Padaca failed 1st test–UNA

Elections Commissioner Grace Padaca. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—The United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) on Friday accused newly appointed Elections Commissioner Grace Padaca of failing her “first test of independence” when she allowed Liberal Party (LP) president-on-leave and Interior Secretary Mar Roxas to accompany her when she posted bail at the Sandiganbayan.

“We are saddened that newly appointed Commissioner Grace Padaca failed her first test of independence when she posted her bail before the Sandiganbayan last Thursday accompanied by LP President on leave and Interior Secretary Mar Roxas,” UNA secretary-general and Navotas City Rep. Toby Tiangco said in a statement.

Tiangco noted that Padaca’s actions undermine the public’s confidence in her political neutrality.

Padaca was appointed by President Aquino to replace Augusto “Gus” Lagman whose ad interim appointment was not renewed by Mr. Aquino due to the objection of several members of the powerful Commission on Appointments, including, reportedly, UNA stalwart, CA chair and Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile.

No discussion yet

UNA spokesperson and lawyer JV Bautista told the Inquirer by phone that the coalition was only “criticizing” Padaca’s appointment as of the moment.

“We (the coalition’s leadership) have no discussion yet on whether our party mates in the CA will oppose her confirmation,” Bautista said.

In an television interview, Padaca apologized for displaying apparent partisanship when she said, after posting her P70,000 bail along with Roxas, “If you’re with Secretary Mar and President Aquino, how will you go wrong?”

But she admitted that it would be a “big struggle” for her to keep silent on issues confronting residents of her native Isabela as well as her colleagues in the Kaya Natin Movement who are also seeking elective office.

Unserved warrant

Tiangco also questioned the fairness of Philippine National Police and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) when they failed to serve immediately the arrest warrant on Padaca.

Padaca is facing charges of graft and malversation of public funds for allegedly granting a P25-million hybrid rice project to a nongovernment organization without public bidding when she was still governor of Isabela. The case was filed by former Isabela Rep. Santiago Respicio.

Sandiganbayan issued a warrant for her arrest in May, but it was not served.

Tiangco also cited the issue of a 90-day automatic suspension of public officials charged before the Sandiganbayan.

“Commissioner Padaca, we believe, is not exempt from this rule, unless the LP wants to show that their members and allies are above the law,” he said.

Padaca clarified that Mr. Aquino made the offer to pay for her bail four months ago. She said she had decided that upon her arrest, she would deliberately not post bail and speak out against the country’s justice system.

“I only need to post bail now because there’ that Comelec appointment. It (being arrested anytime) would become a distraction to Comelec issues,” she said.

Aquino’s defense

President Aquino defended his decision to bail out Padaca using his own money.

“Isn’t she an accused? What is bail, after all? Isn’t that a temporary freedom given to an accused in preparation for his defense? I don’t believe she’s guilty of the charges,” the President told reporters following the oath-taking of new Liberal Party members at the city’s Heroes Hall.

Padaca had refused to post bail in protest of what she called politically motivated charges, and had managed to elude arrest.

The President also defended his decision to appoint Padaca.

“She has proven integrity. She has a long public service, herself coming from your ranks. As a commentator, she fought against the big forces in her province,” he said.

Sen. Alan Cayetano, who is running for reelection under the ruling coalition, said President Aquino’s payment of Padaca’s bail might be viewed by some as a signal to the court that she is an ally of the administration.

“It could be that they have a firm belief that this person is clean and principled… They have to stand by her because of her appointment,” Cayetano said when asked what he thought of President Aquino’s payment of Padaca’s P70,000 bail.

Cayetano said all those facing arrest, including Padaca and former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, should be treated the same when warrants are issued against them. With a report from Norman Bordadora