Shame

Published by the Visayan Daily Star Publications, Inc.

NINFA R. LEONARDIA Editor-in-Chief & President

CARLA P. GOMEZ Editor GUILLERMO TEJIDA III Desk Editor NANETTE L. GUADALQUIVER Busines Editor CEDELF P. TUPAS Sports Editor (On Leave) RENE GENOVE Bureau Chief, Dumaguete MAJA P. DELY Advertising Coordinator

CARLOS ANTONIO L. LEONARDIA Administrative Officer

New York Governor Elliot Spitzer, a Democrat, has resigned amid a scandal over a $4,300-an-hour prostitute, after facing threats of impeachment and intense pressure to resign from Republicans ever since the New York Times reported on Monday that he was caught on a federal wiretap arranging to meet a prostitute in a hotel room.  Legal experts have opined that although prostitution is illegal in most US states, Spitzer was unlikely to face charges as a client but he could have been legally vulnerable over payment methods.

Spitzer’s swift resignation over what can be considered a minor issue when compared to those that have been rocking our country comes in stark contrast to the way numerous reports and even evidence of wrongdoing cannot move politicians and elected officials in this country to relinquish their grip on power.  In this country, resignation is not an option. Public officials accused of wrongdoing stubbornly cling on, relying on technicalities and the glacial pace of our justice system to remain in power.  It is disgusting to see the morally corrupt pontificate of adherence to the rule of law, but unfortunately for us, shame, delicadeza, and a clean conscience are no longer part of Philippine politics.

In his resignation speech, Spitzer was quoted as saying: “Over the course of my public life I have insisted, I believe correctly, that people, regardless of their position or power, take responsibility for their conduct. I can and will ask no less of myself. For this reason I am resigning from the office of governor”. 

Gov. Spitzer chose not to right a wrong with another wrong by insisting on finishing his term after his shenanigans were exposed. 

Comparing the gravity of the offense that forced him to resign to the crimes that have allegedly been committed by officials of this government, that makes the disgraced governor of New York a better man than most of the people in this administration who have either committed crimes or have knowingly covered up the crimes of their superiors.*