In the past few weeks, Ms. Natasha Gutierrez has hosted several podcasts entitled "On Assignment". I saw it on YouTube.
Ms. Natasha focused on the properties allegedly owned by former Speaker Martin Romualdez.
These included properties in Amanpouo, Palawan, three apartments in the Ritz Tower in New York, and other properties in Massachusetts, Spain, and Forbes Park, Makati.
I can make several observations here.
The identification of these properties followed the corruption scandal involving the DPWH's flood control projects. After allegations surfaced on social media about the extent of this corruption, many reports emerged about these properties. Expectedly, such reports are motivated by the desire to unearth the truth and to be used as fodder in the political discussions that ensue.
The acquisition of ill-gotten wealth is a major concern. This discussion seeks to connect the properties to the former Speaker's role as head of the House of Representatives.
The timeline suggests the connection. The acquisitions happened when he was the Speaker. Such circumstantial evidence has a strong effect on the possible existence of the connection.
The podcasts of Ms. Gutierrez do not show that the multi-million dollar properties are registered in the name of Speaker Romualdez. They are in the name of trustees who are officials of corporations managing businesses associated with the former Speaker.
It can therefore not be directly shown that the Speaker owns the properties. Thus, connecting the properties with the Speaker is far from being certain. The evidential weight of these allegations is still well below the minimum criterion for court proceedings.
However, the connection can be established through extensive research and the use of cases decided by the Supreme Court.
In other words, any attempt to connect the properties to former Speaker Romualdez is facing a blank wall.
This brings to the foreground the point that these attacks are politically motivated.
Be that as it may, we need to know these allegations, which cannot be proven in court but are not necessarily false.
Resorting to the wisdom of the court may not work in a situation where the truth is staring us in the face, but there is no way to prove it.
In many instances in this column, I have stated that the tool at our disposal is our right to vote.
Although we know that even this right is attacked by the candidates in so many ways, including vote-buying.
It is not a hopeless case. The electorate can make incremental improvements.
This situation reminds me of the quote: There is only one thing that is permanent in this world: Change.
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