Roxas a wise choice for DILG, but …
President Aquino made a wise choice appointing Mar Roxas as interior secretary in place of the late Jesse Robredo.
Roxas is competent and honest.
The only problem with him—although it is a big one—is that he’s inaccessible.
The new Cabinet member can’t easily be reached by the media for interviews, unlike his predecessor.
Broadcaster Korina Sanchez should teach her husband a little PR if she wants him to win the second round against Jojo Binay who defeated Roxas in the last vice presidential election.
Roxas as president can continue the “Daang Matuwid” (straight and narrow path) governance of President Noy.
Our next president should be as incorruptible as P-Noy and of course, competent.
* * *
The first order of business for the new Chief Justice, Ma. Lourdes Sereno, is reforming the judiciary.
She should start right in her own backyard.
An official of a Supreme Court office, which has supervision over all lower courts, is reportedly meddling in cases involving his fraternity “brod” at the University of the Philippines.
Judges in the metropolitan and regional trial courts in Metro Manila have inhibited themselves in cases involving a government financial institution (GFI) headed by the SC official’s fraternity brother because of his intervention.
The cases against the GFI head involve a big amount of money.
* * *
Tuesday’s “On Target” column featured the complaint of Australian Ken Edwards and his wife, Catherine, against Region 3 Director Ricardo Diaz of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).
The Edwards have accused Diaz of harassment.
In the interest of fair play, here’s Diaz’s side in the controversy:
The Edwards are owners of the Honky Tonk and Goobles Bars in Angeles City which were raided on Sept. 14, 2011, for alleged human trafficking.
A minor working as a GRO (guest relations officer) was found in her club during the NBI raid.
Diaz vehemently denies allegations of extorting from the Edwards.
“Between human traffickers, who have all the resources, and law enforcers, who are wanting in resources, we find ourselves at the losing end,” says Diaz.
* * *
In my column on Aug. 23, I took potshots at Bulacan Assistant Prosecutor Carl Badillo for allegedly downgrading a criminal complaint against a policeman, who allegedly poked a gun at a child.
The charges were downgraded from grave threats and child abuse to unjust vexation.
It turns out it was not Badillo who made the decision. Assistant Prosecutor Benigno Abila was the person responsible for penning the decision.
My sincere apologies to Badillo.
