MikeLigalig.com

An Editorial of the Bohol Chronicle

To the majesty of the Law - even Kings and Presidents must bow.

Laws are there to create order in society; its absence spells chaos. Without laws, the world will belong only to the strong, Alfie. We cannot let that happen.

The recent case of the seizure of half a million pesos and illegal gambling paraphernalia in the house of Mansasa barangay captain Manolo Blanco, according to Melvin Buenafe of the Regional PNP Intelligence are enough evidence to nail the alleged big-time financier to the cross.

That being so, what is the nature of the aid of the City Mayor to provide a lawyer for Blanco and the presence of the two kagawads Oscar Glovasa and Dandan Bantugan in the residence of the accused (sic, allegedly acting as lawyers of a person – Blanco - who was not yet convicted) while the raid was ongoing?

Only the courts can say. But as far as we know, Rep. Act 9287 Sec 2 Paragraph K defines a protector or coddler as "any person who lends or provides protection or receives benefits in any manner in the operation of any illegal numbers game." Are the City Mayor and the two Kagawads therefore qualified to be called "protector or coddlers" of illegal gambler-operators and financiers?

Perhaps failing to review his Law books, the City Mayor earlier justified Blanco's alleged swertres involvement as personal and apart from his function as Barangay public official.

However, Section 5 on the Liability of Government Employees and or Public Officials states: "If collector, agent, coordinator, controller, supervisor, maintainer, manager, operator, financier, or capitalist of any illegal game is a government employee and/or official, whether elected or appointed, he shall suffer the penalty of 12 years and one day to 20 years and a fine of P3 million to P5 million and perpetual disqualification from public office."

The punishment appears harsher on public officials rather than on ordinary citizens probably because this criminal act represents an abuse of public trust on his position and the apparent advantages he may have used to perpetrate his illegal activity as swetres. If convicted, Manolo Blanco will face these most severe sanctions. Then, what about his protectors and coddlers? One may aptly ask.

Meantime, the Regional PNP Thursday filed charges versus Blanco at the City Prosecutor's Office. All eyes of the City will be on the Prosecutor's actuation on this case against the alleged biggest swertres financier who is - to every one's knowledge - getting support from a top-ranking public official. Will this result again on "motion to inhibit?" as in numerous other cases in the past? Should someone bring this abominable legal situation in the city to the Department of Justice or the Supreme Court?

Meantime, the Department of Finance is to shortly announce the resolution of the tax harassment filed by the BCRC against City Treasurer Visitacion Acero - for trying to collect taxes already paid for by us and for which City Hall had granted us permit to renew the business.

The City Treasurer, however, is set to resign Tuesday. The big question arises why she would resign when she is set to retire and get the full benefits, by then.

Her resignation will not take Acero off the hook. She has, however, that one chance to make a clean breast of herself and categorically state that she was only ordered to harass BCRC by public officials who have  a superior dominion over her and her functions.

Finally, the case against the City Mayor et al. on the ROT over the Agora complex and a deal termed as "disadvantageous to the government" and therefore to the city, could get a boost as soon as some of the whistle-blowers will shortly come out in the open that the deal was greased by "money used for the 2007 elections" enjoyed by certain high elected officials of the city.

The hand of the law may be long and justice may grind slowly in this country, but we have faith that at the end of the day the majesty of the law will be upheld and serve the ends of justice and truth.

We must all be watchful. Vigilance is the price of liberty.

Linkback: https://tubagbohol.mikeligalig.com/index.php?topic=20152.0

Why do we have so many pawnshops but everyone else wanting business is running to Dauis because it is easier to obtain a business license there?

I wonder if the top elected officials are getting some cream off the top of the pawnshop profits?

I think of a book my mom use to have on her bedroom night stand it was titled "Good Dog!" "Bad Dog!" when i think of particular individuals.

Linkback: https://tubagbohol.mikeligalig.com/index.php?topic=20152.0