By Honor Blanco Cabie
the supreme court has ruled that wealth obtained
by any public servant in his time
in office past his lawful wage be chained
as one ill-gotten* – that, mate, is a crime.
that may thus be forfeited even if
the wealth is now in other people’s names –
be kin or not – they have no such relief:
forfeited properties can be in flames.
there is this cold efficiency indeed
of guillotine: that legal title is
irrelevant when cash came from a seed
of public officer deserving hiss.
the millions of ill-gotten wealth, though dead**
the servant has been, can’t be served as bread.
= = = = = =
*The decision, penned by Associate Justice Japar B. Dimaampao of the Third Division, ruled that wealth acquired by a public officer during their time in office that clearly exceeds their lawful income is presumed ill-gotten and may be forfeited, even if registered under the names of other individuals.
**The retired general died in June 2024.
