It's me. So what?
Let's go to something that's really interesting and direct to Gloriagate.
In a press statement tonight, she admitted it was her on the wiretapped conversation.
What is the answer to the question in the title of your entry?
Following is her possible liability:
1. An Election Offense.
She maybe liable for violating Section 261 (f) of the Omnibus Election Code which states:
Contrary to public perception, the term "graft and corruption" is not merely limited to looting and enriching one's self from government coffers. That term covers many acts, as defined in Republic Act No. 3019, otherwise known as the "Anti Graft and Corruption Act," specifically Section 3 (a) that says:
3. An Impeachable Offense
From a previous blog lecture, she may be liable for graft and corruption (as stated above) and betrayal of public trust, which involves any violation of her oath of office involving loss of public support even if it does not amount to a punishable offense (these are Hector De Leon's words, cited in my post).
Incidentally, her oath of office says:
What are the penalties?
For an election offense, the prizes are:
1. A non-probationable prison sentence, from one year to six years;
2. Disqualification from public office; and
3. Deprivation of the right to vote.
For the graft and corruption offense, the prizes are:
1. Imprisonment for one to ten years;
2. Perpetual disqualification from public office;
3. Confiscation/forfeiture of the fruits of the "crime" (this may not be relevant for this issue)
For impeachment, as stated before:
1. Removal from office;
2. Disqualification for holding any other public office.
Anything else to add?
The election offense and the anti-graft offenses are mala prohibita, meaning, malice or bad intent need not be proved (unlike crimes in the Revised Penal Code that are mala in se, meaning, malice or bad intent needs to be proven before being liable).
Again, it's one thing to say she may be liable. It's another thing to see if she actually will be due to the numerous technicalities involved here...
But one thing's for sure. This will not be the end of this...
Again, may God (or again, whatever Supreme Being you believe, or don't believe) have mercy on us all...
In a press statement tonight, she admitted it was her on the wiretapped conversation.
What is the answer to the question in the title of your entry?
Following is her possible liability:
1. An Election Offense.
She maybe liable for violating Section 261 (f) of the Omnibus Election Code which states:
Section 261. Prohibited Acts.- The following shall be guilty of an election offense:2. A Graft and Corruption Case
(f) Coercion of election officials and employees. - Any person who, directly or indirectly, threatens, intimidates, terrorizes or coerces any election official or employee in the performance of his election functions or duties.
Contrary to public perception, the term "graft and corruption" is not merely limited to looting and enriching one's self from government coffers. That term covers many acts, as defined in Republic Act No. 3019, otherwise known as the "Anti Graft and Corruption Act," specifically Section 3 (a) that says:
(a) Persuading, inducing or influencing another public officer to perform an act constituting a violation of rules and regulations duly promulgated by competent authority or an offense in connection with the official duties of the latter, or allowing himself to be persuaded, induced, or influenced to commit such violation or offense.
3. An Impeachable Offense
From a previous blog lecture, she may be liable for graft and corruption (as stated above) and betrayal of public trust, which involves any violation of her oath of office involving loss of public support even if it does not amount to a punishable offense (these are Hector De Leon's words, cited in my post).
Incidentally, her oath of office says:
"I do solemnly swear that I will faithfully and conscientiously fulfill my duties as President of the Philippines, preserve and defend its Constitution, execute its laws, do justice to every man, and consecrate myself to the service of the Nation. So help me God." (Section 5, Article VII, 1987 Constitution)Both of these are grounds for impeachment.
What are the penalties?
For an election offense, the prizes are:
1. A non-probationable prison sentence, from one year to six years;
2. Disqualification from public office; and
3. Deprivation of the right to vote.
For the graft and corruption offense, the prizes are:
1. Imprisonment for one to ten years;
2. Perpetual disqualification from public office;
3. Confiscation/forfeiture of the fruits of the "crime" (this may not be relevant for this issue)
For impeachment, as stated before:
1. Removal from office;
2. Disqualification for holding any other public office.
Anything else to add?
The election offense and the anti-graft offenses are mala prohibita, meaning, malice or bad intent need not be proved (unlike crimes in the Revised Penal Code that are mala in se, meaning, malice or bad intent needs to be proven before being liable).
Again, it's one thing to say she may be liable. It's another thing to see if she actually will be due to the numerous technicalities involved here...
But one thing's for sure. This will not be the end of this...
Again, may God (or again, whatever Supreme Being you believe, or don't believe) have mercy on us all...
transcription by Punzi @ 7:14 PM
4 Objection(s):
This post I think is related to our topic of discussion in our egroup. I would like to share a part of our discussion:
"The root of all evil in our beloved Filipinas is corruption! Corruption which is already deeply etched in the culture of the entire nation.And the solution I see is not a very beautiful one!! If you will recall the very first year of Martial Law, the entire nation cowered in apprehension as to what would happen next! One drug dealer was executed(via firing squad) in public, customs collections improved several hundred times and people started paying their taxes and husbands were home before 12 midnight!!.The bureaucracy started serving the people.And just like a balloon, the situation reached a crescendo and people suddenly found themselves in the biggest heist of them all:the entire country by Marcos and his cohorts!!!Siguro, mas mabuti pa kung mag-uumpisa tayo sa wala at kamay na bakal ang papairalin at baka sakali pang maituwid ang pagkakamali ng nakaraan (after EDSA I)!!"
"Again, may God (or again, whatever Supreme Being you believe, or don't believe) have mercy on us all..."
Sometimes poverty distracts people away from God. One thing that my mother keeps on reminding me is to pray to God. She is the kind of person who goes to church every Sunday. And she spends a great deal of her time -- everyday -- praying. What is interesting is that she seldom prays for herself. Most of the time, she prays for others.
She would always tell us, "kung mayaman lang tayo marami na sana tayong nagawang tulong sa mga taong naghihirap".
We were all surprised when my mentally ill brother announced he was marrying. Even more surprised when she announced they would be having first one and then two children. Not surprised when the kids were used as human shields to demand everything my parents had until they died and beyond...
Of course, the Filipina sister-in-law referred to any criticism of she and my brother's abuse of our elderly parents as a "racist" slur against Filipinos, even while claiming our own parents were "awful people" and she was sending money for support to her "deserving" parents... while turning the grandchildren against the loving grandparents putting a roof over their heads in response to a request by our parents that the couple pay $250/mo. rent to help with expenses.
I used to like and respect Filipinas, but have LEARNED that they are deceitful and greedy women from the desperate circumstances of their past.
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