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This, of course, on top of what she meted out to Makati Mayor Junjun Binay and of course his father, Vice President Jojo Binay, who has been crying political persecution all this time, claiming that what Ombudsman Morales has been doing is aimed only at helping prevent a successful bid for the presidency on his part.

Well, the dismissed Capiz governor is an ally and good friend of another presidential contender (Mar Roxas), so does this mean that the Ombudsman is making it easier for Grace Poe to win? Ridiculous.

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What is the secret of her success? Could it be that she was appointed on the basis of what she knew, instead of who she knew? Gutierrez was the classmate of then First Gentleman Mike Arroyo; Marcelo (though he turned out well) belonged to the law firm that serviced the Arroyo needs; Desierto was an insider in the Office of the Ombudsman but was a judge advocate in the AFP Judge Advocate General’s office when Fidel Ramos was around.

Morales, on the other hand, was not a personal friend of President Aquino. In fact she was surprised when he wrote to her, asking her to be the one to swear him in as president. So obviously, he chose her to be ombudsman on the basis of her qualifications alone. And she has guarded her independence ferociously, thank heavens. At the very least, there is no chance for “Hello Garci” type telephone calls and secret deals.

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So take heart, those who think that the war against corruption is unwinnable. Great (by the standard of past experience) progress has been made. What the Ombudsman is doing reminds me of what happened in Italy 20 years ago, when the Clean Hands (Mani Pulite) phenomenon took place. A group of magistrates, the most prominent of whom was Antonio di Pietro, carried out a rash of investigations involving political corruption—“4,472 Italian businessmen, politicians, and others were investigated and 1,188 people, mainly politicians and business administrators, suddenly faced an array of corruption charges.” A lot of suicides resulted, both of politicians and businessmen. At one time, more than half of the Italian parliament were under indictment, and 400 city and town councils were dissolved. It caused the fall of the government.

South Korea underwent a drive similar to Clean Hands 10 years later, and had similar success (or lack of it). But the point is that corruption can be tamed, although one doubts it can be killed. And in the Philippines, Morales is the best lion-tamer we have. She recognizes no political allegiance or loyalties, and is one tough lady. I salute her.

opinion.inquirer.net/

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