FIRING LINE: A slap to the justice system

By Robert B. Roque, Jr.

Quite unceremoniously, Dr. Winston Casio is now the former spokesperson of the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC). On top of that, he faces an investigation after a video of him slapping a POGO worker went viral.

Mr. Casio has said he is full of remorse over the incident; but to his defense, he swore the POGO worker had supposedly cursed at them and flashed a dirty finger. The viral video, though, and the comments were not very friendly to his cause.

One would say it’s a relief to see a swift measure of justice now that Dr. Casio has been booted out and the price for his actions has been paid. But let’s be real: how can we applaud accountability here when those behind countless brutal deaths in the war on drugs still roam free, shielded by claims of “nanalaban”?

So really, this incident may seem like a step forward, but until every abuse of power faces equal scrutiny, justice served appears to be more selective than the general rule. That’s the real slap to our justice system.

Cleaning up rivers

Hats off to San Miguel Corporation (SMC) for making a powerful impact on flood control in Luzon through its Better Rivers Ph initiative. Since 2020, SMC has cleared 136 kilometers of rivers, hauling out 8 million tons of silt and waste — all without costing the government a single centavo.

This monumental effort targets major waterways prone to flooding, such as the Tullahan, Pasig, San Juan, and Pampanga rivers.

Most recently, from August to October, SMC cleared 8.15 kilometers of the Pampanga River, removing over 500,000 tons of silt and debris. The result? Well, local officials in the coastal town of Macabebe profess to have faster drainage of floodwaters in areas during heavy rains and high tide.

And with the foresight of SMC boss Ramon S. Ang, the initiative promises to go beyond just single cleanups. With heavy rains causing recurring silt build-ups, the corporate giant is poised to return to previously cleared rivers like Tullahan and Pasig.

Firing Line salutes companies that support environmental preservation and protection.

So, kudos to SMC for ensuring these critical waterways would remain open and functional. This is corporate responsibility at its finest — an example of commitment and impact that other companies should be inspired to follow.

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