Poe vows due process for erring execs

PILI, Camarines Sur, Philippines – While promising to go down hard on the corrupt, especially those in high places, Sen. Grace Poe said her administration would always guarantee due process and fair trial in prosecuting erring officials.

Poe made the promise when asked by reporters Friday night if she would pursue the prosecution of Vice President Jejomar Binay for corruption in connection with the reported overpricing of the Makati City Hall Parking Building II project when he was city mayor.

“We should investigate all issues whether it is about corruption or abuses. As president, one should always be fair and observe due process,” Poe said.

Without her runningmate Sen. Francis Escudero, Poe campaigned here with four candidates in her senatorial lineup – former senator Juan Miguel Zubiri, Susan Ople, Manila Vice Mayor Isko Moreno Domogoso, lawyer Lorna Capunan and Soledad Shalani, who represented her husband Rep. Roman Romulo.

Gov. Luis Miguel Villafuerte and his father, former governor and now congressional bet LRay, gave Poe and her team a warm welcome at the Pili Sports Complex, which drew about 50,000 people Friday night.

Escudero skipped the Camarines Sur leg of their campaign as LRay and his son are supporting the vice presidential bid of Rep. Leni Robredo.

In an interview, Poe also said she wanted to stop what she called the cycle of vindictiveness.

On proposals to re-impose the death penalty, Poe said “my position is that we need to improve our justice system, strengthen the Public Attorneys Office and beef up the number of lawyers.” She stressed only Congress has the power to amend the law on death penalty.

She also batted for a stronger barangay system and a more disciplined police force. 

If elected president, her first 100 days would include her signing an executive order requiring everyone in the executive branch to exercise “freedom of information.” She added she would definitely certify as urgent the derailed Freedom of Information Bill.

In her Camarines Sur sortie, Poe underscored the importance of partnership between the local government and the people in the pursuit of national development.

From a fifth-class municipality, Poe noted how Caramoan has become a world-class tourist destination. A season of the “Survivor” reality show was filmed in Caramoan. – With Marvin Sy