As Murderous As PoliticiansImpunity is an ugly word. As ugly and terrible and murderous like Philippine politicians as well as policemen and private persons with political influence. (The Ampatuans of the of the infamous Maguindanao massacre, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo who headed the most corrupt administration in the country's history, among others.)
Webster's dictionary defines impunity as exemption from punishment, penalty, or harm. A similar word with the same meaning is immunity or exemption from obligation imposed on others like exemption from taxation and exemption from criminal prosecution.
Impunity. Immunity from suits. Lucky are these and their followers including kinsmen who show contempt for the law and do whatever they wish to do knowing they get away with it. Even if they are caught and hailed before the courts, the means for them to escape punishment is always there--money to pay off the judges and lawyers and witnesses.
Were the Ampatuans thinking about these when they massacred 58 people in Maguindanao. They had all the tools to commit the beastly deed--guns, back hoe-- and they were in power as was their patron, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, who created them.
Can we apply the word to an Isabela mayor who gets what he wants in the municipal government? The mayor gets P53, 000 monthly salary while his wife as his executive assistant receives P23,000 as salary, while an in-law and two other relatives receives at least P15,000 each as monthly salaries. In addition, the mayor has 5 service vehicles that include an Innova and an expensive car like Lenux?
indeed, the law-makers create what they cannot be subjected to, but only for their subjects. because lawyers from PAO, prosecutors, to the supremem court judges can be bought.
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