Solon says sacking of gov’t execs sign of ‘fractured leadership’

Ifugao Rep. Teddy Baguilat / Photo courtesy of Liberal Party

The report that President Rodrigo Duterte would fire Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II, if true, is a sign of a “fractured leadership” in Malacañang and “lack of concrete accomplishments after two years,” a lawmaker said on Wednesday.

A newspaper, citing “reliable sources,” earlier reported that the President would fire Aguirre anytime this week.

“Kung iisipin, napakarami ng mga kalihim at matataas na opisyal nitong administration ang sinibak ng Pangulo o kaya hinayaan niyang matanggal sa confirmation process,” opposition Ifugao Rep. Teddy Baguilat said in a statement.

“(This is an) indication of a fractured leadership in Malacañang and lack of concrete accomplishments after two years,” he added.

The lawmaker said if this happens, it could also be proof that the charges filed by the Department of Justice (DOJ) against Senator Leila De Lima and other government critics were “huge blunders.”

Baguilat said it also puts into serious doubt Aguirre’s other ventures such as the DOJ’s terrorist list and its resolution temporarily granting protection to alleged pork barrel scam mastermind Janet Lim-Napoles.

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“Huli man, mukhang natauhan na ang Pangulo sa incompetence ng kanyang inatasan bilang pangunahing Berdugo sa pag harass ng mga kritiko at opposition. It’s also ironic that the President’s primary legal lynchpin in his drug war has fallen from grace,” Baguilat added.

Magdalo Rep. Gary Alejano meanwhile said it is the “best decision” for Aguirre to resign as Justice secretary, given his “long list of blunders.”

The congressman cited the DOJ’s use of “convicted drug lords and criminals to unfairly drag the name of Senator De Lima in the drug trade,” Aguirre’s alleged being involvement in the Bureau of Immigration bribery scandal with his fraternity brothers, and acquitting those involved in the Customs shabu shipment.

Alejano also criticized Aguirre for “exonerating self-confessed drug lords Peter Co, Kerwin Espinosa, and Peter Lim,” for the “unabated drug trade inside Bilibid under his watch,” and for “immediately absolving the Duterte administration from the state-sponsored killings under the war on drugs.”

Alejano asserted that Aguirre should not only resign from his post, but should also be investigated.

“Katunayan, hindi lang siya dapat magbitiw sa pwesto. Dapat ding imbestigahan ang mga kasong nabanggit at alamin kung may mga nangyaring anomalya tulad ng case-fixing at iba pang paglabag sa batas. Kung sakaling mayroon nga, dapat mapanagot si Secretary Aguirre at lahat ng mga sangkot,” he said.

(He should not only resign. He should also be investigated for the cases mentioned and determine the anomalies like case-fixing and others. If found true, Secretary Aguirre should be held liable.)

This, the lawmaker added, would only be possible if Duterte is “serious in his anti-corruption drive.”

“Sa lahat ng tinanggal ng pangulo sa puwesto dahil umano sa kurapsyon, wala ni isa dito ang nakasuhan. Kung pareho ang kahihinatnan at wala ring kasong isasampa, patunay lamang ito ng pagtatakip ni Duterte sa mga kapalpakan ni Aguirre,” he said.

(Of all the officials the President removed from office, none of them had been charged. If this would end up the same, this is proof of cover up in Aguirre’s case.) /jpv