Senator Kiko Pangilinan’s statement on SC’s ruling Re: Truth Commission

December 9, 2010

Press Release
December 9, 2010

 

Is this equal protection OF THE laws or shameful protection of  a few?

The Supreme Court, and the public for that matter, should not stray from the fact that the Aquino administration was elected into power on the basis of its anti-corruption platform. That it formed the Truth Commission to go after the perpetrators of corruption in the administration that preceded it simply means it is following this mandate. The anger and backlash against corruption were simply in reaction to this past administration’s misdeeds.

Going after the Arroyo administration does not mean it’s not giving equal protection to Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo: It is the crimes that her administration committed that the commission will run after to, not for who she is. Equal protection in the constitution is given so a person will not be discriminated against in court given her class, gender, or race. Mrs. Arroyo’s equal protection under the law will come when she is summoned to face the court and answer charges against her. And it will be so granted, without argue, despite the crimes she is facing. In the meantime, let us give equal protection to the victims of systemic corruption.