|
Friday, March 31, 2006
Editorials: Credibility and anticipation
The way things are going in the trial of the plunder case against ousted president Joseph “Erap” Estrada in the Sandiganbayan, the once-a-week hearings would likely drag on for many months more before it will peak and begin the descent to a decision.
At the moment, the seesawing nature of the witnesses’ testimonies for or against the accused seems to seriously raise the standard question of credibility.
There is no doubting the fact that on the issue of the witnesses’ credibility would hinge the decision of whether the accused is guilty or not.
Erap as witness
During his turn on the witness stand, the former president lashed at the person he considered his false accuser, Ilocos Sur Gov. Luis “Chavit” Singson, his former friend and ally who became his tormentor-castigator.
He claimed it was Singson who has made a lot of money from the tobacco kickback scandal.
The erstwhile Estrada ally and mahjong crony had earlier charged that he personally delivered to the former president a total of P130 million—P70 million in cash cramped into boxes and the rest delivered to two other members of the presidential family and one close friend and ally.
The Estrada testimony is clearly intended to debunk the earlier testimony of Singson.
Credibility
Obviously, the matter has now developed into a question of credibility.
Who of the two politicians would the court believe?
To the average citizen-observer, they could be “birds of the same feather,” having once been not only political bedfellows but also gambling mates.
In position of power and authority as public officials, they allegedly maneuvered to make some money out of their public positions.
The ousted president stands accused before the Sandiganbayan for having amassed “about P4 billion in illegal gambling payoffs, tax kickbacks and commissions stashed in secret bank accounts under an alias.”
Jumping the gun
Followers of the former president, in an effort to show full support to their movie and political idol, have already jumped the gun on the Sandiganbayan trying the case by anticipating that he would eventually be acquitted.
The matter really is not for anyone to make any anticipatory decision for now.
There’s need for sobriety and care not to inflame undue emotions that would spell trouble and weaken our judicial system.
It is best to wait for the court’s verdict, and respect its decision.
It is what democracy means to a free people, and what it should be for all of us.
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (March 31, 2006 issue)
Write letter to the editor.Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board.Click here. |
|
[return to top]
[home]
[network page]
|
LOCAL NEWS
BUSINESS
OPINION
SPORTS
LIFESTYLE
FEATURE
SUPERBALITA
WEEKEND
|
