Duterte liable for corruption in secret deals with Xi – Carpio

Ex-president Rody Duterte harmed Punishment: one to ten years’ imFilipinos in his secret deals with prisonment, perpetual disqualification Communist China. He can be indicted from public office, and “confiscation for corruption, retired Supreme or forfeiture in favor of the Government Court Justice Antonio Carpio said. of any prohibited interest and

Duterte has admitted two secret unexplained wealth manifestly out concessions to Chinese leader Xi of proportion to his salary and other Jinping during his incumbency. One, lawful income.” to not repair the Navy’s BRP Sierra Carpio said Duterte unduly injured Madre and in effect let it rust in Ayungin the government, Filipino fishermen Shoal. Two, to let Chinese trawl and the public: “He was manifestly in the Philippines’ 200-mile exclusive partial and grossly negligent. He did economic zone. not even know where Ayungin is,

Both compromised Philippine interests, that it’s a low-tide elevation within Carpio told this column: the West Philippine Sea and beyond

• Duterte forbade maintenance of Sierra China’s own EEZ and that The Hague Madre, beached in Ayungin to repel court declared as illegal China’s incursions.” Chinese annexation. From 2016 to 2022 the ship rotted. Duterte, who visited Beijing five

If not for the steadfastness of Marines times during his term, disclosed last posted there, it would have collapsed week his so-called “gentlemen’s agreement” into the sea 120 miles off Palawan. Only with Xi. in 2023 have repairs resumed, amid He stated: “Aside from the fact of China Coast Guard attacks on civilian having a handshake with President resupply boats. Xi Jinping, the only thing I remember

• Duterte allowed China’s fishing was status quo. That’s the word na fleet, the world’s largest, to trespass walang galawan – no movement, no the West Philippine Sea. No limits on armed patrols there... para walang volume, area and season. magkagulo, hindi tayo magkagulo. ‘Yun

A Chinese trawler can haul in 12 ang naaalala ko. I do not even know the tons per day, its information ministry Ayungin Shoal. bragged. Under Duterte the Philippine “As is where is nga. You cannot Coast Guard recorded at least 270 Chinese bring in materials to repair and improve. poacher ships per day, hauling in No agreement, as is where 3,240 tons. Annual catch: 1.2 million is. Kasi kung Sierra Madre pa lang, if tons. allowed, matagal nang repaired yan.

The catch of 350,000 Filipino fishermen Nakauwi na yan dito.” dropped by half. Consumer prices Carpio cited a third violation by soared. Chinese fisheries militia steel Duterte: “He ordered the Navy to trawlers rammed and drove away Filipino limit patrols to only our 12-mile territorial wooden boats. waters, thus leaving the EEZ

All this makes Duterte liable under unguarded.” the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Carpio said that was a culpable violation Act, R.A. 3019: of the Constitution: “The State

“Section 3 – Corrupt practices of shall protect the nation’s marine wealth public officers. In addition to acts or in its archipelagic waters, territorial sea omissions of public officers already and exclusive economic zone, and reserve penalized by existing law, the following its use and enjoyment exclusively shall constitute corrupt practices of any to Filipino citizens.” public officer and are hereby declared to “Duterte broke his oath of office to

nd‘preserve be unlawful: and defend the Constitution’,”

“… (e) Causing any undue injury Carpio said. “He can no longer be to any party, including the Government, impeached since his term is over, but or giving any private party can be indicted for corruption.” any unwarranted benefits, advantage A president is immune from criminal or preference in the discharge of his or civil suit while in office, but not after, official administrative or judicial Carpio said. That’s to insulate the Chief functions through manifest partiality, Executive from distraction, the Supreme evident bad faith or gross inexcusable Court has ruled. negligence.” * * *

The prescription for graft and corruption Catch Sapol radio show, Saturdays, 8 is 20 years. Best to charge Duterte to 10 a.m., dwIZ (882-AM). in 2025 after the term of his appointee, Follow me on Facebook: https://tinyurl.com/Jarius-Bondoc Ombudsman Samuel Martires, Carpio said.