President Aquino's remarks absolving Pacada of graft, unfair to the People of Isabela

President Aquino today practically absolved Grace Padaca, his political ally and former Governor of Isabela from the crime of graft and malversation of funds. In an article at the Philippine Star, Aquino said that he believes Padaca is not guilty of the crime charge and even insinuated that the case was "politically motivated."

Though the body hearing the case is an independent constitutional body, the polity is not jaded. Obviously, the President's remarks are uncalled for, because the case is still being heard and tried. Would this affect the course of the investigation? Yes, since the highest official of the land has already said his piece and we all know how bodies "respond" when a President already made known his stand publicly. 

And to think that we live in a democratic society where the justice system says that a suspect remains innocent until proven otherwise. Aquino's words however, literally and practically dictated to the Sandiganbayan what to do with Padaca's case. What if the Sandiganbayan finds strong pieces of evidence against Padaca, will the President now say that the Sandiganbayan was influenced by politics? Will this case then lead to another "cleansing", the extent with which Aquino did with the Supreme Court, now targetting the Sandigan?

The President has put every body in a very embarrassing situation. Will the President cooperate with authorities the minute the Sandiganbayan discovers strong evidence of Padaca's criminal culpability?

Padaca's case is a usual form of graft where a government official literally gives monies to her favored institution. Former Isabela representative Santiago Respicio accused Padaca of granting a 25 million peso hybrid rice project to an organisation without public bidding. 

This is a clear case of violation of the law on procurement. Don't tell me that President Aquino also has his own definition of graft and corruption? That when corruption is being undertaken by his political allies and friends, he is ever ready to defend them and say that their actions are "okey" even if these clearly violate the law?

I saw how Padaca immediately shed some tears when asked about the case. That's a classic case of conscience being pricked. She probably knows she erred in this. That's why every, single time someone asks her of it, she cries to hide her guilt.