In her privilege speech at the Senate on September 11, Senator Risa Hontiveros took the opportunity to call for the resignation of Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II after he was caught texting to expedite the cases filed against her.
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Hontiveros showed a photo of a close-up of Aguirre’s phone showing his response to a certain Cong. Jing, who is probably former Negros Oriental Rep. Jacinto “Jing” Paras, a member of the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC).
These are the text messages seen in the photo:
Kausap ni Aguirre: “Naturuan na ni Hontiveros ang testigo. Her questions are leading questions.”
Aguirre: “Yon nga sinasabi ko dito. Very obvious. Kaya nga expedite natin ang cases niyo vs her.”
In her speech, Hontiveros slammed Aguirre’s accusation that she manipulated the witnesses and taught them what to say during the hearing. She added that the witnesses’ testimonies matched the findings of the ballistic exam and the autopsy reports from the PAO and PNP crime lab.
Hontiveros also wondered whether Aguirre was plotting against her, a siting Senator.
“Is the DOJ Secretary plotting a case against a sitting Senator while a Senate proceeding is going on, right inside the Senate session hall?” Hontiveros said.
“Habang tayo ay naghehearing para makamit natin ang katarungan para sa isang 17-year-old na pinatay ng pulis na nakadapa sa lupa, mukhang ang pinagkakaabalahan ng ating Justice secretary ay paano makaganti sa kanyang kalaban,” she added.
Considering Aguirre’s attitude towards a senator like her, Hontiveros wondered how Aguirre would treat other Filipinos.
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“Mr. President, kung kaya ito gawin ng Justice Secretary sa isang sitting senator, ano pa kaya sa ibang mga mamamayang Pilipino? The culture of political vindictiveness that allows Justice Secretaries to make a mockery of justice springs from the same poisonous well as the culture of impunity that encourages policemen to plant evidence, fabricate stories about their targets, and become cold-blooded killers,” she said in her speech.
Hontiveros also brought up that what she caught Aguirre doing only served to fuel the “growing perception that cases are being filed against members of the opposition in order to silence and harass us.”
Here’s her September 11 privilege speech and its transcript:
This revelation led to the hashtag #AguirreResign to trend on September 12. This was its ranking in the afternoon of September 12.
Here are some of the netizens’ reactions that used the trending hashtag:
“Justice Secretary? Ito ang justice? Pano kami magtitiwala sa hustisya sa ganitong asta?” one tweeted.
Justice Secretary? Ito ang justice? Pano kami magtitiwala sa hustisya sa ganitong asta? #AguirreResign pic.twitter.com/pQlCbo2AGG
— Dr. Gia Sison (@giasison) September 11, 2017
As a citizen, and as a part of the sovereign Filipino people whom you emanate from, I am not just disappointed. I am ANGRY #AguirreResign
— Cris Ariel Togonon (@crisktaker) September 12, 2017
Who ever took that photo is the real MVP! #AguirreResign
— czar torres 🐍 (@czaaartorres) September 12, 2017
When this poor excuse for an anti corruption group works in tandem with the SOJ, we say #AguirreResign
Kadurdur kayo.
— Ethel (@econcepcion) September 11, 2017
EXPOSE: Fake News King Aguirre is colluding with VACC to file cases against Sen. Risa Hontiveros. #AguirreResign pic.twitter.com/YNZgDPxJGk
— Superficial Gazette (@SuperficialGZT) September 11, 2017
Seryoso, guys, we deserve a better Justice Secretary. Not someone who fabricates and make up stories. #AguirreResign
— Gibby Gorres (@gibbygorres) September 11, 2017
You dont expect justice to be delivered by a man who does not live and practice it. Step down, Fake News King! #AguirreResign
— RJ Naguit #MHActNow (@raymondnaguit) September 11, 2017
The #FakeNewsKing needs to relinquish his throne. #AguirreResign pic.twitter.com/cv1J1idQyO
— Gibby Gorres (@gibbygorres) September 11, 2017
Sources: ( rappler.com )
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