Give her the
benefit of the doubt

Published by the Visayan Daily Star Publications, Inc.

NINFA R. LEONARDIA Editor-in-Chief & President

CARLA P. GOMEZ Editor GUILLERMO TEJIDA III Desk Editor PATRICK PANGILINAN Busines Editor NIDA A. BUENAFE Sports Editor RENE GENOVE Bureau Chief, Dumaguete MAJA P. DELY Advertising Coordinator

CARLOS ANTONIO L. LEONARDIA Administrative Officer

It is quite unfair of people to snicker and suspect former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo of malingering, and using her present physical condition as an excuse to avoid a confrontation with her accusers in the various charges filed against her for alleged anomalous acts and decisions during her presidency.

As of yesterday, medical bulletins on the former president have confirmed that she is quite seriously sick, and that an infection had set in after her recent surgery, which may require another operation in at least three weeks. Her doctors have explained this to the media, and to the country as a whole.

One may suspect other officials, or even private persons, of resorting to illness in order to avoid investigation or cross examination, but this does not seem likely when one comes to think of the former president. After having gone through all the challenges and vicissitudes of the highest office in the land, and hurdling some of the most difficult situations, she does not strike us as someone who would resort to such ruses as malingering. She has, in fact, faced squarely circumstances that would have floored any other leader, even the male ones.

To those who have also aired suspicion that this could be the scenario to justify a trip to the United States or any other foreign country for further treatment, which could take months or even years, we say, let us wait and see how things develop from this point. Charity requires that we give an ailing person, including one who has been president, the benefit of the doubt until she proves us wrong. The diagnosis made and announced by her physician appears to be a really serious and even life-threatening one.

Let us therefore wish her well and pray for her, not only for her recovery from this physical malady, but also for the other challenging ones she is facing so that we can reach the point when justice will prevail for everyone.*