PNoy's Near Prejudice

Maybe PNoy could just later on pardon Sen. Trillanes, but as the President of this country, he should not be the one to prejudice or put in jeopardy the integrity of our legal system.

I had once been a law student so many years ago but “coup d’ etat” as a crime may only have fully crystallized in my mind merely moments ago, thanks to President Noynoy Aquino, who had publicly insisted that a military attempt at government takeover should be “swift and violent” to be qualified as a coup, and without such it’ll be simple rebellion, one that is bailable and attaches less burdensome penalty.

PNoy exhibited this uncanny hold of legalese knowledge in his unexpected but highly publicized defense of Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, who remains barred from attending Senate proceedings being incarcerated for charges of rebellion and coup d’ etat, the latter charge being non-bailable.

Since the new administration needs Sen. Trillanes to complete a total domination of the Senate and the Lower House, PNoy comes now to his defense.

While PNoy’s legal opinion about Sen. Trillanes case is almost correct, as the incident in the Oakwood Mutiny wasn’t as “swift and violent” as could possibly be, still remains that as the President of this country, he should not be one to anticipate what a court of law might decide on cases already filed before it, this time, the coup d’ etat pending against the senator in a Makati RTC branch.

Being the foremost official of the country, he should not be the one to put in prejudice pending issues duly filed before the court, as being of the highest stature of office, PNoy may unduly influence judgment on such matter, allowing pre-judgment by use of media or political influence.

I am not against Sen. Trillanes neither do I detest his personage; in fact if I am not mistaken I might have voted for him (I just could not remember now), but PNoy commenting on the merits of his pending coup d’ etat case is fraught with misguided intentions, and may be truly improper especially that had specifically instructed the DOJ secretary to “look into the matter”, as if providing personal legal services to Sen. Trillanes.

I see how PNoy spews a lot of comments and side-talk in too many ambush interviews nowadays, that he is now seen talking while walking, instead of using formal press conferences to air his general views and announcements. This is really not ideal.

Usually In ambush interviews, one could not well prepare for speeches beforehand and may have to commit lots of unadvised and ill-timed comments, where in the case of PNoy, he sometimes transgress the bounds of pedantry and street language.

In a sense, being too talkative outside his office may be a good public relations strategy as if to bring him closer to the people, sort of a President that is always open and conversant with the masses. But too much of this will surely make him overly-opinionated when he should be like a good father of the nation, weighing every word that he must spew before he opens his mouth.

Remember that the Oakwood Mutiny had shackled and rumbled the previous administration and had almost ruined our economy no matter how some see it as a veritable act of protestation (for Senator Trillanes went on to garner votes that had allowed him to serve as lawmaker while in detention).

Maybe PNoy could just later on pardon Sen. Trillanes if conviction comes forth, or that another mode of senate participation may be brought up for him, like through video-conferencing, but as the President of this country, PNoy should not be the one to prejudice or put in jeopardy the integrity of our legal system.