Mejorada's Evidence

Hole of Justice

by Peter G. Jimenea

Mejorada’s Evidence is Strong

Senate Pres. Franklin Drilon’s appearance at the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee during the grilling of Manuel “Boy” Mejorada by senator-colleagues has thus far shown he is a man, hinting grim possibilities for the latter’s ICC case to prosper. Out there he shows confidence despite his badly beaten looks

What’s more, he’s been muttering that his supporters must gird for war against his accuser, from which they did. Thus, despite the imperfection their will was done. Having the inherent right to do so, Mejorada was declared a “persona non grata” by the Iloilo City Council.

But cui bono?  For whose benefit? For what good? Forwhat purpose? Mejorada could only laugh to the ears. He is not a member of a foreign diplomatic mission in this country which could be deprived of the immunity provisions cited in the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, under Art. 41 & 42.

Mejorada is a resident-taxpayer of the city and such declaration could not drive him out without the proper Court Order. Beside which, the resolution approved by the city council declaring him persona non grata or “an unwelcomed person” is  a mere recommendation.

The law says; simplex commendatio non obligar – mere recommendation is not binding. Whether he takes it as an honor or humiliation, popularity or notoriety, only Mejorada can disclose. But what’s next after the declaration? This man has a story that everytime he sneezes, everybody catches flu!

But he does not have the monopoly of a recurring story.  Story that neither stop the coming in nor getting out of the court because of recklessness committed by public officials. They are dragged into controversies because of their temerity to commit acts contra bonos mores- contrary to sound established practice!

Mejorada has waterloo too. Deliberate or not, he failed to anticipate the killing question raised by Sen. Sonny Angara whether he has the evidence to prove his allegations. After he said no, Sen. Drilon nearly jumps to the floor to dance due to over excitement. In chess parlance, his accuser has committed a big blunder.

Funny indeed, Mejorada’s lawyer failed to intercede to save him. The question raised by Sen. Angara turned the flow of the ongoing committee investigation in favor of Sen. Drilon. This is what his supporters claim hinted at. But the probe is not in aid of legislation but seems in aid of grandstanding.

Isn’t it grandstanding of a senator to ask for evidence when after all, he cannot even file a case in Court? Had Mejorada answered that the evidence is the ICC itself, that could drive the supporters of Sen. Drilon in the brink of insanity. But an inquiry where the senators act as both prosecutors and judges is not in aid of legislation but Zarsuela in itself.

Look, a mere unsigned letter of complaint sent to the Office of the Ombudsman against public officials involved in corrupt practices act can propel investigation of that office to ferret out the truth. But the witness-Mejorada who went out of his cave in going to the senate to stand as complainant is not needed by humble senators.

Instead, they want evidence when it is their prime duty to get out of their hole and investigate the truthfulness of the complaint about the alleged overpriced in government projects. If not, they have all the resources to create or assign a group to do the job for them. But why don’t they?

It looks like some of our senators have heads so hollow you can easily pass the Iloilo Convention Center through it. Why don’t they first amend their role in the Blue Ribbon Committee to include the Rules of Court on Evidence? What’s the use of evidence to be presented when they cannot even file a case in Court?

If the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee cannot even comply with one-tenth of the Ombudsman role in probing a case, then why don’t they resign and just go back to their work as senators of the Republic? Now, as I see it, Mejorada’s evidence here is strong, they are probing something in aid of grandstanding!