Solon tells DAR chief: Back off from mauling investigation

By Angie M. Rosales

01/02/2009

Controversial Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Secretary Nasser Pangandaman has been asked to keep his hands off the investigation into the mauling incident in a golf course allegedly involving him and his two sons.

Opposition Sen. Francis Pangilinan urged Pangandaman not to even attempt to intervene in the case now being looked into by the Department of Justice (DoJ) as it could easily be viewed by the public as possible whitewashing of the issue.

The senator was reacting to the statements of Pangandaman defending his two sons and several bodyguards who are being accused of assaulting and beating up businessman Delfin de la Paz and his 14-year-old son Bino in a golf club in Antipolo last Dec. 26.

“A Cabinet Secretary of the Arroyo government, speaking on behalf of those accused even if they are his children, can duly influence the course of the ongoing investigation,” Pangilinan said.

He added “in the interest of having an impartial investigation into the incident, I advise Pangandaman to refrain from issuing statements defending his sons. Let the accused, one of whom is a mayor of Masiu, Lanao del Sur, defend themselves.”

Pangilinan lamented that a simple misunderstanding resulted in a brawl causing serious physical injuries to De la Paz and his son.

What is deplorable was the fact that even a minor wasn’t spared even as he was already crying and pleading for them to stop, he said in noting reports on the incident.

As an alter ego of the President, any move he makes to intercede can be suspected as exerting undue pressure to whitewash the case, Pangilinan pointed out.

Public officials are men and women of probity and therefore should exercise utmost restraint even in the face of provocation. Abusive public officials, especially those with bodyguards, cannot just be allowed to roam in public brandishing their firearms and using them to intimidate ordinary citizens, he said.

A possible whitewashing of the case will just reinforce the public’s perception that the influential and powerful in this country are indeed untouchables.

“Let the rule of law prevail and punish swiftly those responsible for the shameful act,” he said.

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