even the most mandatory character, why can’t the Ombudsman delay the investigation when it is embodied in the provisions of the Ombudsman Act of 1989? Syjuco is also a beneficiary of this absurd privilege before in the GMA administration.

 

It was only a misfortune that he has lot of adversaries in the administration of Pres. Pinoy. Among those in the ambit of the president circle is Sen. Fanklin M. Drilon. Once, under GMA, Cong. Syjuco can proudly say “pa weather-weather lang yan.” Today, under Pres. Pinoy, “whether he likes it or not!”