Janet Napoles case: A hijack

Echoes From

BY JOHNNY DAYANG

It’s very clear now that the case of Janet Lim Napolis, the alleged mastermind of the P10-billion pork barrel scam, is paralyzing our will to move forward and hijacking our agenda to work out some measures to remedy the threatening problems confronting the nation.

All major institutions of our country – the House of Representatives, the Senate among them are experiencing some paralization. In fact, most members of the House and the Senate are limiting their exposures to the public because of the Janet Napoles case. 

Even non-government organizations (NGOs) are now having some problems brought about by the operations of the Napoles NGOs.

The paralysis is so serious because we are not moving fast enough to hasten solutions to our unemployment problems. We have 12 million unemployed Filipinos and we have millions more underemployed. We have serious problems in agricultural productions and food security.

We are being pestered by high costs of prime commodities, high costs of electricity, water supply, medicines, and many more concern’ affecting lives of Filipinos. 

Janet Napoles and those involved with her must be left to the Ombudsman and the proper court. Ombudsman carries mandate that it can bring to court, on its own, person and or parties found to have committed violations of laws.

If we don’t move fast enough to solve this most shameful scandal in history, I am afraid the case will linger for sometime because our judicial system provides due process.It might take years for our courts to decide these cases involving Napoles and other co-accused. 

The process could even extend beyond the administration of President Aquino. It can even reach the possible administration of any of the following presidential contenders: Vice President Jojo Binay, Sec. Mar Roxas, Speaker Sonny Belmonte, former Sen. Manny Villar, Sen. Bong bong Marcos, or of Sen. Grace Poe. 

The affidavit of Janet Napoles has no probative value yet its effect. However, annihilation of the future of those in the list. Surprisingly, even the community press – newspapers, radio, cable-TV, blogs social media with specific publics – have been running stories about the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF).

Consequently, the list – be it that one of former Senator Panfilo Lacson, Ben Hur Luy or Sec. Leila de Lima – in the public mind, is just the same. What is in the citizens’ thinking is that those listed are involved.