It is incredible how our government can seemingly allow itself to be bullied and thrown into a quandary over the request of Mrs. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to travel abroad ostensibly to seek treatment for her claimed illness.
Under the principle of the Rule of Law and equality for all, the government should simply state – in a forceful and clear manner - that justice for the Filipinos has primacy over the personal. One can not simply do as one pleases just because he or she is in power and then simply go away when the time of reckoning comes.
Subordinating national justice to the personal health interest of Mrs Arroyo (or anyone) will be a step back in the strenthening of the Rule of Law in our country. It will not only show that politicians and the rich are a breed apart from ordinary citizens. It will also signal to every aspiring despot and tyrant that they too can break the law and ultimately get away with it.
While there is a potential case against her for which she can escape from when she is allowed to leave the country, Mrs. Arroyo has no choice but to seek local treatment until she would have faced all the issues concerning her. Her situation is of her own making. She would not have this problem now if only she had faced her issues before.
This is not to say however that mercy and charity should not be extended Mrs. Arroyo. As a human being, she is entitled to them except that this should not be under her terms. What should be rejected though is her use of the “health wang wang” to clear the way for her to evade the law.
