During Glorias presidency, corruption spawned in every level of government creating a kleptocracy that arguably surpassed the Marcos

era. It did not then come as a surprise when PNoys campaign slogan, Kung walang corrupt, walang mahirap (No corruption, no poverty), struck a chord with the people. Vowing to stop corruption and institute Pagbabago (Change), P-Noy was swept to victory by the highest margin since the end of the Marcos dictatorship. And with an 88% trust rating, he is riding the crest of a tsunami of change that is hitting the country. The people want change, now! And P-Noy, as he promised, courageously embarked on a perilous journey that would bring change and reconciliation. But he emphatically stressed that reconciliation has a price. During his inaugural address, he said: To those who are talking about reconciliation, if they mean that they would like us to simply forget about the wrongs that they have committed in the past, we have this to say: there can be no reconciliation without justice. This became the cornerstone of his goal to dismantle the culture of corruption that was gnawing away at the core of our moral values. It is in this regard that the Truth Commission was created -- to investigate and find out the truth concerning the reported cases of graft and corruption during the previous administration, and which will recommend the prosecution of the offenders and secure justice for all. P-Noy appointed former Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr. to head the Commission, a move that drew mixed reactions. The question is: Can Davide abandon his friendship with Gloria and pursue his mission with the passion of a crusader? Davide vs. Gloriath Now the hunt begins: Davide, the hunter; Gloria, the hunted. In a statement issued, P-Noy said, Executive Order Number 1 begins the process of bringing necessary closure to the allegations of official wrongdoing and impunity. The Commission has until December 31, 2012 to complete its mission and produce a comprehensive report which would be published upon the directive of P-Noy. As expected, Gloria indicated that she would cooperate in the investigation. However, it is doubtful if she would willingly provide anything incriminatory to her or her family. In other words, the investigation into her alleged involvement or complicity in the multitude of corruption and plunder cases would surely run into legal and technical blockades. And this is where Davide might be able to overcome the legal obstacles put up by Glorias battery of lawyers. Indeed, Glorias first salvo is already in the works. Raul Lambino, legal counsel of Glorias Lakas-Kampi-CMD party, indicated that theyre set to question before the Supreme Court the legality of the creation of the Truth Commission. With at least 10 justices including the chief justice perceived to be Arroyo loyalists who could -- and would without batting an eye -circumvent the law like what they did with the ban on midnight appointments, the Arroyo Court could arbitrarily dismantle the Truth Commission by judicial fiat. If that happens then P-Noy may have to forget the truth -- which, after all, many believe is already known -- and pursue the normal route; that is, file charges against Gloria and her cohorts

before the Office of the Ombudsman. However, should that happen, the main obstacle would be Ombudsman Gutierrez, a close friend of Glorias husband, Mike Arroyo. If that would be the case, then an impeachment complaint for breach of public trust against Gutierrez would be in order. But with the Senate headed again by Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile, a known Arroyo friend and sympathizer, P-Noy would have a near-impossible mission in bringing Gloria to justice. Haunted But while Gloria might be able to evade prosecution or conviction for corruption or plunder, she would not avoid the merciless torture of her own conscience that would haunt her for the rest of her life. For each waking day, she would witness people and the media ridiculing her and each sleepless night would be a torturous episode of guilt-induced nightmare. At the end of the day, Gloria has to pay for what she has done to a nation of 90 million Filipinos who suffered and endured the clutches of corruption and the gnawing pain of poverty. Now, they are free. And hopefully they learned something: Never again should they allow this to happen in their lives. President Benigno Noynoy Aquino III has signed his first Executive Order, a move that formally launches his promise of establishing a commission that would investigate allegations of corruption in the previous administration. The process of bringing a necessary closure to the allegations of official wrongdoing and impunity has begun, Aquino said in a statement. Aquino said that, as promised, he has ordered the formation of the Truth Commission within his first 100 days. The commission will be headed by former Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr. Tungkulin nitong magsiyasat at hanapin ang katotohanan sa mga matitinding alegasyon ng katiwalian noong nakaraang siyam na taon na diumano kinasangkutan ng mga opisyal ng pamahalaan at ng kanilang mga kasabwat sa pribadong sektor, Aquino said. In a separate statement, Palace said the Commission is given until December 31, 2012 to accomplish its mission. The Commission must conduct a thorough investigation on third level public officers and higher, their co-principals, accomplices and accessories, including those from the private sector, who may be involved in anomalous government transactions.

The fact-finding body also has the power to identify and verify reported cases of graft and corruption in the previous administration. It will then collect, receive, review and evaluate evidence related to the cases, Palace said. Palace added the Commission can also invite or subpoena witnesses and take their testimonies and, administer oaths or affirmations. The EO also mandates departments, bureaus, and offices of the government to provide assistance to the Commission during the investigation, Palace said. Once done with the investigation, the Commission will then submit its report and recommendations to the President, Congress and the Ombudsman, Palace said.