Cayetano: "No special treatment for former President Arroyo"

Senate minority leader Alan Peter Cayetano urged the Aquino administration to remain firm in their stand to treat former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo no differently from any ordinary citizen accused of committing a crime - with respect but subject to the rule of law.

"Hate the sin but love the sinner. Labanan natin ang pandaraya, ang pagnanakaw, at ang pandarambong. Pero 'yung compassion din natin sa mga tao, kung may sakit talaga, kung talagang may special needs, ibigay 'yon," he said.

However, the senator stressed that the Aquino administration must not allow itself to fall victim to the Arroyo camp's tactics of evading justice citing the latter's bid to put Mrs. Arroyo under house arrest rather than be held in a regular detainment facility.

He said it is time for former President Arroyo to face justice and must, therefore, not be allowed to push for special treatment.

"Sa house arrest, mapapansin ninyo na ipinaglalaban parati ng mga Arroyo kung saan sila makikinabang. Kung makikinabang sila na may special treatment sa kanila, gusto nila may special treatment. Kung makikinabang sila kung sila ay tratuhin tulad ng iba, gusto nila 'yon ang masunod," he said.

The minority leader explained that if the Arroyo camp wishes to push the issue, then it would be their burden to show that there are special circumstances to allow a house arrest.

Cayetano was also quick to caution the Aquino government from following in its predecessor's footsteps in its bid to bring the Arroyos to justice.

"Sila [the Arroyos] kasi, para habulin ang mga kalaban niya, o protektahan ang sarili nila, they violated laws. The challenge to this administration is to prosecute her without doing things wherein the end will justify the means. Do it within the legal bounds," he said.