Muslims ready to forgive senators in plunder case

Manila Golden Mosque. Photo by RYAN LEAGOGO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—If God can forgive, why can’t we?

A Muslim leader in Manila said Friday his community was open to forgiving those accused in the Priority Development Assistance Fund scam, also known as the pork barrel scam, if they tell the truth and repent their sins.

As the Muslim community prepares its celebration of the end of Ramadan next week, Hajji Moh’d Ersad Malli, Manila Golden Mosque Cultural Center administrator, told the Inquirer the community of at least 20,000 in Quiapo, Manila, was willing to forgive Senators Juan Ponce Enrile, Jinggoy Estrada and Bong Revilla as well as others implicated in the alleged misuse of the PDAF if they “come out in the open, ask for the public’s forgiveness and repent their sins.”

“The wisdom of Ramadan is forgiving one another. If God can forgive, why can’t we?” Malli said. “Ramadan is also about self-renewal… to have a healthy heart and mind.”

But Malli was quick to add that those found guilty would have to face the consequences of their actions.

“Of course, they still have to face the law. No one is above it. We’re talking about [misusing] public funds here,” he said.

Estrada and Revilla are currently detained at the Philippine National Police Custodial Center in Camp Crame while Enrile is at the PNP General Hospital. Alleged pork barrel scam masterminded Janet Lim-Napoles is locked up at Fort Sto. Domingo in Sta. Rosa, Laguna.

“Tell the public the truth now. It’s a waste of time and money,” Malli said, pointing to the expenses incurred by the government during the detention of high-profile personalities.

“These [funds] should be allocated to our countrymen who are starving, living in poverty and are unable to send themselves to hospitals whenever they are sick,” he said.

On Tuesday, the Muslim community will celebrate Eid’l Fitr, or the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan.

Malli said it is during this time that “one becomes more charitable, especially when he gets the wisdom of fasting during the month of Ramadan. It is because you understand how it feels to be hungry and thirsty.”

He said during these trying times, they pray for “contentment and lasting peace in the country.”