Janet Napoles Surrenders to President Aquino in Malacanang

Manila, Philippines — Janet Napoles, the alleged mother of 10-billion pesos pork barrel scam, surrendered to President Aquino at the Malacanang Palace, Wednesday night.  She feared for her life and she trust no one but the President.  As alleged by whistle-blower, individuals within the high echelon power were complicit to the scam.

In light of Napoles surrender, Filipino people might be pondering these questions:

1)  Will she be safe at Camp Crame?

President Aquino personally escorted Napoles to Camp Crame and turned her over to the custody of  Secretary Mar Roxas and National Police Director-General Alan Purisima.  We could safely assume that the weight of responsibility and importance of this case has been conveyed to both .  The possibility of Napoles being snatch away or put to silence forever is not remote, even in the fortified walls Camp Crame.

2) Will she tell it all?

Napoles realized that hiding was not her best option.  There was a government reward for 10-M pesos and who knows what other rewards out there.  I think what bothered her was the other rewards.  So the calculation was to surrender to government and a possibility of her being a state witness.  But definitely not without impunity.  Perhaps she could be spared of severe penalty but with two conditions — Return all her ill-gotten wealth and spill the beans.  Yes, all of it.

3) Will President Aquino pursue the case relentlessly?

There should be one and only one answer:  YES !   He has to be.

President Aquino has to do all in his power to prosecute all the people involve, regardless who.  Or else corruption in the Philippines won’t screech to a halt.  This is his opportunity to prove to Filipino people that he can truly walk the talk.  People are already tired of empty promises.

4) Will the Court System uphold the law?

Now this a little tricky.  Philippine justice system has a history of partiality.  Thus a judge can make or break the case.  And granting that this case would reach the Supreme Court, it makes no different.  Only God knows what will happen.

At the end of the day.  It is up to Filipino people.  They can always go back to EDSA.