Zero tolerance vs zero intelligence

Instead of trying to justify the President’s decision to fire Dionisio Santiago from the Dangerous Drugs Board by citing a sheet full of bull shit, it might be better for all the President’s men to investigate if they were actually set up with the intent of destabilizing the anti-drug campaign and to discourage future recruits and supporters to support an administration that is too quick to the draw and to quick to pass judgment on the integrity of government officials as well as supporters and believers.

It was already bad enough to see the President rashly fire a key figure in his war against drugs simply for expressing an opinion on TV because it was too small a matter, if not too petty. The President and Malacañang officials may not have realized it, but many people were disturbed by the publicized firing of Dionisio, and it reinforced the belief among many not to join government, because you can be fired or humiliated for the smallest reason or no reason at all.

Even if the President disliked Santiago’s statements on TV, he should have called the retired General to Malacañang to hear him out or to give the guy a sermon in private and not delegate the termination of someone who has served far and wide in government. Having asked Santiago to resign and receiving the resignation should have been the end of the matter.  But when you spit at the man by quoting from an unverified complaint that has not been substantiated or heard in court and then drag family and professional relations suggesting inappropriate conduct and relationships. That is unfair, unjust and an abuse of power.

What special sin did Dionisio Santiago commit to deserve extra effort from Malacañang to publicly humiliate and tarnish his reputation? Are egos in Malacañang so big that they can’t accept other people’s opinion? Time and again the President says that he does not publicize things when he fires officials in order to spare them the shame or humiliation. But in the case of Dionisio Santiago, no less than the Presidential Spokesperson read a list of grave if not slanderous/libelous accusations based on what now turns out to be a fictitious “White Paper” that could only have been written by drug moles or political destabilizers.

An unverified complaint serves as notice to alert officials about wrongdoing or suggest that an investigation be conducted. By publicly divulging the contents of the alleged complaint, Roque et al in effect jeopardized and undermined a possible investigation by the DOJ, Ombudsman and hearings with the Sandigan Bayan. He also deprived Dionisio of ever getting a fair trial at the Sandigan Bayan or in the Court of Public Opinion.

Santiago has shown himself to be the better man and the consummate professional by not firing back at the President, Harry Roque, and the people in Malacañang. But the same cannot be said for Santiago’s accusers who to date have not clarified, or apologized for embarrassing so many people especially Santiago’s wife and family.

Harry Roque claims that the point to it all is to “serve as a warning that the President has Zero Tolerance for corruption.” But what about “Zero Tolerance” – period? and Zero intelligence gathering considering that this is not the first time that the President has been handed lists and papers that are not confirmed or as accurate as people in Malacañang initially presumed. On the surface, the only real victims might seem to be Dionisio Santiago, family and former colleagues in the DDB. But in fact, it is the President’s reputation, the integrity of the anti drug war, the integrity of the DDB where moles have apparently dug holes in the organization and worst, many of the best and brightest who may no longer consider working in the Philippine government.

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“In the clearing stands a boxer and a fighter by his trade

 And he carries the reminder of every glove

that laid him down and cut him till he cried:

I am leaving – I am leaving but the boxer still remains.

The song comes to mind as I reflect on the statement of Sen. Manny Pacman Pacquiao who has been quoted as “Fed up with so much politics and wanting to quit.”

Given the current environment where many “elected” officials have been flexing their muscles against anybody and everybody who counters their position or their views, given the hypocrisy and horse trading going on regarding efforts to impeach yet another Supreme Court justice and the fact that many politicians sitting on their high horses are fit to be tried as co-accused with Janet Lim Napoles; yes, Mr. Senator, I can relate to the heaviness of spirit and the dark valley you walk upon.

But like the prophet Elijah, you are not alone and you are well able. A number of young and independent Congressmen have shared with me the pressure exerted on them to vote for certain things they don’t agree or believe in but are forced to do so or face the possibility of their districts not getting funding for development projects. You on the other hand, Sen. Pacquiao are not like them and if your faith is as strong as your character inside the ring, you will never quit!

Perhaps Pacman should simply focus on the very soul and purpose of being a Senator: to legislate matters or solutions that will address the needs, expectations, and future of the Filipinos and the country. I have come to realize many times that legislation is a vital requirement to insure that solutions have funding and some measure of permanence. Speak your mind and speak the truth. If one Senator can manage to be a thorn on flesh of others using mere allegations, I’m sure that a godly Senator like Manny Pacquiao would have greater integrity, credibility and political independence not to compromise his values and beliefs. It won’t be easy but remember:

“If God is with us – who can be against us/”

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