Escudero says he can defend himself, will sue corruption accusers
Senator Francis Escudero (INQUIRER.net file photo / NOY MORCOSO)
MANILA, Philippines — “I can defend myself, but who will defend our institution?”
These were the words of former Senate President Francis Escudero on Monday amid allegations linking him to anomalous flood control projects plaguing the country, saying that he is now preparing charges against his accusers.
In a strongly-worded manifestation delivered during the chamber’s plenary session, Escudero repeatedly tagged former House Speaker Martin Romualdez as being behind the attacks against him and other senators amid the flood control scandal.
“There is only one person behind this script. He is the source of squabbles and lack of unity jolting the country so that he can protect himself,” Escudero said in Filipino.
Escudero argued that he had been in public service for 27 years and he had never been accused of nor charged with corruption.
“That is the sterling record which they are trying to tear down. They will not succeed,” said Escudero.
The former Senate chief said he, in return, will be filing necessary and appropriate charges against his accusers to “prove them wrong.”
“I will defend myself against these malicious and false allegations. In fact, I have already filed and will be filing the necessary and appropriate charges against my accusers and prove them wrong. And, with the help of the Almighty, I will be vindicated and declared innocent,” said Escudero.
With this, Escudero appealed to his colleagues in the upper chamber to fight “selective justice.”
“For that is what is happening now— selective justice and mob justice. Members of the Senate have been thrown off a cliff before the court of public opinion— in an attempt to mollify the people’s rage, thereby covering up the real perpetrators and giving them a chance to get away,” said Escudero.
“I will not allow justice to be weaponized against the innocent to protect the guilty! Because this corrodes the legitimacy of the law before our people’s eyes. Walang naniniwala, at bagkus lahat nagtatanong: bakit walang Congressman kasama sa mga imbestigasyon (No one is believing and are instead asking: Why is it that no congressman is being investigated?).” he added. /gsg
