By Ellson Quismorio
The Philippine National Police's (PNP) excuse-making regarding the possible arrest of Ilocos Norte 2nd district Representative and former First Lady Imelda Marcos did not sit well with Bayan Muna Party-List Rep. Carlos Isagani Zarate.
Rep. Carlos Isagani Zarate
(Bayan Muna Party list Facebook page / MANILA BULLETIN) "Tayo ay nananawagan na kung mayroon ng warrant of arrest na ilalabas ang Sandiganbayan i-implement na kaagad ito ng mga nasa authority (We appeal to authorities to immediately implement the arrest warrant once it is released by the Sandiganbayan)," Zarate told House reporters Monday. "Ang lumalabas kasi ngayon parang ang nagbibigay pa ng dahilan kaagad, ng excuse ay ‘yung mga kapulisan kung bakit hindi kaagad nila maaresto kung mayroon mang warrant si Gng. Marcos," the Makabayan lawmaker noted. (What's happening now is that the police force itself is giving reasons and excuses in advance as to why it can't immediately arrest Mrs. Marcos in case a warrant is issued.) Over the weekend, the Sandiganbayan anti-graft court found Mrs. Marcos guilty of graft in connection with her financial interests in Swiss-based foundations during her tenure as Minister of Human Settlements and interim member of Congress. Mrs. Marcos, 89, is the widow of former strongman president Ferdinand Marcos. In a press conference Monday, PNP Director General Oscar Albayalde said that the "age and health " of the former First Lady will be considered when it comes to arresting her. "Ito ay nagpapakita lang kung gaano makaimpluwensiya pa rin ang pamilya Marcos pagkatapos ng ilang dekada na mapatalsik sila sa kapangyarihan (This just shows how influential the Marcos family remains decades after they were kicked out from power)," Zarate said. "In fact, they are being enabled now in the present administration. Isang katibayan niyan on the day na ilabas ang desisyon convicting her of graft ay nagpa-party party pa (One proof of this is her partying on the day that the decision on her graft conviction was handed down)," he noted. At any rate, Zarate called the Sandiganbayan's verdict on the ex-First Lady as a victory. "Pero itong conviction na ito (But this conviction), while this is not yet absolute victory sa mamamayan (for the people), pangunahing tagumpay na ito (this is already a significant victory)," he said.
Rep. Carlos Isagani Zarate(Bayan Muna Party list Facebook page / MANILA BULLETIN) "Tayo ay nananawagan na kung mayroon ng warrant of arrest na ilalabas ang Sandiganbayan i-implement na kaagad ito ng mga nasa authority (We appeal to authorities to immediately implement the arrest warrant once it is released by the Sandiganbayan)," Zarate told House reporters Monday. "Ang lumalabas kasi ngayon parang ang nagbibigay pa ng dahilan kaagad, ng excuse ay ‘yung mga kapulisan kung bakit hindi kaagad nila maaresto kung mayroon mang warrant si Gng. Marcos," the Makabayan lawmaker noted. (What's happening now is that the police force itself is giving reasons and excuses in advance as to why it can't immediately arrest Mrs. Marcos in case a warrant is issued.) Over the weekend, the Sandiganbayan anti-graft court found Mrs. Marcos guilty of graft in connection with her financial interests in Swiss-based foundations during her tenure as Minister of Human Settlements and interim member of Congress. Mrs. Marcos, 89, is the widow of former strongman president Ferdinand Marcos. In a press conference Monday, PNP Director General Oscar Albayalde said that the "age and health " of the former First Lady will be considered when it comes to arresting her. "Ito ay nagpapakita lang kung gaano makaimpluwensiya pa rin ang pamilya Marcos pagkatapos ng ilang dekada na mapatalsik sila sa kapangyarihan (This just shows how influential the Marcos family remains decades after they were kicked out from power)," Zarate said. "In fact, they are being enabled now in the present administration. Isang katibayan niyan on the day na ilabas ang desisyon convicting her of graft ay nagpa-party party pa (One proof of this is her partying on the day that the decision on her graft conviction was handed down)," he noted. At any rate, Zarate called the Sandiganbayan's verdict on the ex-First Lady as a victory. "Pero itong conviction na ito (But this conviction), while this is not yet absolute victory sa mamamayan (for the people), pangunahing tagumpay na ito (this is already a significant victory)," he said.