HERE’S a question sent to the Times that legal experts and scholars should ponder and answer: If President Aquino already enjoys immunity from suit for his official acts during his incumbency, why should he also enjoy the privilege of being exonerated by the Ombudsman, whom he appointed to office?

We have a situation here that appears to be the opposite of “double jeopardy.” If a person cannot be tried twice on the same charge, should a high official like the president enjoy this double privilege of being immune and being exonerated? In a monarchy, that might be permissible. But in a constitutional democracy like ours, it is an extravagance.

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