EDITORIAL CARTOON: Jailhouse blues for 3 VIPs

MANILA, Philippines – Where in the world has it ever happened – that 3 incumbent senators face the prospect of jail for plunder charges?

Filipinos ended their workweek last Friday, June 6, with the news that the Ombudsman filed plunder charges against 3 of their senators, including a former senate president and a son of a former president. Of the 3 – Juan Ponce Enrile, Jinggoy Estrada, Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr – only Revilla will be a first time prisoner. Enrile was jailed once before over allegations he helped plot and finance the December 1989 military coup that almost toppled the presidency of Corazon Aquino. Estrada was jailed for plunder along with his father – ousted president Joseph Estrada, now mayor of Manila.

Observers say the arrests could happen this week. But with all the legal tactics available, that scenario may also take a little while.

Senator Estrada suspects the President wants them jailed before he delivers his State of the Nation Address on the 3rd Monday of July. The 3, after all, belong to the opposition.

Whatever happens, the Senate President Franklin Drilon just has one request: for the arrests not to be made at the Senate.

But at the rate the institution that has produced the likes of Jose W. Diokno, Lorenzo Tañada and Jovito Salonga is getting criticized, its leadership should probably do more than think of ways to escape embarrassment. Or, at the very least, stop the show (READ: Revilla speech turns into a show). – Rappler.com