Vitug Vlogs: Sex, scandal, and accountability

MANILA, Philippines – A celebrated American general faces a sex scandal.
Rappler’s editor at large Marites Vitug talks about the accountability of public officials in issues involving their private lives.
Here’s her video blog.

A smart, accomplished woman—Paula Broadwell—and the most celebrated American general of his generation, David Petraeus.
Petraeus was credited with turning around the war in Iraq. He was a fast-rising star even considered by some as presidential material.
Broadwell and Petraeus. A biographer and her subject. Two star-crossed lovers.
Their relationship led to the fall of the head of the world’s most sophisticated and powerful intelligence agency, the CIA.
Petraeus resigned early November after the FBI uncovered the affair amid fears of the security risks it posed.
Surely, Petraeus is not the only ranking public official in the US who stepped down after an embarrassing extra-marital affair.
By leaving, they acknowledged that their indiscretions have harmed their office. They take accountability seriously.
In our country, the inevitable comparison has to be made. Have any of our officials resigned because they were found to have mistresses or lovers?
On the contrary, they thrive. Former President Joseph Estrada is the best living example.
Our society, though Catholic, doesn’t frown on extra-marital affairs. There’s a layer of hypocrisy underneath our religion.
We don’t demand honesty from our officials’ private lives.
But what happens in the bedroom cannot be completely isolated from one’s public duty.

– Rappler.com