STATEMENT OF PARTIDO LIBERAL PRESIDENT SEN. FRANCIS PANGILINAN ON PLUNDER CASE VS EX-PNOY EXECS

When change is promised, the line and the wait at the MRT should be shorter, not longer. And the primary consideration should be that commuters are safe, not having their arms cut off or the coaches decoupled.

When the issue is shifted from the quiet, everyday suffering of commuters who only want to get to work or school or home, it is not simply disrespectful, it is deception.

When we compare this to the plunder case filed against 9 Cabinet secretaries of former President Aquino and 3 undersecretaries, there seems to be a cover-up. Is this negligence or incompetence?

Let's compare this case to the following cases involving allies:

• the murder case of Supt. Marvin Marcos, who was not only reinstated but even promoted;

• the extortion case of BID Deputy Commissioners Al Argosino and Michael Robles involving almost P50 million; and

• the P64-billion shabu smuggling case involving BOC officials Gerardo Gambala and Milo Maestrecampo, who were only transferred to other government agencies even if they have not yet been cleared.

Critics are silenced, allies go scot-free.

Despite all these, we trust that the Ombudsman will be fair and render impartial justice. We are confident that the former secretaries accused of wrongdoing will be able to defend and exonerate themselves.