Historians talk of the passing glory that was Greece and grandeur that was Rome.
Today, Filipinos look pensively at the power that was former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
In yet another pointed reminder that the dark deeds of the powerful will come back to haunt them, the noose is tightening fast around the former leader.
Plunder charges are heaping up on the plate of the congresswoman of the second district of Pampanga.
One is in relation to the alleged misuse of at least P325 million in intelligence funds of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office. The case was filed by Bayan Muna Representatives Teodoro Casiño and Neri Colmenares.
Another case has to do with Arroyo’s alleged diversion of over P2 billion in fertilizer funds to her war chest when she ran for president in 2004. The case was filed by former solicitor general Frank Chavez.
Last April, Chavez also filed plunder charges against Arroyo and others for allegedly using P530 million in Overseas Workers Welfare Administration Medicare Funds to help Arroyo’s election bid.
The United Church of Christ in the Philippines, meanwhile, charged Arroyo in relation to the many extrajudicial killings and human rights abuses that occurred during her watch.
Now comes the bishops who told the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee to ask GMA to explain her motives for gifts—Trojan horses?—of vehicles or cash for vehicles to prelates and church organizations, while Zaldy Ampatuan revealed that Arroyo did tinker with the vote in Maguindanao during the 2007 polls.
Lawyer Lintang Bedol of the Commission on Elections has resurfaced to confirm the hocus pocus that occurred during those elections.
Private citizens and congressmen appear to have jumped the gun on President Benigno Aquino III’s Truth Commission, which was consigned to the backburner after it was struck down as unconstitutional last year.
Does Malacañang still plan to revive that investigative body under the leadership of former chief justice and ambassador to the United Nations Hilario Davide Jr.?
If the commission can be reconfigured to fit within constitutional parameters, such a fact-finding body could make the work easier for Justice Secretary Leila de Lima and whoever the President may appoint as Tanodbayan.
Cases will definitely pile up against GMA as those on the receiving end during her term become more emboldened to call her to account for injustices she allegedly committed or abetted.
At least the former president will have her day in court.