The Philippine Online Chronicles

There are only twenty one months left before the May 2013 Elections. As early as now, Filipinos should ask and find answers to the fundamental question, “How do we prevent election fraud and violence in our country?” This question will hopefully be partially answered by the testimony of Comelec Officials Bedol and Garcilliano. Hopefully, others in the know will surface and speak out. Addressing and answering this question is a vital part of walking on P Noy’s “Daang Matuwid.”

Last week, Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri resigned as senator. In his speech, he said, “I am no cheat but I quit!” Those are his words but the investigation on election fraud, which is to be jointly conducted by the DOJ and COMELEC must continue. Cheating during election is definitely not done by candidates themselves but by people who are part of a deeply entrenched syndicate, which comes alive in full force during and after elections. Even now this syndicate is alive and thrives both as culture and institution (or system).

Senator Zubiri, and many like him can easily claim that they did not cheat but they cannot deny the workings of a culture and system that allows and perhaps even encourages fraud.

Thanks to Senator Zubiri’s resignation, investigation may begin without the needless technical or legal opposition from his lawyers. Let the investigation begin and may the Department of Justice and Commission on Elections do their jobs well.

Senator Zubiri’s resignation is a laudable move but it is not enough. I would like to appeal to Senator Zubiri to go a step further and reveal more that will enable the investigation team of the DOJ and COMELEC to go into the very heart of election fraud. If Senator Zubiri really wants to help rid the country of the blight of dirty politics which nurtures election fraud, then he could do the more honorable act of acting as a whistle blower who will tell all to begin the cleansing and renewal not only of the electoral process but of Philippine politics itself.

Yes, Senator Zubiri’s resignation is unusual and unprecedented but for it to be a complete act of statesmanship, he should roll up his sleeves and join efforts with the rest of us in unmasking the masterminds and implementers of election fraud. If he does this, then many of us who perceive his resignation as a mere deodorizer and initial salvo in his campaign strategy for a senatorial come back in 2013, will think otherwise. We remember similar acts of apparent statesmanship, like former Senator Tessie Oreta’s apology for her dancing and former President Arroyo’s “I am sorry.” It quickly became clear how the latter were carefully crafted and orchestrated Public Relations tactics to manipulate public perception in favor of the persons concerned. Thank God, the people showed increasing sophistication and maturity by not buying both Oreta’s and Arroyo’s apologies. Similarly, the public should ask Senator Zubiri to show sincerity by going beyond his resignation and doing more for the greater good of all.

Fr. Roberto P. Reyes

August 8, 2011

Department of Justice

Commission on Elections