Guilty until proven innocent

By Alex P. Vidal 

“The saddest thing I can imagine is to get used to luxury.”  — Charlie Chaplin

FILIPINOS are mad and impatient. And they are demanding justice.

Already, most of them have concluded that the controversial Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) contractor couple in the Philippines who paraded their 40 luxury cars worth P465 million are crooks.

Or, they have already presumed them “guilty until proven innocent.”

Guilty of involvement in the multi-billion pesos flood-control project anomalies exposed by Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson and sounded off by no less than President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.?

But, so far, everything has been only “trial by publicity” with no formal complaint lodged yet against the couple and several other greedy and malevolent contractors named in the President’s report, although the senate has begun the investigation juggernaut.

We thought a person accused of a crime should be legally considered innocent under the principle of the presumption of innocence until the prosecution proves his guilt beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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The entire burden of proof has been placed on the government in this principle and is a fundamental protection of individual rights, ensuring that people are not punished based on mere accusations or suspicion.

It is a cornerstone of the U.S. Constitution’s due process clauses which are also observed in the Philippines and other countries that adhered to democratic precepts.

We naturally loathe the Discaya family’s ostentatious display of (undeserved) wealth, especially when many Filipinos continue to live under the poverty line. It’s sickening and adding insult to injury.

But we can not yet condemn the couple and conclude with absolute certainty that all the money used to purchase those luxury vehicles really came from the taxpayers. Let’s wait for the due process to take its course.

Meanwhile, here are the vehicles seen during the interview with the Discayas and their estimated prices, according to leading local online automotive portal Philkotse as reported by Kristofer Purnell:

-Cadillac Esplanade – latest models range between P17.8 million and P19.8 million. The Discayas own two Esplanades, making the estimates around P35.6 million and P39.6 million

-Lincoln Navigator – latest model is P16 million. The Discayas own two Navigators, making the estimates around P32 million

-GMC Yukon Denali – latest model is P16.8 million. The Discayas own two Yukon Denalis, making the estimates around P33.6 million

-GMC Savana – between P4 million and P7 million

-BMW X5 – between P5 million and P8 million

-BMW X7 – between P8 million and P10 million

-Land Rover Range Rover Autobiography – 2020 model is P10 million

-Land Rover Range Rover Evoque – around P6 million

-Land Rover Defender – between P6 million and P17 million

-Toyota Alphard – 2025 models range between P4.78 million and P5.2 million

-Toyota Tundra – around P8 million

-Toyota Sequioa – around P10 million

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-Toyota Sequioa Capstone – between P4 million and P10 million

-Toyota Sequioa TRD Pro – around P10 million

-Toyota Land Cruiser LC2 – between P3 million and P7 million

-Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class – between P10 million and P16 million

-Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class – between P6 million and P8 million

-Mercedes-Benz Sprinter – between P5 million and P12 million

-Mercedes-Benz Avantgarde – between P3 million and P4 million

-Mercedes-AMG G 63 – between P16 million and P23 million

-Mercedes-Maybach GLS SUV – between P18 million and P30 million

-Jeepney Grand Wagoneer – latest models range between P4.85 million and P6.17 million

-Chevrolet Suburban – between P5 million and P8 million

-Dodge RAM – between P3 million and P5 million

-Jaguar F-PACE – between P5 million and P8 million

-Isuzu Alterra – between P1 million and P2 million

-Volvo XC90 – between P4 million and P6 million

-Lexus LM – between P7 million and P12 million

-Ford Bronco Sport – between P2 million and P4.5 million

-Jeep Gladiator – between P4 million and P5 million

-Porsche Cayenne – between P13.5 million and P15 million

-Maserati Levante – between P5 million and P9 million

-Bentley Bentayga – between P15 million and P18 million

-Rolls-Royce Cullinan – between P30 million and P60 million

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WE have Filipino US Open champions in chess and billiards but not yet in tennis. Will there ever be one in the near future?

Alex Eala is still young and an upstart but is already making waves after recently reaching in the second round before being booted out.

I have good reason to continue patronizing the tennis US Open: the venue, The Arthur Ashe Stadium in the Flushing Meadows in Queens is 15 minutes away by walk from where I live.

There’s a partial glimpse of what may follow this golden era will be on display at the U.S. Open, which got underway August 24 until September 8, 2025.

The first day at the US Open had a special aura of newness and even revival for players and fans alike like American baseball’s opening day.

It was when hope springs eternal for all. On that day, everything and anything was possible.

The past means nothing and only the present counts.

Previous wins and losses, resumes rife with titles, none of that matters. All men’s and women’s singles competitors started the tournament at the exact same place, all with one goal and dream—to win seven matches and be crowned US Open 2025 champion.

Opening Day at the Open was likewise a bonanza for fans. It’s like lifting up the lid of a treasure chest, not knowing what delightful treasures were inside.

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Walking around USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center and our eyes wouldn’t know which way to look. It’s like our head was on a swivel and our mind was on overload trying to keep up with the action, as world-class players were competing on every court.

Established stars and those trying to make a name for themselves all shared the Opening Day stage.

And despite the throng of fans and the scope of the grounds, there was an intimacy between the fans and players that was truly unique.

Everyone got wrapped up in the thrill of getting the season’s final Slam underway. On the outside courts, fans could see the sweat on the faces of the players, heared their exhortations, and marveled at their speed, strength and skills.

Most certainly, every day at the US Open was special, but Opening Day took “special” to another level.

It was a celebration; a riveting block party that rolls out the welcome mat for players and fans alike. It is the first chapter of an unforgettable drama.

(The author, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor-in-chief of two leading daily newspapers in Iloilo, Philippines.—Ed)