IloiloUpClose

Two days ago, the Commission on Appointments finally confirmed the appointment of Raul Gonzalez as justice secretary of the country. It took more than four years and 19 deferments before Gonzalez could lay claim that he is the justice secretary. He would no longer have to affix the word “Acting” before his position.

What made the members of the Commission, notably Senators Panfilo “Ping” Lacson and Jinggoy Estrada, to withdraw their opposition to the confirmation of Gonzalez? I’d venture into the realm of speculation, and I think it has something to do with the 2010 elections. it is no secret that Lacson has presidential ambitions, and Estrada’s name is being mentioned as a probable vice presidential candidate. Gonzalez is the self-proclaimed “king” of Iloilo City, and these two opposition senators are perhaps banking that he would be kind to them when the day of reckoning comes.

Another possibility is that Lacson and Estrada have grown weary of seeing the puffed face of Gonzalez before the commission, and it is highly possible they don’t want to prolong the agony that has afflicted the justice secretary. Perhaps, in their minds, Gonzalez continues to carry out his program of oppression and persecution against perceived enemies of the administration, so they might as well give him title as “the” justice secretary who should be blamed for all this.

Definitely, Lacson and Estrada could not say that Gonzalez has demonstrated the intellectual acumen, principled probity and effectiveness in enforcing the law as basis for the confirmation. Gonzalez is a big reason why the justice system in the country has almost lost its credibility. The Filipino people have little faith in justice.