Sona: Aquino touts detention of Arroyo, Enrile, Revilla, Estrada

President Benigno Aquino III touts the jailing of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. SCREENGRAB FROM RTVM

President Benigno Aquino III on Monday lauded the detention for plunder of former President Gloria Arroyo and senators Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr., Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada and Juan Ponce Enrile in his last State of the Nation Address (Sona).

“Sa itaas, gitna, o ibaba ng burukrasya, napakarami nang sinuspinde, tinanggal sa puwesto, sinampahan ng kaso, o di kaya’y nasa piitan. Kung may nagdududa pang tunay nang nakapiring ang katarungan, maganda po sigurong ituon nila ang pansin sa tatlong senador na kasalukuyang naka-detain, at sa dating pangulong naka-hospital arrest,” Aquino said.

He said he has been told to move on, but he said he believes that a country is bound to repeat its mistakes if it has forgotten these.

“May mga nagsasabing magmove on na tayo. Naniniwala ako na ang nakalimot sa mali ng nakaraan ay garantisadong ulitin ito,” Aquino added.

(I have been told to move on. But I believe that those who forget previous mistakes are doomed to repeat them.)

“Tingnan niyo ang mga nagkakasala sa atin. Pinapalimot ang kanilang mga nagawa pagkatapos ang sinasabi nilang kawawa naman kami. Sinamantala na nga tayo, sinasamantala pa ang ating likas na pagkamaunawain para tumakas sa pananagutan,” Aquino said.

(Look at those who have erred against us. They tell us to forget their faults, even appealing to our pity. They are taking advantage of us and exploiting our sympathy so they can evade accountability.)

Arroyo is under hospital detention for plunder over the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office charity funds mess. Meanwhile, Enrile Estrada and Revilla, meanwhile, are detained for plunder over their alleged involvement in the pork barrel scam