Bato’s waggly tongue

BECAUSE of simple math that theoretically extrapolated numbers of rare days of good conduct by an inmate that serves seven life sentences, the nation went agog when rapist and multiple-murderer Antonio Sanchez was said to be a candidate for deliverance.

 

It would have just been a conjecture except that neophyte Sen. Ronaldo “Bato” dela Rosa advanced an opinion that Sanchez “deserves” a second chance. For his knee-jerk reaction and an equally repulsive statement, the Senator was subject to public stoning that he gets from the social media and barbershop talks. That simple math applies only to a reformed convict but not for one who was sentenced to seven life imprisonment for the heinous crime committed but remains to be a hard nut to crack.

 

Sanchez notoriety inside the reformatory is just too grave it is simply loathsome that he be given clemency. Add to that bestiality is what Director General Nicanor Faeldon of the Bureau of Prison revealed that the convict was stocking up on drugs. Such effrontery should in fact extend his confinement. Was Gen. Bato dela Rosa not aware of this during his term as a watchdog of the penitentiary? Was his statement taken out of context when he said “nareform na yong tao”? That usually is the over-used line to cover up for one’s slip of the waggly tongue. That should have a soft impact except that the convict is far from being reformed. Next time around look before you leap, and in this blunder think what emotional breakdown it will cause to the kin of the victims of Sanchez and what damage will it do to the President who endorsed you.

 

The booboo could have been a veritable cannon fodder for the opposition that had been incessantly on the lookout for issues to discredit Pres. Rodrigo Duterte. What obviously reined them in was the fact that the law that grants life-termers pardon for good behavior was, afterall, signed by former Pres. Benigno Aquino III. Sanchez deserves death verdict not a seven life terms which under that law are served simultaneously. It’s incredible but true! In law seven is equals one (7=1), it defies logic and algebra.

 

It will be wise for Senator Bato to pursue his pet legislation of reviving the death penalty. Steady the course because it was this stand that the public elected you Senator. And by the way my friend, get yourself a good PR man. You badly needed one.