Presumption of Innocence

It is really praiseworthy that the CBCP is able to extend the constitutional presumption of innocence to Sen. de Lima and she was able to be photographed in the Walk for Life. The bishops did not really mind the drug charges against her because yes, it is a constitutional guarantee to presume an accused innocent before proof beyond reasonable doubt.

Let us go back to 2013.

Napoles was starting to be implicated in the pork barrel scam because Luy started to come out on TV accusing her of kidnapping because he allegedly knew something about the scam.

Napoles was a devout Catholic. She contributed heavily to the church. In fact, she housed several Catholic priests who are Chinese nationals in the house where Luy claimed he was detained. Said priests were studying in Manila and they were supported financially by Napoles.

Did the Roman Catholic Church extend that presumption to Napoles? You be the judge.

After the pork barrel scam blew up in our television, Tagle came out on television, weeping for our country. He was crying because of the deaths caused by corruption. He lamented those killed because funds to help the sick were stolen by corruption through the pork barrel fund. This really angered the faithful. Days after, the illegal detention case was filed and a warrant of arrest was issued to arrest Napoles.

Tagle did this, the crying, despite the fact that Napoles financed many of the Churches endeavor. In fact, not one of them admitted to being close to her or personally knowing her. They left her in the cold. And it was before the charges were even filed. They abandoned her after Luy came out with his expose.

They could not afford to give Napoles the same presumption they are giving de Lima. And de Lima is not even a known benefactor of the Church. They did not mind that drugs kills not just the sick (the lament of Tagle on corruption) but the healthy young Filipinos.

I am just wondering why.

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