Times report leaves readers hanging
Jeers. An Oct. 1 Manila Times report left readers with more questions.
The Times reported that acting justice secretary Agnes Devanadera sacked staff members of justice secretary Raul Gonzalez, and revoked the latter’s order of assignment to several prosecutors and personnel assigned at the Bureau of Immigration. “The twin moves of De¬vanadera are seen to weed out the so-called mafia entrenched at the (Department of Justice (DOJ),” the Times reported. (“Acting Justice chief weeds out ‘mafia’”)
According to a memorandum Devandera reportedly issued, the revamp was “part of the…need to keep the OSEC (Office of the Secretary) staff lean, and in the interest of the service.” Citing an unnamed source, the Times said that the acting secretary wants to “weed out the so-called mafia at the Justice” who allegedly abused Gonzalez’s trust and confidence and led him to sign “erroneous documents”.
Among the affected officials, the Times reported, are Ismael Datu Imam (ordered to return to the Bureau of Immigration), Solomon Solidum (of the National Prosecution Office), and Richard Lisen (of the Board of Claims).
None of these officials were interviewed to confirm or deny what Times reported.
And a bigger question left unanswered by the paper was: What “erroneous documents”? The paper did not cite any example of the said documents. If indeed there were documents Gonzalez erroneously signed or approved, the public deserves the right to know them. The Times should have pursued this angle.
Who should be the TIME Person of the Year (for the Philippines) ?
TIME’s Person of the Year is the person or persons who most affected the news and our lives, for good or for ill, and embodies what was important about the year.
Who do you think fit’s the bill this year for the Philippines?
1)Gloria Macapagal Arroyo
2)Joseph “Erap”Estrada
3)Joey De Venecia
4)Joe De Venecia
5)Ronaldo Puno
6)Manny Pacquiao
7) Jovito Palparan
8)Genuine Opposition
9)Jarius Bondoc
10)YOU