PALACE DEFENDS POSTINGS OF OCHOA, WONG: NOY'S EX-GENERALS DIFFERENT
[PHOTO AT LEFT - PRESIDENT AQUINO WITH GEN. OCHOA (Right)]
MANILA, OCTOBER 24, 2010 (TRIBUNE ) Criticisms on the Aquino administration following the path of his predecessor in rewarding loyalty in the military with prime diplomatic posts got a lame response from the Palace yesterday justifying the assailed decision of President Aquino to appoint former Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Nestor Ochoa as ambassador to Brunei as still within his quota for political appointees.
Disgruntled career diplomats at the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) had complained about Ochoa's appointment and that of retired Gen. Noe Wong who was reappointed as ambassador to Cambodia. They said the practice of appointing generals to key diplomatic posts is reminiscent of a tradition started by former President Arroyo.
Deputy presidential spokesman Abigail Valte said it is too early for anyone to pass judgment on the appointments and conclude that Aquino is going by the way of his unpopular predecessor because, she said, the Aquino administration is different since it is committed to instituting reforms in government.
Ochoa held the reins at the AFP for barely a month as he opted to go for an early retirement
last July like this often depend on the judge who takes charge of the trial how he would manage the factors involved in the matter to be able to strike a balance between the demands of both the prosecution and defense panels.
"What we need to understand here is that we are considering many factors. We cannot just fast-track a case if it would violate the rights of one party because both the accused and the victims are entitled of their specific rights. So it's really more of trying to balance vis-à-vis the progress of the case," Valte explained.
"It usually takes time before cases like this can be resolved because of the volume of work that one judge has to deal with. When I was still in the practice, I really saw the bulk of the cases that they are handling apart from other things that are being attended to," she added.
For now, Valte conveyed that the complainants have no other options but to wait until the case progresses where a possible favorable resolution on their part is sighted.
She, nonetheless, claimed that with Secretary Leila de Lima at the helm of the Justice department, they can be rest assured that prosecution to the principal suspects of the murders can be achieved.
"I understand how heavy and intense the sentiments of the (victims') relatives are. But, on the part of the prosecution, Secretary De Lima already gave her word that they will stand opposed to any delaying tactics (of the other side). So it's right there, ultimately the status and progress of the case is with the judge," Valte said.
"The hope is always there. We can draw sense also from the fact that Secretary De Lima remains to be on top of this given that she already made orders that if it's dilatory in her view, then the prosecution will oppose it," she added.
Valte advised all parties concerned to just respect the directives or orders that were handed by the court and may continue do so because they have submitted to its jurisdiction and the rule of law. She underscored that the respondents, once proven guilty, will not go unpunished under the Aquino administration.
Relatedly, another suspect in the gruesome Nov. 23, 2009 Maguindanao massacre was arrested the other day by police operatives, a ranking police official said.
Police Regional Office in Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (PRO-ARMM) director Chief Supt. Bienvenido Latag identified the suspect as Norman Tatak, alias Norman Suba, a member of the Civilian Volunteer Organization (CVO).
Latag said Tatak was nabbed by elements of the PRO-ARMM intelligence unit around 6:30 a.m. on Friday in Barangay Nabaundas, Shariff Saydona Mustapha town, Maguindanao.
Tatak is the subject of a warrant of arrest issued by Quezon City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 221 Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes for alleged involvement in the massacre of 57 civilians and media practitioners in Ampatuan town.
Latag said Tatak was subsequently turned over to the ARMM-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) for documentation.
Former Datu Unsay town Mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr. was charged as the principal suspect in the gruesome massacre after supposedly leading more or less 100 armed men, most of them members of CVOs in Maguindanao.
Aside from Ampatuan Jr., his father and namesake former Maguindanao Gov. Andal Ampatuan Sr., and brother former ARMM Gov. Zaldy Ampatuan were also implicated in the massacre and now detained.
The Philippine National Police has created tracker teams to run after those involved in the massacre that drew international indignation after more than 30 media practitioners were among the victims.
At present, dozens of suspects are still being hunted down. Aytch S. de la Cruz and PNA
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