ATTY. EDDIE BARRITA:
like for his predecessor, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, who spent the major part of his administration under hospital arrest. Last Friday, Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales ordered the filing of graft and usurpation of authority charges against Aquino for his role in the botched Mamasapano operation in January 2015, where 44 members of the Special Action Force (SAF) were killed. Morales, though, dismissed charges reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicide against him.
Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales on Friday ordered the filing of graft and usurpation of authority charges against former president Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III for his role in the botched Mamasapano operation in January 2015.
If PNoy gets jailed, he’d follow the footsteps of former presidents Joseph Estrada and Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
Well, as some wags suggested, a president must have two terms - one in office and one in jail.
But Morales dismissed charges of reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicide against Aquino, ex-PNP chief Alan Purisima and former Special Action Force (SAF) chief Getulio Napeñas Jr.
A total of 44 elite SAF cops and 23 civilians were killed in Mamasapano debacle. The operation, dubbed as Oplan Exodus, sought to neutralize terrorists Zulkifli bin Hir or Marwan and Abdul Basit Usman.
If there was no reckless imprudence, then everything was executed with utmost care but the operation simply went awry.
The Ombudsman said it ordered Aquino’s indictment because he allowed the participation of Purisima in the police operation even though he was suspended at the time.
The Ombudsman suspended Purisima in December 2014 because of graft charges over the anomalous Werfast courier deal, the cause of his eventual dismissal.
Now PNoy is now at fault for snatching Purisima from the suspension imposed by the Ombudsman.
Purisima and Napeñas were charged before the anti- graft court Sandiganbayan in January for one count each of usurpation of public function and graft.
The new consolidated resolution details how Purisima and Napeñas committed graft and usurpation, but they will no longer be charged again because the complaints are the same.
PNoy will be charged for conspiring with Purisima and Napeñas. What a conspiracy it was if it ever was. If found guilty, the thee face jail time of 6 to15 years for graft and 6 months to 4 years for usurpation of authority.