The incident involving ex-policeman Wilfredo “Willie” Gonzales and a bicycle rider highlights the need for transforming the government into an institution of compassionate and law-abiding public servants. A video recording captured Gonzales as the aggressor, hitting, cursing, and even brandishing a gun at the cyclist. Despite Gonzales’ protests, the video clearly shows that he was in the wrong and not the victim he claims to be. It’s audacious for him to blame the vlogger who shared the video for making him look bad since all the vlogger did was expose Gonzales’ true nature.
Without the video recording, the cyclist would have had little chance of proving his side of the story. It’s often the case that government authorities side with public officials in conflicts with ordinary citizens, giving weight to the “presumption of regularity” in their official functions. However, a video recording can be the most effective weapon for private citizens against erring public officials. This is particularly evident in cases involving police personnel and civilian deaths. Only when there is video evidence showing the officers’ criminal behavior, do they face prosecution and conviction. Without such evidence, they often get away with heinous crimes.
The Supreme Court recognizes the importance of video evidence in preventing abuses by police officers. It has implemented rules requiring police officers to wear body cameras during the execution of warrants. This rule was a response to the thousands of deaths that occurred during the Duterte administration’s drug war, where most deaths were claimed to be a result of suspects fighting with the police. However, the use of body cameras is limited to warrant executions, and more regulation is needed for other police operations where suspicious civilian deaths occur, such as drug buy-bust operations and warrantless arrests.
If the Marcos administration wants to leave a transformative legacy, it should consider legitimizing video recording as an integral part of police operations prone to irregularities. With advancements in technology, hidden mini cameras are readily accessible. Another public office that could benefit from mandatory video coverage is the Bureau of Immigration. The public’s mistrust of airport immigration officials has led to intense criticism of the Department of Justice’s stricter requirements for outbound Filipino travelers. By requiring airport immigration officials to video record their interactions with travelers, the Justice Secretary can build public trust in his initiatives.
The Marcos administration should identify other public offices in need of transparency and mandate video recordings of their dealings with the public. There is a budget available for camera or video gadgets, such as the billions in confidential and intelligence funds. Video recording can encourage public officials to exhibit their best behavior, displaying kindness, honesty, and professionalism. It has the potential to bring about a massive transformation in government behavior, turning pompous and graft-prone officials into angels when faced with a camera.
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