Malacanang’s ‘special treatment’ of Napoles draws mixed reactions
,” Gladis Naduma said in her post.
Melan Uayan Garley said: “Ok ra man na as of now .G a protektahan gyud ni PNoy si baboy kay unsaon nalang sa isang iglap patyon man gyud na si Napoles dili na maka reveal sa iyang mga kauban hayahay kaau cla, after mang gawas tanan baho POBRE pa na sa ok-ok bartolina ang padunggan ana.”
Napoles, the central figure in the multi-billion pork barrel scam, surrendered to President Aquino Wednesday night after hiding for several days after a court in Makati City ordered her arrest for the alleged kidnapping of her aide who had turned whistleblower.
Accompanied by her lawyer, Napoles surrendered hours after President Aquino dangled a P10-million bounty for her arrest.[]
Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda, citing security risks, said President Aquino went to Camp Crame to ensure that Napoles will be safe in the custody of the Philippine National Police.
As of 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Napoles had yet to be remanded to the Makati City jail. Her lawyers have opposed the transfer by filing a seven-page motion reasoning that Napoles’ life would be in great danger if she would be transferred to the Makati City prison jail.
In Surigao City, Ralph Rowan, OIC of the city’s Quick Action and Rescue Team said Napoles “should speak up to help stop corruption.”
In Kidapawan City, John Pagaduan, an IT worker said Local Governments Secretary Mar Roxas is talking about having Napoles as state witness. “She will be a state witness? Charge her for plunder first!”
Journalists who usually are reserved in their personal opinions on the issues they cover took to the social networks to voice their disgust over what they said was Aquino and Malacanang’s alleged special treatment of Napoles.
Jason Phillip Gutierrez of Agence France Press posted his Facebook wall : “Pumunta sa White Space (gallery), tapos sa Heritage Park bago pumunta ng palasyo. Nag sightseeing pa, bago dinala sa palace. Hinarap ng at least apat na officials bukod kay Presidente, at inescort pa ni presidente sa Crame. Wala nga namang special treatment. Klaro.”
Gutierrez continued, “Kung may concern sa safety, why did the President escort her to Crame? Pumayag ang PSG? Tanong lang.”
BenCy Gerona Ellorin of Cagayan de Oro, now working as editor at the Cebu Daily News noted in in Cebu said President Aquino did not show any interest when a cargo ship collided with a passenger ferry of 2Go Company that claimed 80 lives and rescuers still searching for 50 persons still missing.
“Pero kay Janet Napoles, pinasundo at hinatid sa Crame. In the words of Lacierda, si Presidente pa mismo nag inspect sa room — kung safe ba — where Napoles spent the night,” Ellorin said.
Journalists and other netizens also took their rage to their Twitter accounts.[]
Chino Gaston, reporter of GMA 7, tweeted “ Hanggang sa pagkakaaresto privileged pa rin.”
Nonoy Espina, editor of TV 5 Interaksyon also tweeted “Mas bagay ata ‘to na headline:
‘Napoles is safe… and so are we’ – Malacanang.”
“Security escort ni Napoles si PNoy. Ato President pa ang advance security detail to sweep Crame,” Espina continued his tweets.
Aquiles Zonio, correspondent of the Philippine Daily Inquirer posted : P-Noy is demeaning the presidency, serving as security escort for the Queen of Pork Barrel scam.”
Danilo Agoncillo posted a caricature in his tweet showing President Aquino and Napoles in the iconic pose of Leonardo D’Caprio and Kate Winslett in the 1997 movie “Titanic.”
“What a rescue! Damsel in distress,” Agoncillo said in his tweet. (Froilan Gallardo with reports from Roel Catoto / MindaNews)
