FIRING LINE: EJKs made into a bargaining chip

By Robert B. Roque, Jr.

Why is it now that police Major General Romeo Caramat, Jr. is being reported to have offered to reveal what he knows about extrajudicial killings and the Duterte-led bloody war on drugs in exchange for being appointed chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP)?

Is that even true? Well, if it is… Caramat’s willingness to trade the truth about extrajudicial killings for a top position in the PNP is outright opportunism and moral bankruptcy. For a police general, is it not twisted and disturbing that a gentleman dressed in the uniform of the law treats justice like a bargaining chip?

What kind of PNP Chief would he be, if so: appointed on the premise of a criminal career move? Thankfully, reports say that Speaker Martin Romualdez had dismissed the indecent proposal and did not succumb to political manipulation.

While Romualdez’s refusal may seem noble on the surface, the fact that such an offer was even entertained speaks volumes about the twisted priorities in government, especially given his closeness to the President.

The leader of Congress should have immediately reported this offer to the proper authorities, not merely declined it. His inaction suggests a troubling indifference to the gravity of extrajudicial killings — a stark reminder that justice is not the priority, but political expediency is. After all, Romualdez has long been at odds with VP Sara Duterte-Carpio, making this a particularly convenient stance.

What to do without LRT-1?

Recently, President Marcos insisted that halting the public transport modernization program, as some senators suggest, would only set back strides in the right direction. Now, as the Light Rail Transit Line 1 (LRT-1) prepares to suspend operations for three weekends to advance the Cavite Extension project, the reality of transportation challenges comes sharply into focus.

Are we really ready to do away with commuter jeepneys or does this break in LRT-1 operations magnify the ill-preparedness of the government to implement the program and the prohibitive cost of modernization that the transport sector cannot afford?

While the LRT-1 upgrade promises future convenience, it would leave commuters in the lurch in the meantime. Hopefully, the Department of Transportation would be just as bold in augmenting land travel options.

If the DOTR truly believes in modernization, then it must also be confident in ensuring that the public is not left stranded in the streets during these critical transitions of the LRT-1.

No Olympic uniforms?

Congratulations to our lady golfers Bianca Pagdanganan and Dottie Ardina for strong performances at the Paris Olympics even if they missed a podium finish.

Bianca ended her campaign in joint fourth place with a 6-under par total in the four-round 72-hole tourney. Dottie, on the other hand, fired a 4-under 68 in the fourth and final round. Bravo!

Perhaps, if the Philippine Olympic Committee had provided them with proper uniforms instead of having them buy their own and tatter their chests with patches of our Philippine Flag, they could have been extra inspired to perform better. Just saying.

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